Chapter 10, Spring Chill

The sound of the horn on the carriage echoed melodiously, and before long, they arrived at the entrance of the Wang residence. As the carriage came to a stop, Jiaoyue and Haoyue rushed over to greet her, and upon seeing her, they exclaimed in surprise: "What is wrong, my lady? Why does your face look so pale?"

She thought to herself how quickly news travels, and that Wu Xia must have been waiting for him at the alley, ready to report to him in order to seek justice for her. However, she was not that angry; the young master of the Han family was not very old, likely just a spoiled rich kid, used to showing off, and merely flirting with girls. His tone was somewhat frivolous, but he did not lay a hand on her. Bringing this matter before the teacher seemed a bit of an overreaction.

In front of others, she presents herself with great authority, yet here she is so easy to pick on! Is it because she does not perform well? Or is it because she is alone and easy to bully? She pondered while stroking her chin, could it be that she does not understand the ways of the world, and that she has not given him a gift? Suddenly, it became clear to her, this must be the reason! How foolish she was to only realize it now. Fortunately, she managed to catch the tail end of the first month, and she felt quite pleased with herself. Her father and brothers are all serving as officials in distant places, and her sixth brother might be going to the capital for his appointment in a couple of days. If she can catch him in time, she could ask him to help select something. Money is not a rare thing; even the mundane scholar does not look highly upon it. At that time, if she picks out a couple of exquisite items, the scholar might be so pleased that he would treat her with the same indulgence as before.

He is also unclear about what kind of mood he is in, feeling both anxious and joyful. For instance, like a father waiting for the birth of his child, he suddenly hears a cry resembling that of an infant, which is like a sudden enlightenment. Only then does he realize that she can finally be called a woman, and he is inexplicably overjoyed.

"You continue to send people to keep watch, and only make plans when the time is right," he said lazily. "I suspect there will be a change after the banquet, so we shall wait quietly. Once the Sixth Prince has fallen from power, we will seize the opportunity to act."

He hurriedly left, and Mayoi was surprised to find an expression of embarrassment on his face. She turned to the side and curled up; the master's bedding had probably just been washed, carrying a scent of clean sunlight. What a pity for such a fine cloud silk quilt; as she sat down, the good item became soiled, truly a disservice to the master. Repeatedly recalling the master's expression, she felt deeply ashamed. The master said he didn't mind her being dirty, but what could he really be thinking? Look at her foolish appearance now; she truly felt like a fool. What a pity for such a fine cloud silk quilt; as she sat down, the good item became soiled, truly a disservice to the master. Repeatedly recalling the master's expression, she felt deeply ashamed. The master said he didn't mind her being dirty, but what could he really be thinking? Look at her foolish appearance now; she truly felt like a fool.

He turned around, his expression cold and harsh, "You are an intelligent person, do I still need to say it explicitly?"

Yayoi propped herself up and said: "Please thank the Master for me, and I appreciate your trouble in delivering it overnight." She instructed Haoyue, "Don't let the old lady make a trip for nothing, quickly give her a reward."

He snorted, "At the age of 20, his words and actions are frivolous; he will surely become a disaster in the future! I inquired about him and learned that he is from Fuchun in Wujun. There is a governor in Wujun with the surname Han, who is likely a member of his clan."

The girls' school dismissed early, and the regular classes had already concluded. After a lively round of farewells, some returned to the palace while others went back to their residences. Miyoi was somewhat unfortunate; having finished her tasks, she had to return to her study to practice writing and copying texts.

The strap of the medicine chest tightly constricted his hand, yet he felt no pain. He hurriedly took two steps to set down the items and urged her to lie down. She anxiously rubbed her hands on the robe, timidly saying: "How can I lie down like this... to avoid soiling the bedding..."

Miyoi asked in the pouch: "Will it be clean by tomorrow? This is really inconvenient."

In her moment of shock, he had already turned and walked away. She was filled with regret; the master had lost his temper, and she should have soothed him instead. Yet, she did not understand where she had gone wrong to provoke such a strong reaction from him. With her hands on her hips, she felt helpless. Previously, she often admired the master's generosity and composure, but now he seemed awkward, petty, and prone to sulking. A teacher should not behave this way! ... She followed him dejectedly, watching as he ascended the platform with an air of restraint to receive the respectful bows of the students. She sighed again, with her hands on her hips...

She had no choice but to exert herself to move in front of the main office. Just as she was about to enter, she straightened her back and knocked twice on the door, asking, "Are you looking for me, Master?"

Murong Cheng stood in front of the desk, playing with a piece of bloodstone in his hand. Hearing the voice, he turned his head and raised his hand, saying: "Today I will teach you how to carve a seal. A new batch of good stone materials has just arrived, and this type of stone does not chip when cut, making it perfect for seal carving"

He gazed towards the direction of the official office, having given his instructions, and then leisurely descended the steps by himself

Yayoi listened in silence for a long time. Murong Cheng guessed that she was probably lamenting over this legend. To his surprise, she looked at him vaguely and hesitantly asked: "The phoenix is male, the fenghuang is female, so why is it the phoenix that hatches the eggs?"

Murong Cheng adjusted her ceremonial attire, suppressing her smile, "I do not teach them; at present, I am here in the capacity of a sacrificial wine officiant to serve as a witness. Why change my clothes? It is important to distinguish between public and private matters, and this attire is perfectly appropriate."

"That must be addressed as 'Senior Sister.'" Xiang Tong said, glancing at Murong Cheng, who was conversing with the doctoral candidates. "With thousands of disciples under his tutelage, it is said that he is quite strict. How is it? Is he fierce in teaching?"

She truly wished she could just lie down on the spot, gritting her teeth to respond, dragging her two legs towards the master's sitting room. However, after taking a couple of steps, she felt something was amiss. After much effort, she finally managed to enter the room, lifted her robe, and was so frightened that she nearly screamed.

She walked with slumped shoulders towards the official office, feeling somewhat down for reasons she could not quite understand. Looking up, the weather was fine, and the snow on the withered branches had melted. She squinted in the sunlight, standing there for a while; as noon approached, the temperature rose slightly. However, the spring chill was still biting, with the sun glaring overhead, yet her hands and feet remained cold. Perhaps she had caught a chill, as her stomach also ached a bit. Frowning, she ascended the platform, feeling utterly dejected. The spring chill was still biting, with the sun glaring overhead, yet her hands and feet remained cold. Perhaps she had caught a chill, as her stomach also ached a bit. Frowning, she ascended the platform, feeling utterly dejected.

She rubbed her belly and bent over as she approached the ear room. Just as she touched the straight bar on the door, a passing junior disciple called out to her: "The Master is calling for you!"

"I made a vow three years ago that you are my only closed-door disciple, and since then, I have not taken on any more students. To teach at a women's school now would be contrary to my original intention." As he spoke, his gaze drifted over, "Did you go to Hu's for soup dumplings this morning? I heard you were teased by someone, is that true?"

Yayoi was not feeling well and did not have the extra energy to decline, so she could only nod in agreement

Yayoi felt extremely embarrassed, hurriedly bowing and returning the greeting, "I dare not, I dare not. My knowledge is shallow and my learning limited, I cannot accept such praise. However, I will certainly do my utmost."

She leaned on the desk and said, "Master, allow me to rest for a moment."

How should I respond to this? Miyoi really wanted to nod, but after a moment of hesitation, she forced a smile and said, "The master is very kind... guiding us patiently."

He smiled, pressing down her raised hand, "Just sit still, I'll do it." He used his fingers to comb her hair, meticulously and patiently. To avoid any awkwardness from what had just happened, he interrupted with a half-hearted explanation, "I was just about to ask you, what fragrance are you wearing on your head?"

His heart raced, and after a moment of thought, he said: "You have already removed the bed from your place, so you might as well lie down in the room behind me. I will fetch the medicine box and come right away"

Miyoi said in confusion: "Using soapberry to wash hair does not involve any fragrance."

He said, "I don't mind that you are dirty." He tucked her into the quilt, carefully covered her with the blanket, and stood in front of the bed for a while, contemplating what to do next

The bright moon gazed at her, and with a shimmering smile, she said, "Under the heavens, perhaps only the Wang and Xie families are worthy."

He turned around and said: "I have my own reasons. The two kings are kept there for emergencies; whether they will be needed or not is a matter for later discussion"

She nodded slowly, "This makes sense; after being stuck in one place for a long time, one would certainly want to move around a bit"

Yayoi is only partially aware, "Is this something that cannot be seen by His Highness?"

Xiang Tong looked at her expression and nudged her with his shoulder, "What? Could it be that you fancy this kind of thing? That can be easily arranged. As for the disciple of Brother Jiu, it is merely a matter of a word! However, the hierarchy is indeed quite chaotic; he is a master, yet also a disciple of Brother Jiu. By this calculation, we have become the great-grandstudents of Brother Jiu."

His eyes resembled a cold pool, "Is it not a big deal? Then in your eyes, what constitutes a big deal?"

Miyoi could not hide the upward curve of her lips, yet she still pretended to be unaware, "Why is that? Many junior sisters come here for the sake of the Master..."

He is utterly disgusted, "ruining the reputation of the Murong family!"

By afternoon, the sun had already begun to set in the west, and the sky was no longer so clear, turning into a cold, grayish-white. A dove suddenly darted out from the low grass, letting out a sharp cry as it shot up into the sky, gradually fading away until it became a tiny black dot.

That was a piece of exquisite jade, with a bright red crown and a pale yellow body, shimmering and radiating brilliance in his hands. Miyoi hesitated, saying, "Using such precious material to practice knife skills would be a terrible waste"

Murong Cheng did not see her reply, and finally raised her eyes. At first glance, she was startled and put down the carving knife, standing up, "What’s wrong? Are you feeling unwell?"

Yayoi was so embarrassed that she nearly died of shame, covering her face and mumbling: "I was acting up in the Taixue, and just happened to have the Master right in front of me"

Yayoi felt a knot in her heart, "If the Master does not even regard the princess of the Rouran, what kind of woman does he truly wish to marry..."

Murong Cheng's face turned red, and he didn't know what to do! The master and disciple stared at each other in silence, as still as death. Gradually, he finally regained his composure and said with difficulty: "You... have never experienced it?"

Yayoi buried her face in the quilt, responding in a muffled voice, closing her sore and teary eyes, feeling an unprecedented sense of frustration

I find the black-boned chicken soup to be quite good. The bright moon laid out the clean clothes on the steaming rack and said: "Those three in the Su Garden, every time there is a letter, they have the maid steam black-boned chicken. They only add some aged rice wine, without even adding water. A full bowl is placed in the steamer, and when it is cooked, the soup is poured out, looking clear yellow, thick and rich, especially nourishing."

She then realized that the Master was not in a good mood, as if he was displeased. At this point, she became anxious and wanted to explain, but after racking her brains and considering everything, she completely did not know for which matter she should apologize to him

Miyoi was called out and stared blankly in that direction. It was a girl with a bun hairstyle, small in stature, who had two deep dimples when she smiled. Her eyes were exceptionally lively, giving her a comical appearance with a rather mischievous expression.

The apprenticeship ceremony had just concluded when she stomped over. The master was surrounded by young ladies, likely all princesses from the clan, who were eagerly asking him: "Ninth brother, aren't you going to teach us our studies?"

Hao Yue nodded and said: "There was such an event. It is said that back in the day, the king of the Rouran sent envoys to seek a marriage alliance, and the palace originally intended for the groom to marry the Rouran princess. Later, the groom took the opportunity to travel, and the marriage proposal fell through."

The young ladies had just entered school and were curious about everything, chattering away as they introduced themselves to her. Miyoi had a poor memory; with dozens of people taking turns, she felt dizzy and could hardly distinguish who was who. She only knew that the clever one was Princess Xuantong of Xuancheng, the daughter of Prince Qian'an, and the cousin of the teacher, who had a naturally friendly disposition and was pulling a certain princess closer to her.

Murong Cheng was already too exhausted to say anything further and gestured for her to come to his side. He picked up a brush and wrote the two characters "无咎" in seal script on the clay tablet.

The more she thought about it, the sadder she became, filled with grievances that had no outlet, and she pulled the quilt over her head. Gradually, she felt a bit warmer, and the pain was not as severe. Miyoi, in a daze, was about to fall asleep when there was a sound at the door. A person dressed as a maid entered and bowed to her, saying: "Greetings to the young lady, I am from the kitchen, sent by His Highness to take care of you." While speaking, the person brought in the incense burner and charcoal basin, arranged everything, sent everyone away, and closed the door with a smile, saying, "Congratulations to the young lady, this is a good thing, you will be an adult from now on. If the mistress of the house knew, she would surely be overjoyed! But how did His Highness see this, truly..."

Be careful when making cuts, as there are both negative and positive inscriptions on the printing surface. He sharpened the blade, stating, "The number of strokes in the font also varies; there is a saying in the industry that goes, 'Wide enough for a horse to pass, dense enough to not allow a needle through.' Therefore, the blade tip must be particularly well-polished.

The maid taught her how to use the riding cloth, tying the straps in various ways, sighing inwardly, poor thing! Having left her mother at a young age, she grew up in this male-dominated academy, truly knowing nothing about women's matters. Therefore, she carefully explained: "Some men are very superstitious and believe that seeing a woman's menstrual blood is inauspicious. Fortunately, His Highness is open-minded and does not take this to heart. However, do be mindful in the future, and make sure not to let others see it, as it would invite ridicule. Today is the 26th, and the young lady should remember the date; after all, she will have her period around the 26th of next month. Not just next month, but every month will be like this. You must prepare the necessary items in advance to be ready for any eventuality."

Murong Cheng was caught off guard; by the time he realized it, he had unexpectedly drawn so close to her. Fortunately, he maintained his composure and did not show any signs on his face, but inside, he could not help but feel flustered.

The maid has left, and someone else has entered. She looked on discreetly as the master approached, holding a small covered cup of colorful porcelain from the Chengyao period, and placed it down in front of the curved-legged table. He had not changed out of his crimson robe, and a beam of sunlight slanting through the window illuminated his profile, making his complexion appear even clearer than that of mutton-fat jade. He lowered his eyes to assess her and said, "Are you feeling better? Get up and drink some soup to drive away the chill."

Yayoi leaned her back against the rough tree trunk. The sun had risen high, and although the light was bright, it lacked warmth. She rubbed her arms, standing in the wind, feeling increasingly cold.

Ling Yihong blushed and hit her, "You have no filter, something that hasn't even begun to take shape comes out of your mouth as if it's true!"

He pressed his lips together, finally believing that the notion of body fragrance was indeed a reality. That fragrant scent wove a net, enveloping him tightly from head to toe, making it impossible to break free or transcend. He knew in his heart that continuing like this was not a solution, so he quickly tied her hair up neatly, took a step back, and asked, "Can you get out of bed?" Then, with a playful intent, he added, "Do you want me to carry you to the car?"

Miyoi hesitated for a moment before replying: "That young gentleman appears to be about the same age as I am, so there is no need for the master to be overly concerned."

Her evasion left him in a difficult position, and he furrowed his brow as he gazed at her, a layer of frost settling on his face. Suddenly, he curled the corners of his lips into a dry smile and walked a few steps away, his sleeves brushing against him. After a moment of reflection, feeling quite indignant, he turned and said: "Are you afraid I might consume you, enjoying this rigid demeanor?"

Who is in charge of the women's school here

Murong Cheng coughed slightly, "Perhaps that day the phoenix wanted to go out for a stroll, so it let the phoenix take care of the nest."

She was astonished, "Wouldn't that make it even more precious? No, no, how could I possibly bring myself to do that!"

Yan Wusi Nuo Nuo said, "At the grand banquet in the palace the day after tomorrow, will the Master take Mi Sheng along? How will the matter regarding the Princess of Guangning be handled?"

"Do not be afraid." The King of Leiling, for the first time at a loss for words, turned around in the depths of the earth for a long time before finally raising his head and saying: "You have grown up; all women are like this... Do you have a stomach ache? I will send someone to make you ginger soup. Uh, I will also find an old woman to take care of you"

That is about the same size as Ling Yi. Xiang Tong pushed the delicate and graceful girl on her right side towards her, saying, "This is Princess Yongchang, the fifteenth among the siblings, and she is a full sister to Ninth Brother."

The master only spoke with those of noble birth, not even casting a glance in her direction. "She entered the door earlier than you, and from now on, she will be your senior sister. If you have any questions regarding your studies, feel free to ask her. Her knowledge is profound, and she will naturally be able to guide you."

Murong Lingyi came forward to support her, saying, "I do not know when you were born, but the one who enters the mountain gate first is the most important. Therefore, I will call you 'Elder Sister.' I have heard my mother mention you, saying that you are a lady from the Xie family of Chenliu. In that case, we should interact more in the future"

He was not very pleased with her tendency to draw strict distinctions in rank between teacher and student. However, it was inconvenient to express his displeasure in front of the servants, so he merely said with a composed expression, "There is something wrong with you. You need not report to the academy tomorrow; just rest in the garden. If you need anything, send someone to inform the person in charge. If they cannot handle it, I will take care of it when I return."

"Nonsense, that has never happened," he said, a wistful smile in his eyes as he reached out to tuck her fallen hair behind her ear. "The days I can take care of you are limited. In the future, when you have found a good place to settle down, I wonder what kind of situation it will be when we meet again..."

The bright moon was busy welcoming guests at the door, guiding them to place the trays on the table. A glance revealed two pieces of cloud brocade, one red and one green, along with several strings of five-zhu coins marked with vermilion, all arranged with a very solemn display.

She waved her hand dismissively and said, "It's not a big deal, just a few words were exchanged"

Miyoshiko spoke softly, being the biological sister of the master, naturally she was regarded with greater esteem. She hurriedly adjusted her expression and offered a formal greeting, "Thank you, Miyoshiko, for presenting my respects to Her Highness the Princess."

Is the elder sister of marriageable age now

Yayoi awkwardly said, "What kind of great joy is this, to even send congratulatory gifts..."

"Master..." she choked, "what should I do?"

She looked at him with red eyes, "Master ... ..."

The woman said, "Miss, you are too polite; it is merely a small effort on my part." She laid out new bedding for her to sleep on and tidied up her belongings in preparation to leave. Before departing, she added, "Miss, remember to avoid eating cold and raw foods before and after your menstrual period; otherwise, it will accumulate coldness in your body, and when it flares up, it will cause stomach pain."

After she said that, Yayoi's face turned red with embarrassment. It seemed that this was the most private matter for a woman, and she had made a fool of herself in front of the teacher! She was mortified and, after changing her clothes, said hesitantly: "I am in such a sorry state... Thank you for your help."

The bright moon let out a sound, "That is the way the southern barbarians eat, it is not the confinement period, and there is no fear of generating excess heat. I have heard people say before that during the recovery period, eating black fungus, walnuts, jujubes, and longan is the best. Young lady, do not sleep just yet, I will prepare the food and bring it over. Also, change your clothes, sleep soundly, and you will feel refreshed when you wake up tomorrow"

Yan Wusi said: "The Princess of Guangning and that warehouse manager often meet privately at a pear garden called 'Xiangfu'. In the past, they were more discreet, but recently they have become increasingly open about it. The timing is irregular, and the princess has a long-term private room there, where the warehouse manager comes and goes as if in a place uninhabited."

Miyoi listened quietly from the side, not interjecting. In her heart, she pondered that Pang Xiao's stubbornness was on par with that of the master, speaking in a manner that was overly serious and pedantic. She could not tell how he treated other women, but in her eyes, he was quite dull.

The bright moon smiled softly, "But did it manage to startle the master? A man like him has surely never seen such a spectacle." She went over to open the cabinet, gathering the money and silk, then turned back to say, "Speaking of which, our master is truly a meticulous person, even aware of this custom. It is a pity that there is no matriarch at home; all these matters fall upon him to handle."

Yayoi finally realized that the Master was deliberately seeking revenge, saying that her knowledge was good, which was clearly a mockery of her. She felt both aggrieved and wronged, while Babaer watched as they bowed and saluted her. The girl smiled broadly, revealing a set of teeth resembling shell beads, and sweetly said: "In the future, I hope to rely on my elder sister, and I kindly ask my elder sister for guidance."

Murong Cheng made a sound of acknowledgment, "How is it?"

Yayoi did not feel embarrassed; it was like a knife had cut her hand, merely causing an injury. She shook her head, her face full of despair, and began to sob.

She murmured, "Master ... ... "

Yayoi fell silent, for such young men are likely few and far between these days. However, it is impossible not to marry. She licked her lips and asked, "Was there no news of a marriage proposal before?"

The bright moon set down the needle and thread to rise, and the radiant moon came over to press down slightly, saying, "Finish the work in your hands, and I will go." As she spoke, she opened the door, just as two maidservants were ascending the steps with a tray, greeting the radiant moon. Outside the railing, they bowed and said, "The young lady is in great joy; the master has sent us to deliver gifts."

Strangely, the seventh day of the first month this year marked the beginning of spring, yet it remains very cold, with no signs of warming. He went to the outer office to fetch a copper hand warmer, sent someone to add new charcoal, and only after there was warmth did he slowly make his way to the back room.

Xiang Tong was almost laughing, "Just looking at you makes me feel intimidated by him, you look just like a little bride."

Murong Cheng held his hands and did not respond. One less opponent is one less, and if it comes to a last resort, he would not mind lending a helping hand to the two princes. After all, he ranked at the bottom among the legitimate heirs and had to leave a few to shield him. If all three elder brothers were to consecutively ruin their paths, how could he silence the whispers of the world?

Suddenly, my nose feels sour; in fact, it has been over three years, and I should have gotten used to the days spent alone outside. Yet today, I cannot explain it, I unusually miss home and my mother. She supports her forehead and sighs, probably about to fall ill; every time she gets sick, it is like this, and one becomes very downcast.

"I am Master Pang Xiao, the eldest disciple. " Mi Rong pointed to the end of the corridor and said, "He is indeed a favored student of the Master, and now he has graduated, having obtained a doctorate from the National University."

She found a good way to solve the problem, swallowing her heart back into her stomach, and with great interest leaned against the old tree, gazing into the crowd. Although the young ladies still wore their hair in cloud-like buns, each had removed their jeweled hairpins, appearing uniformly simple and beautiful. Everyone was similarly dressed, and those who stood out could be easily distinguished; the daughters of the Fan family were the kind of women who could shine in a crowd. Miyoi carefully observed her; she had a slender figure, her robe was slightly oversized, cinched at the waist with a sash, and the fabric was folded in at the sides. Just like a child wearing adult clothing, she appeared even more innocent and lovely, looking up at the scholar on the platform with a shy smile, her gaze warm and focused.

Yayoi tilted her head and asked, "Master, you do not marry, could it be that you have a concubine?"

Miyoi blinked slowly and said, "What does the master want to do? It's just a couple of jokes, don't take it too seriously."

Returning to the matter at hand, Miyoi had already gone to bed early and was lying still. The bright moon was puzzled, and upon inquiring about the reason, she smiled, saying, "The lady is tall, yet I did not expect her to have just come of age now." She instructed the bright moon to close the door, rummaged through the bamboo basket for cotton gauze, and sat under the lamp measuring with a wooden ruler. After threading the needle, she combed her hair and said softly, "Today I will make spring socks for the lady, using plenty of fabric that will come in handy. The lady should have something warm and nourishing at this time; what would she like to eat? I will have someone prepare it."

Yan Wusi arrived at the pavilion and saw the Master standing with his hands behind his back, admiring the scenery. He stepped forward and bowed, saying, "The matter has been thoroughly investigated, and I have come to report back to you, Master"

The hairpin ceremony that can only be held after the year.

He sat down on the edge of the bed, lifted the lid of the bowl, and handed it to her, saying, "I have some matters to attend to this afternoon and cannot leave for the time being. You can rest here, and there is no need to worry about your studies. Once I have taken care of everything, I will come back to take you home together."

He said little, handed her the hand warmer, and turned to leave the room

Does Jiu Xiong currently have only one female disciple?

With deep gratitude, he bowed deeply to express his thanks. He glanced at her from the corner of his eye, said nothing further, and stepped into the gate of the Wang residence.

At the moment she was lost in thought, Xiang Tong let out a soft exclamation, tilting her head and murmuring: "Who is that woman? I noticed her earlier; judging by her words and actions, could it be that she has some connection with Brother Jiu?"

He lifted the lid of the brocade box with a finger and took out another piece to show her, "This is a pair of seals; we each have one. I will carve first, and you can watch."

Yan Wusi felt a chill and immediately understood. The Six Kings were no longer a source of fear, and the King had already determined that he was the mastermind behind the assassination; it was only a matter of time before he was brought to justice. The remaining concern was his two legitimate elder brothers. With the King ascending the throne, Concubine Xiao would not be a consideration. However, the King was suspicious and posed a rather tricky problem. If he ascended smoothly, it was likely that the Master would have no further opportunities. In comparison, the Second King would be much easier to manipulate; a weak-willed person without political views, even if elevated to a high position, would merely be a figurehead. Yet, the King's suspicion remained a considerable challenge. If he ascended smoothly, it was likely that the Master would have no further opportunities. In comparison, the Second King would be much easier to manipulate; a weak-willed person without political views, even if elevated to a high position, would merely be a figurehead. However, if the Princess were to become the Queen, it would be a different matter, thus she must be dealt with swiftly. The Master's approach was a foolproof strategy, leaving no gaps on either side. Alternatively, one could assess the capabilities of Mi Sheng; if she were competent enough to incite a conflict between the two Kings, the Master could reap the benefits as a fisherman, which would be quite delightful.

The master was only concerned with incessantly advising, while Miye felt a bit overwhelmed. There was an indescribable soreness in her lower back, and her abdomen ached severely. After enduring for a while, she was drenched in cold sweat on her forehead

He sighed softly, stepping over the threshold while holding the hem of his robe. She heard the footsteps, opened her eyes, and called out "Master," hurriedly sitting up, her hair tousled and looking quite disheveled. He watched her, feeling an overwhelming sense of affection with nowhere to direct it. Time and again, he tried to suppress it, avoiding looking at her, refraining from touching her, treating her with indifference. But where had that indifference gone? His hand seemed to possess a will of its own, ungoverned by his mind, as it removed her headscarf and his fingers wove through her hair. Time and again, he tried to suppress it, avoiding looking at her, refraining from touching her, treating her with indifference. But where had that indifference gone? His hand seemed to possess a will of its own, ungoverned by his mind, as it removed her headscarf and his fingers wove through her hair. She had thick, soft hair that released a faint fragrance with the slightest movement. He felt a bit curious and leaned down to smell it; it was a scent reminiscent of orchids and osmanthus. In truth, it was hard to distinguish, as if it emanated from every pore, without a clear source, yet it was deeply refreshing.

Do you know the origin of the chicken blood stone? He slowly walked to the armchair and sat down, opening the box to take out the tools while narrating: "According to legend, there were a pair of phoenixes on Jade Rock Mountain, living in harmony and loved by all in the heavenly court. With such a great reputation, they inevitably attracted jealousy. The lion-bird, being inherently combative, looked down upon the phoenixes. One day, while passing by, it happened to encounter a phoenix incubating its eggs, and out of malice, it bit off the phoenix's leg. A fierce battle ensued between the phoenix and the lion-bird, and upon hearing the news, the other phoenix rushed to help, ultimately joining forces to defeat the lion-bird. The injured phoenix bled profusely, and its blood dripped onto the rocks at the mountain's peak, thus giving rise to the chicken blood stone."

She was so frightened that she repeatedly waved her hands, saying, "No, no, I wouldn't dare to trouble the master; I can walk by myself"

Murong Cheng smiled and said, "You are here to study, and I am your elder brother. If there is anything that does not meet your expectations, it would be inappropriate to speak out due to the feelings of our own people. There are many learned sages in the academy, and having them impart knowledge is the same."

Ling Yi disliked Xiang Tong's big mouth, fearing that Mi Sheng would feel embarrassed, so she changed the subject: "Sister, how many years have you been in the academy?"

When Murong Cheng entered, she was still foolishly holding onto the hem of her robe, and without her saying a word, she had already caught his eye. He stood there momentarily stunned, unsure of what to do. He had never encountered such a situation before, and even with his extensive experience, he was at a loss.

The two maids expressed their gratitude profusely after receiving their reward and left, and then Haoyue asked in confusion, "Does the master know about this matter?"

Murong Cheng realized that it was that maidservant who had spoken to her, and only then did she begin to feel shy and embarrassed. Her blushing and timid demeanor was pitifully charming, and he thought that she was born to be cherished. With such a face, even the greatest of sins would still reflect innocence.

He was somewhat impatient; how could she not understand his meaning? Why must they carve the seal piece by piece? When would this blockhead finally come to his senses? He felt as if he would be driven to his wits' end by her, turning his face away in frustration and shifting his gaze to the window, looking past the rooftops at the azure sky, which helped to calm him somewhat. Then, he calmly told her: "Other stones do not possess the toughness of bloodstone; practicing with a carving knife will leave your hands sore. This piece is just right for you; carve it carefully, and once you have finished, I will send someone to set a button on it, so you can carry it with you in the future." Then, he calmly told her: "Other stones do not possess the toughness of bloodstone; practicing with a carving knife will leave your hands sore. This piece is just right for you; carve it carefully, and once you have finished, I will send someone to set a button on it, so you can carry it with you in the future."

She shook her head and, supporting herself with the hand of the bright moon, stepped down. The Master seemed to have something to convey, deliberately pausing to wait for her. She hurriedly gathered her sleeves and approached to bow, saying, "The student is here to listen to the Master's instructions."

Yayoi's face turned red again, and the master truly seemed increasingly out of touch. Now that he was close to her, she felt a sense of panic and shortness of breath. Under the large sleeves, he secretly held her hand, and something happened. It was so open and aboveboard to pinch her face like this; if someone happened to see it and rumors started circulating, it would not be good. She thought to herself, slightly turning to the side to make way, "Master, you should go now; so many people are waiting."

Xiang Tong interjected: "Indeed, at present we are fellow disciples, but in the future we will be considered as sisters-in-law. There are only six vacant positions for the brothers' consorts. In a couple of days, there will be a grand banquet in the palace, which will be a perfect opportunity to observe one another. With such beauty and grace as my sister, the sixth brother will surely be overjoyed upon seeing her"

In Yayoi's heart, a slight ripple arose. His voice was low, and the way he looked at her with understanding, speaking without the airs of a superior, was quite casual. Her cheeks flushed, and she shyly said: "Students are generally dull-witted and require the teacher's constant concern. If the teacher finds me a burden, I will return to Yangxia tomorrow"

Thus, being a woman is hard. Haoyue smiled and said, Generally, there isn't a day when it is completely clean, but it becomes somewhat easier afterwards. At the very least, it takes three to five days, depending on each person's foundation.

On the way back, they parted ways, and Miyoi leaned against the fence, gazing outward. At the moment when the sun was about to set, the evening glow painted half the sky in a hazy red, not overly intense, evoking a sense of indescribable desolation. She curled up, resting her chin on her knees. The hand warmer was placed at the root of her thigh, warming her lower abdomen with a gentle heat.

The pleated pants were soaked in blood, with red seeping out from within. There was originally a layer of silk cotton in between; how much had to flow out to completely saturate the pants? She had a premonition that she was going to die, dying from excessive blood loss. She was overly frightened, almost fainting in a daze. She had once heard her mother mention this, calling it "menstruation." Of course, it was just a passing remark, and she had not explained it to her in detail. She could feel the blood surging out in waves, unable to sit or lie down. Her mind was in chaos, standing there in a daze, as if she had lost her soul. She had once heard her mother mention this, calling it "menstruation." Of course, it was just a passing remark, and she had not explained it to her in detail. She could feel the blood surging out in waves, unable to sit or lie down. Her mind was in chaos, standing there in a daze, as if she had lost her soul.

Although Pang Xiao is somewhat conservative, he has quite an attractive appearance. With thick eyebrows and big eyes, he is elegant and handsome. Ling Yi smiled with a hint of curiosity, "This person seems rather upright."

He felt a headache and, almost as if possessed, pinched her dough-like cheek, his tone laced with a hint of indulgence, "Are you a Maitreya Buddha? With a big belly that can accommodate all the difficult matters of the world, hmm?"

Hao Yue was taken aback, "I haven't heard of that, I think it is not possible. I have been on duty here since the establishment of the government, and the lord is a very proper person, never involved in any unclear matters with outsiders. Our prince is different from other kings; regardless of whether they are legitimate or illegitimate children, once they are granted land, few do not indulge in pleasures. Only our prince maintains his integrity, and he generally does not favor those in the garden."

Yayoi was unsure whether the period counted as an illness; nonetheless, her body felt warm, and her stomach no longer ached. She could move her hands and feet, and it seemed quite inappropriate to ask the master to comb her hair. She slightly lifted her face, intending to decline, but unexpectedly, a soft sensation brushed against her forehead... She was instantly taken aback; it was the master's lips

Miyoi calculated, "It will be exactly four years by the time of the beginning of autumn"

Yan Wusi felt greatly perplexed. When the Master instructed him to handle a matter, he did not question it, but after thinking it over, he felt that catching the unworthy Prince Guangning in the act seemed to have little to do with achieving great success. He hesitated for a moment and said: "Has the Master changed his mind? Is it possible that he wants to vacate the positions of the two princes' consorts?"

Murong Cheng furrowed his brows as he looked at her. What kind of heart does this person possess? He was filled with righteous indignation, while she, being the party involved, appeared completely unconcerned. He intended to deal with that person surnamed Han properly, yet she instead comforted him. What was going on? Was he overreacting? When he first heard the news, he was so angry that he thought she would feel wronged and would come to him in tears, unhappy and dejected. However, upon coming from the red gate, he unexpectedly saw her peeking around with a beaming smile on her face.

Following her guidance, Miyoshiko looked over and saw a pair of lovers standing under the dripping water, the scholar and a young lady from the Fan family, seemingly engaged in conversation, with a faint smile on the young lady's face. Suddenly, Miyoshiko felt an emptiness in her heart, standing there in a daze for a moment before forcing a smile, "She is the young lady from the Fan family, a very filial person, coming every day to bring meals to the scholar, and they are acquainted."

Gently pushing the door open and peering inside, she curled up in the quilt like a cat, her shoulders tightly tucked, revealing only her jade-like face. Fragile beauty, her features like a painting. He gazed intently, unable to articulate the feelings stirring within him, only able to lament that she was born into the Xie family. If she were not a Xie, her life would surely be as splendid as brocade. ... Had she not encountered him, she would not have been half-forced to become his disciple, would not have left her mother at such a young age, and would not have struggled even to manage her own monthly cycle ... . He gazed intently, unable to articulate the feelings stirring within him, only able to lament that she was born into the Xie family. If she were not a Xie, her life would surely be as splendid as brocade. ... Had she not encountered him, she would not have been half-forced to become his disciple, would not have left her mother at such a young age, and would not have struggled even to manage her own monthly cycle ... . ... She is, in fact, just a child, silly and innocent. He felt troubled and could not envision the future. She respects him now, perhaps with some affection she herself has yet to realize. As the farce of the power struggle escalates, she is caught in the whirlpool, uncertain if she can still regard him as before. She respects him now, perhaps with some affection she herself has yet to realize. As the farce of the power struggle escalates, she is caught in the whirlpool, uncertain if she can still regard him as before

"Guangning Wang Ci Nuo is a hopeless case, akin to a useless person. Yan Wusi remarked, 'If he were to compete in a contest with the king, it would likely be quite difficult.'

Yayoi fidgeted increasingly, feeling more and more awkward. Perhaps it was better to be completely ignorant, for the ignorant are fearless. Now that she understood everything, she inevitably had to consider the master's opinion of her. She propped herself up against the railing, not daring to look at him, and with her head lowered, she said: "I have caused trouble for the master... I am utterly ashamed."