Extra Chapter Twelve
When Zhou Ruolan and Yuwen Hui returned to Huifang Garden, the evening banquet was about to begin.
Naturally, everyone wanted to be closer to the Empress, but not everyone could fulfill their wish. However, Zhou Ruolan was pulled by Yuwen Hui and managed to sit not far from the Empress.
The garden, which had been filled with the chatter of birds and swallows, now saw everyone gathered before them, and Empress Guo's gaze first fell upon Zhou Ruolan.
"It's been a while since I last saw you, Ruolan. You seem to have grown taller? You're becoming a young lady."
Zhou Ruolan quickly lowered her head to respond, "Thank you for your kind words, Your Majesty."
With so many people present, the Empress spoke to her first, leaving the other ladies feeling sour. The Empress then asked her, "Why didn't I see you earlier?"
Before Zhou Ruolan could answer, someone else spoke up, "I saw someone from afar by the lake earlier, it looked like Miss Zhou. Was I mistaken?"
Anyone who had been to Changchun Garden knew that the other side of the lake was Qushui Garden, where the Emperor, princes, and new scholars were today. Normally, female guests were not allowed to go there freely. If Zhou Ruolan had indeed been there earlier, it would be quite intriguing.
So, as soon as these words were spoken, everyone turned to look at her.
Yuwen Hui was also quite nervous, secretly cursing Yao Huiqin for being so meddlesome. How could she recognize Ruolan from such a distance?
What should they do now? Should she help Ruolan cover it up with a lie?
But instead, Ruolan said, "Miss Yao probably wasn't mistaken. When I entered the garden today, the wind was strong, and my handkerchief was blown away. I just went to look for it."
The tumultuous waves of the palace from her previous life were still etched in her mind. She naturally hadn't forgotten that Yao Huiqin was the Consort who had killed her child and tried to push her own son to the throne.
Of course, she later met her fate of being banished to the cold palace and given a white silk to die, along with her entire clan.
Given another chance, this woman still wanted to target her.
However, it also suited her intentions.
With those words spoken, Yao Huiqin quickly pretended to laugh and nodded, "I see, I thought I was mistaken."
Zhou Ruolan didn't say anything more to her but quickly stood up to apologize to the Empress, "I acted rashly earlier, please forgive me, Your Majesty."
Yuwen Hui quickly added, "Mother, it's not Ruolan's fault. We all had to pass by the lake when we entered the garden. Ruolan's handkerchief was blown away by the wind. If she hadn't gone to retrieve it, people would have gossiped even more."
She also shot a fierce glance at Yao Huiqin.
Hmph, this Yao girl is really annoying! Does she think that by suppressing Ruolan, she has a chance to marry into the royal family?
Not a chance!
Hearing her daughter say this, Empress Guo said to Zhou Ruolan, "It's a minor matter, no need to be so nervous. Sit down."
However, compared to before, her tone was noticeably colder.
Seeing this, many people felt a sense of schadenfreude.
Zhou Ruolan felt it wasn't enough yet.
Fortunately, her cousin Zhou Shulan, who was always jealous of her, was also present today.
Hopefully, she wouldn't disappoint.
Sure enough, as soon as she thanked the Empress and sat down, Zhou Shulan spoke up, "Thank you for your mercy, Your Majesty. Actually, Ruolan is very sensible. Usually, when my uncle is busy with his duties, she helps my aunt manage the household. My younger brother is young and immature, these days it's all thanks to her guidance that he's made progress."
This piqued Empress Guo's curiosity and she asked Zhou Ruolan, "How do you discipline your brother?"
Zhou Ruolan followed her cousin's lead and honestly replied to the Empress, "Your Majesty, I don't have any special methods. I just whip him with a horsewhip."
What? A horsewhip... whip him?
Seeing her say this so calmly, all the ladies were shocked.
Empress Guo's expression also changed, and her gaze towards Zhou Ruolan grew colder.
After that, she didn't speak to her again.
Cousin Zhou Shulan was quite satisfied with this outcome.
Zhou Ruolan herself was also satisfied.
Meanwhile, across the lake in Qushui Garden, the Rong'en Banquet was also underway.
Each batch of new scholars was the hope of the court, especially this year with more young people, which was quite pleasing. The founding Emperor also set aside his dignity for once, engaging in a flowing water wine party and enjoying wine with these talents.
Delicious dishes were continuously served, and the palace servants were busy. During this time, Second Prince Yuwen Sheng quietly slipped away to a secluded spot.
Someone immediately whispered something to him.
After listening, Yuwen Sheng frowned—
The Zhou girl had actually incurred his mother's displeasure?
Why was this girl different from before?
He had thought she was meticulous and steady, but it turned out she was also so foolish?
But the Zhou family was still a force he needed. Moreover, the girl was bright and poised, fitting for the position of Princess Consort...
After some silent consideration, Yuwen Sheng still instructed the person who came to him and then returned to the banquet as if nothing had happened.
He thought he was acting undetected, but he didn't know that as soon as he got up earlier, someone had already written down his actions on a piece of paper and secretly passed it to Third Prince Yuwen Cheng...
As the bright moon slowly moved westward, the time was getting late, and the evening banquet in Huifang Garden was also drawing to a close.
Empress Guo got up first and left, and after everyone had bowed, they dispersed.
Taking the opportunity, Yuwen Hui quickly pulled Zhou Ruolan to the side, apologizing, "Ruolan, I'm sorry for tonight. I caused you to be misunderstood by my mother. I didn't expect Yao Huiqin to follow us!"
Zhou Ruolan comforted her, "Your Highness, you're too polite. This is also what I should do. However, Yao Huiqin probably wasn't trying to target the princess, but rather wanted to embarrass me."
Yuwen Hui still looked indignant and snorted, "This ugly girl thinks that by suppressing you, my mother will look upon her favorably? I definitely won't let her succeed! She's bullying you, which means she's bullying me. Watch how I deal with her!"
Zhou Ruolan smiled again, "Your Highness is wise, but you really don't need to be angry about this."
The Empress Guo doted on this daughter immensely. Since Yao Huiqin had offended the apple of the Empress's eye today, it was unlikely she would have an easy time entering the royal family, whether as a wife or a concubine.
Yuwen Hui was still concerned about her and said, "But how will it be if my mother misunderstands you? Especially at this time. My mother actually liked you a lot and wanted you..."
Before she could finish, Zhou Ruolan quickly said, "Your Highness, don't worry. The Empress is kind-hearted and benevolent and definitely won't mistreat me because of a small matter. Besides... I have no intention of climbing the social ladder or attaching myself to influential figures."
Yuwen Hui sighed, "Alright, it seems you really don't want to join the Yuwen Family... Ruolan, I owe you this time, and I will definitely repay you well in the future."
Zhou Ruolan thanked her with a smile and then bowed, "It's getting late, I should take my leave."
Yuwen Hui felt reluctant and said, "Why don't you stay tonight? I'll be accompanying my mother here for the night, you can stay with me and we can chat."
She politely declined, "Thank you for your kind offer, Your Highness, but I'm afraid my family will worry."
After a pause, she added, "However, my father's birthday is coming up, and we'll be hosting a few banquets at home. If Your Highness is gracious, I would dare to invite you."
Yuwen Hui immediately nodded, "Yes, yes, as long as you send me an invitation, I will definitely come."
Alas, in a few days, my father and mother will be arranging my marriage, and then I won't be able to go out so freely.
Having made arrangements with Yuwen Hui, Zhou Ruolan left Changchun Garden.
She had spent some time talking, and most of the guests had already left. Now, there were only a few carriages left outside the garden.
Zhou Ruolan scanned the carriages and noticed one that was clearly not from a noble family but looked like one rented from the market.
She silently pondered for a moment, then boarded her own carriage and headed home.
As the wheels rolled, Changchun Garden slowly faded into the distance. However, after traveling for a while, there was a sudden "crack," and the carriage came to a stop.
Her maid Zi Zhu was startled and quickly lifted the curtain to ask the coachman, "What's the matter?"
The coachman replied, "I don't know what we ran over earlier, but the wheel got bent."
"What?"
Zi Zhu complained to the coachman, "Uncle Zhao, what's wrong with you? It's dark out, how are we supposed to get the lady back to the mansion?"
Just as she finished speaking, another carriage's sounds came from behind.
The sound of horses and wheels approached, followed by a man's voice, "May I ask what happened?"
Zi Zhu lifted the curtain and peeked out, then quickly reported to her, "Miss, it seems to be the official who entered the garden today."
Zhou Ruolan had already known the answer from the familiar voice, so she said, "Then ask properly and see if he can give us a ride."
After they returned to the mansion, they would send someone to pick up the coachman.
The maidservant agreed and quickly asked the other party, "May I know the honorable name of the official? We are from the Mansion of the Guardian General. Our carriage broke down here due to a malfunction. If it is convenient for the official, could you possibly give us a ride back to the city?"
As the words fell, Ruolan listened carefully inside the carriage, only to hear the young voice say, "My surname is Qi, and I am a scholar who attended the Enron Banquet today. If the lady feels at ease, please feel free to step into my carriage."
Upon hearing this, the maidservant immediately thanked the other party and helped Ruolan down from the carriage.
Before getting on the carriage, Zhou Ruolan raised her eyes and looked.
The man had already stepped out of the carriage and stood by the side, and under the good moonlight of tonight, one could discern the even younger eyebrows and eyes than in her memory.
She turned sideways and bowed to him, saying, "Thank you for your help, Official Qi."
The other party also quickly bowed to her and said, "It's just a small favor, Miss, you're too kind. Please get on the carriage."
She agreed and boarded the carriage with Zi Zhu.
Qi Shuguang then sat on the carriage frame with the coachman.
The carriage moved on, continuing towards the city.
Compared to their own carriage, this rented one was a bit cramped and swayed quite a bit.
But Ruolan only felt warmth in her heart.
She could guess that tonight, Yuwen Sheng might have come out to "help" her.
But because of his presence, Yuwen Sheng did not appear.
After a while, they had entered the city, and the road gradually became lively, slowing down the carriage's speed.
Through the carriage curtain, Zhou Ruolan asked, "May I know where Official Qi is from? Judging from your attire, you should be the new top scholar, right?"
She heard the voice outside the curtain answer, "You flatter me, Miss. I am from Langya County, Mizhou Prefecture."
The clear voice seemed to carry a hint of a smile.
Ruolan also gently tugged at the corners of her lips.
Langya, what a wonderful place!
She had recalled the scent of wheat she smelled every time they returned to that quiet village in her previous life.
Her thoughts returned to the present, and while Zi Zhu wasn't paying attention, she quietly slipped off the sandalwood bracelet on her wrist and placed it in his sash bag.
After a while, they finally arrived at the Mansion of the Guardian General.
Stepping down from the carriage, Zhou Ruolan bowed to the man and thanked him.
"Official Qi, I have no way to repay your kindness today."
The young man quickly bowed and said, "Miss, you're too kind. Tonight was just a small favor, please don't dwell on it."
Zhou Ruolan then said, "In five days is my father's birthday. If Official Qi does not mind, I sincerely invite you to our humble home."
After speaking, she bid farewell to the other party and turned to step into her family's mansion.
Zi Zhu hurriedly followed and whispered to her along the way, "Why did the lady invite that official to attend Master's birthday banquet? Is it to thank him?"
Zhou Ruolan smiled and said, "Otherwise? If we had given him money, do you think he would have taken it?"
Zi Zhu nodded and said, "That's true. That official seems to be a man of noble character, he definitely wouldn't take money. I just wonder if he will come. He doesn't seem to be from a noble family."
Ruolan, however, smiled and said, "Whether he comes or not depends on him, but whether we invite him or not depends on us."
If he recognizes that wooden bracelet, he will definitely come.
