Chapter 1, Crown Prince (Part 1)

The face of the girl in the green dress immediately turned red. She pinched her clothes, sat down, and said angrily, "You all... you only know how to make fun of me!" She turned to look at the woman who had just spoken, still fuming, and said, "Yan Fuzhi, as a woman, you spend all day saying such things. Do you truly think you have wasted your time reading the classics?"

She stopped in her tracks without a word and turned back to look: "Miss Yan, rather than following me, it would be better for you to go back and read more books. The provincial examination is approaching, and you..."

Everyone nodded in agreement, their faces reflecting an even greater sense of anticipation.

A collective gasp arose from the surroundings, and someone exclaimed in astonishment: "So, it means the world is about to change its master..."

Yan Fuzhi followed behind her, unwilling to accept the situation, and called out: "I said, the teacher is going to test us on our studies soon, you must be aware of that... Where are you going? Have you slept so much that you no longer recognize the way?"

Before she could finish speaking, a young woman in a green dress jumped up and exclaimed in dissatisfaction, "What time is it? You are still thinking about that strategy! Haven't you heard who is presiding over the provincial examinations on Chao'an North Road this time? It is Grand Scholar Shen!" Seeing that several people nearby had raised their heads, her face revealed a proud expression as she continued, "Who is Grand Scholar Shen? My mother told me at home that the Grand Scholar Shen of yesteryear was elegant and charming, the foremost scholar in the world, and he has captivated countless young ladies from noble families!"

Yan Fuzhi laughed out loud with delight, quickening her pace and giving her a wink: "This is more like it."

Meng Tinghui fell silent, his lips twitching slightly. Just as he was about to quicken his pace, his arm was suddenly grabbed by Yan Fuzhi.

The twenty-fourth year of the Qian De era of the Da Ping Dynasty was destined to be an extraordinary year

Upon hearing this, she stamped her foot and smiled: "Since that is the case, Miss Yan should not follow me any longer. As the saying goes, those who do not share the same path do not make plans together"

As soon as she uttered those three words, the originally noisy women fell silent.

Yan Fuzhi clapped her hands and laughed behind her, saying: "Meng Tinghui, I truly admire your arrogant and rude demeanor! While others are eager to be close to me, you disregard everyone! It is indeed rare to find a woman with such a temperament"

The arrival of these three unrelated pieces of news stirred the long-quiet people of Chao'an, who were eagerly rubbing their hands in preparation to make a fortune in the upcoming market exchanges, while also looking forward to catching a glimpse of the legendary Scholar Shen's esteemed appearance. At the same time, they quietly speculated about which noble family's daughter might have the extraordinary fortune of being chosen by His Royal Highness the Crown Prince to be enshrined as a consort

As soon as someone mentioned this, everyone buzzed over like bees gathering pollen in bloom, eager to hear the details

She furrowed her brows, suddenly alert, and upon opening her eyes, she heard a boisterous laughter beside her: "I came to check on you because I was worried about your illness, but I didn't expect you to be sleeping soundly and reading! ... ... Meng Tinghui, could you please not look at me with such a sour expression when you see me ... ... Huh?"

Yan Fuzhi pulled her straight towards the West Gate, cheerfully saying: "I can tell that you've been cooped up in your room studying and are tired of it. Why not come to my family's tavern? I'll treat you to some drinks, good drinks!"

Meng Tinghui straightened up, closed the book spread out on the table with a "snap," and then got up to walk outside

Meng Tinghui's expression grew increasingly dark, yet he no longer struggled. He simply followed her lead and walked forward, murmuring, "You need not shout so loudly; I will go with you."

Yan Fuzhi ran over to interrupt her: "What book are you reading? What exam are you taking? My father doesn't care whether I can pass or not. He has left me a restaurant and two cosmetics shops, and after I finish my studies, I will help him manage the family business... What do I need that worthless degree for?"

Secondly, as the provincial examination for the women's jinshi degree is about to commence, the court has appointed the highly esteemed Grand Tutor of the Crown Prince, Grand Scholar Shen, to preside over the event in Chao'an North Road. This marks the first time in over twenty years since he served as the deputy examiner for the inaugural women's benevolence examination that Grand Scholar Shen has voluntarily requested to contribute once again to the women's jinshi degree.

Yan Fuzhi approached her with a smile and said, "Those of you who excel in your studies are always like this, pretending to be something you are not... You have studied so hard that it seems you might read yourself to death. Surely, what you value most is this provincial examination. Why is it that today you do not go to listen to the Master lecture on the subject?"

Some people approached the illustrated book and asked flatteringly, "Sister Yan, I heard that you have relatives in the capital serving as court officials. Do you know which family the crown princess will belong to..."

As spring has just passed, three pieces of news from Beijing have caused a stir among the nineteen counties along Chao'an North Road, igniting discussions everywhere in the streets, alleys, tea houses, and restaurants.

Another person rubbed their forehead and raised an eyebrow, saying: "Back then? That was two or three decades ago. You might be greatly disappointed if you see him now. Instead of thinking about him, you might as well think about his son. I heard his son, Shen Zhishu, is quite a remarkable talent, but unfortunately, he is known for his flirtatious nature... However, I must say, being flirtatious is what makes it worthwhile; otherwise, even if you see him, you wouldn't have a chance..."

She then pursed her lips and said, "Do you all think that the matter of His Highness the Crown Prince establishing a consort is so simple? Use your brains! Since the fourteenth year of the Qian De era, His Highness has been involved in state affairs for a full ten years. In recent years, the Emperor has entrusted all military and political matters from the northern regions to His Highness for decision-making. Now, to say that he is to establish a Crown Princess—there are old rumors regarding the Emperor and the Ping Wang that need not be elaborated upon; you all understand this. His Highness is the Emperor's only bloodline, so how could the Emperor handle the selection of a consort all by himself? To say that he is to establish a consort, it is likely that the Emperor wishes to abdicate and hand over power..."

After a considerable amount of time had passed, and once she had walked a bit farther away, someone finally coughed twice and quietly remarked: "Everyone seems fine, but to go see that person, isn't that just looking for trouble with nothing to do..."

A few people around began to chuckle, their eyes reflecting a hint of ambiguity

Meng Tinghui struggled twice but could not break free from her grip, his expression stiffening: "Yan Fuzhi, let go. What kind of decorum is it to go to a tavern for drinks in broad daylight?"

Yan Fu shrugged, squinting her eyes with a smile and said, "I am merely the daughter of a merchant, unlike you who are so engrossed in seeking fame and fortune through rigorous study. Naturally, I have no need to concern myself with the so-called path of sages..." She raised her finger and pretended to blow on her long, green onion-like fingernail, "Don't you think so?"

Having said that, without regard for the expressions of the crowd, he pushed through the throng and walked out

Yan Fuzhi not only did not let go, but instead pulled her even tighter: "Oh, so it turns out you, Meng Tinghui, still have some decorum? Who was it last time that openly discussed the spring verses and romantic songs from that book 'Qie Wang Yan'? You still talk about decorum!"

Firstly, Her Majesty the Empress issued a decree granting the request of the envoy Bei Jian to open several border states between the two countries for free trade, among which the northern route of Chao'an alone accounted for eight states

A hand reached down from above, attempting to touch her forehead, but was blocked by her palm.

Yan Fu glanced at her, made a show of pushing aside a few people next to her, and said lightly: "As for the major affairs of the royal family, no matter how capable I am, I have no way of knowing..." She stood up to leave, but then paused leisurely, suddenly lowering her voice to say: "There is indeed a saying, but it cannot be taken as certain; you all cannot say it was passed on by me!"

She waved her hand impatiently, not turning her head as she said: "I will go check on Meng Tinghui. She was ill yesterday, and I don't know if she has improved today. We must not miss the master's class and examination today..."

Yan Fu withdrew his hand in frustration and glanced around the room: "Living here alone, if one were to die, no one would know! Tsk, I am just asking for trouble..."

Meng Tinghui closed his eyes and turned towards the sun: "Why should I waste my time listening to things I already understand?" With that, he took a step and walked away

Thirdly, Her Majesty the Empress's only son, His Royal Highness the Crown Prince, who is the focus of the entire Daiping Dynasty, is about to be formally enshrined with a primary consort

Laughter erupted all around again

The warm spring sunlight streamed in, casting a light golden hue on her cheeks

A figure suddenly appeared beside me, perfectly blocking the window.

Yan Fuzhi let out a "tch" and immediately raised a hand to cover the person's mouth, expressing discontent: "Is this something you or I can say? Let me make it clear from the outset, if what is said today gets out, I will not let it go!"

Someone behind called out in a low voice: "Sister Yan, the master is coming soon, why are you leaving now?"

At the girls' school located by the west riverbank of the Chongzhou government city on Chao'an North Road, the women in plain white garments adorned with butterfly crowns chattered incessantly.

If I say that the imperial edict regarding the mutual trade between the two countries is not very simple, and that the provincial examination for the female scholars is imminent, it is quite possible that the topic for the essays will be related to this... A woman, holding a brush tightly, was speaking very earnestly to those around her