Daily life in the academy

Bai Zhi followed the two out of the school and stood by the back door. The two men in front of her were wearing black and white clothes. Although they both had handsome faces, Yan Qingchen, who was in the royal family, exuded a unique aura of a superior. As a result, Bai Zhi could not take her eyes off him and could only look at him blankly with her head tilted up.

In the imperial capital of Sheng'an, everyone knows Yan Qingchen's bad reputation, but no one has dared to look him in the face for so long. Even though the person in front of him had saved his good brother yesterday, Yan Qingchen's eyes were filled with displeasure.

Mu Bailian seemed oblivious to the subtle atmosphere between them, and continued to talk to himself, "Little dwarf... No, Baizhi, you saved Wenzhe yesterday, so we owe you a favor. If you run into trouble in the future, feel free to come to us."

Bai Zhi had been working in the workplace for a long time after all. When Mu Bailian was speaking, she had already noticed the change in the mood of the person in front of her. She inadvertently turned her gaze to Mu Bailian.

"If it were anyone else, I would have done the same thing yesterday."

"Oh? So you mean to say that you despise this prince's favor?"

Yan Qingchen's cold voice hit Bai Zhi's heart hard. Her eyebrows twitched slightly. How could she be so angry just by one sentence?

Bai Zhi's heart was full of questions, but she couldn't afford to offend the big shot in front of her, so she quickly put on a bright smile and said, "No, I just wanted to say that helping my classmates is my duty, and it's my honor to help your friends. What's more, you helped me before. You are so kind and loyal. How dare I use this as a reason to blackmail you?"

If these half-complimentary and half-flattering words came from anyone else, they would be a bit greasy flattery, but Bai Zhi's eyes were clear, her expression was calm, and her energetic smile was very contagious, as if these words were her innermost thoughts, which just soothed Yan Qingchen's irritation. He raised his chin slightly and nodded in agreement.

"That being said, I hate to owe favors to anyone. Please accept the words that are passed to you. I will keep my word."

It turns out that our Prince Yan falls for this!

Bai Zhi understood, and she raised her hand and bowed to them, "Then Bai Zhi would like to thank you. If you encounter any problems in the future, you will remember what the prince and Master Mu said today."

Xie Guan happened to walk to the door of Class Ding and saw the three people getting along harmoniously. Especially after seeing Bai Zhi sandwiched between two people, he couldn't help but frown.

It happened that the morning bell rang at this time, and the three of them did not stop and hurried into the school.

During the morning class today, Xie Guan sat at the top of the class, looking at the book in his hand. He was not affected at all by the students' loud recitation. Yan Qingchen and Mu Bailian, who had learned their lesson yesterday, behaved very well today. Xie Guan did not pay any extra attention to them until the end of the morning class.

The morning class ended safely. Yan Qingchen and Mu Bailian escaped from Xie Guan's sight early. Bai Zhi packed up her books and was about to go for breakfast with Ye Yanliang, but was stopped by Xie Guan.

Bai Zhi asked Ye Yanliang to go to the dining hall first, and she followed Xie Guan obediently and walked together to Xie Guan's residence in Yunlu Academy.

"I heard that you saved Wenzhe from heatstroke during martial arts class yesterday?" Xie Guan suddenly spoke in the quiet corridor.

Did the doctor at the clinic say it was heatstroke? Bai Zhi couldn't help but be stunned. But when she thought about it, the symptoms were indeed somewhat similar to heatstroke, and judging from the reactions of Yan Qingchen and the others today, Wenzhe should be fine.

Xie Guan paused, not receiving a response for a long time, and turned back. Only then did he realize that the person behind him was in a daze and coughed lightly. Bai Zhi was startled to realize that she hadn't replied yet, so she quickly raised her hand to salute and said respectfully, "I dare not take credit for it. Young Master Wen was originally in good health. I just read some miscellaneous books and know the emergency response to this situation. This is what will help Young Master Wen recover faster. That's all."

Xie Guan was quite satisfied with her answer, with a hint of appreciation in his eyes, but when he thought of the scene he saw in the morning, he couldn't help but frown, and even his tone became much heavier.

"The current emperor has chosen Yunlu Academy as a pilot program, allowing students from poor families to eat and study together with the gentry. On the one hand, the emperor appreciates the difficulties faced by students from poor families, and on the other hand, he hopes that in the future, education will be available to all, improving the overall knowledge of the people and cultivating more pillars for the Yan Kingdom."

Xie Guan paused at this point, and Bai Zhi nodded in agreement, "I understand. I am very grateful to the Emperor and the Master for allowing me the opportunity to study at Yunlu Academy. I will definitely study hard in the future."

"It's good that you understand. I've already reported what you said yesterday about Zhang Yongan to the headmaster, and the academy will investigate thoroughly. It's not easy for students like you from humble backgrounds to retire. I hope you'll focus solely on your studies within the academy. While your other subjects are a little weak, your talent in arithmetic is the best I've seen in recent years. Although this dynasty prioritizes literary talent, if you can pass the arithmetic exam in the future, I'll then help you out. It will be a sign that you've finally gotten through this and are free from the shackles of your status."

Xie Guan looked at the serious-looking student in front of him, and spoke in a calm and steady voice, saying what he thought would be beneficial to him.

"This morning I saw you acting close to Yan Qingchen and the others, but as your teacher, I must remind you that the difference in status between you and them is too great. They have many connections behind them, and your family background is too... fragile. If you make the slightest mistake, you'll be dragged into the abyss, and no one will be able to stand up for you."

"I don't know what your intentions are in getting close to them, but I have a heart for talent and don't want you to fall into depravity. That's all I have to say. You can go back now."

Bai Zhi's face was calm. She lowered her head and listened to Xie Guan's teachings. She raised her hand to bow, said "Student, take your leave", and turned to walk towards the dining hall.

Xie Guan looked at Bai Zhi's thin and somewhat stubborn back, shook his head and sighed, then turned around and left.

Bai Zhi lost her straight back instantly after leaving Xie Guan's sight, and felt bitter in her heart. Although Xie Guan's words were gentle and tactful, they actually contained a warning.

To put it in plain words, she has good qualifications and should study hard in school, not think about other trivial things, and not learn from others to curry favor with the powerful and wealthy, especially the royal family and aristocratic families like Yan Qingchen and Mu Bailian. She is a powerless grassroots and should not get involved in it, so as not to bring about a terrible disaster.

In fact, there was also sincere concern in Xie Guan's words, otherwise he would not have said anything like passing the imperial examination. Passing the imperial examination was naturally not a consideration. Bai Zhi was just a cannon fodder disguised as a man who deceived the emperor. She just wanted to spend the three years of her life in Yunlu Academy in peace, and then pretend to fail the exam and disappear from everyone's sight and resume her normal life.

But there are always some things that come to her. Bai Zhi really wants to look up to the sky and scream. It is simply too difficult.

It is really not easy to live a good life, so cherish the life you have!