20. They only let us leave after praising us a couple of times.
Upon hearing this, all the court officials immediately stopped—those who did not stop were also stopped by the Marquis of Beiding, who insisted on praising them before letting them leave.
Everyone in the court knew each other and had heard about what happened last night. When they saw the protagonist of the incident appear before them today, they were all curious.
Furthermore, their agreement with the label of "child prodigy" did indeed provide them with a completely different perspective.
Secondly, it's just an honorary county princess, so it's not enough to make them feel unbalanced.
Thirdly, no one would hold a grudge against a three-year-old... plus, kids are indeed adorable.
Therefore, people coming and going all stopped to say a few words of praise.
"Oh my, is this the young county princess who offered the solution to the drought? She is indeed exceptionally intelligent, with a bright and clever look in her eyes!"
"The young county princess is exceptionally intelligent; at the age of three, she was already able to offer advice on how to alleviate the people's suffering. She is sure to become a pillar of the nation in the future!"
"For a young county princess to possess such wisdom is truly a blessing from Heaven for our dynasty!"
"Marquis Beiding is so fortunate to have such a daughter; what more could a husband ask for!"
At first, Xiao Jinlanyue thanked them politely, but later her little head was spinning from all the praise.
I felt lightheaded and dizzy from all the praise.
Finally, the Marquis of Beiding picked up his daughter with satisfaction and walked proudly towards the Wenhua Hall amidst the envious gazes of the court officials.
Outside the Wenhua Hall, Qu Zijin was waiting for Jin Lanyue to go to school, as usual.
Seeing that the Marquis of Beiding had personally brought his daughter to school, he quickly got up to greet her.
Marquis Beiding still had a court assembly, exchanged a few words with Qu Zijin, and then left after dropping off Jin Lanyue.
"Good morning, Grand Tutor!" Jin Lanyue looked up, then suddenly asked as if she remembered something, "Isn't the little prince coming to school today?"
Just as Qu Zijin was about to answer, the palace door was pushed open with a "bang".
The little princess burst in, yelling, "Who sent that jerk?!"
God knows how she felt yesterday when she heard that the little prince was going to have class with them.
The sky has fallen!
She was so anxious that she didn't sleep well all night and came with dark circles under her eyes.
The princess grabbed Little Jinlan Yue and said angrily, "Little Yue, let me tell you, if that little tyrant dares to come, I'll... I'll..."
"Your Highness, please be careful with your words." Qu Zijin coughed lightly, interrupting the princess's harsh words that were about to come out.
"Hmph!" The little princess was very dissatisfied.
The little dumpling asked hesitantly, "But His Majesty said we should all go to school together... Is the little prince sick since he's not coming?"
She didn't want the little prince to come either.
But when she thought about how the little prince was sick, she felt sorry for him.
Being sick is so uncomfortable.
Before Qu Zijin could speak, the princess interrupted, "He's faking illness! He must have suffered a loss yesterday and is too scared to come today!"
Qu Zijin shook his head helplessly: "The prince has indeed asked for leave. However... once he recovers, the little prince will still attend classes with you."
"I don't want to go to school with him!" the little princess immediately retorted.
“His Majesty’s words are law and cannot be changed,” Qu Zijin said, not quite understanding. “Besides, wouldn’t it be better to have one more person? You can all play together.”
"Who wants to play with him!" The princess stomped her feet in anger.
Qu Zijin did not understand.
But Jin Lanyue understood.
She felt a little sad; the naive Grand Tutor had no idea how terrifying their meeting would be.
They'll start fighting right away!
Qu Zijin, still puzzled by the two girls' drastically different reactions, tapped his desk: "Let's start with class today. As for what happens afterward... His Majesty said that if anyone is unwilling to sit with us, they can go before the Emperor to explain themselves."
He also didn't understand why His Majesty had specifically given this instruction.
Even in his eyes, there was a hint of guilt, a hint of avoidance, a hint of unease, and a hint of schadenfreude.
The princess, like a deflated balloon, slumped back into her seat, looking utterly dejected.
Little Jin Lanyue tilted her head, already imagining how she would try her best to help the Grand Tutor survive.
Ah, the burden on her shoulders is so heavy!
-
The last rays of the setting sun slanted across the pillars of the Wenhua Hall; it was time for school to end.
The little princess has already returned to the palace.
However, the Marquis of Beiding, who was usually very enthusiastic about bringing his daughter, was surprisingly late today.
Qu Zijin couldn't resist going out of the Wenhua Hall to take a look.
Suddenly, he saw a servant dressed in household clothes rushing over and bowing deeply outside the palace gate.
"Grand Tutor," the servant said breathlessly, "the Marquis of Beiding sent me to deliver a message, saying that there is an urgent matter at the manor today, and he would like to trouble you to escort the county princess back to the manor."
Qu Zijin paused slightly.
Marquis Beiding always doted on his daughter, and even when he was busy with official duties, he would personally come to pick her up.
This unusual behavior today is quite...
"Did the Marquis of Beiding say anything else?" Qu Zijin asked.
"The household has summoned the imperial physician, who said... said that the lady is unwell."
Qu Zijin's heart sank suddenly.
For the Marquis of Beiding to be too busy to receive Jin Lanyue, he must be... quite ill.
"I understand." Qu Zijin's voice remained calm, but his steps as he turned and walked into the hall were somewhat hurried.
In the side hall, Xiao Jinlanyue was tiptoeing to reach the picture books on the bookshelf.
Upon seeing Qu Zijin enter, she immediately broke into a smile: "Grand Tutor! Has Father come to pick up Yue'er?"
Qu Zijin squatted down: "Today, I will escort you back to your residence, Master."
He paused, then added gently, "The Marquis has some matters to attend to."
The little dumpling blinked, then suddenly reached out and touched Qu Zijin's brow: "It's all wrinkled here, are you unhappy?"
Qu Zijin was taken aback, then his brows relaxed: "Teacher, you're overthinking it... Teacher, shall I take you out for a trip? How about a picnic to the riverside, which you used to like?"
The little dumpling was tempted, but shook her head and refused: "Yue'er wants to go home. If Yue'er doesn't go home, Daddy and Mommy will worry."
Qu Zijin tried to persuade them: "No, I will inform Marquis Beiding and won't let them worry."
The little dumpling blinked, a little disappointed: "But, Yue'er misses Daddy and Mommy..."
Seeing that she was unwilling, Qu Zijin sighed silently, picked up the small bundle, and said, "Then let's set off now."
-
The carriage slowly drove through the street, the sound of its wheels rolling over the bluestone slabs particularly clear.
Jin Lanyue leaned against the window and suddenly pointed to the sugar figurine stall by the roadside: "Grand Tutor, look! Sugar figurines! Mother bought some for Yue'er!"
Qu Zijin said softly, "Does Teacher miss the Lady of Beiding Marquis?"
"Hmm." The little dumpling nodded, unconsciously twisting her sash. "Yue'er isn't feeling well..."
"What?" Qu Zijin was taken aback. "Where do you feel unwell? Are you injured?"
"Moon doesn't know..." The little dumpling raised her face, her expression a little blank, her little hands placed on her chest, "It's stuffy here... I'm so scared..."
Qu Zijin was speechless for a moment, and his heart sank down.
This is probably some kind of special connection between mother and daughter.
The carriage had already stopped in front of the Marquis's residence.
The mansion gates were wide open, but the steward who usually came out to greet them was nowhere to be seen. Only a young maidservant forced a smile: "Miss is finally back! Why didn't you play outside a little longer..."
Before the little maid could finish speaking, Jin Lanyue had already jumped off the carriage, lifted her skirt, and ran towards the inner courtyard: "Mother!"
Qu Zijin quickly followed, and as he passed through the corridor, he smelled a strong medicinal odor.
Several imperial physicians, who were talking in hushed tones, made way for them when they saw them arrive.
Inside the house, Marquis Beiding was sitting in the outer room, holding his forehead, while his two young masters stood by the door with red eyes.
Upon hearing the noise, Marquis Beiding suddenly looked up, his eyes bloodshot.
"Moon..." The Marquis of Beiding, who was full of vigor in the morning, now had a hoarse voice.
The little dumpling had already rushed into the inner room.
On the bed, Jiang Xiyue lay quietly, her face as pale as paper, an ice cloth covering her forehead, her breathing so weak that the rise and fall of her chest was barely visible.
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