Chapter 9: You Have a Home in Jiangzhou?
Dawn light, faint and pale, crept through the window lattice.
Shen Qingci snapped back to reality, forcing his attention onto the morning lecture.
“Today’s topic is orthodox propriety. Each of you will express your views and write a policy essay...”
Shen Qingci’s voice was clear and crisp, like jade striking stone.
Sang Zhi listened, growing drowsy.
Xiao Wanzhu, sitting perfectly straight at her desk, stared unblinkingly at Shen Qingci.
She secretly admired Lord Shen. She had already decided that after her coming-of-age ceremony next year, she would beg the Empress to let her choose Shen Qingci as her consort.
Lost in thought, Xiao Wanzhu rested her elbow on the rice paper.
Her brush tip moved unconsciously, writing the three characters “Shen Qingci” on the page.
Su Wan’er, seated beside her, saw everything.
-
An hour and a half later.
The book boy collected everyone’s essays.
Shen Qingci sat upright at his desk, reviewing and commenting on them one by one.
He didn’t pick them up in order—he drew them at random. Once he finished commenting, class could end early.
Sang Zhi was the last student Shen Qingci reviewed.
The other students’ papers were all neatly written.
Hers alone was messy and illegible.
“Princess Ming’an.”
Shen Qingci raised his eyes to look at Sang Zhi.
Finally, class was over. Sang Zhi stepped forward with some anticipation.
She assumed Shen Qingci would deem her hopeless, dismiss her with a few perfunctory words, and let her go.
Unexpectedly, Shen Qingci lifted his gentle eyes and spoke first:
“Was today’s lesson difficult to understand?”
Sang Zhi didn’t know how to answer for a moment.
She hesitated, nodded, then shook her head.
“You explained it very well, my lord. It’s my fault.”
Sang Zhi thought to herself, *I must not offend Shen Qingci.*
*In the future, he will be Xiao Yan’s right-hand man.*
Shen Qingci’s Adam’s apple bobbed slightly. Looking into the girl’s bright eyes, he said softly, “Then I will speak more slowly next time.”
He lowered his gaze, using his vermilion brush to correct Sang Zhi’s paper, slow and meticulous.
Sang Zhi watched him, sighing inwardly again. *Truly the chosen second male lead.*
*Not only handsome, but also exceptionally serious and gentle in his actions.*
*The female lead really has good fortune.*
After finishing the corrections, Shen Qingci handed the essay back to her.
When his fingertips accidentally brushed against the girl’s skin, his heart skipped a beat. He pulled away quickly, as if burned, his back stiffening instantly.
“Thank you, Lord Shen.” Sang Zhi bowed respectfully like a good student, preparing to leave.
Seeing this, Shen Qingci couldn’t help calling out to stop her, “Princess.”
Sang Zhi stopped, turning back to look at Shen Qingci with confusion.
He paused, lowering his peach-blossom eyes gently, looking warm and fluid as water:
“If there are any academic questions in the future, feel free to ask me. I am always here.”
“Okay.”
Sang Zhi agreed, though internally thinking, *I’m definitely not hanging around with the second male lead.*
After she left, Shen Qingci returned to his seat, holding his brush, seemingly lost in thought, unmoving for a long time.
Behind a pillar, Xiao Wanzhu witnessed this scene, her face turning pale.
She wasn’t as dense as Sang Zhi.
The affection in Shen Qingci’s eyes was overflowing, yet Sang Zhi hadn’t noticed.
The sachet she had intended to give Shen Qingci was now gripped tightly in her sleeve, crumpling into deep wrinkles.
Su Wan’er stood aside, observing all of this.
“Your Highness, Sang Zhi did it on purpose.”
A flash of disgust crossed Su Wan’er’s eyes.
“To attract Lord Shen’s attention, she deliberately wore clothes identical to yours, stealing your spotlight.”
“No wonder Consort Liu dislikes her too, refusing to let her marry the Second Prince.”
Xiao Wanzhu’s expression suddenly darkened. She coldly interrupted Su Wan:
“Cousin, stop talking. Being divorced isn’t Sang Zhi’s fault. Let’s go.”
“But...”
It was the first time Su Wan’er saw Xiao Wanzhu look so impatient. She instinctively shut her mouth.
Her dislike for Sang Zhi grew even stronger.
*
Morning classes ended.
As Sang Zhi passed the Imperial Garden, a playful mood struck her.
She tugged at Dou Bao’s sleeve, speaking softly, “I want to feed the fish.”
“Then wait by the pond, Princess. This servant will fetch the fish food.”
Dou Bao started to leave, but remembering the young Princess’s playful nature,
she worriedly turned back to instruct, “Princess, please do not play with the water.”
“I know.”
Sang Zhi sighed.
Compared to her previous life, she was just a weakling.
Before, she could run eight hundred meters without panting.
Now, she suffered from a condition called “Heart Cold Syndrome,” similar to an extreme version of uterine coldness.
Besides drinking medicine daily, she needed medicinal baths every few days.
However, this illness had one benefit: she wouldn’t get her period!
Thinking of this, Sang Zhi felt much better.
Following the sound of water, she intended to pass through the rockery to reach the koi pond behind it.
Just as she turned the corner, she heard the squelching sounds of kissing.
“Mmm...”
“Ah, Your Highness, don’t...”
The sounds were sticky and absurdly loud.
Who was so bold, engaging in such acts in the Imperial Garden under broad daylight...
Sang Zhi had never witnessed such a spectacle firsthand.
Her small face heated up like a boiled egg, but she couldn’t suppress her curiosity.
She quickly glanced toward the corner.
Not far from her, a man was pressing a palace maid against the rockery, kissing her.
Sang Zhi’s heart pounded.
*Too explosive. Watching too much will cause styes.*
Just as she wanted to turn and sneak away quietly, Dou Bao’s voice suddenly came from outside the rockery:
“Princess~ Here’s your fish food. Huh? Where are you?”
Sang Zhi froze mid-step.
At that exact moment, the man caught sight of her presence.
He tilted his head slightly, his gaze lingering on the girl’s delicate face.
Xiao Henian released the palace maid’s slender waist, a suspicious trace of moisture still on his lips.
Looking at Sang Zhi, his eyes revealed a hint of novelty.
“Young Princess?”