Big Brother Makes a Move, Telling Her to Leave the Academy

Lu Yao was still comforting her, saying the Crown Prince loved her. Meng Anli pulled away from Lu Yao's embrace and said seriously, "A'Yao, I don't love him anymore."

Lu Yao looked at her earnest eyes. "What has he done this past year?"

"Terrible, terrible things. I was blind before."

Lu Yao felt relieved and started to scold. "Damn that stinking man, I always said he was no good. He looks down on everyone, thinks he's so high and mighty, he's just a rotten persimmon."

Meng Anli felt warmth in her heart but was also confused. "Why a rotten persimmon?"

"At the foot of Niuyang Mountain, there's a persimmon grove. Every year, no one eats them, and they fall to the ground and rot. They stink worse than excrement."

Meng Anli chuckled.

Lu Yao looked at her with concern, and finally, she smiled.

Ever since she saw her yesterday, Meng Anli had been heavy-hearted, her smiles forced. This was the first time she had truly smiled.

Meng Anli also realized Lu Yao was trying to cheer her up.

Touched, she hugged her. "A'Yao, thank you."

"What are you thanking me for? We promised to be best friends forever."

"Mhm."

Meng Xiuchen didn't come looking for her again, and Meng Anli focused on her cultivation.

But she knew Meng Mingde wouldn't let this matter go.

He would still find ways to get Meng Shiwan into Xuantian Academy.

As expected, the day before the academy opened, the supervising teacher contacted Lu Yao and asked her to go to the teacher's study.

In the study were not only the supervising teacher but also her elder brother, Meng Liangmiao, and Meng Shiwan.

Meng Shiwan was wearing a white dress, her expression shy, like a delicate little white flower.

Meng Liangmiao was as gentle as jade, tall and slender, a graceful gentleman, his smile like a spring breeze and timely rain.

But Meng Anli's breath hitched. She subconsciously covered her hand, and her toes curled involuntarily.

In her past life, it was he who, with a smile, had severed her hand and foot tendons.

Deeply fearful, she stood at the doorway, unwilling to enter.

Meng Liangmiao's brows furrowed slightly, and he immediately reprimanded her, "Meng Anli, you've grown bold, not returning home."

Meng Anli bowed to the teacher. "Teacher, during the entrance test that day, Meng Shiwan she..."

"That day was your fault," the teacher interrupted her. "Hearing about your actions, I found them too disrespectful. Now you are being disrespectful to your elder brother as well."

Meng Anli knew that Meng Liangmiao was his favored disciple. And when he still cared for her, he had given the teacher many benefits to ensure the teacher would look after her.

There was no point in saying more.

She straightened her back. "Then, does the teacher mean to force Meng Shiwan into our lecture hall?"

"What do you mean 'force'? She has an inner core, and her level is sufficient," the teacher scrutinized her. "As for you, your inner core is gone. You are no longer suitable for our lecture hall. You should go back with your brother and talk about other things after you cultivate an inner core."

Meng Anli asked, "Is this your decision, or the academy's decision?"

The teacher was taken aback, then used his authority to pressure her. "I am your teacher. Can't I decide whether you stay or go?"

"You can decide whether I stay or go, but you've privately accepted someone who didn't pass the entrance test. How many benefits did Meng Liangmiao give you?"

"Meng Anli!"

Meng Liangmiao and the teacher roared simultaneously.

"No need to shout so loud, I can hear you,"

She advanced on them step by step, her eyes resolute.

"But I won't accept it. I request that my inner core be returned to its rightful owner, and I request to continue at the academy. If the teacher cannot agree, I will ask the Dean. If the Dean cannot agree, I will ask the Crown Prince, and then His Majesty."

These words did indeed startle the teacher.

He suddenly remembered that she was the Crown Princess.

Meng Liangmiao scoffed, "Still using the Crown Princess to intimidate people? Everyone knows the Crown Prince's attitude towards you. If you were more sensible, perhaps the Crown Prince would even favor you with a secondary consort or a concubine."

Meng Anli stood a foot away from him, her gaze provocative. "You are so certain. Is it because the person next to you has already climbed into the Crown Prince's bed?"

"Sister!" Meng Shiwan exclaimed in disbelief, as if she had suffered a grave insult.

"You deserve to die!"

Meng Liangmiao was furious. He struck her chest with a palm. Meng Anli was sent flying backward, crashing heavily against the door, smashing a large hole in it and flying out, spitting a mouthful of blood.

"Anli!"

Disordered and hurried footsteps approached. Meng Anli looked up and saw Lu Yao leading a large group of disciples rushing over.

There were also disciples coming from below.

After all, school started tomorrow, and most disciples had already arrived today.

Lu Yao ran to her and held her in her arms. "Anli, how are you?"

Meng Anli coughed a few times, letting the blood at the corner of her mouth drip down. "The teacher accepted a gift from my elder brother and wants to force Meng Shiwan into our lecture hall."

"What?" Lu Yao exclaimed while feeding her a pill, "How could the teacher accept a gift? And how could he accept Meng Shiwan? She's a thief who stole pills!"

The disciples chimed in, "This isn't according to the rules."

"She was clearly rejected during the entrance exam, how can she get in through the back door now?"

"This is too much! We all got in based on our own merit."

Lu Yao said indignantly, "If this is how it works, then everyone will follow suit. Who will seriously cultivate anymore? They'll just steal others' inner cores. Are those without power or influence supposed to be bullied like this?"

As soon as she said this, the disciples felt a chill run down their spines.

Let alone those without power or influence, even those with some influence found that there were greater powers beyond their own. If such a trend formed, they would only be the ones plundered.

So, a group of disciples rushed into the study hall. Upon seeing Meng Shiwan and Meng Liangmiao, they became even more convinced of Meng Anli's words.

Righteously indignant, they went to argue with the teacher.

Meng Shiwan said anxiously, "Don't call for him, they'll hit people."

The disciples became even more outraged, and a few more rushed in.

Lu Yao comforted her, "Don't worry, I've already sent someone to invite the Dean. He'll be here soon."

As soon as she finished speaking, the Dean appeared around the corner.

The corridor was filled with disciples.

His expression was slightly grim, but his tone remained gentle. "Please let me pass."

"Dean?"

"The Dean is here!"

Two shouts drew everyone's attention.

The disciples spoke to the Dean in a torrent of words, "We implore the Dean to investigate. Someone who was rejected during the entrance exam is being forced upon us again."

"How can someone who steals other people's inner cores be allowed into our academy?"

The Dean calmed them, "Alright, alright, I understand. After I investigate and clarify the situation, I will handle it impartially."

He walked over to Meng Anli and, seeing her weakened state, asked with concern, "Can you still get up?"

Meng Anli clutched her chest. "I apologize, Dean, I need a moment to recover."

"Mm, I've already sent someone to invite the Medicine Immortal," he said as he walked into the study hall. Some disciples had already found the gifts the teacher had received.

They looked at the Dean.

The situation was clear, there was no need to investigate further.

The Dean's face darkened like the bottom of a pot. "Ancient paintings and calligraphy, elixirs and medicinal herbs, gold, silver, and jewels. Young Master Meng, you certainly have a grand gesture."

Meng Liangmiao remained silent, cursing Meng Anli in his mind.

Meng Anli is truly cunning, finding so many disciples. And these disciples are so foolish, being incited by her to stand up for her.

The Dean looked coldly at the teacher. "Duan Mu, do you have any further excuses?"

Duan Mu was overcome with shame. "This..."

"Duan Mu, for accepting bribes and abusing your authority, you are hereby expelled from Xuantian Academy and will never be re-employed."

Duan Mu staggered, unable to bear it, and two lines of sorrowful, old tears fell. "Yes."

The Dean then turned his gaze to Meng Shiwan. "Young lady, you possess considerable strength and a sharp mind. It would be a disservice to your talents to be here at our academy. I suggest you find another institution."

Meng Shiwan was both ashamed and furious, so angry that she fainted.

Meng Liangmiao quickly scooped her up and hurried out the door.

When he saw Meng Anli leaning against the white jade railing, his eyes were filled with disappointment.

"You are so cunning now, it truly pains me. How far do you intend to push Wanwan before you are satisfied?"