One day, he was sitting by the window, holding a book, when suddenly the door was rudely pushed open. Thinking it was the innkeeper bringing food, he casually said, "Just put it on the table."
However, a woman's soft yet slightly cunning voice rang out: "Could Yujing possibly know in advance that I, the princess, have brought you such delicacies? In that case, I will follow your wishes and place these dishes on the table first."
Bai Yujing turned around, and when he saw the person who had come, his pupils suddenly contracted.
"How could it be you?"
"If it weren't for me, who else would risk suspicion to visit you at this time?"
Princess Ziyan's face was filled with a sweet and proper smile. She gracefully sat down at the table, her movements elegant and natural, and softly called out, "I heard that Yipinju has launched a new delicacy, which is still steaming hot. Yujing, come and try this delicious food!"
Bai Yujing slowly closed the book in her hands, her tone as cold as ice: "No need to trouble yourself, Princess. Please leave on your own."
“Oh? I seem to remember correctly, this place is clearly a bustling inn. Since Yujing can patronize it, why can’t I, the princess, do the same?” Princess Ziyan retorted casually.
However, Bai Yujing seemed determined to ignore her and maintain a silent distance from her.
Princess Ziyan didn't mind at all. Instead, she smiled and said, "I know you harbor resentment towards me, but you have finally passed the imperial examination after ten years of hard study. It is time for you to display your talents and soar to new heights. Now that your career is blocked, can you really tolerate others enjoying smooth sailing in their official careers while you are neglected?"
Upon hearing this, Bai Yujing remained silent, but his fingers subtly clenched into fists, revealing the turmoil within him.
Princess Ziyan smiled slightly and continued, "Yujing, in my opinion, your intelligence and ability far surpass those of the other candidates. I know you harbor ambitions to govern the country, therefore, you should never suffer such unfair treatment."
Bai Yujing sighed deeply and said with emotion, "I offended His Majesty by speaking out of turn and offending him. I deserve this punishment."
“However, once you are demoted, being reinstated will likely be a distant dream. So, Yujing, what are your plans now?” Princess Ziyan asked, her bright eyes sparkling with curiosity and concern as she gazed intently at him.
Bai Yujing remained silent for a long time with his lips slightly closed before slowly speaking: "If I really cannot enter officialdom, I still have a wealth of knowledge and skills. I might as well... return to Wanfu County and become a lecturer at an academy, as a fallback plan."
"What kind of joke is that!"
Princess Ziyan frowned, her tone filled with displeasure, "As the top scholar in the imperial examination, how can you abandon your official career and willingly become a schoolteacher?"
Bai Yujing remained silent, as if she had already accepted her fate.
Princess Ziyan suddenly walked up to him, her expression turning serious: "You have studied diligently in both literature and martial arts, and are determined to serve in the imperial family, isn't it all so that you can realize your long-held ambition? Furthermore, when the good news reached the Bai family, your relatives and the elders of Fushun Town were all very proud of your status as the top scholar. If you return home now in dejection, how will you face them?"
After a moment of silence, Bai Yujing's deep voice finally came from inside the room.
"I... am also helpless."
Princess Ziyan raised her eyebrows and revealed a playful smile: "You are at a loss, but I have a plan. I have come here today to help you out of your troubles."
Bai Yujing, however, did not completely believe her words, but instead focused intently on the scenery outside the window.
Princess Ziyan seemed unusually gentle today. She calmly explained, "First, Marquis Jingyuan and other officials jointly impeached my father, and then you, Bai Yujing, filed a complaint before the Emperor. However, the Emperor has not punished our Prince Hao's Mansion or me personally. Have you ever wondered why?"
She smiled confidently and continued, "You should know that the Emperor was not born of the Empress Dowager, but was raised by palace maids from a young age. Later, the Empress Dowager gave birth to my father, and the Emperor watched him grow up; the two were like brothers. My father only has one daughter, and I can be said to be the Empress Dowager's only direct granddaughter. My imperial uncle has always doted on me, so how could he punish us for such trivial matters?"
A chill flashed in Bai Yujing's eyes, and her tone was icy: "You threatened and plotted against my family, can this be considered a trivial matter?"
Princess Ziyan looked at Bai Yujing and said in a serious tone, "Bai Yujing, do you know how much your father, Prince Hao, values you?"
Bai Yujing raised his head, a hint of doubt flashing in his eyes, but he quickly regained his composure and replied calmly, "Princess, I know His Highness Prince Hao values me, but I will not accept favors from my enemy because of this."
Princess Ziyan frowned. She hadn't expected Bai Yujing to refuse so directly. She took a deep breath, trying to ease the tension, and said, "Bai Yujing, the responsibility for your child's loss doesn't lie with me, but rather with the child's weak constitution. Why are you being so petty and holding a grudge against my suggestion?"
Bai Yujing's expression changed slightly, a hint of pain flashing in his eyes. He looked deeply at Princess Ziyan and said in a deep voice, "Princess, you make it sound so easy. But she is my only child. How can I not be heartbroken?"
Princess Ziyan's expression was also somewhat unpleasant. She hadn't expected Bai Yujing to be so fixated on the child's death. She bit her lower lip and said, "Bai Yujing, I know the pain in your heart, but I'm doing this for your own good. Father Prince Hao values you highly, and if you can be reinstated, it will greatly benefit your future."
Bai Yujing sneered and said, "Princess, do you think I'm so persistent because I lack power? Although I, Bai Yujing, have lost my child, I still have my dignity. I will never accept favors from my enemies."
Princess Ziyan's expression became complicated. She looked at Bai Yujing, a hint of doubt flashing in her eyes. She didn't understand why Bai Yujing was so resolute. She took a deep breath, trying to persuade Bai Yujing, and said, "Bai Yujing, I know your dignity is important to you, but sometimes, dignity can't solve all problems. Your current situation is so difficult, why not try to accept Father's kindness and stand up again?"
Bai Yujing's expression turned cold. He said, "Princess, you may not understand, but for me, dignity is more important than life. I would rather die than accept favors from my enemy."
Princess Ziyan's face turned pale. She looked at Bai Yujing, a hint of disappointment flashing in her eyes. She hadn't expected Bai Yujing to be so resolute. She took a deep breath and said, "Bai Yujing, do you know? Your resoluteness breaks my heart. I just want you to have a better life, but you are so stubborn."
Bai Yujing looked at Princess Ziyan, a hint of pain flashing in his eyes. He said, "Princess, I know your good intentions, but I have my own principles. I cannot accept favors from my enemies; this is my bottom line."
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