Holding the script, I want to give up.

On the eve of the start of the Imperial Academy, Shangguan Zitong began to feel restless. He took a few bites of the green dates in his hand and lost interest in them. He felt that life had become meaningless and wanted to become a monk.

"Youzhi, what should I do if I don't want to go to the Imperial Academy?"

Shangguan Zitong paced back and forth barefoot on the soft carpet.

"The princess is not going."

"Never mind, let's pack up and go."

After all, he still needed to teach Mu Rongyi the strategies for governing the country.

In the middle of the night, Shangguan Zitong was forced to board the departing carriage to the Imperial Academy while she was asleep.

Those seeing them off were so happy they jumped for joy, wishing they could burst into song to celebrate.

The next day, when Shangguan Zitong woke up, she saw her quilt being carried onto the carriage with her. Even a fool could imagine how anxious they must be to get her away.

"Youzhi, Youxi, are we almost there?"

Shangguan Zitong poked her head out and asked, only to see Huangfu Hongxi driving the carriage.

There was no response. It must be because she got up too early and opened the door incorrectly. Shangguan Zitong pulled the curtain closed, but after three seconds she opened it again, and the result was the same.

"Um, what's your name?"

"Huangfu Hongxi".

"Oh, have you seen my two maids?"

"No."

"Oh, have you had breakfast yet?"

"Never."

Damn, this awkward conversation is killing me. Where am I supposed to get breakfast if I wake someone up in the middle of the night? What a novel way to start an awkward conversation.

Inside the school, scions of prominent families and daughters of officials had already arrived, vying for a seat. It was extremely difficult to get a seat in the back; you couldn't get one without connections.

As soon as Shangguan Zitong arrived, they made way for her so she could choose any seat she wanted.

Where would you like to sit?

Shangguan Zitong asked Huangfu Hongxi.

Huangfu Hongxi should not have gone straight to the front row and sat down.

"Oh, front row, I'll go to the back."

Shangguan Zitong sat directly in the last row, ready to give up.

Those who witnessed this scene looked at each other in bewilderment. What happened to the princess's love of learning? Why is she acting like a lazy bum?

Was their intelligence incorrect?

They huddled together and discussed quietly.

Sang Ran arrived and also chose to sit in the back row. Upon seeing Huangfu Hongxi in the front row, she launched into a tirade, indirectly criticizing him: "It's all your fault, you little bitch! If it weren't for Sister Song protecting you, she wouldn't have been deported back to China." She was about to grab him when she was pulled back.

“Sang Ran, she is now the princess’s companion, you can’t hurt her.”

"It was a young lady from an official family," she said.

Suddenly being called upon, Shangguan Zitong stared at the young lady of the Guan family with a bewildered expression.

The scholar arrived, and everyone returned to their places.

Half a class period passed, and Shangguan Zitong felt as if time was dragging on forever. Lost in thought, she went to play chess with Duke Zhuang.

The old scholar turned a blind eye to this, letting him sleep as long as it didn't disturb his class.

After school, Shangguan Zitong was so hungry that she could barely see. She lay on her desk, looking weak and frail, waiting for Youzhi to bring her food.

Instead of the fragrant angelica, we received the cypress?

Yi Bai placed the food box on the table and opened it. Unfortunately, Shangguan Zitong couldn't smell the aroma, but it looked delicious, so it must taste good.

"Why is it you here? Where is Youzhi?"

Shangguan Zitong was busy stuffing pastries into her mouth with one hand and picking up food with the other, looking like a starving ghost.

"My subordinates kept them to exercise."

"...Okay, have you eaten?"

Self-disciplined people are terrifying.

"I have already eaten."

What's wrong with me today? Why am I having such a bad feeling about food?

Shangguan Zitong suddenly felt that the pastries and food in her hands no longer tasted good.

After eating until he was half full, Yibai packed up.

"Wait a minute, these pastries are delicious. I'll save them for my class."

"...Princess, you should study hard."

"This pastry is really delicious, you should try it."

As she spoke, Shangguan Zitong stuffed the pastries into Yibai's hands, not caring whether he ate them or not, and protected the remaining pastries before sending him away.

By evening, Shangguan Zitong had almost finished all her pastries, but the last class was still not over.

Bored, I rested my chin on my hand and gazed out the window at the scenery, counting the birds and flowers in the trees.

Huangfu Hongxi was thoroughly enjoying his studies, since there was no comparison between a top student and a poor student.

As the school bell rang, Shangguan Zitong took off running like the wind, seemingly having forgotten something.

After she got into the carriage, it was Yibai who came to pick her up.

Youzhi and Youxi are so pitiful, they've been training all day. Shangguan Zitong silently lit candles for them in her heart.

Passing by the food street, Shangguan Zitong stopped the car, wanting to get out and buy some food herself, but before she could get out, Yibai stopped her.

"Princess, please tell me what you would like to eat."

Yibai pushed her back.

"Buy more candied hawthorns and sugar figurines, I'll take them back for them to eat."

Shangguan Zitong was too lazy to go down, so it saved her the trouble.

After packing the things and bringing them back, Yibai continued his journey toward the palace.

Shangguan Zitong showed off the candied hawthorns as soon as she got them, and even reached out to hand one to Yibai.

......

In the east corner of the school, Huangfu Hongxi was surrounded and beaten by a group of people led by Sang Ran, his injuries compounded, making him look extremely miserable.

"Ha, what a load of rubbish about being a study companion. It seems the little princess doesn't value you much either."

Sang Ran lashed her whip at Huangfu Hongxi, and the crowd gathered to watch the spectacle.

In the blink of an eye, Yi Bai took Sang Ran's whip and threw it on the ground.

"Outrageous! How dare the General's Mansion mistreat my personal attendant! Miss Sang has gone too far!"

Shangguan Zitong said seriously, wanting to go forward and help Huangfu Hongxi up, but stopped when she saw the contempt in his eyes and gestured for Yibai to help him up.

Damn it, I shouldn't have interfered. Look at the way he looked at me, so obviously disgusted with meddling. Didn't he give you a knife before? How come you've forgotten the pain once the wound heals? He was hurt too, that's enough... Shangguan Zitong was torn internally, but her face remained calm.

"Your Highness, I just wanted to teach him a lesson on your behalf, since he hurt you."

Sang Ran said with a righteous expression, as if the group fight just now was not at her behest.

If I hadn't seen it with my own eyes, I almost would have believed your nonsense.

"This is a matter between me and him. When did it become Miss Sang's place to make decisions for me?"

"Remember, he is my study companion; do not be disrespectful."

After saying that, Shangguan Zitong left with her men without looking back.

If it weren't for the sugar figurine in her hand, she really wouldn't have remembered him.

"Are you still going to school?"

Shangguan Zitong asked as she walked away, turning back to look at him.

"superior."

You have quite a strong will.

"it is good."

Shangguan Zitong had Yibai apply medicine to Huangfu Hongxi inside the carriage, while she sat outside, enjoying the scenery along the way. After all, the horse was trained.

......

Inside Jinghe Palace.

"Father, school is too tiring. I want to smash the city gate. I don't want to go anymore."

Shangguan Zitong clung to the Southern Emperor's arm, putting on a dramatic performance of crying, making a scene, and threatening suicide.

The Southern Emperor had no choice but to give up.

“But Father, we still have to send the hostage. After all, we’ve mistreated him for two years. We should give him some benefits. Maybe he’ll be grateful to us.”

"Okay, it's all up to you."

The Southern Emperor sighed, rubbing his forehead. "My daughter's mouth is just too much of a chatterbox."

"Thank you, Father."

Seeing that he had achieved his goal, Shangguan Zitong bowed and withdrew.

......