However, seeing that neither of them had come over, He Yi had a vague sense of unease. She didn't know what Gu Minghe had said that seemed to have angered Zheng Yu.

He Yi frowned, finding the two of them really boring.

She was about to go find Jiang Shu when she saw Jiang Shu not far away, her face flushed and her head slightly bowed. Perhaps due to nervousness, Jiang Shu's fingers were tightly gripping the hem of her skirt, her face filled with sorrow and despair. He Yi caught a glimpse of Princess Ning, beaming, pulling Jiang Shu towards the other side of the corridor, where the newly appointed third-ranked scholar, Gao Dekai, was sitting.

Jiang Shu followed her mother silently, almost without a sound, like a walking corpse. Her face, which was usually filled with a sweet smile, was now filled with an expression of resistance and helplessness.

He Yi remembered the instructions given by Princess Ning the day before, hesitated for a moment, and could only follow after her.

As they approached, Princess Ning greeted them with a smile, "Gao Tanhua, this is my daughter Jiang Shu. She loves reading and is well-versed in history, literature, and various schools of thought. I've heard that you, Gao Tanhua, are highly talented and learned, so I'd like to ask you for some guidance."

Gao Dekai quickly and politely stood up to greet the two of them.

When he looked up at Jiang Shu, his dark eyes revealed a touch of just the right amount of tenderness, perfectly embodying the image of a gentleman as jade.

"The young princess's name is already widely known, and seeing her today confirms that it is indeed well-deserved." Gao Dekai was dressed in moon-white clothes, looking as handsome as snow.

His tone was gentle and calm as he spoke, and even the smile in his eyes seemed flawless. In short, the third-ranked scholar gave people a very reliable feeling; this was someone Princess Ning had painstakingly sought out.

It is said that the emperor values ​​him highly, and it is likely that Gao Dekai will soon enter the Privy Council. Princess Ning has indeed gone to great lengths for her daughter's sake.

Unfortunately, Jiang Shu looked pale and extremely unwilling. Princess Ning pinched Jiang Shu, and only then did Jiang Shu step forward and give a curtsy without making a sound, which was considered a form of greeting.

Then, in a voice barely audible, she said, "You flatter me, Scholar Tan Hua."

Wow! I never imagined that the third-ranked scholar, Lord Gao, would be so handsome! Looking at him now, he and the female lead are such a perfect match!

[Wake up, upstairs! Can't you see Jiang Shu looks reluctant?]

Something's not right! This third-ranked scholar's gaze is too deliberate, and the way he speaks sounds like he's reciting lines.

He Yi was about to step forward, but now that she seemed to be getting involved, she decided to leave. However, Princess Ning winked at her again.

Good heavens, it's one thing for Princess Ning to randomly matchmake people, but it seems she's determined to take this absurdity to the extreme. If Jiang Shu weren't possibly going to be sent to a foreign land for a political marriage, He Yi wouldn't bother getting involved in this.

But after all, Jiang Shu and she were already good friends. Moreover, He Yi understood that she was playing the villainous female supporting character, while Jiang Shu was the protagonist of this story. Naturally, she wanted to strengthen her relationship with Jiang Shu.

Besides, if she and Jiang Shu were separated in the future, then she could truly enjoy life. So He Yi stood aside with her arms crossed, coldly watching the two of them.

At this moment, Gao Dekai was already discussing with Jiang Shu in a familiar manner the poems and songs that ordinary people could not understand at all and would be daunted by, from Li Bai and Du Fu to Su Shi and Xin Qiji, from the graceful school to the bold school, he was truly proficient in everything.

What's even more amazing is that he knew every little detail about Jiang Shu, such as which scent of ink she preferred and what color clothes she liked to wear.

Princess Ning's eyes softened considerably as she watched the two chatting away. Suddenly, she couldn't stop smiling. Little did she know that Jiang Shu, the person in question, was becoming increasingly stiff, and the knuckles of her fingers holding the jade pendant were gradually turning white.

Yes, she wanted to leave, but she couldn't go against her mother's wishes, especially since Gao Dekai across from her was refined and looked completely delighted.

If she were to casually suggest leaving now, it would spoil the mood, so she could only bite the bullet and have a long talk with Gao Dekai.

After Princess Ning was pulled away by other noble ladies to gossip, He Yi approached to greet them.

Actually, He Yi had noticed Jiang Shu's discomfort earlier. When He Yi leaned close to Jiang Shu's ear, she realized that Jiang Shu's back was tense and she was just going through the motions like a wooden doll.

He Yi pulled Jiang Shu aside, and Jiang Shu, understanding her meaning, made an excuse to go to the side.

He Yi then said, "Sister Shu'er, don't you think this top scholar... is almost too perfect to be real?"

Jiang Shu looked up, a hint of panic flashing in her eyes, then her bright eyes dimmed: "Heyi, I know... I know everything perfectly well. Our family is a royal family, and I am a high and mighty princess. Naturally, they all flock to me, but Mother..."

Jiang Shu sighed helplessly.

"Given the situation today, how could I possibly refuse my mother's request? Even if I refused to meet Gao Dekai, I'm afraid she would be sighing and lamenting for quite some time to come."

“Excessive perfection,” He Yi frowned, tapping her temple lightly with her finger. “Of course, it often means deliberate, and if it’s deliberate, then it’s obviously prepared in advance.”

Seeing that Jiang Shu was listening attentively to her analysis, He Yi didn't care what Princess Ning said. In short, she hoped that Jiang Shu could find her own happiness and return home with that happiness.

"This guy even knows exactly what color clothes you like best. Is he really paying attention, or has he already found out all your preferences?" Her voice lowered, and she paused slightly.

"In short, Sister Shuer, you must remember that anyone who is overly solicitous is either up to no good or has ulterior motives." He Yi said, getting straight to the point.

Honestly, if Princess Ning knew that she had asked He Yi to bring the two together, but that He Yi had privately criticized Gao Dekai as worthless and even did not want the two to have a deeper connection, I wonder what Princess Ning would think.

[Speaking of which, our villainous female supporting character is the most clear-headed person around! This third-ranked scholar definitely has something going on!]

[Your Highness, run!]

I bet five cents that this third-ranked scholar knows so much about Jiang Shu because he wants to curry favor with the Prince of Ning's family!

[Add one more comment!]

Jiang Shu bit her lip, about to say something, when Gu Minghe smiled triumphantly and strode over. His face held a strange, ambiguous expression, and his gentle gaze fell directly on He Yi.

Gu Minghe cleared his throat, seemingly preparing to say something earth-shattering. The noble ladies around him also turned their heads, showing expressions of willingness to listen to gossip, and looked at the young master with great interest.

[Here it comes! The young master is about to confess his love! A legendary scene!]

[No! Run, you vicious female supporting character! I don't agree to this marriage!]