Hearing Lu Yao still comforting her by saying the Crown Prince loved her, she pulled herself from Lu Yao's embrace and said seriously, "A Yao, I don't love him anymore."
Lu Yao saw the seriousness in her eyes. "What did he do this past year?"
"Something very, very bad. I was blind before."
Lu Yao finally let loose with a curse. "That damned stinking man! I told you long ago he was no good. He looks down on people every day, acts so arrogant he doesn't know the height of the heavens or the depth of the earth. He's practically a rotten persimmon."
Meng Anli's heart warmed, though she was puzzled. "Why a rotten persimmon?"
"At the foot of Niuyang Mountain, there's a persimmon grove. No one eats them every year, so they fall to the ground and rot. They stink worse than taking a shit."
Meng Anli could not help laughing.
Lu Yao looked at her with heartache. At last, she smiled.
Ever since Lu Yao had seen her yesterday, she had seemed weighed down, and even her smiles had been forced. Only now was she truly smiling.
Meng Anli also realized that Lu Yao had been trying to cheer her up.
Moved, she hugged her. "A Yao, thank you."
"What are you being polite for? We promised to be best friends for life."
"Mm."
Meng Xiuchen did not come looking for her again, and Meng Anli focused on cultivation.
But she knew Meng Mingde would not swallow this loss.
He would still rack his brains to get Meng Shiwan into Xuantian Academy.
Sure enough, the day before the academy opened, the supervising instructor contacted Lu Yao and told her to go to the instructors' study.
Not only was the supervising instructor in the study, but so were her eldest brother, Meng Liangmiao, and Meng Shiwan.
Meng Shiwan wore a flowing white dress, her face shy, like a delicate little white flower that stirred pity.
Meng Liangmiao was as gentle as jade, tall and slender, a graceful gentleman. When he smiled, it was like spring rain softening the earth.
Yet Meng Anli's breath caught. She subconsciously covered her hands, and even her toes curled involuntarily.
In her previous life, it was he who had smiled as he severed the tendons in her hands and feet.
Terror rose from the depths of her heart, and she stood at the doorway, unwilling to enter.
Meng Liangmiao's brows lowered slightly. The moment he spoke, it was a rebuke. "Meng Anli, you've grown capable, haven't you? You actually refused to return home."
Meng Anli bowed to the instructor. "Instructor, during the entrance examination that day, Meng Shiwan, she—"
"That day was your fault," the instructor interrupted. "After hearing about what you did, I already thought you were far too rude. And now you are just as rude to your elder brother."
Meng Anli knew that Meng Liangmiao was his prized disciple. And back when Meng Liangmiao had still doted on her, he had given the instructor no small amount of benefits so that he would look after her.
There was no point in saying more.
She straightened her back. "Then what you mean is that you want to force Meng Shiwan into our lecture hall?"
"What do you mean, force her in? She has an inner core, and her rank is sufficient." The instructor looked her up and down. "It is you whose inner core is gone. You are no longer suited to remain in our lecture hall. Go back with your brother. We can discuss the rest after you cultivate an inner core."
Meng Anli asked, "Is this your decision, or the academy's decision?"
The instructor was stumped by the question, then immediately used his status to pressure her. "I am your instructor. Can I not decide whether you stay or leave?"
"You can decide whether I stay or leave, but you privately admitted someone who did not even pass the entrance examination. How many benefits did Meng Liangmiao give you?"
"Meng Anli!"
Meng Liangmiao and the instructor roared at the same time.
"There's no need to shout so loudly. I can hear you."
She stepped toward them one step at a time, her gaze resolute.
"But I will not accept this. I request that the inner core be returned to its rightful owner, and I request to remain at the academy. If you cannot agree, Instructor, then I will ask the Headmaster. If the Headmaster cannot agree, then I will ask the Crown Prince—ask Your Majesty."
Those words truly intimidated the instructor.
Only then did he recall that she was still the Crown Prince's consort.
Meng Liangmiao scoffed. "You are still using the title of Crown Prince's consort to scare people? Everyone knows how the Crown Prince treats you. If you could behave yourself, perhaps the Crown Prince might still take pity on you and grant you the place of a secondary consort or a bedchamber maid."
Meng Anli stopped a foot in front of him, her gaze provocative. "You are so certain. Has the one beside you already climbed into the Crown Prince's bed?"
"Elder Sister!" Meng Shiwan stared in disbelief, as though she had suffered the greatest humiliation.
"You deserve to die!"
Meng Liangmiao was enraged. His palm struck Meng Anli in the chest. She flew backward and smashed heavily into the door, blasting a large hole through it before being thrown outside. She spat out a mouthful of blood.
"Anli!"
Chaotic, hurried footsteps sounded. Meng Anli raised her head and saw Lu Yao rushing over with a large group of disciples.
More disciples were coming from below as well.
After all, classes began tomorrow, and most of the disciples had already arrived today.
Lu Yao ran to her and gathered her into her arms. "Anli, how are you?"
Meng Anli coughed lightly several times, allowing the blood at the corner of her lips to trickle down. "The instructor accepted gifts from my eldest brother and wants to force Meng Shiwan into our lecture hall."
"What?" As Lu Yao fed her pills, she shouted, "How can an instructor accept gifts? How can he admit Meng Shiwan? She's a thief who stole an inner core!"
The disciples immediately echoed her.
"This breaks the rules!"
"She was clearly eliminated in the entrance examination. How can she still enter through the back door?"
"This is too much, isn't it? We all got in through our own abilities."
Lu Yao said angrily, "If this can succeed, then everyone will follow suit in the future. Who will cultivate seriously anymore? They can just snatch other people's inner cores. Are those without power or influence meant to be bullied like this?"
The moment those words came out, the disciples' scalps went numb.
Not to mention that they lacked power and influence—even if they had some backing, there were still greater powers beyond it. Once such a practice took root, they could only become those being plundered.
Thus, a group of disciples charged into the study. After seeing Meng Shiwan and Meng Liangmiao, they believed Meng Anli's words even more.
Filled with righteous indignation, they argued with the instructor.
Meng Shiwan said anxiously, "Don't call anyone. They'll hit people."
The disciples grew even more furious, and several more rushed inside.
Lu Yao comforted her. "Don't worry. I already had someone go invite the Headmaster. He'll be here any moment."
As soon as she finished speaking, the Headmaster appeared around the corner.
The corridor was packed with disciples.
His expression darkened slightly, though his tone remained gentle. "Let me pass, will you?"
"Headmaster?"
"The Headmaster is here!"
Those two shouts drew everyone's attention.
The disciples all spoke over one another to the Headmaster. "We ask the Headmaster to investigate clearly. Someone who was already eliminated in the entrance examination is about to be forced in again."
"How can someone who stole another person's inner core enter our academy?"
The Headmaster soothed them. "All right, all right, I understand. Once I have investigated clearly, I will certainly handle this impartially."
He walked to Meng Anli's side. Seeing how weak she looked, he asked with concern, "Can you still stand?"
Meng Anli held her chest. "Forgive me, Headmaster. I need a moment."
"Mm. I have ordered someone to invite the Medicine Immortal." He entered the study, where some disciples had already found the gifts the instructor had accepted.
They looked toward the Headmaster.
The matter was utterly clear. There was no need to investigate.
The Headmaster's face was as black as the bottom of a pot. "Ancient books on alchemy and painting, spiritual pills and wondrous medicines, gold, silver, and jewels. Young Master Meng has truly been lavish."
Meng Liangmiao remained silent, cursing Meng Anli countless times in his heart.
Meng Anli truly was full of schemes. She had actually brought so many disciples here. These disciples were idiots too, bewitched by her and standing up for her.
The Headmaster looked coldly at the instructor. "Duan Mu, what else do you have to say in your defense?"
Duan Mu was overcome with shame. "This..."
"Duan Mu, for accepting bribes and abusing your authority, you are expelled from Xuantian Academy and will never be hired again."
Duan Mu could no longer remain steady and staggered. Two lines of grief-stricken old tears flowed down his face. "Yes."
The Headmaster then turned his gaze toward Meng Shiwan. "Miss, your strength is formidable and your mind is quick. Our academy would only stifle your talents. You should choose another academy."
Meng Shiwan was both ashamed and furious. She was so enraged that she truly fainted.
Meng Liangmiao hurriedly scooped her up in his arms and rushed toward the door.
When he saw Meng Anli half leaning against the white jade railing, his eyes were full of disappointment.
"You have become so scheming now. It truly pains my heart. Just how far must you drive Wanwan before you are willing to stop?"
Before you continue