Xue Qingshang had dressed up specially today. She wore a water-red jacket with a ruyi pattern and a gilded hairpin with flowers and pearls. She looked dignified and elegant, with delicate eyebrows like distant mountains painted with the tribute of conch ink given by the palace. She straightened her clothes, calmed her mind, and walked towards the person not far away.

Seeing that person was about to leave, Xue Qingshang could not help but quicken her pace, "Mr. Yu, wait a moment."

Yu Qizhe paused slightly, he turned his head, and the cold expression on his face startled Xue Qingshang. She was of noble status, the only county lady bestowed with a title by the current emperor. Whenever the men in the capital saw her, they would chase after her and flatter her.

"Mr. Yu, why are you here?" Xue Qingshang had her usual dignified smile on her face, and her demeanor was graceful and elegant. She was not like an ordinary girl who would blush and get nervous when talking to a man.

Her elder sister is Concubine Xue Rong, who dotes on her only sister very much. Xue Qingshang has often entered the palace since she was a child, and has come into contact with many important figures. She is also used to big scenes, so her behavior is naturally not petty.

Seeing Yu Qizhe frowning slightly, Xue Qingshang smiled gently and said, "Mr. Yu doesn't recognize me, but I recognize you." She raised her beautiful phoenix eyes, looked at Yu Qizhe and recited slowly, "Tree shadows cross the river, fish swim on the branches, and crows roost on the waves."

Yu Qizhe still looked at her coldly, but Xue Qingshang did not feel embarrassed. She was fascinated by his cold and aloof temperament.

"Do you still remember this couplet?" Xue Qingshang said softly, "I came up with the first line of this couplet. Young Master Xinglou left early that day, so Qingshang didn't have the chance to see him. I didn't expect to meet Young Master Yu here today."

Yu Qizhe glanced at the carriage parked nearby and noticed the word "Xue" on the wall of the carriage. This place was Zanmao Hutong. Apart from the guests who went to Liu's mansion to watch the ceremony today, only a few people from the princes and dukes' mansions would drive through this alley.

Yu Qizhe had already guessed Xue Qingshang's identity. His expression did not change at all, and his tone was as cold as usual, "Miss, if you have nothing else to do, I will take my leave first."

"Master Yu, please wait a moment." Xue Qingshang finally saw him, so she was reluctant to let him go so easily. She asked with concern, "Master, you haven't been to Xinglou for a long time. Are you busy reviewing your lessons? I wonder if you have ever paid respects to your teacher?"

Xue Qingshang remembered that he came from Qingzhou to take the exam. Those students with family backgrounds had already been introduced by others to visit and give gifts, looking for a powerful teacher to rely on.

She guessed that the reason why Yu Qizhe appeared in Zanmao Hutong was that he wanted to pay a visit to Liu Zheng, the Second Minister of the Cabinet. However, he was standing alone in the ruins of the old courtyard of Princess Huaiyang's Mansion, and most likely he was unable to enter Liu's Mansion.

"Not yet." Yu Qizhe said lightly.

Xue Qingshang smiled and said, "Sir, do you have a teacher you want to worship? Qingshang can introduce one to you."

Although their Jingyuan Marquis' Mansion had little contact with Liu Yu, Liu Yu was not the only one in the cabinet. If Yu Qizhe was willing, she could help him introduce Prime Minister Shen.

Yu Qizhe looked up at her and said, "Thank you for your kindness, young lady. I have no intention of becoming your disciple for the time being. If I can pass the imperial examination this spring, I will have my own tutor."

Xue Qingshang was not angry when he rejected her. Instead, she admired his indifferent nature. He was not one of those people who were always scheming and scheming.

She smiled and said, "Where does Master Yu live? I'll ask someone to take you back."

Yu Qizhe thanked him in a low voice, still refusing in a calm tone, and then walked towards the entrance of the alley.

Xue Qingshang watched his tall and handsome figure walking further and further away. She stood there clutching her handkerchief, her face slowly turning red. It turned out that when she saw his poems in Xinglou, she only admired his talent. Later, he rejected Liu Miwu's invitation and only used the first prize to exchange for a meal, which made Xue Qingshang feel that he was different from others.

She had met too many scholars, some with real talent and some with nothing but knowledge, but none of them was as indifferent to fame and fortune and not fawning like him.

When seeing the portrait, Xue Qingshang had doubted whether this man was really that handsome. But when she saw him today, not only was she not disappointed, she realized that this man was much more handsome in life than in the portrait. He was as cool and pure as the bright moon in the sky, and as handsome as an orchid and a jade tree. In terms of appearance, he was not inferior to the children of officials in the capital.

He is still so talented.

The little maidservant saw that the young man had been gone for a long time, but the county lady was still standing there. She didn't dare to say anything and waited at a distance. However, she was quite surprised in her heart, because her county lady had always been arrogant and seldom called herself by her maiden name, especially in front of a man.

Xue Qingshang came back to her senses and hurriedly instructed the little maid, "Go and follow that young master. Don't let him find out. See where he lives. Find out clearly and then come back."

The little maidservant nodded, and seeing that Yu Qizhe's back had disappeared at the entrance of the alley, she hurriedly chased after him.

Xue Qingshang got on the carriage and told the driver to go back home.

Passing by the gate of Liu's mansion, Xue Qingshang lifted the curtain and took a look. She saw that Liu's mansion was very lively, with many carriages parked next to the screen wall. She remembered that when she passed by on her way out of the mansion before, the maid said that the third young lady who had just been found in Liu's mansion was having her coming-of-age ceremony today and had invited many people to watch the ceremony.

The Qingliu and them have always been clearly distinguished, and Liu Yu is the leader of the Qingliu. Naturally, he has little dealings with the Xue family, and he will not send an invitation to their Jingyuan Earl's Mansion when he is watching the ceremony.

Xue Qingshang looked at the plaque in the Liu Mansion and thought that since Liu Yu had refused Master Yu's offer to become his disciple, she must ask Prime Minister Shen to accept him as his disciple so that no one would look down on him.

Prime Minister Shen loves her very much. As long as she asks him for help, he will definitely help Master Yu in the officialdom.