The students who had been gossiping and spitting just now hung their heads in shame and felt extremely embarrassed when they saw Han Xi walking over unhurriedly.
Although Han Xi was young, as the study companion of the Third Prince, he had been a Xiucai (a successful candidate in the imperial examinations at the county level) at an early age. He was highly talented, having traveled extensively with his family since childhood and gained profound insights. Usually, he was also half a teacher in the Elegant Hall.
With the wind fluttering his robe, he seemed to be above the mundane world.
He was an exemplary figure among the young generation of aristocratic sons.
"Please calm down, Young Master Han. We won't do it again."
"Go."
Han Xi said in a deep voice.
The students knew their gossiping was inappropriate, so they obediently bowed their heads to admit their mistakes. Finally, under Han Xi's silent but stern gaze, they quickly left the courtyard.
After they left, Xue'er and Li Weixi emerged from behind Han Xi and peeked out. Li Weixi was about the same age as Han Xi. Facing him, she felt a bit shy like a young girl. She lowered her usually proud head slightly and said sheepishly, "We've made you laugh, Young Master Han."
"It doesn't matter. Don't eavesdrop in the future."
Han Xi smiled gently. His formerly stern eyes immediately became warm and clear, and the invisible sense of solemnity on him faded away. He seemed just like an elegant and noble young man.
Li Weixi nodded and immediately beamed with joy.
Xue'er rolled her eyes slightly and also expressed her gratitude.
She didn't want to talk to Han Xi much at first. He had used her to spy on the situation of the Marquis Mansion, but he had also helped Qingzhi deliver a message to the palace and indirectly saved her mother. Xue'er thought this person was very complicated.
Perhaps sensing Xue'er's hesitation, Han Xi cast a gentle look at her and comforted her softly, "Miss Xue'er need not worry. Lady Lan is of noble character. The rumors will only last for a while."
"Yeah, we still have to thank you, Young Master Han, for what happened last time."
Xue'er remembered that her mother had almost been in danger before. In her eyes, her mother's safety was much more important than the situation of the Marquis Mansion. What Han Xi did was equivalent to helping her mother, and that was the most important thing.
She grinned, with a big smile on her face.
Her eyebrows and eyes were curved like a crescent moon, and her pure black pupils were free of any impurities, looking innocent and bright.
Han Xi was momentarily stunned by her.
At this time, Yu Jia and Chen Moning walked over from not far away. She was looking around. When she saw Xue'er, she happily waved and said, "Xue'er, come here."
"Okay..."
The group walked to the center of the courtyard, and surprisingly, Han Xi also followed them.
Yu Jia looked at Han Xi suspiciously. She knew he was the study companion of the Third Prince and had a "past" of getting information from Xue'er. Seeing him at this moment, she didn't know what to feel.
"Young Master Han, why are you here? What... happened to you?"
Facing Yu Jia's question, Xue'er thought for a while and still believed it was better not to tell Yu Jia what they had just heard, for fear that she would get angry again or storm off to teach others a lesson.
Unexpectedly, Li Weixi was a blabbermouth. She spilled all the beans in a few words. As expected, Yu Jia got angry after hearing it.
"I'm going to ask the teacher... no, Father to teach these gossips a good lesson."
Xue'er rubbed her forehead and quickly walked to Yu Jia's side, tugging at her arm. "No need, Yu Jia. Everything will pass. If we make a big deal out of this, it will only attract more rumors."
Yu Jia felt a moment of deflation.
"Besides, we can just secretly report them."
Xue'er winked playfully.
A fleeting hint of cunning flashed in her eyes, making her look as cute and lively as a little fox.
Yu Jia stared at Xue'er, startled for a moment.
"Report what? Didn't you say we can't let the teacher teach them a lesson?"
"We can start from other aspects. I've noticed these days that sometimes they sneak away from school early when the teacher is not around. We can just secretly tell the teacher about this, and the teacher will surely deal with them."
There was a hint of a smile on Xue'er's lips, looking a bit smug.
Seeing everyone gaping in surprise, she then turned to look at Han Xi with a beaming smile. "Young Master Han is usually the closest to the teacher. Can you talk to him about it?"
Before Han Xi could react, Yu Jia spoke up first.
"Hey, this is a good idea."
Yu Jia was very excited. She gently pinched Xue'er's cheek and praised, "Xue'er, you're so smart."
The others also thought it was a good idea after hearing it.
Looking at these little kids looking at him eagerly, Han Xi didn't know whether to laugh or cry. He had used Xue'er to spy on information before, and now she was using him in return. She was really... full of tricks.
A little girl of just over four years old could come up with such a way to get revenge. He sighed softly, not knowing if it was a blessing or a misfortune.
"Okay, but you have to keep your mouths shut."
Han Xi smiled amiably, his eyes calm, and agreed to do it.
Everyone laughed happily.
It seemed as if all the previous unpleasantness had been washed away.
Among Yu Jia's study companions, Chen Moning was the oldest. At this moment, she cast a sympathetic look at Xue'er. She had also heard her mother talk about Xue'er's mother. She felt both admiration and pity.
Such a beautiful and kind woman, yet so unfortunate.
She hoped that this little girl, Xue'er, would have a smooth life in the future.
Chen Moning took a small step forward and walked up to Yu Jia, with a hint of respect in her attitude. "Princess, it's better to go back to the classroom earlier, lest the palace servants come out to look for us."
"Okay, let's go back."
Yu Jia readily agreed and quickly realized the time.
She faced Han Xi and said calmly, "Young Master Han, I'll trouble you with the 'reporting' matter."
Han Xi forced a smile and bowed.
Then, the group returned to the upcoming zither class. Time passed quickly during the class. In the blink of an eye, the sun was slanting in the west, and it was time to leave school.
The setting sun shone down, and a row of students of varying qualities were standing in detention at the door.
Xue'er walked past them, her laughter as clear as a bell.
Not far away, Lan Miao was waiting for Xue'er to finish school.
She was full of anticipation. Although the Emperor had insisted on bringing her into the palace, she was still very happy to be able to watch Xue'er go to and from school occasionally.
Just as she saw Xue'er coming out, a tall and straight figure suddenly appeared beside Xue'er. It was the familiar sky-blue long gown, with a calm smile on his face.
He was talking to Xue'er.
Lan Miao then remembered that Wen Yuanning sometimes came to teach in the Elegant Hall.
She immediately felt nervous.
Wen Yuanning... wouldn't he try to do something again?
All the previous events had been caused by him.
He should know by now that she was going to leave the Marquis Mansion. If he still didn't give up, it would only harm both him and others.
This was the palace, and there were surely more of the Emperor's spies. The Emperor didn't take his anger out on Wen Yuanning last time because Lan Miao had pleaded for him.
Lan Miao looked calm and forced a smile.
She didn't know what Wen Yuanning had said to Xue'er, but Xue'er was laughing happily. After they finished talking, she skipped towards Lan Miao.
Wen Yuanning stopped in place and didn't come over.
From a distance, he bowed to her solemnly. His silent gaze seemed like a belated farewell, and then he turned around.
Lan Miao understood and led Xue'er away.
They walked in opposite directions and gradually drifted apart.
Just as Lan Miao's figure was about to disappear around the corner, Wen Yuanning turned his head slightly and finally couldn't help but cast a look at her.
He stood there for a long time but never chased after her.