After writing furiously for quite some time, the first class ended and the second began.
Ke Jiuyyao watched Tang Zhiwu scratching her head in frustration, gritting her teeth, and couldn’t help but frown in confusion, though she didn’t dare interrupt.
It wasn’t until the phone placed on her side lit up that Ke Jiuyyao whispered, “Wuwu, someone sent you a WeChat message.”
Tang Zhiwu remained buried in her work and casually replied, “Ignore it.”
But the next second, she suddenly lifted her head, snatched her phone from in front of Ke Jiuyyao, and nervously opened WeChat.
In the following moment, Ke Jiuyyao felt her eardrums were about to burst.
The girl beside her, who had been quietly writing just moments before, slammed the table, her face flushed with excitement. She leaped up from her seat, overjoyed.
“So amazing!!”
A roar echoed through the entire quiet classroom, spilling out through the open door and reverberating across the entire floor.
At that moment, Ke Jiuyyao didn’t know whether to cover her ears or her face. She simply buried her head and whispered,
“Wuwu, don’t blame me. It’s not that I didn’t try to keep an eye on Teacher Wang for you…”
Tang Zhiwu now resembled a general who had fought countless victorious battles, brimming with triumph and radiating confidence.
Teacher Wang adjusted her glasses, which had nearly fallen off from the shock, and silently stared at Tang Zhiwu.
As if waiting for a reasonable explanation.
Only then did Tang Zhiwu fully snap back to reality. Seeing the countless eyes around her and Teacher Wang’s death glare from the podium,
The once-invincible general instantly shrank back.
“Heh heh,” she forced out an awkward laugh, maintaining a strained smile as she continued, “So amazing! Teacher Wang’s lecture was incredible! I’m utterly convinced! It’s like a lightbulb went off in my head! I’m in complete awe!”
After she finished speaking, the classroom remained dead silent.
Tang Zhiwu’s ears and face flushed bright red with embarrassment. She wished she could dig a hole in the ground and disappear.
A few seconds later, everyone in the classroom, including Teacher Wang, burst into laughter.
Tang Zhiwu stood there dumbfounded, unsure of what to do.
Teacher Wang looked at her, a smile still lingering on her lips. “Since my lecture was so good, I’ll reward you with the top score in this subject for the final exam.”
“I…”
Before Tang Zhiwu could utter another word, Teacher Wang raised her hand to stop her.
“Alright, it’s settled. Now sit down and continue listening. Don’t delay the other students’ progress.”
Tang Zhiwu stammered and reluctantly sat back down.
“What were you doing just now?” Ke Jiuyyao grabbed her arm and whispered urgently.
But Tang Zhiwu shook her head and softly replied, “It’s nothing.”
“Alright,” Ke Jiuyyao said, noticing Tang Zhiwu’s face turning red again. She couldn’t help but add, “If something’s up, remember to tell me.”
Seeing Tang Zhiwu nod vigorously, she finally relaxed and turned back to focus on the lecture.
Tang Zhiwu felt as if she were walking on clouds, light and airy.
With a wave of her hand, she pushed aside the notebook she had been struggling with all class.
Clutching her phone tightly, she carefully read the article Xu Ge had sent her.
As she read, she couldn’t help but praise it.
The classical language, the word choice, the logic, the structure.
Even if she were sent to the Imperial Academy for dozens of training sessions, she could never reach this level.
From then on, Xu Ge rose even higher in Tang Zhiwu’s estimation—from a history enthusiast to an exceptionally brilliant historical researcher.
It was a tremendous leap!
Some terms were unfamiliar, so Tang Zhiwu spent an entire class period searching online to roughly grasp their meanings.
These three lengthy passages began with Xu Ge leading troops into battle, detailing the ingenious military strategies he contributed during his time in the Western Regions.
They also covered his methods for subduing the cunning old foxes in the imperial court after returning to the capital, and finally, how he set a trap to capture Yan Kaiji, leading to the execution of his entire family.
Every detail mentioned was exquisitely crafted, far more comprehensive than the materials Tang Zhiwu had previously read.
Unaware that Tang Zhiwu had already praised him to the skies, Xu Ge arrived at the Royal Horse Racing Field on horseback.
Today, Emperor Wei was hosting the event, having specially summoned all court officials to watch the competition.
The participants were not fixed; any capable young man from a prominent family could freely join.
All court officials except Xu Ge were eagerly eyeing the polo match.
If a young man from their family caught the emperor’s eye during the game, it would be an immense blessing!
The horse racing field was exceptionally vast, covering the largest area of any in the entire capital. It was surrounded by tall gray stone walls, forming a rectangular shape.
At each of the rectangle’s four corners stood a stone-carved dragon head, its long whiskers fluttering in the air, its mouth wide open to reveal terrifying fangs.
Black flags were planted along all four sides of the stone walls, lending a solemn and composed atmosphere.
“Lord Xu.”
Upon seeing Xu Ge, the guards stationed at the main entrance saluted and quickly stepped aside to clear the entrance passage.
They were late; the competition had already begun on the field.
Steeds galloped, kicking up clouds of dust, while a small ball was struck by mallets, darting chaotically across the vast grounds.
The cheers from the sidelines drowned out the loud exchanges on the field, filling the entire horse racing field with a lively and exceptionally vibrant atmosphere.
Young masters and ladies from various families were all in attendance—the young men robust and spirited, the young women delicate and graceful.
As soon as Xu Ge rode into the horse racing field, he leaped off his horse and tossed the reins to Ashu, who had also dismounted and stood behind him.
Alone, he made his way toward the central shaded viewing platform.
At the very center, surrounded by numerous consorts, was the organizer of the polo match, Emperor Wei.
Seemingly alerted by a whisper from one of the beauties beside him, Emperor Wei turned his gaze toward Xu Ge’s direction even before he approached.
The moment he saw Xu Ge, his smile widened.
All the court officials who were watching the emperor’s expression naturally understood that Xu Ge had arrived.
They all retreated to their respective family’s shaded viewing areas, keeping a safe distance from this fearsome figure.
Moments later, Xu Ge stood before Emperor Wei. Instead of performing a grand bow, he clasped his hands in a salute and bowed respectfully to the emperor.
“Your Majesty.”
Emperor Wei had doted on Xu Ge since childhood, even more so than on his own biological sons.
Naturally, Xu Ge had repaid this profound affection with his own methods.
While serving as the Commander of the Imperial Guards, he stabilized the court and eliminated many officials who, relying on the favor of the previous emperor, had grown arrogant and disrespectful.
The Embroidered Uniform Guard operated independently of all other official positions, bypassing the hierarchical bureaucracy and answering directly to the emperor.
They have the authority to arrest anyone, including members of the imperial family, and conduct closed-door interrogations.