The Double-Chapter 69 - 67 Yongning
69: Chapter 67 Yongning
69 -67 Yongning
Just as Meng Youde had imagined, Jiang Li’s examination paper indeed made its way to the palace.
In the Imperial Study Room, a young man stepped out, and the Eunuch Su standing by the door bowed deeply to see him off, watching his departing figure with a sigh.
Barely over twenty, he had passed the imperial examinations with flying colors, and within a mere year had climbed to such a position—truly riding the wind and waves, an awe-inspiring young talent.
This young man was none other than the Assistant Head Writer of the day, Shen Yurong.
Emperor Hongxiao was very fond of Shen Yurong, often discussing current affairs with him, and there were even rumors that Emperor Hongxiao intended to promote Shen Yurong into the Imperial Cabinet to prepare him as the future Grand Secretary, Jiang Yuanbai’s successor.
As for the future, no one could be certain, but that did not hinder people from currying favor with him now.
Shen Yurong crossed the Imperial Garden and was heading out when he encountered someone in the corridor.
Princess Yongning was taking a break at a stone table in the garden.
Seeing him, she revealed a coquettish smile and said, “Lord Shen.”
It was summer.
The Imperial Garden was dense with shade, and a cool breeze was blowing.
Streaks of sunlight filtered through the tree leaves, illuminating half of her face just right.
She indeed looked resplendent with wealth and beauty, her skin seemingly as exquisite as white jade, tempting one to touch.
Even with her eyes and brows slightly arched in a proud demeanor, she maintained a gesture of gentle modesty when calling out, polite and proper.
Shen Yurong clasped his hands together and bowed, “Your Highness.”
“You just came out from the imperial brother’s place—what were you discussing?” Princess Yongning asked teasingly, lightly fanning herself, her lips painted a lustrous crimson, looking lush and inviting.
Shen Yurong shifted his gaze away and said, “His Majesty heard that yesterday’s examination red list was released; the top scholars of the Imperial College and Mingyi Hall were settled upon two households. freewёbn૦νeɭ.com
His Majesty discussed this matter with me.”
“Oh?” Princess Yongning looked at him with surprise, her voice carrying a playful flirtation, as if seducing, saying, “I’ve also heard about this.
The top scholar from Mingyi Hall is said to be Miss Jiang the Second from the Jiang Family, who, having been banished from the Jiang Family, stayed in a temple for eight years.
Returning to Yanjing City just over a month, she spent no more than ten days at Mingyi Hall before emerging victorious in this examination.” She smiled sweetly, “Truly a genuine talent she must be, and I heard she writes a beautiful hand.
I have not had the pleasure of seeing it myself.
What do you think, Lord Shen?”
Shen Yurong paused, then said with his head bowed, “I have not seen it either.”
“Heh,” Princess Yongning chuckled softly, “I thought for sure you’d want to see such a thing for yourself, Lord Shen.
But it seems you’re not interested.
Perhaps you, Lord Shen, are accustomed to talented women and prefer the company of beauties?” Her last sentence carried a playful provocativeness.
Shen Yurong took a step back and said, “Your Highness, please be mindful of your words.”
“Look how frightened you are,” Princess Yongning’s eyes flashed an unmistakable displeasure before quickly concealing it.
She feigned annoyance and asked, “My people are all waiting outside; no one can hear us talking.
Haven’t you missed me these past few days?”
She became increasingly bold.
Shen Yurong, with his head slightly lowered, gave an almost imperceptible nod.
Even this slight nod brought a wide smile to Princess Yongning’s face.
She even reached out to caress Shen Yurong’s hand while laughing, “I knew it; you also think of me.
But lately, I’ve been entangled in trifles and felt it inappropriate to seek you out.
Tomorrow Mingyi Hall will examine the next three departments; why don’t we both go watch, and after that…” Her voice trailed off into innuendo.
Shen Yurong let her hold his hand, his expression softening a bit as he said softly, “Your Highness…”
“I’ve told you before, when we’re alone, you should call me Yongning.” Princess Yongning gazed at him with infatuation, captivated by his handsome features.
From the very first time she had laid eyes on Shen Yurong, she had fallen for him.
Such a young and striking man, versed in state affairs and the author of eloquent writings.
Seeing him on a proud steed parading through the streets, her heart was lost to him, never to be reclaimed.
What a pity that the gentleman is married; however, it’s not really a big deal.
She is an Imperial Princess of the golden branch and jade leaf, and his wife is merely a petty official’s daughter.
Although she may be both talented and beautiful, she is still humble and insignificant as an ant.
That’s why she killed her.
Princess Yongning knew that Shen Yurong held a place in his heart for Xue Fangfei.
Xue Fangfei had an admirable appearance and was known as a talented woman, sharing many years of marital affection with Shen Yurong.
Even though Shen had lingering feelings, Princess Yongning could not tolerate a single thread of his heart not belonging to herself.
For Xue Fangfei, she wanted more than just her life; she aimed to strip her of reputation, dignity—to have her die with nothing, in the most pathetic state imaginable.
Who asked her to occupy what didn’t belong to her?
After all, she was the true winner.
Shen Yurong did not linger long in the Imperial Garden.
After all, the palace was full of eyes and ears, and although Princess Yongning’s people were guarding it, one still had to fear the unexpected.
Not half a year had passed since Xue Fangfei’s death, and if rumors spread of an affair with Princess Yongning, it would be hard to silence the multitude of whisperers.
Princess Yongning reluctantly watched Shen Yurong’s back fade into the distance.
Under the shade of the trees, there was now no one.
Princess Yongning thought that coming to the palace every now and then—ostensibly to speak with Empress Dowager Liu, but actually to catch a glimpse of her beloved—felt terribly difficult.
Even though Xue Fangfei was already dead, she still could not be openly intimate with him every day; it felt as if they were indulging in a secret affair.
Reflecting on this, sadness welled up within her.
“Being together is hard…” she sighed deeply.
Suddenly, she remembered that after tomorrow’s inspection, she would once again enjoy a brief moment of pleasure with Shen Yurong, and a hint of joy coated her eyebrows.
She usually didn’t like these talented women because they reminded her of Xue Fangfei.
Speaking of which, Xue Fangfei’s calligraphy used to be unparalleled in Yanjing.
Her writing was in the dainty zanflower script, whereas Miss Jiang the Second’s characters more resembled a man’s.
Talented women emerge generation after generation.
After all, Xue Fangfei was already dead.
…
In Fangfei Garden, Bai Xue watched Jiang Li practicing her calligraphy and, after pondering for a while, said, “Miss, your writing is truly bold and vigorous.”
“Bold and vigorous” was the most eloquent term Bai Xue could think of.
“Indeed, indeed,” Ming Yue, who was serving tea, came over, glanced over, and laughed, “It’s different from other young ladies’ writing.”
Jiang Li smiled.
When she was Xue Fangfei, she spent the first half of her life in Tongxiang, with calligraphy bold and unrestrained, learning the vigor of Xue Zhao.
But when she later moved to Yanjing, she began to switch to the delicate zanflower script.
Not for any other reason, simply because the ladies of Yanjing City all wrote that way—to not stand out and to more quickly blend into the circle of the elite.
She gave up what she liked, including her own writing habits.
Even Shen Yurong probably thought she excelled in zanflower script.
But times had changed, and although the zanflower script was graceful, being a woman in this world was inherently more difficult than being a man, solely because people were more forgiving towards men and stricter with women.
Since that was the case, relying neither on heaven nor earth, but on herself, was enough.
If she could bear the burden like a man, she could certainly withstand the fickleness of reality.
