Her guards

Chapter 100 The Thoughtful Fiancé
As the morning classes ended, the classroom returned to its lively state, even more so than before.

However, the discussion wasn't about the previous punishment of Princess Wuyang and her tutor, but rather about the instructor confirming that an exam would be held at the beginning of the month.

Furthermore, this exam will be combined with the monthly exams of other students at the Academy of Chinese Studies.

There will be rankings, rewards for the best performers, and penalties for those who fall behind.

Therefore, in order to better prepare for the exam, there will be no more rest days, and classes will continue until the end of the month.

This news caused a wave of lamentations among the female tutors, who were worried about the exams and their rankings.

For Princess Wuyang and Princess Nangong, although they were worried about their rankings and being humiliated by Princess Heicheng and scolded by their father if they did not do well in the exams, they lamented that they had to go to school every day.

It's winter, and I have to get up early every day.

The two of them were too exhausted to even get angry, and they had no interest in comforting the "poor" tutor anymore. As soon as get out of class ended, they went straight to rest.

Yang Hui had already run to Princess Heicheng's side to tell her about her grievances of being implicated.

Only three people remained in the last seat.

Yang Luo gave Liu Chan a wink, and Liu Chan understood. She gestured for the two of them to speak, then walked to the side and helped keep an eye on their surroundings.

“You should have refuted Princess Wuyang back then, lest people think you harbor resentment towards Princess Heicheng,” Yang Luo said in a low voice. “What if word got back to the palace…”

Mo Zheng whispered to her, "I know, I did it on purpose."

Was it intentional? Yang Luo was taken aback.

Mo Zheng said in a low voice, "Yes, since we already know that the palace has malicious intentions, we might as well give them a chance and see what actions they will take, especially whose actions they will take."

"This is too dangerous," Yang Luo said in a low voice, sitting up straight.

Mo Zheng said, "It's better than a real attack in the middle of the night, isn't it?"

After saying that, he looked at Yang Luo and smiled.

“You’ve always been bold, coming to the capital knowing there was danger, and even taking the National Academy exam. How come you’ve become so timid now?”

Yang Luo looked at her and muttered, "You're the one who's bolder."

While she did propose those things, it was the guard who actually carried them out. She was only responsible for thinking about them, and sometimes the guard would do them before she even had a chance to think about them.

“I’m bold, I’ll do some things.” Mo Zheng chuckled and looked at Yang Luo. “You just watch and see. If you don’t understand, go ask Qin Ying. You’re not related to us, so people will be less wary and will tell you more.”

Yang Luo looked at her and slowly nodded: "I understand."

……

.......
"Ah Rui, Prince Zhu has come to pick you up."

After school, Jiang Rui walked out with the others.

Because of the upcoming exam, Jiang Rui was inevitably nervous and whispered among the ladies next to her, making guesses. Suddenly, she was reminded by the ladies in front of her.

Is Yunxiao here?

Jiang Rui looked up in surprise.

They had already arrived at the entrance. There were many carriages and people outside the Imperial Academy, but they were stopped by the Imperial Guards and could only approach after the princesses' carriages had set off.

However, amidst the bustling crowd, Zhu Yunxiao, dressed in a lake-blue brocade robe and wearing a black cloak, stood out conspicuously.

The moment she saw him, a smile spread across Jiang Rui's lips.

At the same time, Zhu Yunxiao's gaze passed through the princesses surrounded by palace women and maids, like beautiful young ladies in full bloom, and landed on Jiang Rui.

Their eyes met, and Zhu Yunxiao smiled slightly.

His smile drew the attention of everyone around him, even the princesses, who were drawn to look over, sparking a flurry of praise for the handsome young master and the inseparable bond between the two childhood sweethearts.

The commotion subsided only after the princesses boarded the carriage.

Jiang Rui also came to Zhu Yunxiao's side. "Why are you here today?" she asked.

Zhu Yunxiao's gaze fell upon the carriages of the Duke of Ding'an's residence. By now, the princesses had already boarded their carriages, leaving only these three young ladies...

Jiang Rui noticed and looked over, but before she could say anything, Zhu Yunxiao looked away.

"Are those the tutors His Majesty assigned to the two princesses of Wuyang and Nangong? The same Yang family ladies who were nearly killed when they encountered the remnants of the Sun family on the street at night, were taught manners by palace maids by His Majesty, and were then punished by His Majesty with a slap on the hand?" he asked in a low voice.

So the young ladies of the Yang family have already caused quite a stir. Jiang Rui smiled and asked, "You've heard about the young ladies of the Ding'an Duke's Mansion in the military camp?"

Zhu Yunxiao scrutinized her face and asked, "Are they easy to get along with? Did they give you any trouble?"

So that's what you were worried about. Jiang Rui chuckled, her heart filled with warmth. Everyone loves a good show, but someone whose heart is only for you is worried that the excitement might affect you.

Jiang Rui laughed and said, "How am I so annoying? Everyone who comes here will hate me." As she spoke, she glanced at Zhu Yunxiao's face, "Who knows? After all, they haven't met you, Your Highness, yet."

This was clearly a joke stemming from the rumor that Liu Chan had taken a liking to Zhu Yunxiao.

This was the first time Jiang Rui had ever made such a joke, but as soon as it came out, she thought to herself, "So she really cares about this rumor."

The thought flashed through her mind, and Jiang Rui subconsciously looked behind her, immediately spotting Liu Chan in the crowd.

The young lady, dressed in a plain dress and wrapped in a simple cloak, was also looking at them. When their eyes met, she did not flinch, her expression calm and her gaze deep.

This Miss Liu...

I don't know about others, I only know myself.

Zhu Yunxiao's voice came through.

Jiang Rui quickly looked away and saw that Zhu Yunxiao was looking at her intently and did not follow her gaze to look at anyone else.

"All I could see was General Liwei's gentle and kind daughter."

Jiang Rui was amused and gently punched his arm: "Spending so much time in the army has made you a smooth talker."

Zhu Yunxiao smiled and helped her into the car, returning to the previous topic: "My new transfer order has come down, so I came back to see you. I won't be able to come back for a while."

"So that's why you came," Jiang Rui asked hastily. "Where are you going?"

"Go to Changshui Camp," Zhu Yunxiao said.

Jiang Rui's face lit up with surprise: "I've actually been assigned to Changshui Camp, that's wonderful!"

After Your Majesty ascended the throne, the troops of General Jiang Feng were incorporated into the Northern Army and named the Changshui Camp. Today, almost all the generals in the camp are still Jiang Feng's former subordinates.

These people still come to the Jiang family to offer their congratulations during festivals, and the sword and knife skills that Jiang Meng practices every day are also taught by these uncles and elders.

Zhu Yunxiao said with a smile, "In that case, it can be considered a case of the son following in his father's footsteps, and I am very happy."

Her daughter cannot inherit her father's business, but her son-in-law is also considered a son, and he can lead his father-in-law's old troops, so his father's reputation can be passed down for another generation.

Jiang Rui nodded, tears glistening in her eyes, and got into the car, gesturing to him, "Quick, let's go home and tell Mother and A-Meng."

Zhu Yunxiao smiled and nodded, then mounted his horse and escorted the carriage, merging into the caravan returning to the capital.

……

.......
"At least I didn't waste my time as a son-in-law."

When Zhu Yunxiao returned home and told his father, Uncle Yongwu nodded in satisfaction.

"Back then, my followers were either scattered or promoted to generals and stationed in various places. They all had their own agendas and could not be relied upon."

"Jiang Feng died young, and His Majesty appreciates his bravery. There is no need to worry about his growing power. His troops have not been weakened and remain loyal. Now you will inherit this loyalty, and in the future, the Changshui Camp will belong to the Zhu family."

Zhu Yunxiao didn't seem to care. Although the emperor had been thinking about this arrangement for a long time, he was never in a hurry.

Besides him, who else could be more suitable to lead Jiang Feng's old troops?
"Has Father been in contact with the Duke of Ding'an recently?" he asked. "His Majesty has also selected two daughters from his family to be the princess's study companions."

(End of this chapter)