Scholars

Where is Xiaoxiang Pavilion?

When Dong Shuangshuang found an opportunity, she came to find Lin Yunwan. The two of them left the Flower Hall one after the other and strolled around the Ji Mountain Garden.

Dong Shuangshuang with Lin Yunwan and walked towards a shady spot.

She said, "This Garden is very large."

Before I had walked more than a few steps, I saw women strolling around everywhere.

Jiangqian had many private gardens, and the Garden on Ji Mountain was particularly famous for its scenery. Visitors would always take the opportunity to see Garden.

Dong Shuangshuang smiled and said, "Your West Lin Residence rents half of this Garden. The other Garden is where the scholars of the Ji Mountain Society often discuss poetry and literature. Walk from here, go around to the back of the rockery, and then through a grove of trees, and you'll reach Xiaoxiang Pavilion."

"Looking down from the attic, one can see the scholars of the Ji Mountain Society discussing scholarship in the courtyard."

Dong Shuangshuang said in a low voice, "... Not many people know this."

"Today happens to be the day the scholars of the Ji Mountain Society debate their essays. You'll see them when you go up to the pavilion later."

Lin Yunwan smiled slightly.

She's really easy to take care of!

The two walked for a while and exchanged a few trivial words, from the Little Miss's usual diet to who designed the Garden.

"Girl..."

Xiruo whispered something behind Lin Yunwan.

Following Xiruo's prompting, Lin Yunwan looked over and saw A Fu appear in the distance.

How did he get here?

Does this mean the Prince is also there?

"Yun Wan, why aren't you leaving?"

Lin Yunwan quickly turned around and said to Dong Shuangshuang, "Shuangshuang, could you go back and keep an eye on things for me?"

"If anyone in the manor is looking for me, just have your maid come over."

Dong Shuangshuang thought about it and decided it would be good for her to go back and keep an eye on things.

She wasn't from the Lin Residence; she was Lin Yunwan, and they wouldn't suspect anything.

As soon as Dong Shuangshuang left, Lin Yunwan took Xiruo the depths of the Garden. When they arrived at a pavilion, they saw A Fu waiting in front of the door.

"A Fu?"

Lin Yunwan walked over and looked up, and there was Xiaoxiang Pavilion!

She asked A Fu, "Is the Prince here too?"

Qi Lingheng emerged from the courtyard gate of the Xiaoxiang Pavilion. His expression was gentle, but his eyes had become somewhat deeper than before.

"I am here."

Lin Yunwan and Xiruo both stepped back and curtsied to Qi Lingheng.

Qi Lingheng nodded and said, "Get up."

Lin Yunwan looked around; no one was there anymore.

Needless to say, there wouldn't be any outsiders in the place where the Prince comes from.

She's already seen the Prince twice; it can't be a coincidence, can it?

Lin Yunwan asked directly, "Your Prince, what are you doing here?"

Qi Lingheng smiled faintly, "The Lin Residence rented this Garden, don't you know who owns Garden?"

Is this yours?

Lin Yunwan very curious. The Prince had only been in Jiangqian for a short time; this Garden shouldn't be his, right?

It definitely doesn't belong to Qi Lingheng.

He said, "It belongs to my maternal uncle." Qi Lingheng glanced at her and said, "My maternal uncle said he'll give me this Garden after I get married."

Lin Yunwan was puzzled.

Why should I tell her this?

She lowered her eyes slightly. The Prince had also come to the Xiaoxiang Pavilion, which made it inconvenient for her to handle her affairs.

You can't exactly peek at the scholars of the Ji Mountain Society right in front of him, can you?

"Didn't you come here intending to?"

Qi Lingheng pushed open the door of the Xiaoxiang Pavilion and said, "Why aren't you coming in?"

He stood by the door, very tall, with no smile on his face, but a very special kind of gentle warmth, which was quite unlike how he interacted with the local officials of Jiangqian.

"Your Prince..."

Lin Yunwan wanted to enter Xiaoxiang Pavilion, but she didn't want to go in with Qi Lingheng.

Qi Lingheng, however, did not mind.

"Miss Lin, please come in and talk."

Lin Yunwan paused for a moment, Xiruo, followed by A Fu. Several guards then surrounded Xiaoxiang Pavilion to watch over it.

No wonder it's called Xiaoxiang Pavilion.

After Lin Yunwan went inside, she thought to herself.

The place is filled with bamboo, which has grown as tall as the second floor of the attic. It's clear that these bamboos have been rooted here for many years.

Qi Lingheng led Lin Yunwan inside, saying, "There's not much to see on the first floor, but the second floor offers a lot of scenery."

She was originally going to go up to the second floor too...

Lin Yunwan then followed her upstairs.

The stairs in the attic were all very narrow, and everyone who went up made a loud thumping sound, except for Qi Lingheng, whose steps were exceptionally steady.

Upon reaching the second floor, Xiruo, following instructions, pushed open a double window, and her voice drifted in. "... So, you've already prepared the article?"

"Quickly bring it out for everyone to admire."

"Brother Yan, what are you being shy about? Don't refuse anymore, take it out and read it aloud."

Lin Yunwan looked down at the spacious courtyard, where many tables and chairs were set up and many young scholars were present. Some wore straight robes, some wore wide-sleeved long robes, and some wore colorful shirts—clothing that could only be worn by those who had passed the imperial examinations.

"That really is..."

It is truly a wonderful place, offering a clear view of the scholars of the Ji Mountain Society reading and discussing philosophy.

However, the bamboo has grown too lush; the scholars probably can't see them in the attic.

"Miss Lin, you've been getting quite close to that Madam Dong lately?"

Qi Lingheng suddenly asked a question.

Thinking of how he had paralyzed Lu Rong, Lin Yunwan no longer wanted to avoid Qi Lingheng. Looking into his eyes, she said, "Your Prince, didn't you see? She was originally going to bring me to the Xiaoxiang Pavilion today."

Qi Lingheng also glanced at her.

He asked bluntly, "What is it about the Xiaoxiang Pavilion that particularly attracts you?"

Lin Yunwan smiled, looked at the scholars of the Ji Mountain Society, and asked in return, "Your Prince, haven't you already seen it?"

Qi Lingheng had already seen those scholars.

A group of energetic scholars, perhaps including future pillars of the Imperial Court.

Lin Yunwan, "The Prince once reminded me to make plans for myself as soon as possible."

"Women have few options; their only hope is to marry. Marry a good man."

Qi Lingheng frowned. "So, that Madam Dong brought you here..."

"Yes."

Lin Yunwan openly admitted that she had come to choose a husband.

The Prince has helped her so much; together they have done many incredible things.

So what if he knows?

Qi Lingheng looked helpless after figuring it out.

So, the reason he helped Lin Yunwan teach Lu Rong a lesson was because of this?

If only I had known...

Lin Yunwan to look at Qi Lingheng, only to find that his expression was not good.

"Your Prince?"

"Um."

Qi Lingheng asked Lin Yunwan, "With so many people here, how can you know who is trustworthy and who isn't?"

Lin Yunwan had also made preparations in advance.

She pulled a booklet from her bosom; it was the Dong Shuangshuang had given her.

Qi Lingheng rubbed his temples after seeing the booklet.

She was really well-prepared.

If he had found out any later, would she have even found out other people's birth dates and times?