My Wife is Unbeatable in the Whole World, Touch Me If You Dare!-Chapter 453 - 313 Mrs. Li

Early the next morning, Li Nuo left with Yiren to buy groceries.

The Embassy naturally provided three meals a day, and the food tasted good, but Yiren wanted to try cooking herself, and Li Nuo certainly wouldn't refuse.

The small courtyard had its own independent kitchen, so they could cook for themselves anytime.

Throughout the morning, Li Nuo received three invitations.

These invitations came from the Eldest Prince, Second Prince, and Third Prince of Zhao Country.

Li Nuo casually placed these invitations on the table.

Choosing sides is not like getting married.

You can marry many times, but you can only choose one side.

Since he chose the Fourth Prince, it was best not to have any contact with the other princes, to avoid being perceived as hedging his bets. Being indecisive never ends well.

This was the first time cooking with Yiren, so Li Nuo intentionally made the dishes more sumptuous.

He had just placed the dishes on the table when a figure walked in from outside.

Looking at Zhao Zhiyi, Li Nuo politely asked, "Has the Sixth Princess eaten? If not, would you like to join us?"

Zhao Zhiyi glanced at the dishes on the table and asked, "Did you make this yourselves?"

Li Nuo nodded.

Watching the Sixth Princess sit opposite him, Li Nuo brought another pair of chopsticks. Today's meal was already more than enough for two, and three people would be just right.

Zhao Zhiyi tasted a few bites, looked at Song Yiren, and praised, "Miss Song, your cooking skills are excellent."

Song Yiren blushed. In fact, all the cooking was done by Li Nuo; she only handled the chopping and fire-tending.

Li Nuo knew the princess was just being polite.

His cooking skills were adequate to make a few tasty home-cooked dishes, but they couldn't compare to professional cooks, let alone culinary masters.

However, home-cooked dishes have their own significance.

Just like sometimes, after getting used to the delicacies at home, he would crave that bowl of clear noodle soup from Phoenix.

After the meal, Song Yiren took the initiative to wash the dishes.

This kind of life was what she had always dreamed of in Daxia.

Li Nuo handed the three invitations to Zhao Zhiyi, saying, "These are invitations from the other three princes. There might be spies from their mansions in the Fourth Prince's residence."

There is only one imperial throne, but there are four regent princes. They are bound to be wary of each other.

Li Nuo had attended a banquet at the prince's mansion last night. Early this morning, the other three princes' invitations had arrived, so someone must have leaked the information.

Looking at Zhao Zhiyi, he said, "But rest assured, Your Highness, since I promised you, I will keep my word."

Zhao Zhiyi smiled and said, "I trust Lord Li."

During her time in Daxia, she had done a detailed investigation of Li Nuo and had full confidence in his character.

His father was a controversial figure.

But not only was he exceptionally capable, but his character was also beyond reproach.

After consulting Li Nuo about some details on establishing an Anti-theft Bureau, she hesitated for a moment before speaking, "Actually, I have one more favor to ask of you, Lord Li."

Li Nuo said, "Please speak freely, Princess."

Zhao Zhiyi said, "Lord Li, you are the Six Subjects' Scholar, proficient in the Six Arts. Our Zhao Country's imperial examination is in three months. I would like to ask for your guidance for some students. With your instruction, their exam performance might improve..."

From the Sixth Princess, Li Nuo learned that the four princes' competition extended to many areas.

Talent is extremely important to a country, and education has always been a key assessment criterion for local officials' political performance.

This included the number of students in academies and candidates for the imperial examination...

If any local candidates became advanced scholars, the relevant officials of the entire state would receive a boost in their political standing.

The four regent princes of Zhao each managed an academy.

The students' levels were similar; whichever academy achieved more advanced scholars in the upcoming imperial examination would bring better political evaluations for the respective prince in terms of education.

Though not directly related to the princes' abilities, it indirectly reflected their governance and personnel management skills.

Li Nuo naturally agreed to Zhao Zhiyi's request.

The Zhao Country imperial examination also tested the Six Arts, and he had ample experience to teach them.

Zhao Zhiyi said, "Thank you very much, Lord Li."

She had wanted to ask for this favor a few days ago but couldn't find him. What surprised her even more was that during his absence, he had secretly prepared a magnificent gift for them.

Then, she asked, "May I know when it would be convenient for you, Lord Li?"

Teaching these subjects didn't require much preparation, so Li Nuo said, "Anytime."

Zhao Zhiyi said, "How about tomorrow morning? I'll have them prepare, and I'll come to the embassy to pick you up early."

After they agreed on the time, Zhao Zhiyi left the room and saw Song Yiren just coming out of the kitchen after washing dishes.

She walked over to Song Yiren and smiled, "I almost forgot, I have a gift for Mrs. Li."

Song Yiren glanced around and realized she was being addressed, her face reddening again, standing awkwardly not knowing what to say.

Zhao Zhiyi took out a brocade box from her sleeve, handed it to Song Yiren, and said, "I hope Mrs. Li likes it."

Song Yiren opened the box and found a golden hairpin inside.

The hairpin was exquisitely crafted in the shape of a butterfly, with different colored gemstones on its wings, sparkling under the sunlight.

Song Jiaren had a beautiful necklace that she had been envious of for a long time.

To her, this hairpin was no less valuable than Song Jiaren's necklace.

Given such a precious item, she wasn't sure if she should accept it.

She looked to Li Nuo, who had just walked out of the room. Li Nuo said, "Since the princess gifted it to you, you should accept it. It's a token of her goodwill..."

He hadn't asked for their mansion or beauties; Yiren accepting a hairpin was nothing to be concerned about.

Just after the Sixth Princess left, Song Yiren put on the hairpin and carefully examined herself in the mirror.

After a long while, as if she recalled something, she took off the hairpin, put it back in the brocade box, and handed it to Li Nuo, saying, "This was for Mrs. Li. When we return, give it to Song Jiaren or Li Anning."

The sisters were quite similar in certain ways.

Both had the same tendency to say one thing and mean another.

If it was Anning, she would never have said that.

Li Nuo did not take the brocade box but instead said, "Don't forget, you are Mrs. Li now. If you really want to gift it, you do it yourself when we return. I won't do it. There's only one hairpin; if I give it to Jiaren or Anning, you're putting me in a tough spot..."

Song Yiren thought for a moment and realized Li Nuo was right.

She reluctantly took back the brocade box and said, "Okay, since it's like this, I guess I'll take care of it for you..."

Li Nuo watched her put the hairpin back on. It suited her well; the Sixth Princess must have chosen it thoughtfully.

From the beginning, this Zhao Country princess gave Li Nuo a different feeling compared to other women.

Although she had no cultivation, she didn't come across as weak but rather gave a sense of being spirited and competent, no less than any man.

Probably, only in Zhao Country could such a woman emerge.

Early the next morning, the Sixth Princess came as agreed to pick him up.

The three of them sat in the carriage as Zhao Zhiyi explained the academy's situation to Li Nuo.

The academy they were heading to was named Wansong Academy, one of Zhao Country's Four Great Academies, contributing around ten advanced scholars to the court every imperial examination.

The death rate of officials in Daxia was much higher than in Zhao Country. More advanced scholars were admitted each imperial examination, while Zhao Country admitted around sixty officials each time.

An academy contributing one-fifth of the advanced scholars in one imperial examination was already remarkable.

After the Fourth Prince took charge of Wansong Academy, the King Mansion funded some expert tutors in the Six Arts for the academy's students, covered their stationery and supplies, and provided free use of horse and archery fields to ensure they outperformed the other three academies in the imperial examination.

However, what he could think of, the other three princes could think of as well.

Compared to the Fourth Prince, they had more financial resources and could invite better tutors and in greater numbers, sometimes even having several tutors assist one student, which the Fourth Prince couldn't match.

Zhao Zhiyi had sought Li Nuo's assistance because he was the unparalleled Six Subjects' Scholar.

His abilities alone surpassed all the tutors in the academies.

Even now, she found it hard to believe someone could excel in all Six Arts.

She had studied the Six Arts from a young age and knew well the difficulties involved.

What perplexed her even more was how such a talented individual was constantly suppressed by the Daxia court.

Assigning a Six Subjects' Scholar to the Honglu Si to handle the affairs of noble officials' funerals was indeed a waste of talent...

His father's circumstances in Daxia were not favorable.

If King Chun failed to ascend the throne, their family would have had a grim fate.

In just a few days in Zhao Country, he had already made a significant contribution. If there was a way to keep him in Zhao, it would undoubtedly be a blessing for the court and the people...