My sister became the empress, but I'm still growing vegetables and raising chickens

The atmosphere became lively, with students from the academy surrounding them, their faces full of mockery and disdain, and some even with lewd and lustful eyes.

Behind them were the curious onlookers, seemingly wanting to know the truth, but who knows what they were really thinking?

The head of the guards protecting the girls' college was angrily arguing with the person in front of him.

But the student in the lead said loudly, "A group of women gathered together, who knows what they're doing? Didn't we used to have places where such filthy things were done?"

As soon as she finished speaking, the gates of the girls' college opened, and the leading female steward strode forward, slapping the student in the head with a sneer: "Academies are supposed to be places of education, not places where people like you can act so presumptuously. Look at your long robe, are you a student of the academy? Is this the kind of filth your teachers teach you?"

She stood upright and righteous, her eyes fixed straight ahead, coldly staring at the person in front of her, then glancing around at the other students.

"You're not ambitious at all, all you think about is how to slander female classmates. Our Great Zhou's official schools are actually supporting a bunch of good-for-nothings like you!"

The student was slapped, and the rest of the students were scolded; they were all resentful. But they were, after all, weak scholars, and compared to the thirty guards in front of them, how could they dare to fight back?

The student in the lead said angrily, "Auntie, are you so angry because you feel guilty and your secret has been exposed?"

As soon as she finished speaking, Si Yunxia stepped out and chuckled, "Is there any need to feel guilty for a bunch of good-for-nothings like you? Are people like you the future pillars of the Great Zhou? Then wouldn't my aunt's empire be in jeopardy?"

The students were initially puzzled. How could this beautiful young woman dare to show herself at such a time? Wasn't she afraid of being pointed at and gossiped about?

When she mentioned her aunt's empire, everyone's expression changed.

Could this be the rumored biological daughter of Princess Xintong, the Si family lady who was bestowed the title of princess by the current emperor?

The students were misled and instigated. Even if some of them were angry young people who thought they had all the truth, they did not dare to act recklessly in the face of power.

Just then, a line of yamen runners appeared beside them.

Who is causing trouble here?

The speaker was Wu, the county's instructor. As soon as he arrived, the leading student immediately came forward to greet him.

"Instructor Wu, we have received information that the girls' college has set up night schools for the purpose of engaging in lewd activities, which is truly immoral. We have come here to shut down this filthy place!"

Instructor Wu frowned: "Is this really true?"

The female steward hurriedly said, "Sir, this is absolutely not true! Our women's quarters have been framed. Please, sir, clear our name."

The student in the lead said, "What we said is true. The people near the girls' college say that there's been constant revelry inside every night. Those girls are students on the surface, but who knows what they're actually up to!"

These words drew ambiguous glances from the students, who scrutinized the female students, especially Si Yunxia, ​​who stood at the front and received the most attention.

Although the common people didn't believe that a princess would do such a thing, the mere thought of it was thrilling.

The female manager was furious: "If you keep talking nonsense, I'll tear your mouth apart!"

"Alright," Instructor Wu said to the students with a stern face, "You shouldn't be causing trouble here. Her Highness the Princess is here; what kind of behavior is this?"

Just when everyone thought that Instructor Wu was going to reprimand the student who had lied, he changed the subject.

He then said to the female steward, "This matter has become so ugly, and it's bad for the students' reputation. In my opinion, it's best to close the girls' college to avoid further trouble!"

The female steward almost laughed in anger: "What are you saying, sir? We've been slandered and defamed, and instead of thinking about how to catch the liar, you want to shut down the girls' quarters. Are you trying to make the rumors true?"

Instructor Wu said coldly, "I am a local instructor, and I cannot tolerate such immoral and scandalous behavior! Don't think that just because a princess is studying at the girls' academy, you can do whatever you want."

He wasn't afraid of Si Yunxia at all. Even though she was a princess, she was still just a young girl who had recently come of age. By the time the girl filed a complaint, the matter would be settled, the reputation of the girls' academy would be completely ruined, and the people would have to think twice before Princess Xintong tried to reopen it.

Si Yunxia did not back down, but asked, "Does Your Excellency truly intend to show such favoritism towards others?"

Although he wasn't afraid, Instructor Wu still felt some pressure when faced with the princess's questioning.

He forced a smile and said, "Your Highness, I have acted impartially and without fault. Please, Your Highness, do not abuse your power for personal gain and harm so many female students!"

"How dare Instructor Wu shut down my women's quarters just like that?"

Si Yunxia's eyes lit up. Who else could that voice be but her mother's?

She ran over quickly: "Mom, Dad, you're here."

Prince Ning nodded, reached out and patted her head, saying, "Xia'er has grown up and knows how to protect her own reputation and everyone else's interests."

The second sister looked at Instructor Wu with a cold expression.

Instructor Wu's heart sank; he hadn't expected Princess Xintong to be so well-informed.

But he insisted, "Princess, I am doing this for the sake of the princess and all the women's reputation."

"Nonsense!" the second sister roared. "For the sake of their reputation, instead of investigating the matter thoroughly, you only want to smooth things over and pin these rumors on these girls? Instructor Wu, you are truly audacious and despicable."

Prince Ning also said, "Girls' colleges are all run by the government. Instructor Wu is in charge of education in a county. How can he have such great power? He can close the college whenever he wants without reporting it?"

Wu Jiaoyu was speechless, and forced himself to say, "This humble official...this humble official only...will close the girls' academy first, and then investigate."

Si Yunxia immediately said, "Shut down and then investigate? Whatever they find later, isn't that up to you, Instructor Wu?"

"This humble official...this humble official will certainly uphold justice..."

Si Yunxia scoffed, "I don't believe you. I demand that you investigate now. If you find a man in the women's quarters, I, Si Yunxia, ​​will be immediately punished by being drowned."

Prince Ning frowned: "Xia'er, stop talking nonsense!"

"Father, I'm not talking nonsense," Si Yunxia said calmly. "However, if we can't find the man, I want all these students in the academy to stand at the gate of the girls' college tomorrow and apologize with thorns on their backs!"

The students turned pale, and the leader managed to say, "Perhaps...maybe not today!"

Si Yunxia stepped forward: "Then tell me, which commoner, in what year, month, day, and hour, heard the continuous singing and dancing in the women's courtyard at night?"

The student felt short of breath: "It's just... hearsay..."

"Does hearsay justify slandering people?" Si Yunxia turned to look at her second sister. "Mother, how should those who spread rumors be punished?"