Jiapingguan Chronicle

Chapter 2852 Master Qingsong 70.0
Jin Miaomiao looked at Song Yaojia, opened her mouth but then closed it again. She had a lot to say, but she didn't know how to start.

"Do you find it hard to understand at first glance?" Shen Cha looked at Jin Miaomiao and immediately understood her thoughts. "It's okay, there are no outsiders here. You can say whatever you want. Besides, this is a matter of the previous dynasty, so it doesn't matter what you say. There's no need to make things difficult for yourself."

“That’s right!” Song Yaojia waved her hand. “Speak your mind boldly. There are countless unspeakable things from the previous dynasty. Princess Jinyang’s matter is nothing at all, to be honest.”

"Well then I'll say it, but this might sound a bit harsh. Please don't take offense."

“We don’t mind, and I can guess what you’re trying to say.” Merlin squeezed Jin Miaomiao’s arm. “Are you trying to say that these so-called talented men want to have their cake and eat it too?”

Jin Miaomiao didn't say anything, but simply extended one hand and gave Merlin a high five.

"Is that what you think?" Seeing Jin Miaomiao nod, Song Yaojia revealed a half-smile. "Explain yourself."

His gaze met that of Shen Haolin and Shen Cha in mid-air, and the expressions of the three of them were all very meaningful.

“Your Highness, aren’t you asking a question you already know the answer to?” Jin Miaomiao looked at the three people, sighed softly, and said, “In that case, I have a few questions I would like to ask you.”

"Okay, go ahead and ask!"

"The first question," Jin Miaomiao said, holding up a finger and looking at Song Yaojia, "Did these so-called talented men know what they were going to do before they came to the capital and entered the princess's residence?"

“Of course I know that,” Song Yaojia nodded slightly and said, “After all, Princess Jinyang’s reputation for being a womanizer had already spread from the capital to the whole country when she was eleven or twelve years old. Almost every scholar knew Princess Jinyang’s preferences and that she would select talented men to enter her princess’s residence every year. As for what they would do in the princess’s residence, that goes without saying. Composing poems, playing the zither, playing chess, calligraphy and painting were a given, and as for the others…” He paused for a moment, “they would certainly not be lacking either, right?”

“I understand. Second question.” Jin Miaomiao held up another finger. “For example, if several talented men are favored by Princess Jinyang but are unwilling to enter the princess’s residence, will Princess Jinyang force them?”

"No, this thing is all about mutual consent; forcing it makes it meaningless." Song Yaojia chuckled, glancing at Shen Haolin and Shen Cha. "It's like Prince Yu. He has no other hobbies but he loves looking at beautiful people, regardless of gender. As long as they catch his eye, he likes them and wants to bring them into his household. But even if he wants to, he has to ask the other person's opinion, right? If the other person doesn't have the same idea, doesn't like him, and doesn't want to come into the household, he won't force them!" He spread his hands. "Prince Yu said that relationships should be based on mutual consent and affection. If it's forced, it loses its charm. Besides, is he, a dignified prince, still human if he uses his power to force others, driving them to ruin and death?"

“How many people in this world are like Prince Yu?” Shen Cha waved her hand. “They can’t wait to flaunt any power they have, as if they’re afraid others won’t know.” “That’s true, but there have always been some remarkable people throughout history. We have Prince Yu, and the Princess Jinyang of the previous dynasty was also a remarkable person. Although she never said anything like Prince Yu, her actions were basically the same.” Song Yaojia looked at Jin Miaomiao. “If there are really talented men who are unwilling, Princess Jinyang will not force them, much less retaliate against them. Not only will she not force or retaliate, but she will also consider the family circumstances of those talented men who refuse to go with her and provide them with some compensation.”

"Pay up?"

“Yes, give them money and gifts.” Song Yaojia sighed. “Although these talented scholars did not enter the princess’s residence, they have gained some fame because they were selected by Princess Jinyang. Those aristocratic families will observe them regularly, and those who are truly virtuous and learned will be recruited into their ranks. Although they may not be able to become high-ranking officials, it is still a way for them to step into the officialdom and display their knowledge and ambitions.”

"Is that so?" Merlin blinked. "Then this Princess Jinyang is even better, isn't she?"

"Don't jump to conclusions, I have a third question!" Jin Miaomiao held up her third finger. "Princess Jinyang chooses new concubines every year, which means she has a tendency to get bored with the old and crave the new, right?"

“Yes!” Song Yaojia nodded. “This is the third question?”

"Of course not, my third question is coming up next." Jin Miaomiao thought for a moment, "How did she deal with those old acquaintances? Did she keep them in the mansion, recommend them for official positions, or do something else?"

"Well, as far as I know, some are kept in the manor, while others are recommended for official positions. If anyone wants to go home, she won't stop them. Not only will she not stop them, but she'll also give them a sum of money, along with all the money, rewards, calligraphy, and paintings they received in the manor. If the journey home is long, she can even send someone to escort them." Song Yaojia looked at Jin Miaomiao. "I know what you want to ask. Actually, apart from her slightly flirtatious nature, Princess Jinyang is basically fine. She's skilled in music, poetry, painting, and polo, and she also has her own unique insights into court affairs. She enjoys holding poetry gatherings and intellectual discussions in the manor, competing with the talented men there. Most of them are not as good as her. She doesn't expect these talented men to surpass her, after all, they come from humble backgrounds, and their vision and perspective are still somewhat different from hers. As long as they are good-looking and can keep her company, she's already very satisfied."

"In other words," Jin Miaomiao thought for a moment, "Princess Jinyang was very generous to them, right?"

“Of course, Princess Jinyang is very wealthy. Let alone changing people every year, she could change them every month if she wanted to.” Song Yaojia stroked her chin. “So, I don’t really understand why she would want to kill off such a good life by her own hands.”

“I think I know a little bit.” Shen Cha noticed that everyone’s eyes were on her. “Senior Tantai once mentioned Jinyangfang and Princess Jinyang, saying that she was just born at the wrong time, which is why she ended up like that.”

“Hmm,” Song Yaojia nodded. “I had some guesses before, and I asked my uncle about it. He just smiled and told me that since the previous dynasty has given its conclusion, then whatever it says is what it is. As for the truth, that’s something only you, me, heaven and earth know!”