CHAPTER 436: CHAPTER 404: WHAT KIND OF GIRL DOES YOUR HIGHNESS LIKE?

Just after Yuanbao achieved the top scorer position in the imperial exams, Song Wei and his colleagues faced their triennial performance evaluations.

This year, because the Left Army Commander Su Qing scored a great victory in his first expedition to the Northwest, Emperor Guangxi was delighted, and the evaluation standards were lowered. As long as there were no major mistakes in governance over the past three years, they were generally promoted.

Song Wei and Xie Zheng were among them.

Song Wei was promoted one rank, from the Standard Sixth Rank Imperial Tutor to the fifth-rank scholar, which not only improved his status and salary, but his job responsibilities also changed; he would no longer be responsible for teaching Emperor Guangxi.

Xie Zheng was promoted half a rank, from the seventh-rank editor to Junior Sixth Rank Historian, responsible for compiling historical records.

——

After being "forced" to host a banquet and "forced" to discuss a marriage proposal, Yuanbao rested at home for a few more days before packing his things and returning to the palace in early October.

Eunuch Sanbao informed him that His Highness was in the Imperial Garden. Yuanbao wasted no time, changed his clothes, and went straight to find him.

Song Wei had already been promoted to scholar, and Emperor Guangxi summoned him today for one last lecture on history, also inviting Zhao Xi to listen together, with the location in the Imperial Garden.

When Yuanbao arrived, his father had already finished lecturing and returned to the Hanlin Academy, and Emperor Guangxi had retreated to the Qianqing Palace, leaving only Zhao Xi sitting in the pavilion, sipping tea and admiring the flowers.

From a distance, seeing Yuanbao panting his way over, Zhao Xi’s gaze settled on him, "Where is Mr. Jie Yuan so hurriedly heading to?"

Upon hearing the voice, Yuanbao was so startled by the term "Mr. Jie Yuan" that he came to a sudden stop.

Then, clutching his chest, he panted heavily, "Your Highness, please don’t tease me. I still have self-awareness in your presence."

Zhao Xi gestured with his eyes to the stone bench opposite, "Sit."

Yuanbao walked into the pavilion.

Mr. Mu, standing nearby, poured him a cup of tea.

Yuanbao had been running in such haste and was indeed thirsty. Only after gulping down a cup of hot tea did he start to calm down.

"Looking for me for something?" came Zhao Xi’s wistful voice from across the way.

Yuanbao chuckled awkwardly, "Well, I didn’t find you at Yutang Palace, so I came over here."

Zhao Xi seemed to remember something, and a meaningful look came over his gaze, "You slept through three exams in a row, and yet emerged as the top scorer. Truly impressive."

Yuanbao couldn’t tell if those words were praise or criticism, and he replied softly, "Anyway, in the end, I didn’t embarrass you."

"You didn’t embarrass me," Zhao Xi said, "Since your illustrious deeds were spread, more than one person has asked me if I’ve been mistreating you over the past year, not letting you have a proper night’s sleep. Throughout history, there have been many candidates who fell asleep from illness during exams, but you’re the only one who slept through three sessions and still emerged as the top scorer. In the future, should you become an official, this might even earn you a place in the annals of history."

His words, in the end, were still laced with anger.

Yuanbao quickly put on a smiling face, "It’s rare for me to have a chance to slack off. Besides, my performance in the exam was entirely at the level we usually maintain in the Study Room. Given that, I finished my answers within the time it takes for an incense stick to burn and still scored well. Shouldn’t Your Highness praise me for that?"

Zhao Xi retorted, "Praise you for what? For having no decorum once you leave, or for gaining skills behind my back?"

"..." Yuanbao said, "Fine, however you choose to punish me, just say it directly."

Zhao Xi averted his gaze, letting his eyes fall gently, his long eyelashes casting a crescent shadow over his eyelids.

After a while, Zhao Xi stood up without a word and walked out of the pavilion.

Yuanbao thought: Even when angry, he never shows it on his face or admits it outright; such a delicate pride.

After grumbling silently, Yuanbao quickly followed.

...

In the Imperial Garden, there was an ancient locust tree where palace maids often made wishes. Whether those wishes came true was unknown, but many believed it could.

When Zhao Xi and Yuanbao approached from afar, they saw a girl with clasped hands praying to the tree, accompanied by two young palace maids in pink.

She stood with her back to them, her face obscured.

The two young palace maids quickly noticed Zhao Xi, their faces changing with shock, and hurriedly knelt down.

The praying girl’s solemn intent rendered her oblivious to the palace maids’ actions, and her wish floated over on the breeze.

"Ancient tree, ancient tree, if you truly have power, please bless my aunt to regain the Emperor’s favor soon and bear him a child."

The wishing girl was Xue Yinhuan.

Given their previous offenses against His Highness, the little palace maids feared Miss Xue might utter something even more treasonous. Clearing her throat, one of the maids said, "This servant greets His Highness." Spotting Yuanbao behind him, she added, "Greetings to Young Master Song."

Xue Yinhuan felt a twinge of nerves upon hearing "His Highness," and she immediately turned, lowering her gaze to her toes before kneeling, "This servant’s daughter, Xue Yinhuan, greets His Highness."

She never once looked directly at Zhao Xi.

Remembering the previous lesson, she understood keenly that those nobles in the palace, especially the Eldest Prince, should be avoided at all costs. As her aunt had advised, even if she bore no ill will, others could easily twist it into an appearance of intent or deliberate approach, simply by moving their lips.

Xue Yinhuan suddenly regretted choosing today to visit the Imperial Garden.

"Are you from Consort Qing’s group?" Zhao Xi recalled the name "Yinhuan," having heard it in his mother’s palace.

The young prince had already passed voice change, his voice smooth as if scattered with jewels on ice, lethally captivating.

Xue Yinhuan intended to say she was related to Consort Qing but swallowed her words, not wishing to appear sycophantic; she simply replied, "Indeed."

"What were you doing just now?" Zhao Xi inquired further.

"M-making a wish," Xue Yinhuan responded somewhat guiltily.

Zhao Xi glanced at the lush, ancient locust tree, lips curved slightly, "If wishing at a tree could solve problems, would so many concubines reside in the Cold Palace?"

"..." Xue Yinhuan pressed her lips, finding no retort. She knew it was futile, yet sought a spiritual refuge, unable to foresee being caught in the act by him.

Even with ten mouths, she could not justify her actions.

Nodding in agreement, Xue Yinhuan smoothly conceded, "Your Highness’ admonishment is indeed correct."

She suddenly longed to see what kind of person could speak such words. Adjusting her kneeling posture, she stole a furtive glance.

Then, she saw a pair of eyes deep as ink, their gaze so cool and detached she forgot to notice his appearance.

Recalling the day she inadvertently kicked a shuttlecock onto him, Xue Yinhuan thought provoking someone like this and getting lectured was hardly surprising.

Zhao Xi tarried not, departing smoothly from the scene.

Following along, Yuanbao spoke only after they had gone some distance, "I noticed the young lady gave you a peculiar look, Your Highness."

Zhao Xi did not stop, sparing a glance sideways, "How was it peculiar?"

Yuanbao shook his head, "Hard to say; perhaps it was a look of admiration, I just couldn’t relate."

Zhao Xi queried, "Do you fancy her?"

"..." Catching the implication belatedly, Yuanbao shook his head vigorously, "Since the lady’s intentions are toward Your Highness, I dare not covet."

Zhao Xi dismissed further conversation, heading directly inside the Yutang Palace.

Watching the straight back of the young prince, Yuanbao suddenly asked, "What kind of lady does Your Highness fancy?"

This seemed to stump Zhao Xi; he paused briefly, then turned back.

Yuanbao replied, "When Your Highness chooses a main wife, a concubine, and a consort in the future, apart from political alliances, won’t there be one chosen for personal liking?"

He was genuinely curious, given Zhao Xi’s extraordinary nature, what kind of lady he found perfect, what could stir his emotions or even disrupt his composure.

After a moment’s pause, Zhao Xi simply said, "There will only be political alliances in the future."

The unexpected answer, though surprising, upon reflection, made sense.

Yuanbao closed his mouth.

He thought Zhao Xi wouldn’t continue such an idle topic but to his surprise, the latter asked, "And you?"

Yuanbao hesitated momentarily, then admitted, "I... I like someone who is beautiful."

"Shallow!"

Yuanbao seemed unfazed, "I’m a vulgar person, so what of it? Someone good-looking, who respects my parents, I’d find ideal."

Glancing at Zhao Xi, Yuanbao observed, "You can’t tell me choosing concubines for the Imperial Family doesn’t consider looks? No ugly ones would get selected, would they?"

Zhao Xi: "..."

This rascal always spouts his twisted logic so effortlessly.