Prince's Errand

The shop assistants were performing a variety of tricks, their movements fluid and graceful. Wen Ruo glanced at Zhao Heng, who was sitting in the next room in the corridor, seemingly lost in thought, as if something had happened to him.

Zhou Xuanyan poured out her grievances, and after talking about her family affairs, she brought up Xi You. In her haste, she even forgot to pretend to be gentle and slammed her fist on the table. Wen Ruo occasionally worried about her.

I've already eaten until I'm about 80% full, so I can't drink anything, no matter how delicious, a second time.

At this moment, Zhao Heng came out again, holding a flower plate in his hand, which seemed to contain pomegranates, neatly arranged.

As he approached, he discovered that it was some kind of red broth, of unknown flavor, being poured over the pearl-sized fruits.

"Miss Wen is ill. Please give me face and Miss Zhou, do not make things difficult for her."

Zhou Xuanyan became even angrier, "Who said I made things difficult for her? We're friends."

"It turns out I misjudged you. I apologize to both of you. But I'm a little curious, how did you two become friends?"

Zhao Heng put down the candied fruit. "The chef said it's a candied fruit to remove the medicinal taste. Could you two try it and see if it's really effective?"

"I ran into her while investigating Yuniang."

Wen Ruo briefly mentioned it, but Zhou Xuanyan became interested. "The first time I met her, she was dressed as a gigolo and almost had her purse emptied by a girl. When she was all alone, I paid for her instead."

Wen Ru chuckled twice, "It's all thanks to Miss Zhou for saving us."

I called you because you almost got taken advantage of. Your eyes were darting around, your chest was bulging, and you didn't even know how to pad your shoulders. You dared to go into a brothel just because you wore a hair ornament and a brocade robe. Did you really think these old foxes couldn't tell?

"Interesting, and then what?" Zhao Heng urged, it seemed that Miss Zhou also didn't know who Xi You was.

Zhou Xuanyan had a vivid memory of what happened at the Red Robe Pavilion. Since someone wanted to hear it, she naturally spoke of it without hesitation. Wen Ruo couldn't do anything about it. However, Zhao Heng would occasionally look at her with surprise and admiration, which made her feel a little guilty.

If Qi Guanlan were here, she would never have acted this way; Zhao Heng is much smarter than Qi Guanlan.

Qi Guanlan only seemed to have a bit of sense today. With the princess here, the rumors were obviously unbelievable. A few days ago, the princess and her husband brought up the old story again, and now even the children know that the princess hates seductresses the most. If Qi Guanlan had any mistresses, she would break his legs.

Cao Xi's farewell this time seemed different from usual. Wen Ruo lowered her head, the steam in the cup gradually cooled down, and the sweet aroma in the air began to cool. Only the tea fragrance remained, slow and lasting. Cao Xi could tell at a glance that it was a fine black tea.

Wen Ruo took a bite, and the intense sweetness instantly filled her mouth. Even when it cooled down, it had a unique flavor. She chewed it carefully for a while, and the lingering aftertaste was bitterness.

Zhou Xuanyan had already finished speaking, and Zhao Heng, the listener, was exceptionally cooperative, showing no impatience until the very end. Instead, he smiled slightly and said sincerely:

"These two are truly heroines. Yang Cong is a master of pretense, yet he couldn't escape your eyes. It's a pity that Qi Guanlan, who hunts geese all day long, was still pecked in the eye by a goose."

Xi You was right beside her. She hadn't expected Wen Ruo to be even more well hidden than Yang Cong. But then again, who would have thought that a mere errand girl would possess such incredible skills? She must be connected to the fake Xi You, otherwise how could she have discovered the body so coincidentally?

"Father scolded me in the end." Zhou Xuanyan was downcast for a moment, then looked up at Wen Ruo. "But I still don't regret getting to know you."

Wen Ruo smiled and said, "You won't regret getting to know Cao Xi, will you?"

Zhou Xuanyan smiled and said, "Of course, Sister Cao's piano playing is truly first-rate. I'm afraid I'll never catch up to her in my entire life."

"Wen Ruo, you dare to sneak away? The old man says you're in for a world of trouble!"

Seeing the bowl of medicine in front of her, Wen Ruo felt a bitter taste in her mouth before even taking a sip. The medicine, which didn't smell bad, actually tasted even worse. She swallowed reflexively, trying to savor the last bit of sweetness in her mouth. "It's getting dark. You should go home."

Qi Guanlan brought the bowl closer, holding it steadily, unmoved by her predicament. "I'll leave after Xiaoshun brings dinner. Drink up."

Wen Ruo looked towards the courtyard. "Where is Mr. Yi? I'd like to have a talk with him."

“The old man said that starting tonight, I will supervise you.”

"You?" Wen Ruo looked helpless and was about to say something when the medicine was already at her lips. It had gotten cold during her struggle, so she closed her eyes and swallowed it in one gulp. She had just breathed a sigh of relief when, before she could say anything, she fainted on the recliner.

Qi Guanlan ran to Mr. Yi with a look of fear on his face, "Old man, come quick! She's fainted?"

"This is how detoxification works."

Since fainting, Wen Ruo has had the most leisurely two weeks, thoroughly enjoying the feeling of being waited on like being in prison.

Every night, Qi Guanlan would collapse in bed, and the next morning, the shop would clatter and rattle. He would open his eyes weakly, and there was only one thing to do: carry the imperial meal that had been packed from the princess's residence. When the time came, accompanied by a lion's roar, the neighbors on the street would also rumble with hunger. It felt like they could smell the aroma of the meal from a great distance, even more punctual than a crowing rooster.

Occasionally, you could still see him at a roadside food stall. Qi Guanlan stopped drinking and joining in the fun, and spent his days running around on the streets.

This act of kindness is truly enviable. The princess was actually willing to let her own son be treated like a slave, and Qi Guanlan took such good care of people in every way. He must have changed his ways.

It only took a few days for those around them to go from being stunned to getting used to it. Rong Jing seemed to have expected the news from her subordinates, and showed no surprise on her face. Yun Qing teased, "At this rate, Princess, shouldn't we have someone reinforce the threshold?"

The two smiled knowingly. "I've thought about it, and Lan'er's idea of ​​a sworn sister isn't a bad one. It would also put an end to any other thoughts."

Tears welled up in Wen Ruo's eyes. Each bowl of medicine was more bitter than the last, making it difficult to swallow. After drinking it for several days, she lost her appetite. She put down the bowl and immediately covered her mouth, as if she was about to vomit.

Wen Ruo's face was blank, as if she were dying. "How many more days?"

"Old man, stop eating. All the food is going into your belly, and you've become so round."

The patient had visibly lost weight. Qi Guanlan swatted away the outstretched hand, held the plate to her lips, and said, "Smell this. I had the cook add hawthorn and osmanthus. It smells wonderful."

Mr. Yi stroked his beard and said, "She can't eat it anyway, so putting it in front of her is just making her crave it."

You know the saying, "Looking at plums can quench thirst."

Now even passing dogs know that this shop has delicious food. People who want it can't find it, but the shop is getting more and more crowded. Zhang Shusheng is an exception. He said he was worried and came to take a look. Shiliu Niang asked him to stay for a few days, but he insisted on staying at an inn.

Pomegranate Mother took in a woman in her house. She had been beaten and was covered in bruises when she arrived. She was so confused that she sometimes didn't even remember who she was. She didn't like to talk, but she was very good at cooking. Her name was Achu.

Her mother would take her along every day to chop firewood and practice with the stick. Since having a companion, her mother's complexion has improved more and more.

Wen Ruo leisurely strolled around the shop every day. To keep her from getting bored, everyone would chat with her for a bit when they came back from going out. Aunt Juan and Pomegranate Mother Fu Jingjiang praised her highly and were curious about where she had dug up this treasure.

Aunt Juan: "You can marry him. Although he's a bit poor now, who knows what the future holds? He's perfect for you!"

Pomegranate Girl: "Perfect for you."

When Zhang Tingjia returned, he saw the three of them gathered around the stove. He didn't know if they were roasting something or what. From a distance, they looked like red plum blossoms hanging alone on a snow-covered mountain, with an icy and jade-like appearance. Miss Wen had a natural air of otherworldly grace.

Have you found a husband's family yet?

Wen Ruo looked up and saw him standing a few steps away. She smiled and said, "Young Master Zhang, could you do me a favor?"

The two were talking and nodding, but the harmonious atmosphere was interrupted by a sudden voice: "Is there anything I can't do?"

Qi Guanlan's tall figure blocked the glaring sunlight. In the dim room, Wen Ruo's face was even whiter than paper. Zhang Tingjia was like a mouse seeing a cat when he saw him. He stammered, "Miss Wen, please take good care of yourself. I will definitely not fail in my mission."

As soon as the two met, he rolled up the booklet and left in a hurry.

Wen Ruo was no longer afraid and said frankly, "Can your paintings compare to Zhang Shusheng's? Zhang Shusheng is good at painting portraits, you should focus on studying food."

Qi Guanlan put down his things with a resentful look and walked away angrily.

In half a month, the shop was completely transformed, and the couplets on both sides were also finished and delivered. They were made of fine elm wood with excellent carvings. However, the couplets only contained two lines that she had made up, and the upper beam remained empty.

The portrait sent by Zhang Tingjia was exquisitely drawn, lifelike, and truly excellent.

On the day the couplets were hung up, Qi Guanlan happened to enter the palace. Cao Shilang and his wife suddenly came to the door. The booklet in the wife's hand looked very familiar; it was for Cao Xi.

With tears welling up in her eyes, Madam Cao spoke of Cao Xi becoming a teacher at Honghu Academy, and she broke down in tears after just one sentence.

Honghu Academy is a girls' academy. Dean Tanxue is exceptionally knowledgeable and erudite, proficient in poetry, prose, and calligraphy. Her horsemanship, archery, and literary talent are on par with men, and she is indifferent to fame and fortune, developing her own unique style in poetry and painting. Furthermore, she is also the current Empress's teacher. Very few women enter officialdom through the imperial examinations; although it is a risky and unconventional path, some still choose to take it.

It's unlikely that Cao Xi's entry into the academy will remain a secret for long. Soon, the capital will be filled with stories of Cao Xi seeing through the vanities of the world and entering a nunnery academy.

"Nuns' Academy" is a term used privately by men, and this name is a derogatory term used by Yanxi Academy out of resentment. A tradition spanning a thousand years cannot be changed overnight. Even with emperors and empresses before them, most people only see it as a beautiful story, not as ordinary life. The aloofness of the mountaintop is beyond the comprehension of ordinary people.

So that's what helped me. Wen Ruo handed over the teacup and looked at Minister Cao. "I just want her to marry a suitable husband."

Cao Shilang's lips twitched twice. The chair he was sitting on was very uncomfortable, without even a cushion. However, the seemingly simple teacups on the table, if he remembered correctly, were a set of tribute that Qi Guanlan had taken. Now they were placed here. Was this a show of force?

Madam Cao grasped her hand urgently, her face full of pleading, "I know Miss Wen means well, but Xi'er is heartbroken. I think she gets along quite well with you, so I would like to ask you to help me persuade her."

Wen Ruo chuckled and looked at Cao Jinhai. This man hadn't said a word since he arrived, remaining an observer, occasionally nodding in agreement, yet he exuded official authority without revealing a trace of it, appearing approachable.

However, the moment Xiao Shun stepped in, his eyes lit up immediately. Wen Ruo found it amusing and coughed a few times, "Sorry, I'm not feeling well, I'm afraid I can't go out."

"Could you ask someone to send you a message?" she asked, glancing at Xiao Shun, then at Cao Jinhai's face, before lowering her head and sobbing again.

She seemed to know who this person was. Wen Ruo raised an eyebrow. The old man was setting a trap for her. What a clever scheme.

If Qi Guanlan leaves, the entire Honghu Academy will never be quiet again. Cao Xi will naturally come back because she can't stand it anymore, and the rest is self-evident.

"Miss Wen, do we have guests?"

As soon as Zhao Heng entered, he indeed saw Cao Jinhai and his wife. His expression turned strange for a moment, and more and more doubts welled up in his eyes.

For half a month, he still couldn't figure out how Cao Xi and Wen Ruo knew each other. Then he heard that Cao Jinhai had come to his door in person, and things were getting stranger and stranger.

He was so eager to explore that he couldn't sleep.