CHAPTER 68: CHAPTER 68: GENTLE AS JADE

A slight struggle, and the young girl’s silky hair brushed past his handsome face, accompanied by a faint lotus fragrance.

The lotus, born at the top of its stalk, comes in single, multi-petal, layered, and tiered forms. It is an aquatic plant, preferring shallow waters such as marshes, lakes, and ponds. Its colors range from white, pink, deep red, to pale purple.

Blooming in season, it can be admired or used in medicine.

As recorded in "Love Lotus": "I only love the lotus that emerges unstained from mud, washing itself clean without being seductive."

Pei Wanmu was momentarily dazed, but quickly regained his composure. The lotus fragrance from this young girl seemed quite pleasing.

Seeing him struggling, Qinglian hurriedly helped, fearing he might fall.

After a few rounds, he was finally helped onto a round wooden stool to sit properly.

Noticing the refined young man’s slightly parched lips, she quickly ran to the round wooden table, picked up the teapot and teacup, and poured him some water.

"Young Master, please drink some water."

The young girl’s soft voice called out, making it hard for the man to refuse. His mouth was indeed a bit dry, so he took the cup, "Thank you."

He was blessed with a handsome beard and phoenix-like eyes, his voice gentle, like a breeze passing by, very pleasing to the ears.

This made Qinglian, who seldom interacted with men, a bit uneasy. After a simple "Mm," she shyly retreated to one side.

In the harem, apart from palace maids and eunuchs, occasionally patrolling guards would pass by. The place was heavily guarded, making it hard to casually enter or leave, let alone meet strangers. Many women in the harem lived their whole lives without seeing the Emperor, dying within the majestic confines of the Imperial Palace.

Once you enter the palace gates, it feels as deep as the sea.

For families to have daughters chosen as palace women was often considered the greatest honor, one that brought glory to their kin. Yet, they failed to understand that such "honor" locked a woman’s life within red walls.

No matter what, they couldn’t surpass that red wall.

Qinglian seemed to remember why she came. Her heart rippling as she spoke, "This young master, do you know the way to the examination hall?"

Judging by the young girl’s attire, it was clear she was a new student, presumably lost while looking for the examination hall.

However, the Qingqiu Courtyard was to the southwest, while the examination hall was in the opposite southeast direction. How did she get so lost...?

Pei Wanmu patiently explained the route in detail, "You’re going in the opposite direction. From here at the courtyard entrance, go left to the end, turn a corner, and head southeast to find the examination hall. There are several halls by the back mountain with many people around. Ask any student, and you’ll be directed."

Speaking clearly, Yu Wushuang.

Enchanted by his beauty, the Little Princess remained slightly dazed even after he finished speaking.

This person was indeed exceedingly good-looking. She finally managed a distracted, "Okay."

From a young age, he knew of his good looks. In the past, if someone stared at Pei Wanmu this way, he would likely be annoyed. Now, being gazed at by a fairy-like young girl, he felt an indescribable sense of superiority.

Unconsciously, he touched his own face.

Li Qinglian suddenly realized her rudeness, thanked him quickly, and hurriedly left the courtyard, not forgetting to close the gate for him.

As for the directions she just asked, she hadn’t heard them clearly, only noting two words: "opposite". Heading in the opposite direction should be correct, shouldn’t it...?

Indeed, beauty can be misleading.

Wandering until reaching the back mountain, she encountered bustling crowds, people coming and going.

The male students of the Imperial College wore bamboo green uniforms, while the female uniforms were pale pink.

Teachers wore what they liked, as long as it wasn’t outrageous. However, for the recent entrance exams, they switched to the distinctive navy blue robes with a floral pattern from the upper academy for easy identification by students.