This was the first time the teacher had taken the initiative to speak to her, and he was even complimenting her dress?
The spring breeze behind her was just right, gently lifting the hem of his lake-blue robe. He stood with his hands behind his back, turning his face away as if slightly shy. "Ask me a couple more questions in class tomorrow. Everyone else does, but I never see you ask any."
Ji Yichen snapped out of her daze, finally feeling a surge of excitement. "Teacher... you don’t dislike me?"
"Why would I dislike you?" Li Shaoling followed her gaze and glanced at her figure. "Plump is quite cute too."
A soft ding echoed in her mind.
It was as if he had lit a lamp, and then all the candle stands in her heart ignited one after another, dispelling the shadows that had lingered there.
Ji Yichen suppressed her joy, her face flushed as she agreed to his request. Only after he had walked away did she let out a cheer and dash toward Hailan, who had been waiting nearby. "Lanlan, did you hear that? He said plump is quite cute too!"
Hailan nearly coughed up blood from the impact, chuckling with a muffled groan. "I heard, Your Highness. The teacher seems quite fond of you. Please stop tormenting yourself now."
"No more tormenting! I... I’ll go back and have them pick out some nicer fabrics in good colors." Ji Yichen linked arms with her as they walked, her entire face alight with happiness. "Do you think cyan-green looks better or pale yellow?"
Then, with a hint of worry, she added, "Would it be too flashy?"
"Not at all," Hailan laughed. "I have a cousin named Hai Qing who always wears bright red dresses, like a ball of fire."
Ji Yichen had seen that young girl—confident and poised. She took a deep breath, excited at the thought that she, too, could live like that!
And so, in the days that followed, the people of the Academicians' Court saw their princess in pale yellow one day, willow-green the next, and bright red the day after.
"From afar, it looks like someone moved their big red drum out of their house," someone muttered.
But the moment the words left his mouth, someone else clamped a hand over it. Joking aside, this was the jewel of the emperor and empress’s hearts. Whoever dared upset her might as well kiss their entire family’s lives goodbye.
Ji Yichen couldn’t hear these whispers. She only felt wonderful—every time she changed outfits, Li Shaoling would praise her. The more compliments she received, the less she feared social interactions. Aside from Hailan, she even managed to exchange a few words with other girls now.
To her surprise, she realized none of them looked down on her. On the contrary, they were sweet-tongued, always complimenting her and treating her kindly.
Ji Yichen felt that living in this world was truly blissful.
"Teacher," she said, holding up the sachet she had just embroidered as she approached Li Shaoling.
With just a glance at the item in her hands, Li Shaoling understood her intention and smiled. "You’re quite skilled with your hands."
After a pause, he added meaningfully, "There are no outsiders here. You can call me Shaoling."
"Shao... Shaoling." Her face flushed again, her words stumbling.
Li Shaoling looked down at her, his straight nose resembling a mountain ridge, so close to her.
Ji Yichen’s heart pounded uncontrollably, so loud she was sure the entire room could hear it.
Li Shaoling suddenly laughed and stepped back, cupping his hands in a polite gesture. "This humble servant has overstepped."
"N-no, I don’t blame you." She waved her hands frantically, the blush on her cheeks still lingering.
A maiden’s heart brimmed with springtime affection, her every glance and smile overflowing with tender emotion.Li Shaoling was momentarily stunned before he smiled again. "There's a poetry and tea gathering the day after tomorrow, likely a place young ladies would enjoy. If Your Highness is willing, we can go incognito to join in the fun."
A master of social graces, he had many friends within the Palace City. Although Ji Yichen was no longer as fearful of people, she still wasn't fond of interacting with strangers.
Yet, she couldn't bring herself to refuse Li Shaoling. After hesitating for a long while, she finally nodded. "Alright."
If nothing else, given her status and position, she would be fawned upon wherever she went. Li Shaoling had his own reasons for bringing her—several high-born youths, though friendly with him, often teased him about his humble origins, mocking him as a noble son from a poor family. With Princess Chang Le by his side, no pedigree could compare in her presence, allowing him to settle scores.
"It's settled then," he said with a smile, gently squeezing her plump little hand. "I shall await Your Highness outside the eastern palace gate tomorrow."
Ji Yichen nodded and hurried back to prepare, taking out all the jewelry her mother had given her to select piece by piece, and trying on each set of the gorgeous clothing newly bestowed by her father.
In the end, she chose a sky-blue Suzhou embroidered casual dress—the color Li Shaoling loved to wear most. If by chance they matched, well, that would be... wonderful.
Her heart pounding, Ji Yichen eagerly anticipated the poetry and tea gathering.
However, when the day arrived, she found the reality quite different from what she had imagined.
She had studied poetry and songs, but none of it was needed here. They merely used the name of a poetry gathering, choosing a scenic mountaintop to drink and chat freely.
Each person had brought a young lady along, and Li Shaoling was no exception—meaning, besides her, he had brought another.
The girl had a slender waist and delicate features, dressed in a sky-blue dress that blossomed like a flower when she twirled.
"This humble one is named Hua Qing, here to accompany the young master in drinking. Your Highness must not mind," she said with a bow.
Ji Yichen also bowed slightly. Though she felt somewhat uncomfortable, she thought nothing much of it—after all, she couldn't drink.
Li Shaoling introduced Hua Qing to the group as a friend, but when introducing her, he said, "This is my—prized disciple."
Ji Yichen's heart brightened instantly.
She was somewhat special to him.
The table erupted in laughter, though somewhat oddly, and someone even teased, "Shaoling has a boundless future ahead."
Ji Yichen tensed, fearing he might be displeased, and quickly turned to look at him. Yet her teacher showed no trace of displeasure, instead smiling as he replied, "How could I compare to your bright prospects? With a fifth-rank official in your family, you have ancestral blessings to enjoy. Not like me, born of humble origins, forced to fight with my life."
The speaker curled his lip and turned away to drink, saying no more.
Ji Yichen's eyes sparkled.
Her teacher truly was different from the others. He didn't mind her plump figure, nor did he care about the gossip that came with being seen with her.
Truly worthy of her admiration!
Hua Qing drank on Li Shaoling's behalf until she grew tipsy and went to the nearby woods to retch. Concerned, Li Shaoling rose to follow, saying to Ji Yichen, "Your Highness, please wait here a moment. I'll return shortly."
Ji Yichen nodded obediently.But whether it was the alcohol or the unrestrained atmosphere of the wilderness, the people at the table spoke to her with barbs in their words: "Your Highness has excellent taste. Shaoling is the most promising among us. I thought he would either top the imperial exams or make a name for himself at the Six Cities Tournament. Who would've thought, ah..."
"How about me, Your Highness? I can do everything Shaoling can."
"Did Shaoling pick this outfit for you? How wicked—making a royal princess wear the same color as a brothel girl."
Sensing the malice, Ji Yichen's expression turned cold. Unwilling to stay any longer, she stood up and walked toward the nearby woods.
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