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Concubine Xu only shared the secret with Shen Chuwei because they were close; about the name Jun Wuxian, she couldn’t speak of it.

After all, having snuck into the Imperial Palace countless times at night, he had done more than enough to die many times over.

Even so, she didn’t want Jun Wuxian to get into trouble.

Shen Chuwei was both puzzled and curious, "Feng Wuyou has a nickname? What is it?"

Concubine Xu whispered three words very softly, "It’s Xiao Jiu."

Xiao Jiu?

Shen Chuwei froze, that was too much of a coincidence—

Though her own nickname wasn’t Xiao Jiu, because it appeared in a dream, Xiao Jinyan now called her Xiao Jiu.

And Feng Wuyou’s nickname was also Xiao Jiu?

Wrong, they also looked a bit alike—

Forget it, forget it, when Xiao Jinyan returns, she won’t let him call her Xiao Jiu, should she let him call her Weiwei instead? Ah Wei? Xiao Wei?

All so tacky—

In any case, she couldn’t be called Xiao Jiu anymore, that would feel like she was calling someone else.

Shen Chuwei watched Concubine Xu eat meat and drink cola voraciously, as if she won’t have such food once she leaves the palace—

Lady Tao was completely confused, Feng Wuyou? Xiao Jiu?

"Once Concubine Xu leaves, who knows when we will meet again."

"If there’s a banquet in the palace, I can still follow my father or brother into the palace, but those chances are too few." After a moment of pride, Concubine Xu felt a twinge of sadness, not knowing if even one or two opportunities would come in a year.

If she married, there would be even less chance.

Shen Chuwei thought about being the Crown Princess and how she would eventually be Empress. With a word from Xiao Jinyan, it would be possible.

"No worries, I can leave the palace to visit you, or summon you to the palace."

Upon hearing this, Concubine Xu smiled, "The Crown Princess is correct, there will always be a way."

Everyone joyfully finished their lunch.

All gatherings must come to an end, and no matter how reluctant, one must part with a smile.

Concubine Xu and Lady Tao left together.

Lady Tao looked envious, "I’m so jealous you can leave the palace. In this East Palace, apart from the Crown Princess and Taotao and Susu, there’s really not much to miss."

Concubine Xu caught hold of Lady Tao’s hand, her voice a mix of excitement and earnest, "Then you should leave the palace as well.

Since neither of us serve in the Bedchamber, and His Highness only dotes on the Crown Princess alone, staying in the palace guarding an empty room is simply a waste of time.

It would be better to leave the palace and seek a good man elsewhere. "

These words happened to be overheard by Song Qing, who was passing by.

Song Qing came to Hehuan Hall every day at this time to teach the royal grandchild calligraphy, poetry, and songs.

He hadn’t expected to hear the conversation between Concubine Xu and Lady Tao.

When he had rushed to the capital to take the exams, he had heard that the current Crown Prince doted exclusively on the Crown Princess. He had thought it was just a rumor.

Now, hearing it with his own ears, he was truly shocked.

Concubine Xu noticed someone behind the tree and shouted angrily, "Who’s there?"

Song Qing, who had no intention of eavesdropping and was now caught, came out squarely and approached to salute, "This official greets Concubine Xu and Lady Tao."

Song Qing visited Hehuan Hall daily to teach Taotao, and both Concubine Xu and Lady Tao knew this because they often played there and had seen Song Qing a few times, knowing that he came to Hehuan Hall for his duties at this time.

Seeing that it was Song Qing, Concubine Xu laughed and said, "So it’s you. I thought someone was eavesdropping."

Song Qing was embarrassed, "This official just happened to be passing by."

Lady Tao stared at Song Qing for a while. She had seen him a few times and had a good impression of him. Song Qing was a Top Scholar, exuding the aura of a literary man. Naturally, a Top Scholar’s appearance was top-tier.

"Is the Top Scholar here today to teach the royal grandchild as well?"

Song Qing bowed his head modestly, "Indeed."

Lady Tao, unable to hold back her curiosity, asked, "Why do you always speak with your head down?"

Concubine Xu also curiously stared at Song Qing, noticing that his head was indeed always bowed, especially after Lady Tao mentioned it, it seemed to drop even lower.

"Lift your head when you speak."

"..." Song Qing, "This official doesn’t dare."

Lady Tao covered her mouth and giggled secretly, "Concubine Xu, let’s not trouble the Top Scholar anymore."

Concubine Xu said, "I just wanted to see the Top Scholar’s renowned good looks, not eat him up. I’ll be leaving the palace soon and won’t see him again."

Song Qing, "..."

Lady Tao took Concubine Xu’s hand, "Come on, let’s go."

Concubine Xu did not insist further, "Let’s go."

Song Qing kept his head down throughout, not lifting it until they had left. At that moment, Lady Tao turned her head to look back, and their gazes collided.

The former immediately lowered his head, while the latter offered a slight smile before withdrawing her gaze and departing.

Only after a long while did Song Qing raise his head again to watch as Concubine Xu and Lady Tao walked away.

He suddenly felt a bit of sympathy for them, having been in the palace for so long, they had spent their time alone in their chambers, their prime years ticking away.

At the same time, he found it somewhat surprising that these women, who would stop at nothing to curry favor in the palace, had such a good relationship with the most favored Crown Princess.

So good that it was almost inconceivable.

Song Qing withdrew his gaze and entered the Crown Prince’s Bedchamber.

Ever since Xiao Jinyan had left, Song Qing had been teaching the Emperor’s Grandson in the Crown Prince’s Bedchamber.

With Concubine Xu gone, Hehuan Hall seemed a little less lively.

Lady Tao visited much more frequently than she used to.

Today, Shen Chuwei carried some fruits to let Taotao and Song Qing taste them, and to take a break herself.

Lady Tao happened to come over at that time, so she accompanied Shen Chuwei to the Crown Prince’s Bedchamber.

Upon arrival, Song Qing was teaching Taotao how to write; as a Top Scholar, he was not only well-versed in literature but also wrote with an excellent calligraphy hand.

Shen Chuwei had always been afraid that her son’s childhood would become joyless because of Xiao Jinyan’s strictness, so from the beginning, she had arranged with Xiao Jinyan that before the age of five, they would not interfere with their son’s childhood.

However, her son, just like Xiao Jinyan, loved learning and had enjoyed scribbling with a pen ever since he was one year old.

She had heard the Empress mention that Xiao Jinyan was the same as a child, hence he was already outstanding at a very tender age, and the late Emperor was very fond of his grandson Xiao Jinyan.

Upon noticing Shen Chuwei’s arrival, Song Qing came forward to greet her, "Crown Princess."

After seeing Lady Tao by Shen Chuwei’s side, he greeted her again, "Lady Tao."

Shen Chuwei spoke warmly, "You’ve been instructing for so long; take a break and have some fruits with us."

Song Qing eagerly nodded.

Shen Chuwei approached her son and glanced at the paper; it was the character ’heaven’ that Taotao had written after n iterations of Song Qing’s teaching. Although crooked, it was impressive for a child of just over a year old.

"Taotao did great. Do you want to go out and play with your sister for a while?"

Upon thinking of his sister, Taotao nodded vigorously, "Yes."

Shen Chuwei led her son by the hand, saying as they walked, "I have prepared some delicious treats for you and your sister to enjoy together."

Lady Tao watched Taotao and glanced at the characters on the paper, complimenting without restraint, "The Emperor’s Grandson is so astute; he’s already writing at just over a year old."

Song Qing could not help but concur, "The Emperor’s Grandson is truly gifted. At such a young age, to be so intelligent is quite rare."

Upon hearing this, Lady Tao lifted her head to look at Song Qing, and their gazes met once again, both of them startled.

Song Qing quickly averted his gaze, lowering his head.

Lady Tao paused for a moment, realizing that every time Song Qing made eye contact with someone, he would immediately lower his head as if timid.

In reality, she knew it was a sign of reverence.

She feigned ignorance, "Top Scholar, you seem quite afraid of me?"

Song Qing responded, "This official is not."

Lady Tao continued, "If you’re not afraid, then why do you always keep your head down? Anyone who doesn’t know better would think you’ve done something wrong."

Song Qing found himself at a loss for words and simply continued to lower his head.

Seeing that he was not answering, Lady Tao took two steps forward and asked kindly, "I’ve heard the Top Scholar writes beautifully; could I have the honor of witnessing it for myself?"

Song Qing could not refuse and nodded, "It would be this official’s honor."

With that, he walked slowly to the desk, picked up the Vermilion Brush, dipped it in ink, and began to write a line of poetry on the paper with flair.

Lady Tao looked on from the side, her admiration evident, "Beautiful writing."

Song Qing humbly replied, "Lady Tao flatters me too greatly."

Lady Tao watched Song Qing for a while, truly a scholar, he exuded an air of literacy. Accustomed to the smell of money, she detected not even a hint of it on Song Qing.

When Shen Chuwei and Taotao came out, they noticed that Susu, who was originally playing in the courtyard, had disappeared.

She looked around and noticed that even Little White had left, while Xuetuan continued to follow Taotao.

Susu couldn’t have run out again, could she?

...

ps Babies, I’m asking for your support with monthly tickets!

About the nickname, it’s also a foundation for the protagonist’s status