The next day, Scholar Zhao and Master Xu ran into each other at the academy.
Each of them carried a thick, oil-paper-wrapped bundle of meat. The skin of the meat was a rich reddish-brown, glistening with oil, and coated with a fragrant layer of sauce. At a glance, it was obvious both bundles contained roast duck.
“…”
When peers meet peers, their eyes well up with tears. Not to mention that just yesterday, the two had gathered together to criticize Murong Yun for her frivolous conduct. The harsher their words had been then, the more awkward things felt now.
Master Xu spoke first. “That brat Murong Yun thinks he can bribe me with greasy food. Ridiculous, utterly ridiculous!”
He said as much, yet his gaze never left the duck in his arms.
The meals at Qingshan Academy were truly too plain. And this roast duck was from Chen’s shop in the western part of the city.
Its fragrance could travel for miles.
Scholar Zhao understood him perfectly. A seasoned actor through and through. He nearly burst out laughing but instead coughed lightly, stroked his beard, and refrained from exposing him. Instead, he nodded solemnly in agreement.
“One matter is one matter. Murong Yun may be improper, but the meat is innocent. Wouldn’t it be wasteful to throw it away? As teachers, we must remember that food is precious.”
Master Xu sighed with feigned profundity. “The scholar speaks wisely. It wasn’t easy for this duck to be born. Since it’s come to this, we should let it fulfill its greatest purpose.”
The two exchanged a glance and secretly sized up each other’s roast ducks.
Fortunately, that boy Murong Yun had not shown favoritism. The two ducks appeared identical in size.
At present, Qingshan Academy had thirty-six students and three instructors: Master Xu, Scholar Zhao, and Master Wang.
That very night, Master Xu took out the test papers he had prepared a few days earlier. With a faint smile, he carefully reviewed the questions again and again.
The papers were densely packed with material the students had already studied, ensuring that none of the others would be affected.
Except Murong Yun.
Hmph. Roast duck might be delicious, but exams were another matter entirely. Did she think she could buy him food? Without real ability, she would still have to leave!
Master Xu bit down hard on a piece of duck, chewed vigorously, and swallowed.
Delicious!
…
Early the next morning, the sound of students reciting aloud filled the air.
Song Qi patted his stomach contentedly. Taking advantage of the orderly rhythm of the recitation, he leaned toward Murong Yun and whispered, “Not bad, that roast duck yesterday was really good. Bring me some next time you go out!”
“How much was it? I’ll pay you back.”
Murong Yun, half-asleep, murmured, “No need…”
Song Qi persisted. “Even brothers settle accounts clearly. Just tell me the price. Give and take!”
Seeing his determination, Murong Yun found herself admiring him a little.
Someone who didn’t take advantage of others was rare in any era.
“One duck costs five taels of silver,” she said with a smile.
Song Qi froze, instantly regretting it.
“Five taels? You could buy two ducks elsewhere for that price! You must’ve been cheated!”
Murong Yun’s smile faded as she slowly turned away.
If he wasn’t going to pay, fine, but calling her a sucker was too much.
Song Qi nearly coughed up blood. He had already said he would repay her and couldn’t take it back now. The words stuck in his chest like a stone.
In the end, he could only mutter weakly, “Next time, I’ll treat you to a duck.”
Murong Yun gave a light hum in response, her thoughts drifting elsewhere.
It was all because she had skimmed through the novel too carelessly back then. She had focused only on the male lead Duan Yucheng’s overpowered rise, enjoying the thrill of it.
There had been a corruption case in the middle, with just one passing mention of the Murong family. Since she shared the same surname, she had paid a bit more attention.
The Murong family would be confiscated next November. She had to pass the imperial exams and become an official before winter next year.
…
Song Qi was still chattering. “Brother, after eating your duck, we’re brothers from now on!”
Murong Yun toyed with the jade pendant at her waist and nodded.
“I’ll take that nod as agreement. From now on, I’ll go through fire and water for you,” Song Qi declared enthusiastically.
For some reason, he liked Murong Yun very much. From the first moment he saw her, he had felt that this was someone he had to befriend.
Zhao Mingyuan came up to submit his assignment. As he passed Murong Yun, he bowed slightly. “Thank you for the roast duck.”
Murong Yun casually patted his shoulder and smiled.
After he left, Song Qi leaned closer, clearly excited. “Zhao Mingyuan got some too?”
“Not just him. Shangguan got a share as well,” Murong Yun said, amused by his reaction.
“Well, Shangguan Xuan makes sense. He’s bound to succeed in the exams sooner or later. Giving him something is normal.”
“But Zhao Mingyuan isn’t any better than me in studies!”
Murong Yun pinched her earlobe. This guy didn’t even know Zhao Mingyuan’s relationship with Scholar Zhao?
“There was an extra one, so I gave it away,” she said.
“What a waste,” Song Qi huffed. “Next time, give it to me instead.”
Master Xu slammed his ruler down, startling Song Qi into silence.
The strike made even Murong Yun’s desk tremble. She took a strategic sip of water.
“Stop reciting. We’ll conduct an early test. Anyone who fails will copy the paper ten times!”
Murong Yun glanced up nervously. Why had Master Xu changed the rules? Weren’t exams held at the end of the month?
She had already delivered the roast duck to his desk yesterday. Was he really going to kick her out even after eating it?
She tugged at her ear, trying to stay alert.
If she were expelled from Qingshan Academy, the other academies were riddled with corruption. The students there were all officials’ sons, who often received exam answers in advance depending on how much they pleased the teachers.
She wouldn’t learn anything there.
[Cross your legs, shake your foot while writing, reward: On Governing the State]
The system suddenly popped up. Murong Yun choked on her water.
The classroom had been silent, so her coughing drew everyone’s attention.
“Put away your books. No books are allowed during the test.”
Master Xu remained stern but allowed a short break.
During the break, the students became much more talkative.
Zheng Yuan was surrounded by a group of people. His father, Zheng Guang, Minister of Personnel, made him the only official’s son in the academy.
Many flattered him.
Zheng Yuan turned with a smile, his tone seemingly concerned. “Murong Yun, are you alright? Sudden tests are common here. You’ll get used to it.”
“As if he’ll have a future here!”
“You overestimate him, Brother Zheng!”
“He won’t last until the end of the month!”
“Money won’t help him here!”
“Go back where you came from!”
Murong Yun ground her ink slowly, saying nothing. She glanced at Master Xu, who hid behind his book, showing no reaction.
The words fell on her ears, yet she simply stared at the blank, yellowed paper.
She had come to this world to enjoy life, not to care about others’ opinions.
But unexpectedly, Song Qi stepped in front of her. “He just arrived yesterday. Failing is normal! Stop bullying him!”
“We’re not bullying him,” Yu Ziyang scoffed. “We’re just stating facts.”
Song Qi flushed red with anger.
Murong Yun tugged his sleeve. “Let them talk.”
She thought to herself that this paper character was worth befriending. As long as she had roast duck, Song Qi would have a share.
…
Soon after, Murong Yun challenged Zheng Yuan to a bet.
“If I win, Yu Ziyang becomes my friend.”
“And if you lose,” Zheng Yuan replied calmly, “you owe me one thousand taels of silver.”
The wager was set.
During the exam, Murong Yun appeared distracted at first, even earning a scolding from Master Xu for looking around.
Eventually, she lifted her brush and casually crossed her leg, fulfilling the system’s task.
The desk rattled, her jade pendant clinked, and the entire class stared at her.
“Disgraceful!” Master Xu snapped.
Murong Yun grinned sheepishly and lowered her leg.
Then the system reward activated.
A clear stream seemed to wash through her mind as the once obscure classical texts unfolded vividly before her.
Her knowledge surged effortlessly.
When she finished writing, time was called.
Master Xu collected her paper, remarking, “As a student, you should mind your image.”
Murong Yun caught the implication immediately. “Master, does that mean you acknowledge me as part of Qingshan Academy?”
Master Xu fell silent.
Such thick skin!
…
Days passed with Murong Yun completing various absurd system tasks while effortlessly mastering her studies.
When the results were posted, everyone gathered eagerly, many hoping to see her expelled.
Song Qi rushed forward, scanning the list.
“All passed?”
“Murong! You passed!”
He kept searching, growing more frantic.
“Zheng Yuan! Shangguan Xuan! Murong Yun…!”
His voice rose higher and higher.
“You’re first!”
He pinched his own face to confirm. It hurt!
“I’m not dreaming!”
He cheered loudly, basking in the golden glow of the setting sun.
Shangguan Xuan approached Murong Yun with a gentle smile. “Congratulations. The roast duck was delicious.”
Murong Yun instinctively stepped closer to Song Qi.
That handsome, refined appearance was Shangguan Xuan’s greatest disguise. In truth, he was cunning beyond measure.
…
Murong Yun later claimed Yu Ziyang per their bet.
Zheng Yuan let him go without hesitation.
“A friend is just a friend,” he said lightly. “Take him if you want.”
…
In the afternoon, Master Xu praised Murong Yun briefly but lavished extensive praise on Shangguan Xuan.
He read Shangguan Xuan’s essay aloud. It was eloquent and powerful, earning thunderous applause.
After class, Murong Yun invited Yu Ziyang to eat, but he rejected her angrily.
“Do you think money makes you great? Even if it’s a thousand taels, do you expect my gratitude?”
Murong Yun opened her mouth to explain but said nothing.
Song Qi pulled her away. “Ignore him. He’s just sour grapes.”