Chapter 6: Hidden Talent

Sima Mo hadn’t expected that they were the daughters of the Prime Minister’s family. Would the daughters of the Prime Minister’s family not have money to buy jewelry? This shopkeeper, Ma, offended everyone. He would be dismissed in no time.

“Ah, it’s Miss Zhuang. I’ve heard much about you.”

“Heard much? I’ve only just come to the capital.”

“Though Miss Zhuang has only just arrived, your name is already widely known.”

“Oh? Tell me, what are they saying about me?”

“Some say that Miss Zhuang is willful and rebellious, that she doesn’t listen even to her father’s words. Others say that Miss Zhuang is arrogant and domineering, that she even dares to scold the Crown Prince. Miss Zhuang, is this true?”

“It’s true, but not entirely.”

“What’s not true?”

“I don’t just dare to scold the Crown Prince, I… also dare to hit him.”

“…………”

“Thank you for the hairpin, young master. Goodbye.” Zhuang Xiaoyu pulled the stunned Zhuang Xiaowan away from Huicui Pavilion.

“…Goodbye.”

She hit the Crown Prince? Was it the Crown Prince who had been sick for days because of her? Interesting. He’d have to look into this matter.

The shopkeeper, Ma, woke up and was immediately kicked out. With a swollen face, he cried all the way home. He couldn’t understand why he was being blamed when he was the one who was harmed. Why did the young master still make him leave?

Sima Mo turned and went straight to the Crown Prince’s mansion.

“How is His Highness’s health? Is he feeling better?”

“Why are you here?”

“Can’t I come?”

“No good news ever comes without a reason. What’s the matter?”

“It’s nothing, just came to check on you.”

“I don’t believe you.”

They had known each other since childhood, having shared many experiences.

“Tell me, how did you go to a banquet and end up like this? Was it really that Zhuang Xiaoyu who made you so angry?”

“She’s just a shrew, a harbinger of doom.”

“Whenever you lose an argument, you call someone a harbinger of doom.”

“How could I ever argue with a shrew?”

“True, I’m not leaving today. I’ll stay and have a meal with you.”

“Oh, so you’re just here to mooch off my food. Liu Xing, throw him out.”

“No, no! Don’t throw me out, I’m just here for the food! Liu Xing, you’re a good person. You wouldn’t listen to him, right? Hey, hey…”

Liu Xing grabbed him and shoved him out of the yard.

“Liu Xing, can you tell me in detail what happened between the Crown Prince and Zhuang Xiaoyu that day?”

“What does Young Master Mo want to know?”

“There’s a rumor that Miss Zhuang is particularly violent and likes to hit people. Did she hit His Highness?”

“She would never dare to hit His Highness. She’s not crazy.”

“So she didn’t touch His Highness?”

“She did. That Zhuang Xiaoyu is really hateful. She even patted His Highness’s shoulder and told him that such anger was bad for his liver and would shorten his life. The Crown Prince was so furious he spat blood.”

“She patted him how many times?”

“Twice.”

“Twice? That’s too much. How dare she pat him twice?”

Huh? What does Young Master Mo mean? He didn’t quite understand.

Sima Mo had finally discovered the cause of Murong Xiao’s illness. It must have been caused by Zhuang Xiaoyu’s slap. It seemed like Murong Xiao didn’t know yet. This Zhuang Xiaoyu was interesting—she was quite hidden.

A golden hairpin wasn’t worth much, and Zhuang Xiaoyu didn’t choose the most expensive one, but she was still in debt to someone.

However, Zhuang Xiaowan was full of admiration for her. She knew her sister wasn’t simple, but never expected her to be this impressive. No wonder her sister was so bold. They said that those with high skill often had big courage—her sister must be really capable.

Now, Zhuang Xiaowan followed her sister’s every word and believed everything she said. As soon as her sister said they were going to the academy to see Zhuang Xun, she immediately agreed.

While their father was at court and their mother was at the shop, they slipped out.

They rode the fast horses they had prepared in advance, left the capital, and followed the route they had carefully planned, reaching the foot of the mountain in less than half an hour.

They tied their horses at the foot of the mountain, took the food and water they had brought, and walked up the mountain.

“Do you know why academies are often built on mountains?”

“No, I don’t.”

“Because the air in the mountains is fresh, the environment is pleasant, and it’s good for the mood. Studying in such a place is twice as effective with half the effort.”

“Sister, you’re so amazing. You know everything.”

“Not that great, don’t worship me too much.”

Zhuang Xiaowan was used to her sister’s jokes, and the two of them walked hand in hand along the path in the forest.

“Sister, this place is so beautiful, it really makes people feel at ease.”

“That’s why many scholars and gentlemen prefer to retreat to the deep mountains.”

“When father and mother get old, we should let them live in a place like this.”

“Mm, that’s a good idea, we can make it happen.”

At the entrance of the academy, a young gatekeeper was surprised when he saw them approaching.

“Misses, are you here to find someone?”

“Yes, little brother, we’re here to see my younger brother, Zhuang Xun. Please inform him.”

“Alright, please wait a moment.”

The gatekeeper was quick, and soon, Zhuang Xun was brought out.

“Big sister, second sister, what are you doing here? Is something wrong at home?”

“How can this kid be so tactless? What could be wrong at home?”

“Why would you suddenly come to see me?”

“It’s my sister’s idea to come see you and bring you some food to encourage you to study well.”

“Do father and mother know?”

“Guess.”

“Big sister, thank you for coming to see me. I’m so happy.”

He had already guessed it; his big sister must have come without telling their parents. Zhuang Xun had been away from home for a while, and even though his father had never come to see him, his mother had only visited once or twice, and his father had scolded her, saying that a man should not be too pampered.

“Don’t worry, we’ll visit you whenever we have time. It’s not far here, we can get here in no time.”

“How did you come?”

“My sister rode a horse and brought me here. She rode so fast, it almost scared me to death.”

“Big sister can ride?”

“She can do many things that we can’t.”

Zhuang Xiaoyu smiled. This girl worships her so much, even boasting about her to her younger brother.

“How are father and mother?”

“They’re fine! Don’t worry about them.”

Zhuang Xun led his two sisters to his dorm. All the students were in class, and the room was empty.

“Second sister, now that you have big sister with you, stay away from Cousin Zhang Xue. She’s not a good person,” Zhuang Xun said, not seeing his family much, but he had already noticed that Zhang Xue wasn’t a good influence.

“I know, mother already told her not to go to the Prime Minister’s mansion anymore.”

“Why?”

“She talked badly about big sister behind her back and even encouraged Xue Ziyan to bully her. Mother got angry.”

“Did big sister get bullied?”

“Of course not. You don’t know, she was called a green onion by big sister, and it made her cry like crazy. Hahaha…”

Zhuang Xiaowan couldn’t help but laugh when she remembered that day. Zhuang Xun laughed along with her. Their sisters’ lives were so interesting. She hoped they could visit more often in the future.

Zhuang Xiaowan took out all the food she brought from her bag and placed it on his desk. The dormitory in the ancient times was similar to modern ones, with a small desk for each person to place their personal items. The rules and notices were posted on the wall.

“Eat these quickly. If you can’t finish them, share them with your friends. It’s so hot, they’ll spoil.”

“I know, sister, thank you.”

Zhuang Xun suddenly reddened around his eyes. They were just ordinary snacks, ones the academy even sold, but he felt the warmth of family, something he had never felt before. If his father saw him crying, he would definitely scold him.

Zhuang Xiaoyu gently patted his head. No matter how mature and composed someone was, they were still just fourteen years old. Thoughts couldn’t be hidden.

“Don’t get too moved, kid. If I don’t get married, I’ll be counting on you to take care of me when I’m old.”

“Okay, I’ll study hard and make something of myself. I’ll take care of you in the future.”

“That’s a deal. Let’s make a pact.”

Zhuang Xiaowan smiled to the side. Her silly little brother really took it seriously.

They couldn’t stay too long. If they returned too late, they’d be caught. They had to leave before Zhang Shi came back.

Zhuang Xun, with red eyes, sent his two sisters down the mountain. Watching them ride off into the distance, he finally turned and went back to the academy.

From then on, the sisters often visited the academy, and Zhuang Xun looked forward to seeing them every day. Even if they didn’t bring food, just seeing them made him happy.

After the success of the first time sneaking out, the second and third times were easy. When Zhuang Xun returned to the capital from the academy, he learned of the things done behind his back and couldn’t avoid being scolded by his father.

At that time, Zhuang Xiaowan and Zhuang Xun had already become die-hard fans of Zhuang Xiaoyu. They didn’t care about their father’s scolding, letting it go in one ear and out the other, just waiting for it to be over so they could eat.