Chapter 88 Flowers Fall in Her Home Again

Chapter 88: The Flower Falls Again on Her

Ji Yuntang could tell that, compared to Luo Qianxue, her own sister, and Consort Li, her own mother, Luo Qingge, the princess, and the Empress were the ones who truly cared for Luo Junhe.

However, given Luo Junhe's condition, having soaked in an ice bath for so long and slept on an ice stone bed for three years, his body was severely depleted.

Even if the Empress and Luo Qingge wanted to help him, they had no way to intervene, only able to send some supplements each month.

Ji Yuntang only found out about this by accident from a servant while auditing the accounts.

But those supplements, once they entered the Prince Ye's residence, were all pocketed by Nanny Xu and Liu Linlang. Luo Junhe didn't get any of them, nor did he even know that the Empress had sent him supplements.

Ji Yuntang's gaze turned cold. This was a debt she would settle with Nanny Xu sooner or later when she got back!

She would make Nanny Xu cough up all the silver and supplements she had stolen.

While Ji Yuntang and Luo Qingge were whispering, Ji Qingqing and Luo Qianxue had also changed and returned after getting their wounds treated.

Both had taken losses at Ji Yuntang's hands, and now, coming out together, they seemed to have found a kindred spirit, whispering to each other with their heads down.

Ji Yuntang couldn't hear them and didn't care to, so she took Luo Qingge's hand and returned to her seat.

The drum-and-flower game went on.

Consort Li sat in the upper seat, her gaze unreadable as if lost in thought.

As she lifted her teacup, her fingers, adorned with nail guards, twitched a little. The eunuch beating the drum in the middle paused for a moment, then nodded knowingly.

In the fourth round, the flower landed in front of Ji Yuntang once again.

Ji Yuntang took it in stride. She stood up gracefully, with a faint smile on her face.

"The weather's nice today. How about I compose another poem for everyone?"

As soon as she finished speaking, Jiang Yunhang was the first to clap for her. "Great, Princess Ye, go ahead!"

He then turned and immediately ordered a servant to bring paper and a brush, ready to copy down Ji Yuntang's second poem to share with his fellow scholars later.

Ji Yuntang smiled lightly and recited slowly:

"Spring waters fill the four marshes, summer clouds form many peaks. Autumn moons shine with bright radiance, winter ridges stand with solitary pines."

—Lines from Tao Yuanming's "Four Seasons"

Undoubtedly, this was another fine poem, making Jiang Yunhang jump to his feet as he examined the paper in his hands.

"Amazing! Truly amazing! In just twenty characters, it captures the different landscapes of all four seasons. Princess Ye's talent leaves me in awe."

Ji Yuntang... She coughed lightly, a bit embarrassed.

She wanted to say that this wasn't her own talent but borrowed from the works of those who came before her.

Still, she really liked these poems.

"You flatter me, Young Master Jiang. This is just a little something, nothing compared to your talent. I've heard that the Royal Academy is the top school in our Dongchen Kingdom. You got in on your own merit, which shows how knowledgeable you are. You'll surely ace the imperial exams and achieve great things."

Ji Yuntang had long heard that Ji Zihang had spent two whole years trying to get into the Royal Academy, while Jiang Yunhang got in on his first try.

And Ji Zihang's biggest dream was to become the top scholar in next spring's imperial exams, gaining fame and success.

That was also the hope of the entire Marquis Yongning household for him.

As it happens, both Jiang Yunhang and Ji Zihang would take the imperial exams together next year. They were classmates and competitors.

Facing someone like Jiang Yunhang, who was so into books that he would copy down any poem he liked, Ji Yuntang vaguely felt that the Marquis Yongning household's hopes might be dashed.

Jiang Yunhang blushed at Ji Yuntang's praise but didn't let her words get to his head.

He always understood one principle: there's always someone better.

His level was okay within the Royal Academy, but once outside its gates, it seemed insignificant.

Meeting Ji Yuntang today made this feeling especially strong, and it also stirred up his fighting spirit.

Jiang Yunhang clasped his hands in a salute, smiled respectfully at Ji Yuntang, and said, "Thank you for your kind words, Princess Ye. I'll work even harder and strive to live up to expectations."

He decided that after going back today, aside from eating, sleeping, and using the restroom, he would spend all his time studying.

Ji Yuntang smiled and didn't say anything more.

A hardworking person will eventually be rewarded. She firmly believed that Jiang Yunhang would become a good official who serves the people.

As soon as Ji Yuntang sat down, Luo Qingge grabbed her hand and chattered away like a little bird.

"Third Sister-in-law, who do you think this round's peony will land in front of?"

Ji Yuntang shook her head and tapped her forehead playfully. "How would I know? I don't have the power to see the future."

"Third Sister-in-law, but I have a feeling this flower will land in front of you again."

Sure enough, the moment Luo Qingge finished speaking, the drum stopped.

They looked down and saw the bright red peony had landed right in front of Ji Yuntang again, dead on.

Ji Yuntang glanced at Luo Qingge, who awkwardly touched her nose and quickly raised her hand as if swearing an oath.

"Third Sister-in-law, believe me, I didn't make the flower land in front of you. I don't know why it likes you so much. It doesn't land in front of anyone else; it seems to have singled you out."

Seeing her like this, Ji Yuntang chuckled. "I know. I never said it was you."

Of course, she wouldn't be foolish enough to think Luo Qingge was controlling it. The only problem was the little eunuch beating the drum in the middle.

But aside from the two times Ji Yuntang had voluntarily stepped forward earlier, the flower had only landed in front of her twice now.

Twice didn't prove anything; it could just be a coincidence.

Some people present thought Ji Yuntang was unlucky, while others thought she was lucky and had bribed the little eunuch beating the drum.

Most of the young ladies and gentlemen here today had come to choose their ideal partners. Naturally, they hoped the flower would land in front of them, giving them a chance to showcase their talents and gain the Emperor and Empress's favor.

But now, in just five rounds of the game, Ji Yuntang had showcased herself four times, instantly sparking discontent among the others.

"What's going on with Princess Ye? Is today's palace banquet held just for her?"

"Prince Chen and the Tenth Princess each only got one chance. She's had four chances already. How are the rest of us supposed to show our talents?"

"Not to mention she's already married, while the rest of us are still unmarried young ladies. What's the point of her showing off so much?"

The speaker was the daughter of the Minister of Revenue, named Qiu Min.

Ji Yuntang recognized her. When she had first been brought back to the Marquis Yongning's residence, she had seen Qiu Min visiting Ji Qingqing.

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