After weighing the pros and cons, Zhao Yuyang let out a light sigh: “Little sister, let’s get in the carriage. Since Eldest Sister has made the request, we should naturally comply.”
His words made it sound as if they were suffering some great injustice, further painting Zhao Qingning as someone who bullied her younger siblings.
Zhao Qingning brushed off nonexistent dust from her clothes: “If you’re unwilling to ride in the carriage, you can always walk there.”
Qiuhua smiled and said: “This servant has heard that the young master takes several laps around the Princess Manor every morning to strengthen his physique. The academy isn’t too far – you really could walk there, treating it as additional exercise.”
As she spoke, she glanced around at the other servants: “The young lady shows such thoughtful consideration for her brothers, her sincere efforts are truly rare.”
Hearing this, Zhao Qingning looked at Qiuhua in surprise.
Why hadn’t she noticed before how clever this girl was?
It seemed keeping her by her side was indeed the best decision she had ever made.
Zhao Yuyang was so angry that veins bulged on his forehead, but he could only speak through gritted teeth: “Yuyang thanks Eldest Sister here.”
Zhao Qingning was in quite good spirits: “No need for thanks. I’m always happy to help.”
Saying this, she ignored their distorted expressions and instructed the coachman to head for the academy.
Zhao Yuyang and the others went to the academy seething with anger.
At the academy entrance, Zhao Qingning had just stepped down from the carriage when she spotted Chen Jinbao.
When he saw her, he bared his teeth: “Zhao Qingning, you heartless woman! I stood up for you, and you actually snitched on me!”
After yesterday’s incident, Zhao Qingning had sent someone to complain to his family. Upon learning that he had used hornets to sting the Right Minister’s daughter, the Weiyuan Marquis became furious and gave him another beating.
All the beatings he’d received recently were related to Zhao Qingning!
“You deserved it. If you dare incite Xiao Jiu again, just wait until your backside is beaten black and blue.”
Zhao Qingning said lazily as she stepped into the academy.
Chen Jinbao wasn’t truly angry with her – after snatching a few pastries from her, he forgot all about the beating.
At the main hall entrance.
Lu Jinghan had changed into light blue robes early in the morning, combed his hair neatly, and was waiting there.
He had learned from Li Dezhong that this Pei heir always preferred wearing light blue.
Therefore, he had changed into these clothes.
These were actually bought for him by Zhao Qingning – she should like them, right?
Zhao Qingning spotted the figure at the entrance from afar and only recognized who it was when she got closer, somewhat surprised: “Xiao Jiu, you’ve finally decided to change your clothes?”
Seeing her, Lu Jinghan revealed the bright smile he had practiced all morning: “Does the young lady like it?”
Zhao Qingning examined him. The light blue robes made him appear like polished jade, and days of recuperation had brought color to his cheeks. His delicate features, combined with his picturesque smile when he grinned, made him resemble a celestial youth.
Only the wooden stick still holding his hair up seemed somewhat out of place.
Zhao Qingning then remembered she had bought him a hairpin long ago but had forgotten to bring it with her. She decided to give it to him tomorrow.
Previously, he had always worn those gray robes, like a little gray mouse.
She had bought him clothes and urged him to change, and while he verbally agreed, he merely switched from gray robes to black ones.
Zhao Qingning also smiled: “Of course I like it. It looks very good.”
Lu Jinghan lowered his eyes: “As long as the young lady likes it.”
He secretly breathed a sigh of relief – it seemed he had chosen correctly. She really did like that Pei heir’s style of dressing.
From now on, he would dress like this too.
After entering the main hall and arranging Zhao Qingning’s books and inkstone properly, Lu Jinghan withdrew.
He needed to wait in the side hall.
Entering the side hall, Lu Jinghan saw Qiuhua sitting to one side. Remembering Li Dezhong’s advice about being kind to others, he revealed a smile and spoke in a clear, bright voice: “Good day, Sister Qiuhua.”
Qiuhua looked up at him, somewhat bewildered.
Apart from tasks assigned by her mistress, Xiao Jiu had never initiated conversation with her before. Why was he smiling so radiantly at her today?
She responded somewhat blankly, then watched as he passed by her to greet others in the hall. Their expressions were similar to hers, some even showing fear, thinking he had gone mad, and instinctively moving away. But Lu Jinghan remained completely unaffected.
After finishing his greetings, he quietly sat down in a corner.
He had sincerely greeted every single person—surely that should suffice?
As for their reactions, he didn’t care.
In the main hall, after the class bell rang, Yang Fuzi strode in and distributed the exam papers.
The injuries on Jiang Zhiyi and Liu Yiyi’s faces weren’t serious. After applying medicine at home, the swelling had mostly subsided. Though still slightly puffy, they no longer looked as frightening as yesterday.
Originally, Jiang Zhiyi hadn’t wanted to attend class.
She always cared deeply about her appearance—how could she bear to show her swollen face in public?
But the thought of missing the chance to humiliate Zhao Qingning in this exam and get revenge for her suffering made her restless. Covering half her face with a veil, she came to the academy.
When Chen Jinbao received his exam paper, he couldn’t understand a single word.
His father had warned him that if he ranked last again, his allowance would be cut off.
So he fidgeted anxiously, also worrying about Zhao Qingning.
If she didn’t do well, he would have to kneel and kowtow to Liu Yiyi.
Thinking of this, Chen Jinbao pulled out the protective talisman hanging around his neck and prayed for heaven’s blessing.
Liu Yiyi noticed and sneered, whispering, “Last-minute efforts are useless. Just wait to kneel and apologize to me!”
Chen Jinbao glared at her.
But he was genuinely anxious. After turning it over in his mind without finding a solution, he seized the moment when the teacher went out for tea, turned around, and snatched the paper from the person behind him: “Let me copy.”
Zhao Yuyang, who had been writing steadily, was furious when his paper was suddenly snatched away. But seeing it was the bully Chen Jinbao, he could only endure it.
After all, he was no match for him in a fight.
Chen Jinbao randomly copied a few answers, uncertainly thinking, “This should be enough to pass, right?”
Without time to reconsider, he quickly shoved the paper back behind him.
He had just settled back into his seat when Yang Fuzi walked in.
Liu Yiyi was wholly focused on watching Zhao Qingning and had no attention to spare for his cheating.
Just as Chen Jinbao breathed a sigh of relief, he remembered Zhao Qingning again. He glanced over and saw her resting her cheek on one hand, seemingly asleep.
Chen Jinbao: “???”
Are you kidding me?!
How can you sleep at a time like this, at your age?!
Frustrated and angry, he wished he could shake her awake himself, but the distance was too great. After some thought, he took out a blank sheet, wrote down the answers he had copied, crumpled it into a ball, and threw it toward Zhao Qingning, hoping to wake her and let her copy too.
The first one missed. He threw a second.
Zhao Qingning, drowsy, felt a sting on her face and opened her eyes to see a paper ball land on her desk.
Bewildered, she looked up to see who had thrown it when Chen Jinbao’s third paper ball mercilessly hit Yang Fuzi.
The teacher erupted in anger: “Who did this?”
Terrified, Chen Jinbao quickly lowered his head.
At the same time, Liu Yiyi stood up: “Fuzi, it was Chen Jinbao who threw it to Zhao Qingning! They were cheating together—the paper ball on Zhao Qingning’s desk is the proof!”
Yang Fuzi frowned and looked toward Zhao Qingning, noticing there was indeed a crumpled paper ball on her desk.
Zhao Qingning looked utterly bewildered.
Yang Fuzi, known for his strictness and particular disdain for dishonesty, demanded: “Zhao Qingning, what exactly is going on here?”