Chapter 1517: Three Years Later, We’ll Reveal It Together!

Zhi’er and Feng Fuce stepped down from the carriage. Jun Kuang, who had heard the Princess was arriving, had already hurriedly hitched up his robe and rushed out.

"Brother A Kuang, today should be your day on duty at court. How come you’re still in the Wen Mansion?" Zhi’er asked curiously.

Jun Kuang cupped his hands in greeting to her and Feng Fuce, then smiled gently and said, "The imperial examinations are about to begin. Before that, we follow the Wen Mansion’s rules. I’m leading the scholars who are about to sit the exams to hang red wishing ribbons on the trees."

This was a rule set by Zhi’er, there from the very founding of the Wen Mansion.

On this day, all the candidates must write their blessings for the examinations on the red ribbons, along with their future ideals and aspirations for office.

Three years later, they will all come back here to take down the ribbons they once hung.

And see whether they have kept their original intentions, and whether their wishes have already come true.

If a wish has already been fulfilled, they can take the ribbon down and bring it home as a keepsake.

Zhi’er remembered how special today was and hurriedly said, "Then today is a big day; I want to join in too."

She lifted her skirt and went up the steps. Feng Fuce followed at her side, and as they passed Jun Kuang, Feng Fuce suddenly paused.

Jun Kuang quickly cupped his hands, bending slightly.

Last time Feng Fuce had landed a punch on him, leaving Jun Kuang with a bit of a shadow, as though he was still afraid Feng Fuce might suddenly strike again.

But unexpectedly, Feng Fuce stopped beside him and said, "It was wrong of me to act so rashly last time. Another day, allow me to invite you to a meal to make amends."

Jun Kuang was stunned, feeling as if he’d been greatly favored!

He hurriedly said, "No, no, the Marquis overstates it. The Marquis was right to hit me. It was I, this humble official, who failed to mind my bounds and nearly offended the Princess. Please, Marquis, do not blame yourself, and there is no need to make amends."

Seeing him speak like this, Feng Fuce didn’t insist further, only nodded lightly and walked past him.

He was apologizing only because Zhi’er didn’t like it.

The scholars, upon learning the Princess had arrived, burst into delighted cheers: "Wonderful!"

They all wanted to show off their talents before the Princess. If they could win the Princess’s special regard, their prospects would go without saying!

However, when they heard that Marquis Wan had come along as well.

The scholars: "Uh..."

Each one immediately wilted like an eggplant hit by frost.

Who would dare curry favor with the Princess in front of Marquis Wan? That would surely be courting death.

So the scholars all stood obediently, waiting for Zhi’er to arrive before bowing to greet her.

Zhi’er said a brief blessing.

"From now on I may be very busy. The Wen Mansion will gradually be handed over entirely to Brother A Kuang to manage, and now and then my mother will also look in. So today, I’m very happy to be here to witness all of you and your hopes for the future."

"I hope that what you seek is what you wish for, and what you wish for will all be fulfilled."

The scholars clapped in response.

After that, Jun Kuang had the servants distribute the red ribbons.

He casually handed two lengths to Zhi’er and Feng Fuce: "The Princess and the Marquis might as well write down your hopes for the future as well. In three years, you can come back to see whether they’ve come true."

Zhi’er took the red ribbon in her hand, thought for a moment, and asked Feng Fuce, "What are you going to write?"

Feng Fuce picked up a brush, quickly wrote, and said with a soft laugh, "My wish is to love and stay with Bai Zhi’er through all lives, and may these Three Realms be as you desire."

After he finished writing, he turned to look at Zhi’er, only to see her swiftly writing something on her own ribbon.

Feng Fuce wanted to take a look, but Zhi’er immediately folded it in half and asked a servant to hang it on the very top of the tree.

He raised his brows slightly. "What secret is it that I’m not allowed to see?"

Zhi’er smiled sweetly. "I’m not telling you. In three years, we’ll come back and reveal it!"

Feng Fuce had no objections, and also asked a servant to hang his ribbon beside Zhi’er’s.