"Alright, but I need to ask the old lady before I can give you an answer."

Jiang Shuwan thought for a moment and said.

"Thank you for your kind words."

Yao Jinshu glanced at his foolish younger brother with disapproval, then quickly stood up and toasted Jiang Shuwan.

"You're welcome." Jiang Shuwan lowered her head and drank her wine.

Meanwhile, Yao Zhijie was unaware that Yao Jinshu had sounded out his intentions. He and Pei Shushu finished their meal happily and then went to play chess.

Only Jiang Shuwan and Yao Jinshu were at the Snow Appreciation Pavilion.

Holding his wine glass, Yao Jinshu already showed signs of intoxication.

"Have you heard? Guo Yaqin has been betrothed to the First Prince. She's really something. During the imperial concubine selection, the Empress said she was beautiful and intelligent, and wanted to betroth her to the Fourth Prince. She immediately knelt down and defied the decree, which even alarmed His Majesty."

"Her grandfather, the Minister of Personnel, even went to the palace to plead guilty. I thought His Majesty was going to punish the Guo family, but I didn't expect him to marry her directly to the eldest prince."

"It seems the Guo family has developed ambitions..."

"..."

Unexpectedly hearing such a secret, Jiang Shuwan's eyes widened in surprise.

"Does Her Majesty the Empress intend to betroth Guo Yaqin to the Fourth Prince?"

"That's right. Let me tell you a secret: the Crown Prince and the Fourth Prince have been getting very close lately, like brothers who are inseparable."

"The Crown Prince is currently engaged to his cousin, the daughter of the powerful General Pingxi. The Fourth Prince is not yet married, but the Empress has already chosen Guo Yaqin. Unexpectedly, Guo Yaqin refused the marriage on the spot, causing the Empress to lose face completely."

"In the end, Consort Gao intercepted her and gave Guo Yaqin to the First Prince. What did the Guo family gain? The First Prince's influence in the Ministry of Revenue has been completely wiped out, and Consort Gao has lost her power to assist in managing the six palaces. No matter how you look at it, the Crown Prince's faction is better than the First Prince's!"

Jiang Shuwan asked in confusion, "Has the First Prince's influence in the Ministry of Revenue completely collapsed? Wasn't there still a Minister of Revenue under the First Prince's command?"

"Hehe, he's already in prison. His Majesty only issued the decree today. This Minister of Revenue is too audacious. He actually sent assassins to kill you because your son investigated the corruption in the Ministry of Revenue. Tsk tsk tsk. Fortunately, the assassin left two people alive, otherwise he would have really escaped."

"..."

The Minister of Revenue is one of the six ministers, and he would never seek revenge against Pei Yanzhi for the sake of his subordinates.

The only explanation is that the assassins were sent by the eldest prince, sacrificing the pawn to save the king, and the Minister of Revenue became the scapegoat.

Does the old emperor know?

Does Pei Yanzhi know?

Frowning, Yao Jinshu called out several times before Jiang Shuwan came to her senses.

"Sorry, I was daydreaming. What did you just say..."

"I'm telling you to be careful. The Ministry of Personnel is the head of the six ministries, and Guo Yaqin is now the Crown Prince's consort. In the future, you should stay away from her and not confront her directly."

"I understand," Jiang Shuwan murmured. After Yao Jinshu and her brother left, she immediately called Qingxing over.

"Please ask Jiang Yao to come here."

"Miss... I'm afraid the Second Miss won't be available these next few days..."

**********

At the end of February, the Earl's mansion was still tightly enveloped by the winter frost.

Snowflakes drifted down gently, like countless little elves dancing, draping the Earl's mansion in a layer of silvery white gauze.

Jiang Yao sat happily by the fire in the study, with Pei Lingyu buried in her books next to her.

Ever since she outshone everyone at Princess Nan'an's plum blossom viewing banquet and became the most talented woman in Da Jing, she rushed to Hongyi Lane to pick up Pei Lingyu and take her home.

Now, almost half a month has passed.

With a harmonious marriage, she lived a very comfortable life.

Thinking about it, Jiang Yao couldn't help but smile, and her eyes kept glancing at Pei Lingyu.

"Yulang is so handsome..."

With the sound of burning charcoal in her ears, Jiang Yao stared at Pei Lingyu with a look of fascination.

Pei Lingyu was wearing a red casual dress with dark embroidered cloud patterns today, the bright color standing out in the somewhat dull study.

He sat upright at his desk, his posture as straight as a pine tree.

A few rays of sunlight streamed in through the carved window, casting dappled shadows on him and making him appear even more handsome and dashing.

Jiang Yao was mesmerized by what she saw, while Pei Lingyu found it incredibly boring.

He frowned slightly, his eyes focused intently on the book in his hands, seemingly as if the whole world consisted only of him and the books on the table, but in reality, his mind had already wandered elsewhere.

I wish I hadn't come back so soon...

A cold wind blew gently outside, and Pei Lingyu recalled her carefree days in Red Clothes Lane.

He was living such a good life back then. Xiao Taohong indulged him in everything and didn't force him to study the Four Books and Five Classics. The two of them drank and recited poems, having a wonderful time. Who would have thought that Jiang Yao would suddenly shine at the plum blossom banquet?

That poem, "Plum Blossom," was absolutely brilliant.

Jiang Yao answered him in a low, gentle voice, just like when they were newlyweds. He was momentarily confused and came back.

Looking back now, I should have waited until after the imperial examinations to come back, then I wouldn't have had to read these pointless books...

However, since Jiang Yao has so generously accepted Xiao Taohong, it's only right that he studies hard to make her happy...

After all, they are husband and wife.

Thinking of Xiao Taohong, who had been placed in the manor, Pei Lingyu felt a surge of gratitude towards Jiang Yao.

"Yao'er, if you feel sleepy, go back to your room and sleep."

Putting down her pen, Pei Lingyu said to Jiang Yao, who was dozing off.

“I’m not sleepy, I don’t need to sleep. I’ll stay here and keep Yulang company while he reads.”

Realizing she had almost fallen asleep, Jiang Yao quickly patted her cheeks to wake herself up, then picked up the teapot and walked towards Pei Lingyu.

"Is Yulang sleepy?"

Upon hearing this, Pei Lingyu's eyes lit up, and she immediately perked up. "Yes, I'm a little sleepy..." she said, wanting to rest for a bit.

"Have a strong cup of tea; it will keep you awake."

Jiang Yao picked up a steaming cup of strong tea and handed it to Pei Lingyu with a smile.

"..."

Looking silently at the fragrant cup of strong tea in front of her, Pei Lingyu felt an overwhelming bitterness in her heart.

"What's wrong, Yulang?"

Jiang Yao stared at him with her bright, watery eyes. Pei Lingyu had no choice but to take the teacup and take a small sip.

The tea was strong and extremely bitter, and in an instant he felt refreshed.

"Have another cup." Fearing he wouldn't have enough, Jiang Yao poured him another cup.

Pei Lingyu wasted the time she spent living in Red Clothes Lane.

If we don't intensify our studies now, how can we possibly outshine Pei Yanzhi in the imperial examinations?

She's still waiting to become the wife of a top scholar.

"Okay, okay..."

With a bitter expression, he drank another cup, put it down, and found Jiang Yao gazing at him affectionately. Pei Lingyu's heart softened.

He reached out his right hand to hug her, but Jiang Yao immediately dodged.

"?"

"Yulang, we agreed when we came back that we would be forbidden from having sex before the imperial examination."

"..."

Pei Lingyu immediately withdrew her hand sheepishly.

"Yao'er, why are you taking it so seriously? Can't we just be nice to each other?"

"..."