As Yan Hualin was still lost in thought, Mother Yan came out. Upon seeing that it was Nian Jiaojiao, she respectfully approached them and bowed,
"Your Excellency, why have you come in person?"
After Nian Jiaojiao stated her purpose, Mother Yan immediately went to the backyard to fetch a horse. As she left, she also called away the somewhat reluctant Yan Hualin.
As the mother and son walked on the road, Mother Yan cautiously reminded him,
"Lin'er, don't overthink it..."
Yan Hualin's eyes lost their brilliance upon hearing this.
However, what they did not know was that Nian Jiaojiao and the others were all cultivators with extraordinary hearing.
They heard Mother Yan's words clearly.
At this moment, Nan Qing said with a half-smile,
"Isn't this someone coming to throw herself into our arms?"
Nian Jiaojiao, under the gaze of the men, replied with a straight face and no blush,
"It's all your Wife's fault for being too outstanding. I'm also very troubled."
After Nian Jiaojiao finished speaking, only Xingyun responded to her.
"Wife, then Xingyun will catch you and not let anyone else abduct you~"
Xingyun held Nian Jiaojiao's arm and took the opportunity to...
*Squeeze~*
*Squeeze, squeeze~*
Nian Jiaojiao: ...
...
Inside a luxurious ancient mansion.
"Outrageous, outrageous!"
Qin Binbin's chest heaved with anger.
"Hahaha, who has angered my Binbin so much?"
The Prince of Qingzhou walked in.
Seeing Qin Binbin, whose small face was flushed with anger, she gently stroked his soft hair and said,
"Binbin, I've already arranged for you to study at the Imperial Academy. Why are you still so angry?"
Qin Binbin remained silent.
Prince Qin's expression turned serious, and she sternly asked the male attendant behind Qin Binbin,
"What's going on? How did you serve my young master?"
The male attendant quickly explained,
"Your Highness, it's all that Nian Jiaojiao's fault for being ungrateful. Young Master, he..."
"Shut up, Xiao Nuan."
Qin Binbin interrupted the male attendant.
"Nian Jiaojiao?"
Prince Qin was startled.
This name was now like thunder in her ears.
As a regional prince, she rarely got into disputes.
But because of this Nian Jiaojiao, she had a heated argument with other examiners in public.
Of course, she was on Nian Jiaojiao's side at the time.
However, judging by the male attendant's tone, her son knew that person, the newly appointed Jinshi?
That's right, they were all studying at the Imperial Academy, so it was normal to know each other.
Thus, Prince Qin asked,
"Binbin, do you know this new Jinshi?"
"New Jinshi?"
Qin Binbin was stunned, then his face lit up with joy,
"Has the list been posted? She became a Jinshi?"
Then, he calmed down again and murmured,
"Indeed, it was expected that she would pass the Jinshi exam. There's nothing to be surprised about."
Seeing her son looking so dejected, Prince Qin knew what was going on.
She deliberately said,
"Not only did she pass the Jinshi exam, but she almost got first place. However, due to some reasons, she only got second place."
As expected, Qin Binbin said unhappily,
"Mother, what's wrong with second place? Second place is still very commendable. There's only one second place in the entire dynasty."
Prince Qin smiled and said,
"Yes, yes, yes. This Nian Jiaojiao, the one and only in the entire dynasty, is truly outstanding. I wonder how many husbands she has married already. Otherwise, I would have truly wished for such a daughter-in-law."
Qin Binbin's face turned red, and he dared not look at Prince Qin.
"Mother~"
"Hahaha, you're shy, you're shy."
For a moment, the room was filled with warmth.
"Your Highness."
At this moment, the attendant's voice sounded from outside the door.
Prince Qin suppressed her smile and sat in the chair authoritatively,
"Enter."
The attendant bowed and walked in.
"Your Highness, this is an invitation from the Prince of Duan's manor."
Prince Qin took the invitation from the attendant's hand and waved, signaling him to leave.
She unfolded the invitation, and after reading it, her brow furrowed.
After a long while, she sighed.
"It's starting again."
Qin Binbin curiously asked,
"Mother, what is it that makes you so worried?"
"It's an invitation from the Prince of Duan. Tomorrow is her birthday banquet."
"Prince of Duan? It's just a birthday banquet, why the distress?"
"The Empress's health is declining year by year, so establishing an heir apparent is urgent.
Since last year, all the princesses vying for that position have begun to employ various means. Among them, garnering support is the most common method.
I've received the eighth such birthday invitation since last year."
Upon hearing this, Qin Binbin understood the gravity of the situation.
Who became the Empress did not significantly affect their family, but they feared being on the wrong side, which would make them a thorn in the new Empress's side later on.
"Mother, shall we feign illness and not go?"
Prince Qin shook her head.
"No, for such an invitation, once received, you must attend. Because you attended, they might not remember, but if you don't attend, they will certainly remember.
However, this time, her invitation also includes you, Binbin. You are not an official in the court, so feigning illness to not attend is harmless."
Qin Binbin nodded.
Just then, Prince Qin suddenly said,
"Coincidentally, while at the Prince of Duan's manor, I will have a good look at that Nian Jiaojiao."
Qin Binbin was stunned.
"She's going too?"
Prince Qin nodded.
"Naturally. As a newly appointed Jinshi among the top three, the Prince of Duan will naturally send her an invitation. After all, with one step further, she could contend for the top scholar. She will be a great help in the imperial court in the future."
Qin Binbin's eyes rolled, and he smiled at Prince Qin,
"Mother, on second thought, I think I should go."
Prince Qin was somewhat amused and exasperated, but she still refused.
"This Prince of Duan is fond of beautiful people. Although she wouldn't do anything overt with me there, being noticed is not a good thing."
Qin Binbin thought for a moment and said,
"Then I can disguise myself as Qin Bingbing and go with you, Mother~"
Prince Qin shook her head helplessly.
"Keep a low profile."
Qin Binbin knew that her mother had agreed, so he happily hugged Prince Qin and ran out.
"Where are you going?"
Prince Qin called out.
"To pick out some low-profile clothes."