Chapter 1460: Her Highness the Princess (6)

The palace maid was none other than the Second Princess's personal attendant.

Lü Qing's disappointment instantly vanished, and a smile appeared on his face. “May I ask who your mistress is, Miss?”

“My mistress is Her Highness the Second Princess,” the maid replied, handing him a folding fan. “Her Highness was deeply impressed by Scholar Lü's talent earlier and greatly admires you. She instructed me to present this fan to you. There is a poem written on it, but Her Highness cannot quite understand its meaning and wishes to seek Scholar Lü's guidance.”

Such an opportunity was naturally impossible for Lü Qing to refuse.

Besides, he was merely a newly appointed top scholar. How could he publicly reject an invitation from a princess?

Though his heart still leaned toward the Eldest Princess, he could not afford to offend the Second Princess either. Therefore, he accepted the fan with calm dignity, his expression composed and unruffled, making others admire him all the more.

“Since it is Her Highness the Second Princess's request, I shall carefully study the poem on the fan and provide an explanation. Please wait a moment, Miss.”

Lü Qing's composed behavior earned the admiration of those around him. Hidden inside her sedan chair, Second Princess Tang Xi was equally satisfied, and her fondness for the new top scholar deepened.

Not long afterward, the personal maid returned with Lü Qing's interpretation of the poem and handed it to Tang Xi.

No matter how much Tang Xi liked Lü Qing, she could not simply go and meet him in person. That would lower her status and damage her dignity. Reluctantly, she departed.

“Your Highness, do you truly not fancy Scholar Lü?” Juanzhu asked as she jogged alongside the sedan chair, wiping the sweat from her forehead. “He is the top scholar, handsome and refined, talented and accomplished. He's currently the most outstanding gentleman in the capital.”

Tang Guo glanced at Juanzhu and smiled. “There are countless talented men in the capital. In terms of appearance, many are more handsome than Lü Qing. As for talent, there are always greater talents beyond the heavens. Why should one newly appointed top scholar be considered the finest man of all?”

“But…”

“I don't fancy him,” Tang Guo interrupted, watching Juanzhu's disappointed expression with amusement. “Juanzhu, could it be that you've taken a liking to him? If you truly fancy the top scholar, I can make the arrangements and bestow you upon him to attend him with brush and ink. What do you think?”

Of course Juanzhu wanted to become Lü Qing's woman, but being sent to him merely as a maid who attended to his studies was another matter.

Without the princess backing her, she would only become a thorn in the eyes of the future mistress and live miserably. Unless the princess took a liking to Lü Qing and made him her prince consort, allowing her to serve as the trial bride and become Lü Qing's woman, then it would be another story entirely.

Juanzhu remained silent.

After entering the palace, Tang Guo went straight to see the Empress.

The Empress immediately asked, “Guo'er, what do you think of the new top scholar?”

“Mother, your daughter does not like him.”

The Empress doted most upon her only daughter, and standing nearby was the Crown Prince, who also cherished his younger sister dearly.

Hearing Tang Guo's answer, he immediately said, “Since you don't fancy him, then forget him. There are countless fine men in Northern Xia. Don't worry, Guo'er. We can take our time choosing.”

“Your brother is right,” the Empress agreed. “There's no hurry. Guo'er is still young. A prince consort must be chosen carefully.”

Host, what a wonderful mother and brother Northern Xia has.

“Mm.”

Within her soul remained one of the original host's final wishes—to protect her family.

Now that she had come, she would naturally fulfill that wish for her.

When the Emperor heard that Tang Guo had not taken a liking to the new top scholar, he merely felt a little regret and thought nothing more of it.

If his precious daughter didn't like the man, then so be it.

Lü Qing, however, was unwilling to accept defeat.

From that day onward, he frequently devised ways to attract Tang Guo's attention.