Yu Mingyue turned her head at the sound, searching, and saw someone waving at her from a nearby table. "Is that really you?"
"Xu Shaoling!" Yu Mingyue recognized him too, a hint of joy appearing between her brows.
"Yes, it's me. I didn't expect you to still remember my name," Xu Shaoling said, rising from his seat and walking over, his smile like that of a young boy.
Xu Shaoling's ancestors were also important officials of the previous dynasty. Due to their loyalty and outspokenness, their entire clan was exterminated. The Xu family declined from then on. Because he was very talented in his studies, he was taken in as a student by Uncle.
He had encountered them a few times by chance when he was at the Cui family's, and they had only acknowledged each other with a nod. He never expected that meeting him again this time would feel like meeting an old friend in a foreign land.
"Brother Shaoling is my uncle's most accomplished student, how could I not remember him?" Yu Mingyue did not spare her praise.
In fact, the reason Yu Mingyue remembered Xu Shaoling was that after the Cui family incident, many students who had studied at the Cui family's immediately distanced themselves from the Cui family. Only Xu Shaoling remained as steadfast as ever.
When the Cui family moved back to Anping, they had no guards or servants, and the household was mostly women and children. Xu Shaoling personally escorted Aunt back to Anping and settled her before returning to Jiangzhou.
"Miss Liu is too kind. I am entering the capital this time to participate in the imperial examinations. I didn't expect to meet an old acquaintance."
"Brother Shaoling, are you participating? I wish you success in the examinations. This is my second brother, who is also a scholar this year," Yu Mingyue introduced.
It seemed that the medicinal herbs and Jiangzhou specialties that Uncle had asked someone to bring a few days ago were sent to the Duke's mansion by Xu Shaoling.
Xu Shaoling had only left the items at the gatehouse without paying his respects, likely because he knew the household was all female.
Yu Mingchuan rose and cupped his hands. "Brother Shaoling, I am Yu Mingchuan."
Xu Shaoling returned the gesture. "Brother Mingchuan," he then pointed to the people beside him. "These are my classmates, also here for the spring imperial examinations. This is Brother Xuanqing, Brother Zigui..."
Yu Mingchuan cupped his hands. "Meeting is fate. Why don't we sit down together?"
Sixth Miss had just said he was a student of Cui Jiulang, and he was so enthusiastic. He must be someone who knew how to repay kindness. Since he was her friend, he was willing to befriend him.
They were all young people of similar age. Once Yu Mingchuan spoke, no one was reserved anymore. Two tables were pushed together, and they sat down.
The examination was in a few days, and it was a rare chance to relax. Most of the people in the tavern were scholars who were about to take the exam, and their conversations were all related to the exam.
"This year's spring imperial examinations are full of hidden talents. Those two over there are the top two scholars from the Luling provincial examination. Luling culture is second only to Wang Cui. One of them is bound to win the top prize," Chen Xuanqing said.
Now that Wang Cui was absent, the glory of the Jiangnan scholars was also gone. Luling culture was suddenly highly praised. It was said that even the Sage had praised the poetry of one of them, which was equivalent to gaining favor in front of the Sage.
Moreover, the second and third place scholars in the last spring imperial examinations both came from Jiangnan. It was likely that the Jiangnan scholars would have a hard time this year.
"And that one from the Xie family of Hedong. His cousin is the top scholar of the last examination..."
Yu Mingyue followed Chen Xuanqing's gaze and looked. He was indeed handsome and tall, refined and cultured, but he didn't seem to resemble Brother Jiayan, nor was he as handsome as Brother Jiayan.
Speaking of which, Brother Jiayan didn't look much like the Xie family. Uncle Xie, Mr. Xie, and that cousin all had slender phoenix eyes. It was likely that Brother Jiayan took after his mother.
It was heard that the official school in Jiangzhou was proceeding smoothly and was well-received by the common people, much smoother than in the storybooks. Even... Sect Leader Ye had returned to the capital from Jiangzhou. It seemed that before long, Brother Jiayan would also be able to return to the capital to report for duty.
When Yu Mingyue withdrew her gaze, she saw a familiar person. Her hand trembled, and she almost spilled her tea.
In the blink of an eye, the person had walked up to her. Yu Mingyue stood up, intending to bow, but Xiao Che reached out and pressed her down. "I was passing by and saw you here, so I came in to say hello."
Yu Mingyue then noticed that Xiao Che's guards were all in plain clothes, clearly not wanting to reveal their identities.
She then nodded, ambiguously saying, "Xiao Qilang."
Among those present, only Yu Mingchuan and Yu Miaoyan had met the Crown Prince. Yu Miaoyan was so shocked she couldn't speak. Yu Mingchuan, however, reacted quickly and echoed Yu Mingyue, "Xiao Qilang."
Xiao Che nodded. "Sixth Miss, I have something to ask you. May I trouble you to move?"
Although Xiao Che asked, his tone was firm. Yu Mingyue was a little worried. She wanted to stop him, but she knew she couldn't.
"Second Brother, Eldest Sister, I'll be back soon," Yu Mingyue signaled them not to worry.
Although others didn't know Xiao Che's identity, they assumed this Xiao Qilang must have come from a noble background.
Yu Mingyue followed behind Xiao Che, walking past a row of small vendors, and finally found a secluded spot.
"You've lost weight," Xiao Che said.
At the palace banquet last time, she had only seen her from afar. At that time, she already thought she had lost weight. Now, seeing her from this distance gave him a sense of time passing as if it were a year.
It seemed like they hadn't spoken properly since he went on campaign that year.
"Thank you for your concern, Your Highness," Yu Mingyue replied politely.
Xiao Che paused for a moment, sensing her distance. He had watched her grow up, and they were indeed familiar with each other, but it seemed inappropriate to say such things.
Sometimes, fate was truly ironic. He had also opposed their arranged marriage, but just as he was slowly accepting it, his father had canceled the engagement.
"I heard that you and Lingyi had some unpleasantness at the palace banquet that day," Xiao Che knew that Luo Lingyi had summoned her for a chat that day.
But there had been no further developments since then, which was somewhat strange.
Yu Mingyue smiled and was quite frank. "It's normal for girls to have some arguments. It will be fine in a few days."
"Sixth Miss, I know your temper, and Lingyi is also steady. It shouldn't be as simple as an argument," Xiao Che did not believe her explanation.
Yu Mingyue frowned and sighed. "Your Highness probably doesn't want to know the little secrets of us girls.
I saw Yuxi that day. How has she been recently?" Yu Mingyue changed the subject.
Xiao Che saw that she was unwilling to say, so he no longer insisted. He nodded. "She has always been gentle and polite, and everything is fine. I have sent imperial physicians and experienced wet nurses to take care of her. You can rest assured."
Yuxi was carrying his first child, and he was also looking forward to it.
"Sixth Miss, if you encounter any trouble, just send someone to tell me. Your brother should have left some people for you, and they will be able to find me," Xiao Che said as he left.
He was here to see Mr. Qian today and couldn't stay outside for too long. He had to rush back to the palace.
"Thank you, Your Highness," Yu Mingyue curtsied.
After Xiao Che left, Yu Miaoyan stepped forward and asked, "Did His Highness trouble you?"
Yu Mingyue smiled and shook her head. "No!"
However, she was a little worried in her heart. It seemed that although Xiao Che cared for and respected Luo Lingyi, he did not fully trust her.
If Luo Lingyi really wanted to do something, it would be very difficult, otherwise she wouldn't have asked for her help.
Xiao Che asked her about what happened that day. Had he discovered something, or had there been a rift between them?