Zhendian Prefecture, east.
Literary Canal Academy.
Gray bricks and dark tiles, ancient pines shading its soaring eaves—the old academy lay hidden amid emerald cypresses.
On either side of the academy gates was a couplet in bold, powerful calligraphy:
The literary legacy passes through a thousand ages; righteous spirit shines upon a thousand autumns.
It was already near the end of the hour of the Monkey. The students had long since finished class and gone to join the excitement beside the relay station. Thus, when Xiang Yuan followed Xiao Feng into the academy, the grounds were deserted. Not a single student had voluntarily stayed behind to study hard.
Within books lie houses of gold; within books lie beauties fair as jade.
The Northern Qi princess came with both a house of gold and a beauty fair as jade. If she happened to appreciate someone's talent, he could at least be spared thirty-five years of bitter study. The students knew how to do that math.
Who cared if Master Jiang had high standards? What if? What if she went blind? What if it was love at first sight?!
After entering the academy's rear courtyard, Xiang Yuan stepped onto a bluestone path. Hundred-year-old plum trees stood on either side, their twisted branches coiling like dragons. Though the flowering season had passed and no cold, exquisite blossoms adorned their tips, their proud bones remained, their jagged forms carrying a solitary, austere air.
Xiang Yuan had only just arrived in Zhendian Prefecture and knew little about the renowned Literary Canal Academy. He only knew that it was close to King Zhao Residence, and his heart itched to sneak next door and watch Xiao Yan kneel before Cheng Yuling.
He had no other intentions. He absolutely was not looking for entertainment. He was there to learn—to