Before anyone could offer their congratulations, a shrill voice rang out: "Imperial decree! Chen Luo of the Chen family, receive the decree!"

Chen Luo was taken aback and looked at Bai Han in confusion, but when he saw Bai Han stroking his beard with a smile, he knew it was a good thing.

Everyone knelt down.

Chen Luo knelt at the forefront: "This humble subject, Chen Luo, obeys the decree!"

With a smile, Eunuch Cai opened the imperial edict: "By the grace of Heaven, the Emperor decrees that Chen Luo of the Chen family, in settling the disaster victims in Fenghua Town, has relieved my worries and difficulties, and his character is of the highest caliber. Therefore, I hereby bestow upon him the plaque of a virtuous person throughout the land to commemorate his good deeds."

"This humble subject, Chen Luo, kowtows in gratitude to Your Majesty. Long live the Emperor!"

Just as Chen Luo was about to stand up, Eunuch Cai hurriedly said, "No rush, no rush, Master Chen, there is still an imperial edict!"

Upon hearing this, everyone lowered their heads again.

Chen Luo was puzzled and looked at Bai Han, only to see Bai Han shake his head at him, purse his lips, and feel somewhat uneasy: "This humble subject Chen Luo obeys the decree!"

"By the grace of Heaven, the Emperor decrees: Chen Xingfeng and Chen Lingfeng are of noble character, intelligence, and integrity, and are hereby selected as study companions to the First and Second Princes!"

"This humble subject, Chen Luo, thanks Your Majesty. Long live the Emperor!"

With a smile, Eunuch Cai handed the imperial edict to Chen Luo and said slowly, "Master Chen, everyone says that good people are rewarded. It's not that they won't be rewarded, it's just that their time hasn't come yet!"

"And you've finally gotten what you've been waiting for!"

It would be a lie to say I wasn't excited.

Chen Luo bowed and thanked him. After Bai Han and Eunuch Cai exchanged a few pleasantries, Eunuch Cai said, "His Majesty knows that your two families have adopted sons and included them in the family genealogy. He specifically instructed this old servant to make sure that you bring the Chen family members to His Majesty's presence."

Bai Han quickly agreed. After seeing off Eunuch Cai, everyone became noticeably warmer towards Chen Xiaoran and his two companions.

"A study companion?" Nan Nian frowned and looked at Rong Manli, saying, "That place inside the walls is not a good place."

Rong Manli's face was also full of reluctance: "But the Emperor has already issued the decree."

"Very well." Nan Nian exhaled a breath of stale air. "These two children are going to take the imperial examinations and enter the court sooner or later anyway, so let them experience the dangers of the palace from a young age."

At this point, Nan Nian paused for a moment, then slowly said, "We'll arrange for people to go in and secretly protect them."

Rong Manli nodded: "I will."

"You don't need to worry too much, there are people inside," Nan Nian said softly.

Rong Manli's eyes lit up, and she instantly felt much more relaxed.

"Mother, save me!" Chen Lingfeng finally managed to squeeze out and ran straight towards the two people lounging under the tree. His jade crown even slipped as he ran, and he ended up behind Rong Manli. "They're too..."

For a moment, Chen Lingfeng didn't know what words to use to describe it.

Rong Manli couldn't help but laugh, and said helplessly, "Now that you're a prince's study companion, they'll naturally want to curry favor with you, Xingfeng?"

Chen Lingfeng took the water Nan Nian handed him, drank it all in one gulp, and said, "My older brother was very capable. Their conversation gave me a headache, which is why I escaped."

"Mom, let me rest for a bit, then I'll go over later."

Seeing Chen Lingfeng's expression as if he were going to his death made Rong Manli and Nan Nianjun burst into laughter.

Meanwhile, Bai Tuantuan was searching for that figure, but after looking around, she couldn't find it and was a little puzzled.

"What are you looking for? I'll help you." Ning Nanxiao's lazy voice came over, and he was seen with his arms crossed, wearing a blue robe that made him look even more noble.

Bai Tuantuan frowned, but didn't argue with Ning Nanxiao. Instead, she asked, "Xiao Guangyuan didn't come?"

Ning Nanxiao already knew most of the details about Xiao Guangyuan and Chen Zhixiu, so he wasn't surprised.

"Grand Secretary Zheng is visiting an old friend with Xiao Guangyuan. They will arrive later."

Bai Tuantuan suddenly realized, "Then we'll have to wait a while to see the show."

"I'm going to meet my half-sister." Bai Tuantuan dusted herself off, straightened her back, and looked at Ning Nanxiao. "Look, am I pretty?"

Ning Nanxiao was taken aback, then met Bai Tuantuan's eyes and coughed twice: "Hmm, very round."

Bai Tuantuan: ……

"That's cute! Cute! What do you mean by 'round'!"

She shouldn't have asked! What good things could Ning Nanxiao possibly say?

Bai Tuantuan walked forward angrily, while Ning Nanxiao followed behind unhurriedly. When they arrived in the garden, they saw many young ladies from wealthy families.

"Miss, would you like to go and get acquainted with them?" Ruotang asked softly.

Bai Tuantuan raised an eyebrow slightly: "Even if I don't go, they will come."

As soon as Bai Tuantuan finished speaking, someone in the pavilion saw her and a group of people came over to greet her.

Bai Tuantuan wore a faint smile, her eyes clear and pure: "No need for formalities, ladies, please be well."

Every move he made was flawless.

This surprised the other young ladies.

Bai Tuantuan looked around, taking in everyone's gazes, and at the same time, she saw Xiao Ruyan.

Xiao Ruyan is now five years old, and she has a nanny and maids by her side.

The thought that she was only a few months younger than him filled him with anger.

"Princess, what are you thinking about?" A very beautiful woman tilted her head and looked at Bai Tuantuan with a puzzled expression. "Did I say something wrong?"

Bai Tuantuan snapped out of her daze and looked at the legitimate daughter of the Minister of Rites in front of her. Judging from her appearance, she should be about eight or nine years old, and her eyes were filled with curiosity about her.

"I am not proficient in the arts of music, chess, calligraphy, and painting that you mentioned, so I cannot compose poetry with you..."

Bai Tuantuan's answer made Su Shishi's face show annoyance. Just as she was about to apologize, Xiao Ruyan said triumphantly, "Sister Shishi, she grew up in the countryside, how could she know poetry and songs?"

The arrogance in his tone was extremely obvious.

Su Shishi frowned slightly and said slowly, "The county princess is still young and has never learned before. It's not too late to start learning now. Why don't you be the judge?"

"She can't do anything, how can she be a referee!" Xiao Ruyan pouted, looking unwilling. "Does she even know what's good and bad?"

"How about I, this young master, act as the referee?" Ning Nanxiao, who had not shown himself until now, stepped forward and gave Xiao Ruyan a cold look.

"Greetings, Your Highness." Everyone bowed and greeted him.

Xiao Ruyan's eyes lit up: "It would be good if the young master were the referee."

“This…” Su Shishi hesitated, “The young master is, after all, a man, this seems a bit inappropriate…”

“Then let’s compete together.” Ning Nanxiao raised an eyebrow and looked at Ruotang, saying, “Go and inform Grandma Bai.”

Ruotang agreed.

Ning Nanxiao caught a glimpse of Xiao Ruyan's confident demeanor out of the corner of his eye and said indifferently, "The young ladies of our capital city, if not all of them are as beautiful as angels, are at least from modest families. But unfortunately, there's a rotten apple mixed in here. Tsk tsk tsk."

Everyone was taken aback. What did this mean?

Bai Tuantuan laughed and immediately chimed in, "Yes, yes, I think so too. All the young ladies I've met these days are stunningly beautiful, but today I met one who...dragged down my looks! Yes! Looks!"

"Oh? You think so too?" Ning Nanxiao chuckled, pointing a finger. "But what about her?"

Everyone quickly looked over, and who else could it be but Xiao Ruyan?

Xiao Ruyan's smug face turned pale instantly.

Bai Tuantuan pretended to advise, "Oh, young master, what are you doing? Why are you speaking the truth! How will Miss Xiao go out in the future? But looking like this, if I were to go out, I would definitely stay alone in a corner. Standing among the other young ladies, I would stand out too much!"

Bai Tuantuan watched Xiao Ruyan's expression change repeatedly, and felt extremely pleased!

In her past life, Xiao Ruyan tormented herself repeatedly because she was not as beautiful as herself!

Xiao Ruyan is extremely vain and values ​​her appearance the most. Now, she is determined to stab her in the heart!