Although Princess Shunyu wanted to change her current situation, shouting aloud in the quiet night was too much for her. Fortunately, a member of the Lu family noticed the princess and informed Lu Qing. Surprised, Lu Qing removed his hood and saw that it was indeed Princess Shunyu standing not far away.

He stood up, leaning on his cane, and walked toward her. “Your Highness, why did you leave the carriage?”

It was cold at night, and it had started snowing. Princess Shunyu was wearing thin clothing, making it unsuitable for her to be outside.

Shunyu nervously tugged at her sleeve. “The horse is dead, and the carriage is no longer usable.”

Lu Qing immediately felt troubled. With the horse gone, the princess had no carriage to ride in. Yet, he had no money to buy a new horse for her. He ordered his clan members to fetch two down jackets for Princess Shunyu, thinking at least she could stay warm for the night.

However, before they could bring the clothes, Princess Shunyu suddenly knelt in front of Lu Qing. “Chancellor, I wish to travel with your family.”

Everyone was shocked! Traveling together wasn’t a big deal, but why kneel?

Although the emperor had stripped her of her royal title, she was still a member of the imperial family. Lu Qing was no longer an official, but there was no need for her to kneel to the Lu family.

The court eunuch accompanying her was equally surprised and rushed to help his mistress, but Princess Shunyu remained kneeling, as if pleading for something. The eunuch, seeing her kneel, knelt down as well, for it was improper for him to stand while his mistress was kneeling.

“Your Highness, please rise!” Lu Qing, realizing the gravity of the situation, quickly stepped forward to help her up.

By this time, Gu Xingzhao had noticed the commotion and stopped paying attention to Du Hangwu’s group. She hurried over.

Princess Shunyu, however, did not rise. Instead, she looked up at Lu Qing. His attempt to help her up reminded her of a time in her childhood when she had secretly listened to Lu Qing’s lessons for the crown princes.

At that time, she hadn’t even reached Lu Qing’s knee in height, and she would crouch by a window, trying to listen. But one day, she slipped and fell.

Lu Qing had come out to help her, just as he was doing now. Back then, he was much younger, with no trace of the white hair he had now.

While the princesses had separate tutors, Shunyu had always preferred Lu Qing’s lessons for the princes, finding them much more interesting. She would often sneak in to listen. Once, after a particularly bad fall, Lu Qing reported the incident to the emperor.

Instead of scolding her, the emperor praised her and arranged for her to have a small desk inside the room so she could join her brothers for lessons.

Back then, other tutors objected, saying that men and women were traditionally taught separately, and that a princess had no place learning alongside princes. But Lu Qing stood his ground, even against four or five other tutors, and allowed her to stay.

However, after two years, when she grew older, she was no longer allowed to attend lessons with the princes. She hadn’t heard Lu Qing’s teachings since.

Now, recalling those days, and thinking of her brothers’ actions, she couldn’t help but find it all laughable. The lessons that her brothers barely paid attention to had been the ones that she had valued most.

Looking up at Lu Qing, Shunyu hesitated before speaking. “Chancellor, if you have the time, could you teach me to read and write again, as you did before?”

She didn’t want to become a cruel, heartless hypocrite like the one in the capital.

Lu Qing was slightly taken aback, then sighed. “Your Highness, I am no longer a government official. Please, do not call me Chancellor.”

He helped her to her feet. “If Your Highness wishes to learn, I would be happy to teach. However, we are in the wilderness with little to our name. I’m not sure what I could teach you.”

He had taught many princes and sons of high-ranking officials, but it seemed that the most eager learner had been Princess Shunyu, who had studied with him for less than two years.

Sometimes he wondered if he had been at fault, for how else could the current emperor have turned out as he had?

Shunyu spoke softly, “What you taught before will suffice. Back then, I didn’t have the chance. Now… there’s nothing to stop me anymore.”

Lu Qing thought for a moment. This was not a difficult request, and it would give him something to do. Besides, his granddaughter was eleven years old now and needed to start her education as well.

Still…

Gu Xingzhao was surprised. The young princess seemed to have moved on from the maidservant’s death and was now focused on learning, even seeking Lu Qing’s instruction. This was definitely a positive change.

But it seemed Lu Qing had some concerns.

“Lu Qing, is there something troubling you?”

Hearing the voice of the ancestor, Lu Qing brightened. “Ancestor, I have a request.”

This was the first time Lu Qing had actively sought something from her. Gu Xingzhao smiled. “Just say what you need. If I can provide it, I will.”

Lu Qing responded, “I would like some books.”

Afraid the ancestor might not understand, he elaborated. “Princess Shunyu wants to study, and my granddaughter is of age to learn as well. I thought I could teach them both.”

Gu Xingzhao laughed. “Studying is a good thing. Tell me which books you need, and I’ll find them for you. I can get them to you within three days.”

In the past, women had few opportunities to read, bound by restrictive rules of propriety. With this emperor, Shunyu had probably read very little. At first, Gu Xingzhao had thought the princess was weak and indecisive, but it seemed that, freed from the palace, she was showing more initiative.

Lu Qing listed about ten books but requested only two to start, as they had to travel during the day, and carrying too many would be cumbersome.

The next day, Gu Xingzhao woke up early and searched for the books online. Finding that they were all available, she decided not to buy physical copies, considering the group’s travel situation.

Instead, she purchased three e-readers, had the seller preload them with the books Lu Qing had requested, and paid extra for express delivery.

Thinking that they would also need to practice writing, she bought some quality pens, water-writing cloth, and a few backpacks. Since they would be reading at night, she also added two portable lamps, two desks, and some inkstones.

The desks and inkstones were mainly for practicing writing, and since she could deliver them every night, it wouldn’t be too much trouble.

As she paid for everything, she suddenly felt a sense of nurturing, as if she were raising daughters. So, she added a box of sanitary products to her order.

Later that day, Gu Xingzhao posted on her social media: “Raising daughters feels like this—wanting to give them the very best.”

Soon after, she received likes and comments. When she checked, it was from Xu Shisan, the antique shop owner she had recently befriended.

Xu Shisan: “Sister, you look so young! Do you really have a daughter?”

Xu Shisan: “What does your daughter look like?”

Xu Shisan: “Why aren’t you replying?”

Xu Shisan: “If you’re this beautiful, your daughter must be adorable too.”

“…” Gu Xingzhao’s silence was deafening.