Chapter 89: The Scholar’s Heart

After everyone had settled down for the night, Tian Mi took a bath in her space, made herself a cup of honey lemon spring water, and relaxed. The fatigue vanished, and she began working on her song lyrics.

Whether listening to a storyteller or watching a theater troupe perform, it was a long process, but listening to songs was different. The process was shorter, so it was easier to learn, and just as easy for the songs to spread.

If this song became popular, it could last for generations. Even if the Ruan and Jia families were gone, the song would live on.

The Scholar’s Wife

I accompanied the scholar through the cold study,
Raising children day by day.
Three marriage matches, the red bridal sedan carried me into the house!
Family and friends, witnesses in the family tree!

When I married you, you were poor and struggling,
When you abandoned me, you were famous, your wedding night lit up with candles.
From now on, you won’t need me to mend and sew,
Your wife and children only stand in your way.

Snow falls in June, snow falls in June!
The three of us received a letter of divorce.
Snow falls in June, snow falls in June!
The scholar only sees his new bride smile, not his old wife cry!

That’s enough! The lyrics weren’t long, and with White Fox’s music, it wouldn’t take long for everyone to learn it.

The story of the scholar divorcing his wife, and Ruan Xi’s own story, was still circulating. When he was captured, he angrily shouted, “I should have killed her!”

He had been mocked by Miss Zeng, who ridiculed him for his dirty deeds.

From now on, the Jia family had made an enemy of her!

It didn’t matter—when they targeted her, they didn’t care about offending her, so she would retaliate fiercely. Heh, now she had powerful allies.

Bai Mucheng had completed his arrangements and arrived at the county palace, entering as usual by scaling the wall.

Tian Mi, receiving a reminder from Yanzu, knew he had arrived. He was reliable, and a warm current flowed through her. Yes, she needed to stay informed about the situation in the capital to avoid any future problems. Alas, identity was always a constraint.

She hadn’t closed the windows, so Bai Mucheng leaped inside. He had been on the go all day.

Seeing a cup of water on the table, he picked it up and drank without a second thought.

Tian Mi didn’t react immediately; it was the same water she had drunk, and they were now legally married, so sharing a cup was no issue. It hadn’t affected her before, so it didn’t matter now!

Bai Mucheng had never tasted water so refreshing, relieving his fatigue and leaving him feeling completely at ease. It was honey lemon water, no wonder it was cherished so much.

He had no idea the water he drank was different from hers.

Tian Mi looked at him and asked, “Is everything arranged?”

Bai Mucheng sat next to her and pulled her onto his lap, saying, “Yes! I had people work overnight. I’ll give you a copy tomorrow, and they’ll start practicing. They should have it down in two days. The theater troupe will take a bit longer to rehearse, but it’ll be enough to make the Jia family suffer.”

Tian Mi secretly enjoyed the thought. With the song and the books she printed, this would be a multi-dimensional strike.

She muttered angrily, “Well done. I didn’t know they would treat me so harshly over just a few words.”

Bai Mucheng hugged her and said, “They were targeting me, but I don’t know how they found out about you and me. I’ll look into this matter carefully. Don’t worry, I’ll handle it.”

As he looked at the delicate beauty in his arms, Bai Mucheng smiled and gently spoke, “Little fairy, big brother’s here!”

He leaned in and kissed her lips.

Tian Mi was still stunned. Didn’t he say he had something to discuss with her?

However, with her handsome, legally-recognized husband presenting himself so conveniently, she naturally wouldn’t refuse.

Soon, she was made dizzy by his actions. She couldn’t even remember how she ended up on the bed, or how her clothes vanished one by one. She became completely his.

As he whispered “Mi’er” repeatedly, her little bunny ears became like soft steamed buns, waves of pleasure flooding her. Eventually, she had no strength left and fell into a deep, exhausted sleep.

Afterward, Bai Mucheng, fully satisfied, looked at Tian Mi, who was peacefully asleep on her side. Her flushed face and delicate, cherry-like lips, with her long silk-like hair scattered on the pillow, made her look so angelic. He gently twirled a strand of her hair with his fingers, marveling at its smoothness.

She looked so docile and charming when she slept.

He softly kissed her cheek and murmured, “The grudge of a day has finally been avenged. Little fairy, are you ready?”

The next morning, Tian Mi woke up to find Bai Mucheng had already left. Her body ached all over, and when she recalled what happened last night, her face turned as red as fire. She couldn’t help but lament that men’s words could never be trusted! He had promised to talk, but look what happened instead!

Turning over, she discovered a letter and a small wooden box by her pillow. The handwriting was much more elegant than hers, like a steel pen on silver hooks. It was impressive enough to fetch a high price if sold.

Mi’er: “Greetings, my love. The item inside is for your pleasure. Do whatever you wish with it, and I will always be by your side, clearing the path for you.

If you have some free time, do spend more time with the Empress and Her Highness.

Your husband, Mo Chen.”

Tian Mi read it, trying to decipher the meaning. Was this implying that now she had support in the capital, and she could do whatever she wanted?

Opening the wooden box, she found a dark metallic token engraved with a character for “order.” She weighed it in her hand; it had a significant heft to it.

She surmised that the token’s owner must have considerable power, which made her heart flutter with a sweet feeling. This little brother could really be trusted!

Since she felt sore all over, Tian Mi entered the space through the bathroom to soak in the spiritual spring bath. The moment she entered, she felt much better. As she looked at the marks on her body and the lingering pain, she blushed, cursing Bai Mucheng as a beast. Hmph!

She soaked for another fifteen minutes, then drank another cup of spring water. The marks and pain finally faded away.

Looking at her reflection in the mirror, her tall and slender figure looked just right—curves where they should be, slimness where it mattered, and a perfect posture. She smiled slightly, putting on her undergarments, followed by a traditional outfit. She looked like a beautiful painting come to life.

When she left the courtyard, Xiao Mama brought her some nourishing gifts. Upon seeing Tian Mi walk gracefully toward the two treasures, Xiao Mama glanced at the supplements in her hand, then at the princess, feeling a bit confused. Could she really be this healthy?

Bai Mucheng had made no effort to hide his stay—he’d left the doors open, allowing everyone to know that he had spent the night at the county princess’s residence.

Xiao Mama was a bit muddled—weren’t these supplements supposed to be for the Prince?

Tian Mi spent some time with the two treasures before having breakfast. The breakfast was especially lavish, complete with a nutritious soup. It was quite a luxurious start to the day.

Tian Mi delegated the daily household matters to Xiao Mama, as she was always sensible. Tian Mi didn’t need to say much.

Yi was in charge of managing the various properties. There wasn’t much to do yet, since the materials and tools weren’t fully prepared. She was still in the process of getting everything ready.

Xiao Mama then reported, “Princess, the Duke has sent guards to the residence. The leader is Chen Yu, along with his two assistants. They’ll handle any matters you need.”

Xiao Mama didn’t address her as the princess consort, knowing the proper decorum. In the princess’s residence, she was still called the princess; only when she left the gate would she be referred to as the consort.

Tian Mi nodded in acknowledgment.

She did have something to do—she needed to find some singers.

Not long after breakfast, Xu Feiyan arrived.

“Tian Mi, our bookstore is finished, but right now we only have brushes, ink, paper, and inkstones. Is that all we’re selling? Also, what should we call the shop?”

Tian Mi smiled, “Don’t worry, you’ll find out soon. For now, buy up all the expensive books about the imperial examinations from the market, and also purchase a house nearby for the bookstore.”

As for the name?

Tian Mi wasn’t great at naming things, but after thinking for a moment, she decided to call it Shizi Xin (The Scholar’s Heart).

She also needed to gather more books to print! To truly defeat the Jia family, she had to counter their strengths.