Rebirth of the Treacherous Official’s Madam

Xun Ying looked at Qi Ke again. On her fair and pretty little face, her gentle smile even carried a bit of embarrassment, “It’s not that it’s not good, just feeling that this character ‘含 (contain)’, if switched to ‘染 (dye)’, perhaps it will be a bit more natural. Does Gentleman Qi not like writing scenic poems like this?”

Qi Ke’s clear and bright eyes unexpectedly also congealed for a moment, while Yu Zhengshan carried a bit of surprise as he looked towards Yu Lingxin.

Yu Lingxin slightly frowned, increasingly feeling that this development wasn’t good. She quickly glanced at the youngsters gathered around here, inwardly thinking this perhaps was just Yu Zhengshan and Qi Ke having gotten forcibly pulled over by Yu Yunxin, Su Hanwei, and the others, getting insisted to write something to match the scenery. That’s why, Qi Ke randomly wrote something, but perhaps, on the inside, he really was somewhat unwilling.

However, Xun Ying actually made out this from his wording?

At this time, Qi Ke already collected his thoughts, slightly nodding. His lips also carried a light smile, his clean and elegant features appearing increasingly scholarly and refined, “Miss Xun has good eyesight. This one originally had some miscellaneous matters on one’s mind, so this line wasn’t sincere enough, to have let you see something poor.”

“No wonder, I was even thinking, when Gentleman Qi landed the brush, there’s a bit of heaviness. Sure enough, there’s something on your mind.” Xun Ying smiled, “Since that’s the case, why didn’t Gentleman Qi write out what was on one’s mind? One doesn’t necessary need to insist on matching the scenery. For poetry and writing, what’s important is the writer’s feelings inside. How many renowned masters, amidst worry and frustration, left behind masterpieces, passing on for generations. It’s best for Gentleman Qi to not bottle up one’s feelings too much.”

Qi Ke’s gaze increasingly flickered, nodding once again, “Miss’s words are reasonable.”

And at this time, Yu Lingxin already had a very bad feeling. Fortunately, there were plenty of people that weren’t willing to see this kind of conversation continue. Su Hanwei already rushed forward, having other people’s poetry works handed to Xun Ying, “Miss Xun sure enough is very talented. Just, one can’t just be bias to Gentleman Qi’s work, how about taking a look at the others?”

Xun Ying accepted with a smile, “Miss Su is too serious. I’m merely just randomly saying, a bit of humble opinion, don’t dare to call it talent. If everyone doesn’t mind, then I will just randomly say some more.”

Everyone was just gathered here to discuss poetry to begin with. Even though there were those that originally believed themselves to be of great talent, but in front of Qi Ke, this young first place ranker in the autumn exam, and Yu Zhengshan, this even younger young juren^[1], there wasn’t much pride left.

Furthermore, Xun Ying was pretty and gentle, smiling first before speaking, and when speaking, she was also modest and sincere, so who wasn’t willing to let her evaluate their own poetry work?

For a moment, the remaining scholars were even somewhat looking forward to it, and at the same time, also somewhat secretly nervous. Even Qi Ke’s poem got pointed out by Xun Ying to have a wording problem, so the others further didn’t have much confidence. However, Xun Ying’s words were very gentle. Towards the others’ poetry works, she wasn’t that direct like with Qi Ke’s. As everyone chatted and laughed, the atmosphere just became even more harmonious.

Yu Lingxin didn’t speak from beginning to end. Just, while seemingly smilingly following along, she practically had her eyes on Qi Ke and Xun Ying the entire time. However, what made her that bit more relieved was that these two, after the initial exchange, practically didn’t directly look face to face anymore, or rather should say, afterwards, Qi Ke for the most part didn’t speak anymore, mainly Xun Ying discussing with others.

Very soon, two cups of tea’s time went by. Ming Jinrou and Qi Pei who had been accompanying along by the side the whole time were already somewhat impatient. However, on Xun Ying’s side, Xun Ying was still endlessly discussing classical and new rhymes in poetry works with everyone. Qi Pei thus spoke first, “Ying’er, it’s ultimately a bit cold outside, so how about we go inside for tea, and then continue chatting?”

Xun Ying’s side was currently talking about the rhyming word at the end of a verse. Qi Ke, who’d been silent for a while, just happened to also say a few words. The little bookworm was currently engrossed in the topic, so although she also felt a bit cold, she still wasn’t too willing to leave. After glancing at Yu Lingxin, she said with a smile, “If older sister Pei is tired, then just go have tea with Jinrou first. Sister-in-law and I will stay over here for a little while longer.”

How could Qi Pei really be willing to stay with Ming Jinrou the whole way, so upon hearing, she vaguely responded, “You body is a bit weaker, so it’s probably best to not stay out in the cold for too long?”

Yu Lingxin actually didn’t want to let Xun Ying continue staying here too. Catching a cold was one thing, but more importantly, earlier when discussing about the classical stories in poetry, Qi Ke didn’t really talk, entirely just Xun Ying talking with everyone else, but when it came to the topic of the rhyming scheme, unknown as to what he thought of, Qi Ke just joined in the conversation.

TN: All translations outside of are stolen and reposted without permission!

He indeed had a bit better talent and learning. It wasn’t noticeable when not opening his mouth, but once he opened his mouth, just slightly saying a few words, one can just make out how concise and comprehensive his words were, having reason and logic.

Yu Lingxin indifferently watched, even feeling that Xun Ying’s appearance, when listening to Qi Ke talk, truly was too focused. That kind of subtle feeling inside was increasingly strong. As such, she just nodded along Qi Pei’s words, “This is true, we’ve been here in the plum forest for quite some time already, so why don’t we go somewhere else?”

As for the tea that Qi Pei mentioned, Yu Lingxin still didn’t want to answer, mainly because right now Qin Wang, Wu Wang, and Wei Wang were probably together in one place. She would rather let Xun Ying be together with Qi Ke than to run into Wei Wang!

However, in the next moment, Yu Lingxin’s heart slightly sunk, because in a few breaths after she said this, while Xun Ying was still somewhat disappointed, and the others still wanted to urge to stay, they could already see some people walking over in this direction a few feet away. The one in the lead was tall and handsome, precisely his Highness Qin Wang who made Ming Jinrou’s eyes lit up.

And behind him, without needing to think, one just knew that it was Wu Wang and Wei Wang.

“This……this is………” A son of an official next to Qi Ke suddenly became nervous and couldn’t help but glance at his friend.

Everyone’s expression all differed. For the scholars and young ladies from noble families, the great majority have seen the princes before, so still a bit more composed, but there were naturally also those whose birth was a bit lower, not having met those of the imperial family in close proximity like this before, especially the princes, so they were just somewhat nervous.

And amidst this kind of nervousness, some were fearful, while some were faintly excited, like Su Hanwei for instance.

Yu Lingxin’s position was relatively near the back, so towards everyone’s reaction, she was able to see particularly clearly. The Su family’s flexibility and pragmatism in social climbing and currying favor for personal gain, she increasingly understood now, especially after seeing Su Hanwei’s performance today. Actually, setting aside the family background, solely in terms of having a flexible mind and the ability to make use of every opportunity, afraid even Qi Pei wasn’t as good as Su Hanwei. Moreover, Su Hanwei’s appearance was also not bad. If she really were to have the opportunity to climb higher, perhaps she really can walk out her own path.

Of course, among the people present, other than Yu Lingxin, there were also those that were neither excited nor nervous towards the three princes’ sudden arrival, even carrying a bit of not too reserved rejection, for instance, Qi Ke.

Although not speaking, Qi Ke still instinctively straightened his back a little, also lightly coughing. Xun Ying casually glanced at him, “Gentleman Qi?”

At this time, Qin Wang and the others have arrived. Su Hanwei practically was the first to react again, curtsying with a smile, “Greetings to the three Highnesses.”

Everyone could only quickly follow after. Wu Wang immediately smiled, “No need to be too courteous. Our purpose in coming over today was originally for the sake of discussing poetry with everyone, using literature to make friends. There’s truly no need to be too uptight with these etiquettes, else we would also feel very apologetic.”

“Your Highness is too modest.” Someone immediately bowed again as they praised.

Qin Wang, however, didn’t have any rapport with Wu Wang, just very naturally going over to take Ming Jinrou’s hand, and at the same time, turned towards the crowd, saying with a nod, “To have disturbed, please continue.”

After saying this, he unexpectedly just started leaving with Ming Jinrou. Yu Lingxin quickly pulled Xun Ying to follow after them, even somewhat blocking Xun Ying, “Everyone, please continue, we will take our leave first.”

“This one will also take one’s leave first.” Qi Ke similarly bowed and started leaving from the side.

Yu Zhengshan dryly coughed, “Brother Yuzhang, wait for me.”

Wu Wang and Wei Wang immediately were just somewhat awkward. Although when coming over, Qin Wang and Wu Wang both said that it was to pick up their respective wangfei, but after coming over, everyone that were originally enthusiastically discussing about poetry immediately just started scattering like birds. This truly didn’t look too good on their face.

And on the other hand………..

Wei Wang’s gaze flickered, forcibly pressing down that breathtaking feeling inside, opening his mouth with a smile, “Isn’t this not giving us any face at all? We’d just arrived, yet everyone is already leaving?”

Actually, aside from Qi Ke and Yu Zhengshan, these two students of Qingyang Academy, there were still seven to eight students from Wenhua that stayed, so it can’t be considered everyone leaving, but once Wei Wang’s words came out, it still made those that wanted to leave all stop in their tracks at the same time.

Qin Wang turned around first, “We came over late, so presumably they’ve already been discussing for a while, merely just happening to scatter at this time. Even if not, there’s still no need to forcibly keep them.”

“Eldest brother is right.” Wei Wang said with a smile. His appearance, compared with his brother Wu Wang, further resembled their mother Li Consort, and can also be considered very handsome. Just, that pair of peach blossom eyes truly were too frivolous and crafty, his conduct and style also the same. As he spoke, he also seemingly carelessly moved closer towards Yu Lingxin and Xun Ying’s direction, “However, this younger brother indeed admire this year’s first place in the autumn exam, and also this talented younger cousin of sister-in-law’s. In the past, one had already heard of Linglong Literature Club’s name, hearing that this talented young lady’s poetry works surpassed that of gifted scholars. Just, one never had the fate of meeting. Now that one just happened to have the fortune of meeting, why don’t eldest brother pity this younger brother and let me shamelessly become close with these two talented scholars?”

These words can also be said to be very ‘modest’, even clearly urging Qi Ke and Xun Ying to stay. The current Wei Wang had just turned sixteen. His so called frivolous reputation in the past life still haven’t started spreading. Just, based on the current state of affairs, as a prince deeply favored by the emperor, words like this can also be considered ‘bending his knees to make friends’.

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