The death of Grand Tutor Wang was like an atomic bomb, quickly exploding in the capital. All sorts of rumors came rushing in, making it impossible to distinguish which were true and which were false.
With the death of Grand Tutor Wang, the news of Wang Muge's death spread like wildfire, as if it had grown wings.
Zhao Shu sat on the swing under the wisteria blossoms, listening to Xiao Zhuzi's report, "Princess, the rumors are very unfavorable to His Majesty."
"The Wang family is going to fight to the death, but Wang Kuanqi is being too naive. The Emperor is not someone to be trifled with. What moves is the Xie family making now?"
"Lord Xie frequently visits various families, as if he is lobbying them."
Zhao Shu nodded. Yes, the Xie family certainly wouldn't do nothing. This matter was already difficult to handle, and it involved too many powerful families. Everyone was insecure, so they naturally banded together.
No, no matter how ruthless the Wang family is, they wouldn't harm Old Master Wang. Could it be a natural death? Could it have been done by Wei Tingsi and Wang Jiyang's faction?
The more Zhao Shu thought about it, the more inexplicably strange the whole thing seemed.
The Wang family first lost its most promising descendant, and then it lost the Grand Tutor, a first-rank official. As a result, the Wang family's status in the court will decline. Once it declines, Yang Zhong's faction will have to consider finding another ally.
Looking across the capital, it seems that no one would want to come out and get involved in this mess right now.
However, it's hard to say for sure. After all, fortune favors the bold, and even aristocratic families need to constantly strive for more etiquette in order to survive.
Regardless of the circumstances, the Wang family has suffered a sudden and severe blow this time, and will definitely need to lie low. It would be unwise for them to choose to fight Emperor Mingde to the death.
Thinking of this, she laughed, "Little Zhu, go find someone for me and bring him back. You must invite him back. If he refuses to come, then tie him up and bring him here."
After saying that, she went to her small study, wrote a letter, and handed it to Xiao Zhu.
Just as Xiao Zhuzi received his order and left, Zhao Shu was preparing to practice her calligraphy in the small study when Chu Chun came to report: "Princess, Miss Sun Liu has arrived."
Sun Yun? Why is she here? Zhao Shu put down her pen, left the small study, and followed Chu Chun back to the wisteria swaying swing, where Sun Yun was swinging back and forth.
Seeing Zhao Shu approach, he didn't get down, but said, "I hope the princess won't be offended by my uninvited visit."
"How could this be? Tea is served in early spring."
Sun Yun hurriedly jumped off the swing, waved his hands and shook his head, saying, "I don't want tea, I want to eat the double-skin milk from your mansion."
She rarely made such a waving and shaking gesture, and Zhao Shu was a little unaccustomed to it at first glance. However, she said, "Miss Sun, I'm really sorry, the chef in our household who knows how to make double-skin milk has gone to the palace, so you probably won't be able to eat it."
"No way, why am I so unlucky?" she wailed, her exquisitely beautiful face crumbling in a way that, in modern terms, was adorable.
I never expected Sun Yun to have this side to her. The Sun Yun I knew before was very cold and aloof, looking down on everything, as if the mundane world was nothing but a fleeting cloud, not worth her attention.
"Don't call me Miss Sun Six or Miss Sun Seven. Just call me A-Yun, and I'll call you A-Jun, okay? Don't worry, I won't come to your house to freeload."
Her expression was adorable, and when she said the words "mooching off others," Zhao Shu burst out laughing. "Okay, A-Yun."
Since she's already said that, it would be unreasonable to be coy. Besides, after seeing her today, Sun Yun isn't as annoying as she used to be.
“Ah Jun.” Sun Yun drew out the “Ah” sound.
The two looked at each other and smiled under the wisteria blossoms.
"Ah Jun, what do you usually do for fun?" The two sat on the stone bench next to the swing and started chatting.
Zhao Shu thought for a moment. In her previous life in Da Yong, she spent her days practicing music, chess, calligraphy, painting, poetry, and songs. In her current life, she spends her days either studying or doing part-time jobs. Now, she listens to reports from Xiao Zhu Zi and others every day and then manages the affairs of the Prince's Mansion.
It seemed quite fulfilling; "I didn't care what I played, I just played around with it whenever I came across it."
"Does anyone come to talk to you?" Sun Yun asked again.
Zhao Shu tilted her head, thought for a moment, and finally shook her head. "No." She was stunned when she said that. Was it because Sun Yun had acted differently than usual today that she should open her heart to her?
I shivered; what a terrifying impulse.
As if oblivious to her remorse, Sun Yun said dejectedly, "I didn't either." She then turned to Zhao Shu, her eyes lighting up. "Ah Jun, can I come talk to you about this sometime?"
"Okay." I wanted to say that I wasn't always available, but seeing the longing and anticipation in her eyes, I couldn't bear to refuse.
Zhao Shu, oh Zhao Shu, what's wrong with you? She felt a pang of regret, yet also a sliver of joy. She guessed that perhaps it was because, having lived for so many years, her only friend was A-Jiu from the modern era, and that made her feel so lonely.
Because of the psychological trauma caused by Lin Xiuxue, she refused to make friends even in modern times. Ajiu was an exception. Perhaps she needed someone to talk to, or perhaps she mistook Ajiu for Hua Yao.
However, regardless of her initial intentions, Ah Jiu eventually became her only true friend in both her past and present lives.
Thinking of Ajiu, her eyes welled up with tears. She looked up at the sky, wishing that we might live long and share the beauty of the moon, even though we are thousands of miles apart.
Sun Yun stayed at Qionghua Courtyard until evening before returning home. Judging from her expression, she didn't seem particularly eager to go back. However, since their relationship hadn't reached the point where they could talk about anything, Zhao Shu didn't ask any further questions, and Sun Yun didn't say anything either.
Before leaving, Sun Yun said to Zhao Shu, "I heard that a princess from another royal family has come to your residence?"
"I suppose so." Zhao Shu's attitude was indifferent when Zhao Nihong was mentioned. It seemed to be a common understanding that the daughters of princes were all called princesses. However, Zhao Nihong did not have a title or a fief, so she was not much different from girls from ordinary families.
"This princess must be just like Princess Liuli, a charming and shrewd woman." Sun Yun had already hinted at this, and after saying this, he took his leave.
Like Liuli? Zhao Shu thought it was even more amazing than Liuli.
After Sun Yun left, Bi Qiao hurried over, holding a gold-embossed invitation card in her hand. "Princess, the Marquis of Huainan's residence has sent an invitation, inviting you to visit the residence and enjoy the flowers."
Bi Qiao was still very unhappy. She didn't like anyone who didn't sincerely invite her princess.
"Marquis of Huainan?" Zhao Shu thought for a moment. She didn't have a deep impression of the Marquis of Huainan, but he was a first-class marquis and held a high position among the nobility.
"Consort Zhang is the second great-aunt of the Marquis of Huainan."
"I won't go." Upon hearing the name Consort Zhang, Zhao Shu immediately refused. Accepting Prince Duan and his family to move into Prince Yong's residence was one thing, but going to the Marquis of Huainan's residence without understanding the situation was another.
In the past few days, Prince Duan has been extremely busy visiting relatives and friends with his family.
Bi Qiao felt that Zhao Shu was becoming more and more different, and she was increasingly satisfied. "Yes, this servant will go and refuse."
“Princess,” he changed the subject, “this servant thinks that since the Second Prince brought men into the manor, it would be better for the Princess to have more men with her.”
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