The little heroine investigates a mysterious case

Chapter 392 Delivering Examination Papers by Imperial Order

"You don't know about Miss Qin and me... the two of us..."

Ying Yang's hesitant manner immediately alerted Zhao Xuan.

"Stop stammering and explain yourself clearly. What happened between you and Yun'er?"

"In short, I have absolutely no desire to let these noble ladies participate in any of those ridiculous exams! In this life! In this lifetime! In the next life! In all my future lives! No matter how many lifetimes I go through! I will only recognize Miss Qin as my one true love!"

"Hahaha!"

Zhao Xuan put her hands on her hips, threw her head back, and burst into laughter.

"Ho ho ho! I never expected that you, the mighty King of Rongdi, would be such a romantic! I've truly broadened my horizons!"

Yingyang was so angry that his heart ached from Zhao Xuan's words, which were ostensibly praising but actually criticizing him.

"Princess Consort! I respectfully address you as Princess Consort! Please don't mock my sincere feelings! I'm treating Miss Qin with all my heart, you can't just stand by and watch her die!"

How can I save you?

Seeing Ying Yang's exasperated expression, Zhao Xuan couldn't help but chuckle and asked.

Yingyang immediately put on a fawning smile, beckoned to Zhao Xuan, and Zhao Xuan took two steps forward before Yingyang whispered something in her ear.

"Could you please take me to the General's Mansion to meet Miss Qin?"

Zhao Xuan grinned and rubbed her slightly itchy ears.

"Don't you have legs? Can't you go by yourself? Why do you insist that I take you?"

"I've gone there myself, many times, once in the morning, once in the afternoon, and once in the evening every day, but Miss Qin refuses to see me no matter what. What can I do? Just wait here? Or should I ask Emperor Xia and Consort Shu to just pick any girl for me to marry?"

As Yingyang spoke, he became so moved that his voice cracked and he almost cried.

"It's not impossible, but..."

After thinking about it very seriously, Zhao Xuan kept it a secret.

"Please tell me, but what? I'll agree to anything I can do!"

Ying Yang said to Zhao Xuan with great confidence.

?

Finally, with Gu Zhanghua's help, Xiao Aiyue finally selected the top three, but when the mother and son looked at the three terrible test papers, they shook their heads like rattles.

Even if we're choosing the best among the worst, these three young ladies are just too short!

When Xiao Aiyue told Gu Li the exam results, Gu Li frowned as he looked at the three exam papers.

"They can handle poetry and prose tests quite well, but filling in place names on a map... it's really hard to describe. They really live up to the saying that they're all delicate young ladies who never leave their homes!"

"Who says it's not?"

Xiao Aiyue shrugged, completely agreeing with Gu Li's statement.

"This is the best exam paper. It only filled in three place names correctly. If she were to marry into a Rongdi tribe, let alone promote the culture of our Great Xia Kingdom as you wish, she would be lucky to even survive!"

Gu Li placed the test paper on the table and asked Xiao Aiyue.

"Where are Xiao Wu and Xuan'er? Are they still in the palace?"

"I'm still in my bedchamber, discussing with the Rongdi King where to go for a meal! I don't know what got into him, but he insists on spending a fortune on a lavish meal! I've been busy with his marriage arrangements, and he hasn't even invited me! It's good to be young, so carefree!"

Gu Li was amused by Xiao Aiyue's words and reached out to take Xiao Aiyue's hand.

"How about I take you out of the palace to eat at a restaurant, so we can both be carefree for once?"

Xiao Aiyue pouted and gently patted Gu Li's arm.

"Going out of the palace is too much trouble and involves too much manpower. I'd better just stay in the palace."

"We can go incognito and give it a try. I heard that the night market in Liyang City is very bustling, with all kinds of snacks from all over the country, and they are very cheap. You can eat your way from one end of the night market to the other and your stomach will burst!"

Gu Li said excitedly.

"And who told you this? Let me think... Was it Imperial Censor Ma Baoguo?"

"You were right!"

Gu Li tapped Xiao Aiyue's nose, unable to contain his joy.

"It is an honor for me, the emperor, that the people can live in peace and contentment!"

The two sat down hand in hand at the table, and Gu Li looked at the test papers on the table.

"Find a few blank test papers and have Xiao Wu and Xuan'er deliver them to Qin Chuyun so she can answer some questions too."

"You mean..." Xiao Aiyue turned to look at Gu Li, "You intend to arrange a marriage between Qin Chuyun and the government?"

"It's hard to say right now, but Yingyang has taken a liking to Qin Chuyun and has mentioned it to me several times. It seems like he won't marry anyone but Qin Chuyun, which is giving me quite a headache!"

Gu Li rubbed his forehead and then spoke again.

"I'm afraid that while the King of Xiang may be interested, the Goddess may be indifferent. In the end, things will turn out like Qin Shao and Wu Yulan, and they will become a pair of resentful lovers. If I had known about this back then, I would definitely have advised Qin Shao not to marry Wu Yulan."

Xiao Aiyue patted Gu Li's hand reassuringly.

"At that time, Qin Shao had already been demoted to Fengcheng, and as far as I know, it was Zheng Fanghua who strongly urged this matter. Qin Shao had no other thoughts about Wu Yulan at all; his heart and mind were still completely occupied by Zhao Xiaoman..."

"Alright, let's not talk about these sad things anymore," Gu Li sighed. "Go and have them deliver the exam papers."

"Yes, Your Majesty."

Xiao Aiyue rose, bowed to Gu Li, and then gracefully departed.

An hour later, Zhao Xuan, Gu Zhanghua, and Ying Yang arrived at the gate of the General's Mansion in a carriage.

Yingyang clutched the exam paper tightly in his hand and, somewhat embarrassed, spoke to the two people sitting opposite him.

"Your Highness, Your Highness, you have traveled a long and arduous journey. You haven't even had a proper rest since you returned, and you've already been busy with my affairs. I feel very bad about this..."

Don't forget the big meal you promised me! If you're busy today, tomorrow is fine too!

Zhao Xuan crossed her arms and looked at Ying Yang with a smile.

"As long as I'm still in Liyang, I'll treat you to lavish meals every day. But... could you two do me the honor of delivering these exam papers to Miss Qin by yourself? No need to trouble you two. You might as well head back to your residence soon..."

Before Ying Yang could finish speaking, Zhao Xuan's eyes widened.

"You're so quick to discard us after we've served our purpose! We were here on official business to deliver the exam papers; it has nothing to do with you!"

At this moment, Ying Yang was so anxious to see Qin Chuyun that he completely disregarded his pride and shamelessly said:

"Yes, it was because I was ordered to deliver the exam papers that Miss Qin had no choice but to see me. I have so much to say to her, but with the two of you in front of me, how can Miss Qin and I have a proper conversation?"

"fair enough!"

Gu Zhanghua quickly raised his hand to cover Zhao Xuan's mouth, stopping her from speaking again to confront Ying Yang.

"Let them meet and talk things out. If Yun'er really has no feelings for Yingyang, let's make it clear to her face to face. This can't go on forever. Let's give her a chance!"

"The wise king is truly brilliant!"

Before Zhao Xuan could respond, Ying Yang had already lifted the carriage curtain and jumped off, not forgetting to give the driver a word of advice.

"Quickly send the Prince Xian and his wife back to the Prince Xian's residence, don't delay for a moment!"

As he spoke, he suddenly reached out and slapped the horse's rump hard.

The carriage suddenly started moving, and the driver swayed, almost falling off.

Inside the carriage, Zhao Xuan and Gu Zhanghua were also swaying back and forth, barely managing to regain their balance.

"This Yingyang, is he a reincarnation of a starving ghost? Is he in such a hurry?"

Zhao Xuan couldn't help but complain.