People from the Imperial Academy?
Jiang Bai and Zhao Yi exchanged a glance. This matter could not be ignored. In the future, Le'er would be studying at the Imperial Academy, and they could not afford to offend anyone but the Imperial Academy.
But why did they come back at this point?
Jiang Bai felt a little uneasy, but Zhao Yi patted her on the back and said, "It's alright, let's go see what's going on."
Li Si went to the front hall first to welcome the man in and served him tea. However, he noticed that this man was quite different from the others who came on other days. He was extremely humble and treated even a nobody like him with great politeness.
A moment later, Jiang Bai and Zhao Yi arrived. When Zhao Yi saw He Yu, his hand in his sleeve tightened slightly.
Jiang Bai was somewhat surprised. It was him again?
This person is really strange. Although he is the head of the Imperial Academy, Jiang Bai feels that this person seems to have some kind of obsession with them.
A strange feeling.
Jiang Bai thought to himself.
Upon seeing the two, He Yu stood up and said, "Young Master Zhao, Madam Zhao."
Zhao Yi raised his hand to stop him from bowing: "Lord He, you are too kind. You are making this humble subject feel uncomfortable. Please sit down."
Even though Zhao Yi's words were polite and appropriate, Jiang Bai still noticed something was off about Zhao Yi after spending so much time with him.
His tone was somewhat cold.
Could it be that he and He Yu have some kind of grudge?
However, Zhao Yi probably wouldn't hide it from him, and this is no small matter.
Jiang Bai gave instructions to the servants, and since there were only the three of them in the front hall, it was naturally easier for them to talk.
Zhao Yi glanced at He Yu, who looked somewhat travel-worn, suggesting he had arrived by fast horse.
"I wonder what brings Lord He to rebel in the dead of night?"
He Yu took a sip of tea to moisten his throat: "I left the capital a few days ago on business and only returned tonight. It is a bit abrupt of me to come here in such a hurry, but I do have something important to discuss with you two."
It was truly rare for an official of the time to speak to two merchants in such a manner.
Jiang Bai's opinion of this person improved considerably; at least she could tell that He Yu was a gentleman of modest means.
There is an understanding and atmosphere among scholars.
"Please speak frankly, Lord Zhao."
"I heard that Joy has not yet been accepted as a disciple, so I came here this time..."
Before he could finish speaking, Zhao Yi interrupted him: "Lord He, you are too kind, but Le'er has already become Princess Anping's apprentice."
He Yu's hand froze in mid-air: "Princess Anping?!"
"But I haven't heard of it..."
"This happened this afternoon. I imagine Princess Anping has already informed His Majesty, and the whole world will know about it tomorrow."
He Yu's expression was somewhat gloomy; anything he said now would be of no use.
Princess Anping's temper was known throughout the court; even someone as dedicated to scholarship as him, who did not participate in factional struggles, had heard of it.
However, he was still somewhat puzzled: "I think that someone else might be more capable than the princess."
Jiang Bai felt that He Yu was indeed eager to nurture talent. Seeing him like this, he felt sorry for him and wanted to speak, but Zhao Yi interrupted him: "Lord He, this is also Le'er's own decision."
"There are thousands of famous teachers in the world, but the one that suits Le'er is the best."
Upon hearing this, He Yu said no more. He sighed and said, "Never mind, the princess has a very good temperament, which is indeed in line with joy and happiness."
He slowly rose and bowed to Zhao Yi and Jiang Bai: "I am truly sorry to disturb you so late at night. I will definitely send someone to deliver an apology gift tomorrow."
Jiang Bai immediately waved his hand: "No need for that. It is an honor for the Zhao family that you have come in such a humble manner."
He Yu didn't say much and left the Zhao family.
Jiang Bai looked at him, then turned back curiously: "You and He Yu have a grudge?"
Zhao Yi shook his head: "What grudge could I possibly have against him? My Zhao family would never dare to cause trouble with the head of the Imperial Academy."
"Then why is your attitude so cold and distant? Even somewhat... aggressive?"
Upon hearing Jiang Bai's words, Zhao Yi immediately felt aggrieved: "Bai'er, how could you speak of me like this for the sake of an outsider?"
Jiang Bai sighed helplessly, then grabbed him and chuckled, "Why are you acting like a child? I wasn't saying anything to you, I just felt that you were different, as if you were hostile towards him. Is there something you're hiding from me?"
Zhao Yi stopped fooling around and looked at Jiang Bai with a serious expression: "Bai'er, there is something I haven't told you yet, but it's not the right time. I will tell you the truth later. It's about Le'er and Ping An."
"Le'er and Ping An?"
“That’s right, but this matter is very important. I’ll tell you once both children have settled down.”
Seeing Zhao Yi's attitude, Jiang Bai didn't press the matter: "Alright, it's okay, you can say it when you want."
After all, Zhao Yi is the father of two children, so he wouldn't do anything to them.
Ultimately, she was just a stepmother.
That night, Zhao Yi did not sleep well. He dreamed of a person who, before passing away, personally handed his two children to him with tears of blood in his eyes.
He died unjustly.
"Leave the capital! Leave the capital!"
Jiang Bai was also woken up by Zhao Yi in the middle of the night, but Zhao Yi was completely unaware of it.
The following day, something caused a sensation throughout the city: Zhao Xile, the top winner in the Imperial Academy's selection of female scholars, actually became a student of Princess Anping.
For a time, everyone in the city was talking about this with great interest.
Some felt regret, some were curious, and some sighed.
However, Princess Anping didn't care about the comments outside at all. Instead, she took Zhao Xile to do whatever she wanted. On the first day, she took Zhao Xile to the best wine pavilion in the capital for dinner.
As for those who wanted to take Zhao Xile as their disciple, they naturally didn't dare to object or try to snatch her away. If Zhao Xile had fallen into the hands of someone else, there might have been someone who tried to turn her against them. But she became Princess Anping's disciple.
Who would dare to compete with Princess Anping for someone? This move indeed relieved Jiang Bai of many worries and also pleased Zhao Xile and Princess Anping.
However, the peace and quiet lasted only a short while before the Wang family started causing trouble again.
Wang He sent people to investigate the good things that happened at Chunyue Tower that day, and in the end, he still suspected Jiang Bai and Zhao Yi.
Especially after he learned that Jiang Bai and Zhao Yi had a grudge against the dynasty, his suspicions seemed to become even more certain.
However, he did not take action because he had a longer-term plan, a more perfect solution.
On this day, Jiang Bai was in the shop arranging the purchase of goods when someone from the Wang family's medicinal food shop in the east of the city sent an invitation.
Jiang Bai had previously declined the offer by saying that Le'er was going to participate in the Imperial Academy selection, but he did not expect that Wang He would be so persistent in pursuing him.
The reason she refused was simply because Jiang Bai was the only person invited in the post.
Sima Zhao's intentions are obvious to everyone.
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