Shen Jintang's gaze fell on Gu Zhixing, who looked as if he were sitting on pins and needles, feeling extremely uncomfortable.

As soon as the carriage came to a steady stop in front of the Princess's residence, Gu Zhixing immediately jumped down, not staying on it for even a moment.

His hurried, flustered figure seemed to be chasing after something unclean.

Shen Jintang frowned and slowly stepped down from the carriage, just in time to see a servant in the manor saying to Gu Zhixing, "Your Highness, the Princess is waiting for you."

"Waiting for my prince?"

Gu Zhixing was puzzled. Didn't his mother say that she was busy handling government affairs in the palace?

Why would she suddenly be waiting for him at the mansion?

Gu Zhixing was taken aback at first, then a thought suddenly flashed through his mind: Could it be because of this exam?

Thinking of this, his tense expression relaxed a bit, and a smile appeared on his lips.

It seems that studying hard is not entirely without its advantages. Although studying is arduous, once you achieve results, everything becomes smoother.

"Walk!"

He turned around, grabbed Shen Jintang's hand, and strode into the mansion.

Along the way, passing through winding corridors, Gu Zhixing walked briskly and in high spirits, a stark contrast to his earlier panic.

Shen Jintang followed behind him, watching his energetic back, and couldn't help but shake her head and chuckle.

He was still a seventeen-year-old boy after all. Even though he pretended to be mature, the childishness in his bones would eventually show unintentionally.

Before long, the two arrived at the hall.

A large table was set up in the hall, laden with a sumptuous feast, clearly a celebration banquet prepared for Gu Zhixing.

"These are all my favorite foods."

Gu Zhixing glanced at the dishes on the table, his eyes immediately lit up, and he pulled Shen Jintang to sit down.

Shen Jintang sat there, still feeling somewhat uncomfortable. After all, the person sitting opposite her was the eldest princess, whose majesty and aura were truly extraordinary.

"If I tell you to sit, then sit properly."

The eldest princess spoke, her voice carrying a touch of authority, yet also a hint of gentleness.

Shen Jintang quickly nodded respectfully and replied, "Yes, thank you, Your Highness."

She sat upright with her back straight, as if afraid of being the slightest bit impolite.

Hearing this, Gu Zhixing looked up at Shen Jintang, smiled and moved the bowl and chopsticks slightly for her, and said, "Look at you, always so nervous. We're all family, there's no need for so many formalities."

His words came out so naturally, as if it were the only right thing to do.

However, Shen Jintang dared not relax so much and subconsciously looked at the Princess, secretly observing her expression.

The eldest princess looked at them with a smile, showing no displeasure whatsoever.

Shen Jintang breathed a slight sigh of relief, but she secretly resolved to find an opportunity to have a proper talk with Gu Zhixing later.

After all, the eldest princess holds the power of life and death. If she were to accidentally displease her, it would be a crime that could cost her her head, and she could not afford to gamble with that.

"Come."

Gu Zhixing didn't think much of it. He subconsciously put food on Shen Jintang's plate. Just as he was getting into it, he suddenly felt a chill on the back of his neck.

He turned his head and saw his mother staring at him coolly, her eyes filled with a hint of reproach.

Gu Zhixing immediately shrank back and hurriedly served food to the princess, smiling apologetically, "Mother, please eat too, this food tastes excellent."

The princess then withdrew her gaze, carefully examined Gu Zhixing, and slowly said, "You've made really fast progress this time, actually getting a second grade."

"That's right! Don't you even know who I am?"

Gu Zhixing looked smug, his lips practically curling into a wide grin.

He was smug for a moment, then glanced at Shen Jintang and said on her behalf, "Mother, this time we owe a great debt to Shen Jintang. If it weren't for her patient guidance, I might still be completely clueless."

Although I haven't learned much yet, I'm still much better than before.

Hearing this, the eldest princess smiled slightly, looked at Shen Jintang, and said, "Jintang, I told you last time that if Tuanzi's grades improved this time, I would let you come to my side as a lady-in-waiting. Now that he has achieved a second grade, it is time for me to fulfill my promise."

As soon as the eldest princess finished speaking, Nanfeng, who was standing behind her, said, "Shen Jintang is both talented and beautiful. She has now been appointed as a sixth-rank official in the Ministry of Personnel, in charge of conveying imperial decrees and reporting matters. I hope that you will be loyal to your duties and live up to Her Highness's high expectations."

Upon hearing this, Shen Jintang's eyes flickered slightly, and he immediately knelt down, kowtowing to express his gratitude: "Your subject Shen Jintang thanks Your Highness for your great kindness. I will certainly serve you wholeheartedly and live up to Your Highness's expectations."

"Rise," the princess said gently, raising her hand slightly.

Shen Jintang got up as instructed, her movements natural and fluid, without any unnecessary embellishment, yet revealing just the right amount of respect.

She stood to one side with her head bowed, her expression calm, as if everything was perfectly reasonable. Her gentle and refined demeanor inspired goodwill in everyone.

"A sixth-rank official in the Ministry of Personnel?"

Gu Zhixing was stunned by these words and stood there for a long time before he came to his senses.

Isn't Shen Jintang a slave now?

He remembered hearing that it was extremely difficult for a slave to escape slavery, and only those with an imperial decree had a slim chance of success.

This position of female official has always been an honor that only people from respectable families could attain. How could Shen Jintang have become one so easily?

A series of questions swirled in Gu Zhixing's mind, making him restless and unable to calm down for a long time.

"What's wrong, Tuanzi?"

Seeing Gu Zhixing's appearance, the eldest princess couldn't help but ask.

Dumplings?!

Upon hearing this address, Gu Zhixing's face instantly turned bright red, especially in front of Shen Jintang. How could his mother still call him that?

It was one thing to be called that when he was a child, but he was too young and ignorant to argue back.

But now he's grown up, handsome and dashing, where is there even a trace of "Tuanzi" anymore?

His face flushed red as he looked at the princess, about to speak in his defense.

But the princess curled her lips into a smile, as if she had noticed his embarrassment, and said, "Fine, if you say you won't call me that, then you won't."

Gu Zhixing secretly glanced at Shen Jintang and saw that her expression was normal and there was nothing wrong with her, so he secretly breathed a sigh of relief.

However, he could not suppress his doubts and tentatively asked, "Mother, do you know Shen Jintang's identity?"

The eldest princess looked at Gu Zhixing with great interest. She knew her son better than anyone. As soon as he opened his mouth, she knew what he was thinking. He was wondering why she could so easily appoint Shen Jintang as a female official.

"Ah Xing, do you know whose world this is?" The princess did not answer directly, but instead asked leisurely.

Before Gu Zhixing could respond, she declared, "This is the domain of my Gu family!"