Chapter 8: Conventional Wisdom.

Since Master Zhuang shared an intimate bond with Empress Bai,it was conventional wisdom that Master Zhuang would favour Wen Mingye and even grant him good grades for free. So Consort Huan planned to win Mizi Yue over so he could at least favour her son,pay extra attention to him and probably grant him good grades.

When Mizi Yue arrived ,he was immediately served with tea and snacks. Mizi Yue was so beautiful that even Consort Huan and the servant girls couldn't take their eyes off him. If Consort Huan had a daughter,she would definitely not let Mizi Yue's alluring beauty and scholarly status go to waste ,she would have betrothed her to him.

"Your Highness may I know why you have summoned me here?"Mizi Yue asked in an elegant yet polite manner.

"I want to introduce you to my son."

Consort Huan smiled looking towards Wen Hai's direction.

"Oh,"Mizi Yue smiled exposing an enchanting dimple on his left cheek.

"This is my son Wen Hai and he's the Crown Prince. He will probably be the most important figure in your lecture room."

"Yeah,right."

"Hai,this is Mizi Yue, he will be your literature teacher."

For the first time Wen Hai showed some respect to someone apart from the Emperor,the Empress and his mother. He knew he had to lower his ego because he knew Mizi Yue was the key to defeating Wen Mingye in terms of grades and other scores.

"Sir Mizi,I hope you will take care of our Hai here as the beloved Crown Prince of our dynasty."

"Of course Your Highness."

Wen Mingye was familiar with Mingzhou so he obviously knew the best stationery stores there. They entered one of the best stationery stores to purchase writing brushes,inkstones, paper and Scholar's Chests. Wen Xiang was very picky when it came to purchasing personal items. She liked bright colours and tried to keep her things as girlish as possible.

"Why don't you take this Scholar's Chest?"

Wen Mingye pointed at a rectangular Scholar's Chest made of black jade.

"That's too dull."

Qingyun Ge was a sixteen year old naive and innocent boy with a smiling face. He had luckily secured spot as one of the Crown Prince's study buddies because of his well known aunt Shuangye Lin who was a prestigious business woman in Mingzhou. Qingyun Ge was in the same stationery store as the two royal siblings. Qingyun Ge was a boy who preferred bright and girlish colours. He immediately spotted a beige scholar's chest crafted from sandalwood with intricate carvings of cherry blossoms. He hurriedly went to have a look at it. Wen Xiang felt disappointed when she saw the scholar's chest she had just set her eyes on was in Qingyun Ge's hands. Wen Mingye followed her gaze and noticed what she was looking at.

"Don't tell me you want that one."

"What if I want it?"

"But he has already picked it."

"Why would a boy like that kind of design?"

Wen Xiang approached Qingyun Ge with the intention of negotiating with him.

"Good brother,would you mind leaving that Scholar's Chest to me?"

Qingyun Ge probably didn't think she was talking to him since there were other boys purchasing stationery beside him so he unintentionally ignored her.

"Hey I'm talking to you,"Wen Xiang spoke with a temper and poked Qingyun Ge's back with her finger to get his attention . Qingyun Ge turned around in surprise. He was flustered for a moment. At his aunt's home,he rarely saw or got into contact with noble girls. He was a little struck by Wen Xiang's beauty.

"Beautiful sister,what did you say?"

"I want that Scholar's Chest you're holding,"Wen Xiang replied arrogantly.

"You like it? Here it is,"Qingyun Ge gave it to her without further thought.Qingyun Ge was chivalrous in nature and for a beautiful girl like Wen Xiang he became even more chivalrous.

Wen Xiang didn't think getting the scholar's chest from Qingyun Ge would be a piece of cake so she couldn't help but feel a little guilty for snatching it from him. She offered to help him find another one that was similar to the one he had given her.

"Don't worry I will find another one on my own."

"What's your name?"

"I am Qingyun Ge,"he replied humbly.

"I will repay you when we meet next time,"Wen Xiang spoke as she walked back towards Wen Mingye and Xue Yao and the three left a few moments later.

They walked around Mingzhou and ate candied hawthorns while strolling around.

"Brother why did you buy such a dull Scholar's Chest? That guy back there has a better taste than you."

Wen Mingye took a quick glance at the black jade Scholar's Chest he had bought but didn't say anything. He seemed pretty satisfied with it.