The Comeback of the Cannon-Fodder Supporting Actress

Chapter 1093: Chapter 1067: Glory Amidst Chaos 135

Wang Qi followed the guard, standing among a group of young but clever and outstanding scholars selected from various places, and entered the palace.

He walked quietly without daring to look around or whisper to anyone.

When he arrived at Fengqi Palace, Wang Qi heard a voice that was both familiar and strange, and he almost burst into tears.

He still had some memories from his childhood.

He remembered that Anning once played with him, held him, and coaxed him to eat.

After all these years, hearing Anning’s voice again, Wang Qi immediately knew who it was, but with a feeling of unfamiliarity.

This was no longer his aunt, but a high and mighty figure, a nation’s queen.

”Let them come in.”

Upon hearing this, Wang Qi followed the scholars into Fengqi Palace.

He remained very restrained, not daring to perform outstandingly.

Anning examined a few scholars, asked some questions, tested them, and then looked at Wang Qi with a smile: ”Are you Wang Qi?”

Wang Qi slightly raised his head: ”Replying to the Empress, yes, I am a student.”

”I’ve heard my senior brother mention you.”

Anning smiled and beckoned Wang Qi closer: ”How far have you studied? Have you read the Four Books and Five Classics thoroughly? Studied mathematics?”

Wang Qi softly said: ”I’ve read them all, also studied mathematics. Master said I’m good at math.”

Anning gave a math problem for Wang Qi to solve, and Wang Qi quickly calculated the answer.

Anning laughed: ”You’ve studied very well. It’s fortunate that Prince Rong also likes mathematics, so you can study with Prince Rong.”

”Thank you for your grace, Empress.”

Wang Qi knelt to express his gratitude.

Anning smiled and accepted: ”Little Lusi, take Wang Qi to find Prince Rong.”

Anning called a young eunuch to take Wang Qi to Prince Rong.

Wang Qi followed the young eunuch out.

Before they left, they saw a thirteen or fourteen-year-old girl coming hurriedly.

The girl was dressed in a silver-red riding outfit, her hair tied high, walking with large strides and an unspoken heroic spirit.

She walked ahead, followed by several maids running to catch up.

As she got closer, the girl glanced at Wang Qi, smiled, and nodded at him.

Wang Qi quickly lowered his head, not daring to look at the girl.

Little Lusi greeted with a smile: ”Greetings, Princess Chuyang.”

”What is the Queen Mother doing?”

Princess Chuyang asked a question.

Little Lusi replied: ”She is meeting scholars from various places, selecting a reading companion for His Majesty.”

Princess Chuyang thought for a moment: ”Then I will rest in the side hall for a while.”

Leaving a remark, she hurried away.

Wang Qi watched her back for a few moments.

He thought that Princess Chuyang probably didn’t recognize him anymore. After all, it has been years, everyone has grown up and changed, naturally unrecognizable.

When Princess Fengyang arrived at the imperial manor, it was already late. She was also a little tired from the journey, so she washed and went straight to sleep.

The next morning, Princess Fengyang went to the greenhouse.

The greenhouse at the imperial manor was particularly large, with several glass greenhouses growing many flowers. Princess Fengyang went inside and cut a few flower buds, holding them back to her room.

Wearing light green cotton clothes, with a green silk skirt, her hair loose, she sat by the window at the desk trimming the flowers, placing them in slender-necked vases.

After arranging the flowers, Princess Fengyang called Lu Dafa’s family over.

”How are things with the opera troupe these days?”

Lu Dafa’s family smiled: ”They are living well in the manor, eating fresh vegetables several times, and raising plump chickens and ducks every day, several have gained weight.”

Princess Fengyang lowered her gaze: ”What was the name of the one the Queen Mother praised earlier?”

Lu Dafa’s family quickly replied: ”His surname is Qi, called Qi Nanxue.”

”That name is not bad.”

Princess Fengyang smiled gently: ”Go and call him over, let him sing for me. I’ll see if he has improved.”

Lu Dafa’s family bowed and retreated.

Qi Nanxue had started practicing his voice early in the morning. He was singing a difficult piece from the opera Anning gave him, which he had been practicing for days without finding the right feel. He was trying a different approach when he saw Lu Dafa’s family coming.

”Qi Nanxue, get ready, the Princess wants you to come over and sing.”

Qi Nanxue looked at himself sweating from practice: ”Madam, I’ll wash up and change clothes.”

Lu Dafa’s family was quite anxious: ”Just wipe with a hot handkerchief, change your clothes quickly, don’t keep the Princess waiting.”

Qi Nanxue ran back to his room and quickly tidied up.

He followed Lu Dafa’s family towards Princess Fengyang’s residence, secretly feeling delighted.

The Princess still remembers him, wants him to sing. Does she also think he sings well? If he sings well, could he stay by the Princess’s side, singing for her often?

Outside, the weather was very cold. As Qi Nanxue approached Fengyang’s residence, fine snow beads began to fall, making him shiver.

Arriving at the place, Lu Dafa’s family had Qi Nanxue wait in the corridor as she went to announce his arrival.

Soon, Lu Dafa’s family returned and let Qi Nanxue inside.

The outside and inside were like two different worlds.

Outside, the cold made people want to huddle, while inside was as warm as spring.

The room was spacious and very warm, with thick carpets. Due to the heated floor, the ground was warm.

Perhaps in her private chamber, Princess Fengyang dressed very casually, wearing only a short thin jacket, which was plain except for a circle of small flowers embroidered at the neckline and cuffs, with no other decoration.

She wore a green silk skirt, emphasizing her slender waist.

Moreover, Princess Fengyang had no shoes on, standing barefoot on the ground.

Qi Nanxue dared not lift his head, but having his head down allowed him to see Princess Fengyang’s feet clearly.

Those feet were as white as jade, small and exquisite, with each toenail painted a shade of bright red, resembling ten vibrant petals.

Qi Nanxue felt a tightness in his chest, his throat dry, and quickly looked away.

Unexpectedly, Princess Fengyang was already standing beside him.

The Princess had an indescribably enticing fragrance, faint but enveloping. Whether it was incense or her natural scent, the closer it was, the more Qi Nanxue felt overwhelmed.

He stepped back in fear: ”Greetings, Princess. Long life to the Princess...”

Princess Fengyang smiled: ”Don’t kneel, stand up and speak.”

Qi Nanxue respectfully knelt and then rose.

Princess Fengyang was very close to Qi Nanxue now, a subtle smile at her lips: ”The Queen Mother praised your singing, afterward, two Princesses also praised you. I was preoccupied and couldn’t listen to the opera. What did you sing? I didn’t hear it. Now with leisure, please sing a piece for me to hear.”

Qi Nanxue’s voice became hoarse: ”What would the Princess like to hear?”

Princess Fengyang stepped back a few steps and sat down on a chair covered in white fur.

The chair was large, and she nestled within it, appearing even more petite. Resting her chin on her hand, her voice sweet: ”Why is your voice so hoarse? Is it too warm here making you thirsty.”

She gestured: ”Li Niang, fetch a cup of tea for Mr. Qi to soothe his throat.”

Li Niang went out with a smile.

Qi Nanxue felt inexplicable emotions.

Singing since childhood, he performed for many families, sometimes at banquets, even high-ranking officials visiting the opera house. Throughout the years, regardless of his condition, he sang for anyone who asked, without consideration for illness or pain, with no one caring.

Yet this time, with one word to the Princess, she heard his throat’s discomfort, intending to have him drink tea before singing.

Moreover, the Princess’s addressing him as ”Mr. Qi” made Qi Nanxue feel respected by the Princess, not at all looking down on him.

In front of the Princess, he wasn’t an object, not a lowly slave, but a dignified person.