The Prime Minister's Darling

Chapter 1574: 761 Assists Little Bun (Second Update)_2

His eyes lit up as he walked toward the Little Princess.

Little did he know, the Little Princess had already boarded the National Master Hall’s carriage with Xiao Jingkong.

“Goodbye, Teacher, goodbye little nephew, goodbye, Eunuch Zhang!”

Zhang Dequan: “…”

Within the bamboo hut in the bamboo forest, the National Master and the monarch sat opposite each other, drinking tea.

The monarch’s legs had grown numb from sitting, so he stood up and walked around the room.

The monarch had originally been reviewing documents in the Imperial Study Room and had come to the National Master Hall on a whim. The Little Princess did not know he was here, and Zhang Dequan did not disclose it either.

But that was not important.

The monarch went into the National Master’s study room.

The items in the study room that belonged to Jing Yinyin had been put away by the National Master; only some books and scrolls remained.

The monarch would never dare to touch the National Master’s scrolls.

He merely walked over to the curio shelf and looked at the clay figurine scene of three people sitting in a small courtyard.

In the middle of the three was a long, low table.

One of the figures sat on one side while the other two sat on the opposite side.

“You’ve kept it,” said the monarch.

The National Master halted beside the monarch, also gazing intently at the three little clay figures. “Yes, I have always kept it. I couldn’t bear to throw it away after all these years,” he said.

The monarch remarked, “The two of you are always sitting together, making me seem particularly out of place.”

The National Master replied, “Your Majesty is the sovereign. We dare not offend.”

The monarch did not continue on the subject. He touched the small peach tree on the clay sculpture and said, “The results of the selection have come out. There are six who have entered the final selection—guess who they are?”

The National Master said, “Han Ci, Geng Wuming, Mu Qingchen, Xiao Liulang, Jun Xiuhuan.”

The monarch withdrew his hand: “Hmm, you’ve guessed these five correctly. There’s one more left.”

The National Master: “Although I don’t know who the remaining one is, it should also be someone from the Han Family.”

The monarch: “Did you divine it?”

The National Master: “No, I merely analyzed the strengths.”

The monarch: “So who do you think will pass the final test?”

The National Master: “It’s hard to say.”

The monarch looked at him oddly: “Why so?”

The National Master explained: “Each has their strengths, and I don’t know the rules of the last round of selection, so I cannot rashly conclude.”

The monarch went to the window and looked out at the endless purple bamboo forest, saying faintly, “Geng Wuming and Jun Xiuhuan are from the Jianan Academy. Although Geng Wuming has taken monastic vows, all these strategies and tactics were learned before he did so. Your Jianan Academy places a great emphasis on the study of military tactics.”

The National Master’s expression remained unchanged: “Jianan Academy has produced six champions in Wen Ju and four in Wuju. Jianan Academy has not only cultivated many excellent generals for Yan Country but also contributed even more scholars and pillars of the state to the court.”

The monarch laughed: “I’m not saying that’s a bad thing. How did Xiao Liulang end up becoming the adopted son of Duke Residence? I heard it was you who facilitated this. What is the profound meaning behind the National Master’s actions?”

The National Master said: “There is no profound meaning, only that I believe he has potential.”

“Why the Duke Residence?” asked the monarch suspiciously.

The National Master met the scrutinizing gaze of the monarch and replied calmly, “He cured the Princess and snatched the credit for saving the Little Princess. He has already become a thorn in the eyes of all the major families. Other than the Duke Residence, I can’t think of anyone else who would dare pick up such a hot potato.”

The monarch shifted his gaze, continuing to admire the bamboo forest: “How is the Duke now?”

The National Master spoke lightly: “Not good, unable to speak or move; that’s his life from now on. Your Majesty needn’t worry over it.”

The monarch hummed coldly: “Hmph, it’s just a Duke. It’s not worth my concern!”

The National Master remained silent.

Silence fell in the room.

Suddenly, the monarch burst into a hearty laugh, which the National Master found odd. The monarch, feeling relieved, said, “I know what the final round should be. Bring me a pen!”

…

The Little Princess had spent a happy and delightful evening in the Qilin Hall and completely forgot about the matter of returning to the palace.

When the monarch passed by the Qilin Hall, he saw Zhang Dequan standing outside. Frowning, he said, “Why are you here? Weren’t you sent to pick up the Little Princess?”

Zhang Dequan sheepishly pointed at the entrance to the Qilin Hall.

Two little tykes were obliviously squatting on the ground, building sandcastles.

The monarch: “…”

The monarch scooped up the Little Princess onto the carriage: “Didn’t I tell you to stay quietly in the palace? Why did you run off again?”

The Little Princess pointed at her fingers: “I, I, I came looking for Uncle Emperor.”

Then why didn’t you look for me? If I hadn’t come to fetch you, you could have played with that boy till dawn, believe it or not?

The Little Princess blinked guiltily, leaned toward the monarch, and, with a guilty conscience, flattered, “Uncle, you look especially handsome today.”