Wushuang angrily retorted in her heart, but she was afraid that if she shouted it out loud, she would anger Chu Yao. Without her attentive "servant" to take care of her, the meal would definitely not be so comfortable.
She had no choice but to pretend to be ignorant and said coyly, "I won't marry anyone, I won't marry anyone, I'll stay with my parents and sister for the rest of my life."
As Wushuang spoke, she grabbed Chu Yao's collar and rubbed her face against his chest, crying out, "Whoever marries Shuangshuang and takes her away from her parents is a bad person! A bad person!"
She was just throwing a tantrum, and the older folks, including Chu Yao, Chu Ye, Yang Tianen, and Yang Tianhao, didn't take it seriously. They weren't worried at all, and even watched with smiles.
Unexpectedly, Yang Tiange, who was also a child, became serious. In just a few days, he was scolded as a bad person by Chu Wan and Wushuang respectively. The pain of being misunderstood was unspeakable, and even his handsome face turned ashen.
Chu Yao had no time to care about Yang Tiange. He just patted and coaxed the sulking Xiao Wushuang, saying, "Don't be afraid. Anyone who wants to marry Shuangshuang will have to ask me first. If Shuangshuang doesn't want to, I will never agree to it."
Logically speaking, it's none of his business who Wushuang marries, and it's not up to him to agree or disagree. But everyone understands that these are just words to appease a child, and no one takes them to heart.
Wushuang seemed to have found a backer, and raised her little face seriously, saying, "I'll keep my word, pinky promise."
Chu Yao smiled and hooked his little finger with hers.
No one but him can marry her.
Table of Contents 45 | 44 | 43 | 42 | 5
Chapter 45:
After the initial commotion, everyone finally settled down and took their seats. (Seeking Books Website: http://www.qiushu.cc/)
The dishes, with their beautiful colors, aromas, and flavors, were served in order.
Yang Tianen treated his cousin with great hospitality and lavishness, serving her a variety of famous dishes such as West Lake Vinegar Fish, Beggar's Chicken, Longjing Shrimp, Dongpo Pork, and Honey-Glazed Ham. The meal was so delicious that everyone practically swallowed their tongues.
Of everyone at the table, Wushuang was undoubtedly the one who ate most comfortably. She opened her tiny mouth like a fledgling bird, and delicious food rained down from the sky, effortlessly. Even an emperor couldn't compare to her beauty.
As for the one who worked the hardest, it was of course Chu Yao. He was busy being commanded by Wushuang and probably didn't even have time to eat a few bites of delicious food. However, the dignified prince was not displeased at all because of this. On the contrary, he was all smiles and had a gentle expression, which was truly admirable.
Chu Ye was also very attentive to Wu Xia, and personally prepared dishes for her many times.
Yang Tianen saw everything.
Wushuang is still young, and most likely she just gets along particularly well with Chu Yao.
As for Chu Ye... his ill intentions towards his cousin are not something that can be achieved with just a few sweet words.
After everyone had eaten and drunk their fill, the dishes were cleared away and replaced with fruit platters and fresh pre-Qingming Longjing tea. The conversation naturally turned to the children's examination next month.
"Father said that although the imperial examinations for children are usually presided over by local officials, it is rare for him to come, and the timing is just right, so he can set the questions." Chu Xu was devoted to his elder brother and disliked the Yang brothers. After learning that Yang Tianxing would be participating in the imperial examinations, he brought up the matter, "If you need anything, Third Brother Yang, I can help you find out the questions."
Even if Yang Tianxing had never intended to cheat, he would never admit it in front of the question setter's son.
He quickly replied, "This is my first time taking the exam this year. My goal is to gain experience. Whether I pass or not is secondary."
Yang Tianhao added to his brother's story: "Yes, he's still young. The youngest person in Hangzhou Prefecture to have passed the preliminary examinations was at least twelve years old."
Yang Tianen waved his folding fan and said leisurely, "Speaking of which, this talented young man is quite worldly. He set up a stall selling calligraphy and paintings on the east side of the main gate of Lou Wai Lou today. I wonder if Your Highnesses noticed it when you came in just now?"
Chu Ye thought back and seemed to recall seeing such a stall before, so he nodded.
Chu Xu asked, puzzled, "Since he is already a scholar with official rank, why does he still need to set up a stall and do business? Aren't scholars supposed to value integrity and despise money?"
Yang Tianen laughed and said, "Seventh Prince, you live in the palace and have no worries about food and clothing. You are unaware that although the words 'moral integrity' are important, they must be ranked after the words 'belly'."
"Belly?" Chu Xu looked down and touched his bulging belly, puzzled. "What do you mean?"
Chu Ye had already figured it out and asked, "Is this young man from a poor family?"
Seeing that Yang Tianhao was the first to nod in agreement, he pressed further, "What is his name?"
Yang Tianen replied, “His surname is Lin, and his given name is Ruqing. He lost both his parents at a young age and lived with his elderly grandmother. While other scholars were indifferent to worldly affairs and focused solely on studying the classics, he had already learned to earn money to support his family when he was just a few years old.”
When Chu Yao heard the name "Lin Ruqing", his face darkened and he looked down at Wushuang in his arms.
Wushuang, having eaten her fill, was yawning with her little belly sticking out. She had previously heard that the person selling calligraphy and paintings at the stall was Lin Ruqing, so she didn't react much at this moment. When she noticed Chu Yao looking at her, she gave him a sweet smile and said, "I want loquats."
Chu Yao poked her bulging belly, not saying a word, but clearly conveying the meaning of "Can you still eat like this?"
Only after teasing Wushuang until she pouted and got angry did he leisurely grab a handful of loquats from the fruit plate, carefully peel and pit them, and feed them to her.
Meanwhile, Chu Ye was already exclaiming carefree, "Truly, a noble son can emerge from a humble family."
Chu Xu, whose mind worked faster than his brother's, asked, "Since he is so talented and the youngest scholar in your area, why doesn't anyone sponsor him?"
It's not a big deal for powerful families to keep dozens or even hundreds of retainers, let alone a minor scholar.
Upon hearing this, Wushuang pricked up her little ears, waiting for the answer.
Lin Ruqing was able to study at Xishan Academy in Shangjing either because he suddenly became rich or because he received financial assistance from others.
She and Lin Ruqing were complete strangers. His baseless accusations against her and his lies might be orchestrated by someone else, and the person who funded him could very well be the mastermind.
However, Wushuang rarely went out in her previous life and had no enemies. She had no clue who was secretly harming her. She could only wait for her older cousin to tell her more about Lin Ruqing so that she could make a judgment and take precautions to avoid being harmed again in this life.
"Although Lin Ruqing was forced by life to abandon the pride of a scholar and start a business on the street, he was very principled and always relied on his own efforts, never accepting help from anyone," Yang Tianen said, frowning. "He studied at Heshan Academy with my brother and me. There were many children from wealthy families in the academy, and Lin Ruqing, being talented, inevitably attracted the attention of some people who wanted to win him over. Of course, there were also people who genuinely wanted to help him without expecting anything in return. However, regardless of whether they had ulterior motives or not, he refused them all. Even after passing the imperial examination and setting up a calligraphy and painting stall, he refused to accept purchases from his classmates or their families, always selling only to strangers."
Wu Shuang thought to herself: Is Lin Ruqing stupid? He's just a lowly scholar, not some great calligrapher, and frankly, completely unknown. Under these circumstances, those willing to buy his paintings and calligraphy are mostly acquaintances. If you really think about it, any family in Hangzhou with the spare money and leisure to buy unknown paintings and calligraphy would surely have one or two children studying at Heshan Academy. With the rule forbidding classmates and their families from buying his work, how many people will still buy his paintings and calligraphy? He's so clueless and inflexible; it's a miracle he hasn't starved to death.
Ultimately, Lin Ruqing was the culprit who killed her in her past life. It's truly frustrating to die because of such a blockhead.
Wushuang became increasingly agitated, and unconsciously grabbed a jade pendant at Chu Yao's waist to vent her anger.
Whether she used too much force or the silk ribbon holding the jade pendant was too weak, after pulling it once or twice, the ribbon broke on the third pull.