The Eldest Princess had been pining for her husband, barely clinging to life and on the verge of death. Yet less than half an incense stick after Official Jian arrived, she had practically been angered back to life.
The Eldest Princess sneered. "Official Jian, you serve at the Hanlin Academy. How can you not even recognize all the characters?"
Even a court eunuch was better educated than you.
[Not only can this court attendant not read, I'm a complete illiterate. What, do you have a problem with that?]
The Eldest Princess: "..."
How would she dare have a problem? The last time she had, she had nearly gone to meet Great-Grandma.
Seriously, you were illiterate, and instead of being ashamed, you were this cocky?!
Jian Ruonan unfolded the letter. "This humble official cannot recognize these characters. Sorry for the trouble, Your Highness, but could you help me read them?"
The Eldest Princess ran into a velvet-covered nail. "Give it here. I'll read it myself."
Jian Ruonan said, "That won't do. His Majesty told me to read it personally. If His Majesty asks about it and I know nothing, that wouldn't be good."
"Then keep reading," said the Eldest Princess.
Jian Ruonan continued, "Min'er, are you still upset? Xue Yuanyu is not... not a decent human being..."
The Eldest Princess: "..."
What was that?
The Eldest Princess tilted her head to look. "A suitable match. Not a suitable match!!"
"Oh," said Jian Ruonan.
[I didn't read it wrong. Isn't 'not a decent human being' the same thing as 'not a suitable match'?]
The Eldest Princess: "..."
"'Suitable match' is two characters, and 'decent human being' is three. Official Jian, can't you count either?!"
"All right, it's a minor issue. Let's keep going." Jian Ruonan continued, "Xue Yuanyu is not a suitable