As soon as she returned to the house, Zhang Qi let out a long sigh and her face broke into a smile. She flopped onto the couch, rolled over, and looked at busy Ah Lu, suddenly saying: "Ah Lu, from now on if someone provokes you or harms you, just endure it first and come back to tell me." In the future she would have money, but she couldnt let Ah Lu not enjoy a single day of happiness, so for now she would bear the brunt of other peoples sneak attacks.
Lu knew that Zhang Qi was usually steady and didnt trust herself. She pouted, and replied in a bad mood: "I know, am I that stupid?"
Zhang Qi smiled.
"Anyway, Ill just follow you."
Zhang Qi nodded, gazing out at the azure sky outside, murmuring: "This world is too chaotic. Without money, every step is difficult; with money, its only slightly better." Therefore, to live her dream life, she still had many, many things to do.
A Lu nodded randomly without a care, and before Zhang Qi had finished speaking, she was already humming a tune as she busied herself outside the room.
The next day in the morning, Zhang Qi hurried to school.
As soon as she walked out of the school gate, she was stunned: why did those girls come so early?
As soon as she approached, Zhang Gui heard a murmur of discussion, "Envoys from both Northern Qi and Northern Zhou have arrived."
"I heard that the Northern Qis envoy is that renowned Prince of Guangling, Gao Longxu."
The Prince of Guanglings three words had just come out, and a wave of gasping sounds rose and fell in the air. This Prince of Guangling was a prince of Northern Qi, and it was said that his birth mother was a lowly person without even a name.
The King of Guangling is only eighteen or nineteen years old and has not achieved any earth-shaking feats, but the reason why all the young ladies get excited when they mention him is because legend has it that he is peerlessly handsome, truly the number one beauty in the world.
"Really?"
"It is indeed true."
The girls lowered their voices and cheered softly. Zhang Jin called out, "I heard he likes to cover his face. I wonder if he will show his true face this time?"
"I dont know." "It would be better if he showed his face."
It wasnt long before the girls were still extremely excited. In fact, since they knew that Prince Guangling was coming to Jiankang, they couldnt sleep at all. Finally waiting for dawn, they immediately ran to school and had a lively discussion with the other girls, to relieve their inner longing and excitement.
In the midst of all the gossip, only Zhang Qi remained unmoved. She quietly walked through the crowd of girls and headed towards the school.
Seeing her small and inconspicuous back, Zhang Jin pouted, a nun beside her coldly smiled and said: "What are you looking at her for? With her status, its already lucky if she can catch a glimpse of the King of Guangling through the crowd."
Zhang Jin hummed and said, "Thats also true."
In the bustle, only Zhang Jin stood quietly in her usual corner, waiting for Teacher Li to start class.
Todays lesson is a musical instrument class. Teacher Li gestured to the servants to put away the guqin, frowning and looking unhappily at the Zhang familys young ladies who were gathered outside laughing and chatting.
She was just a musician, although she came from the palace, but also had no right to shout at the girls. Therefore, they did not enter the school, and she had no way to do anything about it.
With a soft sigh, Teacher Li turned her head to look at Zhang Qi. Shaking her head, she cleared her throat and said to the school with only one student: "Then... lets start school."
One taught with spirit and the other learned with utmost seriousness, this class ended quickly. As he was about to turn around and leave, Teacher Li turned his head and took a glance at Zhang Qi.
In this half-hour of interaction, she discovered that this unassuming girl was very intelligent. Most importantly, her serious attitude towards learning made her happy, greatly making up for the sense of powerlessness brought by the empty classroom.
She paused for a moment and said gently to Zhang Qi: "How can you learn without being careless? Ah Qi, I will mention it to your uncles."
Bu De Zhang Qi expressed gratitude, Li Jiao Xue had already walked out of the school.
The second lesson is to teach the way of Go. Since ancient times, the two characters of Go have not been just a skill. The most important thing is to cultivate qualified leaders by training people to think five steps ahead.
This class, as before, was attended by Zhang Qi alone. Although the other girls had entered the school, their minds were not on their studies, and they still gathered in groups of three or five to discuss the various rumors about the Prince of Guangling.
Noon has come in the blink of an eye.
Zhang Qi walked back a long way and could still hear the arguing voices and giggles of the girls.
Just as I returned to the house, Ah Lu rushed in and excitedly called out: "Ah Gui Ah Gui, have you heard that Guangling Wang, who likes to cover his face, is coming? Have you heard about this?"
Zhang Qi nodded, "I heard."
A Lu raised her head and looked outside, as if the window was filled with a soft green light, thinking of the appearance of Guangling King. After a while, she said happily: "I heard that there are also several young masters in our mansion who will come out to receive the envoy." With her head tilted, she stroked her chin and muttered: "It would be great if he could come to our mansion."
As she and Zhang Qis identity, it is unknown whether there is such freedom, when the King of Guangling arrives, to observe on the street. Therefore, Ah Lu has this to say.
After a pause, Ah Lu said: "Everyone in the world says he is very handsome, I really dont know, how can a barbarian be so handsome? Hmph, he must be deceiving the world and stealing fame."
Zhang Qi couldnt help but laugh at this, and she said in a low voice: "He is the Prince of Lanling, no need to deceive the world with a false name." At that time, the Prince of Lanling had just been appointed as the Prince of Guangling, and was only eighteen or nineteen years old. He hadnt established any achievements yet, nor had he caught anyones attention. Apart from his good looks, he also possessed extraordinary talent...
Her voice was too low and A Lu didnt hear clearly. She looked at Zhang Qi with a puzzled expression and asked, "What did you say? I didnt quite catch it."
Zhang Qi looked at her and smiled, shaking his head without answering. She lowered her head and continued to work on the embroidery in her hands.
If that painting can be sold smoothly, this kind of embroidery may become popular for a while. She should prepare more.
A Lu spoke for a while and didnt hear any response, so she turned her head around.
Looking at the thick hair on top, Zhang Qis small white face, and those long eyelashes, Ah Lu said in a low voice: "Ah Qi doesnt look like a young maiden."
Even Prince Guangling couldnt move her.
Upon hearing Ah Lus complaints, Zhang Qi raised her head. She revealed her snow-white teeth and smiled slyly, "The Prince of Guangling? He isnt someone we can see just because we want to." Just as she said this, she thought of something and her hand trembled, causing the embroidery needle to heavily pierce her middle finger. Zhang Qi hastily put her bleeding fingertip into her mouth to suck on it.
She saw her white and tender fingers placed between her red lips, the scene was quite touching. Ah Lu couldnt help but stare blankly. After a while, she asked strangely: "Ah Gui, what are you thinking? Youre stunned."
"Ah?" Zhang Qi hastily withdrew her finger and said with a lowered head: "Nothing."
……
For several days, all the girls were in a state of excitement, even the young maidservants were thrilled at this moment.
Compared to them, Zhang Qi was as calm as an ancient well, too quiet. Originally, because of Xiao Mos affairs, Zhang Mian had been holding a grudge against Zhang Qi, but seeing her dull expression, he inexplicably felt relieved in his heart.
After five or six days of overcast and rainy weather, a bright sunny spring day arrived.