Daily life in the academy

Chu Youyou was about to curse, but was stopped by Murong Wan. Her eyes were filled with apology, and her voice was gentle and firm. It reached Chu Youyou's ears slowly, causing her originally angry words to change their tone. She went straight to Yuling: "When did it become the servant's turn to speak for the master? If you don't understand the rules, Miss Murong is gentle and reluctant to punish you, but that doesn't mean I, Chu Youyou, will be kind to you."

No matter how domineering Yuling was, she was just a lowly maid in the Murong family. Of course, she had no qualifications to challenge Chu Youyou. In such a head-on confrontation, she could only bow her head and remain silent.

Murong Wan wanted to speak again to ease the situation, but Chu Youyou raised her hand to stop her. "Miss Murong, if these servants are not properly disciplined, they will definitely forget who their masters are. How could you, the daughter of the Murong family, be surrounded by such an ignorant maid? Wouldn't it be ridiculed if this got out that the Murong family had lax discipline and even a servant could meddle in the master's affairs?"

If Yuling could still remain calm just now, Chu Youyou's indirect criticism made her expression change drastically. Even if she had the support of the second master, once this matter became a big deal and reached the ears of the head of the family, she would definitely be sold out, and her good days would be gone. She gritted her teeth and knelt down with a thud.

"Miss Chu, I was so bold as to offend you just now. I hope you will not bear grudges and forgive my mistakes."

Chu Youyou snorted coldly, "Even if your young lady can really become the Crown Princess in the future, she will definitely not want a servant like you who doesn't know the difference between high and low." After venting her anger, she looked up and met Murong Wan's slightly embarrassed expression. Then she slowed down her tone and said, "Please forgive me, Miss Murong. I have a bad temper and I can't stand such blind things darting around in front of me."

Murong Wan smiled and shook her head: "I have offended Miss Chu a lot, I hope Miss Chu is not angry."

"Miss Murong, you are so generous. I will go back to prepare for the talent show that Madam Cui asked me to do. You should go back soon too." Chu Youyou bowed and took her leave.

After the people left, Murong Wan changed his previous expression, his face turned cold and he said in a deep voice: "You shameful thing, please go back home and let someone else serve you."

Yuling opened her eyes wide and looked up: "I am the person the Second Master values, how can you change me just like that..." There was a mixture of disbelief and questioning in her voice.

Murong Wan slowly raised his hand and grasped Yuling's chin, their eyes meeting. "Don't use your second uncle to pressure me. As long as my father is still the head of the family, even if I'm not favored, I'm still the eldest daughter of the Murong family. How dare you, a mere maid, question me? I'll give you one last chance. Either ask to return home or be sold off. It's your choice."

After saying that, Murong Wan pushed Yuling away, curled his lips slightly, and walked away without looking back, leaving Yuling lying on the ground alone, and her crying of regret could be faintly heard.

The returned maid's fate was not much better than being sold. She should pay the price for her recklessness and ignorance.

***

Everyone knows that the purpose of this garden party is not pure. It is not just to stroll around the villa and have some fun. All actions must be based on cooperating with the Crown Prince and the King of Qi. Of course, if you can find a girl you like in this event and both of you fall in love with each other, that would be great too.

Most of the young masters have this idea, but it does not include Yan Qingchen, Mu Bailian and Wenzhe, let alone Bai Zhi, because of her status.

The next morning, Bai Zhi was still asleep when she was woken up by a disturbing knock on the door.

"Your Highness, Your Highness, are you awake?"

After a few moments of silence, Yan Qingchen's hoarse and slightly angry voice rang out: "What's the matter?"

"His Royal Highness the Crown Prince and His Royal Highness the Prince of Qi want to compete in Cuju, and have ordered us to wake everyone up and gather at the Cuju field in the backyard after breakfast." The eunuch's respectful voice drifted from outside the door, like an ethereal sound from the sky.

Because Bai Zhi was still confused, Yan Qingchen remained silent for a long time before slowly responding, "This prince understands. Please leave."

"Yes, my lord, I will take my leave first."

After a while, Bai Zhi, who still couldn't open her eyes, heard the rustling sound of someone getting dressed from inside the house, and Cao Hua asked in a deliberately low voice: "Your Highness, do you want to wake Young Master Bai?"

Bai Zhi thought, please don’t call me, she doesn’t know how to play Cuju, she just wants to sleep peacefully.

"Don't shout for now." Yan Qingchen's voice was still a little hoarse, and his words were very slow to speak.

Just as Bai Zhi was about to fall asleep, she heard him continue, "With her small body, Cuju is useless. If she breaks her leg again, I will be the one in trouble. Forget it."

She was small, but she wouldn't break her leg just by playing Cuju, right? Isn't Cuju similar to modern football? Bai Zhi thought so.

The sounds in the house gradually faded away, and Bai Zhi fell into sleep again. She didn't know how long she slept. When it was already bright outside, Song Xi knocked on the door and came in to wake her up.

"Master Bai, the prince has told me to ask you to get up and have dinner quickly, as the Cuju match is about to begin."

Bai Zhi sat up with a jerk. "Is the Cuju match about to start? What time is it now?"

"It's already past midnight. The Cuju match will start around the end of the afternoon and last an hour, ending at noon."

"It's so late?" Bai Zhi hurriedly got out of bed: "Brother Song, please come and tell me. I'll go after I finish washing up."

Song Xi shook his head and said soothingly, "Master Bai, don't worry. The prince specifically told me to wait until you've finished your meal. You'll still have time."

Bai Zhi thought about it and nodded without saying anything more. She just asked Song Xi to go out and wait for her while she quickly got dressed and washed up.

***

An hour ago, in the backyard Cuju field

Yan Qingchen walked in slowly. Crown Prince Yan Minghe and Prince of Qi Yan Lang had already arrived and were sitting in the octagonal pavilion, drinking tea and chatting.

Yan Lang raised his glass and said with a smile: "Big brother, you have to give way to your younger brother later."

"Fourth brother, you're joking. This is just a game. What difference does it make who wins or loses?" Yan Minghe clinked his cup against Yan Lang's teacup, his words just as lightly.

"Brother, I can't compare to you in terms of reputation. It goes without saying how many girls in the garden are in love with you. It's okay for you to give way to me, right?" Yan Lang was persistent in this, with a hint of unwillingness to give in.

Yan Minghe shook his head helplessly, but out of the corner of his eye he saw Yan Qingchen walking slowly towards him. He smiled and stood up: "Qingchen, you're here."

Yan Qingchen stopped and bowed, "Greetings to His Royal Highness the Crown Prince and His Royal Highness the Prince of Qi."

"You and I are brothers, there's no need to be so polite." Yan Minghe stepped forward, lifted Yan Qingchen's arm, and pulled him to sit down.

"There is a difference between the ruler and his subjects." Yan Qingchen smiled faintly and changed the subject: "I wonder what the two princes were discussing just now?"

"Of course, I'm talking about today's Cuju match." Yan Lang supported his face with one hand and looked at Yan Qingchen with amusement: "Brother Chen, I have heard that your Cuju skills are amazing. Why don't you join my team and help me?"

Yan Minghe shook his head and smiled, not stopping him, nor did he have any intention of specifically recruiting Yan Qingchen. However, Yan Lang himself could no longer sit still, and asked doubtfully, "Brother, don't you have any ideas?"

"Fourth brother, I just said that this is just a game. As far as I'm concerned, it's all about having fun."

Yan Lang's face turned red and white, but returned to normal within a few breaths. He agreed, "Big brother is right. It's me who only cares about winning and losing. I'm a little narrow-minded."