She refused to marry.

"No matter what Your Majesty finds out, he is just a salt merchant who has fallen on hard times." Su Wanwan straightened her back.

"Since you believe him," Xiao Xuanjing said calmly, "then believe him."

"Your Majesty, why do you always speculate about others? Why investigate him? Is it because he is my friend? Or does Your Majesty have other motives?" Su Wanwan's gaze was fixed.

Lu Huai'an was sold to a pleasure boat, so his identity is indeed special. Could it be that Lord Fengchen suspects him because of the account book?

"Because I'm bored."

Su Wanwan almost choked on her own saliva after hearing this.

Bored? You're investigating other people's backgrounds because you're bored?

"If Your Majesty is bored, why not take a nap and rest to recover from your injuries?"

Xiao Xuanjing glanced at her: "How about this, from now on, Miss Su and Su Xian will enter the manor together, and I can teach you the Six Arts of a Gentleman."

Su Wanwan frowned deeply: "Your Majesty, this humble woman truly dislikes reading and writing..."

"The second young lady of the Su family is illiterate. It's enough for the Su family to lose face in the East Garden; there's no need to embarrass them outside." Xiao Xuanjing withdrew his gaze.

Su Wanwan said in a low voice, "This humble woman doesn't find it shameful..."

"If Miss Su gets married in the future," Xiao Xuanjing reeled in his words, "if she can't even write a proper invitation at her husband's house, wouldn't she be laughed at?"

"My servants will take care of it." Su Wanwan flicked the fishing hook.

Xiao Xuanjing's tone was tinged with sarcasm: "You have your servants do it for you? If it's a family letter, you'd have your servants read it for you too?"

Su Wanwan reluctantly reeled in her fishing rod, resting her chin on her hands, looking dejected.

"You have to come, whether you want to or not." Xiao Xuanjing took the portrait from the side and handed it to her.

Su Wanwan took it and unfolded it to take a look.

"this......"

It was a portrait of her, painted so lifelike that even the white magnolia hairpin in her hair was exactly the same.

"The Crown Prince is selecting a consort, and he specifically requested that the Su family send your portrait to the palace." Xiao Xuanjing tugged at the bait; a fish had taken the hook.

Su Wanwan's mind was buzzing: "The Crown Prince hates me and wants my portrait. Does he want to take me to the palace to torture me?"

"I intercepted it," Xiao Xuanjing said.

Su Wanwan looked at him with a puzzled expression: "Your Majesty is wise. What excuse did you use to intercept him?"

Xiao Xuanjing's lips curled slightly: "I will deliver Miss Su's calligraphy to the Empress. The portrait will then naturally be produced."

Su Wanwan's face darkened instantly, and she rolled up the portrait: "Your Majesty! You're right. Since we've already lost face in front of the Empress, let's skip the reading."

Xiao Xuanjing glanced at her, "I promised Her Majesty the Empress and Lord Su that I would teach them with utmost care."

Su Wanwan opened her mouth, but dared not speak out, puffing out her cheeks in anger.

"Feng Chen-jun really knows how to have fun..."

Xiao Xuanjing glanced at the woman's sullen expression; it was far more interesting than dealing with those court officials.

"Your Majesty, there are more than thirty days in a month. I can't study every single day. After all, I don't need to participate in the imperial examinations." Su Wanwan wanted to fight for her freedom.

Xiao Xuanjing put down his fishing rod, stood up, and lowered his eyes: "Miss Su, the number of chess pieces you capture within thirty moves will determine the number of days you are dismissed from school."

Su Wanwan jumped to her feet: "Your Majesty, do you keep your word?!"

A gentleman's word is as good as his bond!

Evening, inside the Forget-Worry Pavilion in the East Garden.

Su Wanwan lost 30 games in a row.

"Your Majesty, you are a genius who comes along only once in a century, can't you go easy on me?" She held the chess piece, her eyes moist, looking aggrieved.

Xiao Xuanjing calmly took a sip of tea. "I really overestimated Miss Su's chess skills."

Su Wanwan put down her chess piece and lost again.

"That's really unfair to Miss Su. Why don't you set the rules yourself? Go back today, think it over tomorrow, and then come back for the competition. How about that?" Xiao Xuanjing chuckled.

"Alright." Su Wanwan tossed the chess piece aside and bowed to Feng Chenjun: "Your Majesty keeps your word. I will come again tomorrow to learn from you."

After saying that, she turned around, lifted her skirt, and ran away like a rabbit.

Xiao Xuanjing's gaze followed her retreating figure, his hand resting on the chessboard. "Why didn't I notice how vibrant she was before?"

Jian Qingshan walked in from outside the pavilion. "My lord, this is the first time I've seen you treat a young lady with such patience. Could it be that you've taken a liking to her?"

Xiao Xuanjing rose with a deep gaze and walked to the railing. "What exactly does Lu Huai'an see in her?"

"Lu Huai'an?" Jian Qingshan frowned. How could the young master have taken a liking to Miss Su the Second?

The women who once caught his eye were dignified, virtuous, gentle, and well-mannered, knowledgeable in music, chess, calligraphy, and painting, and exuded the elegance of a lady from a prominent family in every gesture.

Miss Su is neither the best nor the worst, but in the capital city where noble ladies abound, she is really unremarkable.

The two pondered for half a day in the pavilion but could not reach a conclusion.

*

Su Wanwan escaped from the Princess's residence and headed straight for the back gate of Prince Changxin's residence.

Lu Huai'an sneaked into her carriage, as if the two were having some kind of illicit affair.

Su Wanwan narrowed her eyes. "Lu Huai'an, have you gotten married and had children? Are you afraid your wife will find out?"

"What nonsense are you talking about, Wanwan? Serving Prince Changxin, one should naturally keep a low profile." Lu Huai'an removed his veil.

"You're covering yourself up too much. And look at these clothes. Is this what you usually wear? You've been raised in luxury since you were little. How can you be used to wearing this?" Su Wanwan touched the gray linen clothes he was wearing.

"Just in case," Lu Huai'an said. "What brings Wanwan here today?"

"Sigh..." Su Wanwan sighed, "Fengchen Jun wanted to teach me to read and write, and he made a bet with me that if I won, I could rest. Today, he won thirty games of chess against me. He did it on purpose." Su Wanwan stomped her foot.

"So, you'll be going to the Princess's residence every day from now on?" Lu Huai'an frowned.

"Not really, I just came to ask you for advice. Lord Fengchen agreed to have another competition tomorrow. I'll set the rules, and whoever wins tomorrow will have the final say." Su Wanwan clenched her fists.

"What is Wanwan good at?" Lu Huai'an asked.

"I'm good at accounting." Su Wanwan glanced at her. "I can do mental arithmetic and abacus calculations."

"He is the Grand Tutor's last disciple. Not to mention mental arithmetic, even someone who can read ten lines at a glance might not be able to beat him," Lu Huai'an said.

"What should we do then?" Su Wanwan sighed and leaned back.

"Don't rush, think it over slowly. Everyone has weaknesses," Lu Huai'an comforted her.

"You're right." Su Wanwan rested her chin on her hand. "Do you know anything about Feng Chenjun? What are his weaknesses?"

Lu Huai'an thought for a long time, "Xiao Xuanjing has always been aloof from women, maybe I could give it a try? But, as for Wanwan..." Lu Huai'an shook his head.

"What's wrong with me? Am I missing a nose or eyes?" Su Wanwan stared wide-eyed.

"Those who can get close to Xiao Xuanjing are either princesses, county princesses, or noble ladies from the capital. After seeing so many beautiful women, his standards naturally rise, so... Wanwan, you know what I mean." Lu Huai'an covered his nose with his fan, afraid of being embarrassed.

"That makes sense." Su Wanwan gritted her teeth.

"Wanwan, don't be discouraged, I have a brilliant plan!" Lu Huai'an patted her shoulder.