"Reporting to Your Highness, the scribe in the Hanlin Academy is responsible for organizing the memorials and letters that the Emperor has ordered to be brought over, as well as compiling books. The scribe has just started his job and mainly assists the senior members with document organization." Scribe Song replied immediately.

Wu Ruyue then glanced at Song Shucheng, somewhat disapproving of what he had done. Everyone said that the Hanlin Academy was the poorest, and although it often had contact with the emperor, it was a low-paying department with no real benefits, not even as profitable as a county magistrate who received gifts from the local gentry.

"Shucheng is truly a young talent. Being able to serve in the Hanlin Academy, he is sure to have a bright future," Madam Wu said with a smile.

“Yes, my father once said that the Hanlin Academy is the place where future prime ministers are born,” Fucha suddenly said.

Song Shucheng looked at Fucha and said, "Thank you, Princess Fucha. I am still young and need time to hone my skills. However, your words have greatly inspired me and will be the direction I strive for in the future."

Lady Fucha nodded and said nothing more.

Upon hearing these words, Wu Ruyue still felt that a poor scholar could not compare to Prince Yong. Even if he entered the cabinet and became prime minister, what difference would it make? He would still be serving others.

Lady Nian said quietly, "This year, Father Emperor asked our Prince to perform the ancestral rites on our behalf and to host a banquet for the officials. This is a good sign. My sisters, who knows, our Prince might have a bright future."

Lanqin frowned when she saw that Nian was speaking so bluntly, and said, "It's better not to say such things for now. Father's thoughts should not be discussed rashly."

Wu Ruyue was quite excited upon hearing this. Nian's words had only fueled her wildest desires. Marrying a poor scholar and only becoming a titled lady in old age was one thing, but becoming a concubine of the Fourth Prince meant eventually becoming an empress in the palace.

When Nian heard Lanqin say this, she frowned and said, "What are you afraid of? There are no outsiders here. We are all sisters, right?"

Lady Liu immediately said, "Consort Nian spoke just in time. Consort Niu is far too cautious. These are all the prince's concubines; no one will say a word."

In recent days, Lady Nian had secretly sent a message to Lady Liu, urging her to join forces with Lady Fucha, but outwardly she still acted as if they were not on good terms. Lady Nian promised Lady Liu that she would plead for her whenever she had the chance.

Lanqin didn't want to talk about this issue, so she changed the subject and said, "Shucheng, Ruyue, if you've finished eating, you can go out and play with the children and help them set off fireworks."

Song Shucheng nodded immediately and looked at Wu Ruyue, only to see her with her head down, as if embarrassed.

"Go on, go out and watch the fireworks." Madam Wu gave Wu Ruyue a push. Wu Ruyue couldn't disobey Lanqin's suggestion, and since Madam Wu was urging her to go, she had no choice but to stand up and go out with Song Shucheng to watch the fireworks.

Knowing that Lanqin wanted to matchmake Wu's sister with Song's brother, Lady Nian couldn't help but sarcastically say, "I think Wu's sister is quite beautiful. I'm afraid she'll be chosen for the imperial concubine selection later."

Upon hearing this, Wu's face immediately darkened; she was determined not to let her younger sister follow in her footsteps. Song, who had initially been pleased, remained silent upon hearing Nian's words, which clearly implied her brother was unworthy of Wu Ruyue.

"If the two of them are in love, it wouldn't be impossible for Mother to pull some strings," Lanqin said casually.

Meanwhile, Wu Ruyue and Song Shucheng arrived at the front courtyard, where they saw the Third, Fourth, and Fifth Princesses setting off fireworks with the help of servants. Hongshi wasn't there, and Hongli, finding it unpleasant to play alone, joined his sisters and the other girls.

"Does little sister Ruyue like setting off fireworks?" Song Shucheng asked.

“I like it. Back in my hometown, my sisters and I would set it off together every year during the Spring Festival.” Wu Ruyue saw that Song Shucheng was quite handsome and she didn’t dislike him. Since she still had to be considerate of him, she started talking to him.

“Then I’ll put some in with Ruyue.” Song Shucheng said happily. Seeing that Wu Ruyue didn’t ignore him, he assumed that she agreed. He was even happier and began to think about how to give her the New Year’s gift he had prepared for her.

After receiving some fireworks from the maids, he handed some small sparklers to Wu Ruyue, lit the fuse, and then shook the sparkler in his hand.

"Brother Shucheng, please light the fuse for me." Wu Ruyue was only a thirteen-year-old girl after all. Seeing that Song Shucheng was being polite and careful in flattering her, she was also happy and started to play around.

Song Shucheng's heart immediately felt even sweeter, as if he were immersed in honey. He quickly said, "Sister Ruyue, don't rush, be careful. I'll order it."

After saying that, he walked to Wu Ruyue's side, raised the incense in his hand, and began to light the frilly incense in Wu Ruyue's hand.

He could feel the little girl's delicate body trembling beside him, and a protective thought arose in his heart. He said in a deep voice, "Don't be afraid, it's alright."

Song Shucheng's gentle, youthful voice rang in her ears, and Wu Ruyue's heartstrings trembled slightly. She said sweetly, "I wasn't scared just now, I was just a little cold, and my hands were shaking a little."

Song Shucheng smiled and said, "Let me go inside and get you a hand warmer."

"No need, how can we play then!" Wu Ruyue quickly called out to Song Shucheng.

Song Shucheng had no choice but to light the sparklers for her, and the fireworks hissed and burst into flames. Wu Ruyue quickly stretched out her arms and twirled them in the air.

The dazzling sparks of fireworks, the youthful faces, the smiles as vibrant as the sunshine—at that moment, Song Shucheng and Wu Ruyue both etched each other's images into their memories.

"Look at them, they're like children!" Madam Song had been watching the two outside, and seeing that they finally seemed to be chatting and laughing together harmoniously, she felt relieved.

"Yes, they really are a perfect match. A handsome man and a beautiful woman." Seeing her younger sister finally showing the charming smile of a thirteen-year-old girl, Madam Wu felt relieved.

Liu, supporting her large belly, stood up and said to Lanqin, "Consort, I feel a little uncomfortable in my stomach. I'm afraid I've stayed too long, so I'll take my leave now."

Lanqin immediately replied, "Alright, be careful on the road. Sihua, you and Baoqin escort Princess Liu back together."

Lady Liu quickly bowed her head and said, "Thank you for your consideration, Consort!"

Hearing this, Nian also said with concern, "It's freezing cold outside, be careful of the slippery roads!"

Lady Fucha said, "It's alright, didn't Consort Niu have Sihua and Baoqin escort her?"

Lanqin gave Sihua a few instructions, and then had the two of them escort Liu back together.