Chapter 183: A Delicate Bird, Endlessly Coy

Lu Ling and Lu Yanzhi were paternal cousins. Lu Yanzhi died at Xuanyang’s hands, and now Lu Ling was publicly professing his love and seeking to marry his former cousin-in-law. Who wouldn’t be shocked and curious upon hearing such a scandalous, ethically tangled tale?

Rumors were rampant and gossip flew everywhere, once again pushing Xiao Li into the eye of the storm.

Xiao Li hadn’t even stepped out the door, but her reputation was already tarnished.

However, no matter how Lu Ling, like a contemptible buffoon, caused a city-wide uproar, Xiao Li paid him no mind.

The rumors outside were swirling wildly, and people were even betting on whether the Emperor would actually bestow the marriage. Meanwhile, the Princess Mansion remained completely unaffected, with everything proceeding in an orderly fashion.

The Scholars’ Banquet had served as a very effective advertisement for the Princess Mansion. Many scholars’ admiration for the Princess Mansion reached its peak, all of them hoping to use Liu Yan and the other four as an entry point to connect with the Princess Mansion and become advisors.

Naturally, Xiao Li didn’t have time to deal with everyone individually, but when talent came knocking, she wouldn’t turn it away.

Song Junzhan arranged assessments, and only those he deemed truly excellent were sent before Xiao Li.

This new batch of selected candidates was naturally different from the first. Those who were chosen and willing to pledge their loyalty would each receive three hundred taels of silver. They wouldn’t be sent to the officialdom for tempering, but rather to assist the first group of five.

She established a total of three tiers for these scholars and men of letters. However, the tiers were not absolute. She would conduct an assessment every month, and anyone who failed would have to abdicate their position to a more worthy candidate, allowing the best person from the tier below to take their place.

The compensation and benefits for each tier were clearly displayed. Falling from a higher tier meant not only a loss of benefits, but more importantly, a loss of face.

So the current situation was that the first-tier scholars were desperately trying to prove themselves, while the second-tier ones were eyeing their positions hungrily, eager to climb up. The whole group was caught in a cutthroat competition. The only one who could remain calm was Song Junzhan, whose position was unshakeable.

Watching the five of them grow visibly thinner with dark circles under their eyes, clearly exhausted yet not daring to slack off for fear of being surpassed, Song Junzhan took a deep breath, feeling a wave of retroactive fear.

’Thankfully, thankfully I secured my position as the Princess’s top strategist early on. Otherwise, with my constitution, I would have definitely died here.’

The Princess Mansion wasn’t just an object of aspiration for scholars; the imposing uniforms of the guards also made many martial artists stare with longing.

A single cent can stump a hero. No matter how great your martial arts, you can’t get by with an empty pocket.

The guards of the Princess Mansion enjoyed high monthly salaries, good equipment, and high status. Aside from lacking an official government position, the job was practically flawless.

As time went on, many martial artists came to the Princess Mansion.

They were either highly skilled in martial arts or robust and physically strong.

Xiao Li took the time to personally select them, increasing the number of her guards once more.

Officially, she had two hundred guards, but by now the number was over five hundred. However, these extra guards were usually counted among the household servants. Only those who were specifically called upon could don armor and serve as escorts.

So, it wasn’t just the scholars who were in a rat race; the guards were competing fiercely as well.

Nanny Jinping took all of this in, a trace of worry appearing in her world-weary eyes. But she didn’t ask anything, instead gathering the four newly selected maids for a lesson.

’They had better learn. If they can’t, then they aren’t worthy of serving this Princess.’

---

Wang Wanqing didn’t last more than a few days in the palace. Hearing the rumors and gossip outside, she simply couldn’t stand it and came out again under the pretext of delivering something for the Empress.

She was furious when she heard the news, hating only that she wasn’t capable enough; otherwise, she would have definitely slapped that Lu Ling to death.

When Cen An came to deliver medicine to Xiao Li, he immediately saw Wang Wanqing staring eagerly at Xiao Li, while Xiao Li was pushing her away with a cold expression.

Cen An walked forward and greeted them, "Princess, Miss Wang."

"Doctor Cen."

Wang Wanqing saw what he was holding and knew he had something to discuss with the Princess, so she quickly lifted her skirts and ran to one side to look at the flowers. That pot of Peony had been specially brought for the Princess, a bloom she had painstakingly nurtured herself.

Although she had already checked it carefully many times, she was still worried there might be a flaw and had to look again.

Cen An handed the medicine and the prescription to Xiao Li. "This is what you asked for, Princess. It replenishes qi and nourishes the constitution, gently protecting the heart. The Princess can just have them prepare the medicine according to this formula."

Cen An was no longer responsible for preparing the medicine himself. He only needed to develop the formulas, which Xiao Li would then mass-produce. Apart from what she used for her own people, the rest was sold.

Cen An had visited Xiao Li’s apothecaries and seen them for himself. They all sold ready-made medicines at inexpensive prices, and business was booming.

Setting aside everything else, he was truly in awe of the Princess’s ability to win people over and make money.

Xiao Li took it and examined it carefully. Although she didn’t understand much about it, she still gave it a look-over. After she finished, she handed it to Lan Yue, who would first transcribe a copy before delivering it to the steward.

"Your payment will be sent to you shortly. We received two stalks of Snow Ganoderma this time. One is for you."

For Cen An’s compensation—money, valuable medicinal herbs—Xiao Li conducted business in a way that she never took a loss, but she also never let her partners take one either.

But Cen An wasn’t concerned about that right now. He glanced at Wang Wanqing nearby. "The Princess seems to dislike Miss Wang very much?"

Xiao Li raised an eyebrow. She looked at him, then followed his gaze to Wang Wanqing, the corners of her lips curving into a meaningful arc.

"What does that have to do with you?"

Cen An, lost in his own thoughts, didn’t notice the amusement in Xiao Li’s eyes.

"The last time Miss Wang came, she was crying so aggrievedly. And just now, the Princess was pushing her. I just saw it and found it odd, so I asked casually."

’Asked casually? It doesn’t seem like it.’

Xiao Li glanced in her direction. "Wang Wanqing."

Wang Wanqing, who was studying the stamen of a flower, immediately looked up. "Princess, what is it?"

Xiao Li beckoned to her with a finger. "Come here."

When she came over, Xiao Li pointed at Cen An. "You tell him why I dislike you."

Wang Wanqing’s lips immediately formed a pout. "Princess, why are you making me talk about this?"

After shooting Xiao Li a reproachful glance, she still answered Cen An, "Doctor Cen, it’s because I want to live in the Princess Mansion, but the Princess keeps refusing."

Cen An observed the attitude between the two and sensed something. "Didn’t you cry last time?"

Wang Wanqing’s face instantly turned red. "Doctor Cen heard that? I was just being a little pouty with the Princess. I wasn’t really crying."

Cen An froze, his expression complicated.

But Xiao Li, never one to shy away from stirring up trouble, suddenly reached out and pulled Wang Wanqing into her arms.

Wang Wanqing was stunned for a moment, but in the next, she composedly nestled into Xiao Li’s embrace, the very picture of a delicate, shy maiden.

"Princess, why did you suddenly hug me?"

Xiao Li secured the girl in her embrace, her chin resting perfectly on Wang Wanqing’s cheek, and shot a provocative glance at Cen An.

Cen An’s pupils trembled. He stared at the scene before him in disbelief, looking as if he’d been struck by lightning.

Catching a glimpse of his stunned expression from the corner of her eye, Wang Wanqing couldn’t help but ask in confusion, "What’s wrong with him?"

A playful curve formed on Xiao Li’s lips. "Nothing." ’He’s just questioning his life choices.’

’So that’s why Cen An hadn’t appeared before me lately. Turns out he held a grudge against me because Wang Wanqing cried last time.’

’Wrongfully accusing me comes with a price, you know.’