USWHC -Chapter 526 The Rivers and Mountains of Daliang (Part 6)

When Lanyi heard this, her spirits immediately lifted. “Win? It’s not just winning! Our new top scholar nearly made the Qi people’s noses bleed with anger! Haha, Mother, let me tell you, that top scholar is truly impressive—quoting classics flawlessly, every word perfect. Even when scolding others, he does it so eloquently. Just watching him made me so excited, I practically wanted to rush up and wave banners for him myself!”

As she spoke, Lanyi’s eyes began to sparkle, and her hands and feet actually started moving as if dancing—wild gestures that reflected her overflowing excitement. Watching her like this, Dowager Consort Duan couldn’t help but feel a pang of concern. “Qier, you haven’t gone and fallen for that top scholar, have you?”

“Mother, how can you say that!” Lanyi immediately pouted coquettishly.

No matter how coquettishly she protested, Dowager Consort Duan’s expression turned cold. “Your marriage cannot be treated so recklessly! Have you even inquired about that top scholar’s family background?”

“I don’t even know his name, how would I know about his family! Mother, you’re overthinking!” Lanyi insisted.

Hearing this, Dowager Consort Duan’s face darkened further. She poked her finger at Lanyi’s forehead with a hiss. “You… you’re still just a child at heart!”

Being scolded like that, Lanyi immediately frowned. “Mother, you didn’t see it! Today, not just I, but even the Emperor admired him greatly! What does family background matter? True ability is what counts. Does it matter if the Yingrong family is prestigious? Does the Emperor care for them? He wouldn’t even glance at them!” She pouted, clearly irritated.

“The Emperor may not favor the Yingrong family, but the Duke’s household—no matter who sits on the throne—cannot be easily moved. They hold hereditary dukedoms, a lifetime of wealth and honor!” Dowager Consort Duan glared at her disobedient daughter.

Lanyi laughed mockingly. “Mother, that’s not right. Since the founding of the previous Emperor, how many dukes have had their titles stripped, reduced to commoners? What’s so eternal about their wealth and honor? Without ability, they’ll still squander everything!”

“Ah, child, what’s gotten into you today? Always opposing your mother! Fine, fine, fine, I understand… a child is not always obedient!” Dowager Consort Duan huffed and plopped into her chair, refusing to look at her, glaring angrily outside instead.

Seeing this, Lanyi realized her mother was genuinely angry. She quickly said, “Mother, don’t take it the wrong way. I was just excited watching that top scholar win glory for Daliang!” She laughed and leaned against Dowager Consort Duan’s shoulder, gently rubbing her neck.

“You, you…” Dowager Consort Duan poked her forehead again, though her expression softened. Then she called out loudly, “Servant!”

A palace maid entered respectfully, and Dowager Consort Duan instructed sternly, “Go and find out everything about today’s top scholar. The more you know, the better!”

Lanyi’s excitement nearly made her leap up. She shook her mother’s neck and shouted, “Mother, you’re the best!”

Dowager Consort Duan smiled. “If he is truly talented, I won’t stop you. But if he’s just an empty man, you’ll have to abandon this thought!”

“He’s definitely someone remarkable, Mother, don’t worry!” Lanyi said eagerly.

Dowager Consort Duan remained silent, letting out a deep sigh. “What’s so special about him? You seem spellbound—yet you’ve only met him once.”

Hearing this, Lanyi blushed shyly and whispered in her mother’s ear, “Mother, the one who saved me that day on the outskirts of the city… that was today’s new top scholar.”

“What?” Dowager Consort Duan was even more astonished. A man talented in both civil and military matters? She didn’t know his background yet—but if he was from a noble family, that would be perfect.

Seeing Lanyi so excited, Dowager Consort Duan felt a pang in her heart. Her daughter had truly grown up—she already had someone she liked.

But Princess Lanyi didn’t notice her mother’s subtle reaction. Like a little sparrow, she chirped eagerly about the top scholar: how brave he was, how wise, how he seemed almost godlike, radiant and magnificent.