But this life was different. She had parents and siblings who doted on her, the status of a young lady from a wealthy family, and no worries about food or clothing.
In her previous life, Song Yaoyao had worked hard her entire life. It had been utterly exhausting!
In this life, Song Yaoyao just wanted to take things a little easier.
When Song Yaoyao had died in her previous life, she had never even had a boyfriend. Just thinking about it felt like such a waste!
In this life, Song Yaoyao wanted to live however comfortably and freely she pleased!
Song Yaoyao disliked composing poetry and matching couplets, and she liked playing the zither and embroidering even less. There were no phones or tablets here to pass the time, either.
Her parents also refused to let her leave the estate, claiming it was for her own good: there were too many kidnappers outside, and they were afraid she would be abducted!
Fine, then. If she couldn't go out, she wouldn't. Whenever Song Yaoyao was bored, she carried her little folding stool over to the older women working in the estate, brought out the sunflower seeds she had prepared beforehand, and ate seeds with them while listening to their gossip!
At first, the older women had been quite frightened of this young mistress who approached them of her own accord. But as time passed, they all grew familiar with one another. Once they realized their young mistress enjoyed hearing these stories, they told them with even greater gusto.
Seeing her youngest daughter behave so improperly, Madam Song had tried both beating and scolding her, but neither had done any good!
Her youngest daughter had rebellion in every bone! There was no straightening her out!
It worried Madam Song to death!
After this palace banquet, who knew what fate awaited their family?
At that thought, Madam Song grew even more anxious!
By now, the assassin had been subdued and pinned to the floor.
A guard dislocated the assassin's jaw and removed the poison hidden between his teeth. After searching his body, the guard took away the flexible sword concealed at his waist. Most absurdly of all, the guard pulled two large white steamed buns from the assassin's chest.
Well, this... this...
The assassin was taken away.
Once the assassin had left, everyone turned their eyes toward Song Yaoyao again.
The assassin had disguised himself as a woman, hidden a dagger in his sleeve, and concealed a flexible sword at his waist. All of it matched what that Guagua had told Song Yaoyao earlier. Could Guagua predict the future?
Had Song Yaoyao known what everyone was thinking, she would definitely have told them they were overthinking it. Guagua was merely a gossip system and couldn't predict the future. However, Guagua knew everything that had already happened!
Feeling the gazes directed at her from all around, Song Yaoyao muttered inwardly:
[Guagua, what's wrong with them? Have flowers sprouted on my face? Why are they all staring at me like that?]
[Guagua doesn't know either!]
Hearing Song Yaoyao's thoughts, everyone hurriedly withdrew their gazes, afraid she might notice something.
The empress ordered the maids and guards to swiftly clear away the damaged things in the hall, after which the banquet resumed.
Watching what the empress had done, Song Yaoyao asked in bewilderment:
*[Logically, after an assassination attempt at a palace banquet, the banquet should end. So why did they just tidy things up and carry on?*
Have I experienced too little, or does everyone here have nerves of steel?
*Ah, I'm getting old, getting old. I've clearly lived a peaceful life for too long. I can't handle trouble anymore!]*
Inside the system space, even Guagua couldn't help grimacing.
Everyone's lips twitched at those words.
Little girl, just listen to what you're saying!
You're only twelve, still a little brat. How are you old?
If you're old, there are plenty of people here older than you. What does that make them? Ancient monsters?
Song Yaoyao had already lost interest in the singing in the hall and said to Guagua:
*[Guagua, can't you dig up gossip on anyone within ten meters of me?*
*I'm bored out of my mind right now. Let's hear some!]*
*[Host, I've been itching to tell you for a while.*
Earlier, you were enjoying your food so much, and then you were captivated by that beauty, so I didn't want to spoil your fun!
Since you want to know now, I'll tell you!
Do you see that Subordinate Fourth Rank Counsellor Grandee seated not far from your family?
*He's that thin, middle-aged man with the long beard who looks like a scholar.]*
Song Yaoyao turned to glance at the Subordinate Fourth Rank Counsellor Grandee nearby, then immediately looked away and said:
[I see him. What about him?]
Everyone else also turned in unison toward the Subordinate Fourth Rank Counsellor Grandee and his family, looking them up and down.
The Subordinate Fourth Rank Counsellor Grandee and his family suddenly felt numerous gazes upon them. They had no idea why, but nodded in greeting to each person looking their way.
Then Guagua said:
*[Don't be fooled by his upright, gentlemanly appearance. He's actually human scum!*
The Subordinate Fourth Rank Counsellor Grandee is named Liu Guangxu. He was exceptionally clever from childhood, and his parents sent him to a private school. Whatever his teacher taught, he grasped at once and could even connect it with everything else he had learned.
He stood out among all the students!
Teacher Wang was very fond of Liu Guangxu as a pupil. After discussing it with Liu Guangxu's parents, he arranged a childhood betrothal between his only daughter, Wang Xiuxiu, and Liu Guangxu.
When Liu Guangxu was ten, his father went into the mountains to gather medicinal herbs to pay his school fees. He accidentally fell off a cliff, and not even his remains were recovered.
The family had already been poor. With Liu Guangxu's father gone, they became even poorer. Putting food on the table became a problem, never mind continuing his education.
Liu Guangxu was facing the prospect of leaving school when Liu's Mother took the written betrothal agreement to Teacher Wang and demanded that he pay for Liu Guangxu to continue studying.
Looking at Liu Guangxu, Teacher Wang felt that he truly had a gift for scholarship, and it would be such a shame for him to leave school now. Besides, he had only this one daughter and hoped she would have a good life in the future, so he agreed.
But there was one condition for funding Liu Guangxu's education: when Teacher Wang grew old, his son-in-law and daughter had to support him. After all, Teacher Wang's wife had passed away long ago, and his daughter was now the only person he could depend on.
So that he could continue studying, Liu's Mother and Liu Guangxu agreed.
Teacher Wang's daughter, Wang Xiuxiu, was a graceful young woman from a modest household. Teacher Wang had also taught her to read and write, and she was quite talented.
While Liu Guangxu was away studying, Wang Xiuxiu often went to the Liu family home to care for Liu's Mother, helping with the laundry, cooking... she attended to Liu's Mother with meticulous care.
Liu Guangxu truly did have a gift for scholarship. A few years later, he passed the examination and became a licentiate.
To further his studies, Liu Guangxu proposed attending an academy in the county town. Teacher Wang considered his savings, gritted his teeth, and agreed.
Ever since Liu Guangxu became a licentiate, Liu's Mother began looking down on Wang Xiuxiu, feeling that she was nowhere near good enough for her son.
*But Liu Guangxu still depended on Teacher Wang to continue his studies, so although his mother looked down on Wang Xiuxiu, she didn't go too far.]*
[Liu's Mother wants to play the whore and still put up a monument to her chastity. Utterly shameless!]