White silk robes, white jade crown, yet her skin was whiter and smoother than silk or jade. Under sunlight it had an almost transparent quality, yet reminded one of white marble in great halls—pure, firm, with noble texture.

When her smiling eyes lightly swept over, heaven and earth seemed to float and sink in that dark gaze.

From a man’s perspective, she wasn’t particularly tall, but her form was perfect—slender neck, level shoulders, flowing and exquisite jawline. Following that smooth form downward with one’s gaze, a black rhinoceros leather belt inlaid with purple gold and red agate gem buckles cinched her slender yet supple waist, with a three-inch trailing sash embroidered with lotus patterns. The belt bore no other ornaments except for a single green jade brush with a tip free of ink, glinting faintly with gold.

The light robe hem was pressed down by that brush, fluttering slightly.

She was naturally beautiful, but more beautiful still was the bearing and grace emanating from her entire being—neither crude nor feminine, elegant and dignified. Her gait, posture, the curve of her smile, every gesture… made people unable to look away, unconsciously turning their necks three hundred sixty degrees as they watched.

Even when she walked close, everyone still hadn’t reacted, still wondering where this beauty transcending gender had suddenly appeared from. Only those truly familiar with Ye Shiba felt something amiss. Li Zhi suddenly stretched out his arm, stammering: “Ye… Ye…”

After “Ye-ing” for a long time, he suddenly realized his behavior was improper and hurriedly lowered his hand, falling silent.

The youth was walking right in front of him. Hearing this, she turned with a smile: “Let’s all go inside—the sun is harsh out here.”

Everyone was wondering who this person was with such grand entourage yet such intimate tone. Their minds hadn’t turned the corner when suddenly someone burst from the crowd and hugged the youth’s waist, shouting loudly: “Shiba!”

Tie Ci smiled, patted Wei Xing’s head, and very skillfully produced a piece of candied fruit from her sleeve. Wei Xing even more skillfully opened his mouth to catch it.

Wei Xuan stood behind Wei Xing. Having failed to hold him back, she looked at Tie Ci with complex emotions and bowed her head in greeting.

Tie Ci raised her hand slightly.

Only then did everyone react with a thunderous roar.

This was actually Ye Shiba!

The Crown Princess!

They had always thought Ye Shiba was good-looking enough, never imagining that was the effect after disguising herself to look worse. The real Crown Princess truly lived up to her beauty renowned for years.

Setting aside everything else, they had never seen such grace in their lives.

Tie Ci rubbed Wei Xing’s head like a dog’s, then took his hand to go inside together. Wei Xing didn’t care about the crowd and happily followed along. Wei Xuan followed behind, quietly taking Wei Xing’s other hand.

Wei Xing hadn’t noticed yet, but Tie Ci’s gaze had already swept down. Wei Xuan’s face heated up. Before she could think what to say, Tie Ci had already released Wei Xing, patted his head, and signaled Chi Xue to take him aside to eat pastries brought from the capital.

Wei Xuan opened her mouth wanting to say something, but Tie Ci looked up and smiled at her: “It’s better if you still think of me as Ye Shiba. The Crown Princess identity is just for the world to see.”

Meeting her gaze, Wei Xuan felt as if all her thoughts were instantly seen through. Breaking into a slight sweat, she could say nothing, lowered her eyes in salute, and retreated behind others.

Xia Houchun waddled in like a fat cat, stopping in an inconspicuous corner where he leaned against a pillar, arms folded, standing as if listening but not listening, watching but not watching.

Tie Ci sat in the grand chair at the far end of the lecture hall’s central chamber, beneath a plaque bestowed by the late Emperor: “Learning Reaches Nature’s Heaven.”

Before her were officials, teachers, and students bowing like a tide.

People looked at her with burning gazes containing smiles, slight worship, some even with gratitude.

She was slightly lost in thought, remembering when she first entered this lecture hall months ago—students segregated by rank, stewards bullying people, cliques formed, wealth and poverty clearly divided.

Now the two major factions of Haiyou and the capital no longer existed.

Various absurd rules had disappeared without notice.

Many students had chosen external training.

That group of mid-level stewards controlling the academy’s real power would soon be uprooted entirely.

The Xiao family’s reaching hands had been severed.

Poor students grabbing meals in the dining hall had solved their food and clothing through delivery work and accumulated small savings, planning to expand further.

After she left, there would be more changes. For instance, her making everyone see the Wu dormitory today would inevitably spark motions to abolish dormitory rankings. Afterward, various visible and invisible rules about rank distinctions would gradually disappear. Like something she had always wanted to do but hadn’t had time for—having students from First, Second, Third, and Fourth dormitories unite against something together, truly crossing class lines to achieve integration. Then an academic atmosphere of equality, friendship, and freedom would quietly replace the hazy clouds that had once obscured the academy’s clarity, restoring the clear wind and bright moon of former days.

Whether the academy could belong to the Tie family in the future wasn’t something she obsessed over.

What she obsessed over was always the entire realm—that the elderly would have support, the young would have care, youth would have learning, and the middle-aged wouldn’t worry anxiously about achieving nothing.

Just like this academy—it was originally students’ ivory tower and shouldn’t be contaminated by court power struggles.

This was enough.

So she sat high above with gentle eyes, calling everyone to rise. She didn’t, as Xiao Chang and some teachers and students expected, take the opportunity to claim credit, curry favor, or play for sympathy to win hearts. She simply looked at the setting sun outside and smiled: “Time’s getting late. Shall we go through the formalities? What about the promised display of literary talent? Hey you there, Brother Rong.”

Everyone blushed and wanted to laugh. Originally trembling with anxiety, they hadn’t expected the Crown Princess to be so approachable—even more amiable than during the Ye Shiba period. The atmosphere instantly relaxed considerably.

Rong Pu stood in the crowd, smiling: “Your Highness, why must you slap faces when hitting people?”

Tie Ci said in surprise: “Eh? If you don’t hit the face when hitting people, where do you hit?”

Everyone burst into laughter.

Rong Pu coughed once: “Since Your Highness commands it, Pu naturally dare not disobey. I’ll make a fool of myself then.”

Tie Ci perked up, sitting straighter. Everyone looked at Rong Pu in shock.

No way—everyone’s faces were already swollen today, teeth and eyeballs scattered on the ground, and you’re still coming?

Rong Pu gazed at Tie Ci, reciting softly: “Don’t listen to the sound of beating leaves through the forest—why not whistle and walk leisurely? Bamboo staff and straw sandals lighter than horses—who’s afraid? A raincoat through mist and rain for life.”

Tie Ci was stunned.

It was actually the famous Su Shi piece she had recited when encountering Rong Pu in the palace before.

The laughter in the lecture hall suddenly stopped. In the quiet, the gentle Teacher Ying suddenly called out loudly: “Excellent verse!”

As if a switch had been pressed, the lecture hall immediately came alive with people praising in succession. Some impatiently asked: “What about the second half? The second half?”

“For the second half, you must ask Your Highness.” Rong Pu smiled faintly, bowing to Tie Ci. “This poem—Pu encountered Your Highness by chance in the palace and heard Your Highness recite it. Since hearing this verse, Pu has treasured it constantly, unable to forget. Please understand, Your Highness—today please bestow the second half.”

Tie Ci met his gaze, vaguely feeling his words had deeper meaning—he wasn’t just talking about poetry.

Rong Pu was helping elevate her.

But Tie Ci didn’t want to get on that sedan chair.

After all, openly plagiarizing was something she couldn’t morally accept.

She just smiled: “This verse isn’t mine. This place is full of great talents—if you all think it’s good, why not try continuing the second half?”

She spoke the truth, but everyone thought she was being modest, increasing their favorable impression. Immediately some sought paper and brush to ponder, others expressed that the verse was so pure and lofty they dared not add a dog’s tail to a sable. But regardless of what they expressed, scholars valued good verses and lines most—for a moment everyone’s gazes toward her deepened another layer.

Tie Ci smiled as she received those loving gazes.

Someone called out loudly: “The Crown Princess is truly learned in all fields, versed in ancient and modern works!”

Xiao Chang sat to one side, ignored by all, his expression ugly. He wanted to say the Crown Princess really couldn’t compose such verse, but since she hadn’t claimed it, he couldn’t expose anything.

Seeing his bad expression improved Tie Ci’s mood. She smiled and changed the topic again: “What about the promised archery demonstration?”

Dan Ye called out loudly from outside the crowd: “Ye Shiba, have you no shame? Winning money from the whole academy in the last mounted archery exam wasn’t enough? This is called rulers seizing subjects’ wealth—I’ll find censors to impeach you later!”

Everyone laughed again.

Teacher Ying, in a good mood from the excellent verse, joined the fun: “What about the practical policy discussions you mentioned for showing off?”

Little Round Face shouted: “Challenge Your Highness!”

Assistant Teacher Xia rolled his eyes: “What about the mathematics specialty?”

Everyone answered in unison: “Still challenge Your Highness!”

In the roar of laughter, Xiao Chang coldly and silently withdrew. He heard the Crown Princess’s clear voice inside: “Fine, fine, fine—if it’s me then it’s me. Hey, Crown Princess, here’s a practical plus mathematics question for you: Yueli Academy has eight hundred thirty-two teachers and students total. For an evening banquet with four people per table, each table gets one pig, half a sheep, various fruits and vegetables, and three jars of vegetarian wine. How many pigs are needed, how many sheep, how much wine, how many servants and assistants…”

In the laughter and cheers inside, Xiao Chang irritably kicked away a stone.

He had long known Tie Ci was extraordinary. In the rear palace controlled by his great-aunt, for a little girl to become Crown Princess at six and live peacefully until now while secretly learning such skills—how could she be ordinary?

Unfortunately, his great-aunt was too fond of maintaining dignity, always thinking about preserving her posthumous virtuous reputation, acting with seven parts restraint and three parts reserve, never willing to go to extremes. She never thought about what she had already done, never thought about what she’d have to do when things reached the breaking point, never thought that with what had already been done, who could have a gentle ending with whom?

When you’re dead, who cares about virtuous or evil reputation!

In his opinion, Tie Ci should never have been allowed to leave the capital. This leaving the capital might well have been her own idea.

Great-aunt’s thoughts had all been entangled by that strange person…

He looked up at the distance beyond the memorial arch, where banners flew and dark masses of heads remained, surrounding most of the academy.

Few knew that in the mountain forests behind the academy, his Central Military Guard of three thousand was also present.

Moreover, there was also…

Since Tie Ci didn’t know how to appreciate kindness, she couldn’t blame him for being impolite.

He wasn’t like great-aunt, needing to consider the world’s reputation and court criticism.

Since she couldn’t contain herself and revealed her whereabouts, that was a gift to him.

If the Crown Princess didn’t properly train in the capital suburbs but ran to these deep Haiyou mountains and something happened to her, who could be blamed?

Thinking of following behind the Crown Princess earlier, watching that slender waist and long legs, flowing robes, Xiao Chang felt fire arch through his heart, making his lips dry and tongue parched.

Footsteps came from behind as students poured out cheerfully, carrying tables, chairs, and other items. Many servants ran back and forth. When Xiao Chang inquired, he learned the Crown Princess was hosting an evening banquet to celebrate with everyone.

The Xiao family stewards had originally prepared a banquet too, but that was to entertain Xiao Chang and local officials—they hadn’t prepared enough food and drink for all teachers and students. Tie Ci looked at Chi Xue, who said softly: “Commander Xia Hou has already sent people to purchase supplies, and Shen Mi has arranged for people to notify nearby villages to deliver ingredients.”

Tie Ci nodded: “Purchase at market prices.”

“Understood.”

All the dining hall ingredients were brought out, along with large pots. Nearby teachers also lent their stoves. The square in front of the lecture hall, usually used for ceremonies, was filled with cooking smoke as people busied themselves enthusiastically. Students were originally waiting on the side to eat, but seeing Tie Ci standing before a large pot directing something, they moved closer to listen and learned she was teaching the cook “Iron Pot Braised Goose.”

Students gathered around, hearing her speak knowledgeably as she personally sealed the pot lid with wet paper and told the cook: “…braising this way produces goose that’s fragrant, tender, and bursts with juice when bitten… Later I’ll teach you a grilled fish recipe…”

Little Round Face stood in the crowd, looking at the animated Crown Princess then at distant Liuxiang Lake, suddenly saying: “I have a rather bad thought… I suddenly remember the missing Flowing Ink from Liuxiang Lake and Floating Yellow from Wuyu Pool…”

Everyone: “…”

Crown Princess, you’re this greedy—does the dean know?

…

When night fell, lamp posts were lit on the square, illuminating all four sides brightly. Students no longer sat segregated by First, Second, Third, and Fourth dormitories as before, but gathered in small groups of three to five, drinking wine, eating meat, and discussing current affairs freely.

Tie Ci walked through the crowd carrying a cup, with Chi Xue and Dan Shuang following behind carrying wine pots, toasting in turn.

The Crown Princess once again let Yueli Academy’s teachers and students witness her alcohol tolerance—a thousand cups without intoxication. After a full circuit, aside from brighter eyes, she didn’t even have a flush.

After all, her alcohol tolerance had been forged by her master.

After all, this wine was half water.

Xia Houchun sat high on a rooftop with a plate of fennel beans before him. Watching the noisy people below, he lifted his water-filled wine pot and took a gulp himself, squinting with a smile.

He had somehow brought up the cat from that wooden box—drinking water, petting cat, eating beans.

Very leisurely and content.

Only occasionally looking up at the dark mountain forests ahead.

Suddenly a commotion arose. He looked down to see the Crown Princess had walked into the largest crowd.

Little Round Face was among them—wherever it was lively, there he was. Already drunk, he dared question the Crown Princess’s alcohol tolerance, leaning forward to smell Tie Ci’s wine cup. Tie Ci stepped aside, so he went looking for cups everywhere. Dan Ye, who loved watching excitement, immediately found him an enormous cup to toast Tie Ci—three consecutive toasts.

Tie Ci looked at that head-sized cup. Though her wine was diluted with water, after this circuit she was already slightly tipsy. Three more cups would be about her limit. But tonight she couldn’t get drunk.

Just as she wondered how to escape, a hand suddenly took the cup, swayed it toward the crowd for inspection, then drained it in one gulp.

Tie Ci looked up to see Rong Pu standing unsteadily before her. He seemed to have been drinking too—his usually pale face was slightly flushed, reminding her of lotus blossoms drooping to glimpse their reflection in clear pools.

This lotus flower weakly voiced bold words: “Your Highness cannot handle strong drink. I’ll take all her subsequent drinks.”

Tie Ci thought: Completely unnecessary.

No telling who would collapse first.

Rong Pu had always commanded great respect among students. With his intervention, even Little Round Face fell silent and dispersed the crowd without interest. After all, everyone knew Rong Pu had health issues—who could bear responsibility if something happened from forcing drinks?

Tie Ci ordered wine poured and toasted Rong Pu: “Thank you, Academician, for blocking drinks.”

Rong Pu gazed at her, saying slowly: “This subject is willing to block drinks for Your Highness for life.”

With a light clink, their cups touched. She leaned closer, whispering: “Don’t get drunk. Watch for opportunities to act later.”

Then she smiled, withdrew her cup, drained it in one gulp, and walked away with a smile.

As if she hadn’t heard those words.

Rong Pu’s gaze had been on her face. After a moment’s delay he reacted and looked up at her.

He watched her calmly move through the crowd, successively clinking cups with Dan Ye, Huyin, the Wei siblings, Tian Wu, and others.

He looked up at the sky.

Bright moon, sparse stars—no rain tonight.