After He Yunxiao skipped class to get private tutoring from Fan Ziruo, Meng Yan, who was also a playboy, also considered skipping school.
Meng Yan was the son of Prince Qi, who was also the younger brother of the late emperor. Therefore, the current Empress Dowager was Meng Yan's aunt. Although this was the generational relationship, according to etiquette, he should still address her as "Empress Dowager" rather than "Aunt." However, this did not prevent Meng Yan from skipping classes under the pretext of visiting the Empress Dowager.
As the Empress Dowager's grand-nephew, Li Jin should theoretically be a generation younger than Meng Yan, but since the two were of similar age and both were playboys, they didn't bother with such matters.
So, under Meng Yan's persuasion, the two skipped class and went to the palace together.
For Meng Yan, it didn't matter who he went to see, as long as he didn't have to attend classes, he could do whatever he wanted.
The two went to the Empress Dowager's place for a while, but were sent away because they were too bored. They then decided to visit Meng Qingqian's place again. Otherwise, they would have to go home too early and wouldn't be able to explain themselves.
Going to Meng Qingqian's place was, of course, Li Jin's idea.
Since I'm already here, shouldn't I go to my aunt's to show off my recent academic achievements? Otherwise, wouldn't my trip have been pointless?
Upon hearing that Li Jin was his cousin, Meng Yan quickly said, "Li Jin, I think I'll pass on the trip to the Princess..."
To be honest, going to Meng Qingqian's place is worse than going back to class; it's that terrifying.
If Li Jin hadn't been deliberately showing off, he himself would have been afraid to come. Now, he couldn't force Meng Yan, so he said, "I'll go by myself."
Meng Yan felt as if he had been granted a pardon. "I'll go to the back garden to wait for Brother Li!"
Li Jin: "Go to hell."
After parting ways with Meng Yan, Li Jin, carrying a notebook of poems, went alone to Princess Xiaoyue's palace, Changhe Palace.
The Changhe Palace is quite different from the Linxuan Palace.
In the distance stood imperial guards in full armor, while closer by were female attendants carrying swords and knives. The palace maids were numerous, yet quiet; each walked briskly with their head down. No one dared to make a sound, no one dared to laugh.
Li Jin walked into Changhe Palace, then stopped at the entrance of his aunt's bedroom and said, "Please inform her."
The palace maid bowed her head in agreement, then quickly went inside and then quickly came out again.
"Please follow me, young master."
Li Jin then followed the palace maid into Changhe Palace, to his cousin Meng Qingqian's bedroom.
After the palace maid led Li Jin inside, she took him a few steps and then withdrew on her own.
Li Jin comes often, so we're quite familiar with each other.
As always, only the aunt and Miss Jianling were in the palace.
"Aunt! I have..."
Meng Qingqian, dressed in a long red dress, leaned against the table, her right hand supporting her chin on the table, and her left hand holding a memorial written by a minister.
She heard Li enter, her beautiful phoenix eyes fixed on the folded document, without looking up.
"Shut up."
Li Jin carefully walked to Meng Qingqian's side and said, "Aunt, I have two pieces of good news!"
Meng Qingqian: "Mm."
Seeing that his cousin had agreed, Li Jin quickly continued, "First, my chess skills have improved again! Second, I have a skill that far surpasses that of others."
Meng Qingqian wasn't surprised by Li Jin's statement, because he always said the same thing.
As Li Jin's cousin, she naturally had the obligation to discipline him.
Disciplining Li Jin serves two purposes: first, to avoid being criticized as "inhumane," and second, to send a clear message to the outside world that "I will not abandon Li Jin, let alone you."
Meng Qingqian looked at the document and said softly, "Bring the chessboard and let's play a game."
Upon hearing about playing chess, Li Jin's mood instantly changed, and he felt delighted. He accurately located the chessboard that had been put away in his aunt's bedroom. Then, he set it up on the table, and without saying a word, he took the white pieces, while Meng Qingqian took the black pieces.
A moment later.
Li Jin exclaimed with delight, "Auntie, I'm going to win!"
Meng Qingqian withdrew her gaze from the folded document, glanced at the chessboard, and placed a black piece.
Li Jin immediately changed his expression, from joy to dejection in an instant. "Waaah, Auntie, I'm going to lose."
Meng Qingqian had no interest in playing along with Li Jin's antics, so she said, "Stop crying. You've improved this time."
Li Jin immediately grinned again.
"What about skills?" Meng Qingqian's attention was mostly on the folded paper in her hand.
This morning, she went to Deer Antler Academy and met Fan Yu. Therefore, her already packed schedule became even more insufficient.
Li Jin took out his notebook and said confidently, "Aunt, I've discovered that I can actually write poetry without getting confused! When we were competing in poetry at Chunfeng Tower, everyone else looked blank, but He Yunxiao and I were full of energy. Even this morning, when He Yunxiao and I were listening to a lecture at the academy, Mr. Fan Ziruo got confused while writing poetry, but I didn't at all!"
Meng Qingqian wasn't initially concerned about what new talent Li Jin had discovered, but when she heard He Yunxiao's name, she put the report aside and asked carefully, "Are you and He Yunxiao attending classes at the academy?"
Li Jin nodded and vividly described how Fan Ziruo was stunned at the time, and how he remained unaffected.
Meng Qingqian knew about Du Yinyun's activities at Chunfeng Tower, but her views differed from Yang Zhe and others. She didn't consider Du Yinyun important because being able to "connect" and being able to "lead" are two different things. That's why she valued Fan Yu so much.
Although she knew that He Yunxiao and Li Jin had caused trouble at Chunfeng Tower, she never expected that they would run into each other again at Lujiao Academy.
Most importantly, the name "He Yunxiao" brought back many shameful memories for her.
She is currently in Changhe Palace, the renowned Princess Xiaoyue, Meng Qingqian, second only to the emperor. Her deep red dress and majestic phoenix eyes further enhance her dignified and elegant appearance, making her a woman of unparalleled beauty.
But at that time, Li Qingmeng's memories and feelings, uncontrollably, flowed back into her.
Awkward, ashamed, yet relaxed and at ease.
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