After Xiao Deyin entered Mingyi Hall, she began teaching. Jiang Li watched her familiar figure, her thoughts drifting far away.

After Shen Yurong passed the imperial examination as top scholar, Jiang Li had met several times with the various teachers who taught the Six Arts at Mingyi Hall. Apart from Ji Luo who harbored considerable hostility toward her, the other teachers each had their own temperaments. Among them, Xiao Deyin was the most compatible with Jiang Li.

This was because Xiao Deyin had the gentlest disposition. Whenever Ji Luo deliberately targeted Jiang Li, it was always Xiao Deyin who came to smooth things over. Jiang Li also greatly admired Xiao Deyin’s talent. As the capital’s premier female musician, Xiao Deyin played the seven-stringed zither with divine skill. She had once nearly been selected by the Empress Dowager to enter the palace because of this musical talent. Yet Xiao Deyin would rather not become a court musician, preferring to be just a humble female teacher at Mingyi Hall.

Jiang Li’s own zither skills were also extremely high. The two often exchanged techniques, frequently experiencing that feeling of kindred spirits, like mountains and flowing water recognizing each other.

But this very kindred spirit, after the matter of Jiang Li’s alleged affair came to light, never once came to see her. Perhaps this was because Xiao Deyin cherished her reputation and refused to associate with someone as shameless as her. However, Jiang Li happened to remember one thing—on the day of Madam Shen’s birthday banquet, Xiao Deyin was also among the invited guests and had been seated right beside Jiang Li. At that time, Xiao Deyin had repeatedly urged her to drink, and it was Xiao Deyin who had helped her back to rest in her room. Yet when she awoke, everything had fallen apart. Xiao Deyin only said that halfway there, Jiang Li had been taken away by her personal maid.

There was no evidence to prove that Xiao Deyin had also participated in the events at Madam Shen’s birthday banquet, but Jiang Li’s intuition told her that Xiao Deyin might have been involved. She just truly didn’t understand the reason why. If it was said she had been bought off by Princess Yongning, Xiao Deyin had refused even the opportunity to become a court musician, proving she wasn’t greedy for wealth and status. Yet Xiao Deyin also had no grudge or enmity with her, so why would she aid in wrongdoing?

She couldn’t figure it out, but that was fine. In any case, she had now arrived at Mingyi Hall. If Xiao Deyin truly had a problem, she would eventually reveal telltale signs.

Moreover, if Xiao Deyin really had participated in the events at Madam Shen’s birthday banquet, when the truth came to light one day, she would make an excellent witness.

Jiang Li slowly pondered these thoughts.

During class, Jiang Li kept considering other matters. In others’ eyes, they would only think she was lazy and unlearned. Liu Xu did want to remind her to pay attention, but Jiang Li only smiled and continued going her own way, so Liu Xu had no choice but to give up helplessly.

It wasn’t until Xiao Deyin’s class ended that she specifically mentioned the school examination in a few days. Xiao Deyin said, “This year’s top performer in the school examination will receive an imperial audience and gift-giving at the palace banquet. This is an excellent opportunity for all of you. If you receive gifts personally bestowed by His Majesty, it will be extremely beneficial for your future prospects. I hope you will all give it your utmost effort.”

Personally bestowed by His Majesty! The women of Mingyi Hall immediately began excitedly discussing it.

“Similarly, those whose examination results are inadequate will also lose face. I have shared several years of teacher-student bond with you all at Mingyi Hall, so naturally I don’t wish to see any of you expelled from Mingyi Hall.” Xiao Deyin continued, “So with only a few days remaining, everyone should practice diligently. Mingyi Hall will not hold regular classes these next few days, only waiting for examination day to take the test. Before dismissal, the detailed rules for this examination will be posted. Everyone remember to look at them.” After Xiao Deyin finished speaking with a smile, she left holding her zither, but she didn’t glance at Jiang Li even once.

Seeing this, Jiang Li had her own calculations.

After Xiao Deyin left, the lively atmosphere in Mingyi Hall still hadn’t dissipated. After the young servant came to post the examination rules, the women gathered in twos and threes to look at them. Liu Xu tugged at Jiang Li’s sleeve, unable to hide the excitement in her eyes, saying, “Let’s go look too.”

Jiang Li couldn’t refuse her and followed to the front of the hall. Jiang Youyao and Meng Hongjin were also there. Liu Xu carefully examined the rules and sighed, “This year’s top performer at the school examination will truly have tremendous glory. If I could… even in just one category, my father would certainly be overjoyed.”

Seeing Liu Xu speak so enthusiastically, Jiang Li also smiled and said, “Indeed so. To receive gifts personally from His Majesty would be infinite glory.”

“My, my.” An abrupt voice interrupted—it was Meng Hongjin. She glanced at Jiang Li and said, “So Second Miss Jiang is also dreaming of receiving gifts personally from His Majesty? How bold of you to dream such dreams. Looking at you, it seems you want to be that top performer.”

Liu Xu frowned. “Meng Hongjin, your words are too harsh.”

When Meng Hongjin saw it was Liu Xu, her eyebrows immediately shot up. Her father’s official position couldn’t compare to Jiang Yuanbai’s, but it certainly compared to Liu Xu’s father’s. She immediately said, “Who do I see here? Why, it’s Miss Liu. What, are you planning to imitate Second Miss Jiang’s ‘speaking up for justice’ from yesterday on the street? Liu Xu, don’t say I didn’t warn you—you’d better think clearly about who you associate with. Second Miss Jiang has a Chief Minister for a father, but you don’t. I heard that Gentleman of承德 Liu has been having some troubles lately…”

Liu Xu’s expression changed abruptly.

Although Jiang Li didn’t know exactly what had happened to Liu Yuanfeng, she knew that Meng Hongjin’s words were not false, or else Liu Xu wouldn’t have this expression. Liu Xu bit her teeth and said, “Meng Hongjin, don’t speak nonsense…”

“If you say I’m speaking nonsense, then so be it.” Meng Hongjin smiled smugly. “I’m just curious why you would offend your fellow students for someone who’s destined to leave Mingyi Hall.”

“Who says she’s destined to leave Mingyi Hall?” In a moment of heated impulse, Liu Xu blurted out.

“Isn’t she?” Meng Hongjin widened her eyes and looked at the fellow students around her. The girls all laughed mockingly. Jiang Youyao showed a troubled expression, as if she very much wanted to come forward to mediate but was extremely timid. Meng Hongjin laughed coquettishly. “Shall we make a wager? Let’s bet on whether Jiang Li will leave Mingyi Hall after the examination. If you lose, you’ll kneel down in front of everyone at Mingyi Hall and apologize to me!”

Liu Xu was stunned, then her face showed indignation, biting her teeth but saying nothing. If she agreed, Jiang Li had just entered Mingyi Hall and very likely would place at the bottom. But if she didn’t agree, it would publicly embarrass Jiang Li.

Between a rock and a hard place!

Meng Hongjin looked at her confidently, while mocking gazes from those around them all fell on Liu Xu, making it difficult for her to act.

Watching this, Jiang Li sighed inwardly. Liu Xu was ultimately still a young girl. In a moment of impulse, she easily fell into others’ traps.

After struggling internally several times, Liu Xu’s gaze swept toward Jiang Li. Seeing Jiang Li watching her silently, her eyes showing no pleading, she bit her teeth, steeled her heart, and was about to say, “Fine, I’ll bet…”

“Fine, I’ll bet.” Before she could finish, Jiang Li interrupted Liu Xu’s words and took over herself. She said, “Liu Xu doesn’t need to—I’ll make this wager with you. If my examination results come out and I must leave Mingyi Hall, I’ll kneel down and apologize to you. Conversely…”

“Conversely, I’ll apologize to you.” Meng Hongjin was overjoyed and immediately said.

“That’s not all.” Jiang Li smiled faintly. “If I remain at Mingyi Hall, you’ll kneel down and apologize to me. If my examination results are better than yours, you’ll have to add another condition—kneel down and apologize to me at the Imperial Academy gates.”

“You!” Meng Hongjin was furious.

But Jiang Li wasn’t finished. She continued, “If not only are my examination results better than yours, but I also take first place in the examination…”

“Then you’ll have to go to the Imperial Academy gates, remove your outer garments, carry thorny branches on your back, kneel down and apologize to me!”