NOVPUBIn the Seventh Elder’s pavilion, some students were playing chess, others were transcribing music scores, and a few children were studying military books.
Shen Roujia felt somewhat relieved seeing these twelve or thirteen-year-old children.
Suddenly, a scream came from outside.
Shen Roujia quickly looked in that direction. It seemed to be from the front courtyard.
Initially, she didn’t want to meddle, but she overheard some passersby talking. “So what if she’s a princess? Whoever marries her will have his career ruined.”
“Exactly, brother, listen to me. There are always better-looking women. Just play around with the princess.”
Hearing this, Shen Roujia couldn’t help but frown.
It must be the Imperial Academy up ahead, where some young princes and princesses were studying. She wasn’t sure which princess they were talking about.
Another scream echoed, “Take your filthy hands off! I don’t need your help!”
Shen Roujia immediately recognized the voice. It was Xu Ruoru!
Shen Roujia jumped up, startling her students. “Teacher, what’s wrong?”
She raised her hand. “Keep studying. I have something to take care of.”
She then headed straight for the front courtyard.
Several servants saw Shen Roujia and respectfully greeted her.
Shen Roujia tightened her mask, pursed her lips, and looked inside, her emotions tense.
To her surprise, the young princess was on the wall.
“What are you doing!” Shen Roujia’s stern voice made everyone, familiar or not, line up in silence, too scared to speak.
Shen Roujia looked at Xu Ruoru and then coldly at the group of idle young nobles.
“This is a school, Your Highness,” she said.
Xu Ruoru, seeing Shen Roujia, was visibly flustered. “I-I was wrong.”
Shen Roujia couldn’t help but laugh at her dazed expression. “It’s okay.”
She glanced around. The royal family highly valued etiquette and rules.
Thinking quickly, Shen Roujia pulled over a table and jumped onto it. The wall wasn’t too high, but it was clear Xu Ruoru had climbed up but couldn’t get down.
Given the situation, Shen Roujia couldn’t let her jump down directly.
She slightly bent over and extended her hand to Xu Ruoru. “Your Highness, come down.”
Xu Ruoru’s cheeks were flushed red from the sunlight. She seemed enchanted, staring at Shen Roujia’s gentle smile.
With an elegant demeanor, Xu Ruoru descended from the wall without appearing the least bit awkward.
Shen Roujia didn’t scold her but instead explained the dangers to everyone. Then, she found an excuse and left the area.
However, she failed to notice the numerous gazes following her departure.
Upon returning to the small pavilion, Shen Roujia found several eunuchs standing properly.
“Seventh Elder.”
Shen Roujia looked at them, puzzled. “Who are you?”
The eunuch smiled warmly. “Seventh Elder, these items were sent by His Highness Prince Chun. Please see if you like them.”
Shen Roujia frowned deeply. She hadn’t even made a name for herself yet, and someone was already trying to curry favor?
You are really something, Xu Lianggen. Always managing to be timely and resourceful.
Shen Roujia never missed an opportunity, so she waved her hand and opened the boxes. There were warm jade chess pieces and some rare books, likely valuable collector’s editions. There were also other strange items that Shen Roujia couldn’t quite figure out.
