Even though there’s a chance of being punished by the teacher, she wasn’t afraid.
If she got hit, so be it; after all, it wouldn’t be the first or second time.
Don’t think that just because the Imperial Academy is full of princes and princesses, the teacher would not dare to hit anyone’s palm.
That’s simply impossible; not only do they hit palms here, but there are also all sorts of strict punishments.
In summary, this is definitely the most stringent academy in the Great Chu Dynasty.
The next day, Yue Er woke up very early.
She absentmindedly had her breakfast, then dazedly held a snuff bottle for a while before heading to the academy.
Her three older brothers and other brothers and sisters from the clan had already arrived, and the teacher was already seated.
The academy was about to start class.
The teacher was a bit displeased with her tardiness, but it was clear he didn’t want to pursue it further.
Classes proceeded smoothly.
The lessons were still filled with those monotonous contents, and Yue Er was somewhat distracted.
She glanced at Shih Shaoling, who was sitting in the right front; he was lazily looking at his book, still with that nonchalant demeanor.
Despite being from a martial family, Shih Shaoling didn’t really enjoy studying, but he truly had talent.
He could always understand difficult essays and even write current affair commentaries that earn the teacher’s applause.
However...
It wasn’t often the case; he was only interested in things he liked.
The teacher called him a ’genius,’ but he didn’t see himself that way.
And she didn’t either.
’How could that lunatic be a talent? He doesn’t even qualify as a genius!’
She glared at the back of his head, wishing she could yank his hair and give him a good beating.
If only it were that easy, she wouldn’t have to endure so much.
Yue Er gritted her teeth.
She couldn’t understand why she despised someone so much.
So much that she wanted to fight him immediately, even tear him to pieces.
...
Noticing Yue Er’s distraction, the teacher was somewhat unsatisfied.
He raised a question and then asked Yue Er to answer it.
"Fourth Princess!"
"Fourth Princess, please answer..."
After being called two or three times, she finally reacted.
She stood up nervously, under the gaze of all.
The teacher gave her a glare and repeated the question.
But...
Without having reviewed her lessons the previous night, and neither reading nor listening to the teacher today, how could Yue Er possibly know the answer?
After pondering for a moment to no avail, Yue Er simply replied.
"I don’t know!"
Then she sat back down in a dignified manner.
The teacher was furious and made her stand as punishment.
Standing at her seat wasn’t enough; she had to stand beside the red lacquer pillar at the very back of the academy.
That place was the farthest from the teacher; it was impossible to hear or see what the teacher was saying.
Yue Er felt humiliated and unwilling to stand as punishment.
She was also furious.
"I just don’t know!"
Then she threw her books aside, turned around, and marched out.
Everyone was stunned.
They couldn’t understand how the once brilliant, well-mannered, and considerate Yue Er could suddenly change so drastically.
They also couldn’t understand how the Fourth Princess, who never flaunted her status in the classroom, suddenly lost her temper.
Although Yue Er was not one to dwell on trivialities, she wasn’t disrespectful either.
There must be a reason.
But... what had happened?
...
The teacher’s face turned somewhat awkward.
But he knew he had overdone it a bit, so he didn’t want to make a big deal out of it.
He just reassured the students.
"The Fourth Princess is unwell and has left to rest; you should continue!"
The well-mannered students couldn’t laugh at the teacher and had no choice but to keep their heads down and study hard.
No one noticed Shih Shaoling’s clenched fist suddenly relaxing, nor saw the determined gleam in his eyes.
He looked up at the knowledgeable and strict old teacher who kept demanding excellence.
His eyes continuously flickered with unreadable sparks.
...
Leaving the academy, Yue Er didn’t return to Fengyu Pavilion.
Nor could she appropriately go to Duanning Palace, and leaving the palace was even more difficult, so she could only wander around Taiye Pool to calm her mind.
In early September, the weather wasn’t too hot or cold, and the scenery by Taiye Pool was beautiful, with a fragrant breeze.
The weather was clear, and the golden sunlight on the sparkling lake surface made the water exceptionally splendid.
The rock formations, and the pavilions by the lakeside, all seemed so picturesque.
A gentle breeze blew past, lifting her long hair lightly. Dressed in red, she looked just like the morning glow at the horizon, incredibly captivating.
Sitting on the bench by Taiye Pool, looking at the breathtaking scenery before her, her mood improved a bit, though she still felt a bit melancholy.
"Princess, what’s the matter with you?"
Ying Luo tried to comfort her.
Yue Er shook her head.
"I don’t know either!"
Perhaps it’s just too lonely!