Master Lu returned a while later.
However, the dean did not come.
The crowd was shocked when they turned their heads. The reason being, over ten teachers, had come, including Xu Mian, who had accepted Xie Qiao’s gift back then, as well as… the Crown Prince.
Lately… the Crown Prince seemed to have a rubberneck.
There were too many people in the class. Therefore, they went to the courtyard and stood orderly.
Xie Qiao, Pei Wanyue, and the few initiators from the Peony Courtyard stood at the front.
“You guys stirred so much more trouble than I did back then,” said Zhao Xuanjing. It was uncertain if he was smiling. He scoffed lightly as he looked at the people from the Peony Courtyard. “Is the homework at the Peony Courtyard too easy? You guys have so much time to come to the Orchid Courtyard to be busybodies?”
The Peony Courtyard students could not help but feel troubled.
Not sure why, but they had a feeling that… His Highness seemed to be targeting them today?
“Your Highness, should we not chase someone out of the academy if she commits forgery? So that the academy would remain a sacred place? If the other two academies find out, they will think that our academy is a mess!” A courageous young man stood out.
“So you’re saying Xie Qiao committed forgery?” Zhao Xuanjing scoffed. “I hear what you’re saying beneath all these. There’s no need to beat around the bush before me. If you become an official in the future, I don’t want to look at your report. I’m sure it’ll be filled with nonsense!”
That young man’s face paled.
The Crown Prince was too straightforward.
He even declared that… he would become the Emperor in the near future…
However, the Emperor doted on him. If the Emperor heard his direct words, he might compliment him for having an innocent heart and being true to himself.
That young man took a step back, feeling wronged. He was pitiful.
“Please be our witness, Your Highness. Xie Qiao forged Master Yun Wei’s masterpiece. It’s detestable!” The student who was leading stood out. He looked charismatic.
Xie Qiao glanced at him twice.
He was quite good-looking with a lucky face. However, he had bad luck in romance. It would be troublesome whenever he got close to women.
“Cough!” Xie Qiao failed to hold back. She coughed once and took a deep breath in.
These people were fighting for air with her.
“Get Young Lady Xie a seat,” Zhao Xuanjing said seemingly casually. He then glanced at the man who spoke earlier. A bright gleam flashed through his eyes when he asked, “Which family are you from?”
“This humble one is Qi Huai. My father is a Bureau Chief,” Qi Huai said immediately.
Zhao Xuanjing nodded. “I remember your father despises Master Xie. He failed to impeach him the last few times. You’re just like your father.”
The senior had impeached Xie Niushan at the imperial court while the junior was stirring trouble with Xie Qiao at the academy.
They had nothing better to do.
Xie Qiao did not find that surprising. There should be many officials who wanted to impeach her father. That was just one of them.
If not for the fact that her father had not committed any major offenses, he might have been executed by now.
Qi Huai looked fearful and confused. Was the Crown Prince complimenting him or… criticizing him?
“What do you think, Xu Mian?” Zhao Xuanjing’s voice was calm.
Xu Mian held the painting in his hands.
“Your Highness, the rumor said that Xie Pinggang humiliated and forced me. That didn’t happen at all…” Xu Miang smiled, feeling helpless. “It was my decision to put Young Lady Xie in the Orchid Courtyard. After all, it’s inappropriate to place her in other courtyards due to her age. Moreover, Young Lady Xie wrote perfect Sanskrit during the entry examination. There’s completely no problem that she’s placed in the Orchid Courtyard.”
It was no problem judging by the examination alone.
“This painting…” Xu Mian looked serious. “It’s really Master Yun Wei’s work!”
“Impossible!” Pei Wanyue screamed immediately.
