Episode 10 recap: Mu Zhuo Hua enters the Hanlin Academy.
The maidservant informed Princess Rou Jia that food prices were high, and the Jishan Hall had spent a considerable amount of silver. Princess Rou Jia mentioned that she had received rewards upon returning to the capital and would use them first. The maidservant believed that Shen Jing Hong probably wouldn't come over anymore, especially after Princess Rou Jia publicly rejected the marriage proposal. However, to their surprise, Princess Rou Jia spotted Shen Jing Hong teaching children to read in that area.
The Imperial Secretary with the imperial decree arrived and mentioned that he had been waiting at Shen Jing Hong's residence for a long time but didn't find him there. He hadn't expected to find Shen Jing Hong here. Shen Jing Hong, who achieved the top rank in the examination, was appointed as a sixth-rank official in the Hanlin Academy. The Imperial Secretary returned first, and Princess Rou Jia brought Shen Jing Hong along, hoping that he would serve the people well after becoming an official.
Mu Zhuo Hua and the others were preparing to move to Zhuque Street because Mu Zhuo Hua's mother's family used to live near there. They wanted to inquire and learn more about her mother's background, not wanting her mother to be someone without roots. Mu Zhuo Hua's mother had mentioned some childhood memories, such as a pond and an apricot tree. Mu Zhuo Hua prepared some gifts and, under the pretext of visiting neighbors, went to the homes in that area, but none of them had an apricot tree or a pond.
Mu Zhuo Hua and her family were excited about moving into their new home. Mu Zhuo Hua believed that she would take control of her own destiny from now on. Pei Lan reported to the Empress Dowager and assured her that there was no issue with Mu Zhuo Hua's relocation. Although she had moved to a new house, it was understandable since she was now an official in the court. The Empress Dowager agreed and decided that there was no need to keep a close eye on Mu Zhuo Hua anymore.
As Mu Zhuo Hua entered the Hanlin Academy, people started discussing it fervently. It was the first time a woman had become an official in the Hanlin Academy. Some believed that since Mu Zhuo Hua would eventually return home to become a wife and mother, she should dress up and make them happy. Mu Zhuo Hua expressed her opinion that men were more suitable for domestic life and suggested that they should go home and cook. Shen Jing Hong also chimed in, leaving those people at a loss for words.
The Crown Prince arrived and overheard Mu Zhuo Hua's words. He thought she was being overly outspoken and couldn't understand why his father had allowed them to give lectures. The Crown Prince conveyed the Emperor's order for Mu Zhuo Hua and the other two to give him lectures. He mentioned that outside, there were many cypress trees, but only one red laurel, which stood out among the rest. The wind would surely break it. Mu Zhuo Hua agreed with the Crown Prince's thoughts and added that the red laurel had already infuriated the Crown Prince.
Shen Jing Hong and the others discussed their aspirations. Mu Zhuo Hua suggested that they use the red laurel tree as a witness and see if their words today would come true in five years.
Now, only the neighboring house remained unoccupied on the entire street. Mu Zhuo Hua believed that nobody lived there and decided to climb over using a ladder. To her surprise, the neighboring house turned out to be the Prince Ding's Residence, and Liu Yan was sitting in the courtyard. When he heard footsteps, he asked for his cloak.
Mu Zhuo Hua planned to put on the cloak and leave while Liu Yan wasn't paying attention, but he had already realized it was her. Liu Yan asked her why she was there, and Mu Zhuo Hua struggled to explain. Eventually, she confessed to Liu Yan that she came because she admired him.
After Mu Zhuo Hua left, Liu Yan discussed the matter with Zhi Jian. Based on Mu Zhuo Hua's description, Zhi Jian suspected that she might be the granddaughter of Fu Shengru. Liu Yan knew that Fu Shengru's daughter had indeed been demoted, but he felt uncertain about this information and decided not to tell Mu Zhuo Hua for now.
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