CHAPTER 131: CHAPTER 131: WHY ARE YOU COMING TO ME ABOUT STATE AND LIVELIHOOD AFFAIRS?

Pingyang Princess indeed was particularly gracious.

As soon as she heard it was Second Miss Tang’s introduction, and after learning he was a student from Huntian Academy, she immediately instructed her guest to write him a brilliantly eloquent recommendation letter.

"So it wasn’t you who sent him to find me?" Pingyang Princess frowned. How dare he deceive her?

"Not really..." Tang Xiaobai sighed, "I just mentioned it casually... I’m not familiar with him!"

This development was truly unexpected for her.

"Aren’t you both from Huntian Academy?"

"We were, but he was about to leave after less than a month, and he was disrespectful to Mr. Zhang, so our academy expelled him!" Tang Xiaobai explained seriously.

The recommendation was given, as long as he doesn’t get involved with Gongsun Yi in the future, it’s still quite satisfactory.

"I see..." Pingyang Princess murmured to herself, "I even told him to find me next time he’s in the Capital City..."

Tang Xiaobai couldn’t help but glance at her: "The Princess values him so highly?"

Gongsun Yi’s looks were just average. He wasn’t even comparable to Zhao Jing.

Could Pingyang Princess truly appreciate his talent?

"I thought he was your senior brother?" Pingyang Princess justified.

Tang Xiaobai was silent.

Having a good face can also be troubling.

"Otherwise, how could I possibly take a fancy to someone like him?" Pingyang Princess laughed, "With his background, he would need at least half of Ah Xiao’s beauty to catch my eye!"

Tang Xiaobai: ...

Mentioning Ah Xiao, Pingyang Princess’s eyes floated to the beautiful young man at the door. She beamed and waved, "Ah Xiao, come in, it’s been a long time—" Turning to Tang Xiaobai, she said, "Last time I heard he fell off a cliff and got disfigured, which broke my heart. But now, even with a mask, he’s handsome!"

Seeing Ah Xiao remain motionless, she continued with Tang Xiaobai: "Can you let him come in so I can have a good look?"

Tang Xiaobai: "You’re busy with your own matters; I’ll leave first!"

Seeing her nervous appearance, Pingyang Princess found it amusing, giggling as she pulled her back, "It’s rare for you to visit, Xiaobai. Stay for dinner before you go! Let me gaze at Ah Xiao a little longer... I really like this child; how about giving him to me? I’ll trade you a measure of fine pearls?"

Tang Xiaobai said expressionlessly, "Ah Xiao is already freed from his status as a slave; he belongs to my brother now!"

As soon as Pingyang Princess heard Tang Ziqian, she instantly calmed down: "I was just joking..."

Tang Xiaobai was about to bid farewell again when a maid came in, presenting a visit card: "Princess, outside is a scholar from Qingzhou requesting an audience."

"Not seeing anyone!" Pingyang Princess shot the maid an annoyed look, "Can’t you see I’m entertaining Second Miss Tang? I’m not accepting anyone’s card today!"

However, Tang Xiaobai was slightly stirred by the term "scholar from Qingzhou," and she couldn’t help but ask, "What is the name of the scholar from Qingzhou?"

The maid didn’t pay much attention, and after flipping through the card, she answered, "His name is Lv Xia!"

"Lv Xia?" Tang Xiaobai was startled, "The ’Xia’ as in ’flawless white jade’?"

The maid replied, "Yes."

"Does Xiaobai know this Lv Xia?" Pingyang Princess asked.

Tang Xiaobai nodded: "He’s Prime Minister Zheng’s junior disciple."

Previously, it was rumored that Lv Xia might have been persecuted by Prime Minister Zheng Shidao in the Capital City and then supposedly left for Qingzhou soon after.

Why has he returned? When did he return?

"Prime Minister Zheng’s junior disciple?" Pingyang Princess was also surprised, "He should be quite old, shouldn’t he?"

Tang Xiaobai gave her a speechless look and said, "Not too old, probably in his twenties."

Pingyang Princess "oh-ed" and then said, "What’s Prime Minister Zheng’s junior disciple looking for me for? With a few words, Prime Minister Zheng can directly arrange an official post for him."

Indeed, what does Lv Xia want with Pingyang Princess?

Whether out of curiosity about Lv Xia’s intentions or due to Tang Xiaobai’s influence, Pingyang Princess instructed to let Lv Xia in.

Seeing Lv Xia, Tang Xiaobai was utterly shocked.

Last time she saw Lv Xia, he was a fair and elegant scholar.

Half a year later, he was much thinner, with his cheekbones protruding.

Not only was he thin, but he also appeared to be in a terrible state, with a pale complexion, dark circles under his eyes glowing, and two pimples on his forehead, as if he hadn’t slept well for a long time.

Pingyang Princess, upon seeing Lv Xia, frowned and expressed a disdainful look, even glancing at her maid reproachfully.

But Lv Xia didn’t look at Pingyang Princess’s expression.

He didn’t look at anyone.

He reached the entrance, took a few quick steps, and knelt with a "thud" sound, his elevated voice trembling: "This student has a matter of national and people’s importance, I beseech the Princess’s assistance to convey it to the Heavenly Court!"

Pingyang Princess was taken aback: "A matter of national and people’s importance, why not go to Prime Minister Zheng instead of me?"

Facing her, Lv Xia knocked his head three times, "Princess serves the Way with your body, I hope you’ll have compassion for the people!"

Pingyang Princess helplessly looked at Tang Xiaobai, as she was not good at this!

Tang Xiaobai was equally helpless.

She was still just a child and not adept either!

Decisively standing, she excused herself: "The Princess has important matters; I won’t disturb any further, and my brother might come looking later!" The final sentence successfully coaxed Pingyang Princess’s outstretched hand back.

However, just as she stood up, another maid reported: "Mr. Tang, the eldest son from Duke Yan Mansion seeks an audience!"

Pingyang Princess, feeling greatly relieved, quickly said, "Invite him in right away!" She practically rushed out to greet him.

Tang Xiaobai was about to follow out when she suddenly noticed Lv Xia straighten up and turn to look back, his expression complex and unspeakable...

...

When Pingyang Princess welcomed Tang Ziqian inside, she was rather like a little bird leaning beside Tang Ziqian, chattering about what had just happened: "...Prime Minister Zheng’s junior disciple...matters of national and people’s interest, why is he looking for me? I’m not serving as a Taoist to pity the people—"

"The Princess entered the path out of filial piety for the late Emperor." To prevent her from speaking more harsh truths, Tang Ziqian interrupted her.

"Yes! Yes!" Pingyang Princess immediately nodded in agreement, "So what do you think we should do about this?"

Tang Ziqian stopped at the doorway, looked at Lv Xia who had stood up inside, and with a slight smile said, "What urgent matters do you have? Why not first speak to the Princess and let her listen."

Tang Xiaobai and Pingyang Princess went out to meet Tang Ziqian, leaving only Lv Xia inside the hall.

The Princess’s temple, grand and beautiful, seemed lonely and desolate as Lv Xia stood alone with his figure shadowed, robes hanging empty on him.

He silently watched Tang Ziqian for a moment, then knelt again, his eyes looking at the floor, speaking heavily, "Taiyi has moved east, a great drought in Hedong —"

...

The Princess’s carriage swiftly departed, carrying Pingyang Princess and Lv Xia away.

Tang Xiaobai stood at the entrance of Pingyang Temple, momentarily lost in thought.

"Let’s go!" Tang Ziqian said, withdrawing his gaze.

Tang Xiaobai obediently nodded, and taking his arm, got into the carriage.

As Tang Ziqian was about to withdraw his arm, she unexpectedly grabbed it backwards.

"Brother—" The little girl slightly furrowed her brows, looking at him with deep eyes, "Did Lv Xia really go back to Qingzhou earlier?"

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The mixed doubles ping pong lost to Japan, sob sob sob, I was so sad I almost couldn’t write this Chapter...