Chapter 99
Chapter 99: Pei Ying’s Kindred Spirit
The sudden visit from Grand Princess Jia Hong and Pei Ying took Luo Ning by surprise.
Grandmother was surprised as well.
The Princess explained with a smile: “The young master of your house, Luo You, and the Ninth Young Master from the Duke of Zhou’s residence came to our estate and begged to ask A’Ying for guidance in their studies.”
Luo Ning was slightly startled.
Grandmother felt a bit embarrassed and said: “We did not know about this. The child was ignorant and has disturbed the Princess and the Heir Apparent.”
Pei Ying smiled calmly: “I tested them with a few questions and found that Luo You is quick-witted and very gifted, only lacking a good teacher.”
Luo Ning was surprised, but did not show much on her face.
With Grandmother present, she just sat there accompanying them and did not jump into the conversation.
She only heard Grandmother say: “I will ask him about it later and then invite a tutor to the house…”
Pei Ying said: “Old Madam, if your household agrees, I can recommend him to Spring Mountain Academy near Lushan Academy.”
Before this, all civil officials in officialdom had come from being recommended.
It was not until Prince Yong ascended the throne, destroyed the great clans, and picked back up the imperial examinations that had been abandoned in the late Former Dynasty and early Current Dynasty that the special status of Lushan Academy in officialdom was broken.
Lushan Academy was extremely important and very strict in its selection. Every year, out of a hundred scholarly youths who took the exam, only one was chosen.
Among them, many outstanding ones still failed, and the scholar-teachers felt it was a pity.
Six years ago, Madam Pei herself paid to build Spring Mountain Academy, to provide a place of study for those who failed the exam but still had talent.
All tuition and miscellaneous fees there were free.
However, one could only study at Spring Mountain Academy for two years. If they still could not pass the exam for Lushan Academy within those two years, they had to leave automatically.
Because the scholar-teachers of Spring Mountain Academy were also from Lushan Academy, they not only knew the teachers’ preferences, but also became familiar faces, which made it easier to pass the exam.
Compared with the strictness of Lushan Academy, Spring Mountain Academy gathered many who had connections.
Even so, it was an excellent place to go. After two years of studying together, those elegant young masters from prestigious clans would have a better chance of being recommended as officials in the future, and Luo You would then have built up connections.
Grandmother looked at Luo Ning.
Luo Ning was completely puzzled.
[Why are the Princess and Pei Ying so eager to help? How could Luo You have any great talent?]
Luo You was only borrowing the Zhou family’s clan academy to study.
Every year, Old Madam had to specially entertain the Madams and Misses of the Zhou family to show her thanks, invite the scholar-teachers of the Zhou clan academy to eat, give them extra money, and ask whether Luo You had caused any trouble.
They all said that Luo You was obedient and clever. No one ever mentioned that his studies were outstanding.
In her previous life, Luo You had not made any great name in his studies either.
Luo Ning said: “Thank you for your kind intention, Heir Apparent. Grandmother will have to ask my brother first, and also my father and mother. If he is willing, I will thank you on his behalf first.”
Grandmother came back to herself and smiled: “This is a rare chance. Luo You must have real talent and learning so as not to let the Heir Apparent down. Can we give you an answer in a few days?”
She was very cautious.
She did not accept right away just because a pie had fallen from the sky.
Grand Princess Jia Hong looked even more pleased and said with a smile: “Of course. A’Ying only cherishes talent. He has no other motive, so please do not misunderstand.”
Luo Ning quickly smiled and said: “What the Princess says is very true. We are just a small, humble family and have not seen much of the world. Please do not laugh at us, Princess.”
The few of them exchanged polite words.
The Princess and Pei Ying did not get up to leave right away, but chatted a bit more with Old Madam.
The Princess asked Old Madam: “I heard there is a Guanyin statue here that is a treasure. May I pay my respects to it?”
Old Madam naturally agreed.
The Princess then said: “A’Ying, you should come and take a look too.”
Pei Ying agreed.
Luo Ning knew that Pei Ying had always loved Buddhist teachings and that he would become a monk in the future.
Hearing that they wanted to see the Guanyin statue, she seemed to guess their purpose in coming.
[Could it be that they want this Guanyin statue?]
That would not do. It was Grandmother’s emotional support.
Yet Grandmother seemed to have made up her mind. Her gaze was firm, and her expression was calm.
Luo Ning understood what she meant: if a Guanyin statue could be exchanged for a chance for Luo You to study, Grandmother was willing.
And it was not only for study and to make connections. She also wanted to send Luo You away so he would not get involved in the fights within the inner residence.
Madam Bai and Bai Ci Rong were becoming more and more vicious. They would surely make a move against Luo You.
The four of them went to the Little Buddha Hall to pay their respects.
Old Madam and the Princess talked about Buddhist teachings, while Pei Ying stood up and walked to stand under the eaves.
Luo Ning still had doubts about this matter. She remembered his cord, his bamboo flute, and the “Madam Feng” who had been with him for a year yet had never met him. She also stood up.
The early summer wind was warm. Sunlight danced beyond the green branches, and the brocade curtains hanging under the corridor blocked the harsh rays of the afternoon sun.
In the shade it was pleasantly cool.
Luo Ning saluted him and said: “Heir Apparent.”
Pei Ying gave a faint smile.
He was tall, with an elegant posture. Even in a not very eye-catching light blue robe, he still looked gentle and noble.
His eyes were especially bright and striking.
“Miss Luo, at the Dragon Boat Festival banquet last time, I saw that you looked a bit tired. Have you been feeling better these days?” Pei Ying said.
“I am fine. Thank you for your concern,” Luo Ning said.
She then asked: “Heir Apparent, that day I saw you drop a cord. It looked somewhat familiar. Could you let me take a look at it?”
Pei Ying smiled, his neat teeth bright as spring flowers, and he suddenly seemed more like a young man.
“It is truly a pity, I did not bring it with me,” he said.
“I have also seen you play the flute several times, Heir Apparent. Could I take a look at your bamboo flute?” Luo Ning asked.
“You saw that?”
“Yes.”
“Also unfortunate. I did not bring the bamboo flute today either,” he said. “It is not good to bring such things when visiting others.”
That sounded reasonable.
Luo Ning studied him.
He looked back at her, not giving an inch with his gaze. It was so intense that Luo Ning felt she could not stand against it, and she lowered her lashes first.
“I was being rude,” she said.
“If you like the bamboo flute, I will play for you next time,” Pei Ying said. “I love playing the flute, but sadly my skill is only average. Very few people ever praise my playing. For Miss Luo to notice it, I am truly pleased. It is hard to find a kindred spirit.”
“…” Luo Ning was speechless.
[How did a few words from me earn such high praise?]
She might really have been too forward.
“I do not really understand the bamboo flute either,” Luo Ning explained with a smile. “I was just curious because your tune sounds different from what others play.”
“I changed it myself. I love the zither. I took a zither score and changed it,” he said.
Luo Ning wanted to stop the conversation there.
She did not want to be anyone’s “kindred spirit”. She only wanted to become Princess Consort Yong and live a good life in Shaoyang in the future.
“… Miss Luo, I have not yet congratulated you on your granted marriage,” Pei Ying said.
“Thank you,” she said.
“The Ministry of Rites also chose four Secondary Consorts, including my cousin,” Pei Ying went on. “You have been wronged.”
“Heir Apparent, that is not right,” Luo Ning said. “Prince Yong is of the imperial blood. By the rules of a Prince of the Blood’s household, there must be one principal consort and four Secondary Consorts. That is the ancestral rule.
“Since I have been granted this marriage, I naturally feel greatly honored and support the ancestral system. To serve the Prince together with the Secondary Consorts is also my good fortune.”
Pei Ying was speechless for a moment.
Seeing the complex look on his face, Luo Ning also felt that her flattery was a bit over the top.
But she had no choice. She had to flatter him a little.
Princess Consort Yong was the greatest power she could reach for now and was something she had exchanged her life for. How could she allow any gossip about it to spread?
Pei Ying seemed to want to say something more, but did not know how to start.
A little bird landed on the treetop, breaking the stillness of the sunlight.
Luo Ning went back inside to check on Grandmother.
The Princess and Pei Ying left a little later.
Grandmother asked Luo Ning: “What does the Princess mean by this?”