In the end, not only these young ladies, but also the head nun of Jiaoyuan Bookstore and others dispersed.
Inside the examination hall, only Princess Chang Le and her maids Hai Ling and Yan Zhi remained, followed by Ye Xiuya and Jiang Feixue.
Both Ye Xiuying and Jiang Feixue's personal maids left, not daring to stay.
Ye Xiuying raised her head, stared at Hailing with hatred, and then gritted her teeth and let out a dog-like bark.
"Woof, woof!"
Jiang Feixue followed closely behind her and called out twice indistinctly.
Outside the examination hall, the young ladies from prominent families hadn't actually gone far. The shouts inside could still be easily heard. Everyone tried to suppress their laughter, but they couldn't help but burst into laughter.
It's hilarious that Ye Xiuying and Jiang Feixue, who are usually so proud and arrogant, are actually barking like dogs.
As everyone laughed and chatted, two beautiful figures rushed out of the gate, crying as they ran straight out of the Banana Garden Study.
The servants of the Ye family and the Jiang family quickly chased after them and escorted their masters back.
Inside the assessment hall, Princess Chang Le, Feng Qian, walked to Hai Ling's side, glanced at the empty hall, and, remembering Ye Xiuya and Jiang Feixue's hatred, couldn't help but worry and remind Hai Ling: "Be careful, Ye Xiuya and Jiang Feixue probably won't let you off the hook."
"Thank you for your concern, Feng Qian. Do you think they will let me go if I don't provoke them?"
Hai Ling chuckled self-deprecatingly. In truth, she didn't want to provoke anyone, but ever since the royal family designated her as a pawn, she had been caught in a vicious cycle. Even if she endured it, these people would only bully her more and never let her go.
Since that's the case, she might as well live more openly and let these people know that she, Jiang Hailing, is not so easy to bully.
If the Crown Prince could annul the engagement, she would take her mother and Rouge away from all this trouble and find a secluded paradise to settle down and live a leisurely life.
Feng Qian listened to Hai Ling's words and said nothing more, but she remembered something else and stared at Hai Ling's face.
"You don't want to marry my elder brother, the Crown Prince, do you?"
Based on a woman's intuition, she felt that Hailing didn't want to marry her elder brother, the Crown Prince, especially considering the final scene, which was clearly intentional, designed to anger him.
In fact, my elder brother has always been wise and shrewd, but he just can't see things clearly here.
Because he had enjoyed the most prestigious things since childhood as the crown prince, and was also very well-off, he always thought that everyone in the world should fawn over him. He didn't believe that anyone disliked or admired him. So if Hai Ling told him all of this, it would probably be seen as a ploy to get him, and he wouldn't believe it.
Feng Qian sighed. She truly hoped that her brother would marry Hai Ling, because with her intelligence, she could definitely lend him a helping hand.
However, it seems that everything is beyond her control, so she should just let things take their natural course.
Once Feng Qian understood, she stopped dwelling on the matter.
Hai Ling neither nodded nor shook her head, changing the subject: "It's getting late, shouldn't Feng Qian return to the palace?"
Princess Chang Le glanced at the sky outside. It was indeed getting late, and she should go back. After thinking for a moment, she reminded Hai Ling with concern, "Be careful. If anything happens, send someone to the palace to find me. I will definitely help you."
Thank you, Feng Qian.
Hai Ling was happy to be friends with Feng Qian. Although the royal family had orchestrated this whole affair, what did it have to do with the princess?
Chang Le led the palace maid away, but after a few steps she remembered something important: "By the way, Hai Ling, the tune you played was really amazing. Could you give me a copy of the sheet music?"
"Okay, I'll copy it for you later."
Hailing nodded and watched Princess Chang Le leave. Only after the princess left did she remember something.
The Jade Flute hasn't been given to Prime Minister Xi Lingfeng yet. If he hadn't brought out the Jade Flute today, she probably wouldn't have been able to defeat Ye Xiuying and Jiang Feixue at all.
Actually, she didn't want to target Ye Xiuying and Jiang Feixue, but even if she backed down, those two women wouldn't let her go, so she might as well live more freely and unrestrainedly.
Hai Ling thought to herself, scanning the empty hall. There was no one there. Where was Prime Minister Xi Lingfeng? It seemed she would have to send someone over later.
Rouge walked over from a short distance away, her beautiful face filled with worry.
"Miss, I'm afraid the eldest young lady won't let you off the hook."
"Do you think she would have let me go if this hadn't happened today?"
Hailing countered with a question, and Yanzhi's expression darkened. Indeed, even without today's events, Miss was still a thorn in the side of the eldest young lady, so they had to be careful in dealing with her from now on.
"Let's go, it's time to head back."
“Yes, Miss,” Rouge reached out to help Hailing. In the open space outside the door, most of the people had already left, leaving only the headmistress of Jiaoyuan Academy and her servants. As soon as they saw Hailing come out, they respectfully said, “Greetings, Your Highness the Crown Princess.”
"Okay, I'll come back to study tomorrow."
After what happened today, she's no longer in the mood to learn etiquette.
Aunt Qingyun and the other head nuns of Jiaoyuan Academy knew that the woman before them was no ordinary woman; after today, she would be the most talented woman in the Great Zhou Dynasty.
"Yes, Your Highness the Crown Princess."
Aunt Qingyun led a group of people to personally see Hailing off from the Banana Garden Study.
The Ministry of Rites' carriage was still there. Hailing led Yanzhi into the carriage, with the Crown Prince's guards, including Agu, protecting them closely behind. They returned to the Jiang residence.
On a quiet street, the rhythmic sound of horses' hooves swept by like a powerful wave.
Suddenly, a delicate voice rang out: "Stop!"
The galloping horses were suddenly brought to a halt by the reins, their hooves dangling in the air before falling to the ground in unison.
Soft sobs, filled with pain and sorrow, could be heard from inside the luxurious carriage.
The expressions of everyone outside the carriage changed, but no one uttered a word.