The cousin is beautiful but ruthless.

Seeing Shen Hanyu's serious expression, Liang Fangrong straightened up and listened to her continue.

"Did Father have any contact with anyone in the royal family before his death?"

Liang Fangrong was taken aback, not expecting Shen Hanyu to ask this. She thought carefully and then shook her head.

“Aside from his few close friends in Suzhou, he didn’t associate with anyone else, and I know all the people he associated with, none of them were from the royal family.”

Even if that person was secretly associating with Shen Yanzhi, Liang Fangrong had already met people from the royal family during the spring hunt and didn't see anyone familiar, which is why she said that.

Shen Hanyu nodded, temporarily believing Liang Fangrong's explanation.

"Among Aye's close friends, are there any who have connections to the royal family?"

As she asked Liang Fangrong, she also recalled the uncles she had met in Suzhou before.

Unfortunately, Shen Hanyu couldn't think of anyone who could be related to the Crown Prince and Li Huaijiang.

Liang Fangrong never expected this.

"No, why are you suddenly asking this?"

Shen Hanyu composed herself: "I just felt something was strange, so I came to ask. Mother, you mustn't tell anyone what I asked today. It concerns the royal family, and I don't want to get involved, right?"

Liang Fangrong's expression changed; she could easily hear the warning and threat in Shen Hanyu's words.

But Shen Hanyu was right; since the royal family was mentioned, she naturally wouldn't dare to tell others about it.

However, Shen Hanyu's attitude really displeased her.

"I understand," Liang Fangrong replied dryly.

Having received her promise, Shen Hanyu got up and left, but instead of resolving her doubts, she became even more troubled.

However, Shen Hanyu was not troubled by this matter for long. On the day they were resting, Princess Yongning summoned the thirteen people who were going to participate in the children's examination to the princess's residence.

Liang Ruoyan sat in the carriage and looked up at Shen Hanyu across from her.

"You've been helping Liang Ruoxue all along, haven't you?"

Shen Hanyu paused slightly in the hand holding the book and looked at her.

The fact that they knew about this was most likely due to the information sent out by Liang Ruochu.

It's not surprising that Liang Fangrong noticed something amiss since she allowed Liang Ruochu to come and go as she pleased, but Shen Hanyu was certain that Liang Ruoyan didn't know much.

She neither admitted nor denied it, but just stared straight at Liang Ruoyan.

Liang Ruoyan clenched the handkerchief in her hand. It was the first time she had looked directly at her cousin, but she almost lost in her gaze.

Shen Hanyu is not to be underestimated. Mother's idea is right. We must not let Shen Hanyu's ambition develop, otherwise it will greatly hinder her from becoming the Third Prince's wife. Shen Hanyu must be dealt with.

Liang Ruoyan lowered her head, concealing the ruthlessness in her eyes.

She felt that Shen Hanyu had ruined her plans, but forgot that she had almost destroyed Shen Hanyu's reputation at the princess's residence.

When the thirteen people arrived at Princess Yongning's residence, they were welcomed to the flower hall, where a banquet was set up, and Princess Yongning sat in the main seat looking at them.

"Sit down, everyone. We can talk about it over dinner. Relax."

Shen Hanyu and Wei Ming exchanged a glance and sat down together.

Princess Yongning's gaze swept over everyone, then she gave Wang Yan a kind look.

After everyone took their seats, the maids served them their meal, and Princess Yongning began to talk about the imperial examinations.

"Originally, I didn't want to put too much pressure on you, but after thinking it over, I still want to talk to you about it. I've been working on the girls' school for almost ten years."

Princess Yongning put down her chopsticks and continued to add to the meal.

"In the first few years, nothing much happened, so the court officials didn't take it seriously. In recent years, some signs have emerged, and there have been more memorials impeaching me. In the last few months, they finally realized something was wrong, and I've been relentlessly scolded for a long time."

"It was no easy feat to establish a girls' school. I'm telling you this in the hope that you will take this imperial examination seriously. Countless eyes from the court and the public are watching you. You are among the fastest learners, both among the daughters of the powerful and the common people. I hope you can succeed."

Princess Yongning knew that what she was saying would put a lot of pressure on them, but she valued this opportunity very much.

Shen Hanyu took a sip of tea and saw Liang Ruoyan across from her stand up with a serious expression.

"Your Highness, I will never let you down and will take this examination seriously."

Princess Yongning looked at Liang Ruoyan and finally found her somewhat more pleasing to the eye.

Others also expressed their opinions, which made Princess Yongning very happy.

"I will send your list up tomorrow. There will be no turning back. I believe you will succeed."

Wei Ming moved closer to Shen Hanyu.

"I'm afraid I'll be bothering you for a while, as I feel there are still many things I don't know how to do."

They had just begun to learn how to write essays, and Wei Ming, lacking understanding of the techniques, often sought advice from Shen Hanyu. Shen Hanyu, already accustomed to this, readily agreed.

After Princess Yongning finished talking about the imperial examination, she brought up the matter of the academy issuing a challenge to them.

"I've heard about what happened at Fuyou Academy. You can take it on as you see fit. No matter what the outcome, it will be a valuable experience."

Princess Yongning was not afraid of losing in this matter, so she offered them a few words of comfort.

Princess Yongning kept them until noon before sending them back.

Upon returning to the manor, Liang Ruoxue impatiently sought out Shen Hanyu, asking her what Princess Yongning had said at the princess's residence.

Shen Hanyu picked out some things she could talk about, but Liang Ruoxue wasn't interested in those at all; she just wanted to know what Liang Ruoyan and Princess Yongning had said and done.

Shen Hanyu revealed that, apart from the one sentence Liang Ruoyan said at the banquet that made Princess Yongning's opinion of her slightly better, she hadn't really spoken to her much otherwise.

However, Liang Ruoxue was very angry, especially after learning that Princess Yongning's attitude towards Liang Ruoyan had changed slightly.

"Why are you panicking?" Shen Hanyu calmly took a sip of tea.

This matter hasn't reached the worst point yet.

Liang Ruoxue quickly asked, "Then what other way is there? I can't just stand by and watch Liang Ruoyan interact with the princess if I can't see her."

"Always being jealous will naturally cause you to fall behind Liang Ruoyan. Just stay at the girls' school and be yourself occasionally. After all, the Third Prince and Princess Yongning both have a good impression of you now, so you don't need to be afraid."

Hearing Shen Hanyu's confident tone, Liang Ruoxue was indeed less afraid.

"But I just can't get into those books."

Shen Hanyu had already guessed that Liang Ruoxue and Liang Ruoyan were obsessed with becoming the Third Prince's consort. Liang Ruoyan had a solid foundation, which was why she dared to participate in the children's examination, but Liang Ruoxue's knowledge was no match for Liang Ruoyan's.

"Just do your best. We won't force you. It won't have much impact on your life."

Liang Ruoxue's brows relaxed.

"You're the most reliable person."

Shen Hanyu glanced at her, probably because she was so happy that she wasn't being pressured to study.

"Go back."

Seeing Shen Hanyu clutching the book, Liang Ruoxue couldn't help but say, "Why take it so seriously? In the end, everyone will get married anyway. This academic degree is so difficult to obtain, you might not even pass it."

"How will you know if you don't try."

Shen Hanyu didn't look at her anymore; talking about these things with Liang Ruoxue was just a waste of time.

Liang Ruoxue pursed her lips, turned around and left.