CHAPTER 163: CHAPTER 163: HOW COULD THE PRINCESS LIKE GONGSUN YI?

The disaster of the Qin Family was caused by external threats and destroyed by internal traitors.

The few letters found at the Qin Mansion were crucial evidence.

And it was this old servant who had served the Qin Family for generations who secretly placed them.

"Someone kidnapped Qin Fu’s only son and forced him to cooperate—"

A very common tactic, but very effective.

Qin Fu was illiterate and unaware of the severity of the situation, so when he was asked to deliver the letter, he instinctively left one behind, planning to give it to his master after he redeemed his son.

The son was indeed returned quickly but came back only to start having a high fever that wouldn’t go away.

At this time, the Qin Family incident occurred, and the entire family suffered.

The son Qin Fu had struggled to save breathed his last just moments before the imperial guard stormed into the Qin Mansion.

He felt this was retribution for betraying his master, so he fought desperately to save the Qin Family’s youngest child.

The downfall of the Qin Family was very thorough because the matter involved collusion with the enemy, causing everyone to be apprehensive and afraid to speak up for them. Despite holding evidence, Qin Fu did not easily trust others.

Thus, he spent years under an assumed name with the young master and evidence, until he heard rumors of a wealthy merchant from Hedong with the surname Qin.

Li Mu listened while opening the letter.

The letter was well-preserved, the handwriting clear, and the seals distinguishable.

If one could prove this letter was fake, the same method could prove that other documents at the Ministry of Justice were also forged.

But how to prove this letter was a forgery?

Li Mu pondered for a moment and put the letter away.

As Li Mu took the letter, Ye Qingrong said nothing.

She currently has little influence, so holding the letter is of little use; it would be better to hand it over to the Crown Prince’s men.

"When the time is right, Qin Fu can come forward to testify," Ye Qingrong said.

Li Xingyuan nodded and said, "It’s safer for him to stay with us."

With that, today’s business was complete.

Li Xingyuan gave the Crown Prince a meaningful look.

You have something to say, don’t you? You didn’t specifically come here just to have a look at the beautiful Miss Ye, did you?

Just as this thought crossed his mind, he saw the Crown Prince raise his eyes and gaze intently at Ye Qingrong, saying, "Give me that painting tonight."

Ye Qingrong was taken aback.

"What painting?" Li Xingyuan wondered.

Does the Crown Prince and Miss Ye have a little secret?

"Painting... Uh, I didn’t, didn’t bring it with me." Ye Qingrong stuttered as she was put on the spot.

"I’ll go with you to retrieve it." Without allowing any refusal, Li Mu set off in the direction of Ye Mansion first.

Ye Qingrong had no choice but to follow.

Seeing no one stopping him, Li Xingyuan quietly followed along.

Arriving at Ye Mansion, the Crown Prince did not directly invade the beauty’s boudoir but instead waited outside until he got a simple paper scroll from Ye Qingrong’s hand before leaving.

"What’s the painting?" Li Xingyuan was intensely curious as he gazed at the paper scroll in his hand.

When did the Crown Prince become close to Ye Qingrong? To what extent are they involved?

Both delivering news and asking for a handwritten painting, tsk tsk tsk...

Li Mu noticed his eager expression and hid the painting even more tightly.

It wasn’t until he returned to Duke Yan Mansion to his own room that he lit a lamp and unfolded the scroll.

The painting was indeed of Miss Tang.

The background was pavilion towers. The young girl was lifting her skirt while stepping on the stairs, with her head wearing double buns lowered to look down, her demeanor cautious yet lively and vivacious.

Since the painting was made at a gathering, it was extremely abstract.

With just a few strokes, the painter accurately captured Miss Tang’s expressions.

Li Mu looked at it repeatedly, finding it more and more delightful.

But the more he looked, the more he felt it was unsettling.

Why was such a good painting done by someone else?

He thought for a while, brightened the candle holder, and prepared ink and brushes...

...

The next morning, Tang Xiaobai saw the young master and was startled, "Didn’t sleep well last night?"

The half of his face not covered by a mask was darkened under the eyes, especially as his skin was cold and pale, making the dark circles particularly noticeable.

Not only did he have dark circles, but there were red blood vessels in his eyes.

What happened? Tang Xiaobai worriedly looked at him.

The little brat simply replied with an "Hmm."

Tang Xiaobai frowned, thought for a moment, and replied seriously, "Learning can’t be rushed, at your age, taking care of your body is most important!"

How come he studies just like her but learns more than she does? He must be studying secretly!

Li Mu blushed slightly and nodded.

"You shouldn’t stay up late; it will damage your eyesight, and lack of sleep will also stunt your growth—" Tang Xiaobai said, raising her head to look at him.

The young master had grown so tall in the past two years, having initially been just a head taller than her; now he was almost two heads taller.

"I understand." He lowered his head to look at her, with lips curled as if he were not smiling, and there was a youthful gleam of joy in his eyes.

Tang Xiaobai smiled, turned around, and got on the carriage.

Once seated, she turned her head outwards and happened to see the young master support himself with one hand, lightly, and nimbly, as he mounted the carriage. His movements were incredibly graceful.

Ah! Her young master, truly irresistibly charming...

...

Tang Xiaobai’s mood today was slightly complex.

So when she arrived at the academy and saw Gongsun Yi causing trouble, she had little patience and directly asked the young master to throw him out.

Turning back, she asked Tao Fen, who was entangled with Gongsun Yi, "Why did he come again?"

Tao Fen didn’t answer immediately, as he was so angry he bit his cheek and took a long time to calm down. He then said with a cold smile, "The last time I met Gongsun Yi outside, he insisted I salute him. I pointed out that he was not yet appointed and had no rank, thus refused. Now that he has been appointed, he came to flaunt his status!"

Tang Xiaobai: "..."

How can someone be so silly?

"Why can such a person still be appointed? Isn’t the Ministry of Personnel’s selection exam supposed to be difficult?" Tang Xiaobai was not happy.

After passing the Ministry of Rites’ provincial exam, the new scholars must still pass the Ministry of Personnel’s selection test to be appointed.

The provincial exam was difficult enough, and the selection test even more so, with many taking years to succeed after becoming scholars.

Why was Gongsun Yi able to pass so easily?

Tao Fen gave a cold laugh again, "Gongsun Yi claims he studied for ten years and was appointed through the imperial examination, yet he relied on connections. It makes one laugh!"

Tang Xiaobai was stunned.

Connections?

Gongsun Yi couldn’t even obtain a letter of recommendation, so where did these connections come from?

But Tao Fen’s words wouldn’t be baseless.

The Tao Family were wealthy merchants, lacking nothing but money, and Tao Fen was generous and freehanded, establishing excellent relations inside and outside the academy in less than a year in the capital. The most obvious reflection of this network was that Tao Fen’s information was very accurate.

"Could it be Pingyang Princess?"

Tao Fen gave a snort, "Such filthy business shouldn’t taint the Second Miss’s ears!" He said, flicking his sleeves and leaving.

Tang Xiaobai was a bit flustered.

It was really Pingyang Princess’s connections...

...

"How could the Princess like Gongsun Yi?" Tang Xiaobai couldn’t fathom it and went to Pingyang Temple after school to inquire.

Even if the Princess admired young beauties, Gongsun Yi couldn’t be considered a beauty!