spoiled brat

Chapter 125, Section 124: The Sharp Arrow (Part Four)

“Them…” Ling Shi took a step to the side, his stout body blocking Zhao Zhao’s view, and said awkwardly, “They are all poor kids waiting to fill in for a spot.”

The last three words were emphasized, almost as if the unspoken rules were being laid bare.

Zhao Zhao walked past the clerk, took out the roster from the pavilion window, and flipped through it. It was full of sons of high-ranking families. There weren't many of them, which must be because their powerful parents didn't want their sons to suffer, and they wouldn't even come if offered an official position.

Zhao Zhao sneered and handed the roster into the carriage.

Seeing that she seemed displeased, Ling Shi assumed it was because the crowd in the alley was an eyesore. He turned and shouted angrily, "What are you looking at? How dare you look at such a noble lady's beautiful face? Get out of here!"

The group was already feeling wronged, so they weren't about to let him yell at them. They immediately shouted back, "You look down on us because of our lowly background, and you won't let us get out of the outhouse when there's no need for us to use it, but is it our fault that we have eyes?"

"You!" Ling Shi stomped his foot in anger. Although he was not polite, he had good intentions in helping these people avoid trouble. If they were really bad, why would he have allowed them to live in the alley in the first place?
Just as he was about to persuade her again, he saw Zhao Zhao holding an umbrella and walking in that direction, her waist knife and jade pendant clattering together.

“Miss…” Ling Shi’s face turned pale instantly, and he hurriedly chased after them: “They are all from the countryside, they don’t know how to speak properly, please don’t be angry!”

Zhao Zhao ignored him, indifferently placing her hand on the hilt of the knife, and the clanging sound ceased.

As she approached step by step, the people in the alley felt inexplicably afraid. Perhaps it was because she was carrying a knife, or perhaps it was because she possessed a sharpness beyond her years. Strange and fascinating characters always exude a dangerous aura.

They shrank back inside, leaving only Xie Xiaoqing sitting in the same spot, chewing on a dry, hard biscuit.

It wasn't that he was particularly bold; rather, he had traveled extensively and encountered countless wandering swordsmen. Zhao Zhao's hand gestures when handling the sword clearly indicated he was a novice. Since he wasn't used to using a sword, how could he possibly act recklessly?
The boots stopped nearby, the eaves of the shed were lifted, and Zhao Zhao crouched down to enter. She glanced at the dry straw mats under everyone and said, "This shed is really nice. Not a single drop of rain leaks out. Which brother was so farsighted as to prepare it in advance?"

Everyone initially thought she was there to cause trouble, but they were surprised to find her so amiable.

“It’s not my older brother, it’s my older brother’s mother!” The chubby boy with a round face raised his hand and said in a Minnan accent, “My mother had already anticipated that I wouldn’t be able to get a job even if I came. She said I would have to wait for ten days or half a month. She also said that the family didn’t have money to pay for my lodging, so she prepared a rain shelter and a mat for me to sleep anywhere after I arrived in Beijing.”

Everyone burst into laughter. Xie Xiaoqing smiled too. He was close to Zhao Zhao, and when he looked up, he saw her hand gripping the hilt of her sword. There were no calluses on her thumb, and the blade was shorter than usual. She wasn't used to using a sword; what was she doing putting on this show to intimidate people?
Just then, the eaves were raised again, and the clerk squeezed in, covering his nose and muttering, "Miss, please don't be angry. I'll send them away right away."

"I haven't said anything yet, and you've already made the decision for me?" Zhao Zhao sneered. "They've come all over the country, and it's not easy for them. They're all patriotic, but you're not admitting them, leaving perfectly good people stuck in this shed waiting!"

Ling Shi's expression changed. Zhao Zhao's anger was directed at him. Master and servant were of one mind. Wasn't he offending the princess as well?

Ignoring the presence of outsiders, he knelt down abruptly, disregarding the unspoken rules, and proceeded to speak:
"You are right, you are right... These scholars are full of patriotic aspirations, I should never have treated them so harshly!"

He was about to slap himself when Zhao Zhao stopped him, saying, "That's enough. It's inappropriate to let them stay here; it's a disgrace to the court. After I accompany the princess to inspect the library, I'll take them to an inn outside."

The clerk agreed repeatedly, but the poor students felt a little disheartened. What they wanted was not just a simple matter of moving to a different place.
As Zhao Zhao opened her umbrella to leave, Xie Xiaoqing, who was closest to her, couldn't help but call out, "...Miss!" Zhao Zhao turned around, met dozens of expectant eyes, and coldly withdrew her gaze.

Seeing her and Ling Shi leave, everyone felt an indescribable bitterness, like drinking a bowl of bitter medicine. The heartless mother only gave them a tiny piece of candy, which not only made them feel bitter but also made them even more dissatisfied.

After a moment of silence, just as everyone was about to lament the injustice of the world, they heard footsteps outside. Ling Shi came in, waved, and said with a smile:
"You're lucky to have run into the princess's kindness. Come on, let's go register your names."

Overjoyed, everyone rushed out and lined up in the rain in front of the registration pavilion to be enrolled.

During this time, someone suggested that we should go and thank the princess. Everyone else agreed, but there was no sign of the carriage anywhere.
Helpless, they could only thank Zhaozhao when she led them to the hotel.

Half an hour later, just as everyone finished recording the names, a group of people rushed in from the other side of the street, stepping through the puddles and stopping in front of them.

The leader dismounted and was a handsome and dashing young man, dressed in fine clothes and carrying a golden knife. He was seventeen or eighteen years old and had the air of a spoiled brat.

The clerk greeted him as if he were a deity, bowing deeply in astonishment. Just as everyone was speculating about his identity, he asked first, "Have you all finished recording your names?"

Everyone nodded, and he smiled and said, "Very well, then please follow me, I'll take you to an inn." With that, he mounted his horse and waved for everyone to follow.

A light rain was still falling. The group hurriedly packed their belongings, carrying large and small bags as they chased after his horse, getting soaked and sweating profusely. Despite their disheveled state, they didn't forget to thank the princess for her kindness.

Upon hearing the words "princess," the young master smiled but remained silent, offering no response.

Everyone found it strange. First, they were surprised that his demeanor was not as low-key as Xiu Ning's. Second, they were surprised that he was so generous, leading them to the best inn in the capital.

Dozens of people, staying there for a day would cost at least a hundred taels of silver.

Some people complained about the expense and said to the young master, "Young master, we all come from poor backgrounds. We can sleep in a small inn. There's no need to waste money at a fancy inn."

Someone else chimed in, "You mean well, but we can't accept it. Prince Ning is fighting bravely at the front, and even he is struggling to make ends meet. How can we squander his wealth in the rear?"

The young master smiled and said, "Please rest assured and stay here." Without further explanation, he pulled out a heavy bag of silver and told the innkeeper to prepare dozens of rooms and to take good care of them. He added that someone would settle the bill at the end.

Although everyone felt ashamed to accept the offer, they were, after all, mortals with desires and greed. Who wouldn't want to sleep in a big house and eat delicious food every day? So, half-heartedly, they settled in.

After everyone had finished washing up in their rooms, another servant came to invite them, saying that his young master had not yet left and had booked the small flower hall of the inn, prepared 108 dishes, and wanted to chat with everyone about their friendship.