The new emperor’s enthronement ceremony was set for golden autumn, when melons and fruits were harvested.

If being Crown Prince and Crown Princess could still be considered relatively free, once they became Emperor and Empress, leaving the palace would be far more troublesome.

Taking advantage of the current convenience, Qi Shuo and Lin Hao left the palace together to see the recently established women’s academy.

The two first went to Prince Jing’s mansion. Without having the servants announce them, they entered to find Prince Jing wielding a feather duster while chasing Qi Huan.

Seeing Qi Shuo, Qi Huan acted as if seeing his savior: “Elder Brother, why did you only just arrive!”

Seeing his younger son dart behind Qi Shuo, Prince Jing had to lower his raised feather duster, his face instantly breaking into a smile: “Shuo’er, A’Hao, you’ve come back.”

Look at that—a talented man and beautiful woman, what wonderful son and daughter-in-law, and they belonged to Fourth Brother!

“We came to see you two elders. What trouble has Second Brother caused again?” Qi Shuo asked with a smile.

Upon hearing this, Prince Jing’s anger flared up again: “Ask him what good deeds he’s done! He heard from somewhere that Miss Yang was going mountain touring, so he crouched in a tree to spy on her. He ended up falling and landing right in front of Miss Yang, nearly getting sent to the authorities as a lecher.”

Not long ago, Prince Jing and his wife had arranged an engagement between Qi Huan and the daughter of Yang Guo’an, a high-ranking provincial official who had just returned to the capital, thus settling their younger son’s lifelong matter.

Just thinking about the scene when the Yang family sent his younger son back made Prince Jing feel he had lost all face.

Hearing this, Qi Huan felt wronged: “Father, you and Mother had mutual affection, Elder Brother and Sister-in-law also had mutual affection—why is it when it comes to me, things are just arranged? It’s not fair!”

“What do you mean ‘just arranged’? Didn’t we have you two meet!”

“We only met twice—how could that be enough to see Miss Yang’s true nature—” Qi Huan paused, then realized something. “Wait, Miss Yang has seen me before, so why did she still beat me mercilessly? She did it on purpose!”

Prince Jing and Qi Shuo exchanged a glance.

Well… perhaps so.

Prince Jing’s mood suddenly improved considerably.

Ahem, finally someone would take over managing this boy.

Princess Consort Jing walked over and took Lin Hao’s hand: “Let them make their fuss. Let’s go inside for tea.”

Lin Hao smiled at Qi Shuo and followed Princess Consort Jing into the room.

“Are you busy in the palace? Is everything nearly prepared?”

“There are specialists handling everything, so it’s relatively worry-free. How is your health? Now that younger sister has married, if you feel bored, send me a message.”

Qi Qiong had married a few months ago, and the vast mansion had become considerably quieter.

Hearing Lin Hao mention Qi Qiong, Princess Consort Jing felt somewhat uncomfortable.

Originally when their daughter married, there were still two sons and one daughter-in-law. When there were grandchildren, it wouldn’t lack liveliness. But now look—only one unreliable son remained who had nearly been rejected by the young lady.

“A’Hao, any news?” Princess Consort Jing patted Lin Hao’s hand, her gaze falling briefly on her lower abdomen.

If it were an ordinary woman, hearing this would mostly make her embarrassed, but Lin Hao smiled openly and generously: “Not yet. If there’s good news, I’ll tell you right away.”

Princess Consort Jing felt even more dejected.

She really liked A’Hao’s straightforward and generous nature.

“No need to rush. When in the Northern Territory, I once heard a famous physician say that when women are a bit older before giving birth, it benefits both mother and child…” Princess Consort Jing talked about various matters to pay attention to regarding pregnancy and childbirth.

Lin Hao listened carefully, not the least bit impatient.

Both she and Princess Consort Jing understood clearly in their hearts that once she became Empress, she wouldn’t return to Prince Jing’s mansion many times.

Princess Consort Jing could of course enter the palace, but it still wouldn’t be as free as speaking at home.

Without staying for a meal, Qi Shuo and Lin Hao left under the reluctant gazes of Prince Jing, his wife, and Qi Huan, and went to the General’s Mansion.

The two accompanied Old Madam through lunch, then went to the women’s academy.

The women’s academy wasn’t far from the Wuxiang Flower Dew Shop—peaceful amidst the bustle, it was a sizable residence.

By now, quite a few people in the capital knew this women’s academy was established by the Crown Princess in collaboration with some noble ladies. It was much more popular than the school Lin Hao had initially established specifically for the children of shop assistants and workers.

Especially wealthy families—they rushed to send their daughters here, thinking that perhaps they might catch a noble’s eye and have good prospects.

Lin Hao didn’t mind these families’ intentions. In her view, if girls who originally had no opportunity to study and learn characters could thus obtain the chance to study, that was the significance of the women’s academy.

It was rest time. Throughout the academy came cicada calls. Most female students were taking naps, though some lively and active ones played under the shade of trees.

Lin Hao and Qi Shuo, accompanied by the headmistress, walked about while listening to her discuss various recent academy matters.

Just as they approached a grove of green bamboo, Lin Hao’s steps halted.

A young woman of twelve or thirteen sat on the ground leaning against the bamboo, reading a book with rapt attention.

The headmistress smiled: “That child is called Chang Yu’er. Though her family circumstances are ordinary, she’s been especially diligent since enrolling.”

Lin Hao nodded and changed direction, not wanting to disturb the earnestly studying student. Then she saw someone hurry over and say something to the young woman.

The young woman stood and followed the person away.

Seeing Lin Hao’s gaze following them, the headmistress said: “That’s a servant responsible for relaying messages at the academy. It looks like someone is looking for her.”

The young woman went in the direction of the academy’s main gate.

It was already time to leave anyway. Lin Hao felt some curiosity about the young woman she’d encountered by chance, so she also walked out. Upon stepping through the academy gate, she saw a young couple pulling and tugging at the girl by the base of the wall, trying to take her away.

The gatekeeper shouted at the couple: “It’s still school hours—what are you doing?”

The man put on a smile: “I’m her older brother. There’s a lot of work at home, so I’m taking her back.”

The young woman was much more shrew-ish, sneering: “A mere girl—what use is studying? It’s just a waste of silver.”

The headmistress frowned.

Lin Hao suppressed the urge to intervene, watching to see how the young woman would react.

The young woman said crisply: “The tuition for my studies was paid by Father. I haven’t spent Elder Brother and Sister-in-law’s money.”

The woman scoffed: “Father took all the family’s spare money when he left on his trip. There’s no extra silver to support your studies. You come back with us to look after your nephews—at least help the family out.”

“Your sister-in-law is right. What use is it for you, a girl, to study? It doesn’t fill your belly or clothe you, and you can’t take the imperial examinations to become a high official. Isn’t it just wasting money? Hurry home. Do more work, get a reputation for being diligent—in the future you’ll be able to marry into a good family…”

The young woman slapped a string of copper coins into the man’s hand, interrupting his endless chatter: “This is enough to hire a month’s help to care for my nephews, isn’t it?”

“Where did you get this money?” the woman asked shrilly.

The young woman straightened her back: “I got first place in the first rank on the monthly examination. The academy awarded it. As long as I continue to get first place every month from now on, there will always be rewards.”

The woman immediately changed to a smiling face: “Yu’er, how much money is the reward for first place?”

The dead girl had become accomplished—spending money so readily, a whole string of cash, more than her husband earned in a month!

“Other than this, it’s just enough for my studies. If Elder Brother and Sister-in-law call me home, even two of me couldn’t earn a string of cash. When Father returns from his trip, he’ll be angry…”

The young couple were persuaded. They quickly pocketed the money and left.

The gatekeeper was a woman in her forties. Having experienced much, she was very uneasy about the young woman having such a brother and sister-in-law, and reminded her: “Don’t blame this auntie for being nosy—today they got money, they’ll probably come every month. Over time, one string of cash might not be enough to send them away.”

The young woman smiled: “Consider it buying peace with money. If they’re still not satisfied, I’ll ask the headmistress to intervene. The headmistress is the best—”

“Ahem.” The headmistress coughed.

The young woman’s eyes lit up. She quickly went to meet her: “Headmistress, why did you come out?”

Seeing Lin Hao and Qi Shuo, she froze.

“Haven’t you always admired the Crown Princess who established the women’s academy? Here’s your chance to meet her.”

The young woman’s eyes suddenly widened. Her face flushed red with excitement, no longer showing the cleverness she’d displayed facing her brother and sister-in-law: “Greetings to the, the Crown Princess—”

The headmistress explained with a smile: “Yu’er enrolled late and missed when you came at the beginning of the term.”

Lin Hao quite admired Chang Yu’er’s courage in solving problems at such a young age. She asked warmly: “Yu’er, do you think studying is useful?”

Behind the women’s academy was her. Those wealthy families sent their daughters to gain recognition, while for ordinary families the most practical thing was being able to support themselves.

Fortunately, the industries surrounding the flower dew shop needed more and more workers. Most ordinary girls who studied at the women’s academy could find positions in the future.

The young woman tilted her head slightly. In her bright eyes was both brilliance and innocence: “Of course this student thinks studying is useful. Those who think studying is useless wouldn’t be here.”

Lin Hao paused slightly, then smiled: “If you encounter difficulties, go find the headmistress.”

“Yes!”

Lin Hao and Qi Shuo bid farewell to the headmistress and boarded their carriage.

Outside the carriage, voices were clamorous. Inside, there was momentary quiet.

Seeing Lin Hao leaning against the carriage wall in thought, Qi Shuo squeezed her hand: “Take it slowly. When we can make decisions about more things, it will get better and better.”

The overseas territories were an enormous treasure. Once they filled Great Zhou’s treasury, they would naturally have the resources to change many things.

Lin Hao nodded and lifted the curtain to look outside, instructing the driver to stop.

“I’m going to the flower dew shop to take a look. A’Shuo, are you coming?”

“I won’t go. I’ll just wander around randomly.”

“Then let’s meet back at the mansion later.”

The two agreed on a time and separated. Lin Hao, accompanied by Baozhu and several guards hidden in the shadows, headed toward the flower dew shop. Qi Shuo walked aimlessly and unknowingly arrived at Tianyuan Temple.

The temple that once had an endless stream of worshippers had become cold and deserted, seeming incompatible with the surrounding liveliness.

“Your Highness—” Thinking of the former Crown Prince who had become a monk at Tianyuan Temple, Changning called out softly.

Qi Shuo came back to his senses. After thinking for a moment, he lifted his foot and walked into the temple.

Lin Hao went to the flower dew shop. Seeing everything was orderly, she didn’t stay long. When her carriage returned to Ping’an Ward, there was still time before her appointment with Qi Shuo, so she simply returned to the General’s Mansion.

With Mother gone overseas and Elder Sister pregnant and inconvenient to go out, naturally she should spend more time with Grandmother when leaving the palace.

Seeing Lin Hao return, Old Madam smiled brightly: “You girl, worried Grandmother is lonely? Don’t worry, Grandmother doesn’t feel lonely at all. Thinking about how your mother has found someone who cherishes her, and you and your sister have both found good matches, my heart is completely full. Every day is flavorful.”

In the future when she went to see the old man, she would have no worries left.

“Grandmother—” Lin Hao took Old Madam’s arm. “Shopkeeper Hu at the flower dew shop taught me how to make crab-stuffed oranges. When the crabs are at their best in a while, I’ll make it for you.”

Old Madam smiled and nodded: “Good.”

When leaving, Lin Hao still felt some emotion.

After returning to the palace this time, she probably wouldn’t come out again before A’Shuo’s enthronement ceremony.

Thinking this, she changed direction and walked slowly through the General’s Mansion’s garden.

Every plant and tree in the garden was familiar—the familiar osmanthus trees, the familiar magnolias, the familiar rose trellis, the familiar green walls.

Step by step, she walked to the perimeter wall and tilted her head up slightly. In that moment, she wasn’t really thinking about anything—she just did it.

Seeing Lin Hao climb atop the wall, Baozhu’s expression didn’t change. She even pulled a feathered shuttlecock from her pouch and began kicking it.

The colorful shuttlecock flew into the air, bright and eye-catching in the sunlight.

Meanwhile, Lin Hao, who had poked her head over to look at the other side of the wall, froze.

Below the wall, a young man smiled up at her with open arms.

After her momentary daze, the corners of Lin Hao’s lips curved high. Her smile was even more radiant than the colorful shuttlecock. Without hesitation, her heart full of joy, she leaped toward the man who had cherished her since their youth in her previous life.

In this life, her happiness with A’Shuo was like this solid embrace—it had not fallen short.

(The End)