The cousin is beautiful but ruthless.

Lin Yun shook her head after hearing this.

"Grandma, when you all go back to Yucheng, what are you going to do with me here? I'm not going to the girls' school."

Grandma Lin held her down, saying, "Once you go to the girls' school, you'll be living in the Marquis's mansion. You don't need to worry about these things. Once His Highness establishes girls' schools everywhere, you won't have that opportunity anymore."

Lin Yun pouted, still somewhat unwilling.

"Liang Siyu will be returning to the Marquis's residence in two months."

Upon hearing Liang Siyu's name, Lin Yun finally quieted down and gave in.

Some girls wanted to go to the girls' school, while others did not. Princess Yongning did not force them; she simply let them make their own choices.

Han Yueru had no daughter, so she didn't mention the girls' school. Just as she was about to speak, someone came from outside the corridor.

"What girls' school? I want to go too."

The speaker was a girl in military uniform. She was holding a helmet and tossed the long spear in her hand to the maid behind her.

Princess Yongning smiled as she saw the person who had arrived.

"General Ji's return to court today is quite a coincidence."

Ji Yuxiu smiled broadly, revealing a set of white teeth, and walked over to the banquet area.

“I returned with a troop of light cavalry to deliver the message. I had just left the palace when I heard that the Duke was holding a Spring Festival banquet, so I came to take a look out of curiosity.”

Everyone listened as Princess Yongning addressed Ji Yuxiu as General Ji.

Seeing that many people were confused, Princess Yongning took the initiative to explain.

"Miss Ji has rendered meritorious service at the border and is now a fifth-rank general appointed by the Emperor."

wow——

A commotion broke out in the crowd as they looked at Ji Yuxiu, who had a proud expression on her face. She saw Wei Ming, greeted her, and sat down next to her.

The two were childhood friends, and the Wei and Ji families lived not far apart. Wei Ming was frail when she was young, and Ji Yuxiu often went to play with her.

She looked Wei Ming up and down. "You've gained quite a bit of weight recently."

Wei Ming gave her a reproachful look and introduced Shen Hanyu to her.

Shen Hanyu stared at Ji Yuxiu. Ji Yuxiu was truly remarkable, and she admired her greatly.

Ji Yuxiu had already noticed the beautiful girl next to Wei Ming. She felt a little embarrassed in front of such a beauty, and since she didn't know Shen Hanyu, she simply greeted her.

"General Ji just said he was going to the girls' school, right?"

Princess Yongning turned her head and asked a question.

"Yes, Your Highness, you must accept me as your student. I want to learn more."

Ji Yuxiu said with a smile that her visit today was naturally arranged by the Emperor.

"Of course, I'm very happy that you can come."

Han Yueru couldn't help but rub her forehead. What was wrong with her today? It felt like one person after another was trying to disrupt her plans.

She had originally thought of taking advantage of Pei Du and Shen Hanyu's affair to make a move, as she had finally found some evidence. However, she had to give up on that idea now, as the focus this time was not on her, and it was better not to do anything risky.

Wei Ming grasped Ji Yuxiu's hand and asked, "How does it feel to be an official?"

Ji Yuxiu patted her chest: "It's so impressive! I finally understand why people are so eager to become officials. You should go to the city gate to see me today. I'll be riding a tall horse at the front, and everyone will be staring at me and praising how amazing I am."

Listening to Ji Yuxiu's words, Wei Ming felt a longing in her heart.

Shen Hanyu was the same; if she became an official, she could decide her own fate.

With Ji Yuxiu's involvement, things might go more smoothly.

Wei Ming tugged at Shen Hanyu.

"I remember your father was very learned. Have you ever heard him talk about the imperial examinations? Are they very difficult?"

Shen Hanyu nodded: "Scientific expeditions are difficult, but it's all up to human effort."

Now that she's made up her mind, she's going to go all out towards the finish line.

Remembering what her father had said in her dream—to live for herself—Shen Hanyu suddenly understood.

She can't let hatred blind her forever; she needs to figure out where she should go from here.

As Liang Fangrong listened to their words, she felt a mixture of joy and worry.

"Miaoyi, are you really going to the girls' school?"

Shen Hanyu countered, "Does Mother think I should go?"

Liang Fangrong paused for a moment, then said, "I know you've always been quite learned thanks to your father's guidance. Should we discuss this with your grandmother and the others first?"

Shen Hanyu smiled.

“Mother, Princess Yongning just said that as long as I’m willing to go, that’s fine. And it’s not like I can’t afford the tuition, so Mother doesn’t need to worry so much.”

She was determined to attend the girls' school and participate in the imperial examinations.

Looking at Shen Hanyu's determined eyes, Liang Fangrong was speechless for a moment.

Liang Ruochu offered Liang Fangrong a few words of comfort.

“My cousin is very knowledgeable and should not be overlooked. Going to the girls’ school is a good choice. Aunt doesn’t need to worry. But I might not be able to do it. I’m not very smart. I should ask my mother and grandmother about the girls’ school before I think about it.”

Liang Ruochu rubbed her hands together and smiled sheepishly when she mentioned that she was rather clumsy.

"If you put it that way, you really aren't suited to go to a girls' school."

Shen Hanyu calmly put down her chopsticks and retorted.

Liang Fangrong realized what was happening and said, "Miaoyi, how could you say that?"

“His Highness established the girls’ school to provide knowledge for girls who want to forge their own path and change their circumstances. My cousin doesn’t even have her own thoughts and only listens to the opinions of her family. It’s really inappropriate.”

Shen Hanyu smiled back at Liang Ruochu.

Liang Ruochu blushed, and Ji Yuxiu couldn't help but chuckle. She apologized and whispered something to Wei Ming.

"Your friend is so eloquent. I just found Liang San's words strange and unpleasant to hear, but now I finally feel a bit better."

Wei Ming told her to lower her voice, after all, it was someone else's family matter.

Liang Ruochu burst into tears immediately after being rebuked by Shen Hanyu.

"I may have been a bit blunt, but honest advice is hard to swallow, and it's all for my cousin's good. She can think it over carefully."

“Miaoyi!” Liang Fangrong stopped Shen Hanyu from continuing. “You’ve never been so harsh before. Your cousin is naturally a bit soft-hearted, and besides, her mother is only a concubine. How can you speak like that?”

"How am I doing?"

Shen Hanyu glanced over with a cold gaze.

Liang Fangrong suddenly felt a chill run through her body.

"She's allowed to jump around in front of me and disgust me, but I'm not allowed to say a word to her? Mother, are you really stupid or just pretending to be stupid, being completely fooled by such a junior?"

"Cousin, I didn't mean that..."

"Alright, if you two like to act out 'filial piety and maternal love' dramas, go back to your room and act out your mutual affection to the fullest."

With that, Shen Hanyu got up and left her seat, and Wei Ming pulled Ji Yuxiu away with her.

"Hanyu, you—"

Shen Hanyu turned to Wei Ming and said, "It's nothing, I just felt a bit stuffy, so I went out for some fresh air. You guys go eat."

Ji Yuxiu knew that Shen Hanyu definitely wanted to be alone for a while, so she pulled Wei Ming, who was about to speak, aside.

"Let her be alone when she's dealing with this kind of upsetting situation."

Shen Hanyu's departure went unnoticed. She rubbed her temples, a sense of powerlessness welling up from the bottom of her heart.

"Girl, don't think about these things anymore, let's look at these flowers."

"The fragrance of flowers is delightful and can lift one's spirits. Seeing such beautiful flowers, Miss Shen can also smile."

Upon seeing the person who had arrived, Shen Hanyu's eyes widened, and she immediately squatted down and knelt down.