The Sixth Prince turned his head to look at her and said, entirely serious, "Huai'an is very pretty, but to call her a face to overthrow cities and kingdoms is going too far."
"You ā you ā" The Ninth Princess was thoroughly angry. "Sixth Brother, you bookworm, do you know how to talk to people at all? When I get back I'm telling Father Emperor you bullied me."
The Sixth Prince ignored that completely, and said, entirely serious,
"A reader of books ought to understand what is true, and speak the truth, and strip away the false to keep what is real. Otherwise there is no point in reading at all."
Ning Chen: "???"
The Ninth Princess was so angry she stamped her feet, her cheeks puffed out like a fat little goldfish.
Ning Chen was surprised into a smile. He gave the Ninth Princess's nose a light flick. "Never mind. You are the prettiest woman there is, to me."
The Ninth Princess flushed scarlet on the instant.
The Sixth Prince frowned. "The Teacher is the model for every reader of books in the realm. He ought to set the example himself and be a pattern to others... To be so frivolous in front of everybody is not at all as it should be."
Ning Chen: "......"
"The Ninth Princess is my betrothed. She is my woman, and looking after how she feels is my responsibility... Sixth Prince, refinement isn't something you put on. Only a bootlicker puts things on."
The Sixth Prince blinked, then bowed. "I am instructed."
"Teacher, what is the poem called?"
The Ninth Princess looked at Ning Chen.
Ning Chen had only composed the poem. He had not told her its name.
Ning Chen said, smiling, "The name of the poem is... 'The Overbearing Marquis of the Great Xuan Presents This to His Pretty, Adorable Little Wife.'"
The Ninth Princess's small face went crimson, shy beyond words.
The Sixth Prince stared at Ning Chen. That title... is shallow.
A work for the ages, spoiled.
Talking as they went, they came to the main hall.
Ning Chen'sā¦
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