USWHC -Chapter 525 The Rivers and Mountains of Daliang (Part 5)

On the pale-white imperial avenue, a procession of people walked slowly. They held their heads high, smiling as they advanced. Sunlight fell on their faces, yet it seemed dim compared to the radiance they carried themselves. They were full of vigor, full of pride.

Their futures seemed as broad and bright as the wide, clear avenue before them—vast and unimpeded.

From a distance, a figure stood timidly by the corridor, gazing at the procession, a faint smile playing on her lips—an ambiguous, shy, and delicate smile.

“He’s actually the top scholar!” came a soft murmur, and the smile froze on her face, lingering for a long while without breaking.

“What are you looking at, little sister?”

A low voice called from behind. The face that had been smiling stiffened for a moment, then quickly turned back, cleverly linking her arm with the newcomer’s and smiling: “Sister Jinghan, you came too?”

“I searched everywhere for you and couldn’t find you. I heard you were here, so I came to take a look,” Zhu Jie said, her tone restraining a hint of anger. “When did you leave the side room? Why didn’t you say a word?”

Indeed, the one who had been standing by the corridor, gazing foolishly into the distance, was Lanyi. She cheekily stuck out her tongue and giggled: “When I heard they were going to paint, I ran off right away! I didn’t want to get caught!”

Then, curiosity sparkling on her face, she asked: “Sister, what happened afterward? Were you discovered? Did the top scholar finish the painting?”

Hearing this, Zhu Jie couldn’t help but feel a mental jolt. Had her intelligence declined? Well… she had to admit, love really does make one dizzy.

“Everything’s fine,” Zhu Jie said with a mysterious smile, offering no further explanation.

This only made Lanyi more anxious. She kept asking, “Come on, tell me! What happened? What did he paint?”

“Oh? You seem very interested in him. Could it be… springtime feelings?” Zhu Jie teased deliberately.

At this, Lanyi instantly became flustered. “Sister, what are you saying? How old do you think I am? Just… springtime feelings! That’s too much!” Saying that, she whipped her sleeve and began to run.

Zhu Jie watched her like a cat that had just been startled, scampering blindly toward the back courtyard, not even daring to glance back. Zhu Jie frowned. Had she guessed something right?

No way… They had only met a few times! With Lanyi’s personality, how could she take a fancy to a scholar with no family background or foundation?

“Why are you running as if someone’s chasing you?” Consort Duan saw her precious daughter dart into the room like a rabbit and couldn’t help teasing her. “Did you see something?”

At these words, Lanyi’s face suddenly flushed red—indeed, it looked unusual.

Consort Duan immediately leaned closer, astonished: “Quick, tell me, what’s going on with you?”

“Mother, I just went to watch the palace exam!” Lanyi said, her voice trembling with excitement and a secret thrill.

Consort Duan, hearing this, showed not the slightest surprise, instead speaking calmly: “I know. So what?”

Hearing her so nonchalant, Lanyi felt a bit unhappy: “Mother, don’t you take it seriously at all?”

“Why? Didn’t Yelü Haonan see Jinghan?” Consort Duan immediately thought in another direction.

Princess Lanyi let out a soft complaint and shouted angrily: “Mother, can’t you look further ahead? Stop scheming all the time!”

Hearing this, Consort Duan was momentarily stunned. “Hmph! All my scheming is for whom? Isn’t it for us, mother and daughter? What do you mean? Isn’t your whole future at stake?”

“Mother, the people of Qi have come to humiliate us. Don’t you want to know if we can win against them?” Lanyi said, indignantly.

“Why bother knowing? It has nothing to do with us! It’s just a war of words. If you have the skill, go fight for real!” Consort Duan said loftily, but seeing Lanyi’s almost tearful face, she quickly softened: “Alright, then tell me—did we win?”