Rouge Guardian, Hailing practices Golden Flower Ten-Point Strategy in a clearing in the bamboo forest.
Although Agu led the people from the Crown Prince's residence to protect Hailing from the shadows, they dared not get too close. Unless something dangerous happened, they would basically not show themselves.
After practicing for an hour and having breakfast, it was already getting late.
Han Liang from the General's Mansion led his men over to report: "The Vice Minister of Rites requests an audience."
Du Caiyue and Yanzhi were both astonished, wondering what the Vice Minister of Rites had come for. Could it be that the date for the Crown Prince and Crown Princess's wedding had already been chosen, which was why the Vice Minister of Rites had come?
Hai Ling remained calm and waved her hand, instructing Han Liang to invite the person in.
The Vice Minister of Rites led two subordinate officials into the main hall of Qinfang Courtyard, first paying his respects to Hailing, and then speaking respectfully.
"I have been ordered by His Majesty to select an auspicious day for the Crown Prince and His Highness the Crown Princess's wedding. It will be the sixteenth of next month. I have come to report to His Highness the Crown Princess."
He originally came to inform General Jiang, but General Jiang was not in the mansion, whether intentionally or unintentionally, so he could only come to report to the Crown Princess.
"The sixteenth of next month?"
Inside the room, several people's expressions changed. It was July 15th, and there was still a month until next month. Was it possible to prepare for the wedding in such a rush? Du Caiyue and Yanzhi, however, were thinking about something else entirely. Hailing didn't want to marry, but the wedding was imminent. What could they do? Would she really marry into the Crown Prince's household?
Du Caiyue and Yanzhi looked at Hailing and found that her expression had not changed and her eyes were bright and alert, and they wondered what she was thinking.
"Okay, I understand."
Hai Ling nodded to indicate that she understood, then looked at Han Liang to the side: "Did you hear, Steward Han, that the wedding is next month?"
"This servant has heard you. This servant will immediately report to the General and the First Madam, and begin preparing for the young lady's wedding."
Hailin remained silent, her eyes deep and unfathomable.
Actually, there's still a month until the wedding. Who knows what might happen in that month? What if the emperor dies before the month is up? I heard he's very ill. If he dies, the crown prince will have to observe three years of mourning, and he might not want to marry her then. Wouldn't that mean she wouldn't have to marry into the crown prince's household? Besides, she's been working hard this past month to make the crown prince dislike her—no, to dislike her even more. The crown prince probably already dislikes her a lot. If anything else happens, the crown prince might angrily break off the engagement.
Thinking of this, Hai Ling smiled, a smile that was subtle and hard to decipher.
Du Caiyue and Yanzhi were both sweating slightly. Their young lady's smile was a little unsettling, but in front of officials such as the Vice Minister of Rites, they naturally couldn't ask her what her plans were.
After Han Liang finished speaking, the Vice Minister of Rites politely replied, "Actually, Her Majesty the Empress has already ordered the Ministry of Rites to handle all matters concerning the Crown Princess, so the General's Mansion does not need to be extravagant. Just prepare some simple things for the Crown Princess."
"yes."
Han Liang nodded, indicating that he understood, but he was unsure of what the general and the first wife would do. He hadn't expected the Crown Prince and Crown Princess to get married so soon, with the wedding date in a month.
So, did the young lady's wish to marry the crown prince really fail?
The Vice Minister of Rites ignored Han Liang and looked at Hai Ling at the head of the table. He then said, "In addition, tomorrow a carriage sent by the Ministry of Rites will escort the Crown Princess to the Banana Garden Study."
"Jiaoyuan Bookstore?"
Inside the main hall of Qinfang Courtyard, several voices rang out in unison.
They knew Jiaoyuan Academy well; it was the only girls' academy in the Great Zhou Dynasty. It was a private school established by the founding emperor of the Great Zhou for his beloved eldest princess. There were aunts from the six palace bureaus who taught etiquette, clothing, and diet, as well as people from the Medical Women Bureau who taught medicine. Later, because there were too few princesses in the royal family, the academy became very deserted. So the emperor granted a special pardon to allow the daughters of high-ranking officials to apply for admission and accompany the princess in her studies. In recent years, many daughters of prominent families in the capital's high society have entered Jiaoyuan Academy to study women's virtues, needlework, and even medicine and clothing.
Unexpectedly, the Empress has now allowed Hailing to study at the Banana Garden Academy. I wonder if this is a favor or a nuisance?
This Banana Garden Academy is full of women from high society. Now that she has become the Crown Princess, she has probably become a thorn in everyone's side. If she were to enroll, one can imagine what kind of treatment she would receive. Even Jiang Feixue would cause her trouble.
A dark emotion slowly crept onto Hai Ling's face. The Vice Minister of Rites, who was standing below her, had been waiting for the Crown Princess's words for a long time. He hurriedly looked up and saw that Hai Ling's expression was somewhat unpleasant. He quickly began to report...
Chapter 35 The Young Lady's Pain
The Vice Minister of Rites spoke.
"Because time is too short, when Your Highness enters the Banana Garden Study tomorrow, the Six Bureaus of the Palace will send people to give you full guidance on palace etiquette. Your Highness, please rest assured."
"Okay, I understand."
Hai Ling nodded. The matter was settled; she had no choice but to go, whether she wanted to or not.
The Vice Minister of Rites and the others breathed a sigh of relief, said their respects, and left.
Han Liang, the steward of the general's mansion, also quickly led his men to take their leave, and finally only the women remained in the room.
As soon as everyone left, Du Caiyue and Yanzhi rushed to Hailing's side and surrounded her, saying, "Ling'er, are you really going to the Banana Garden Study tomorrow?"
"Yes, I heard that the eldest and second young ladies are there. They'll definitely cause you trouble."
Rouge's face was full of anxiety. Just thinking that the eldest and second young ladies were in that bookstore made her worried about her young lady. Although she knew that her young lady would not suffer any losses, there were two highly skilled martial artists with the eldest young lady by her side, Hei Sha and Bai Sha. In addition, with the eldest young lady's scheming, it was hard to guarantee that her young lady would not suffer a loss or fall into her trap.
"Don't worry, there's no use worrying now. I'll be more careful."
Hai Ling smiled. She was the kind of person who was fearless once she made up her mind. So what if it was Jiang Feixue or Jiang Feiyu? She would deal with them.
"Ling'er".
"Miss."
Although Du Caiyue and Yanzhi were still worried after hearing Hailing's words, they were somewhat relieved. Du Caiyue instructed Yanzhi, who was standing next to her, "Tomorrow, when you accompany Miss to the Banana Garden Book Pavilion, you must be extremely careful."
"Don't worry, Madam, I will be careful and won't let anyone frame you."
"Um."
In the main hall, Du Caiyue and Hailing stopped dwelling on the matter and chatted affectionately about other things. Hailing had gone to bed late last night and woke up early today, so she went back to her room to rest.
Inside the General's Mansion, news of the Crown Prince and Crown Princess's wedding, which was to take place in a month, spread to every corner of the mansion.
From the Meiya Pavilion where the young lady lived, a series of cracking and popping sounds came from, accompanied by a low growl of pain.