Chapter Six: Bets Must Have Stakes

"Well said! I, too, feel the same!"

The maids and old attendants were quietly gossiping, completely unaware that the Emperor and Empress had silently appeared behind them.

Startled, the maids and attendants dropped to their knees, about to shout long live the Emperor, but a eunuch beside the Emperor stopped them.

The eunuch sighed. Earlier, His Majesty had sent people to inquire about the whereabouts of the princess and Emperor Mo, and now he had come personally to eavesdrop.

The Emperor’s lips never ceased their faint smile; it seemed his daughter’s relationship with Emperor Mo was progressing well.

Mo Youli, meticulous and cunning, upon hearing the noise, guessed that the Emperor had come on behalf of the princess.

After all, the princess was a young lady of the inner chambers; it was only natural for her father to worry about her being alone with a man late at night.

“The night grows late, and the princess must be tired. I shall take my leave,” Mo Youli said as he rose, his gaze still fixed on Luo Ningsang’s face, not moving a step.

“You say that, I do feel quite sleepy indeed. Thank you, Mo Youli,” Luo Ningsang said openly, her chubby cheeks adorned with a sweet smile.

“Rest early. I... shall come again tomorrow.”

Raised in luxury since childhood, Mo Youli’s skin was as white and smooth as porcelain. A faint blush now colored his cheeks, especially striking.

“Tomorrow?”

Luo Ningsang frowned.

Mo Youli, seeing her reluctance, lowered his eyes in disappointment, a faint, almost invisible self-mockery flickering in them.

Indeed, after only a few hours of companionship, he greedily wished to see her again. The princess had previously not given him a glance; several times he visited, she had avoided him.

Now, he truly was overstepping.

“If you come tomorrow, you mustn’t come empty-handed like today. I want to eat sugar-roasted chestnuts...”

Luo Ningsang teased Mo Youli. He always carried a maturity beyond his years, rarely smiled; she wanted to break through that.

Unbeknownst to her, having lost his birth mother and without any support from his maternal family, Mo Youli had fought his way through five princes to seize the throne—a journey unimaginable to ordinary people. That was why he bore such composure beyond his age—no childhood laughter, only battles and schemes.

“All right.”

His lowered eyes, like an unfathomable deep pool, now shone like dazzling stars.

Two hidden guards on the roof already knew what to do without orders—chestnuts it was!

...

Just as Luo Ningsang stepped into the academy gates, before she could familiarize herself with her surroundings, Xiao Ze’an suddenly grabbed the corner of her robe, pulling her aside, causing her to stumble.

Frowning deeply, Xiao Ze’an leaned close and lowered his voice: “Luo Ningsang, listen carefully. Stay away from that Mo Youli. He is ruthless and cunning, far too dangerous for you to provoke.”

Luo Ningsang rolled her eyes, shook off his hand forcefully, and snorted coldly: “Xiao Ze’an, you meddle too much. Who I choose to associate with is none of your business. Do you think I should revolve around you all day?”

Xiao Ze’an was momentarily stunned by her dismissal but quickly regained his usual arrogance.

Clearing his throat, he said, “I overheard your conversation with your elder brother yesterday. For old times’ sake, I can help you with the upcoming exams.”

His chin lifted slightly, tinged with a hint of condescension.

Yesterday, Xiao Ze’an had been scolded harshly by his father upon returning home; today, he was offering her a way out.

Luo Ningsang laughed aloud, unable to believe such a joke.

“Xiao Ze’an, where does your confidence come from? Do you think I can’t manage without you? Keep your false kindness to yourself. I’ll work hard for the exams on my own, no need for your interference!”

Thinking back on the past, Luo Ningsang felt utterly helpless. When they studied together before, Xiao Ze’an’s eyes only saw the brilliant Shen Shuwan. Whenever she asked a question, she was met with disdain and rebuke, branded hopelessly stupid—a waste of his time.

Xiao Ze’an did not expect rejection; his expression darkened, but he remained stern:

“Think carefully. If you fail and come crying to me, I warned you in advance. If your grades are too poor to salvage, don’t come complaining to me.”

At that moment, Shen Shuwan came running over.

She had been worried since morning when she hadn’t seen Xiao Ze’an or Luo Ningsang at the academy, fearing Luo Ningsang was bothering her “Brother Ze’an.” After searching long, she finally found them.

“Brother Ze’an, Sister Ningsang, the teacher has arrived. Let’s take our seats quickly,” Shen Shuwan said softly, her eyes fixed on Xiao Ze’an.

Luo Ningsang didn’t even glance at her and turned to leave.

Seizing the opportunity, Shen Shuwan clung to Xiao Ze’an’s sleeve, her eyes reddened, and she whispered, “Brother Ze’an, what were you two just talking about?”

Annoyed at Luo Ningsang’s snub, Xiao Ze’an replied stiffly, “Nothing much. Luo Ningsang wanted me to help her with the exams, but I refused.”

Hearing this, Shen Shuwan’s heart lifted, and she nodded obediently, a faint glint of triumph in her eyes.

After class, everyone gathered their books to leave. Shen Shuwan gracefully approached Luo Ningsang, a warm smile on her face.

“Little Sister Ningsang, I heard from Ze’an that you’re worried about the exams. If you don’t understand anything, feel free to come to me. While my knowledge isn’t the best, I’ll teach you wholeheartedly and won’t let you down.”

Luo Ningsang raised her eyes coldly and retorted mercilessly, “What business is it of yours? Stop pretending to care; I don’t need it.”

Shen Shuwan was struck as if slapped hard, her eyes instantly reddened, tears welling up. She bowed her head in grievance, murmuring, “I... I’m sorry for disturbing you.”

Seeing this pitiful scene, Xiao Ze’an’s anger flared. He strode forward and stood before Shen Shuwan.

With wide, furious eyes, he pointed at Luo Ningsang and shouted, “Luo Ningsang, don’t go too far! Wan’er is only trying to help you kindly. If you won’t appreciate it, fine, but why bully her?”

Luo Ningsang trembled with rage, fists clenched so tightly her nails dug into her palms, and shouted back, “Xiao Ze’an, are you sick? When have I ever bullied her? Don’t lie so shamelessly!”

“Master Xiao, please discipline your maid. How dare she shout so boldly in front of her master?”

“Exactly, it’s thanks to Master Xiao’s kindness she’s still in the household. Otherwise, a maid like her would have been kicked out long ago. How can a maid act so arrogantly?”

“Besides, Miss Shen was only being kind, and she’s ungrateful and even bullies Miss Shen.”

“I think Luo Ningsang must be off her rocker. Usually, she’s like a lapdog, orbiting Master Xiao and Miss Shen, but now she’s acting all high and mighty.”

“Off her rocker? I think she’s just playing hard to get, trying to get Master Xiao’s attention. Everyone knows she likes him; what other motives could she have?”

Luo Ningsang’s face flushed crimson as she swept her gaze over the crowd, finally fixing it on Xiao Ze’an.

Her identity was special and could not be revealed lightly. Yet, Xiao Ze’an, knowing who she was, allowed these rumors to spread unchecked without a word of defense.

His tacit approval stung her more than any cruel words.

Not wanting to engage further with the crowd, Luo Ningsang turned to leave, but Yu Xiaoxiao stepped forward to block her path.

Hands on her hips, chin raised arrogantly, Yu Xiaoxiao sneered, “Luo Ningsang, judging by your look, you’re very confident about the exams, huh? Hmph, dare you make a bet with me?”

“Not interested!” Luo Ningsang didn’t even lift her eyelids, turning aside to pass.

Yu Xiaoxiao refused to relent, stepping in front of her again and jeering, “Oh? Afraid now? Just now you proudly said you don’t need Shen Shuwan’s help, and now you’re running scared?”

Luo Ningsang stopped, eyes narrowing slightly, lips curling into a cold smile. “What’s there to be afraid of? But bets require stakes. Tell me, what do you want to wager?”

With Mo Youli’s guidance, she felt somewhat confident and was not afraid of this challenge.

Yu Xiaoxiao’s eyes glinted slyly.

Turning to the crowd, she declared loudly, “Fine! If you don’t make it into the top ten on this exam, you’ll leave this academy quietly!”

She was certain that Luo Ningsang, who had always been at the bottom, could never break into the top ten in just ten days.

“Agreed.”

Luo Ningsang accepted readily, then asked, “But if I do make the top ten, what about you? Will you be the one to leave?”

“All right, it’s a deal!”

Without hesitation, Yu Xiaoxiao agreed. In her eyes, this was a guaranteed win; she hadn’t considered losing.

“Let’s have the teacher witness this, so no one can cheat or deny the bet later...”

Yu Xiaoxiao added triumphantly, determined to corner Luo Ningsang with no way out.

...

“Luo Ningsang, don’t be reckless! Dropping out of school isn’t a trivial matter; you can’t treat it so lightly.”

Xiao Ze’an frowned deeply and tried to dissuade her.

He knew well that if the princess truly dropped out because of this bet, his father would be furious beyond measure and hold him responsible.

“Brother Ze’an...”

Shen Shuwan tugged at his sleeve, confused by his sudden defense of Luo Ningsang.

“This bet is mine alone. I will bear all consequences. It has nothing to do with you,” Luo Ningsang said firmly, looking him in the eye, making it clear: even if forced to leave the academy, she would neither complain to the Emperor nor whisper a word to the Grand Tutor.

Seeing her stubbornness, Xiao Ze’an flared with anger, swept his sleeves, and stormed off, pulling Shen Shuwan along while muttering, “Fine! Ungrateful fool!”

Shen Shuwan hurried after him, softly trying to comfort, “Brother Ze’an, Luo Ningsang definitely won’t win. I’ll try to persuade her again tomorrow, so she won’t make a foolish mistake.”

Xiao Ze’an stopped, looked down at her, and stroked her head.

With a sigh, he said, “Wan’er, you’re too kind. Luo Ningsang is stubborn as can be; she won’t listen to reason.”

“You know her father and mine are acquainted. If she really drops out, I’m afraid my father will blame me. Since she’s made her threat and will bear the consequences, I won’t interfere.”

Shen Shuwan nodded obediently, then hesitated before softly saying, “Brother Ze’an, I feel Luo Ningsang has changed a lot lately—she’s like a different person, not the obedient girl she used to be.”

Xiao Ze’an waved dismissively, “She’s just throwing a tantrum. She’ll get over it in a few days.”

To him, Luo Ningsang was merely playing hard to get.

Someone who had pursued Xiao Ze’an for over ten years could not just change overnight. Even if everyone else’s feelings changed, he was confident Luo Ningsang’s would not.

Shen Shuwan hesitated, then bit her lip and whispered, “Brother Ze’an, next month is your birthday... I heard Luo Ningsang is secretly preparing a birthday banquet for you.”

Xiao Ze’an was slightly surprised, a spark of anticipation in his eyes. “Oh? Is that so?”

Shen Shuwan nodded gently, whispering, “It was Yu Xiaoxiao who told me. She saw Luo Ningsang quietly making arrangements at the Gathering Hall and even inquired a bit. It must be for your birthday.”

“Though Luo Ningsang has hosted it before, this year it’s at the Gathering Hall, which is extraordinary—not only expensive but only frequented by nobles and dignitaries. If you’re not of sufficient status, you can’t even get in. I think she plans to confess to you there.”

At this, Shen Shuwan glanced cautiously at Xiao Ze’an, contemplating whether to interfere.

Xiao Ze’an’s lips curved into a faint smile, saying happily, “If that’s the case, then I’ll just wait.”

His confident demeanor made Shen Shuwan’s heart skip a beat. She resolved firmly that no matter what, she must not let Luo Ningsang succeed.

As they chatted and walked, unaware, Luo Ningsang had already boarded her sedan chair.

The few servants carrying the sedan craned their necks, eagerly watching the academy gate. One murmured, “Master Xiao and Miss Shen haven’t come out yet. Should we wait a bit longer?”

Luo Ningsang impatiently drew back the curtain and said coldly, “No need to wait. Let’s go straight back.”

“That... isn’t proper. Master Xiao and Miss Shen haven’t arrived yet,” one servant nervously said.

Luo Ningsang’s eyes suddenly hardened, her gaze slicing through them like a blade. Coldly, she demanded, “What? Are you servants of the Grand Tutor’s mansion or the Prime Minister’s estate? Am I to be ignored?”

Terrified, the servants’ legs buckled, and they knelt swiftly with a “thud.”

Only then did they remember that this seemingly fragile girl was Princess Yan Chi!

Though in recent years she had appeared as an ordinary maid following Xiao Ze’an, a princess she remained, with a status untouchable, unfit for defiance.

Just then, Xiao Ze’an and Shen Shuwan’s group strolled out leisurely.

Their attendants began to chatter again, pointing at the sedan chair.

“Look, the masters haven’t come out yet, but that maid is already sitting in the sedan. Who does she think she is?”