NOVPUBQiao Qi, although accustomed to being mischievous and making mistakes since childhood, had never felt so wronged before.
Another student, with red, tear-filled eyes, pointed at Qiao Qi and began scolding him, “You never study, and you only rely on your prominent family!”
“You don’t want others to do well either. You even stole my name plaque. Teacher, none of us want to share a room with someone like him!”
Qiao Qi was furious. “Xu Shitao, are you out of your mind? Usually, when you get bullied, I’m the one who helps you. Now you’re turning around and accusing me?”
Qiao Qi stared at Xu Shitao in disbelief.
Xu Shitao’s gaze wavered slightly with unease. “How do I know what you’re thinking?”
Qiao Qi couldn’t help but laugh mockingly. “Sure, everyone gets one name plaque, but there’s no name on it. Maybe there weren’t enough to go around, so you didn’t get one?”
Xu Shitao suddenly turned to those who had been watching with amusement.
“They told me that you came to my seat!”
Qiao Qi shot them a cold look.
“You believe them? Xu Shitao, you must have really studied yourself stupid.”
Shen Hexuan finally understood what was happening and couldn’t help but reprimand, “The autumn examinations are coming up soon. Instead of focusing on your studies, you’re stirring up trouble among your classmates?”
The crowd was in an uproar.
“He’s right, Qiao Qi never studies.”
“Exactly, who else could be causing trouble if not him?”
“We don’t know for sure, but instinctively we only think of Qiao Qi…”
Qiao Qi was so angry that he stomped his foot.
“Teacher Shen, you see? It’s not that I don’t want to stay in school.”
Shen Hexuan frowned. “If you weren’t so reckless usually, would they think this way?”
Seeing Shen Hexuan wasn’t defending him, Qiao Qi couldn’t help but glance at Xu Shitao.
Realizing that Xu Shitao was also being used as a pawn, he took out the wooden plaque from his sleeve and threw it at him.
“Xu Shitao, it’s true I don’t study, but that’s because I choose not to, not because I can’t. This is the last time I’m giving in to you. From now on, we’re no longer friends.”
The wooden plaque hit Xu Shitao hard in the chest.
Overwhelmed with anger, Qiao Qi didn’t look back at Shen Hexuan. Without saying a word, he left the school.
Meanwhile, Shen Roujia had no idea what was happening with Qiao Qi.
She happily accepted the invitation Zhang San brought back. Seeing the name “Jia Shen” on it, a smile finally appeared on her face.
“Alright, from now on, you’ll follow me.”
Zhang San looked flattered and nodded repeatedly.
“Yes!”
After the excitement, Zhang San showed some confusion. “But, Pavilion Master, are you really going to take the imperial examination in the autumn?”
Shen Roujia raised an eyebrow and chuckled lightly. “Jia Shen will take the imperial examination. What does that have to do with me, Shen Roujia?” 𝒏𝙤𝙫𝒑𝙪𝙗.𝙘𝒐𝙢
She turned and left, ignoring the stunned Zhang San. “I’ll head back now. I’ll find you next time.”
In the palace, everything was as usual, and it was almost time to light the lanterns. Shen Roujia quietly slipped through the back door.
After glancing at the serene courtyard, Shen Roujia adjusted her dress and hair, cleared her throat, and walked straight to the door.
The carved wooden door creaked as it opened.
Before Shen Roujia could exhale, the lamps inside lit up one by one.
With a bright smile, Shen Roujia began to speak cheerfully, “Xiao Fu, you’re getting more sensible…”
Before she could finish, she met a pair of smiling eyes.
“Where did the Crown Princess go?”
