041. How to Find a Perfect Husband

Although Le Qianxue was worried, the person she cared about was certainly not Yu Nanfeng.

“Of course, that’s impossible!” Le Qianxue said.

She had gone to some effort to retrieve that jade pendant, as it had been buried at the bottom of a chest!

Yin Susu, understanding the situation, took the jade pendant and handed it to Yu Nanfeng.

“Your Highness, it’s best you leave,” Yin Susu said. “My lady is not easily appeased. After all, you know very well what you’ve done in the past.”

Yu Nanfeng was bewildered for a moment. Yes, what exactly had he done?

He recalled that when Le Linglong and several other noble ladies used to bully Le Qianxue, he had stood by, gloating, never offering any help.

A pang of regret struck Yu Nanfeng. Why had he been so blind back then, allowing himself to be beguiled by Le Linglong?

He lowered his eyes, gripping the jade pendant tightly. “Qianxue, no matter what, I will wait for you!”

Le Qianxue felt a headache coming on, but fortunately Yu Nanfeng left quickly.

Yin Susu poured her a cup of tea. “My, you do attract a lot of admirers.”

Le Qianxue rubbed her temples. “Don’t talk to me about this. I was scared out of my wits. For a while, I thought he’d knocked his head, but it turns out he’s just set his sights elsewhere!”

Yin Susu grew serious. “Xue’er, I’ll speak plainly. Though you act carefree, there’s a unique charm about you that no one else can match. Even as a woman, I find you appealing—how could men possibly resist?”

Le Qianxue’s mouth twitched. “Don’t use your standards to describe me. If I didn’t know anything, or if I weren’t the eldest daughter of the General’s Manor, who would like me then?”

She took a sip of tea. At first, she’d been anxious to marry, but suddenly she saw things clearly. Since she was capable, she could just earn her own living—why must she marry at all?

Besides, she was only going to the palace for lessons. While others attended class, she could read medical books—not a moment wasted.

“That’s true enough,” Yin Susu agreed. “Well then, get ready. Tomorrow you’ll be going to the palace for lessons. But you should also consider when to follow Yuan Tianci to the Prince of War’s residence to investigate.”

Yin Susu was indeed worried about the matter of the ancestral records, especially since Young Master Yuan had vanished without a trace, leaving her at a loss.

Le Qianxue replied, “Don’t worry, I have a plan. I’ll act in a couple of days.”

Yin Susu wasn’t worried anymore. After all, Le Qianxue always did what she said she would.

That day, Yu Zhiyang seemed busy with other matters and did not come to the General’s Manor.

The next morning, Le Qianxue was awakened early by Huatao, preparing to enter the palace.

Huatao packed everything needed for the lessons, intending to accompany Le Qianxue.

Le Qianxue took the flower basket from her. “You needn’t come with me. Stay in the courtyard.”

Le Linglong, being the Third Princess’s companion reader, had previously lived in the palace. But after the General’s Manor was embroiled in the incident with the Fourth Prince, the Third Princess dismissed her, so she’d been staying at the General’s Manor ever since, and today she was to leave with Le Qianxue.

“Sister, His Majesty is truly generous with you, allowing you to attend lessons in the palace again,” Le Linglong said with a sweet, delicate smile.

Le Qianxue didn’t even look at her. Sharing a carriage with Le Linglong would be suffocating.

Just then, Le Qianxue saw the Prince of War’s carriage pass by and stop before her.

“Lady Le,” Haoyue and Zhuixing stood guard nearby, greeting her with particular courtesy.

“What brings you here?”

The Prince of War’s residence was a fair distance from the General’s Manor.

“The Prince has come to fetch you,” Haoyue said, lifting the curtain for Le Qianxue to board the carriage.

Le Qianxue thought to herself that at this hour, Zhan Lianjing should be attending court. Why had he come by this way?

But whatever Zhan Lianjing’s reasons, she couldn’t be bothered to guess. For the sake of Yin Susu’s matter, she needed to stay close to him anyway.

Yet, recalling the incident at the ice pond, Le Qianxue felt uncomfortable. Still, if he could overlook it, why should she hold a grudge?

She said nothing and boarded the carriage.

Le Linglong was surprised to see her do so. “Sister, you haven’t even come of age—how can you ride the Prince of War’s carriage so often? People will gossip.”

Le Qianxue didn’t bother to poke her head out. “My reputation has never been stellar. What are you worried about?”

No doubt Le Linglong feared Le Qianxue might gain Zhan Lianjing’s backing.

Haoyue frowned. “Our prince is an upright man. Second Miss, are you implying he’d take advantage of someone?”

Le Linglong quickly shook her head, not daring to speak further. Offending Haoyue and Zhuixing was tantamount to offending Zhan Lianjing himself.

Thus, the two carriages set off for the palace, neither hurried nor slow.

“Prince of War, is my master, Tianci, well accommodated at your residence?” Le Qianxue asked.

“I’m surprised you remember him,” Zhan Lianjing replied sourly. “I thought you were so intent on marrying you’d forgotten him.”

“Not at all. I’ll go see him shortly.”

Zhan Lianjing said nothing, simply tossed her a dossier.

Le Qianxue, puzzled, opened it to find portraits and detailed descriptions of several men—their family backgrounds and preferences all listed.

Her eyes widened. Since when did Tianlong have things like this? It startled her.

After flipping a few pages, she asked, “What’s this? Are you recruiting guards or looking for male companions?”

Zhan Lianjing nearly choked with exasperation. “It’s for you!”

This time, Le Qianxue’s expression changed. “For me? What are you up to?”

Zhan Lianjing spoke calmly. “I know you long for marriage. Out of our acquaintance, I’ve taken it upon myself to find you a husband. These are the finest—pick one and I’ll make the arrangements.”

Le Qianxue’s hand trembled slightly, annoyance brewing in her chest. He had just kissed her at the ice pond, and now he spoke like this—damn cripple!

She dropped the dossier. “No need! I’ve decided to become a nun and never marry!”

Zhan Lianjing glanced at her and nodded. “That would be wise. Given your circumstances, finding a good match would be difficult. At least now I need not worry about you. Knowing one’s limitations is a virtue.”

Le Qianxue turned away, unwilling to speak to him.

Was she so unworthy? If she wanted to marry, she could easily find someone!

When they finally reached the palace, Le Qianxue breathed a sigh of relief and quickly alighted from the carriage.

Ahead was the Grand Tutor’s Institute—a few steps, and she’d be there.

Haoyue stopped her. “Lady Le, please wait for the prince.”

Because it took Zhan Lianjing some time to disembark, she had to wait.

“Why? Isn’t the prince going to court?”

“No, he hasn’t attended court lately.” As she spoke, Zhuixing had already wheeled Zhan Lianjing to the front.

Le Qianxue was curious. Why wasn’t Zhan Lianjing attending court? What business did he have at the palace?

She hadn’t expected Zhan Lianjing to be substituting for the Grand Tutor that day and instructing their class.

Among the students were princesses and the sons and daughters of officials.

As soon as Le Qianxue entered, all conversation ceased. Everyone knew her reputation and hadn’t expected to attend lessons with her.

They quickly returned to their seats, scattering so that no one had to share a bench with her—none of the ladies wanted to sit beside Le Qianxue.

She simply went to the back and found herself a seat.

Having risen early, her eyes were swollen and she was drowsy as soon as she sat down.

Soon, the others ignored her and began whispering among themselves:

“I heard Grand Tutor Jia is ill today—apparently, the Prince of War is teaching us?”

“Yes! You’re just now hearing that? I knew last night.”

“His legs may not be agile, but his looks are unmatched.”

“Oh, come now, would you really want to marry a cripple?”

A few unknown young ladies gossiped at the front, and Le Qianxue heard every word—her sleepiness vanished.

That scoundrel was actually teaching their class?!

She pursed her lips. Soon, the lesson began and Zhan Lianjing arrived.

He was a prince, not a tutor—what business did he have teaching?

But being a prince, everyone respected him and dared not slight him, so the class was exceptionally well-behaved.

“By imperial decree, I am here today to discuss the principles of good governance,” Zhan Lianjing announced.

Le Qianxue propped her chin on her hand and stifled a yawn.

Though Tianlong was a patriarchal society, women were not entirely disregarded. Daughters of noble or official families were permitted to learn these subjects; if they spent all day studying the classics for women, they’d surely be bored to death.

Zhan Lianjing continued, “Who will speak first?”

Several students were eager, hoping to impress the prince and perhaps win his favor for future advancement.

But Zhan Lianjing ignored them and called, “Le Qianxue, you answer.”

Le Qianxue, half asleep, snapped to attention at the sound of her name, as if transported back to her previous life as a student. She shot to her feet. “Present!”

Everyone was stunned, then burst out laughing.

Many looked at her with disdain. Even as the General’s eldest daughter, Le Qianxue was just a sparrow—she could never become a phoenix.

Stared at by so many, Le Qianxue had no idea what Zhan Lianjing had just asked.

He looked at her. “I asked, what is the way to govern a country?”

Le Qianxue replied, “Prince of War, my aspiration is to find an ideal husband, not to govern a nation, so I focus on how to find the right man.”

“And?” Zhan Lianjing managed not to lose his temper, though his expression grew colder.