Chapter 20: Anniversary of Death
Page 1/3
Unexpectedly, she said such words, and Jiang Ning looked shocked. “Don’t you like Fu Shi very much?”
Zhou Siyao put down her chopsticks and spoke deliberately, word by word.
“I do like him, but there isn’t only one man in this world.”
As she said this, she cautiously asked Jiang Ning, “Hey, do you know that I heard someone say recently that your Fu Shi seems to have taken the imperial examination?”
Hearing this, Jiang Ning was not surprised.
“Fu Shi is not an ordinary man; if he takes the imperial exam, he will surely achieve good results.”
Seeing the girl’s calm expression, Zhou Siyao twisted the corner of her mouth. “You’re quite open-minded. If Fu Shi really becomes the top scholar, what do you plan to do?”
Jiang Ning curved her brows slightly, her red lips parted softly.
“There are hundreds of thousands of candidates each year. If Fu Shi really becomes the top scholar, it means he is a talent chosen from among thousands.”
“The court is currently in great need of talent. If he truly has that ability, this princess will give him freedom and let him go.”
Zhou Siyao was greatly surprised by the girl’s words. “I never thought you had such a broad mind.”
“If I were you, I would break Fu Shi’s wings and tightly control him in the palm of my hand.”
...
After leaving Chunxiang Pavilion, Jiang Ning took Chun Zhi to buy several books related to the imperial examination.
Looking at those obscure and difficult books, Chun Zhi asked with puzzlement, “Princess, why did you buy these?”
“Could it be that the princess wants to give these books to Minister Fu?”
Jiang Ning nodded. “Consider these books as a New Year’s gift to compensate him.”
She hoped the male lead would soon succeed in the imperial exam and say a final goodbye to her, the wicked supporting character...
Late at night.
Fu Shi received the books Jiang Ning had sent through someone.
Inside the books was a thin slip of paper.
On the slip were two crooked characters:
“Keep it up!”
Smelling the sweet fragrance on the paper, Fu Shi suddenly felt an inexplicable joy in his heart.
Seeing Fu Shi lost in thought, Mu Chi, standing beside him, spoke, “How strange. Why would she suddenly send you books?”
He raised his hand, ready to flip through them.
Fu Shi coldly slapped his hand away.
“It’s not a good habit to rummage through other people’s things.”
Seeing Fu Shi’s serious expression, Mu Chi felt puzzled. “Who cares?”
“I don’t want to read anything from Jiang Ning.”
Fu Shi lowered his eyes, expressionless, and put away the slip of paper. “Most of these books are related to the imperial exam.”
Page 2/3
“Jiang Ning must have learned that I plan to take the imperial exam.”
Mu Chi scratched his head and said casually, “Aren’t you hiding it well? How could she know?”
Fu Shi lowered his gaze.
“Such things can’t be hidden for long.”
Mu Chi sipped his tea and said nonchalantly, “Jiang Ning is really unpredictable.”
“Logically, shouldn’t she try to stop you from taking the exam?”
Fu Shi rubbed his temples, feeling a sudden headache. “I don’t understand either. Why would she suddenly send me books out of the blue?”
“Could it be that she has some other scheme?”
Mu Chi sneered lightly. “Come on, that fool doesn’t have the brains for that.”
“In my opinion, she’s probably trying a different approach to win your favor. Simply put, she just likes you too much.”
Hearing this, Fu Shi’s ears reddened involuntarily.
He was not unaware of Jiang Ning’s affection for him.
Unfortunately, he did not feel the same way toward her...
Still, considering Jiang Ning’s infatuation with him, he might spare her life in the future.
—
The next morning.
Jiang Ning, still half asleep, was dragged out of bed by Chun Zhi.
Seeing the yawning girl, Chun Zhi looked helpless. “Princess, have you forgotten what day it is today?”
Jiang Ning rubbed her messy hair and asked weakly, “What day?”
Chun Zhi lowered her head and began arranging her hair while saying, “Today is the anniversary of the Empress’s death.”
“According to tradition, the princess should go to the imperial tomb to pay respects before the hour of Chen.”
Hearing this, the sleepy Jiang Ning instantly became alert. “What time is it now?”
Chun Zhi put down the comb and used a simple plain hairpin to style the girl’s hair.
“It’s the hour of Mao.”
Seeing that time was almost up, Jiang Ning stood up and quickly changed her clothes. “Is the carriage ready?”
Chun Zhi nodded.
“The servants have already prepared it.”
...
When Jiang Ning arrived at the imperial tomb, a sudden drizzle fell from the sky.
Chun Zhi held an oiled paper umbrella, walking beside Jiang Ning. “Princess, the ground here is slippery. Please be careful.”
Page 3/3
After passing through a luxurious building, Jiang Ning finally saw the Empress’s tombstone.
Looking at the characters “Wanqing” inscribed on it, a wave of sorrow suddenly welled up in Jiang Ning’s heart.
The person resting in this grave—
Is she the mother of the eldest princess?
Sensing Jiang Ning’s somber mood, Chun Zhi choked up and said, “If the Empress Dowager were still alive, the princess would surely be the happiest woman in the world.”
“It’s a pity that good people don’t live long...”
Hearing Chun Zhi’s words of regret, Jiang Ning stepped forward slowly, lifted her hand, and touched the tombstone.
Recalling how the original owner used to pay respects here, she bent her legs and knelt down slowly. “Mother, your son has come to see you.”
“I know you liked jujube paste pastries the most, so I specially brought many this time.”
She placed the jujube paste pastries from her bosom in front of the tombstone. “Look, these were freshly made by the cook this morning.”
At this moment, Jiang Chuyi, who had just arrived late, happened to witness the scene.
Seeing the girl’s fragile appearance with tears at the corners of her eyes, his thoughts involuntarily drifted back to the past.
When Jiang Ning was a child, she was just as tearful.
Back then, she would always follow him around, calling him “brother” in a babyish voice.
Ten years passed in a flash.
Their relationship was no longer what it used to be...
Noticing the tall figure standing at the entrance, Chun Zhi wiped her tears and quickly bowed.
“Your Highness the Crown Prince.”
Hearing this title, Jiang Ning turned around in surprise. “Brother, you came too?”
Jiang Chuyi took three incense sticks and stepped forward.
“Today is Mother’s anniversary of death. No matter how busy I am, I must come to pay my respects.”
He used “I” instead of the formal “I, the sovereign.”
That simple sentence revealed a rare warmth in him to Jiang Ning.
After the memorial, the siblings stood side by side under the eaves, reminiscing about the past.
Looking at Jiang Ning, who had shed her childishness, Jiang Chuyi felt an inexplicable emotion.
“A few years ago, you were still just reaching my waist.”
“How could so little time pass, and you’ve grown up so much?”
Jiang Ning pouted, her long curled lashes trembling slightly. “Everyone grows up. Didn’t you?”
“You used to know nothing but playing with mud. Now, after just a few years, you already hold a seat in the court.”
She raised her beautiful face. “If Mother knew your achievements now, she would surely be happy for you.”