"Did you just copy this?" Tang Xiaobai asked.

The book in her hand had paper and ink so new it was shocking.

Don’t they know how to age paper for effect? You could at least double the price! Tang Xiaobai shook her head silently.

Wenren Jia chuckled and said, "Although the bookstore doesn’t have this book, I read it before. It’s not very long, so I remember some of it."

"Remember some?" Tang Xiaobai flipped open the book, a bit worried, "But I want the complete version..."

Wenren Jia coughed lightly, and said, "It is complete..."

Tang Xiaobai felt a bit embarrassed.

So "remember some" was just being modest...

Maybe he can recite it backwards by heart.

But—

Her gaze fell on "Map Making Method", and Tang Xiaobai smiled, "I didn’t expect Mr. Wenren to be so knowledgeable, knowing about art and seals, and also map making methods."

Just like Pei Xuan said, privately making maps is a serious crime, so naturally, no one would have idle thoughts of learning map making.

So, why did Wenren Jia learn this?

"When I was studying mathematics, I accidentally came across this book, but I can’t claim to understand it," Wenren Jia smiled.

Tang Xiaobai raised her eyebrows, "Mr. Wenren studied mathematics too?"

"I was quite eclectic in my youth and wanted to see everything," Wenren Jia smiled, his gaze resting on the book in the young lady’s hand, "If Second Miss wants to study map making, you may need to learn mathematics first," he thought for a moment, "Mr. Lin from Huntian Academy worked at the Observatory, he should be quite knowledgeable in mathematics."

Tang Xiaobai thought, you might not believe it if I tell you, but I have quite a good understanding of mathematics too.

They exchanged pleasantries, and Tang Xiaobai tucked the book away and bid farewell to Wenren Jia.

As she turned to leave, she saw outside Wenren Bookstore, a newly arrived carriage from which a young lady in luxurious attire stepped gracefully down.

Upon seeing this young lady, Tang Xiaobai squinted her eyes, feeling anger rise in her chest as she pondered whether to express it or hold it back.

Before she could decide, the young lady spotted her too, her almond-shaped eyebrows rising in a fury even greater than hers.

By this time, Wenren Jia had already approached her, bowing courteously, "Commandery Princess."

Li Huan, who had been downgraded to Commandery Princess Runan, coldly glanced at Tang Xiaobai, saying, "I want to find a book; have everyone inside leave now!"

Every time she visited Wenren Bookstore, this was her way of doing things.

The people in the bookstore even got accustomed to it; whenever they saw Princess Runan, they would automatically clear the area.

In no time, only Tang Xiaobai remained standing at the entrance.

Princess Runan’s gaze landed sharply and venomously on Tang Xiaobai.

Tang Xiaobai sneered, planning to go back inside to find a few more books.

Princess Runan had recently been reprimanded for scheming against Tang Ziqian, so in theory it shouldn’t be easy for her to leave the palace.

Now she was in a small carriage with only a few attendants, presumably unable to bear the pain of longing and sneaked out.

If she dared to make a fuss, it wouldn’t be her who gets scolded when she returns home!

If a fight breaks out—

Ha! Thanks to the eldest miss for selecting ten burly guards for her!

Tang Xiaobai was about to move when Wenren Jia suddenly said, "Commandery Princess, what book are you looking for? You may have the bookstore servants find it for you." The tone was gentle, yet subtly cold.

It was quite different from the friendliness when speaking to her; though perhaps that was because she was still a young girl.

Tang Xiaobai glanced at him.

She noticed that compared to last time when hosting Princess Runan, Wenren Jia seemed significantly more indifferent.

Tsk tsk, she wondered whether his chilliness was because the lady was demoted to a commandery princess or because she was engaged.

Yet, Princess Runan clearly still had lingering feelings; upon hearing the cold sentence, her eyes turned red in vulnerability: "I just want to find it myself!"

Tsk!

Tang Xiaobai’s eyes twinkled as she suddenly tugged Wenren Jia’s sleeve, half-tilting her face up, saying cheerfully, "Brother Wenren, let her find it if she wants, let’s go upstairs, you can tell me about this book you copied for me!" As she spoke, she waved the "Map Making Method" book.

Wenren Jia looked at her in surprise, momentarily without response.

Princess Runan couldn’t hold it back: "Tang Xiaobai, you—"

"Just go to Grand Tutor Yan’s Mansion and say that Princess Runan needs a book the Hongwen Hall couldn’t find; chances are it won’t be found in Wenren Bookstore either, so have Yan Third Son come help look together!" Miss Tang called for the staff and issued clear and clever instructions.

Princess Runan’s face changed subtly, involuntarily taking a step back, glaring fiercely at Tang Xiaobai: "Just you wait!" before turning around angrily to board the carriage and leave.

Tang Xiaobai cheerfully waved at her, shouting, "I’ll be waiting!"

She had been waiting all this time!

If not for her brother suddenly going to Hedong to suppress bandits, she wouldn’t let Li Huan off so easily?

What good does demoting the commandery princess do? In the future, when she marries out for the sake of the royal family’s face, her title would be restored.

So what if she’s betrothed to Yan Third Son? The Yan family isn’t poor, Yan Third Son might seem to be the least outstanding among his siblings, but he’s not so lacking; who knows, after the marriage, he might be able to support Wenren Jia.

As for scolding and grounding her, it’s merely surface-level punishment with no real impact.

If Tang Xiaobai had her way, the biggest threat to Li Huan surely would be her own elder brother Li Shu!

Target Li Shu for suppression and see if Li Huan can still bounce back!

While maliciously pondering, a voice suddenly asked beside her, "Second Miss, still going upstairs?"

Looking up, she saw Wenren Jia smiling at her.

His eyes were almond-shaped, half-filled with autumn water, smiling with a warmth and charm that was indescribable, watching her now with playfulness and affection.

Tang Xiaobai instantly blushed.

The gentle young brother sure has a way to capture hearts...

"Next time then!" Tang Xiaobai refused while exiting the bookstore, adding an explanation, "There’s something at home today, I’ll come next time!"

She ran off hugging her book.

Seated in the carriage, Tang Xiaobai touched the book in her arms, unable to stop herself from sighing.

How she wished to date the gentle and handsome brother...

...

Hedong Dao, Jiangzhou, at the foot of Longmen Mountain.

Li Mu studied the topographic map of Longmen Mountain for a while; somehow, he felt restless, so he set aside the lamp and asked, "Did any letters arrive from the Capital City?"

"None."

Li Mu frowned.

Why didn’t Second Miss send him a letter?

"Did any letters from Tang Ziqian arrive?"

"None either," Mo Ji replied.

Li Mu felt more balanced in his heart.

He picked up the lamp, tried to study the map again, but still couldn’t focus.

He had been away from the Capital City for almost a month; he wondered what the young girl was up to.

He wasn’t there, surely it’s Gu Hui accompanying her back and forth to the academy, taking her out on outings;

If she was at home, perhaps that Yu Family kid was pestering her into smiling brightly.

Just the thought made him uncomfortable.

Li Mu set the lamp down once more and picked up his brush from the desk.

The brush was raised, paused mid-air for a while, then slowly lowered down.

Right now, he couldn’t write to her either...

...

"Father, has Brother replied to me?"

Ever since the letter was entrusted to her father to send, Tang Xiaobai counted the days and only started inquiring for a reply seven days later.

Today was her seventh day asking, and Tang Shigong still shook his head, "No, Ziqian might have forgotten because he’s busy."

Tang Xiaobai uttered a disappointed "Oh."

After leaving the main hall, she stowed away her disappointed expression, glanced back with some thoughtfulness.

Forgot because he’s busy?

Who are they trying to fool, a child?