Chapter 6

Snot and tears crisscrossed on a once delicate little face, and Li Mu had never seen anyone cry so tragically. He was momentarily stunned, flustered and eager to persuade her to stop crying, only to realize that it was utterly ineffective

He originally thought to first use words to stabilize Zhi, and on the day of the examination, to imprison her, preventing her from participating in the imperial examination. Unexpectedly, the empress's speed was astonishingly swift

It is useless to pretend to be mute! You must apologize! Her finger jabbed at his chest, hard and unyielding, causing her fingertip to hurt; she became even more annoyed, acting unreasonable.

The woman exhaled like an orchid, leaning close to her ear. Although she smiled, there was an infinite chill in her demeanor. She sighed softly, "Do you wish to escape? Can you really escape?"

Hua Rong is the cousin of Li Mu. Although she is as beautiful as a flower, she has fallen in love with her cousin Li Mu, who is only three days younger than herself. Therefore, at the age of twenty-four, she remains unmarried.

In the moment of confusion, as she raised her head, she unexpectedly met a pair of eyes as deep as the night sky, causing her heart to involuntarily race "thump thump".

It is finished, everything is finished

Ah... I have something to attend to, you all take your time to chat, I will take my leave first

The young man, dressed in white like snow and possessing a handsome face, was none other than Li Mu, whom she had been cursing in her heart. Without time to react to the fact that she was still held in his embrace, she suppressed the fluttering of her heart and suddenly felt a surge of unnamed anger within her

Only Li Mu was more resolute than him, as a cold expression returned to his handsome face. He raised an eyebrow, looking at her aggrieved appearance, deliberately ignoring the slight pain in his heart.

Sighing, he shook his head with a helpless smile.

Suddenly furrowing her brow, her expression turned cold, and her grip tightened in her hand. The little figure in her palm gradually changed from white to a deep red due to suffocation, then from deep red to a bluish hue, unable to utter a word of pain, while a cruel smile appeared on her face.

Just as I was taken aback, a chilling voice suddenly reached my ears, so indifferent that it sent a shiver down my spine. At first listen, it bore a certain resemblance to Li Mu's tone. However, it was evident that the voice belonged to a woman.

The striking youth had delicate features, a pale complexion, and an aura of scholarly refinement. What left a deep impression was his gaze, which was resolute and wise, suggesting that he was indeed a shrewd individual

Shaking his head, the man raised his thick eyebrows with great interest, displaying a hint of curiosity, eager to hear the insights of his most cherished empress.

He looked towards the place that sent chills down his spine, and was surprised to see another clever figure. He noticed that Li Mu's narrow and sharp eyes suddenly glinted with a more intense cold light, and the murderous aura had unknowingly become piercing.

At this point, she set down the register in her hand, looking at Emperor Taizong with a hint of pride, handed over the register, and said with a light laugh: "Your Majesty, take a look."

The gaze suddenly turned cold, and the imposing aura became so chilling in an instant that it made one's heart tremble; the noble demeanor compelled one to unconsciously submit to its power.

It is so... difficult. I cannot breathe, as I am being choked by a woman in white. In an instant, I feel the pain of suffocation. The thought that I am so unfortunate in the place where Li Mu is makes me feel a deep resentment in my heart, wishing I could tear apart that handsome Li Mu to vent my anger.

Did everyone understand?

No one should respond

I have lost

Therefore, after parting ways with the queen and the princess, silence and vigilance are the wisest means of self-protection

The thought that he refused to recommend her filled Zhi with anger, and when she recalled Shi Yu, who was still waiting for her good news, tears began to well up in her round, large eyes

Do not hurt her

The moment he thought that if his junior disciple were to die, his master would undoubtedly blame himself for not protecting the "weak," he immediately became invigorated and continued his teachings

Due to his reluctance to explain, he did not share his thoughts with anyone, yet he did not expect that this matter would cause his senior brother Ding Buhai to break out in a cold sweat, as the affairs of the world are unpredictable

Dugu received the order and replied in a melodious tone, hurriedly stepping back to announce the entrance of the newly appointed top scholar, Yin Yaoyu, into the palace

A month has passed in the blink of an eye, and it has been nearly seven days since the palace examination concluded

Upon seeing the two of them, only Zhi's head grew larger.

It is entirely his fault that she has been made to look so foolish

It is said that the usually indifferent young prince has never shown such a temper, yet he is angry for her sake

Therefore, Ding Bu hopes that Zhi Zhi, who excels in the examination, can achieve great success. After all, aside from his considerable dissatisfaction with Zhi Zhi's penchant for short sleeves, he still quite likes Zhi Zhi, who is simple-minded and kind-hearted.

With a faint smile, the stunning woman in formal attire opposite him delicately picked up a piece of paper

Zhi Zhi furrowed her brows, walking back and forth in the elegantly decorated ancient mansion, while two pretty maids beside her looked at her with envy

The gaze suddenly became intense, and Li Mu turned around abruptly, narrowing his slender eyes dangerously, with his handsome and calm face clearly displaying the words "No way".

Seeing her in such a furious state, a faint smile involuntarily appeared in Li Mu's beautiful eyes

Your Majesty, please speak

The moral standards of society are declining, what on earth are you doing

With a gentle smile, that smile possesses the charm surpassing that of the water lily. If she were an ordinary person, many would have already succumbed beneath her stunning beauty, but Li Mu remained unmoved.

She is certain that no one in the world has worse luck than she does, why is this place so large

After all, she is just a sixteen-year-old girl. In such a strange place, it is truly not easy for her to persist in the belief that "finding the ancient jade will allow her to return to the modern world" and make it this far

Although Ding Bu disapproves of the ambiguous relationship between Zhi and her junior, he is well aware that the imperial examination is the only opportunity for scholars to rise above the common lot. If they fail to pass, their fate will be exceedingly tragic

With a resolute demeanor, there was an undeniable determination in her eyes

Subconsciously glancing at her meager belongings, which consisted of only a tattered garment, she lowered her head and quietly observed the movements of the two maids beside her. After confirming that they were not watching her, she rolled up her sleeves and prepared to sneak away

As soon as she left, the two maidservants became anxious, flustered and eager to block her way, yet they did not dare to touch her in the slightest. The young prince was not someone to be trifled with; if their master were to find out that they had harmed a guest he valued, although the prince would not blame them, they would undoubtedly be categorized as foolish maidservants.

The man, with a resolute and subtly imposing demeanor, was momentarily taken aback, seemingly unable to believe that the intricate game he had painstakingly orchestrated could be so easily disrupted. He stared incredulously at the situation, eager to reverse the tide of fortune.

In a hurry to find an excuse, Ding Butou did not dare to return, fleeing as if to save his life. Only Zhi remained, feeling indignant, staring at Li Mu with wide eyes.

Before she could react, a sudden tightness in her throat made her nose tingle, and she almost burst into tears

Upon seeing their master, all the soldiers simultaneously performed a half-kneeling salute. As their gazes met his sharp and indifferent eyes, they each involuntarily shivered, not daring to breathe a word, and in their hearts, they loathed Ding Bu, who had intruded upon the chamber, to the point of grinding their teeth in frustration

I have already promised her

The wails of anguish rose and fell, creating a truly spectacular scene

The more he thought about it, the more his scalp tingled. How could he not have noticed that she was petite and had fair skin? This is a disaster; he has embarrassed himself to the utmost!

Emperor Taizong Li Shimin is certainly not an ordinary person; he easily discerned the hidden meaning in her words. With a sudden shift in his gaze, he said with a smile that was not quite a smile: "Is the Empress praising me, or is she disparaging me?"

I do not dare to presume, but I can only speak to the matter at hand

You must understand that if the matter is exposed, you, as the recommender, will not escape unscathed! The old lady has only one son; can you bear to let her experience the sorrow of burying her own child?

These words naturally slipped out, as fluent as if it were always this way. However, glancing worriedly at the girl in his arms who had long since fainted, Li Mu's handsome face suddenly stiffened; he could not forget the emptiness that filled his heart when he learned of Zhi's disappearance.

Before the words had left his lips, a sudden chill ran down his spine

Young master, slow down! Please slow down...

Your Majesty, it is your turn

After a pause, he continued: "If I am not here, Xuanyuan should return."

It is indeed the spring season, with peach petals scattered in a harmonious interplay of black and white, like pink embedded in jade chess pieces. The subtle fragrance wafts gently to the nostrils, continuous and unending, and when one is immersed in it, the heart feels relaxed and the spirit is uplifted

Before the obstruction could be removed, the indifferent and composed young prince Li Mu was already standing up from the grandmaster's chair. Dressed in white like snow, he stood tall and elegant, walking slowly towards the anxious and intrusive senior brother Ding Bu, merely gazing at him with an expression of indifference.

Are you not afraid for your life? Committing the grave sin of deceiving the sovereign could lead to execution

Emperor Taizong Li Shimin was slightly taken aback; it was indeed remarkable that a mere seventeen-year-old could achieve the top position in the imperial examination. Previously, he had heard that the son of Minister Sun, Sun Boye, had ranked second at the age of thirty, which was already a display of extraordinary talent

Upon arriving at the royal residence, she still foolishly believed that he was merely a lowly servant of a high-ranking noble family. The thought of her misfortune, being scolded while having her ear twisted by someone, made Zhi unable to contain her burning anger

The thought that Li Mu does not care for her, and that there is no longer any reliable support to bring her peace, fills her heart with deep sorrow

With a smile, Empress Changsun said little, merely smiling quietly.

One by one, she read the names on the roster. Empress Changsun remained neither humble nor arrogant, her graceful countenance exuding a gentle and serene demeanor. Although the palace examination was a selection process he initiated, his understanding of them ultimately did not compare to that of Empress Changsun

As she narrowed her elongated phoenix eyes, preparing to snap Zhi's neck with a swift motion, a green leaf arrow suddenly shot out from outside the bamboo forest, piercing through the air like lightning, and in an instant, it struck the back of the white-clad woman's hand, abruptly halting her movement.

As she recounted each story, a look of admiration unconsciously appeared on Taizong's resolute face

Upon hearing his words, Zhi was momentarily taken aback. Following his fiery gaze, she noticed a pair of long hands firmly gripping her waist, causing her entire being to appear as if she were leaning against him. Instantly, her face flushed with shame, and she quickly jumped away.

Winding and turning, as she looked at the vast expanse of green bamboo forest, Zhi suddenly felt a sense of wanting to cry without tears. What is the purpose of such a large courtyard? Is it deliberately testing how lost a person can get?

What are you looking at? Look again and I will hit you!

He knows that it has always been his junior apprentice who likes Zhi, yet in order to avoid rumors, he deliberately deceives himself into thinking that it is Zhi who has seduced his junior apprentice, leading to his obsession with short sleeves

You did not ask, so naturally I did not say anything

With a cold smile, just as Zhi was retreating to a distance she felt was sufficient and was planning to make a quick escape, she suddenly saw a flash of white, and her eyes blurred.

The second place in the examination—Sun Boye, aged 30, a native of Chang'an, is the son of Minister Sun...

She dropped the unconscious Zhi Zhi from her hands, took a few steps forward, and upon seeing that it was indeed the person she had been thinking of, she couldn't help but smile sweetly

If no one were to interrupt them, Li Mu would feel for a moment that he could hold Zhi in his arms like this until the end of time, calm and serene

The mentality of covering one's ears while stealing a bell; she thought that by moving step by step, she could somehow cover a considerable distance, yet she was unaware that all her small actions had fallen into the cold gaze of the woman.

He is not a fool; rather, he is quite quick-witted. He swiftly grasped the two key words "woman" in Li Mu's words, and in an instant, his thoughts became clear. He finally understood why Li Mu had a special regard for only Zhi.

Unable to suppress another shiver, I quickly dispel my own delusions. Ha, am I mistaken? With such a cold individual, if she feels any familiarity with her, I must be out of my mind.

Have you finished speaking? If you have, please do not disturb me while I read, and kindly leave, senior brother

"You don't think this is my fault, do you?" She poked his broad chest with her finger, her face filled with indignation.

Shouting loudly, Ding Bu wore a face full of frustration

Unwillingly, the cold gaze swept indifferently over Ding Bu. Li Mu's thin lips pressed together slightly, paused for a moment, and suddenly spoke a few words softly, causing Ding Bu to be unable to help but crash into a wall in despair.

She suddenly realized that time travel was indeed a tremendous nightmare! She truly could not understand why those modern scientists were so fervently engaged in such research.

As for who that young prince is

Upon receiving the roster handed over by the queen, he took it with a sense of skepticism, gazing incredulously at the inscription on the title page. It provided a detailed introduction to Yin Yaoyu's circumstances, accompanied by a depiction of the newly appointed top scholar.

No one dares to defy this king

Behind the two individuals, the passing servants and maids were stunned by Zhi's boldness. No one had ever dared to speak to the young prince in such a manner. Not to mention his identity as a young prince, which no one would dare to offend, even his cold and indifferent demeanor was enough to frighten them into a cold sweat.

Originally, Li Mu, feeling guilty, allowed her to act recklessly, only setting aside a square clearing in the bamboo forest as her residence, and informing the members of the Wang residence that it was a forbidden area

Seeing Zhi staring at him with a predatory gaze, he slightly nodded, not denying her words. However, he did not release her from his embrace, drawing warmth from her presence, and his mood unexpectedly brightened.

Tan Hua - Yue Zheng, aged 53, from Luoyang, with an elderly mother at home, living in modest circumstances

With fire in her eyes and her hands on her hips, she shouted, deliberately ignoring the helplessness hidden in his gaze. In her heart, she was quite furious; if she was not allowed to take the imperial examination, then why bring her to the capital city

Suddenly, he fixed his piercing gaze on the stunning woman before him and coldly continued, "Are you perhaps condemning me for being distracted by frivolities and neglecting the state and its affairs?"

Peach blossoms fall in a flurry, dancing gracefully, scattering and covering the chessboard completely.

My good junior brother, good prince, good Li Mu, at least listen to me!

Even if he has to forsake all the riches and glory, even if it provokes divine wrath, he will use his life to protect the woman he loves

Whether you agree or disagree, in any case, I will not allow you to recommend him

The matter has been settled, and all that is left is to make every effort to remedy the situation

He made a gesture of withdrawal, and there was no color on his handsome face. He turned back to his original seat, picked up the scroll again, and his calm gaze fell upon the lines of text on the pages.

They are actually quite beautiful, and if they were to catch the eye of the young prince, given their status, they naturally could not become the young princess. However, if they could become the young prince's concubine, it would be considered a great honor in their eyes

Still remaining silent, allowing her to speak.

Wherever he is, her luck has never been good; even in death, she cannot let him go! ... She cannot afford to think too much, her head is getting dizzier, damn it ... damn Li Mu. ... ... Struggling in pain, she finds that the more she struggles, the tighter the grip around her neck becomes. Exhausted and flailing, she ultimately cannot withstand the pain of suffocation and faints.

Is there a mistake? He even took Zhi to the brothel to experience the beauty of those women. How can he still be entangled with his junior disciple Li Mu?

With a sudden jolt, she gazed intently at the beautiful woman before her, whose brilliance shone like a dazzling diamond, and was struck by an inexplicable sense of familiarity

Outside the bamboo forest, a young man dressed in white, as pure as snow, swiftly approached. A fleeting look of displeasure crossed his handsome, icy face, quickly concealed, so fast that it was barely perceptible

Although it seems to be a conversation about chess, there are subtle undertones beyond the words.

Furious, he shouted, yet the soldiers remained unmoved, stubbornly carrying out the prince's orders. What a joke; they would rather coexist with a tiger than risk provoking the indifferent and imposing young prince

The top scholar—Yin Yaoyu, courtesy name Zhizhi, aged seventeen, hailing from Fengyang

It is said that a scholar is of no use at all, which reflects this principle. One cannot be picky, and one cannot bring up issues; otherwise, one will end up exhausting oneself.

Wow! The sky is filled with bluster, making it all dark and hazy, leaving her feeling a bit dizzy. The young prince? Who is that? Those two girls seemed to mention that a certain prince called the imperial physician to check her pulse and treated her particularly well

Your Highness, Young Master Ding insists on intruding. It is my failure to carry out my duties. I humbly request Your Highness to impose punishment.

The ghostly agility and stunning beauty create a bizarre cruelty

Gently stroking her dark hair at the side of her forehead, the woman suddenly cast a cold and sharp glance, reprimanding coldly: "What are you looking at? Such an ill-mannered little beast!"

Suddenly, a thunderous roar echoed in the ears of the two individuals

However, the soldiers miscalculated. In a departure from his usual elegance, Ding Bu, whose heart was ablaze, unleashed a fierce gust of palm wind that swept towards the crowd. Confronted by the powerful wind, everyone immediately fell in a heap.

Not acceptable

The action of wiping the cheek was too close to Li Mu, little did they know how ambiguous their actions appeared to outsiders at that moment

Lowering his gaze, he gently said: "I am not the lady's biological son; you should know that in her heart, Xuanyuan is always a hundred times more important than I am"

Only Zhi, still unaware of his growing impatience, kept her head down, tears swirling in her eyes, her heart filled with sorrow

Having spoken, he pressed his delicate pink lips together, and a trace of淡然 sadness appeared on his handsome face, which quickly transformed back into his usual indifference

Zhi Zhi's luck is proportional to her talent, perfectly aligning with that of the top scholar. It was expected that the Emperor would summon her; however, after waiting for seven days, she still had not received any summons from him regarding the newly appointed top scholars.

Her movements were astonishingly swift, and only when constrained by her did I fail to understand where my "plan to escape unnoticed" had gone wrong

Lowering her head, the woman in white had tightly grasped the delicate little neck of the girl with her snow-white hands

Are you a prince

She shouted loudly, and before her voice had even faded, a deep and cold voice was suddenly heard

The Queen's chess skills are so exceptional that I am truly convinced and in admiration

He is merely a servant, why should Mu'er place such importance on him! However, I will heed what you say!

Upon hearing about this matter from a subordinate, he rushed to his junior brother's study as if his eyebrows were on fire, only to be stopped by the soldiers guarding the entrance to the study.

In fact, as soon as his words left his mouth, not only was Huarong taken aback, but even Li Mu himself was stunned. Was she very important to her? When he said this, he showed no hesitation, unlike the indecision he had when he initially wanted to confess to Changping.

I am his senior apprentice

Chuckling, he slightly raised his right hand, and the young eunuch Dugu immediately stepped forward.

Looking at Ding Bu with a sense of grievance, just thinking about the last time he took her to visit a brothel made Zhi's scalp tingle. This person definitely harbored significant issues, and she instinctively stepped behind Li Mu, watching him with a wary expression.

Hearing Li Mu coldly throw down this sentence, Ding Bu was stunned and speechless

Shouting loudly, unfortunately, the two called out too late, and Zhi's movements were too forceful, causing the threshold, which was half a foot high, to block the way ahead.

With a forced smile and a sheepish expression, she took a step back, attempting to exit unnoticed. Oh mother, a forbidden place? Just hearing the name makes it clear that entering is certainly not a good thing, especially with such an icy-faced individual glaring at her in displeasure. Anyone would know that one must not trespass into a forbidden area

In comparison, the handsome man in black before me seems to be easier to deal with

With a sharp scream of "Ah!", before Zhi could smugly make a face at them and slip away, she stumbled and lost control, falling hard to the ground.

It is not that I can change my mind after agreeing to her, my Li Mu! Junior brother! Little prince! Please wake up, you should know that letting her go is not helping her, but harming her!

As she turned the action in her hand to the top column of the top scholar, Empress Changsun paused slightly, her brows and eyes unable to conceal the colors of admiration and pride.

If no one discovers it, it can be managed; however, if it is known that she is merely the daughter of Zhi, even a hundred heads would not suffice to appease the imperial wrath and could provoke the divine anger

Indeed, Xuanyuan, the biological son of the lady, is a taboo topic within the royal residence. He is a being of both charm and wickedness, and the lady has always regarded him as more important than herself

It is not a big deal that he has a penchant for young men, but his junior disciple must carry on the family line, how can he be ruined by him

He picked up the fainted Zhi Zhi and coldly looked at Hua Rong, his thick brows suddenly furrowing as he said in a cold voice: "Yin Zhi Zhi is not just anyone; she is a very important person to me."

I will definitely become the top scholar

Until today, watching only Zhi almost being choked to death by Hua Rong, his originally calm heart suddenly tightened, as if it were being grasped by life itself, and the feeling of heartache spread throughout his body.

"That is my person, please do not make things difficult for her, Cousin Huarong." The narrow and sharp gaze swept over the listless Zhi Zhi on the ground, and upon seeing her in pain, Li Mu's heart suddenly ached.

However, how could Zhi, who was chattering incessantly, know that she had already become the center of attention, still shouting without the slightest awareness of how strange and audacious her actions appeared to others

After a slight hesitation, a fleeting shadow of worry crossed Li Mu's originally expressionless handsome face, vanishing in an instant

The two maids have long admired Li Mu, especially since the young prince has not shown any particular interest in any young lady. In the royal residence, nearly all the maidservants harbor dreams of transforming from sparrows into phoenixes, as the young prince Li Mu is both handsome and talented, and there is hardly a girl who does not like him

Behind me came the trembling voices of two young maidservants

However, seeing her so angry, with her round little face flushed and adorably irrational, Li Mu suddenly felt that no matter how much he explained to her, she might not understand. Thus, he simply chose to remain silent

Therefore, it is now of no use for anyone to refute this

If he wants to be the top scholar, then let him go; why restrict his freedom

With a sniffle and a pout, under the watchful eyes of the crowd, Zhi suddenly burst into loud tears with a "Wow".

The matter of only Zhi participating in the imperial examination had already been decided three days before Ding Bu came to see him. Empress Changsun was very fond of this simple-minded yet well-read Zhi. Before he had even written a letter of recommendation for Zhi, the Empress had already mentioned this to His Majesty.

To be honest, Li Mu had thought about what reaction would appear on her expressive little face after she learned about his identity, but he never expected that she would be filled with rage, which he found rather intriguing

He should know that she came to the capital, and even the reason for leaving behind Shi Yu, whom she regarded as a younger brother, in Fengyang County, is that she wants to participate in the imperial examination and obtain the title of the top scholar.

After speaking for a long time, elaborating on the calamities that the heinous crime of deceiving the sovereign would bring upon him, the other party remained utterly indifferent and silent, which ultimately drove him to the brink of collapse.

In any case, she understood; she came and went in a bewildering manner. She simply has not experienced a single day of good fortune, occasionally suffering minor injuries. Sustaining a bruise is a trivial matter, but it could very well cost her life!

Upon seeing her recklessly charging forward, the two young maidservants trailing behind, panting heavily, widened their eyes in shock. Suddenly, they noticed her turning back while continuing to rush ahead, completely disregarding the path in front of her, causing their hearts to skip a beat.

Is there a mistake? Does she have something dirty on her face? Why does this ice cube keep looking at her? Subconsciously, she touched her right cheek and cast a suspicious glance at him

No one would help her; she had to remain in this unsettling dynasty, even the only person who could assist her had already given up on her. Suddenly, Zhi felt so miserable, she just wanted to cry

Upon considering this, Junyan's expression involuntarily stiffened as he coldly gazed at the little girl hiding behind him, pretending to be an ostrich. The resolute light in his eyes left no room for doubt, yet it elicited a look of surprise from Ding Bu.

The woman in white sneered coldly, watching with satisfaction as Zhi's struggles in her hand gradually faded away, leading to her fainting. A smile unconsciously appeared at the corner of her lips

Shaking his head, he sighed helplessly: "Do not cry anymore. This prince... agrees to your request."

She did not inquire about his identity, and coupled with Empress Changsun's intentional or unintentional concealment, Zhi was left completely unaware of her own situation, and could not blame anyone for it

Having finished speaking, he suddenly turned around, disregarding the white-clad woman behind him who was desperately trying to hold him back, and left the bamboo forest without looking back

She is fearless and therefore does not fear provoking the imperial wrath; she merely speaks of matters that everyone dares to think but does not dare to voice

Oh no, this is the end!

The thought of only Zhi going to take the imperial examination might provoke a fatal disaster, causing his heart to tighten

What is she doing, how could she be so embarrassing as to cling to Li Mu?

The more she thought about it, the more frustrated she became, letting out a disdainful snort from her nostrils. Zhi decided to attribute all the mistakes to Li Mu, resolutely looking down on him to the end

Unfortunately, there is often a significant gap between ideals and reality

At this moment, Li Mu was sitting on a pear wood carved chair, holding a scroll of scriptures

The woman smiled gently and spoke eloquently

Each statement is delivered with neither servility nor arrogance, yet carries an underlying sharpness

With wide eyes filled with astonishment, Ding Bu looked at Zhi, and to his surprise, a hint of blush appeared on his refined face. The thought of having taken her to visit a brothel so casually, and even calling her his sister, made Ding Bu, who was not thick-skinned, feel his face flush instantly.

To achieve the second place in the examination at just thirty years of age is truly remarkable

Moreover, the old lady secretly acquiesced to their thoughts, simply because Li Mu had never been fond of women, and the lady ultimately wished to have a grandson, not caring about the issue of noble lineage.

Thinking of this, Ding Bu's expression was indeed extremely gloomy

Seventeen years old

In the legal code of the Tang Dynasty, women are not permitted to participate in the imperial examination

Despite her earnest and repeated admonitions, he finally slammed the table in anger, his handsome peach blossom eyes glaring at Li Mu's exquisite profile. Seeing him still leisurely perusing the scroll, he suddenly felt a deep sense of frustration

As the pieces were placed, it became evident that the situation on the chessboard was overwhelmingly one-sided between the black and white pieces

When Li Mu agreed to let Zhi participate in the imperial examination and personally wrote a recommendation letter, Ding Bu was the first to oppose it

And now, that seemingly thin and small round-faced boy is actually being held in the arms of Prince Mu, who is loudly criticizing the perfect deity in everyone's mind, causing everyone to be taken aback in astonishment.

Who knows what little prince is here and what relationship he has with her! Almost everyone who has seen her is discussing how this morning the little prince carried her back to the residence and angrily summoned the imperial physician to treat her.

Does His Majesty know why you lost

People say that when someone is overly attentive without reason, they are either a rogue or a thief! Suddenly, a thought struck her—could that young prince be trying to extort her? ... Oh ... She is so poor that even affording meals is a problem, and now she has to face extortion; it is truly a miserable fate.

Upon thinking of this, her originally contemplative little face suddenly twisted into a frown, displaying a look of distress

Oh my, how embarrassing!

Your Highness, may you have long-lasting prosperity

Although His Majesty is a person of reason, such absurd matters will certainly provoke His anger

Moreover, she could not recall which prince she was acquainted with. That despicable fellow, Li Mu, had also vanished without a trace. At this moment, all she wanted was to find Li Mu, speak to him, and then leave this cursed place.

The soldiers hurriedly stood up and rushed into the study, intending to stop the man, fearing that he would disturb the tranquility of the study. To anger the prince is a capital offense

Pulling on Li Mu's clothes, Zhi shouted: "You are actually the little prince! How infuriating! How infuriating! Is it really fun to play with people like this?"

She knows that even if she speaks out of turn, he will not truly be angry with her. A smile unconsciously appears; indeed, he will not be angry with her, no matter how outrageous she may be.

Regarding the issue of Zhi, Li Mu naturally has his own explanation

Greetings to the Young Prince!

The thought of being toyed with like a monkey made her delicate face pout, round and undeniably cute. Li Mu's slightly narrowed, elongated eyes, though not as cold as ice, still revealed an increasingly evident amusement.

The saying goes, "Fallen flowers have intentions, while flowing water is indifferent." When she confessed her feelings to her cousin at the age of eighteen, Li Mu, who was naturally calm and composed, rejected her. This rejection caused the originally gentle and graceful nature of the young girl to undergo a drastic transformation, leading to a penchant for violence and unpredictable emotions

Upon hearing his words, astonishment instantly froze on her round little face

Why? I want to become the top scholar, and I want him to recommend me

Just when she sorrowfully thought that she was about to have yet another intimate encounter with the floor, she suddenly felt a firmness around her waist, as if her body was being lifted by someone, and then she was securely locked in a warm embrace.

If I were to encounter some kind of white-clad witch again, even if she had one hundred lives, it would not be enough for her to play with, how pitiful!

With a clap of her hands, the maid Mo Chou, who served Empress Changsun, immediately picked up the prepared list of paintings and gently opened a page, her voice clear and resonant.

Vaguely, continue reading the book

Mu'er, is it really you? You haven't come to see me for a long time...

He will not forget her femininity, although he did not expose her; however, once one enters the court, it becomes a crime of deceiving the sovereign

She had not noticed at all, nor did she know when it had begun, that she had categorized Li Mu as someone who provided a sense of security

Only Zhi was here, and upon seeing the two maidservants chasing after her, she ran even faster

Before she unleashed her wrath to silence the two maids, they were chattering incessantly about how wonderful their young lord was, praising his handsome character, his remarkable military achievements, and his talents in both literature and martial arts

Ignoring the fact that the departing soldiers had not completely left, Ding Bu could not help but shout out loud

Embarrassed, I looked at Ding Bu who had barged in; it was rare to have someone so bold, yet he still appeared timid and apprehensive

Chirp!

What an interesting girl; if others were to know that her status is one of being beneath one person and above ten thousand, such a noble status, they would have long since bowed and scraped before her, displaying a flattering demeanor.

Ah ... Young Master, you cannot leave!

After having spoken for so long, Li Mu should have come to his senses. He lowered his voice, hoping to hear words of agreement from him

After speaking for about half an hour, feeling parched, I suddenly caught sight of a teapot placed on the adjacent table. I hurriedly poured a cup of tea and gulped it down.

Everyone thought he was born cold and indifferent, yet they did not know that after losing both parents and being raised by his stepmother, he once yearned for familial affection. However, upon realizing that in his stepmother's heart, her son Xuanyuan was always more important than him, he chose to remain silent

The Emperor bears the weight of the nation and its people; if he were to invest too much thought into trivial matters such as chess, it would be a case of losing ambition to the pursuit of pleasure. The eagle's gaze is exceptionally sharp; it sees the vast sky rather than the minutiae, which is why it is the king of birds. Similarly, Your Majesty, your focus is on the state; engaging in a game is merely a form of entertainment, thus you naturally lose the small games but win the larger ones

Only she, upon realizing that he was a little prince wrapped in layers of gold, still treated him as an ordinary person, without a flattering demeanor or a fawning smile, and her reaction was unlike those pretentious literati who feign superiority

His indulgent gaze fell gently upon the delicate features of the girl in his arms, etching every expression of hers into his mind, and he suddenly felt a profound sense of happiness

"Pass, the newly appointed top scholar Yin Yaoyu, I must see what kind of talent my beloved minister possesses!"

Hearing the commotion outside the door, I was about to drive them away, but I saw Ding Bu knocking over a group of soldiers stationed in front of the study, rushing towards me in a flurry.

Upon seeing the fleeting smile in his eyes from a closer distance, I was instantly taken aback. Who exactly is this young man that allows this usually indifferent prince to treat him with such special regard

Just when Zhi thought that Ding Bu was psychologically abnormal, Ding Bu's impression of her was not particularly favorable either. Tsk tsk, what a fine young man, how could he be so bad, yet he insists on associating with his junior apprentice.

Sister, please do not be angry, I did not know this was a forbidden place, I will leave right away! I will leave right away!

Beware of the threshold

Running towards her destination, she felt a surge of joy in her heart and ran even harder

Unperturbed by the wrath of the sage, the woman smiled gently, her gaze steadfast and fearless as she looked directly at the enlightened yet occasionally stubborn sovereign.

Reminded by the album, he recalled the imperial examination from back then, where there indeed was a slender youth. This youth was quick-witted and articulate... However, he remembered that 'he' did not seem as astute as he appeared in the album

Furiously glaring at Li Mujun's handsome face, she was filled with displeasure. From Fengyang to the capital, they had traveled together all the way, and he clearly had many opportunities to reveal his identity to her, yet he chose to keep it a secret.

Shouting loudly, he stared directly into his junior brother's indifferent black eyes, explaining the stakes involved, but received only a casual glance in return

Li Mu did not respond, allowing her to chatter on endlessly

Looking up in surprise, she saw it was Li Mu. The woman in white retracted her cold expression, her face brightening with joy, resembling an ordinary girl eager to meet her beloved. Her originally fair cheeks even flushed with a hint of rosy color, making her appear even more beautiful and captivating

Just thinking about this sends a sudden shiver down my spine. What is going on? She merely fainted! She fainted! Is it really necessary to summon some so-called imperial physician?

I have never thought of playing you.

At this moment, Ding Bu was unaware of the intense pain surging within Li Mu's heart, and continued to chatter incessantly

He did not intend to conceal the truth from her; it was merely because, during the initial escort of Empress Changsun back to the palace, he inadvertently saved her from the assassins who sought to eliminate the traitor, which made their journey quite perilous.

The prince has issued an order: no one is allowed to enter

What are you doing

Li Mu glanced indifferently at the woman's handsome features, ignoring her words, his cold voice as frigid as ever

Ding Bu, with a fierce expression, pulled the junior disciple closer to himself and threatened Zhi.

If he becomes the top scholar at the age of seventeen, this individual is certainly not an ordinary person

Is this the person that the queen has always been thinking about recommending? Indeed, the young man is remarkable

What is even more surprising is that Lord Mu, who has always despised entanglements and troubles, showed no reaction to the scolding from a fifteen or sixteen-year-old boy

Why have you never mentioned that you are a prince?

When the only pillar of support suddenly collapses, all pretenses of strength disintegrate and vanish.

I do not care about any laws or whether it is treasonous; I am determined to participate in the imperial examination

As Ding Buyi entered the mansion, he noticed a large group of servants discussing something with strange expressions. Following their gaze, he saw Li Mu standing there holding a Zhi, seemingly saying something, which instantly infuriated him.

I know you are deeply favored by His Majesty, but the law does not permit such recklessness! Li Mu, listen carefully, I do not care whether you are being impulsive or not, you absolutely cannot participate in the imperial examination!

It turns out that this seemingly slender and fragile youth is actually a beauty

Turning back, a woman floated behind like an immortal. She was dressed in white as snow, with her long black hair trailing to the ground. Although her brows were elegantly shaped and her eyes were handsome, her face remained as cold as frost, leaving Zhi momentarily stunned.

As the words were spoken, a strong killing intent suddenly pierced through everything like a needle, causing an involuntary chill in the heart. Although Zhi was somewhat simple-minded, the displeased aura of this woman was undeniably powerful, so much so that even someone as blunt as Zhi could sense it

What a joke, from ancient times to the present, there has been no record of women participating in examinations. It would be one thing if they failed, but what if one were to succeed and become the top scholar? For the entire court, it would be akin to delivering a resounding slap to the faces of those elder statesmen.

A baffling day, I was hit by someone again

Oh my God, help! She has no money, don't look for her! While crying out internally, Zhi ran quickly, and in the blink of an eye, she dashed out of the mansion, out of the courtyard gate, hurrah, victory is in sight

It is precisely for this reason that the two maids, taking care of the young prince, whom they have never seen so valued before, naturally exert themselves with great effort, hoping that Zhi can speak well of them in front of the prince. Even if it means just getting the prince to glance at them a little longer, it would be enough to bring them joy for quite some time

In the future, keep your distance from him

I humbly dare to ask, Your Majesty, since the day of the court audience, how many days have passed without summoning the newly appointed top scholar, second scholar, and third scholar? They are all elite talents of our prosperous Tang dynasty. Your Majesty, if you do not summon them and instead remain obsessed with the game of chess, what else could it be but a loss of ambition?

Did no one tell you that this is a forbidden area