APSIL -Chapter 71 An Invitation from the Princess

Bare-chested, carrying a bundle of thorny branches on his back, Zhu Er had completely lost the swagger he’d displayed the previous night. Now he looked more like a meek quail, though his darting eyes still wandered about restlessly.

Seeing this, Zhang Shou couldn’t help thinking that Zhu Ying’s second brother wasn’t merely inferior to Lu Sanlang—even Zhang Chen, who liked to fancy himself a righteous gentleman, surpassed him by a wide margin in certain respects.

When Zhu Er stole a quick glance at him, Zhang Shou noticed the dark bruise around his eye. Judging by the injury, Zhu Ying had probably been responsible. The thought made him smile.

The instant Zhang Shou smiled, Zhu Er glared at him furiously. But as soon as he caught sight of Zhu Ying looking his way, he immediately forced a fawning grin onto his face.

“Yingying, you told me to come apologize, didn’t you? Well, here I am! Look at these thorn branches—they’ve still got the thorns on them. That shows how sincere I am…”

There were countless spoiled young masters like Zhu Er in Cuiyun Hall, and Zhang Shou wasn’t surprised by this kind of performance. Calmly, he replied,

“Second Young Master, the first person you should be apologizing to isn’t me. You should first go sincerely beg the Grand Madam’s forgiveness.”

“I told him the same thing,” Zhu Ying said. “But he insisted on coming to you first.”

Halfway through speaking, she suddenly paused, her expression turning dangerous as she looked at her second brother.

No wonder something felt off… So that’s what you were plotting! Trying to use the order of events to make Grandmother think A-Shou is arrogant and disrespectful?

She immediately let out a heavy snort, grabbed Zhu Er by the arm, and dragged him toward the door.

“A-Shou, I’ll take him to kowtow before Grandmother first. We’ll come back afterward!”

Just as when she’d arrived, Zhu Ying swept away like a whirlwind.

Watching Nanny Li hurry after them with an unreadable look on her face after giving him a quick bow, Zhang Shou merely shrugged before turning toward Qi Liang and Deng Xiaodai.

“You two probably didn’t sleep much last night. Today, would you rather come out with me for a walk, or stay here and catch up on your sleep?”

“We’re going out!”

The two answered almost simultaneously before exchanging glances.

Are you kidding?

If their teacher went out while they stayed behind in the Duke’s residence, what if the Grand Madam summoned them for questioning? Neither of them could possibly withstand that.

A single sleepless night only meant they’d be drowsy. That was far preferable to remaining here in constant anxiety.

Zhang Shou himself hoped Deng Xiaodai and Qi Liang could show him around the capital.

As for Zhu Ying…

The young lady attracted attention wherever she went. Whether she dressed as a woman or disguised herself as a man, she stood out far too much.

Yet before he could think of a way to persuade the grandmother and granddaughter to let the three of them wander around the city alone, Nanny Li returned.

This time, however, the smile on her face looked somewhat forced.

“Young Master Shou, today is Princess Yongping’s literary gathering at Moonflower Pavilion. She has specially sent you an invitation.”

Zhang Shou had heard the name Princess Yongping once before—from Zhu Ying.

According to the young lady, the princess, who had been born on the very same year, month, and day as herself, was practically her complete opposite. She had stepped on Zhu Ying’s lotus lantern and mocked her, only to be thoroughly taught a lesson in return.

Beyond that, Zhang Shou had never taken much interest in palace affairs, nor had he bothered asking Lu Sanlang or anyone else about the princess.

Yet here he was, on only his second day in the capital, suddenly receiving such an inexplicable invitation.

Both surprised and amused, he replied evenly, “I’m just an unknown country fellow. Why would Princess Yongping invite me? Yesterday I already promised my teacher I’d bring Xiao Qi and Xiaodai over to solve a few mathematics problems. As for literary gatherings… please trouble yourself to decline on my behalf, Nanny Li.”

Nanny Li clearly hadn’t expected such a straightforward refusal.

The smile on her face immediately became noticeably more genuine.

Even so, she still presented the invitation with both hands. Deng Xiaodai hurried over to receive it before respectfully handing it to Zhang Shou, while Nanny Li added an explanation.

“Princess Yongping has displayed exceptional talent since childhood. She excels in music, chess, calligraphy, and painting, and is particularly accomplished in poetry and prose.”

“Moreover, our dynasty’s customs are rather open. Once, while accompanying His Majesty incognito, she encountered three talented scholars at Moonflower Pavilion. After questioning them at length until they admitted defeat, her reputation spread throughout the capital.”

“Taking advantage of that, she petitioned His Majesty for permission to host a literary gathering at Moonflower Pavilion every month, where she observes from the upper floor.”

“She remains behind a curtain upstairs, never meeting the scholars in person, and no outsider is permitted to go upstairs.”

After a brief pause, she lowered her gaze.

“His Majesty often sends one of his senior eunuchs to accompany the gathering. Thus, every scholar who receives an invitation considers it the greatest honor imaginable.”

“After all, what greater temptation is there than earning the Emperor’s notice before even taking the imperial examinations?”

“If the invitations weren’t all issued by name, some people would do absolutely anything to obtain one.”

Only one character separated the princess’s title from another famous princess in history, yet what she was doing felt remarkably similar.

Is this princess trying to become another Princess Taiping?

Zhang Shou chuckled inwardly.

Aloud, however, he said teasingly, “Nanny Li says Princess Yongping excels at poetry, yet the gathering she hosts is a literary forum rather than a poetry society?”

“That’s because,” Nanny Li explained, “Princess Yongping believes that while poetry reveals literary talent, being able to compose fine poems doesn’t necessarily make someone a capable official or someone beneficial to the state. Essays, she says, better reveal a person’s character and learning.”

Zhang Shou merely smiled dismissively.

“I may not know much about poetry, but I have to disagree.”

“Those who truly write good poetry—if they put in the effort—how many of them couldn’t also write excellent essays?”

“And essays reveal a person’s character and ability? They determine whether someone will become a good official?”

“Most corrupt officials were selected through examination essays too, weren’t they?”

“As the saying goes, Knowledge gained from books alone always feels shallow; only through practice does one truly understand.”

“Someone may write magnificent essays and yet know absolutely nothing about governing.”

“If she wishes to hold a literary gathering, then let her hold one. Simply say she’s selecting talented essayists.”

“Why belittle poetry in order to elevate prose?”

“Well said, A-Shou!”

Before he’d even finished speaking, an approving voice rang out from outside.

The next moment, Zhu Er stumbled awkwardly into the room, his expression rather complicated.

Only then did Zhu Ying follow him inside.

The young lady’s face was flushed a delightful crimson—whether from hurrying over or from excitement at Zhang Shou’s words, it was impossible to tell.

“Princess Yongping always says Lu Fangweng’s poetry is too shallow. I say she’s the shallow one!”

“So what if she sent an invitation? That doesn’t mean you have to go!”

“Absolutely not!”

“I’ll accompany you, Xiao Qi, and Xiaodai to Grandpa Ge’s place instead!”

At this point, Zhang Shou assumed the matter had finally been settled.

What he never expected was that, upon hearing he intended to visit Ge Yong, the Grand Madam insisted he change into a different outfit.

Soon afterward, several maids delivered a stack of clothing.

Only then did Zhang Shou discover that besides the lotus-blue gauze robe she’d previously given him as a birthday gift, the Grand Madam had quietly prepared several more outfits in perfectly fitting sizes, each in a different color.

Faced with such thoughtfulness, Zhang Shou found himself speechless.

In the end, he selected the simplest one—a plain indigo robe.

He had only just finished dressing when Zhu Ying returned once more, dragging along the now properly dressed Zhu Er.

She declared that she wanted to bring her second brother to Grandpa Ge’s place to “receive some proper education.”

Seeing Zhu Ying frantically winking at him as she spoke, Zhang Shou naturally understood exactly what she meant by “education.”

What she really wanted was for her brother to be drowned beneath the endless sea of mathematics problems that had already reduced every aristocratic youth in Cuiyun Hall to misery.

He shot the young lady a helpless glance for trying to sell her own brother so enthusiastically.

Without agreeing or refusing, he merely said, “It’s getting late. Let’s head out.”

“Ahem… Is the Young Lady and Young Master Shou here? This servant has something to report.”

Just then, a cough sounded from outside before Nanny Jiang stepped into the room.

After sweeping her gaze across everyone present, she curtsied respectfully.

“Her Highness Consort Yu has just sent word.”

“She says she hasn’t seen the Young Lady in quite some time.”

“She will also be at Moonflower Pavilion around noon today and wishes the Young Lady to come see her.”

Zhu Ying’s eyes widened in astonishment.

The next instant, she flung her sleeve down in frustration.

Only then did Nanny Jiang continue with a sigh.

“Her Highness also said… if possible… she hopes Young Master Shou will bring his two students as well, so everyone may witness the elegance of Grand Tutor Ge’s disciples.”

“The Grand Madam says that refusing the princess’s invitation would have been one thing.”

“But since Princess Yongping has already sent an invitation, and Consort Yu has personally sent word as well…”

“…then you may as well attend.”

“She has already sent someone to inform Grand Tutor Ge, so he won’t wait for you in vain.”

“And because she’s been feeling restless after staying indoors for so long…”

“…the Grand Madam has decided to accompany all of you to Moonflower Pavilion herself.”

Zhang Shou had only wanted to avoid what was obviously a banquet with hidden motives.

Now, however, it seemed there was no way to decline.

Chuckling, he nodded.

“Very well.”

“If we’re going, then we’re going.”

“I’ll simply take this country bumpkin’s chance to see the capital’s most prestigious literary gathering.”