After being reborn as a man, the woman improved her family's fortunes through education.

Chapter 566 The Poetry Gathering at the Tong Mansion 2

"You lot, step back now!"

"Yes, Fourth Prince. This humble subject takes his leave!"

The people who came with Jiang Xiaoqi didn't even glance at him before leaving the teahouse private room. They really didn't bother to put on an act.

So these guys were just tools to bring people here? Luckily, Jiang Xiaoqi didn't even remember who was who, and there was really no need for her to remember.

"Alright, now that everyone else has left, let's not be so formal."

WHAT? Holding back?

I thought this person had improved, but I didn't expect him to still be like this.

"There should be a distinction between superiors and inferiors, that's only natural."

"Now you know about the difference between superiors and inferiors, but when you pushed me away, jumped out of the window, and rode off on horseback, why didn't you think about the difference between superiors and inferiors?"

Wow! He holds a grudge!

That’s how you play, right?

Then don't blame Jiang Xiaoqi for going all out and revealing that the Fourth Prince Zhao Hongsheng is gay!

"Hey, why are you looking at me like that? I haven't bothered you for so long, don't you know why?"

Not disturbing him? Isn't that the most basic thing to do? Does Jiang Xiaoqi have to be grateful to him?

"Then I really have to thank Your Highness the Fourth Prince."

These words were spoken with utmost calmness, yet the Fourth Prince still detected a hint of sarcasm in them.

He wasn't angry; he just slightly raised the corners of his mouth and took a few steps toward Jiang Xiaoqi.

Huh? Why are you moving closer instead of just talking?!

Are you afraid of me? Or... do you hate or despise me?

Jiang Xiaoqi glanced at the window of the teahouse private room and saw that Li Mo's carriage seemed to be parked right under the window.

"What? Trying to escape through the window again? Don't worry, I didn't mean anything by seeing you today."

Just a reminder that there will be a poetry gathering in a few days; please be extra careful.

Jiang Xiaoqi looked at him suspiciously, "What does the Tong family poetry gathering have to do with me? The invitations were received at the last minute. As a relative of the Tong family, why did Your Highness have to come and remind me?"

Zhao Hongsheng chuckled lightly, "Many scions of prominent families and literary figures are participating in this poetry gathering, and among them are quite a few who harbor resentment towards you. I'm afraid they will take this opportunity to make things difficult for you."

Jiang Xiaoqi was even more confused by this. When did he make an enemy? How come he didn't know?

"Surprised? Isn't that all thanks to Fifth Brother! You never expected that Fifth Brother, who's always been as timid as a mouse, would turn out to be a venomous snake hiding in the shadows."

I was too kind and lenient with him when he was a child. I should have nipped him in the bud earlier, so he wouldn't keep showing up and disgusting people.

I used to dislike him, but the eldest and third brothers always protected him. What about now?

One was demoted to a commoner, another was exiled three thousand miles away, while the fifth prince remained a prince, even becoming the de facto leader of all the princes.

Although what my grandfather said was harsh, it was actually true in principle. We were all sons of concubines, so who was more noble than whom?

Now that the fifth brother has even extended his reach to my maternal grandparents' house, it's obvious he wants to get rid of me, this 'obstacle.' If I just sit here and wait to be killed, wouldn't that be a bit cowardly?"

As expected, it was the Fifth Prince who was up to something. But judging from the tone, he was planning to deal with the Fourth Prince. But why was he also trying to make things difficult for himself at the same time?

Is it just because I kept my distance and didn't accept their so-called recruitment? How domineering!

Haha, that's too vengeful.

"But don't worry, this is the Tong family's home turf, your life won't be in danger. It's just that if the fifth brother makes trouble, you'll inevitably lose some face."

The Fourth Prince spoke in a nonchalant manner, staring intently at Jiang Xiaoqi's face as if searching for a flaw.

Hey, hey, hey, they're setting a trap for you, how are you going to respond?

"That's easy. The day before the poetry gathering, just send a message to the Tong family saying that the illness has relapsed."

"What, has this poetry gathering become more important than going to the Hanlin Academy? Can't even someone catch a cold?"

Jiang Xiaoqi wasn't joking. If you know they've set a trap, why would you jump in? That would be stupid.

"I'm afraid you have no choice but to go. Don't you know? The Sixth Prince, Seventh Prince, Ninth Prince, and Tenth Prince will all be attending the Tong Family Poetry Gathering."

As the tutor of the Second Prince, aren't you curious about what the other princes are like?

"Why is the Eighth Prince the only one missing?"

Jiang Xiaoqi's focus was always so unconventional that the Fourth Prince almost didn't realize it.

"Huh? Oh, you mean Lao Ba? He's a real taciturn guy, never says a word... cough cough, well."

It's perfectly normal for him not to come. He's only interested in horseback riding and archery; coming to this kind of event would only make him look foolish and become a laughingstock.

"Since the Eighth Prince can choose not to attend, what difference does it make whether I, a nobody, go or not?"

"Are you really ignorant or just pretending? What's the situation now? What's the direction the court is taking? Don't you think about your students?"

"Find him a reliable ally, so that I, his second brother, can enjoy peace and prosperity for the rest of my life."

The fourth prince seemed a little anxious, and this worry didn't seem to be feigned.

This person... is actually genuinely concerned about his older brother, the Second Prince? How strange! Is there true affection in the royal family, even between half-brothers?

Jiang Xiaoqi didn't know whether she should believe him or not, but there was one thing the Fourth Prince was right about.

I do know very little about the other princes. Aside from the two who are already out of the running, including the fourth and fifth princes, there are still seven princes left.

The boss, the Emperor, is really prolific!

This does not include those who are even younger, nor does it include the princesses.

If you add them all up, there would be at least thirty.

Raising so many children would be impossible without royalty or immense wealth.

Ahem, my train of thought seems to have gone astray again.

The Fourth Prince could tell that the person in front of him was lost in thought. What was he thinking about now?

Sigh, I can't concentrate when I'm with myself. Do I also get distracted when I'm teaching my second brother?

Don't let the people in the palace find any fault with you; the palace is not a good place.

However, the second brother himself probably couldn't tell whether his teacher was distracted or not.

"Sigh, so, are you going to the poetry gathering in a few days or not?"

"Give me a definite answer so I can make arrangements in advance and protect you secretly," Zhao Hongsheng thought to himself.

"Your Highness, if there is nothing else, then I shall take my leave."

"Huh!? You!"

After saying that, he ignored Zhao Hongsheng, walked straight to the window, and jumped onto the carriage.

Zhao Hongsheng gazed in the direction he had left, a barely perceptible smile playing on his lips.

"Poetry gathering...it's alright, I'm here. I'll see who can hurt you."

But why does it prefer jumping out of windows instead of using doors? Doesn't it worry about spraining its ankle?

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