Chapter 342 Extra: Even the Emperor's Daughter Worries About Marriage (Part 1)
In the Chunbuwan Teahouse, the lobby on the first floor was filled with readers.
These scholars were candidates from various regions who would be taking the imperial examinations a month later. Many of them were the pride of major academies, and it could be said that they were among the most outstanding students in Chongqing.
Princess Yongxin glanced down from the window of the private room and then looked at Princess Shoukang, who was leaning against the couch inside the room, holding a teacup and watching the tea master kneeling in front of the table brewing tea.
Besides Princess Yongxin and Princess Shoukang, Ye Mingmin from Nanqing Academy was also in the private room.
The reason why the candidates below are talking so enthusiastically today is because Ye Mingmin wrote a poem the other day, which is said to have surpassed even Wei Yanyi, the top scholar of Wutong Academy.
Only then did the scholars gather together at the Spring Festival to discuss what made the poem so good.
...
Princess Yongxin lost interest after watching for a while.
She sat down next to Ye Mingmin, and another tea master quickly served her a cup of fragrant tea.
Ye Mingmin was also holding a cup of tea and drinking it.
The three of them remained silent at first, but after they finished their tea, Princess Yongxin gestured for the two tea servers to leave.
"Go and get some fresh tea, and bring the gardenia tea that was sent from Jiangnan!"
Also, please send over two more plates of pastries.
"When you come over later, call for another young master Qin!" Princess Yongxin whispered.
The two tea masters immediately bowed and withdrew.
Princess Shou Kang sat up after the three of them were left in the room.
"If you two want to drink tea or listen to music, just go to my villa. The young masters there are no less handsome than Chun Buwan, are they?" Princess Shou Kang said to the two of them.
"I need to keep an eye on Chunbuwan. The imperial examination is coming soon, and the news here is the most timely."
"Maybe I can get some inside information and then place a bet at Qianjinfang and make a fortune!" Princess Yongxin said with a smile.
Princess Shou Kang chuckled twice and then looked at Ye Mingmin.
"And you? Is it because of this too?"
Ye Mingmin, who had a scholarly air about him, smiled and shook his head.
"I don't have the same thoughts as Mu Xiao. Although I know I shouldn't treat money as something external, I only need enough money to get by."
I have enough money on hand!
Princess Shou Kang and Princess Yongxin both looked Ye Mingmin up and down...
Whether it's clothing or jewelry, everything is of the highest quality; any one of them would be incredibly valuable. The Ye family is truly wealthy. The things they provided for that Ye family daughter who was registered as a female household were enough for her descendants to live on for generations...
"Then what are you doing here? You're not the kind of person who can waste our time!" Princess Shou Kang laughed.
Ye Mingmin sighed and pointed to the still somewhat lively lobby outside.
"I'd also like to hear what they're discussing; what if someone has created a poem that's even better than mine!"
"Among three people walking together, there must be one who can teach me. I need to learn from them!"
Ye Mingmin's words caused both Princess Shou Kang and Princess Yongxin to turn their faces away.
This is why the two of them don't want to see Ye Mingmin. She might just drop an ancient poem while you're commenting on which male prostitute's waist is more supple than the most beautiful courtesan...
How could the two of them, who had only ever loved eating, drinking, and having fun since childhood, possibly stand for this!
"Alright, let's not talk about things that affect people's moods today. Mingmin, is there something important that you suddenly invited the two of us for tea?" Princess Shoukang changed the subject.
Princess Yongxin also looked at Ye Mingmin without saying a word.
Ye Mingmin has rarely gone out since returning from Nanqing Academy. This sudden invitation to the two of them, and to Chunbuwan no less, must mean something is up.
"That's right! You used to only be interested in poetry gatherings and didn't go to other places much."
You suddenly invited us here and even ordered Tea Prince for Lan Qian. This isn't like you at all!
"Mingmin, tell me, have you been bewitched by some male vixen?" Princess Yongxin teased with a smile.
Ye Mingmin glanced at the two of them, her expression unchanged, showing no sign of embarrassment or anger.
"Actually, I didn't want to come either, but my father received a letter a few days ago..." Ye Mingmin didn't finish her sentence, but just looked at the two of them.
"What letter? What terrible case has happened somewhere?" Princess Yongxin's expression turned serious.
"What did the letter say? Does it say that someone in some place has become corrupt again? Tell me, and I will go back to the palace immediately to tell my elder sister." Princess Shou Kang also looked very serious.
Ye Mingmin shook his head.
Although her uncle was the Minister of Justice, these things would not fall on her.
"It's not about politics, it's some private matters!" Ye Mingmin said with a smile.
"Private matters? What kind of private matters?" Princess Shou Kang and Princess Yongxin were even more curious.
"It's a private matter related to your life's most important event!" Ye Mingmin continued with a smile.
Princess Shou Kang and Princess Yongxin were immediately displeased upon hearing this.
Who is so bold as to talk about their marriage? Are they just bored and have nothing better to do?
"Who is it! Even my mother doesn't dare to talk about these things in front of me, so why should anyone else?"
"Even my elder sister doesn't say anything to me now, who dares to do this!" Princess Shou Kang immediately expressed her dissatisfaction.
"Exactly, they're just bored and have nothing better to do than meddle in our business!"
Let me guess, it must be those old scholars, right? Those guys who always talk about propriety, righteousness, integrity, loyalty, filial piety, and chastity, right?
They're just bored and have nothing better to do than to stir up trouble so they can't show off their abilities.
In my opinion, we should give them more work, or if all else fails, let them copy books!
Lan Qian, after you return to the palace today, go find your elder sister and ask her to arrange some work for those people in the Ministry of Rites, or have the people in the Censorate investigate the accounts of those old guys.
So that they don't just sit around doing nothing all day...
"Hey, Mingmin, tell me, who exactly sent the letter to Uncle? These things don't concern us..." Princess Yongxin rattled off a whole bunch of things before seeing Ye Mingmin looking at the two of them with a half-smile.
"The Emperor Emeritus!" Ye Mingmin uttered three words.
Princess Shou Kang and Princess Yongxin both gaped open...
"The Emperor Emeritus sent a letter to my father. Besides talking about some everyday matters, he also asked my father to tell me to come and persuade the two of you."
Ask the two of you what kind of husbands you'd like to find. If that doesn't work out, the Emperor Emeritus will arrange a marriage for you.
But the Emperor Emeritus didn't want you two to have a bad life, so he wrote to my father, asking me to come and persuade you to come, and to ask you a few more questions.
"So, I'm doing this under orders. Are you two sure you want to continue treating me like this?" Ye Mingmin looked at the two nonchalant men with a smile.
Princess Shou Kang and Princess Yongxin were completely dumbfounded...
"This... It's one thing for the Emperor Emeritus to be in charge of Lan Qian, but why is he also interfering with me?" Princess Yongxin protested softly.
"Oh, the Emperor Emeritus made it clear in his letter that Mu Xiao was just an afterthought."
Who told you two to get along so well? If you don't get married, Princess Shou Kang will inevitably be dissatisfied. So the Emperor Emeritus will just take care of your affairs!
"Your Highnesses, may we begin?" Ye Mingmin asked, preparing the writing brush, ink, paper, and inkstone he had brought.
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