A month ago, Dong Changyang, who had decided to participate in the top-tier exam, was not confident about achieving a good result. So, she followed her classmates, who were also taking the exam, to what was said to be the most spiritually powerful temple in their provincial capital to pray and offer incense.
Dong Changyang got up early before dawn, cleaned herself thoroughly, and went to offer incense.She never complained about her family’s situation, perhaps because she had liked inspirational and passionate shounenmanga since she was young. After all, the protagonists in shounen manga often had it worse than she did.
Of course, it could also be said that she was a bit of a middle-aged.
Although middle school girls are not easily understood by others, they have their own worldview.
Therefore, when offering incense, Dong Changyang sincerely made three wishes for herself.
First, she hopes to get into a provincial key school and pass the top-tier exam. This way, she can attend a different high school, saving three years’ worth of tuition and living expenses, and also be able to focus more on her painting.
Second, she hopes to meet her Prince Charming. This is purely out of a young girl’s romantic feelings, after all, when praying to the gods, it seems inappropriate not to mention something about love.
Third, she hopes to escape a life resembling that of a tragic novel’s heroine and instead have a grand adventure like the protagonist of a passionate manga, not missing out on the age to become a magical girl.
After finishing her incense offering, Dong Changyang saw Chen Huanzhi.
That day, the classmates who went to the temple with her dared not say anything to upset Dong Changyang.
The pressure was too much; she actually shouted “Ghost!” in the temple!
After a month of getting along, Dong Changyang finally figured out her connection with Chen Huanzhi.
Since it was summer and Dong Changyang lived on the ground floor, it was dark, damp, and full of mosquitoes. Burning mosquito coils was essential for survival.
Whenever Dong Changyang burned incense, she inexplicably saw the world through Chen Huanzhi’s eyes.
The ancient-looking streets weren’t too bad, but it was unfortunate when she accidentally saw Chen Huanzhi taking a bath. Chen Huanzhi also loved incense and would burn it while resting. When he saw Dong Changyang’s textbooks, he almost thought he was looking at a heavenly script.
Ahem.
Let’s not bring up the past again.
After a month of a chaotic life, Dong Changyang and Chen Huanzhi finally understood each other’s situations and became able to have proper conversations.
Although Chen Huanzhi, whom Dong Changyang referred to as an “ancient person” from a dynasty she knew nothing about, he surprisingly accepted these supernatural occurrences quite well.
Even though Chen Huanzhi often lamented about the “current state of society” and said things like “no matter how liberal customs are, one shouldn’t be scantily clad,” they both cherished this inexplicable bond that neither knew how it started nor how it would end.
After learning about Dong Changyang’s problems and plans, Chen Huanzhi advised her to “be more assertive.”
Unlike Dong Changyang, Chen Huanzhi was far from being as elegant and leisurely as he appeared.
As a companion to the crown prince, it seemed like a position of infinite glory, but in reality, it was extremely challenging.
He naturally had his own hidden difficulties.
When he went to burn incense, he originally just wanted to confide in the Buddha a bit, but unexpectedly encountered this strange encounter. Facing Dong Changyang, a foreign girl, he found himself able to speak freely.
Perhaps it was because he had never seen such a serene woman before him, nor had he encountered someone so vibrant.
It must be said, this was also a kind of fortune.
Chen Huanzhi was greatly surprised by Dong Changyang’s open-minded world, where not only could women go to school but they could also engage actively in society.
According to Changyang, in her world, the founding leaders once said, “Women can hold up half the sky,” a rough phrase but sound in reasoning, capable of repelling external enemies, revitalizing the country, and possessing such breadth of mind, truly astonishing.
Although their worlds were different, Chen Huanzhi could still understand Dong Changyang’s predicament.
………..
The practice of poaching talent has existed since ancient times.
Even during the Great Yan Dynasty, academies often fiercely competed to recruit scholars capable of passing the imperial examinations. Since Changyang emerged as the top scorer in the exams, she naturally had the right to speak and could not show any weakness to be bullied.
Full tuition waivers plus a stipend were one part of the offer; private accommodation was the second, and most crucial.
Although Chen Huanzhi understood the importance of connections, Changyang came from a poor background yet excelled academically. It would be inevitable for her to suffer bullying if she were to live among those from wealthy families who lacked academic abilities.
Even among the top academies of the Great Yan Dynasty, scholars whose parents held low-ranking official positions were bullied by those with royal connections—let alone Changyang, who had no parents.
“Since your mentioned mentors haven’t outright refused, your requests should be allowed,” Chen Huanzhi’s previously formal speech style, which Changyang had disliked for some time, could now finally communicate in plain language.
Dong Changyang smiled, “Definitely no problem.”He continued, “By the way, Brother Chen, these teachers seem to have an odd idea—they keep sending us snacks. Everything from bread, cakes, to pastries—you must have had the pastries, but I bet you haven’t seen this cake yet. Let me show you, this cake doesn’t keep well if left uneaten.”
Dong Changyang’s words, both explicit and implicit, were meant to impress Chen Huanzhi. Yet Chen Huanzhi distinctly heard Dong Changyang swallow audibly.
It was just some snacks.
In such moments, Chen Huanzhi remembered that Dong Changyang was only sixteen. Although in the Great Yan Dynasty, this age was considered suitable for marriage and childbirth, according to Changyang, in their land” one had to be over twenty to marry, and one couldn’t be considered an adult before eighteen, which applied to everyone from top to bottom, teaching Chen Huanzhi a bit of envy.
The Chen family also had sisters.
Although the Chen family cherished their daughters, being born into the Chen family meant enjoying wealth and glory but also having to consider the family’s arranged marriages. His family’s sisters were already looking at others when they were fourteen or fifteen, and even though they cherished their daughters, marrying at seventeen or eighteen was not considered early.
If it were in Changyang’s country, they would still be studying.
Dong Changyang quickly unwrapped the cake sent by the female teacher.
The cake was delicately made, about the size of a palm, layered with chocolate in the middle, adorned with a strawberry on top of the cream, and surrounded by a variety of fruits. Its vibrant colors made it look very tempting.
“Brother Chen, take a look,”Dong Changyang exclaimed.
Dong Changyang resisted the urge to immediately take a bite and instead busied himself showing off to Chen Huanzhi.
Through Dong Changyang’s eyes, Chen Huanzhi also saw the appearance of the cake.
“Hmm, it actually looks quite good.”
“You mentioned earlier that this cake is made from eggs and milk?” Chen Huanzhi was curious. Eggs and milk weren’t particularly rare ingredients, and he had tried milk pastries before, but found the taste peculiar and hadn’t wanted to eat more after the first try.
Now, looking at this cake with its creamy white and fluffy appearance, it seemed quite enticing.
“There should also be flour,” Dong Changyang thought for a moment, then ran to his room and retrieved a worn-out book titled ‘Complete Family Desserts’. Reading aloud from it, he paused occasionally to explain, “First, you need sugar, like this one. I heard ancient times used more brown sugar; I wonder if you have that here.”
Saying this, Dong Changyang brought out a package of white sugar from the kitchen for Chen Huanzhi to see.
“Although white sugar is valuable, our Chen family can afford it,” Chen Huanzhi couldn’t help but rebut, though it wasn’t possible for him to casually produce such a large bag of white sugar like Changyang.
The white sugar Dong Changyang brought out had a superior color and consistency. Chen Huanzhi was amazed the first time he saw what Changyang called the “kitchen.”
“People who can afford such sugar and salt, are they actually poor?”
“If they were here, even royalty might not always enjoy such luxuries.”
Dong Changyang’s immediate reaction: “… Are emperors so poor they can’t even afford white sugar?”
The next time a classmate was obsessed with Qing dynasty time-travel novels, she had a rebuttal. What’s so good about time-traveling? By then, you might not even afford sugar and salt!
“Three hundred grams, that’s all…” Dong Changyang gestured with his hands. “You better understand quickly. When that princess comes over, just toss her a cake and don’t disturb us while we’re painting!”
“Are you sure this dessert is really that useful?” Chen Huanzhi asked, half believing, half skeptical.
“Trust me, no girl would refuse cake.” Dong Changyang borrowed several time-travel novels from classmates, all of which mentioned scenes where the female protagonists baked cakes, so it should be applicable.
Though Dong Changyang wasn’t certain, it was worth a try.
The princess clearly came for Chen Huanzhi. Even a sesame candy ball would make her happy, let alone a cake?
Dong Changyang and Chen Huanzhi spent the whole afternoon discussing quick methods to make ancient cakes until the mosquito coil burned out, and they still hadn’t had enough fun.
She had successfully reached the top and wouldn’t have to go to school for the next three months.
Dong Changyang decided to use this time to take art classes. She was one of the “assistants” the teacher asked to help with the basics of drawing for beginners, getting paid a bit and being able to use the art room’s paints and paper for free.
For Dong Changyang, the art room auntie gave her this ‘job,’ and she definitely wanted to repay it. After the entrance exam ended, she could use the summer vacation to work as a tutor.
With excellent grades like Dong Changyang’s, tutoring during one summer vacation would surely bring her a good income.
Although her mother gave her money, she could live frugally. However, Dong Changyang hoped to avoid using that money as much as possible and instead return it directly to her mother later.
“Oh, by the way, Brother Chen, starting next Monday, I’ll be able to paint during the day. The art class is only open on Saturdays and Sundays, so I’ll have time to learn from Monday to Friday. How about we schedule it for 10 AM? In your terms, it’s mid-morning. I’ll be busy helping out at the art class the day after tomorrow.”
“But…”
On the other side, after figuring out the “cake” quick method, Chen Huanzhi had someone summon the kitchen maid at home. He briefly explained to her the procedure for making a “cake” and asked her to prepare one.
Although the kitchen maid was curious about why the young master suddenly took an interest in kitchen matters, she didn’t dare to ask and simply agreed to the task, reluctantly giving it a try.
In the evening,
Chen Huanzhi walked out of the martial arts practice field and casually placed his long spear into its rack.
“Thank you for your hard work, young master.” Chang Sui was about to step forward with the basin, but several maids had already rushed him, passing the basin to others, water to others, and wiping sweat to others.
Changsui stood awkwardly to the side, unable to compete with these maids.
The young master led a fortunate life. Whenever he went out on inspection tours, he invariably encountered young ladies from various households, receiving heaps of fresh flowers and gifts. Additionally, he served as the Crown Prince’s companion, excelling in both literary and martial arts. Each maid in the household, despite knowing they couldn’t aspire to his station, wished to be closer to him.
Not to mention the commotion caused among the household servants by the position of these maidservants around the young master.
“Ink and paper, come serve,” even Chen Huanzhi couldn’t resist the maidservants’ closeness. As he grew older, they became even more attentive. Unfortunately, his mother indulged them without asserting her authority as the former mistress of the house, which was truly distressing.
If all women could be like Changyang, he would be completely satisfied.
Chen Huanzhi could only use bathing as an excuse to escape.
“No need for incense, you may leave,” Chen Huanzhi stopped his maidservant from lighting incense. “From now on, there’s no need for incense during baths or restroom visits.”
“…Yes,” the maidservant muttered with some hidden resentment, but dared not act out and quietly withdrew.
Strange, the young master hasn’t required their assistance for baths in the past month. Could it be that he has someone special in his heart? Curse it! If she finds out who it is, she’ll have to punish them severely!
After bathing, Chen Huanzhi dressed neatly. Though not as serious as during the day, he exuded a youthful charm.
“Young Master, will you be studying painting today?” Changsui asked quietly as she fastened Chen Huanzhi’s belt.
“Mm, I won’t be studying for the next two days. Starting two days later, please have the teacher come after mid-morning to teach me. We’ll have a lesson each day for an hour,” Chen Huanzhi paused, remembering Changyang’s words from earlier in the day, a faint smile appearing on his face.
Previously, he only studied painting at night to match Changyang’s schedule. Now that she could study during the day, it was even better.
Although Changyang’s household had something akin to a night pearl to illuminate the night like day, studying at night still strained the eyes.
“Yes,” Changsui smiled, “I will go inform the teacher immediately.”
Their young master was renowned for his prowess in both literature and martial arts. It was odd how he had suddenly become enamored with painting over the past month, not only hiring a teacher to come to their home at great expense but also persistently practicing every day.
Oddly enough, this painting teacher had more than once mentioned privately that the young master’s skills were already beyond needing instruction, yet he continued to paint daily without fail.
Furthermore, the teacher had discussions with the lady of the house, suggesting that the issues the young master encountered in his painting might be due to the delicate strength of a woman’s wrist. It almost seemed as if the young master had someone in his heart, and he turned to painting to resolve these difficulties as a way to impress her.
The lady of the house, delighted, had thoroughly investigated, but no matter how she probed, she couldn’t discern the identity of the young master’s love interest. Since then, however, the young master had not encountered such problems again, so she had to abandon her inquiries.
Painting was considered an elegant pursuit, but it was puzzling why the young master insisted on painting late at night. The dim lighting was harmful to the eyes, and the master of the house had advised him several times to desist. However, the young master remained resolute. Moreover, seeing him laugh frequently while painting, the head of the household had eventually allowed him to continue undisturbed.
Now that the young master was willing to adjust his schedule, things couldn’t be better.
“It seems the young master has been quite happy lately,” Changsui, who had been with Chen Huanzhi for seven years, rarely saw him in such high spirits, so she ventured to comment.
Upon hearing this, Chen Huanzhi couldn’t help but smile broadly. “Perhaps it’s because of a goddess visiting in his dreams, but who knows?”
