Hibiscus as a Painting

Chapter 13

Zi Jin looked up at Yu Luo for a while before revealing a look of sudden realization.

Yu Luo gave a helpless, bitter smile: "I knew you'd already forgotten about this."

Zi Jin chuckled foolishly, then quickly shut her mouth because of the injury on her face.

"If you see the Crown Prince tomorrow, you must be extremely careful. He is of noble birth, how could you bite him? You... what can I say about you?"

Zi Jin wanted to laugh foolishly, but she was afraid of the pain, so she could only show a helpless and pitiful look.

Yu Luo burst out laughing when she saw the comical expression on Zi Jin's face, which resembled a steamed bun.

Zi Jin saw Yu Luo laugh and her heart, which had been hanging in suspense for so long, finally settled down. She thought to herself, "At least she's not angry anymore."

"You must never do that again. Even if you are wronged, you can't confront him head-on. Do you have to seek revenge in a fair and square way just because you've been wronged?"

Zi Jin pondered those words carefully, then nodded excitedly.

If one cannot act openly and honestly, it means that one can use unorthodox methods, and the medicine one makes will finally have a place to go.

Zi Jin was so excited that she grabbed the fish and gave it a big "kiss".

Yu Luo laughed and scolded, "You're never serious!"

Yu Luo was surprised and uncomfortable with Zi Jin's way of expressing herself, but now she has gotten used to it.

Just then, Xi Bao walked in with tea. Seeing the scene, she blushed slightly, looking awkward and unsure whether to go in or back out, which made Zi Jin laugh out loud.

Xi Bao still can't get used to Zi Jin taking advantage of Yu Luo when she's in a good mood. What confuses him even more is that Yu Luo doesn't seem angry at all.

Could it be that Yu Luo has fallen for her master? Putting aside the fact that Yu Luo is already sixteen years old, four years older than her master, her ethereal beauty is indeed a bit mismatched with her master. Of course, he's not saying her master isn't good-looking, but he can't exactly be called handsome either.

The goddess was reincarnated to be the common people. After several lifetimes of seeking love and facing calamity, she was born when she and her lover were childhood sweethearts. (Part 4)

It was during their innocent childhood (Part 4) The next day, Zi Jin, whose injuries had not yet healed, felt a strange aura as soon as she entered the study.

Jun Lin wore a sly smile of triumph ever since Zi Jin entered the room.

Zi Jin was unsure of herself, so she hurriedly checked her desk, chairs, books, and other belongings, but they were all in perfect condition. Only then did she feel at ease and sit down to rest with her eyes closed.

Just as Zi Jin was about to drift off to sleep, she felt a gust of cold wind. Zi Jin opened her eyes warily and saw the old Grand Tutor Zhou's ashen face, his eyes bloodshot, and his snow-white beard flying up as he panted heavily.

As Zhou Taifu calmed his anger, he threw a piece of paper in front of Zi Jin, who nearly fainted upon seeing it.

The paper contained only a short passage: "The shame of being struck by a ruler remains unavenged. The hatred in my heart, when will it be extinguished? I will ride the Grand Tutor, shattering the mountains of the Moon Kingdom. With lofty ambition, I will feast on the Grand Tutor's flesh when hungry, and laughingly drink his blood when thirsty. I will wait to start anew, to punish the old Grand Tutor, and face the imperial palace."

Zi Jin trembled violently. She had clearly crumpled up and thrown away this piece of paper yesterday, so how did it end up in the hands of that old man?

Jun Lin's sinister smile made Zi Jin realize one thing: she had thoroughly offended this despicable, shameless, and vile scoundrel, the Pig-Headed Crown Prince!

Grand Tutor Zhou, trembling, pointed at Zi Jin with the ruler, trying to calm his anger, but he was still too angry to speak.

Zi Jin hung her head, then very slowly extended the hand that had suffered greatly yesterday. In her heart, she comforted that hand: "Whether I'm writing or holding a book, I haven't needed you at all. You suffered a bit yesterday, but sacrificing one is better than sacrificing both. I had no choice; I couldn't possibly lose both my hands, could I?"

After lamenting, Zi Jin glared hatefully at Jun Lin's face, which was flushed from suppressing laughter, and said to the hand again: "Go in peace! I will definitely avenge you!"

Old Master Zhou gritted his teeth and struck Zi Jin's swollen hand with all his might.

Zi Jin grimaced in pain; her face, which had become less swollen, looked even more grotesque from the contortion. Jun Lin's shoulders trembled; he wished he could burst out laughing.

The second prince looked at Zi Jin with slight worry, while the third prince stared timidly at the ruler.

Although Grand Tutor Zhou was furious, he only hit Zi Jin ten times before stopping.

Although Zi Jin's writing was disrespectful to him, the choice of words alone showed that she still attended classes. Although he was furious, he did not want to cripple Zi Jin's hand, so he stopped.

Seeing that Grand Tutor Zhou looked furious, Jun Lin thought to himself that Zi Jin was guilty this time. However, Grand Tutor Zhou only knocked ten times before stopping, which made Jun Lin quite dissatisfied.

"Tomorrow is the Mid-Autumn Festival. I didn't want to make things difficult for you all today, but some of you have disappointed me. You will all write an essay on 'On Rulers and Ministers' within three days. There's no need for class today, so you may all leave." After saying this, Grand Tutor Zhou left the study.

Zi Jin was dumbfounded when she heard "On the Ruler and His Minister". She thought to herself: "Uncle Grand Tutor, I haven't been to elementary school for many years. Can you please stop assigning homework?"

Zi Jin turned around and saw Jun Lin leaving triumphantly with his study companion. She thought to herself: I would not be a gentleman if I did not avenge this!

After everyone had left, Jun'an walked up to Zi Jin and asked, "Is your hand alright?"

Zi Jin gave a helpless look.

Jun An picked up Zi Jin's injured hand, a hint of heartache flashing in his eyes: "Little brother, come with me back to Mother's place, I'll apply medicine for you."

Zi Jin shook her head with her right hand: No need.

Without a word, Jun'an grabbed Zi Jin and headed towards the inner palace. Seeing her mistress being pulled out by the Second Prince, Xi Bao quickly followed.

Dragged along by Jun An, Zi Jin still pondered: she had been living in the palace for three months, and aside from exchanging greetings, she hadn't had much interaction with the Second Prince. But Jun An's inexplicable overtures these past few days had left her quite puzzled. What could it be? She would definitely have to ask Yu Luo when she got back.

Consort Li, standing gracefully in the South Garden, gazed at the two people before her.

"Jun'an, pay your respects to your mother."

Zi Jin respectfully performed the palace salute before daring to raise her head.

Consort Li was elegant and dignified, with boundless charm between her brows and gentle, watery eyes.

"An'er, is the general's only son by your side?" Consort Li smiled at Zi Jin, a smile that made Zi Jin quite uncomfortable.

"Indeed, my younger brother was naughty today and was punished by the Grand Tutor. I brought him here to Mother for treatment."