Chapter 179: Confronting Song Hui, Choosing a Study Companion
"Grandpa Zhou, you can't even read, how could you know my handwriting is bad?"
Li Nanke glared at him defiantly.
Zhou Huai'an's breath hitched, and he secretly regretted that he had spoken too quickly.
But asking him to say that the limp handwriting on the paper looks good would be too much of a lie.
"Although I can't read, I've seen words before, and beautifully written words just look beautiful."
He spoke with conviction.
Li Nanke smiled slightly, not angry at all.
"I'm only eight years old and I've never seriously practiced writing, so of course my handwriting isn't very good."
Although I said that, I felt relieved.
In reality, she didn't practice calligraphy seriously, but in her dreams, during the ten years she was sold into a brothel, she diligently studied music, chess, calligraphy, and painting.
She has also developed excellent handwriting.
She thought she wouldn't remember what she learned in her dreams, but after trying it, she found that she remembered everything she learned in her dreams, including music, chess, calligraphy, and painting.
But now that she needs to enter the palace to be selected as a companion reader, her handwriting must match that of an eight-year-old child.
Li Nanke put the completed paper away on the table, stood up, and waved goodbye.
"That's enough for today. I'll continue practicing tomorrow."
After she left, Zhou Huai'an couldn't help but pick up the paper on the table again.
He glanced at it and immediately tossed it back onto the table.
It's so ugly!
How could such a pretty and adorable little girl have such ugly handwriting?
In the days that followed, Li Nanke would first go to Zhiguan Hall in the morning to attend classes with Huang Sheng, and after class he would accompany He Shi to plant vegetables. In the afternoon he would go to Zhiguan Hall to copy the Classic of Filial Piety and the Admonitions for Women.
In the blink of an eye, ten days had passed, the day for selecting the princess's study companion.
Early in the morning, Li Nanke was woken up from bed by Zisu to get dressed.
She had to arrive at the palace precisely at Chen Shi (7-9 AM).
Song Yi and Li Mu were both a little nervous and kept giving instructions from the side.
Li Mu: "Ke'er, don't be afraid when you encounter problems. Remember the method your father taught you last time: we don't cause trouble."
But when trouble comes, we shouldn't be afraid. As long as we stand on the side of justice, we can seize the other side's weaknesses and fight back fiercely.
Song Yi reached out and pinched his waist hard.
Li Mu cried out in a wronged voice, "Yiyi, why did you pinch me? Did I say something wrong?"
Song Yi glared at him.
"That's the palace, don't teach your daughter carelessly. Ke'er, let me tell you, when you meet important people in the palace, we should be well-behaved."
If you've truly been wronged, please don't act impulsively. Your mother only wants you to return unharmed.
He paused, then whispered, "If you are indeed chosen as the princess's companion, don't stubbornly refuse. Come home first, and we'll figure something out together, understand?"
Li Nanke nodded and said with a grin, "Father, Mother, I know what I'm doing. Don't worry, I will definitely come back safely."
Song Yi and Li Mu were worried and escorted her all the way to the palace gate.
Just as they got off the carriage, they ran into Song Hui with Zhao Wanqing.
Upon seeing Song Yi, a strong sense of jealousy flashed in Song Hui's eyes.
But she concealed it well, tidied her sideburns, and led Zhao Wanqing over to pay her respects.
"I've met my sister and brother-in-law."
A hint of disdain flashed in Li Mu's eyes, and he turned his head away, ignoring her.
Song Hui was furious, but she didn't show it on her face. She smiled and said to Song Yi, "Sister, you've also come to see Ke'er off."
Song Yi ignored her and nodded indifferently.
Song Hui rolled her eyes, then suddenly smiled and raised her voice: "I heard that the girls who are going to participate in the princess's companion selection are working hard at home these days."
A few days ago, one of my servants went shopping and ran into Ke'er, who was browsing the market and having a great time.
Is it because Kerr was exceptionally well-prepared, or because she simply looked down on the princess's companion and didn't take the matter seriously at all?
At this time, many carriages were already parked at the palace gate, all of them there to send their children to the palace to participate in the selection.
Song Hui's shout immediately drew the attention of everyone around.
Both Li Mu and Song Yi looked extremely grim.
Song Hui's two sentences clearly put Ke'er in a very difficult position.
If Ke'er says she's fully prepared and the selection hasn't even started yet, such boasting only makes them seem arrogant and conceited.
If she doesn't perform well during the selection process, she will not only be ridiculed, but people will also criticize her for not taking the matter of being a princess's companion seriously.
Li Mu was so angry he wanted to curse.
Song Yi reached out and grabbed him, signaling him to be quiet.
Then she turned and looked coldly at Song Hui, "Sister, be careful with your words. It is an honor for a subject to be a princess's companion. Whether or not you are fortunate enough to be selected, Ke'er has been preparing diligently at home."
The child had been studying hard for days, so she accompanied her grandmother out to buy some things, which was also a way for the child to show her filial piety.
Why does it sound so awful when my sister says it?
"If such harsh words were to reach the palace, I wonder what the nobles would think?"
Song Hui's expression changed, and she glared at Song Yi resentfully.
Li Nanke secretly gave Song Yishu a thumbs up, then looked up at Song Hui with an exceptionally innocent smile.
"My aunt is still in the mood to ask me how my preparations are going, so it seems that my cousin Wanqing must be very well prepared."
I heard that my cousin Wanqing has recently composed two very popular poems that have been circulating online. She's truly talented; it seems she's determined to get the position of the princess's study companion!
All around were children who had come to participate in the princess companion selection. Li Nanke didn't care about being a princess companion, but that didn't mean others didn't want to compete for it.
Sure enough, as soon as she finished speaking, many people looked at Zhao Wanqing and Song Hui with wary eyes.
They have clearly come to regard Zhao Wanqing as their biggest enemy!
Song Hui's heart skipped a beat, and she cursed Li Nanke inwardly: You little slut, you're small but you're quick-witted.
He quickly defended himself, saying, "Wanqing is timid and has no special skills. The only thing she can do well is read and write."
Naturally, they cannot be compared to the daughters carefully raised by noble families.
The gazes of those around them softened slightly.
Song Hui glared at Li Nanke secretly.
What's with the brat's attitude? The tutoring spot definitely belongs to her Wanqing!
Li Nanke will never be elected!
She snorted coldly, turned around with a flick of her sleeve, and pulled Zhao Wanqing aside to give her careful instructions.
Li Nanke, Song Yi, and Li Mu waved goodbye and entered the palace with Zisu.
A head maid came in and led all the girls who had come to the palace to participate in the selection into a palace.
"This is Zishan Hall, where princes and princesses usually study. Ladies, please take a short rest."
"The Empress, the Imperial Concubine, and several other noble ladies will come to assess you in a little while."
After finishing her sentence, the head maid turned and left.
Only a group of girls, around seven or eight years old, remained, huddled together in twos and threes, whispering among themselves.
Since Li Nanke didn't know anyone, he found a corner to sit in.
As soon as she sat down, someone walked towards her.
"You are Li Nanke from the Marquis of Anping's residence?"
She looked up and saw a girl who looked about eight or nine years old standing in front of her. She had her hair styled in double buns, with a round and delicate pearl about the size of a thumbband adorning each bun.
Her pointed chin was slightly raised, with a small mole on it, and her eyes held an undisguised scrutiny.
Li Nanke frowned almost imperceptibly.
She knew who was in front of her!
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