Watching the carriage gradually pull away, the maid's face puffed up with anger.
She stormed over to the gatekeeper, pointed at the back of the carriage, and demanded, "Who was that just now?"
The gatekeeper was so frightened that his lips trembled. "It was County Princess Linghui, the esteemed guest invited by the Secondary Consort today."
The maid slapped the gatekeeper across the face. "What Secondary Consort? There is only one mistress in Prince Ying's Manor, and that is the Princess Consort."
"And why wasn't the Princess Consort informed of County Princess Linghui's visit today?"
The gatekeeper clutched his face, his legs turning to jelly, and his voice shook violently. "It was the Secondary Consort—no—Secondary Consort Li who personally gave the order. She said County Princess Linghui is an old friend of hers, and that this was also Prince Ying's intention, which is why the Princess Consort wasn't notified."
The maid ground her back teeth and glared fiercely in the direction of Li Qinyun's courtyard.
Upon returning to her own courtyard, she immediately reported the matter to the Princess Consort.
"Your Highness, if this continues, Secondary Consort Li will surely walk all over you."
According to the rules, whenever female guests visited, regardless of whom they were looking for, they had to pay their respects to the official wife first.
The imperial family maintained strict hierarchies. As a secondary consort, Li Qinyun was required to inform the Princess Consort before inviting anyone into the manor, and she could only do so with the latter's permission.
Song Jinzhao had stayed in the manor for such a long time, yet the Princess Consort only found out after she had already left. This incident was an outright challenge to her status as the primary wife. After all, she was the rightful mistress of the manor; Li Qinyun was merely a concubine.
"Did you just say Prince Ying was also there?"
The maid lowered her head, feeling aggrieved and full of resentment.
"The gatekeeper said it was Prince Ying's intention. Song Jinzhao is a county princess, after all. His Highness didn't even call for you to help host the guest; when she left, she probably thought you had fallen out of favor."
If the master fell out of favor, the servants would be looked down upon as well. She certainly did not want to be suppressed by Secondary Consort Li's personal maid in the future.
The Princess Consort took a deep breath, thinking of how Prince Ying had allowed Li Qinyun to travel thousands of miles back home to celebrate her father's birthday.
He doted on her so much that, fearing she wouldn't be used to the food outside the manor, he specifically sent a chef along for the journey. The jealousy she had long suppressed began to surge within her.
If this continued, wouldn't Li Qinyun truly overpower her if she gave birth to an imperial grandson one day?
Let alone whether the position of Empress would be snatched away by her, the position of Crown Prince alone could not fall to anyone else; it had to be her own son.
The next day, the Princess Consort went to her maiden home for reinforcements. When she returned, Prince Ying's Manor gained two exceptionally beautiful maids. In just three days, these maids became concubines, causing Xiao Rongyan to stay away from Li Qinyun's courtyard for an entire month.
Meanwhile, Song Gaoli originally thought that since no one was at the Ye Manor, Duan Yanhua would head back. However, halfway there, Duan suddenly changed his mind and took him to visit Hanlin Academy Scholar Fei Yanzhang.
Standing at the unfamiliar entrance of the Fei Manor, Song Gaoli wore a bitter expression, truly not wanting to go in. He felt a shameful sense of brazenly begging at someone's door.
"Be smart when you see Lord Fei. Mention your relationship with Song Qiming and Vice Censor-in-Chief Ye more often," Duan Yanhua whispered to Song Gaoli just before entering, his strict tone carrying a hint of warning.
Song Gaoli didn't say a word and could only nod. Yesterday, Teacher Ye had told him not to worry about anything else, so what should he do now?
Would he be kicked out by Fei Yanzhang?
The two were led to the main hall and sat for quite a while before Fei Yanzhang finally arrived.
His appraising gaze lingered on Song Gaoli for a long moment before shifting away; compared to Song Qiming, this one looked a bit lacking.
"This humble official greets Your Excellency."
Song Gaoli hastily followed suit, bowing with cupped hands. "Student Song Gaoli pays his respects to Lord Fei."
Good heavens, his aura was even more intimidating than Mr. Ye's. Just one sweeping glance made his heart palpitate with fear.
Fei Yanzhang looked displeased as he spoke to Duan Yanhua, "Is there something that couldn't wait until we are on duty tomorrow? And what are these things for? Remember to take them with you when you leave."
Song Gaoli held his breath and swallowed hard. The opening atmosphere was not great; it seemed his teacher's relationship with Lord Fei was truly quite ordinary.
There was not a trace of displeasure on Duan Yanhua's face, as if he were long accustomed to the other party's attitude.
"Your Excellency, this humble official indeed has a favor to ask of you today."
He pointed at Song Gaoli and continued, "This is my newly accepted student. Although he is a fellow townsman, classmate, and bosom friend of County Princess Linghui's brother, Song Qiming, their academic knowledge is worlds apart. Song Qiming placed first in the provincial exams, while he came in dead last. Seeing as the metropolitan examination is only a few months away, I was hoping Your Excellency could give him some guidance so he can perform better next year."
Fei Yanzhang cast a critical glance at Song Gaoli. "Since you took him on as a student, you should teach him well yourself. Or are you saying you lack even that bit of ability?"
Duan Yanhua slapped his thigh forcefully, sighing as if frustrated by an underachiever. "This humble official taught him for over a month on the way back to the capital, but his progress was very mediocre. I suppose it is because he once studied under Vice Censor-in-Chief Ye and has grown accustomed to his teaching methods."
"Back then, this humble official passed the imperial examination in last place, falling far short of Vice Censor-in-Chief Ye. After thinking it over, only Your Excellency can compare to him, which is why I specially came to visit today."
Song Gaoli's mouth twitched, and he could only nod in agreement to go along with Duan Yanhua's words.
On the way to the capital, Duan Yanhua had been sleeping the entire time and hadn't even opened a book. Where did this guidance come from?
He spun lies effortlessly, making them sound completely true. If he hadn't experienced it firsthand, he really would have thought Duan Yanhua was a good teacher who cared about his student's future.
"Oh? Ye Liangyu taught you?" Fei Yanzhang looked at Song Gaoli, his eyes fixed on him in a way that made one too guilty to dare tell a lie.
Duan Yanhua shot Song Gaoli a look.
Quick, do as I said.
Song Gaoli opened his mouth to explain, "My enlightenment teacher was a classmate of Lord Ye. Before participating in the prefectural examination, he entrusted Qiming and me to Lord Ye to be taught for two months."
"So that's how it is." Fei Yanzhang tapped his fingers lightly against his teacup twice.
Last night, Ye Liangyu had suddenly sent someone over asking for his help. It seemed Song Gaoli's character had passed his test.
Seeing that Fei Yanzhang was finally interested, Duan Yanhua hastily struck while the iron was hot. "Your Excellency, this child is not highly talented, but he is eager to learn and can endure hardship. If it weren't for my limited abilities, I wouldn't have come begging to you."
Fei Yanzhang said, "I heard that Ye Liangyu has already sent Song Qiming to study at the Imperial Academy. Since you are good friends with him, you should go together."
"My relationship with the Chancellor is fairly good; he should do me this favor. There are many instructors inside, so surely there will be someone who can teach you."
Now, not only was Song Gaoli dumbfounded, but even Duan Yanhua was caught completely off guard.
Originally, he only wanted to use this matter to let Fei Yanzhang know that his newly accepted student had a good relationship with Ye Liangyu. Who knew the other party would make such a grand gesture right off the bat?
Sending Song Gaoli to the Imperial Academy? Fei Yanzhang valued Ye Liangyu this much; his move was absolutely right!
"Gaoli, hurry up and thank Lord Fei." He hurriedly patted Song Gaoli's arm.
At this moment, Song Gaoli's mind was blank. Snapped out of it by Duan Yanhua, he hastily stood up and thanked Fei Yanzhang: "Thank you, Lord Fei. This student will never forget your kindness today."
Fei Yanzhang waved his hand. "As long as you know how to be grateful. Ye Liangyu and I often drink and converse happily together. Since you were able to receive his guidance, you must have some merits."
Go back for today. Once I have everything arranged, I will inform Lord Duan. When the time comes, you just need to head over there with Song Qiming.
If it hadn't been too conspicuous to sneak two people in at once, Ye Liangyu would never have asked for his help.
Ranking dead last, with only a little over three months left... could this kid really pass the imperial examination?
He could only hope that all this effort wouldn't be in vain.
