CHAPTER 121: CHAPTER 121: THE TEASING LITTLE VIXEN

"No need to..."

Tang Xiaobai was about to persuade further but thought better of it, deciding that changing the topic would be best: "Ah, by the way, you didn’t say anything beforehand, and you were gone for four days. I really missed you!"

Missing him, of course, was true. Which family wouldn’t miss their child when they went on their first trip away from home?

But she had prepared herself mentally, considering her young age, she didn’t want to be like an overbearing mother, so while she was delighted to see the little ancestor back, she managed to keep it under control.

But he was the one who asked, and yet he wasn’t satisfied with her answer.

Still blushing and with a stiff tone, he said, "Ah Xiao isn’t obedient nor cute. How could the Second Miss think of missing me?"

Tang Xiaobai was momentarily speechless.

Look at this troublesome little demon!

She had no choice but to change the topic again: "Uh... the academy’s exam results will be out soon. What do you think you scored?"

This topic was indeed safer. The little ancestor’s expression finally softened a bit, though his tone was still cold and a tad arrogant: "Second grade."

Tang Xiaobai laughed: "So modest?"

...

"It really was second grade..." Tang Xiaobai murmured as she looked at the results posted in front of the academy’s hall.

The fifth of August marked the day for both enrollment and exam results.

This result... Tang Xiaobai felt that the little ancestor probably didn’t do well.

"Isn’t it just second grade? Insisting on taking the exam himself, and now he can’t even get into the first grade!" Miss Tang scoffed.

The eldest sister, who previously held disdain for the academy exams, insisted on following along today, only to make disparaging comments.

Tang Xiaobai was indignant: "Didn’t you see how many got into the first grade?" She held up her palm and counted, "Five! Only five!"

Tang Jiaojiao said coolly, "If it weren’t for some people overestimating themselves, there would be seven in the first grade by now!"

Tang Xiaobai also got into the second grade.

But she didn’t mind; she even felt she had performed above her usual standards.

Given her actual level, pushing into the first class would be seeking humiliation.

So, ignoring her sister’s sarcastic remarks, she turned to comfort the little ancestor who didn’t do well: "Second grade is good too. Look, those who got into the first grade are like Fifth Cousin Gu. It’s normal not to compare!"

Not being able to compare was normal? Li Mu frowned and glanced at her.

Tang Xiaobai thought he was dissatisfied and reassured him again: "No worries, everyone has off days. We’ll work hard and get into the first grade together next year!"

Li Mu smiled slightly: "Alright."

Tang Jiaojiao looked at the elegant and tall young man and then at the jade-like little girl from her family, feeling displeased.

Just as she was about to say something more, Gu Hui and others came over to greet them, so she had to swallow her words.

Of the five who got into the first grade, three were from the Capital City, two from counties outside the capital, and beyond that, there were none, as the academy’s scale and reputation weren’t big enough.

Among these three students from the Capital City, two came from the Gu Family’s academy.

And among the three from the Capital City, two were from the Gu Family’s academy—one was Gu Hui, and the other was Zhu Qi, who was little Gu You’s cousin.

It was said that students taught by Mr. Zhang at the Gu Family’s academy all came for the exam, but the elders had said in advance that if they didn’t achieve the first grade, it’s better to avoid disgrace outside. So, in the future, there would only be two prodigies left as her classmates, giving Tang Xiaobai a sense of "having someone above (first class)" and being pretentiously powerful.

Unfortunately, among the two maids, Cheng Zi passed, but Tao Zi fell to the lowest grade.

According to the agreement between Tang Xiaobai and her sister, Tao Zi couldn’t continue her studies.

"I was never cut out for studying and writing anyway, so let Cheng Zi and Ah Xiao accompany the Second Miss in her studies. I’ll watch over the Bright Moon Building for you!" Tao Zi seemed indifferent.

Though Tang Xiaobai felt a bit regretful, there wasn’t much she could do.

In her capability, she could only offer a bit of basic education to those close to her. If one truly wanted to pursue higher learning, effort and talent were necessary.

Even in an era of educational equity, some people couldn’t progress beyond compulsory education, it just can’t be forced.

...

After receiving the results, students needed to be assigned to different classes based on their scores.

Among those entering with Tang Xiaobai, Gu Hui and Zhu Qi were in the first class, she and Ah Xiao in the second class, leaving Cheng Zi in the third class.

Huntian Academy was rebuilt from an abandoned temple.

Rebuilt, or more accurately, repaired, the original structure and layout were preserved.

The original temple was of moderate scale, with three main halls.

The first hall displayed eighteen portraits of sages, used for academy ceremonies;

The second and third were converted into classrooms for Ding and Bing level students, respectively, as these levels had more students, numbering in the dozens;

The second class, where Tang Xiaobai and Li Mu were, had only twelve students, slightly more than the five-person first class.

Their classroom was located in an east-wing cloister, with broad passages running east-west. Though not as large as the three main halls, it was quite spacious because of the small number of students.

Before Tang Xiaobai even entered, someone called out, "Second Miss Tang is here!"

A commotion ensued inside, followed by silence.

Tang Xiaobai walked to the entrance and glanced inside, meeting the gaze of ten students.

Uh...

"You all recognize me?" Tang Xiaobai asked, awkward yet polite, with a smile.

Nods all around.

"Second Miss Tang caused quite a stir at the Imperial College, everyone knows about it!" someone chuckled.

Tang Xiaobai’s face reddened.

Was she that famous?

"Besides, Second Miss came today with General Tang and the Eldest Miss. Even if we don’t recognize the Second Miss, we can’t not know General Tang and the Eldest Miss!"

So she wasn’t that famous after all...

Tang Xiaobai muttered to herself, then looked at the speaking youth.

She knew him.

For this academy’s enrollment, besides Gu Hui, Zhu Qi, and herself, only two others could be considered from privileged families.

One was from the Hedong Pei Family, named Pei Xuan, in the first class.

The other, the one before her, surnamed Wei, called Wei Sui. His ancestors were the founding Prime Ministers, contributing countless merits to the current dynasty, thus holding a hereditary Duke Zheng title, with enough rewards for generations to live off, related as cousins to Pei Xuan.

Tang Xiaobai had seen both before.

Pei Xuan, like Gu Hui and Gu Yuan, belonged to the elite scions of aristocratic families.

Wei Sui was a classic example of a third, fourth, or fifth-generation heir, elegantly robed, with uncertain footsteps, his left cheek screaming "wine, women, wealth, and pride," his right cheek "playboy."

Tang Xiaobai recognized him, but they weren’t close, so she merely nodded in acknowledgment.

As she was about to find a seat, Wei Sui pointed to the spot beside him, grinning: "We saved it for Second Miss. Have a seat!"

A row of three seats, the one Wei Sui indicated was right in the center of the front row, the most conspicuous.

Yet in front was the teacher, surrounded all around, where was the little ancestor to sit?

Tang Xiaobai’s gaze swept the room, then she smiled at Wei Sui and said, "Could you switch spots with me?"

Behind Wei Sui was an empty seat, perfect for her to take Wei Sui’s spot while the little ancestor could sit behind her.

"Hey?" Wei Sui stood up with a flourish, his luxurious robe embroidered with peonies swirling—