“Zishangtang?” The Empress frowned, confused. “That’s where the princes attend morning classes. What would a young girl do there?”
Ning Wanwan replied, “This servant feels lacking in knowledge and wants to learn more to help her husband.”
“Zishangtang has the best tutors in Qi Song, including grand tutors, assistant instructors, and lecturers,” she continued.
The Empress was surprised by the phrase “help her husband,” looked at Ning Wanwan, and nodded with satisfaction. “I see.”
Traditionally, women were valued for being uneducated, but a Crown Princess was different. A noble and talented Crown Princess could support her husband in ruling the nation. It was rare for a young woman to have such awareness and willingness to study. However, entering Zishangtang might delay her marriage to Yi’er, as it would be improper for a Crown Prince and Princess to attend morning classes separately.
“Are you sure? This might postpone your wedding with Yi’er.”
“This servant has decided,” Ning Wanwan answered solemnly.
That external man was my distant cousin, who came from his hometown to visit me and my mother. Unexpectedly, during this period, my sister and my cousin were secretly exchanging glances and ended up together.
On her coming of age day, my sister arranged to meet my cousin at Lotus Cave for a tryst. After she accidentally fell into the water and lost consciousness, my cousin waited in Lotus Cave. Ultimately, he was bound by my sister’s personal maid Fuyi, who had servants tie him up and take him to my grandmother’s Suyu Hall.
Seeing that the matter was exposed, my cousin accused my sister, blaming me and my mother for trying to ruin her reputation.
Ning Wanwan realized Lin Yutong’s true hypocritical nature, understanding the letters exchanged between her and Si Yi in her previous life, as well as the origin of Si Yi’s keepsake.
Lin Yutong sobbed, “We were just dependents and didn’t dare to argue. My mother bore all the blame and was driven out by my grandmother.”
The empress turned to Ning Wanwan, noting her calmness without guilt or panic.
Si Yi clenched his fists: “What a vicious woman.”
Lin Yutong, with a hint of malice, knelt and hugged Si Yi’s legs, crying: “Your Highness, please seek justice for me. I only ask that you plead with your grandmother to forgive my mother.”
