Chapter 115 - 114: Vying for Favor in Front of Your Majesty Like This
Chapter 115: Chapter 114: Vying for Favor in Front of Your Majesty Like This
Hearing the word "dinner," Shi Changying agreed without hesitation. "Sure."
Ning Liuyu laughed again. "I’ve never met anyone with the surname Shi before. You’re the first, Miss Shi."
Of course, she had known someone with the surname Shi, but that was over four hundred years ago. Taichu Empress’s Master Yao Guang was a supreme existence to her, which naturally made her feel fond of anyone sharing that surname.
Recalling her previous conversation with Ming Chengli, Shi Changying said, "My father was an archaeologist who studied Xuan History, so he named me after the Xuan Dynasty’s royal surname."
The Xuan Dynasty.
Those two words made Ning Liuyu’s heart tremble slightly. A fine, dense ache spread across her chest before sweeping through every limb and bone, making even drawing breath painful. Even though she had been in this world for over two decades and had become one of the modern Jiuzhou people, time could never erase the scars in her heart. That was the motherland she had once fought and strived for! Watching the great empires fall, watching history crumble to dust, and looking back only to find every familiar trace completely eradicated... who could ever truly forget with a peaceful mind?
Suppressing her surging emotions, Ning Liuyu’s voice choked slightly before she continued. "However, I have some matters to attend to over the next two days. I wonder when Miss Shi will be available next week?"
"We have monthly exams next week," Shi Changying replied lazily. "You’ll have to wait until I finish my last subject on Sunday."
It was time to see just how many points her elementary school knowledge could earn her.
Although she had mentally prepared herself, Ning Liuyu still couldn’t help but gasp slightly upon hearing the distant, nostalgic phrase "monthly exams." "Ah, so Miss Shi is indeed still in high school," she said. "Exams are very important. I’ll be staying in Jianghuai for a while, so there’s no rush."
After the call ended, Shi Changying looked at Shaoyuan with narrowed eyes. "Did you know she was going to call me?"
Shaoyuan calmly pulled a workbook out of her messenger bag. "No," he said casually.
Shi Changying had no intention of letting him off the hook. "Then why did you answer the phone for me?"
Shaoyuan finally looked up, his tone nonchalant. "Because I’m right beside you." He couldn’t just let her get scammed.
After pondering for a moment, Shi Changying understood. "Makes perfect sense." This was just like having someone test her meals for poison in the past. Such an act truly moved her, the Emperor.
Thus, Shi Changying ordered two drinks and pushed one in front of him.
Shaoyuan raised an eyebrow. "For me?"
"For you," Shi Changying confirmed.
Having witnessed her intense protectiveness over food, Shaoyuan couldn’t help but ask, "Why?"
Shi Changying thought for another moment and said, "Because I cherish you, so I am giving it to you."
Shaoyuan’s gaze turned momentarily sharp. He scrutinized her for a second before saying, "Don’t throw around such an important word so casually."
Shi Changying didn’t see anything wrong with the word. When she used to lie in the trees eavesdropping on her ministers’ private conversations, she always heard them talking like that. They would say things like, "Her Majesty cherishes me, which is why she rewarded me with this unique, massive vase," or, "Her Majesty cherishes me as well. Look, you don’t have a desk made of century-old wood like mine." So she had memorized the word "cherish" and applied it in her subsequent interactions with them.
After checking the workbook, Shaoyuan turned his head to find the girl clutching her cup, sipping her drink while staring at him intently. In the dark of the night, her eyes were brighter than the North Star. Such a hopeful gaze directed at him truly made it impossible to refuse.
Shaoyuan lightly tapped the table with his fingers. "Congratulations. You can start learning middle school math now."
Shi Changying scooted closer to him while hugging her cup. "You teach, I’ll listen."
The day she would usurp his position was drawing ever closer.
An hour later, Shaoyuan closed the workbook. "Let’s go. I’ll take you home."
The two took the subway, their outstanding and well-matched appearances drawing frequent glances from the surrounding passengers.
After escorting Shi Changying to the main gate of the Old Xu Mansion, Shaoyuan stood in the wind, looked at her, and said, "See you tomorrow."
As Shi Changying waved back at him, she realized she hadn’t yet learned what the high-EQ phrasing for "see you tomorrow" was. She would have to continue learning from Lu Mi when she went to school tomorrow. Humbly seeking guidance and treating the wise with utmost respect—she was indeed a good Emperor.
After parting ways with Shi Changying, Shaoyuan left. He strolled alone along the Jiang, the moonlight cascading over him and dyeing his features a silvery-white, adding a touch of aloofness. Seeing him by himself, some passersby happily approached to strike up a conversation. However, while his eyes held the universe and all creation, they held no room for anyone else.
Shaoyuan returned to his private villa. He grabbed a cup of sweet fermented rice wine from the fridge and typed a few words on his phone.
[Shaoyuan]: Hair braiding tutorials.
[Little Jiang]: ???
[Little Jiang]: Whoever you are, get out of my brother’s body right now, or don’t blame me for getting nasty!
[Shaoyuan]: You don’t want me to repeat myself.
[Little Jiang]: I’m on it!
For once, Shaoyuan waited patiently.
[Little Jiang]: [Video]
[Little Jiang]: There are ninety-nine types of braids in total. I’ve gathered them all, but why do you need hair braiding tutorials?
[Shaoyuan]: Because I’m a well-rounded fighter.
[Little Jiang]: ???
[Little Jiang]: I know my IQ is nowhere near yours, but could you be a little clearer?
Shaoyuan didn’t reply again. He clicked on the video and quickly finished watching it. Braiding hair really wasn’t that difficult. He would try it when he had the chance.
The next day, Class 17 of the senior year erupted in cheers after finishing their rehearsal in the arts building.
"I can guarantee that Senior Sister’s Sword Dance will definitely win a prize!"
"It’s so cool. Unfortunately, I can’t even learn how to do basic sword flourishes."
"By the way, does anyone in our class know how to compose music? Or does anyone know any music creators?" the vice class monitor suddenly asked. "It doesn’t have to be a complicated piece, just a simple melody will do."
Song Qingmu choked on his own spit. "If any of us knew how to compose, we would’ve joined the arts class."
The vice class monitor rubbed his nose. "True. I was just thinking that having an original track would earn us more bonus points. If we can win the municipal award, the prize money is at least fifty thousand."
Shi Changying’s ears accurately caught the two words, "fifty thousand."
She took out her phone and sent the whole story to Xie Qingshi.
[Only I am the first]: Come to your Emperor’s rescue.
[Thanks]: Your loyal subject is accustomed to handwriting musical scores. I will deliver it to you in a moment.
[Thanks]: I am overjoyed that Your Majesty thought of me first.
At six o’clock in the evening, Shi Changying received a piano score from Xie Qingshi.
She had also asked Shaoyuan for a day off today because the calligraphy master the Xu Family had hired for her had arrived, and Ming Chengli had asked her to go back and casually take a look.
When she returned to the Old Xu Mansion, all the Xu family members were gathered in the living room. The moment Shi Changying walked in, every gaze zeroed in on her.
"Changying is back. Come here, quickly," Xu Zhao Yu said with a smile, waving her over. "This is Master Yan Sinian. From now on, Master Yan will be teaching you calligraphy."
Shi Changying raised an eyebrow and walked forward unhurriedly.
Xu Zhao Yu continued, "Master Yan has a senior brother named Cui Jiu, who is the future director of the Mingjing Cultural Heritage Institute. Changying, if you study under him, you might even get to meet Cui Jiu one day—"
Her voice abruptly came to a halt as Xu Shuyu suddenly stood up.
Looking somewhat baffled, Xu Zhao Yu asked, "Shuyu, what’s wrong?"
"Didn’t your class say you guys didn’t take it?" Xu Shuyu demanded, her tone laced with mockery. "Then what is that in your hand? Don’t tell me you know how to play the piano, so you also know how to compose music?"