She walked over and sat beside that group of people. Though wearing a mask was somewhat strange, it was common for Daqian young masters to wear masks during spring outings. Moreover, Zhang Young Master had invited many people today, with some friends bringing friends. Zhang Young Master assumed they were brought by friends, while the guests assumed Zhang Young Master had invited them. Therefore, everyone just glanced at her without asking further questions, continuing their grand discussions about that series of moon poems and beginning a new round of praise for Chang Yuan.

Chang Yuan initially offered a few faint denials, but later just kept smiling and shaking his head.

Tie Ci sat to one side gossiping with people, mentioning how Daqian’s talents had always come mostly from the Jiangnan literary regions, while Huichuan belonged to Yannan. Yannan was isolated in the southern frontier where literary culture had never flourished, so how could someone from the southern frontier take first place this year?

Someone said this Young Master Chang was different from others – extremely generous and magnanimous. He had come to the capital half a year early, making friends widely, spending money lavishly, and befriending many noble young masters, traveling together like sworn brothers. Moreover, he had considerable influence himself, successively helping many scholars solve difficulties with quite a chivalrous spirit of helping those in danger and distress. Therefore, his reputation quickly spread and everyone knew of him.

Tie Ci was now quite sensitive to Yannan. Hearing such descriptions, she glanced at that Young Master Chang and raised an eyebrow.

Suddenly a voice asked: “Young Master Chang’s moon poems are all excellent lines, but none are complete verses. Please favor us with complete poems.”

Chang Yuan was startled but didn’t decline, actually continuing with several more lines. They sounded reasonably correct in tone and parallel structure – after all, being called a talent, he had this basic skill.

Of course, compared to the original work, it fell far short.

But the crowd didn’t notice, since the excellent lines were already out there. Poetry being infinitely variable, any kind of continuation wouldn’t sound jarring.

However, Dan Shuang had grown up accompanying Tie Ci in reciting the Three Hundred Tang and Song Poems. Listening, she couldn’t help but sneer coldly: “What rubbish!”

Her words were like cold water splashing into a hot oil pan – the atmosphere instantly chilled.

Chang Yuan slowly turned his head, looked Dan Shuang up and down, saw she was merely dressed as a maid, and his gaze fell on Tie Ci in front of her, saying coldly: “Then please enlighten us, brother?”

“I wouldn’t dare.” Tie Ci said. “I’m merely a crude warrior who can’t write poetry.”

Someone not far away suddenly turned to look at Tie Ci.

Someone nearby immediately sneered: “Since you can’t, why does your maid laugh?”

“No manners!” Someone said angrily. “Young Master Zhang, your poetry gathering brings together the capital’s talents. Even the servants in your mansion have elegant bearing. How can you allow such a filthy character to sneak in and let this lowly maid speak so wildly!”

“Disrespectful to Young Master Chang – get out!”

Dan Shuang angrily said: “A fraud who steals fame and reputation, still comes here pretending to be a talent. Disrespectful? Bah, does he deserve it?”

“If he doesn’t deserve it, who does? You maid don’t know your place! Retreat immediately!”

Young Master Chang frowned as he looked at Tie Ci. Seeing her ordinary clothes with not even a jade pendant at her waist, only hanging a strange-looking brush, with no ornaments at all – completely unlike the wealthy young masters of the capital he was used to seeing. The people around also seemed not to know this person, so he relaxed.

Of course he knew the poem wasn’t his composition. He also knew this poem seemed to be by some extremely noble personage, so noble that everyone spreading rumors didn’t dare name the source. It was probably some cabinet minister or royal family member. When Dan Shuang spoke, he instinctively grew alert, fearing he’d run into the real author. But seeing Tie Ci’s complete lack of noble bearing, he naturally didn’t care.

Originally he did have considerable talent and wouldn’t stoop to such impersonation. It’s just that his journey here wasn’t merely to take the metropolitan examination. He’d come to the capital early, paving the way with gold and silver, socializing with these noble young masters to lay groundwork for Yannan’s great cause. Therefore, wearing this crown of talent was naturally acceptable to him – the more dazzling the better.

Having made up his mind, he waved his hand with a faint smile: “Don’t make things difficult for them. I truly don’t count as a talent. Perhaps this young master is deeply hidden and can produce startling verses?”

Everyone burst into laughter, all praising his magnanimity.

But someone said in a thin voice: “Perhaps so.”

Everyone turned to look and saw a pale, delicate young man in expensive clothing. Someone recognized him: “Hey, it’s Young Master from Grand Secretary Qi’s family!”

Seeing this person, Tie Ci’s scalp exploded – wasn’t this her former former fiancé!

The former former fiancé stood there looking frail, his watery eyes examining Tie Ci up and down like X-rays.

After all, he was a former former fiancé who’d been engaged since childhood, having more opportunities to interact with Tie Ci than these ordinary scholars and wealthy young masters. Had he recognized her?

Tie Ci’s three greatest fears in life: Noble Consort Jing’s stupidity, Qi Muxiao’s tears, and Snowball getting fleas.

She immediately stood up: “I wouldn’t dare, I couldn’t. I take my leave.”

She’d come originally just to investigate this Chang Yuan. This person had been on her talent recruitment list, but now hearing other implications, she might as well forget it. As for the poetry plagiarism, she didn’t feel it belonged to her anyway, so no need for righteous indignation.

Compared to exposing frauds, avoiding the former former fiancé was more important.

But in those talents’ eyes, this was Tie Ci fleeing in guilt, and they all burst into loud laughter.

“Look, when it gets serious he runs away.”

“Strange things happen every year, but this year especially. Someone actually dares publicly attack our Young Master Chang’s excellent poetry!”

“Jealousy, trying to show off. A crude warrior with no talent or looks – without being outrageous, how could he catch the young ladies’ attention!”

Dan Shuang suddenly strode back, kicked the loudest laugher flying with one foot, saying coldly: “Dead and don’t even know it!”

The man rolled over, got up, and angrily said: “Lowly maid!”

Dan Shuang: “Lowlife.”

“Who are you calling a lowlife!”

“Whoever steals fame and reputation is a lowlife, whoever follows trends and flatters thinking they’re smart is a lowlife!”

Young Master Chang’s face darkened as he stood up: “Which household raised such an arrogant, ignorant maid! And who are you saying steals fame and reputation!”

“You!”

“Nonsense! If this poem wasn’t written by me, could it have been written by your master?”

“Of course!”

A moment of silence, then roars of laughter.

No one took it seriously – after all, everyone felt that if someone’s poetry fame had really been stolen, they’d definitely jump out immediately to correct it, not run away.

Young Master Chang said contemptuously: “As if you’re worthy.”

Tie Ci suddenly stopped, turned back to look at Young Master Chang, and sighed.

“I didn’t want to show off, but some people keep shoving their faces forward.”

She stepped back and shouted: “Rong Pu!”

On the bridge in the distance, Rong Pu, who was looking speechlessly at Miss Zhang, turned his head.

Tie Ci: “There’s a bastard here stealing your poetry! Water Melody! Moon verses!”

Everyone: “…”

Young Master Chang’s face suddenly turned deathly pale.

But the critical hits weren’t over.

Rong Pu saw at a glance what was happening. Already in a bad mood, he didn’t come over but called from afar: “Didn’t you write it?”

Everyone: “…!!”

Young Master Chang’s deathly pallor turned dark purple.

All critical hits come in threes. Before Rong Pu finished speaking, the boat under the bridge reached shore. The pretty girl took off her bamboo hat while saying in surprise: “Wasn’t it written by the Crown Princess?”

Everyone: “??!!”

Young Master Chang staggered back a step.

Today’s critical hits flowed like the endless Yellow River waters. The young ladies chatting in the flower pavilion across suddenly all rose, those lifting curtains lifted curtains, those putting down fans put down fans, all calling out delicately: “Wasn’t this what the Crown Princess composed publicly at Zhegui Tower the day before the spring examination? We were all there – which shameless person is stealing fame and reputation!”

Everyone: “!!!”

Who am I, where am I, what did I do?

Young Master Chang’s face was completely colorless, looking up at the masked youth ahead.

Tie Ci smiled and removed her mask.

Like a final punch, striking hard at the center of the crowd. The capital’s noble young masters still recognized the Crown Princess, and immediately someone cried out and bowed.

Now there was no doubt. Everyone collapsed to their knees with a whoosh. Zhang Young Master supported himself on a chair while bowing and wailing to his sister who was rushing over: “Why didn’t you tell me you invited Her Highness!”

Miss Zhang’s face was actually glowing as she blinked: “Though I sent an invitation, I didn’t know the Crown Princess would actually come. She never attended these before.”

Tie Ci smiled at her.

She’d attended because during the city gate reception, Miss Zhang had been among them.

Young Master Chang collapsed on the ground, looking at Tie Ci with a pale face. Tie Ci didn’t look at him, only saying to those capital young masters: “After a year of experience, your judgment and insight haven’t improved at all. You were completely fooled by a pretentious outsider – truly disgracing the capital’s dissolute young masters. Where’s that spirit you had when you forced me into action before?”

The capital young masters’ faces were completely red.

Young Master Chang kowtowed to Tie Ci, saying tremblingly: “Your Highness, Your Highness, this commoner didn’t know it was you…”

“Knowing it was me, you wouldn’t dare steal my poetry name again.” Tie Ci said flatly. “If it weren’t me? Would you act just like before – righteous and going with the flow?”

Sweat rolled down Young Master Chang’s head.

Tie Ci turned to Chi Xue: “Tell the Ministry of Rites later – if this person passes, strike him from the rolls immediately.”

“Yes!”

“Your Highness, you cannot!” Young Master Chang cried out. “You cannot abandon public interest for private grudges, misuse public instruments—”

His temporary friends around also showed pitying expressions, with some opening their mouths to plead for him.

“The court selects scholars primarily based on moral character, not the talent you think matters. After all, future provincial governors who nurture the people for the court must be men of upright character. Does a frivolous, impetuous person who steals others’ poetry without shame and takes pride in it deserve this?” Tie Ci smiled. “This has nothing to do with who he stole from – only with the stealing itself.”

She didn’t look at Young Master Chang again, turning to leave, abandoning the resentful wailing behind her.

Striking him from the rolls wasn’t for venting anger.

It was about the stealing, and about his origins.

She had reason to suspect this person’s motives for coming to the capital weren’t pure. Better he return to Yannan early rather than trying to infiltrate her Daqian court.

What ten years of hard study, painstaking scholarly effort – she didn’t care about any of that. Officials govern regions while she must govern the realm. Individual tears and sorrows couldn’t shake her iron will to defend the dynasty.

Today had been spoiled anyway – better return.

Turning around the corridor, a figure suddenly appeared ahead.

Slender and delicate, standing before vermillion carved railings, slightly tiptoeing to smell peach blossoms reaching through the railings.

Quite a beautiful scene.

If it involved a young maiden, Tie Ci might have stopped to appreciate it.

But now she pivoted on her heel, wanting to flee in another direction.

Behind her came a weak yet anxious call: “Your Highness!”

Tie Ci turned her back to that person, sighing inwardly.

Rong Pu was also delicate and thin, but never affected and always made people feel strong and secure.

How could the difference between people be so great?

The Crown Princess feared nothing.

Even when facing a former former fiancé.

Tie Ci turned around, already wearing the Crown Princess’s standard smile: “Ah, Minister Qi.”

Qi Muxiao looked resentful, his slender eyes always holding three parts moisture fixed firmly on Tie Ci: “Your Highness, it’s been so long.”

“The corridor is windy and Minister Qi is delicate – don’t catch cold. I still have business and must return to the palace now.” Tie Ci didn’t engage with his words, turning to leave after speaking.

Upon turning, her sleeve was grabbed.

Tie Ci was startled – this fellow had been half a zhang away just now, but moved quite fast!

Wind passed through the corridor, with flowers and trees trembling rustling.

“Your Highness!” Qi Muxiao grabbed her sleeve, knowing his time was limited, looking up mournfully: “Are… are you still angry with Muxiao?”

Tie Ci smiled at him: “Hmm? Should I be angry with you?”

“I…”

“Do you want me to still be angry with you or not? Why don’t you give me the standard answer to copy?”

“Your Highness…”

“Minister Qi, are you regretting this?”

The flowers and trees trembled slightly again – the wind came in gusts today.

“I…” Qi Muxiao looked shocked, whether shocked at Tie Ci’s directness or at having his thoughts exposed.

“If you could straightforwardly admit you regret it, I might look at you once more. At least you’d be a man – admit your mistakes. Better than this wishy-washy, clingy behavior where you don’t want to offend me but don’t want to take any risks.” Tie Ci smiled. “Are you treating me like a backup?”

Qi Muxiao didn’t understand Tie Ci’s last sentence but sensed danger, making him somewhat flustered. In his memory, the Crown Princess was extraordinarily tolerant, kind, and magnanimous – seemingly able to laugh off anything. This created an illusion – that he could break the engagement when he wanted, express difficulties after breaking it without her minding, and return when he wanted.

But now, clearly not.

He was somewhat panicked, finally restraining his habitual clingy energy, saying quietly and quickly: “Your Highness, I’m not… well, I do regret it… no, that’s not it. I never wanted to break the engagement originally… so now… now you have no marriage contract, and neither do I… we grew up together, we could still…”

Tie Ci: “No.”

Qi Muxiao: “…Why?”

“Because I have a man now.” Tie Ci’s tone was even gentler than his. “Taller than you, stronger than you, more beautiful than you, more noble birth than you, even bigger equipment and better performance than you.”

The flowers’ trembling finally stopped, with a satisfied, peaceful atmosphere all around.

Qi Muxiao still didn’t understand the last sentence. Tie Ci’s tone was too serious and gentle for him to think it was crude talk, but he could still sense it wasn’t anything good. He awkwardly tightened his grip on Tie Ci’s sleeve, the cowering tone in his voice gradually fading and becoming more determined: “You’re lying to me. If you really had a lover, His Majesty would have arranged your marriage long ago. As long as there’s no imperial marriage decree, it means it can’t happen or it’s fake…”

Tie Ci’s smile faded slightly.

She felt impatient.

She looked down at her wrinkled sleeve and said: “Minister Qi, let me give you a reminder. No matter how much you weep like a pear blossom in rain, and however strong and mighty I am, you’re still a man and I’m still a woman.”

Qi Muxiao didn’t understand her meaning, staring at her blankly.

Tie Ci glanced at Chi Xue.

Chi Xue understood.

Suddenly stepped back and screamed loudly.

“Help! Someone come! Someone is molesting the Crown Princess!”

The scream had just rang out when the previously empty surroundings suddenly swarmed with countless people.

All shouting about protecting Her Highness as they rushed toward the corridor.

Qi Muxiao never imagined Tie Ci could do such a thing. Terrified, he hastily let go. His guard hiding nearby risked his life to rush out, shouldered him without a word, and they fled in panic.

But after just a few steps, he mysteriously tripped.

Qi Muxiao rolled far away.

He scrambled up embarrassedly. The guard, truly loyal, quickly got up, shouldered him again, and continued fleeing.

Then another fall.

Got up, fell again.

In that short stretch of corridor, they fell three times – once every three steps on average. Master and servant were grey-faced and rolled into a heap.

But they were quite resilient, repeatedly running and falling, falling and running again.

Until they bravely disappeared at the corridor’s end.

So you see, there’s no truly delicate person – they just tasted sweetness and got used to using weakness as a weapon.

After all, people always love unconditionally sympathizing with the weaker party.

Put a knife to his throat and see how fast he runs.

Tie Ci never moved, standing with arms crossed watching the former former son-in-law run away.

Probably this fellow would never dare come within three feet of her again.

The Zhang family guards rushed over but didn’t see the molester, only seeing the Crown Princess standing there calmly, without any dishevelment from being molested.

In fact, the guards now recalled the legendary Crown Princess’s martial prowess and began doubting the authenticity of that cry for help.

The Crown Princess, strong as an ox yet allegedly molested, calmly pointed toward the flower bushes under the corridor: “The lecher is there!”

The guards immediately jumped into the flower bushes.

Countless big blades slashed toward the lecher.

A black shadow flashed, burst from the bushes, flashed through the corridor like wind, and vanished.

Tie Ci watched him run away expressionlessly.

Chuckling once, she prepared to return to the palace, but unexpectedly a group of women suddenly surged from the corridor’s end.

All young ladies from various families, many somewhat familiar – probably the Miaoci Society’s female army.

The young ladies surrounded Tie Ci, chattering about the earlier lecher. Tie Ci was always patient with women, so she had to chat with them briefly.

The young ladies obviously had more interest in her than in those blind date prospects, clustering around her as they walked back. The men had gone to play in the woods across the way, probably also meaning to avoid the Crown Princess – the capital’s young masters now cowered whenever they saw Tie Ci.

Unknowingly they walked onto the bridge. Tie Ci leaned against the bridge railing, seeing those willow string lanterns indeed very similar to what she’d seen on the bridge at Taolin Town at the foot of Qingyang Mountain.

And under the bridge, black-canopied boats were also coming downstream.