Seeing the contemplative look on Meng Ruyi's face, Cheng Lang's eyes darkened slightly. "It's okay. This matter is inherently difficult. Miss Meng need not worry too much," he said. Meng Ruyi nodded.
...
The next day was the official day to start classes. Meng Ruyi put on the blue gown of the academy and fastened her hair with a wooden hairpin. Then she set off with Chuixue towards the classroom. On the way, whether it was a coincidence or pre - arranged, when Meng Ruyi turned a corner, she saw Shangguan Xue standing there with a smiling face, as if waiting for someone.
"Miss Meng," Shangguan Xue showed a gentle and polite smile. "What a coincidence."
"Miss Shangguan," Meng Ruyi greeted. She was about to turn around and leave when Shangguan Xue spoke again. "The person I'm waiting for has arrived. How about we go together?"
As she spoke, a delicate - looking girl walked up to them. She looked rather proud. After greeting Shangguan Xue, she looked at Meng Ruyi.
"This is the Fifth Princess," Shangguan Xue introduced. Then she turned to the Fifth Princess. "This is Miss Meng, the disciple of Mr. Lin."
After hearing this, the smile on the Fifth Princess's face faded a bit, and the haughty look in her eyes when looking at Meng Ruyi also disappeared.
The Fifth Princess?
Meng Ruyi searched in her mind for information about her and was shocked to find that this girl was actually Zheng Yuanqing's younger sister!
Hiss!
However, Zheng Yuanqing had never mentioned this girl before they came to the capital, which meant that the relationship between the siblings was not very close.
It indicated that the Fifth Princess might be like the other relatives from Zheng Yuanqing's mother's side.
While deep in thought, Meng Ruyi had already arrived at the classroom. Chuixue led her forward, whispered a few words to the teacher on the podium, and then winked at Meng Ruyi.
[Ancient romance turns into a campus story. LOL. As a new transfer student, isn't it a must - have plot for Yu Yu to meet a domineering school scoundrel?]
[Hahaha, sister above has a really rich imagination. If the domineering school scoundrel falls in love with Yu Yu at first sight, what about Xiao Song!]
[Hehe, kids make choices. As an adult, I want them all. Can't Yu Yu enjoy the blessings of all the handsome men?]
Meng Ruyi: "······?!"
What blessings of all the handsome men! What on earth were these bullet comments talking about!
When Meng Ruyi saw these four words, she remembered the title of the original book - "All the Handsome Men in the World in My Arms". A shiver ran down her spine, and she subconsciously glanced at Shangguan Xue beside her.
These bullet comments were really...
Seeing the bullet comments suddenly become active, Meng Ruyi didn't know whether to laugh or cry. She withdrew her gaze and refocused on what was in front of her.
"Miss Meng," the teacher on the podium smiled gently. "Please sit there first."
As he spoke, he pointed to the seat in the front row.
Meng Ruyi walked over slowly and sat down. Whispers from others reached her ears.
"Is this the disciple of Mr. Lin?"
"She looks good, but I wonder how knowledgeable she is?"
"Mr. Lin... A man like Mr. Lin wouldn't take in a good - for - nothing, would he?"
"That's true."
Meng Ruyi lowered her eyes slightly to hide the emotions in them.
It seemed that these people were well - informed and already knew her identity. So far, most of them were more curious than malicious towards her, which meant that Mr. Lin's control over the academy exceeded her expectations.
This was a good thing. At least she would have fewer troubles and wouldn't have to worry about those trivial matters.
After a day of classes, Meng Ruyi let out a sigh of relief.
These things weren't difficult, but because of the special attention from the teachers, she was always being asked questions.
When they saw her answer correctly, the teachers showed expressions of "as expected", and the others also looked at each other with a bit of admiration.
Just as she picked up her books, the girls beside her were eager to approach, but Shangguan Xue got ahead of them. She stepped forward and said to Meng Ruyi, "I wonder if Miss Meng would like to come to my courtyard for a chat. Since it's your first time at the academy, I can also answer your questions."
As she spoke, she winked playfully at Meng Ruyi. "Miss Meng, give me some face, okay?"
Her tone was coquettish. Shangguan Xue was good - looking with a nice name. She was as pure as snow. When she looked at people with a smiling face, there was a touch of innocence.
Coupled with her good family background and natural intelligence, it was reasonable for her to be the female protagonist.
Meng Ruyi felt the friendliness in her tone and didn't hesitate anymore. She nodded.
Those who were a step behind Shangguan Xue looked a bit disappointed.
Some girls with good family backgrounds who were familiar with Shangguan Xue came over in a group. "How about we get together and get to know each other?" they said.
Shangguan Xue naturally wouldn't refuse, so the group walked towards her small courtyard.
"I heard that Miss Meng is from the southwest?" Shangguan Xue asked, her face full of curiosity.
Meng Ruyi nodded. "Yes. My parents are both local merchants."
She had thought that Shangguan Xue brought this up to embarrass her, but unexpectedly, the girl looked rather surprised and said with admiration, "Sure enough, good wine needs no bush. With Miss Meng's talent, even though you're thousands of miles away from the capital, Mr. Lin was still able to find you."
Meng Ruyi smiled. "You're being too kind. I'm just lucky. Everyone here has their own abilities, don't they?"
The other girls agreed, but the Fifth Princess was different.
Meng Ruyi accidentally caught a glimpse of the thoughtful look on her face and a hint of indescribable melancholy.
When a group of people got together, they just gossiped about things in the capital.
These girls were eager to win Meng Ruyi over, so they talked without much restraint, sharing all kinds of gossips. Meng Ruyi almost couldn't control her expression.
Since hearing that Meng Ruyi was from the southwest, the Fifth Princess had fallen into silence, occasionally looking up at her very subtly.
Sure enough, when the gathering was over and Meng Ruyi had just left, the Fifth Princess caught up with her and whispered, "I wonder if Miss Meng has the time. I'd like to ask you some questions."
Meng Ruyi guessed that she wanted to ask about Zheng Yuanqing. Seeing the worry in the Fifth Princess's eyes that she couldn't hide, Meng Ruyi still nodded and took her to her own small courtyard.
"Miss Meng," the Fifth Princess said. "I wonder if you've seen my elder brother since you're from the southwest?"
Zheng Yuanqing had reduced his contact with the capital after the assassination attempt at the beginning, so it was understandable that the Fifth Princess didn't have any news about him.
Meng Ruyi thought for a moment. "I know that the Third Prince has gone to the border. I don't know anything else."
"Then..." The Fifth Princess gritted her teeth and continued to ask. "I wonder if he's been injured?"
The worry in the Fifth Princess's eyes was obvious, but Meng Ruyi thought of the fact that Zheng Yuanqing's mother's family had defected to the Crown Prince. Finally, she shook her head and said that she didn't know.
The light in the Fifth Princess's eyes dimmed instantly.