The days always passed very quickly.
As the weather became colder, the students of Guangwen Hall began to prepare for the test at the end of the month.
Boys wanted to become officials, while girls wanted to show off their talent. They all wished they could be liked by families of equal social status.
This was something that the noble families had to do. Even a delicate girl like Feng Anning had started to work hard these days. There was no need to mention Shen Qing and Shen Yue, especially Shen Yue. She spent all her time playing the Guqin and reciting poetry in the east courtyard, hoping that she would be in the limelight again.
Shen Yue and Shen Qing were already 15 years old. According to tradition, it was time for them to be on the lookout for their future husband. In Ming Qi, girls would normally get married at the age of 16 and engaged at the age of 15. Shen Qing and Shen Yue hadn't because they set the bar too high.
In the end, both families turned their gazes to Prince Ding.
Among the nine sons of the late emperor, only Prince Ding had yet to be engaged. He was in his early twenties, and it was time for him to get married. However, for various reasons, he still hadn't decided on his future wife. At the test this time, Prince Ding would also be the examiner. Therefore, many girls were eager to please Prince Ding and couldn't wait for him to fall in love with them at first sight.
Shen Miao had no such thoughts.
In this life, she was still a woman who didn't know any talents. She couldn't stand on the stage and debate with people over political matters. Besides, she didn't want to have anything to do with Prince Ding anymore.
In her previous life, Prince Ding used her family, harmed her children, and slaughtered her entire family. She had to settle this score sooner or later. Since they were blood enemies, how could they be husband and wife?
Feng Anning asked her, "Why aren't you reading? It's almost the end of the month. If you make a fool of yourself again, you'll be a laughing stock forever." After Shen Miao fell into the water, Feng Anning thought she became smarter. She thought that Shen Miao was enlightened suddenly, but now it seemed that she was no different from before. She was still that stupid and ignorant girl.
Shen Miao said, "I don't understand it anyway, so why bother?"
When Yi Peilan heard this, she chuckled and said sarcastically, "As useless as ever."
Shen Yue was talking to Shen Qing and pretended not to hear the conversation. They did not intend to help their sister out. These days, Shen Miao stopped pleasing them like before, which made them quite unhappy. They could not wait to see Shen Miao make a fool of herself.
However, Shen Miao pretended not to hear Yi Peilan. She stood up and said, "I'll take a walk in the garden."
After she left, Yi Peilan pursed her lips. "You ran away because you admitted you are useless."
"Are you done talking?" Feng Anning frowned. "Do you think you did well at school?" Yi Peilan did not want to become enemies with Feng Anning, so she stopped talking.
Shen Miao came to the garden and walked slowly.
Guangwen Hall was also a place with excellent views. The garden was filled with lush trees, bamboo, ponds, and rockeries. It was built very delicately. When one walked in, they could smell the fragrance of the forest and feel relaxed.
She just wanted to be alone for a while. After all, she was just surrounded by a bunch of kids. In her previous life, she had even become a mother. When she was the empress, most of the time, other than facing all kinds of concubines, she stayed in her own Palace.
As she walked, she saw a snow-white meat ball in front of her.
The little boy in an ivory satin robe was standing under the bamboo. There was still a knot on his head, making him look a little comical.
"Su Minglang," she whispered.
When the meatball heard this, he hurriedly turned around. When he saw Shen Miao, a trace of surprise flashed across his eyes. Though he wanted to run up to her, he hesitated and stood still, looking at Shen Miao without saying anything.
This child really looked like a four or five-year-old child. Shen Miao felt a headache coming on. Did he treat her as his mother?
Su Minglang looked at Shen Miao and pursed his lips, as if he wanted to say something, but he didn't. Then, his eyes turned red and he whispered, "I'm sorry…"
Sorry? Shen Miao was stunned for a moment. Then, she saw the boy was on the verge of crying.
A second later, a man's voice was heard.
"So it's you."