The Vile Man

Qingxiao blankly stared at the page of confucianism. It was already a huge step for father and mother to agree to let her sit for the imperial examination and even indulge her in not learning the virtues of women. 

She should be satisfied, however she really wasn't. She stomped her feet in frustration. Now that she was reborn, would this life of hers also just pass by without her ever realising her dream?

She peeked through the window. Staring at the snow her heart felt even more depressed. She couldn't wait for spring to be here. The examination to enrol in an academy would be in spring and..and the banquet. The one where she would be able to finally show that disgusting Tang Fanxiao's true face to that brother of his.

Absent-mindedly she recited the words loudly. She was supposed to copy this ten times. Tutor said her handwriting was too ugly. Her nose scrunched up in annoyance. 

She tightened the hash of the fox fur coat before dozing off on the table. A slender silhouette, as cautious as a shadow guard, looked through the window, a soft smile on his cold thin lips. Glancing over the room with his sharp eyes, he jumped inside without making a single sound. 

Slowly he walked up to the sleeping woman. Continuing to look at her, he swept his hand through the air. The next moment, it was as if the world had come to a stand still. The sparrows on the window shill stopped chirping, the maid on her way to Jiao Qingxiao's room stopped in her posture, and even the curtains stopped moving. 

Except for the man looking down with deep desire in his eyes, and the woman breathing at a slow pace, not even a single atom moved at this moment. Tang Yunxiao fixed the hair strands on her face, tucking them behind her hair ever so gently. Staring at paper with ineligible writings on it, a low chuckle escaped his throat. 

He caressed her head for a while, a smile lingering on his face even after a long time. 

"Time over for skill 1. 10 seconds before time runs again. 10…9…8

Tang Yunxiao reluctantly moved his hand away, before swiftly leaving just the way he entered.

The groggy Qingxiao went into an even deeper slumber, while the sparrows began chirping once again and the maid outside her room fell down stumbling over nothing.

She scratched her head, looking around in confusion, before deciding to go back to her duties instead of checking on Jiao Qingxiao.

Jiao Qingxiao sighed, as she opened her eyes, looking at the poetry. Forget it, it's doable…She just doesn't agree with the principals. But come on, she doesn't have enough guts to let anyone know that.

After half a shi, she was finally done copying the writing. She didn't know if she was hallucinating, but she truly felt that her handwriting had improved.

Heh, she no longer felt as bad as before. If not anything else, at least in the calligraphy competition that was going to occur next month, she won't lose face to Tang Fangxiao's sweetheart. 

The next few months passed by peacefully, with Jiao Qingxiao focusing on learning the five classics, Chinese history and calligraphy. Her tutor couldn't be more pleased with her. In between she also spent the entire dinner time with her father asking her regarding her progress in preparation for the imperial examination.

Jiao Sang was satisfied with the report he had received from the tutor he hired. It was good for a daughter to have ambition. He was glad that even if something happened to him and his wife, his daughter would still be able to protect herself. 

Spring seemed to have arrived earlier than expected. Jiao Qingxiao called Jiao Mei to accompany her to the garden for a walk. She barely went outside during the winter as her mother just won't let her, fearing she would fall sick. She badly craved the fresh air outside, and couldn't wait to get out of the four walls.

"Ah Mei, say, if I want to invite someone from the royal family to the upcoming banquet, would father be angry?" She asked, her hand fiddling with the flower sachet on her waist. 

Jiao Mei paused in her steps, she turned her head, incredulously staring at her lady.

"You have a friend from the royal family?" She half screamed.

"Shhhhh…" Jiao Qingxiao pressed her index on her own lips gesturing at Jiao Mei to keep quiet.

"When did I say it's a friend?" She said, as she continued to walk.

"Then why would you invite them?" Jiao Mei was confused. Sure, Master was the minister of finance, but Miss hadn't ever come in close contact with anyone from the palace, in that case how could she invite someone? Shouldn't it be master inviting them?

Qingxiao sighed, before pulling Jiao Mei closer to her. Cupping her mouth with one hand, she whispered in Ah Mei's ears, "It's the third prince. That day when we went out to the lunar festival, it was he who offered me a ride home."

Jiao Mei's eyes widened. She covered her mouth with her palm, to force herself from screaming out loud.

The third prince? The infamous cold prince who had even killed his brothers, and knows nothing but violence, killing his way to top, now being the emperor's right hand?

Oh no, how did her poor miss come into contact with such a vile man? She must inform Madam for Miss's own good.

She tiptoed back, only to realise her hand was being pulled by Miss.

"Ayia, stop, I didn't tell you just for you to go tattle to mother."

Jiao Mei pursed her lips. "Miss, that man isn't a good person, stay away from him."

Qingxiao was taken aback. In her last life she never interacted with Tang Yuanxiao, and so she never really heard any such rumours about him, unaware of the rumours about him, except his achievements that were clearly praised by the palace maids.