Chapter 38

After the morning court session, the prince accompanied the emperor back to Xuanzheng Hall and reported on several matters the emperor had previously arranged.

While he was speaking, the King of Chu entered confidently. The prince frowned, clearly disdainful.

The emperor recalled the order he had given and asked the prince, “Have you read the official document I asked you to get from Honglu Temple?”

“Your Highness has read it,” the prince said, adding flattery, “Your Highness is a man of great talent and vision, admired by all. It’s a blessing for the world to have you as our king.”

The emperor nodded, indicating he sensed the prince had not grasped anything and hadn’t consulted anyone knowledgeable in the court; he was merely guessing.

“It’s getting late. There are still a few masters waiting for you in Hongwen Pavilion. You should head back first.”

After the prince left, the emperor looked at the King of Chu and asked, “I heard you had a significant argument with the Secretary of the Eastern Palace in Honglu Temple and took half of the official documents back with you. Is that true?”

“There was no argument, just some casual words.” Naturally, the King of Chu minimized the situation in front of the emperor. “I thought the official documents the prince wanted to read must be valuable, so I asked the chief clerk of Honglu Temple for some and brought them back to study.”

“Really?” the emperor asked. “Then tell me what you have learned.”

The King of Chu repeated Tao Sheng’s analysis, stating that his father compiled classics and promoted rituals and music not for himself, but for the foundation of the Great Zhou and the stability of the people. It was a political expression of the monarch’s concern for the world.

The emperor was surprised that the King of Chu understood the truth so deeply. Half-jokingly, he asked, “Ji Zhuangyuan isn’t in the capital; who else can teach you?”

The King of Chu sighed internally, wondering why he was seen so poorly by his father. It seemed the emperor recognized it wasn’t his own realization as soon as he heard it.

Even so, he answered truthfully: “Ji Zhuangyuan has a younger sister.”

After the King of Chu said this, the emperor remained silent for a long time.

Finally, the emperor replied coolly, “I understand.”

Gao Zhen secretly gave the King of Chu a thumbs up in his heart.

The emperor had only glanced at the many recommendations from the Ministry of Personnel about officials. However, he specifically responded with “I know,” indicating he is considering Miss Luo.

This family has a top scholar who has won the highest honor six times in a row and an eighth-rank musician who just turned sixteen. Their future looks very bright.

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Even though Tao Sheng turned down Xie Tanhua’s invitation, she eventually decided to attend a poetry reading.

This poetry gathering was hosted by Wen Shu, who is the cousin of the Princess of Chu, and it took place at Ruiyun Villa.

Wen Shu’s husband is a fourth-rank general in the court. He was stationed in Liangzhou for several years but was transferred back to Beijing to serve as an official last year. Wen Shu returned to Beijing at this time as well.

Wen Shu is in her early twenties and loves socializing. She felt bored during her years in Liangzhou, so as soon as she returned to Beijing, she organized a poetry gathering and invited everyone to enjoy themselves. The Princess of Chu invited Tao Sheng to come as a way to support her cousin.

This poetry gathering was the first time the Princess of Chu invited Tao Sheng, mentioning that many interesting young women would be attending, and writing poetry was not the main focus. Everyone would eat, drink, and have fun together to relax, which was also a way to support her cousin.

After all, the King of Chu is her boss. Tao Sheng can refuse Xie Huaian’s invitation but cannot refuse the Princess of Chu’s.

Tao Sheng accepted the invitation and promised to go to Ruiyun Villa in three days for Miss Wen’s poetry reading.

Ruiyun Villa is owned by the Princess of Chu. The fact that she lent it to Wen Shu for the poetry gathering shows how much she values and cares for her cousin.

Although Ruiyun Villa is not as large as Princess He’en’s garden, it is beautiful, elegant, small, and charming in its own way.

Poetry gatherings in the Great Zhou are usually casual, especially those mainly attended by young women. Guests can choose how to spend their time, whether fishing, playing chess, or doing calligraphy with flowers in their hair. Even bringing cross-stitching to embroider is acceptable, as long as it doesn’t disrupt others’ enjoyment.

Tao Sheng wasn’t familiar with this kind of gathering and didn’t know many of the noble ladies attending. After wandering around the garden, she felt a bit tired, so she found an embroidered cushion in the scenic waterside pavilion and sat down.

At that moment, she spotted an acquaintance—Tang Yizi, the wife of Shen Yue from Wenyuan Marquis’s Mansion.

Tang Yizi approached and said to Tao Sheng, “I just saw someone who looked like my sister from a distance. When I got closer, I realized it was you.”

Since having a major falling out with Shen Yu in De Shou Hall, Tao Sheng had not visited the Shen family again. The only time Tang Yizi visited her was when she was passing by the old Su residence while returning to her parents’ home. They spoke briefly, but afterward, they lost contact.

It was quite surprising to run into her today.

Regardless of past conflicts, Tang Yizi always had a good relationship with Tao Sheng. Even though she couldn’t openly support Tao Sheng during family disputes, she still helped her secretly, which Tao Sheng appreciated.

Tao Sheng smiled and said, “The prince’s wife is here too.”

Tang Yizi replied, “Our family is also connected to the Wen family. Wen Shu, the eldest daughter of the Wen family, invited guests. The invitation was sent to the Marquis’s Mansion, and mother asked us to come.”

Most of the attendees at Ruiyun Villa were female relatives. When Tang Yizi mentioned “we,” she likely meant Shen Ruojin, who was about to get married, not Shen Yue or Shen Ci.

Tang Yizi was subtly reminding Tao Sheng that Shen Ruojin would also be there and that they should try to avoid any gossip.

After all, both knew Shen Ruojin well and understood her playful nature.