24. Little Star of the Imperial Capital

Inside the Imperial Study, Qu Zijin solemnly reported: "Your Majesty, I believe that the filial piety of Princess Anle County is so moving that it moves Heaven and Earth, truly a rare sight in this world. If her deeds could be included in the 'Twenty-Four Filial Exemplars,' it would surely educate the people."

Wei Xiuming put down his vermilion brush, lost in thought: "A three-year-old child, with his clumsy cooking skills, managed to cure a stubborn illness..."

He suddenly chuckled: "I remember that Grand Tutor Qu has never believed in ghosts and gods?"

Qu Zijin lowered his head: "I do not believe in ghosts and gods. But the county magistrate's sincerity has brought about such a miracle, so I have no choice but to believe."

Wei Xiuming nodded slightly: "What you say is absolutely right, my dear minister."

He turned to the chief eunuch beside him: "Go and fetch the pair of white jade ruyi scepters that I treasure, and prepare some silk and jewelry. I want to reward this filial daughter."

-

The emperor's reward was delivered to their home that very day.

Upon seeing the pair of crystal-clear jade ruyi scepters, she curiously reached out her little hand to touch them: "They're so cool!"

The head eunuch explained with a smile, "Princess, this is the 'Filial Piety Blessing' bestowed by the Emperor, signifying that your filial piety is moving heaven and earth and that everything will go smoothly for you."

The little girl, bewildered, hugged the jade ruyi, which was longer than her arm, and looked up at her father, asking, "Daddy, what is this?"

Marquis Beiding knelt on one knee and embraced his daughter: "This is the Emperor praising our Yue'er as a filial and good child. Father is proud of you."

The second brother curiously looked through the other gifts: "Wow! So many good things!"

Jin Qizhi stood to the side, looking at the jade ruyi sparkling in the sunlight and her sister's innocent smile, and couldn't help but smile as well.

-

The next morning.

Jin Lanyue, dressed in a brand-new ruqun (a type of traditional Chinese dress) and with a hairpin newly bestowed upon her by the emperor in her hair, skipped and hopped between her parents.

Jiang Xiyue has a rosy complexion and looks nothing like the sickly and haggard woman she looked a while ago.

"Is Mother really sending Yue'er to school?" The little dumpling looked up, her big eyes filled with joy.

“Of course it’s true.” Jiang Xiyue gently straightened her daughter’s clothes. “Thanks to our Yue’er, Mother was able to recover so quickly.”

The carriage slowly drove through the market when suddenly a murmur of conversation could be heard outside:

"Look! That's Princess Fukang's carriage!"

"I heard that her pastries cured the Lady Hou's chronic illness!"

"Such filial piety at such a young age is truly touching!"

Jin Lanyue curiously lifted a corner of the carriage curtain, only to be met with the admiring gazes of several merchants. Startled, she quickly shrank back into her mother's arms.

Marquis Beiding smiled and ruffled his daughter's hair: "Everyone is praising you."

Upon entering the palace gates, the usually solemn palace path was unusually bustling today. Passing courtiers stopped to watch—

"Good morning, young princess!"

"I've heard that the county princess's filial piety has moved heaven and earth; she is truly admirable!"

"As expected of the Princess of Fukang, personally bestowed by the Emperor, she truly is a lucky star of our dynasty!"

This time, without Marquis Beiding having to call anyone, everyone praised the little dumpling.

The little dumpling nestled shyly in its mother's arms, only its big, watery eyes showing.

The Marquis of Beiding and his wife stopped in front of the Wenhua Hall after escorting their daughter there.

Jiang Xiyue squatted down and tidied up her youngest daughter's appearance: "Yue'er, listen carefully to the Grand Tutor's lecture. Mother will come to pick you up later."

"Yes!" Xiao Jinlanyue nodded vigorously.

The couple then reluctantly left.

Qu Zijin and the little princess had been waiting for a long time.

Qu Zijin stood in front of the palace gate, his previously serious face now softened: "The county princess's filial piety is commendable."

The little princess immediately hugged her little study companion proudly: "Of course!"

But she quickly changed the subject: "I wish that jerk hadn't come!"

"You rascal?" The little dumpling blinked in confusion, looking around. "Where is he?"

Qu Zijin coughed lightly: "His Highness the Little Prince will also be attending the class today."

He glanced at the sundial: "But it seems we're late."

“Exactly!” the princess urged. “Why should we wait for him? Grand Tutor, you must punish him severely! Give him a good slap on the palm!”

Qu Zijin remained unmoved: "I don't like corporal punishment, and besides, Your Highness is, after all, a prince."

"Hmph!" The princess stomped her foot, crossed her arms, and stopped talking.

Jin Lanyue looked up at Qu Zijin: "Grand Tutor, is His Highness the Little Prince lost...?"

"Lost?" the princess couldn't help but ask again, "He could find his way with his eyes closed, he's doing it on purpose..."

Qu Zijin was helpless.

He tapped the ruler in his hand lightly: "Let's wait a bit. Perhaps His Highness has indeed encountered something and tripped up."

The princess snorted in dissatisfaction, but did not insist any further.

She pulled Xiao Jinlanyue to sit on the stone steps in front of the hall, and took out a packet of pine nut candy from her sleeve: "Here, this is newly made by the imperial kitchen, specially saved for you."

"Yay!"

The two little ones started happily eating candy.

Qu Zijin glanced at them, then shook his head with a smile.

At this moment, his emotions were still stable, and he had high hopes for the little prince whom he had never met.

However……

Fifteen minutes later...

Fifteen minutes later...

Half an hour has passed...

An hour has passed...

The little princess started yawning, and Qu Zijin's smile vanished without a trace.

He began to sense that something was wrong.

Jin Lanyue hesitated for a while before deciding to prepare the Grand Tutor mentally.

So she ran to the Grand Tutor's side and tugged at his sleeve.

Qu Zijin looked down at her, trying to force a smile: "I'm fine, what's wrong?"

"Grand Tutor, are you... strong?" the little dumpling asked.

Qu Zijin's smile vanished: "Perhaps... not."

The little dumpling exclaimed in surprise, "Then, the mud must become strong!"

Qu Zijin fell silent.

The little dumpling asked again, "Grand Tutor, can you... fight?"

"And...and you have to know how to fight?!"

"Mmm!" The little dumpling nodded emphatically, and just as she was about to say something more, the sound of dragging footsteps finally came from outside the hall.

The young prince strolled slowly into the palace, his brocade robe askew and his hair ornament loose, clearly done on purpose.

"Greetings, Grand Tutor." He gave a perfunctory bow, but his eyes glanced sideways at the princess and Xiao Jinlanyue.

The little princess immediately jumped up: "You clearly did this on purpose! You're a whole hour late!"

"I can come whenever I want!" The young prince raised his chin, deliberately provoking, "Is it any of your business?"

"Silence!" Qu Zijin's ruler slammed heavily against the railing, making a crisp sound. "No noise is allowed in front of the Wenhua Hall!"

Unexpectedly, the two daughters of noble birth turned to Qu Zijin at the same time—

"Grand Tutor, you're biased! Why aren't you punishing him for being late?!" the princess stomped her feet.

“You started yelling first, so you should be punished first!” the young prince retorted.

Qu Zijin's temples bulged with veins. He took a deep breath, trying to calm himself down, telling himself that things might not be so bad: "Your Highness, please explain why you are late?"

"This prince..." The young prince's eyes darted around, and he made up a story on the spot, "I'm reviewing my lessons!"

"Liar! He must have gone to play in the royal garden!" The princess exposed him mercilessly, grabbing his sleeve. "Look, there are still grass clippings on it!"

The young prince hurriedly tried to cover his sleeve, but accidentally pulled out a few blades of grass. This only fueled his anger: "Mind your own business! You..."

"Enough!" Qu Zijin shouted sternly.

He took a deep breath, about to continue scolding, but saw that the two little devils didn't react at all—

"Shut up!"

"I'm going to say it! What right do you have to tell me what to do?!"

The two were already wrestling.

The princess grabbed the prince's hair crown, and the prince tugged at the princess's hairpin, like two cats with their fur standing on end.

Qu Zijin strode forward and separated the two little devils who were wrestling with one hand each.

The veins on his forehead throbbed, and the ruler in his hand trembled: "What kind of behavior is this! A prince and princess, fighting like common children!"

Seeing this, Xiao Jinlanyue quickly ran to Qu Zijin's side and gently patted his leg with her little hand: "Grand Tutor, don't be angry..."

Her little hands were soft, and her touch was as light as a feather.

"The county princess is so sensible..."

Although the location of the photo is a bit odd, thinking about it, this is indeed the only place she can reach.

Qu Zijin finally breathed a sigh of relief.

However, he had only exhaled halfway when he heard the young prince speak sarcastically: "What are you pretending to be innocent for! You're just a little brat who rose to power by flattering others!"