The clingy concubine ran away, and the sickly prince lost control.

Luo Qingyan's eyes widened in disbelief: "Your Highness, the article was written by Xiao Xingzi?"

Pei Shiyuan pinched the bridge of his nose: "You're quite clever."

"Your Highness, I can't understand the article, but I noticed that the handwriting is a bit childish. Since you're called Little Star, it must have been written by him."

Luo Qingyan looked serious. Pei Shiyuan must be very disappointed. He valued Xiaoxingzi so much, but she ended up writing articles for someone else.

Half an hour later.

"Grandpa, Little Xingzi is here."

"Did you write this?" Pei Shiyuan threw the article in front of Xiao Xingzi.

Little Star blinked her big eyes, picked up the paper from the ground, and looked at it: "Your Highness, I wrote this."

He showed no fear whatsoever; he still didn't understand why Pei Shiyuan had summoned him.

"How much money did you receive?" Pei Shiyuan's eyes were filled with anger, as if it was about to burst forth at any moment.

"Young Master, one hundred taels." Xiao Xingzi's tone was full of pride. It was his first time earning money, and he had earned so much. He was very proud.

"Don't go to the Imperial Academy anymore. Go to the streets and write articles for people to earn money." Pei Shiyuan's cold aura filled the entire front hall.

Sensing that Pei Shiyuan was angry, Xiaoxingzi's smug face fell: "Young Master, don't you want me to go and earn money? That person really appreciates my writing and said he'd buy it to keep as a collection."

Pei Shiyuan's face grew even colder, and he turned away.

Seeing this, Luo Qingyan said, "Little Xingzi, do you know what the people who buy your articles want to do with them? It's not for collection. People's hearts are unpredictable, so don't trust them too easily."

"He used your essay to try and win the favor of the teachers at the Imperial Academy so he could get in. Luckily, the Crown Prince stopped the essay. If he had actually gotten to the Imperial Academy and the teachers recognized your handwriting, what would they have thought?"

"You despicable person!" Little Star said angrily. "Your Highness, I'm sorry, I was too naive. Please punish me!"

He was so excited about earning one hundred taels that he was thrilled for a long time.

"The one who bought your article is my younger brother, Luo Chengyong. He wants to study at the Imperial Academy, so he resorted to such despicable means," Luo Qingyan said, a hint of pity for Xiao Xingzi flashing in her eyes. Surely Pei Shiyuan wouldn't just abandon him like this!

That explains why Luo Chengyong can write articles.

Little Xingzi knelt down with a thud: "Your Highness, please punish me!"

"One hundred taels?" Pei Shiyuan's voice was icy.

"I... I spent it on clothes and food for the children on the farm," Xiaoxingzi said, lowering her head.

Pei Shiyuan's tense shoulders and neck relaxed a bit. Fortunately, the money wasn't wasted. Xiao Xingzi has a real talent for studying.

The martial arts instructor also commented that Xiao Xingzi is good, hardworking, and gets up before dawn to practice. Given time, he will surely achieve great things.

"Don't make the same mistake again. You don't need to worry about the children of the farm. Come to me every ten days of the month to report on your studies and martial arts."

Besides checking Xiao Xingzi's grades, Pei Shiyuan mainly looked at his condition to make sure nothing went wrong.

Luo Qingyan breathed a sigh of relief; Pei Shiyuan was willing to give Xiaoxingzi a second chance.

"Thank you, Your Highness. From now on, I will definitely consult with you first if I have anything to discuss."

Xiao Xingzi bowed and left. He vowed to bring honor to the prince in the future.

"Your Highness, Xiao Xingzi is still young, please don't upset yourself. I'll go find Luo Chengyong right now."

Luo Qingyan picked up the article from the ground, took two steps, and then stopped: "Your Highness, I have an idea."

She whispered in Pei Shiyuan's ear, "I want to lure Luo Chengyong to the gate of the Imperial College..."

Pei Shiyuan raised an eyebrow: "You're so clever. Go tomorrow!"

After learning from Aunt Liu for two hours, Luo Qingyan must be quite tired. With evening approaching, she decided to have dinner and rest early.

Pei Shiyuan served dinner earlier than usual, but due to the effects of the medication, he couldn't eat anything.

Luo Qingyan looked at him with pity and could only eat it herself.

"Eat more, and eat mine too."

Pei Shiyuan placed a lot of food on the serving plate in front of Luo Qingyan.

"Thank you, Your Highness." Luo Qingyan smiled, her cheeks bulging from eating.

She knew Pei Shiyuan was unwell and was also thinking about who was behind his misfortune, but life has to be bittersweet and she couldn't always wallow in sighs.

Pei Shiyuan abruptly put down his chopsticks. Why did it feel like he was serving Luo Qingyan again? He looked at his hands and thought, "Why are my hands so uncooperative?" He silently clenched his fists.

Luo Qingyan was completely unaware and ate with relish.

She needs to eat more so she'll have the energy to practice for Pei Shiyuan later.

She hasn't forgotten anything Aunt Liu taught her.

In the afternoon, she spun around teasing Pei Shiyuan because she was too tired to continue practicing.

Pei Shiyuan was the kind of person who was even stricter than the Master.

She has to practice hard; the palace banquet can't afford any mistakes. One slip-up could cost her her life.

Pei Shiyuan only ate a few bites during the meal.

After dinner, Luo Qingyan pushed him to the garden to enjoy the breeze. The summer evening breeze was cool and gentle, carrying the fragrance of flowers, touching every inch of his skin, and dispelling the heat of the whole day.

"Liuyue, can you draw?" Yuanqing nudged Liuyue.

The two followed at a distance.

"Guard Yuan is joking. How could I possibly know how to paint?"

Liu Yue was born into a household in the Duke's mansion. Her parents were just lowly servants in the household, so how could they possibly have learned to paint?

The old lady valued her, which is why she gradually rose to the rank of first-class maid, and she also learned to read some characters.

Therefore, Liu Yue does things meticulously, and her every move is imbued with the old lady's spirit. She is absolutely loyal to the old lady and takes Luo Qingyan very seriously.

"Look how much they resemble a painting."

Yuan Qing looked at Luo Qingyan and Pei Shiyuan in front of her.

Under the orange gradient of the setting sun, the two became one, and the evening breeze blew, causing their hair to flutter in the wind, adding a touch of liveliness.

"Yes! Who knows what will happen when the mistress enters the household?" Liu Yue said calmly. The mistress certainly wouldn't accept this scene, and there would inevitably be trouble. However, it also depends on the young master's intentions. If the young master favors the mistress more, and Aunt Luo doesn't seem like the type to cause trouble, then the inner quarters will be peaceful, even if it's a bit of a hardship.

"Liu Yue, can't you speak properly?" Yuan Qing wrinkled her nose, buried her face, and didn't want to talk to her.

"Guard Yuan, that's just how it is," Liu Yue said helplessly. She had already heard from the old lady that the young master would be remarried.

Yuan Qing rolled her eyes. She certainly didn't want Aunt Luo to be tormented by the mistress.

Aunt Luo saved the young master's life and made such a great contribution; how wonderful it would be if she could become his principal wife.

Unfortunately, the Duke's mansion was strictly hierarchical, and given Luo's background, it was impossible for her to become the principal wife.

But it doesn't matter, no matter who the mistress is, she shouldn't even think about bullying Aunt Luo.

"Did you two have a fight?"

Before I knew it, Luo Qingyan appeared in front of me.

"no."

"no."

They both shook their heads and waved their hands, then smiled at each other, saying, "Everything's fine!"

One must not mention the mistress's affairs in front of Aunt Luo, lest it hurt her feelings.

"You two go and bring the curtains and put them up."

The two women felt guilty for speaking ill of their master behind his back, and dared not ask why, so they left directly: "Yes, Auntie."

They were also curious: why set up a curtain after dinner?

Luo Qingyan was just thinking that it was too hot and stuffy to practice inside, and it was cool outside now, so she might as well practice outside. It would also be a good opportunity to build up her courage, so that she wouldn't be too scared to move at the palace banquet.