It's just a little rag doll, why would she give it a second glance?

Princess Linglong glanced at them, finding herself utterly speechless. She stamped her foot and said, "Since you're not here for tea, I'll be leaving now."

The girl said this simply because she wanted the host to ask her to stay.

However, Chen Shu was discussing with someone which patterns would look better for making baby clothes and didn't really notice this customer.

I only found out that Princess Linglong had left after I finished all this work.

The daughter of the Liu family joked, "She's just trying to please you and her aunt. Don't worry about her."

Ever since the Emperor intended to betroth Chen Bei to Princess Linglong, everyone in the capital knows that Princess Linglong is constantly running to the Imperial Academy, wishing she could move her whole family there.

Chen Bei, the youngest son of Chen Fangdao, the prefect of Anzhou, was studying at the Imperial Academy.

He was an extremely handsome young man, and everyone in the capital said that if he were to take the imperial examination in the future, he might become a third-ranked scholar.

Everyone loves beauty; who doesn't like a handsome young man?

Princess Linglong made no attempt to conceal her thoughts. After leaving the Chen residence, she headed towards the Imperial Academy.

"Chen Bei and the others are off today, right?"

Doctors at the Imperial Academy, like court officials, had a ten-day break.

The accompanying maidservant quickly smiled and said, "Young Master Chen will be very happy to see the Princess."

These words pleased Princess Linglong greatly. "You're so good with words." However, she was both happy and a little nervous at the thought of seeing Chen Bei.

Chen Bei had always been indifferent to her. She asked her mother about it, and her mother said that men and women should not be too close before the emperor bestowed a marriage upon them.

Indeed, the Chen family is a family of scholars, so naturally they should pay attention to these things.

The young girl's heart pounded. She arrived at the Imperial Academy only to find that Chen Bei had already left. "But he didn't go home?"

Chen Bei was staying at his grandfather's house, and Princess Linglong had just come from the Chen residence, so she had no idea that Chen Bei had returned.

The students at the Imperial Academy recognized Princess Linglong and quickly said, "Princess, you may not know, but Chen Bei said that one of his sisters came to the capital from her hometown, and he went to visit her."

"Sisters?" Princess Linglong asked, puzzled. "Where did he get so many sisters?"

Those who grew up in the capital quickly figured out the reason: "Go and find out who they are."

When Chen Shu arrived in the capital, Chen Bei didn't go back to the Chen residence to visit his elder sister. Instead, he went to visit his other sisters. She wanted to know who these sisters were and what their relationship was with Chen Bei!

The maidservant hurriedly went to inquire, and when she returned to the princess's residence after finding out the details, she saw Princess Linglong pouting at her mother, Princess Linping, saying, "I don't care, I'm going to marry Chen Bei. I've never seen a man more handsome than him."

Princess Linping said helplessly, "This marriage was only mentioned by His Majesty back then. The Chen family seems to have no intention of marrying into the royal family. My son, you can find any kind of husband you want. Why do you have to make things difficult for this Chen Bei?"

“But none of the others are as handsome as Chen Bei, and he has a good personality, so I want to marry him.” Ever since the Emperor intended to arrange their marriage five years ago, she has only had Chen Bei in her heart.

In a few years, when she grows up and reaches marriageable age, she can marry Chen Bei.

"Mother, if it really doesn't work out, I can marry him first, and then we can consummate the marriage when we grow up."

Princess Linping glared at him upon hearing this, "Nonsense! We are members of the royal family, how could we do such a thing? It's one thing for you to talk nonsense in front of me, but if you continue to talk nonsense like this outside, I will not forgive you."

After being scolded by her mother, Princess Linglong ran out in anger.

Back in her exquisite residence, she saw the maidservant hiding there. "How did it go?"

The maidservant hurriedly reported, "Young Master Chen went to the largest inn in the capital and was chatting and laughing with a young woman. I inquired and found out that Madam Xie had asked Young Master Chen to stay at that woman's house for a while."

"Young woman?"

"Yes, that woman looked to be under twenty years old, and her appearance was rather... average. She kept pestering Young Master Chen to talk to him, and she had a foxy look on her face." The maid was afraid of upsetting her mistress, so she started to distort the truth.

Upon hearing this, Princess Linglong smashed her teacup in anger. "What a vixen! I'd like to see just how despicable she can be!"

Watching her master storm off in anger, the maid suddenly felt uneasy.

I'm afraid I said something wrong just now because I changed my mind.

However, her mistress was a princess, the only daughter of Princess Linping, and no one in the capital dared to cross her.

Is everything alright?

...

Gu An'an was surprised that Chen Bei would come to her door. The young man seemed to have grown taller than before. "Sister Gu, why didn't you tell me you were coming to the capital? Did you come alone? Did Zhu'er and the others come with you?"

As they spoke, Chen Bei searched for Jiang Mingzhu's whereabouts, but unfortunately, he did not find her.

"No, they are studying at home."

"Ah, how about we let Mingyi and the others come to the capital to study? They can study together at the Imperial Academy." Chen Bei thought this would be wonderful; then he could play with Mingyi and the others.

“Those who study at the Imperial Academy are all from wealthy and noble families. Mingyi is a cold and aloof boy who isn't good at getting along with people, so it's best not to let him cause trouble.” Gu An’an politely declined the young man’s kindness. “Why did you come here?”

Could it be that Chen Shu told him?

“I overheard at the Imperial Academy that a merchant from Anping County brought some interesting things. I thought it must be you, Sister Gu, so I came to try my luck. See how clever I am?”

The young man looked on expectantly for praise, which made Gu An'an feel bad. "Abei, you are naturally smart. By the way, your sister is here too. Why don't you go home and play with your sister?"

"Why is she here too? Did she come alone?"

Upon learning that Chen Shu and Feng Yue had come together, Chen Bei immediately shook her head, "Then let the girls go play together. I don't want to play with them. Sister Gu, what do you need? Is there anything I can help you with?"

What help could a little boy like him possibly offer?

After thinking it over, Gu An'an assigned Chen Bei a task: "How about you help me copy a few copies of the competition rules?"

She planned to post it everywhere, but it wasn't convenient for her to write it herself, so she could use Chen Bei instead.

The young man excitedly agreed and went to work.

Seeing this, Man Niang moved closer to Gu An'an and asked, "Master, who is this young master?"

He went straight to Jiang Mingzhu as soon as he arrived; he probably likes that girl.

However, Jiang Mingzhu is indeed beautiful. She is a bright and charming young girl, and because of her martial arts training, she is also very heroic. Not to mention the young men who admire her, she herself likes her very much.

"Chen Shu's younger brother, the young master of the prefectural government."

Upon hearing this, Man Niang immediately abandoned her original idea—

We're not a good match, so let's forget about it.

Fortunately, she didn't say anything nonsense, otherwise it would have been really embarrassing.

Just then, someone outside suddenly started shouting, "Who is Gu An'an? Come out here!"