Why Would a Dignified Prince Refuse to Repay His Debts?!

Jiang Yunjian's expression was quite a spectacle. He found Jiang Yingcheng's remarks utterly ridiculous, yet he could not hide his alarm at Eunuch Changshun's attitude toward her.

Finally, he pointed at Jiang Yingcheng in disbelief, trembling all over. "Do you know what you're saying?!"

Was that something a sane person would say?!

Jiang Yunjian's question was exactly what everyone else wanted to ask.

Jiang Yingcheng remained utterly unruffled.

Thanks to 007's warning, she had already spotted the flaw in her earlier statement and swiftly devised a countermeasure!

"Boohoo, Chengcheng... Chengcheng wanted to run over and jump into Seventh Brother's arms, but halfway there, I saw Sixth Brother suddenly blocking the way. Chengcheng couldn't stop in time, so I bumped into him~"

Only after she finished did she realize that she had sounded far too cheerful, so she hurriedly added two more fake sobs.

This time, everyone fell silent.

Jiang Yunjian could not comprehend how Jiang Yingcheng could spout such blatant nonsense, and he was profoundly shocked.

With so many people watching?!

Who would have thought that Jiang Xingran would be the first to speak? His voice carried a chill born of his anger at Jiang Yunjian. "That's exactly what happened. The Eleventh Princess was running along just fine when Sixth Brother deliberately rushed out and stood right in front of her."

Jiang Qiuyu, who had been hiding behind Jiang Xingran the entire time, timidly glanced around before finally following his heart. "Qiuyu saw it too!"

Jiang Yunjian nearly laughed in sheer fury.

He turned to seek out his Fifth Prince, who was on his side.

Jiang Monian caught his pleading gaze, only to look away evasively. "That's exactly what happened."

Jiang Huai'an could swagger unchecked through the palace only because he had the Pan family's power behind him. Jiang Yingcheng, however, had the favor of their imperial father, the man who stood above all others.

They could afford to offend neither.

Jiang Yunjian: "?!!!"

Only then did he finally realize something.

This scene was terribly familiar. It was just like the times they had banded together to bully Jiang Xingran.

With everyone watching, Jiang Yunjian tearfully picked up the pastries scattered across the floor and carefully wiped the dust off them several times. He declared that he would eat every last one later and would not let Consort Lan's kindness go to waste.

Jiang Xingran's expression was icy. Without a word, he reached out and snatched the box of pastries back.

Someone like that did not deserve to enjoy his mother's pastries!

Jiang Yunjian showed no anger, merely casting a somewhat ingratiating look toward Jiang Yingcheng. "Well..."

Surely he could not be blamed now for failing to appreciate Consort Lan's kindness and refusing to eat her pastries?

Jiang Yingcheng quit while she was ahead, nodding with a deliberately solemn air. "Be more careful next time, Sixth Brother~"

At last, Jiang Yunjian's heart settled back into place.

Everyone understood that, at this point, the matter could be considered closed.

Eunuch Changshun led the guards out of the schoolroom, leaving only a few in the corners of the courtyard to protect Jiang Yingcheng. Then he headed toward Wuyang Hall.

The news the little princess had revealed at court that day had been so shocking that the private court session would presumably not end anytime soon.

Once those uninvolved had left the schoolroom, Jiang Yunjian and Jiang Monian slunk back to their own classroom. Jiang Xingran watched Jiang Yingcheng for a while with a complicated expression, then placed the pastries on his desk and silently turned to move a desk over for her.

He said nothing, but anyone could see that this was his awkward, clumsy way of expressing his gratitude.

Jiang Xingran lowered his head, concealing the faint gleam in his eyes.

She seemed rather different from before...

Wild delight shone in Jiang Yingcheng's eyes. She happily stepped forward and, catching Jiang Xingran off guard, gave him a fierce hug before going to sit behind the desk, thoroughly pleased with herself.

Only after everything was settled did she remember to look for Lin Jinshu.

Earlier, she had been focused on dealing with the Sixth Prince's problem. She had caught only one glimpse of Lin Jinshu while her gaze wandered, standing in a corner with a gloomy expression.

Jiang Yingcheng turned around, only to find herself facing a broad, beaming smile first.

Jiang Yingcheng furrowed her brow. [This person looks a little familiar...]

She had met far too many officials over the past two days. Their faces kept flashing before her eyes like a revolving lantern, and she truly could not remember them all.

In a good mood after watching the entertaining spectacle, 007 said, [He's the brother you nearly swore brotherhood with.]

Jiang Yingcheng suddenly remembered. [Brother Yuan!]

It was none other than Yuan Liangping.

Thanks to his exceptional social skills and his standing as the runner-up in the imperial examination, Eunuch Changshun had recommended him for a concurrent post here as a teaching assistant.

He was called a teaching assistant, but in truth, he was here to listen in.

The little princess seemed naturally incapable of warming to teachers. His job was to report every detail of her revelations to Emperor Mingze until the teacher here became able to hear her thoughts.

It was a plum assignment, so he had accepted it with delight.

Seeing the little princess wave happily at him, Yuan Liangping broke into an even broader smile and pointed behind her.

The teacher had arrived.

The entire roomful of little tots hurried to sit properly, while the princes' study companions lined up at the back of the classroom.

Jiang Yingcheng disliked studying, so naturally, she could not possibly pay attention to the lesson.

Almost as soon as the teacher began speaking, she started calling for 007 in her mind.

[System Bro, System Bro!]

Having anticipated this all along, 007 promptly appeared. [Mm.]

His voice was aloof and haughty. Clearly, the VIP service purchased with a bag of sunflower seeds had already expired.

Having just received a gesture of goodwill from the Seventh Prince, Jiang Yingcheng was floating in pink bubbles of happiness and failed to notice the change in 007's tone.

She said eagerly, [My Sixth Prince is so awful. Why don't we dig up some dirt on him and go tattle to Father?!]

Yuan Liangping perked up.

Here it comes, here it comes!

He knew this was a plum assignment!

Not only did he get an extra monthly salary, but he also got to hear all sorts of fresh revelations. There could not be a better job in all of Great Rui!

From Yuan Liangping's perspective, the little princess was bobbing her head along with the teacher's lecture, looking as though she were listening attentively. In reality, her mind had long since wandered away.

It was a very convincing act.

[Oho?]

A slightly mischievous laugh drew Yuan Liangping's attention back.

[Hehehe, how could Sixth Brother... ah... hehehe~]

The little princess's laughter was full of glee at another's misfortune, yet she went on for ages without revealing any actual details, leaving Yuan Liangping itching with impatience.

Only when she had finally laughed enough did she adopt a tone of bitter anguish. [Why would a dignified prince refuse to repay his debts?!]

[And gambling debts, at that!]

Jiang Yingcheng was itching to act. [Strike while he's sick and finish him off! No, I have to tell my beautiful Father right away!]