At the end of the bamboo-lined path stood a middle-aged scholar with an air of elegance and a kindly smile on his face; it was Zhou Xun, the Gu Family’s advisor.
Ever courteous and respectful, Miss Tang stood up and greeted him, "Mr. Zhou, are you looking for ?"
Zhou Xun returned the salutation and approached with a smile, "I just received so news: a bunch of local troublemakers forcibly entered a residence in Jinchang Village—" seeing her face change, he chuckled and added in a gentle tone, "but the house was already empty."
Miss Tang’s eyes lit up. "How could there be no one there?"
Zhou Xun chuckled, "That, I don’t know. While those ruffians were busy looting, they were caught by so local enforcers and are now on their way to the County Governnt!"
Miss Tang’s expression shifted from surprise to contemplation, then from contemplation back to joy. She gave Zhou Xun a sweet smile, "Mr. Zhou, you’ve worked hard!"
Li Mu was startled by the exchange, looking from Miss Tang to Zhou Xun.
Not another case of credit being stolen, right?
...
After sending Mr. Zhou off, Tang Xiaobai felt all her worries disappear and was about to call Ah Xiao over to do their academic work together.
But when she turned her head, she saw the young master with an icy gaze—
He’s upset again!
"What’s the matter?" Tang Xiaobai asked in surprise.
Wasn’t he just being sweet and comforting?
The young boy shook his head lightly, "Just thinking about how to write today’s thesis."
Tang Xiaobai couldn’t help with that.
She could sotis understand when Mr. Zhang taught advanced courses, but writing essays was a whole different level.
However, speaking of essays, Tang Xiaobai suddenly rembered sothing else. Quietly calling Ah Xiao, she turned and took a stack of papers from her book bag.
"I showed your previous essay to Fifth Cousin Gu for so feedback; his comnts are all noted on there. Take it back and have a good look." Tang Xiaobai said with a smile.
But Ah Xiao did not take them.
"Why did you ask him to review it?" His tone seed a bit colder.
Tang Xiaobai explained earnestly, "You can’t work in isolation. If you write sothing, you need guidance to improve."
The young boy’s tone turned even cooler, "Second Miss holds Fifth Cousin Gu in such high regard? Thinks he can guide ?"
Tang Xiaobai was amused, "Confidence needs limits too, doesn’t it? Fifth Cousin Gu was even praised by Mr. Zhang. He started learning at three years old and has read so many books more than you. Why can’t he guide you?"
Li Mu didn’t truly believe his studies were better than Fifth Cousin Gu’s, but hearing her praise Gu made him uncomfortable.
He froze, unsure of how to respond.
Now, Tang Xiaobai was used to handling such situations: "Although he’s currently ahead in his studies, it’s also because he started earlier. Ah Xiao, you’re talented and perceptive—I believe you’ll catch up with Fifth Cousin Gu soon enough. Until then, seeking advice is a form of learning, don’t you think?" Her little master needed gentle coaxing, but he really was easy to appease.
Even knowing she was coaxing him, Li Mu couldn’t help but smile faintly at the words "talented" and "perceptive."
Tang Xiaobai chuckled and tucked the manuscript into his arms.
As Li Mu slowly organized the papers, stealing glances at her now and again, he finally cleared his throat and asked, "Do you think it was Mr. Zhou who inford Zhen Su?"
He hadn’t even finished speaking when she covered his mouth.
"Don’t say such things lightly!" Miss Tang scolded softly.
Her hand was soft and slightly cool, carrying a faint ink fragrance mixed with a sweet fruity scent.
Li Mu was just about to sneak another sniff when she withdrew her hand.
"Mr. Zhou, like , couldn’t bear to see innocents hard... Ah, Mr. Zhou is truly a good person..." The young lady looked genuinely moved.
Li Mu’s deanor beca cold again, "What makes you think it was him?"
Tang Xiaobai, of course, had reasons: "If it wasn’t him, why would he co to tell this story?"
Li Mu was temporarily at a loss for words, and simply murmured, "If Second Miss thinks so, then so be it!"
Tang Xiaobai found his response curious, "And what do you think?"
"It’s also possible Zhen Su sensed sothing amiss and fled preemptively," Li Mu replied.
According to Mo Ji, when he arrived at the Zhen Mansion, Zhen Su was already gone.
"That’s possible too." Tang Xiaobai nodded.
She didn’t really care who tipped off Zhen Su, as long as no harm was done.
Next, she just hoped that Pingyang Princess would have the courage to divorce Zhao Jing. Without the Princess’ love, let’s see if the Emperor would still shield him!
While Tang Xiaobai waited for good news from Pingyang Princess, this timid Princess who couldn’t even stir up trouble had blocked her way again—
"What does the Princess wish?" Tang Xiaobai emphasized the word "again."
Pingyang Princess appeared much worse than last ti; her brow was furrowed, and her eyes seed sowhat swollen.
Though she blocked the path on horseback, she lacked any real montum. Tang Xiaobai even felt she could have forcefully pushed past.
"Co with ," Pingyang Princess repeated.
"Where to?" Tang Xiaobai replied, just as before.
"Princess Mansion."
"I need to go to school!" This ti, Tang Xiaobai sounded much more confident.
This confidence was not just because Pingyang Princess lacked montum today but also because Fourth Cousin Gu had co to escort her to school.
Fourth Cousin Gu was her second uncle’s eldest son—her second uncle being the one who married Princess Puan.
Even though Fourth Cousin Gu wasn’t born to Princess Puan, his status was slightly more esteed than other Gu children. Accompanied by two guards who seed like experts, he stood unafraid in front of Pingyang Princess.
Yet Pingyang Princess had little hostility today. Hearing her, she simply asked, "Where are you going to school?"
"In the Gu Family academy, don’t you know?" Tang Xiaobai said, puzzled.
She distinctly rembered Pingyang Princess ntioning it last ti.
Pingyang Princess gave an "oh" and turned her horse around, "Then I’ll go too!"
Taking a Princess to school?
"Can I refuse?" Tang Xiaobai asked.
Pingyang Princess imdiately looked back at her, "Do you know my last na is Li?"
If refusal worked, would the surna Li matter?
Ultimately, Tang Xiaobai escorted Pingyang Princess to Diligence Academy.
Mr. Zhang was evidently more understanding than she was. Seeing Pingyang Princess, he was only slightly taken aback before pointing to the vacant seat after Gu Yulan’s withdrawal for her to sit.
The seat was at the very back, so it didn’t interfere with the lessons of the students in front.
Everyone knew Pingyang Princess wasn’t genuinely there to learn. But while she wasn’t interested in listening, she was still distracting her nearby classmates!
"How co your teacher is so young?" Pingyang Princess curiously gazed at Mr. Zhang.
While diligently practicing her calligraphy and listening, Tang remained too occupied to respond.
"Being so young, what can he possibly teach you?" she continued to question.
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