Life-changed Princess

"Miss, it's time to get up."

Qingmei's soft voice called out to Gu Hua Jing. She turned over and hugged the thin blanket to her chest. She couldn't help but fall asleep again.

"Miss, it's getting late. The people from the Fang Residence have arrived."

Gu Hua Jing's ears twitched and she opened her hazy eyes.

"So early?"

"Isn't that so? "It's even a mama who has come. When this servant sees you, my heart goes cold. If you were late, I wonder what would have happened."

Qing Mei answered as she helped Gu Hua Jing get up and change.

Gu Hua Jing could not open her eyes, allowing Qing Mei to do as she pleased.

After she had worn it here, since she had come to the garden, when had she ever stood up so early? It's still dark outside for a few days!

After a long time of cleaning up and changing her clothes, Gu Hua Jing headed to the front and found a stiff old nanny standing motionlessly in the front hall like a ruler.

"Miss Gu, we're ready. Let's go."

Gu Hua Jing immediately felt like she was on the execution ground. Those five hundred taels of silver really wasn't worth it. Could she just return it?

In the carriage, even if Gu Hua Jing wanted to rest, it was impossible. The old mama solemnly explained the rules to her, making her feel even more drowsy, but she had no choice but to muster up her strength and pretend to listen seriously.

"Miss Gu cannot treat this as child's play. The old man has an important position, and the things he says and does often matter greatly. If Miss Gu were to take the name of a disciple as a form of flaunting, even the old man would not be able to protect you if something goes wrong."

"…" Gu Hua Jing felt that her happy and carefree days from before had come to an end. Why did he suddenly feel as if he was trapped in a prison?

The matter of the Third Prince stealing a little brother had yet to be settled. The disciples of the Fang family's Old Master were extremely harsh on her, so shouldn't she go to the temple and burn incense?

In the quiet morning light, the Fang Residence was no longer the noisy scene of that day.

Gu Hua Jing followed the old mama straight to the Pure Bamboo Pavilion, but she didn't expect that Fang Wanxin was already there.

"Sister Gu."

Fang Wanxin came over to pay her respects, and the smile on her face made Gu Hua Jing feel slightly better.

"Miss Fang, why are you so early as well?"

Fang Wanxin gently smiled, "I usually come to Grandfather's place at this hour. I've never had an elder sister or elder sister accompany me today."

Gu Hua Jing immediately felt pity for him. So it was like this every day? [The Fang family's young lady is so pitiful …]

The Fang family's old patriarch quickly walked out, his gaze falling upon Gu Huanjing's body as he gave her a heavy glare.

Only that day, after he had accepted Gu Hua Jing as his disciple, did he finally come to his senses. He didn't want to take her in as a disciple at all.

At that time, if he had followed Gu Hua Jing's lead, then this matter would have been fine. After all, Gu Hua Jing had declined on her own accord, so this matter wasn't against the bet.

But in the end, how could he force someone to accept so unhappily?

The Fang family's old patriarch was furious with him for the entire day, and thought that he must have been fooled, wanting to capture him! He actually did not notice such basic military tactics. This Gu Si, just by looking at him, was clearly having complicated thoughts!

Gu Hua Jing was baffled by the glare. When she looked over, the old man had already shifted his gaze elsewhere.

"Alright, little Xin, today you should first go through the book you had read before. You, follow me."

The Fang family's old patriarch put his hands behind his back and glanced at Gu Hua Jing before strolling into an open bamboo house.

"Sister Gu, don't mind it. Grandfather has this kind of temperament. He has always been very harsh towards his disciples."

Fang Wan Xin quickly explained, but Gu Hua Jing waved her hand. This was good, after a few more tries, the Fang family's Old Master became impatient. He felt that his innate talent was too dull to teach her, so he was overjoyed.

Gu Hua Jing's expression remained the same as she followed behind the old man into the bamboo house.

"What have you learned?"

Gu Hua Jing shook her head very sincerely, "Women are virtuous and virtuous."

"Ridiculous! If you can write poetry like that, how can it be called untalented? "

Oh, that's right. Gu Hua Jing had forgotten. Looks like this road won't work.

Thus, she slightly lowered her head. "This little girl has only studied a little. My father doesn't care about this little girl's knowledge, so …"

Gu Hua Jing couldn't recall anything. In these days, women were mostly studying the 'Four Books and Five Classics'? Three from four? But she doesn't know anything at all …

Fortunately, the Fang family's old patriarch didn't really want to test her, so seeing her perfunctory attitude, he casually nodded his head.

"Then you should follow little girl Xin and listen to her first."

Listen to what?

Gu Hua Jing didn't even have time to react before the Fang family's old patriarch had already chased her over to Fang Wan Xin's place.

Soon, she finally knew what she wanted to hear.

Her and Fang Wanxin's positions were behind a screen that was embroidered with thousands of pieces of silk. On the other side of the screen, there were also a few seats.

"Miss Fang, could it be that other disciples are coming?"

Fang Wanxin smiled and said, "Elder sister, please call me Wanxin. Grandfather taught a total of seven apprentices, while we, we, listened from the side."

"…" Different treatment!

Gu Hua Jing was full of unhappiness, so she might as well sleep at home!

Just as she was thinking of a way to slip away, she heard a sound from outside. The Old Master Fang's true disciple had finally arrived.

Even though there were seven disciples, Gu Hua Jing didn't hear much from behind the screen. The discipline here was really good.

A rustle, and the old man's slow voice rang out.

He first said something that made Gu Hua Jing dizzy, then he ordered the two of them to each ask a question.

Only now did Gu Hua Jing feel that the Fang family's old patriarch's current status was not in vain.

His disciples answered him like the flowing water. They had their reasons, their thoughts, and their words were very clear. Even the conflicted Gu Hua Jing could hear them.

Even so, the Fang family's Old Master was still able to pick out the wrong person, and he was even able to pick the right one.

"Last time, I had each of you write a piece of advice, and there was one that was quite interesting. Today, let's talk about this as a topic. You all have your own opinions."

After the Old Master Fang finished his exams, he casually threw out a question, allowing everyone to freely debate on it.

Gu Hua Jing was dumbstruck. She had originally thought that this was some kind of television show where everyone was following the old gramps to study, but it turned out that it wasn't the case?

The topic thrown out by the Old Master Fang was also very interesting, as it concerned the policy of the imperial court.

In order to consolidate the imperial documents of power and establish a solid economic foundation, the imperial government pursued the policy of salt iron official camps.

As the dynasty flourishes step by step, it has been pointed out that this policy has hindered its further development and advocated its abolition.

Of course, there were plenty of people who defended this policy. Thus, the Fang family's old patriarch asked the students to discuss whether or not they should abolish the policy of the Salt Iron Camp.

The hall, which had been peaceful and quiet a moment ago, immediately became noisy.

They thought that this was not the first time they had discussed this, and they were all very happy to share their opinions.

Gu Hua Jing held her head up as she listened. Beside her, Fang Wan Xin was also immersed in listening.

This was a policy of the imperial court, and usually, women were not allowed to participate in the audience. It was a rare opportunity, and as the students discussed it, Fang Wanxin's expression also changed.

Gu Hua Jing listened for a long time. Among them, the majority supported maintaining the current situation.

After all, it had been implemented for a long time, and it was effective. If it was to be abolished blindly, it would be of great importance.

"The salt iron official camp is beneficial to the country and harmless to people. It can increase the financial income of the country and at the same time benefit the development of the economy, because it can never be abolished."

"Brother, you are right, the people's life and death tools are all waiting for the deal to be completed, so we should start the journey to the end and use them. Without the control of the government, the treasury will be weakened, and there will be rich merchants who will take advantage of the situation to rob the people!"

The voice came clearly from the other side of the screen, accompanied by waves of applause.

After listening for a long time, Gu Hua Jing couldn't help but sneer.

Who knew that she didn't choose the right time to laugh, and instead let her laughter clearly reach everyone's ears when everyone else's voices disappeared.

Gu Hua Jing really wanted to die, so why? They were clearly talking passionately a second ago, why were they suddenly silent!

"I wonder if that person behind the screen is Elder Fang's new disciple, Miss Gu Si?"

The scholar, who had been scoffed at, was displeased. However, he maintained his poise and asked in a soft voice.

Gu Hua Jing planned to play dead. Since there was a screen blocking her from view, who would be afraid?

Without an answer, that person felt even more belittled. No matter how well-cultivated he was, he could not tolerate such contempt.

"I wonder what Gu Qishao's thoughts are?" This humble one truly wishes to seek the wisdom of the students under Elder Fang's tutelage. "

The Fang family's old patriarch did not stop the unforeseen event in the hall.

He regretted that he had accepted a female disciple, and even though his apprentices were all talented and outstanding, they were still young. It was normal for others to mock them, so he had to get used to it.

However, the Fang family's old patriarch hadn't expected Gu Hua Jing to have such a reaction. He originally thought that Gu Hua Jing wouldn't understand these things.

Being called out by name for advice, it didn't seem appropriate for Gu Hua Jing to remain silent.

She frowned helplessly, wishing she could slap herself twice.

"This little girl is very inexperienced, Young Master was right."

"I can't tell, but does Miss Gu seem to have a better opinion?"

Seeing that she was not willing to go down the stairs that he had given her, Gu Hua Jing became agitated. Was this the intention of not letting her off if she didn't say what was on her mind?

Then say it.

Gu Hua Jing curled her lips into a sneer, "Young master thinks that the Salt Iron Army's policy is extremely good, benefiting the nation and the people. This little girl, however, thinks that this action is a struggle for benefits."

"What do you mean?"

"Shengxian, you are virtuous and unscrupulous, righteous and light rich, your young master has always placed benefits above everything else, how can you not laugh? "Now that the country is flourishing, the official business is not just about governing the country. At the end of the process, the broad profit agriculture is the right path."

"Miss Gu Si's words are rather easy. You're just a woman, but do you know how much of a struggle it would be if these were to be released? At that time, how many local dukes and wealthy merchants would compete for the benefit of the ladies? "

"Is that bad? How could he improve without competition? Is this the young master's wish? Moreover, the salt iron official camp is basically fighting for the profit with the merchants. Isn't this the path of enticing the citizens to turn their backs on others? "

"This … this is simply too ridiculous …!"

"How is that a fallacy? Did I say something wrong? Restraining the business of the government and fighting for the rights of private industry and commerce, this was a way for the planned economy to turn into a market economy, and could greatly promote the development of the economic industry. What's wrong with that? "