CHAPTER 153: CHAPTER 153: WAS SHE READING A PIRATED COPY?

March 3rd, Shangsi Festival.

The light spring rain ends, it’s the time for apricot blossoms to bloom during the imperial examination season.

The Ministry of Personnel’s triennial exam results were announced yesterday, and today was the day for the new scholars to parade through the streets wearing red sashes and colorful decorations.

The new scholars would be leaving the Imperial City from the Vermilion Bird Gate, wearing brocade robes and riding imperial horses, galloping with joy and admiring all the flowers of Chang’an in a day.

Tang Xiaobai rarely woke up early and crowded at the side of the Vermilion Bird Street along with the people of the Capital City to watch.

She was eagerly waiting to see the top scholar when suddenly she heard someone call out to her from beside her, "Second Miss Tang."

This low, soft, slightly husky, and sensual voice was too distinctive. Tang Xiaobai immediately tensed up and looked over, only to see the female protagonist Ye Qingrong smiling at her from amidst the crowd.

When well-bred ladies go out, they typically ride in carriages.

Even if it meant squeezing in with the crowd to see the top scholar, Tang Xiaobai was still in her own carriage, surrounded by a dozen sturdy attendants.

But Ye Qingrong was not.

She disguised herself as a man, genuinely squeezing in with the crowd.

In white clothes that outshined the snow, she was like a jade-like young man.

Her peach blossom eyes were full of smiles, exuding a charm that transcended gender.

If this were a real young man, Tang Xiaobai might have been infatuated and invited him over for a chat, but since it was Ye Qingrong—

Tang Xiaobai recalled the confrontation from two days ago and turned her gaze away with a blank expression.

Maintaining Duke Yan Mansion’s aloofness and not disrupting the female lead’s solo beauty was better.

"Among this cohort of scholars, is there anyone Second Miss is acquainted with?" Ye Qingrong’s voice drifted over again.

This greeting was quite obvious.

Tang Xiaobai glanced at her in surprise, hesitated for a moment, and asked, "Would Miss Ye like to get on the carriage to see together?" She hadn’t yet developed the courage to refuse the female lead’s show of goodwill.

Li Mu’s expression chilled at her words.

The carriage could only seat two, and if Ye Qingrong came, what would he do?

When he saw that the androgynous individual was being brought over by servants, Li Mu blocked Ye Qingrong two steps away with his sword sheath.

"Stand there, don’t come any closer," Li Mu said coldly, his expression like ice.

Tang Xiaobai suddenly realized something.

Ye Qingrong was skilled in martial arts!

The Little Ancestor was indeed thoughtful; it was sensible to keep a distance when the situation was unclear!

Clearing her throat, she said with a serious tone, "I forgot earlier, my family did indeed instruct me not to let outsiders on the carriage. I ask for Miss Ye’s understanding."

Ye Qingrong stood still without concern, glanced at Li Mu, and asked with a smile, "And is this little brother also a servant of the mansion?"

"He’s not," Tang Xiaobai replied. "He is—" She hesitated, "my brother’s attendant."

The attendant named Tang Ziqian seemed to have been following her all the time?

Attending school was one thing, but today, coming out to see the top scholar, she casually called out to the Little Ancestor, and he naturally responded. It seemed they both forgot to inform Tang Ziqian?

"Regarding the incident with the carriage the other day...thank you, Second Miss," Ye Qingrong added.

Tang Xiaobai, feeling flattered, grew a bit wary, glanced at her, and conservatively responded, "No need to thank me, it wasn’t worth much."

She was somewhat uneasy, faced with someone who was cold to her yesterday but all smiles today.

Noticing this, Ye Qingrong smiled softly and continued the small talk, "Why didn’t Second Miss attend the Furong Garden spring banquet hosted by Princess Runan today?"

When it came to this, Tang Xiaobai perked up: "The Consort gave my sister a confinement order, prohibiting her from leaving Duke Yan Mansion for three days. If my sister doesn’t go, of course I won’t either!"

The Furong Garden spring banquet is held every year during Shangsi and used to be hosted by Pingyang Princess. After Pingyang Princess joined a convent, it was hosted by the Second Princess, Princess Runan.

Tang Xiaobai attended last year, enjoying food, drink, and some playful rivalry, and had fun.

But this year was different.

This year was for choosing brides for the Princes.

For the Princes, the highlight was Prince Jin, Li Shu.

She was initially worried her sister would have to go, but surprisingly, after the city gate incident, Li Shu foolishly went to ask Consort Zheng to issue a confinement order for Tang Jiaojiao, which left her in fits of laughter.

"Consort Zheng, huh..." Ye Qingrong murmured softly.

Tang Xiaobai glanced at her, "Why didn’t Miss Ye go either?"

Though Ye Qingrong had just arrived in the Capital City, she should also be eligible to attend the banquet.

However, in the original plot, Ye Qingrong seemingly didn’t go either?

"Due to the horse scare at the city gate the other day, I was a bit shaken and not feeling well," she claimed with a straight face.

Tang Xiaobai was taken aback, watching the female lead tell such blatant lies, feeling like her character was crumbling.

Wasn’t she supposed to be the embodiment of a Mary Sue goddess, the light of righteousness?

Could it be that she had read a pirated version?

Darn it! Why did the pirated version charge her money?

"What a pity. With Miss Tang’s family background and beauty, she’s definitely the unmatched choice for Crown Princess Consort," Ye Qingrong commented again.

Tang Xiaobai was momentarily stunned, asking, "Is the Crown Prince also picking a consort?"

"No!" Li Mu couldn’t help but interject, ending with a cold glance at Ye Qingrong, "Miss Ye, newly arrived, should speak with more caution!"

Ye Qingrong chuckled, "I only heard about the Princes and assumed the Crown Prince was among them."

Tang Xiaobai breathed a sigh of relief, "The Crown Prince is still young; he wouldn’t choose a consort this early!" She deliberately glanced at the Little Ancestor, "Am I right?" Especially since the Young Crown Prince’s health had just improved; anyone proposing a consort selection at this time harbors ill intentions, and the Little Ancestor, as part of the Crown Prince’s faction, should be especially vigilant!

Li Mu remained silent for a moment, and then said, "Not that young either..." Why did she always think he was young? He was already fourteen!

Not that young? Tang Xiaobai pondered, realizing that indeed, people in ancient times married at thirteen or fourteen, but it wasn’t beneficial for growth!

She gently advised, "I think marrying after twenty would be better."

Twenty? Li Mu frowned, wondering if it had to be that long.

Ye Qingrong chuckled, saying, "Second Miss, thinking about marriage at such a young age?"

Tang Xiaobai was about to respond when suddenly the crowd stirred.

The new scholars had arrived!

Tang Xiaobai immediately put down the topic, craning her neck to watch.

Achieving great success, riding across Imperial Street, how splendid and proud!

From afar, a vibrant colorful procession approached.

Imperial Guards opened the way while the new scholars on their tall horses came from the north, beaming with joy. On both sides of the road, many enthusiastic young women tossed flowers and brocade bags, scenting the horses’ hooves.

Some were overly enthusiastic, tossing fruits; the scholars either cleverly dodged or gritted their teeth and stood still, making for a lively scene.

However, the top scholar wasn’t some handsome young man but rather seemed to be in his forties or fifties. Nevertheless, he appeared dignified and gentle, with a scholarly demeanor.

The second-rank scholar looked younger, but he had a big beard, making it hard to discern his features.

It wasn’t until the third-ranked scholar appeared that Tang Xiaobai’s eyes brightened.

A gentleman of gentle manners, like jade, perfectly described Xue Shaojian.

An aristocratic elegance combined with the scholarly grace and the youthful handsomeness, Tang Xiaobai couldn’t help but envy the female protagonist’s good fortune.

Wait!

The female protagonist?

Tang Xiaobai suddenly realized something and turned to look at the Ye Qingrong beside her—

--- This is the dividing line ---

Now for an interview with Xiaobai: all the readers say you read a pirated version, what are your thoughts on this?

Tang Xiaobai: I paid for it... what do you guess my thoughts are?