The Comeback of the Cannon-Fodder Supporting Actress-Chapter 1086 - 1061: Honor Amidst Chaos

Anning picked up the secret letter on the desk and carefully read through it.

After reading, she couldn’t help but sigh.

Xiao Yuan entered the room and saw Anning’s expression of sighing.

"What happened?"

Anning handed the secret letter to Xiao Yuan: "Take a look."

After reading it, Xiao Yuan was somewhat puzzled: "Why are you investigating the actor?"

"Your daughter fancies him."

Anning replied irritably: "You tell me, how can I not investigate a bit? I really didn’t expect the Chen Family to commit such a sin."

"There are still plenty of such shady things happening behind the scenes. The current situation is not stable yet; we can only do this for now. After Jiangbei is settled, we will thoroughly investigate the nation’s populace and bring those disgraceful deeds of the noble families to light, and give those unfortunate people a chance to live in the sunlight."

Xiao Yuan also found the actions of those noble families intolerable.

But in this situation, he had to endure.

"This child is quite unfortunate."

Anning burned the secret letter: "Qi’er has been making more and more progress these past years. I think, since he is a part of our family, if he’s willing to improve, we can’t just stand by. How about I pick some young scholars to accompany the Prince and Princess in the Imperial Study?"

Xiao Yuan understood what Anning meant. If she only brought Wang Qi into the palace for studies, what would others think? It’s better to select a few promising ones to be companions to the Prince, so that Wang Qi doesn’t stand out, and also cultivate some talents.

The most important point, Xiao Yuan thought, was that Anning probably wanted to observe under her own eyes, and conveniently pick a few Prince Consort candidates.

After all, their daughters had grown up. Once Jiangbei is recovered and the world is unified, it’s time to prepare for their marriages. Rather than blindly arranging marriages then, it’s better to prepare beforehand and reserve a few well-suited children for their daughters.

"Go ahead with your plan."

Xiao Yuan laughed while peeling an orange: "First, pick a few to be companions to the Prince. Once we get to the Capital, we’ll pick more. We can select from across the country; surely, we’ll find suitable ones."

Anning went straight to action. The next day, she called Mei Zhiyuan into the palace, asking him to disregard their origins and pick some young, well-behaved, and studious scholars to send into the palace. She intended to select a few companions for the Prince.

Mei Zhiyuan, upon hearing about selecting companions, quickly suggested a few candidates: "These are outstanding children from various places. If Your Highness is interested, let the local officials send them to Suzhou."

Anning thought for a moment: "Alright, you take care of it first. Also, remember to include Qi’er at the right time."

Mei Zhiyuan instantly understood. Selecting companions was a guise; the real intention was to promote Wang Qi.

"I accept the order," he replied.

While Anning was speaking with Mei Zhiyuan, Princess Fengyang also summoned Lv Changhe into the palace.

When Lv Changhe entered the palace, Princess Fengyang was pruning flowers in the greenhouse with Princess Zhaoyang and Princess Pingyang. Hearing that Lv Changhe had arrived, Princess Fengyang said while trimming a flower branch, "Let him come over."

Soon, someone brought Lv Changhe to the greenhouse.

It was cold on the way here, so Lv Changhe was wearing thick clothes. Once inside the much warmer greenhouse, he quickly started sweating, but he dared not remove his outer garments and could only endure the heat.

Princess Fengyang handed a few flower branches to a maid beside her: "Get a celadon Celestial Ball Bottle and place these in water to send to the Queen Mother."

The maid carefully took the flower branches and left.

Princess Fengyang turned to Lv Changhe: "Is it Steward Lv?"

Lv Changhe immediately kneeled to pay respects, but Princess Fengyang gestured with her hand: "Rise. I heard you oversee the actors who used to perform in the previous palace. Just in time, I’m planning a flower-viewing event, and there must be some entertainment. So, I asked you to find out if these actors are still able to perform."

Lv Changhe responded with a smile: "They can perform, they can. Even though they haven’t performed in years, they haven’t forgotten their skills and practice daily. If the Princess wishes to see, I can let them perform a few shows for your enjoyment."

Fengyang nodded: "Alright, it’s dreadfully boring during winter. Do as you suggested. Select a few good ones and have them perform in the palace over the next few days. If they do well, they can perform at my flower banquet."

Lv Changhe was delighted: "Rest assured, Princess. I will choose the best ones to send."

Fengyang smiled, sipping water: "Choose good ones, clean ones. Anyone with poor intentions or unsavory thoughts, do not bring them to me. If I find out you’ve tried to fool me, I will not spare you."

By this time, Zhaoyang had finished transplanting a pot of flowers and had just washed her hands. Hearing this, she approached with a smile: "Steward Lv, my sister has a fondness for good-looking children, so just send those who are both handsome and perceptive."

Lv Changhe kept this in mind, and Zhaoyang added: "Are there any costumes available? If not, let me know early. I recall there are many stored in the private storehouse of the palace. How about this, I’ll have someone give you a token so you can pick some necessary ones, rather than leaving them to mold in the storehouse."

Lv Changhe knelt down to thank her, kowtowing several times before getting up.

When Lv Changhe left the palace, he was still somewhat dazed.

Upon returning to the theater on East Street, several people surrounded him.

"Steward Lv."

A woman around thirty brought a cup of water to Lv Changhe: "Steward Lv, you must be thirsty. Have a drink."

"Steward Lv, let me massage your shoulders." A man in his twenties stepped behind Lv Changhe to massage his shoulders.

Lv Changhe enjoyed this very much.

After a while, the group asked, "Steward Lv, what does the palace mean?"

"What do you mean?"

Lv Changhe gulped down the water: "You little rascals, perk up and start practicing. Soon, Princess Fengyang will summon you to the palace to perform. You’d better show all your skills, and if you gain the Empress’s favor, there will be benefits for you."

Hearing this, everyone was overjoyed and spread the news happily.

Someone asked Lv Changhe, "Did you see the Princess? What does the Princess look like?"

Lv Changhe smiled smugly: "Of course I saw her. How could we commoners describe the Princess’s appearance? In short, the Princess, as a Golden Branch Jade Leaf, looks as beautiful as a Heavenly Immortal."

In a dim room, Qi Nanxue supported a frail and haggard woman up from the bed.

Hearing the laughter outside, the woman grasped Qi Nanxue’s hand: "Nanxue, please ask Steward Lv. You must go and perform in the palace this time, otherwise... I am really worried. Your looks are too good, given our lowly status. If you looked less pleasing, it wouldn’t matter, but looking this good is a curse, not a blessing."

Qi Nanxue lowered her head: "Mother, don’t worry. No matter who goes to the palace to perform, it will allow us to stand tall, and then no one will dare to bully us."

The woman shook her head: "It’s not like that. It’s not. Even if others gain benefits, it’s better to have your own. What if those who gain favor have bad intentions and sell you for a higher position? Nanxue, you need to be cautious."

As she spoke, the woman coughed continuously, and a mouthful of blood stained the bed.

Qi Nanxue hurried to clean up: "Alright, I’ll listen to you, Mother. I will certainly ask Steward Lv."

The woman trembled slightly, reaching under the pillow to retrieve a jade pendant, and handed it to Qi Nanxue: "Take this, give it to Steward Lv, and plead in any way necessary to ensure you enter the palace."