CHAPTER 517: CHAPTER 507: PEOPLE—NO JOY OR SORROW IS TRULY SHARED

Shen Hua didn’t know when she had fainted.

She woke up feeling hungry, her head dizzy and swollen. She buried her face in the soft pillow, listless and exhausted in both body and mind.

With a ’creak,’ a maid of the Wang Family came inside. Separated by a curtain that was let down, she bowed respectfully, not taking a careful look at the girl behind the curtain whose outline was blurred and indistinct.

She lit the fire stick, brightening the room.

The girl lay there, straight as a board, in the despair of a heartbreaking spring. Her body was limp, she feebly lifted a corner of the curtain and caught sight of a beauty with apricot eyes brimming with affection, her charm impossible to conceal.

"Is there anything to eat?"

"Yes, your servant will have the kitchen send it immediately."

Shen Hua’s gaze drifted to a spot.

"The medicine on the desk."

She took a deep breath, very consciously. Word by word, she didn’t notice that her voice, even after a night’s rest, was still melodiously pleasant to hear.

"Brew it along the way for me to drink."

After eating her fill, Shen Hua continued to weakly lie down to sleep. At that time, the servant girl came in once more.

"Princess Consort, this is a letter sent by someone from Seventh Princess Consort."

It was a slip of paper, which Shen Hua took, her gaze falling upon it, and then she paused. She abruptly sat up from the couch. Pulling at a private area, she winced, sucking in a breath from the pain.

She crumpled the paper into a ball, struggling between choices.

She was too sleepy and too tired. But... that was where Yangyang’s happiness lay.

Half an incense stick of time later, the girl pursed her lips and left the room, top-heavy and unsteady on her feet.

First-tier Sky private room.

Ji Huo, dressed as a student, was desperately holding Ji Ge’s head, crying inconsolably.

"Not even allowed to sneak in a nap! Everyday reading, everyday reading! My stomach is ruined from bad food, and I’ve squatted until my legs have gone numb in the privy! And that Mr. Wang still chases after me to test my knowledge! No matter how much I drive him away, he won’t leave! Brother, my life is worse than that of a beast!"

Ji Ge, with contempt, pushed him away.

"What nonsense, you’re just getting what you deserve."

Le Jia asked, "Did you sneak out again?"

Ji Huo fell silent.

It was then that Shen Hua arrived, taking a seat beside Le Jia.

"Mr. Wang asked you to complete your homework, and you just wouldn’t listen, always dragging your feet and arguing with him. After so long, how do you still not learn your lesson?"

She began to lecture as if she had a right to do so.

But the girl herself, knowing her faults, never made changes.

"Count it, how many days are left until the examinations? How many people in Shengjing are watching? Just to see you fail, at least win some pride for your mother."

Ji Huo calmed down quite a bit, seemingly resigned and world-weary.

"I can’t possibly compare with those students who have studied diligently for over a decade, can I?"

In the academy, other teachers would persuade gently, always offering encouragement.

But what about Mr. Wang?

—— Oh, you’re still alive? Even if you’re like soggy mud, I, as your teacher, will still help you up the wall. Don’t give me excuses, as long as you’re not dead, get up and study!

Shen Hua was at a loss for words.

Something new appeared in her gaze towards Ji Huo.

Initially, when Ji Huo first went to the academy, under Mr. Wang’s strictness, he would memorize a book in a few days, memorizing book after book.

How long can a normal person persevere? And how much can they remember?

In the end, this was nothing more than Mr. Wang’s test for Ji Huo, with a ruler hanging overhead, testing his limits.

But the answer exceeded his expectations.

Even if Ji Huo stumbled and didn’t understand the meanings, whatever he memorized later, he would not forget.

Mr. Wang became six parts concerned, turning into nine, yet Ji Huo was still unaware. Under punishment, he resisted while silently enduring the humiliation.

Seeing that no one spoke, Ji Huo realized it belatedly. People’s joys and sorrows don’t communicate.

Yet when Shen Hua spoke again, he became angry.

"I am sitting alive right in front of you, yet you don’t even bother to exchange pleasantries but instead turn to inquire about Cheng Zheng!"

Cheng Zheng is not even worth mentioning to him!

What a joke!

Wait, how does Shen Hua know Cheng Zheng?

It seems she has come precisely for this matter; likely, so did Le Jia.

Though he doesn’t know what happened, Ji Huo finally behaves with some seriousness.

"That kind of trash, it wouldn’t be an exaggeration to call him a hypocrite."

He made a comparison. And didn’t forget to slander others while at it.

"Cui Yun is also hypocritical, but at least his hypocrisy I can respect. That Cheng Zheng, he’s a real beast."

As he spoke, he completely let loose. It was as if he couldn’t wait to get it all off his chest.

Cheng Zheng is also a student of Shanqing Academy, someone whom Ji Huo would see regularly whether he looked up or down.

"That kid from a poor background actually managed to rank among the top at the academy."

He sneered.

"From the moment I arrived, he kept trying to get close to me. Harboring all sorts of ulterior motives, he really can pretend to be noble."

There are not few who fawned over Ji Huo; he’s seen many and can easily discern the good from the bad. He humiliated Cheng Zheng on the spot.

Yet to the others in the academy, they said that he, the young master, was too proud to appreciate scholars, and they felt sorry for Cheng Zheng because of it.

"As if he is worthy to associate with me!"

"And yet, he enjoys such high praise, people everywhere speak highly of him, even the cafeteria aunty gives him more meat than me!"

Seeing the topic diverge further, Ji Ge sighed: "It’s Mr. Wang’s birthday celebration, why didn’t you attend?"

Ji Huo was aggravated.

"Stop it, I was even thinking of using this chance to slack off a bit, but he never intended to let me go, instead he assigned me a ton of schoolwork! Many students attended, but I, his direct pupil, was left in the academy—is that reasonable?"

He slammed his hand on the table.

"Even Cheng Zheng went!"

"I heard he’s secured a marriage arrangement, that scoundrel who clings to the powerful, he actually succeeded. I wonder which girl could be so blind! Some people would just take in any trash."

"But Cheng Zheng already had an engagement."

Shen Hua sat up straighter.

"They’ve kept it very well hidden; I’ve seen it with my own eyes, he had his Mama hurry to dissolve the engagement."

Ji Huo still remembered the woman, her face full of happiness, unhesitating she said.

-- Aiyo, this is a fine match, my son’s prospects are limitless. Qingniang has been with our family for three years, there’s been no wedding feast, true, but you two have already become husband and wife in every sense. But, her parents have long passed, she’s alone and won’t be able to make much trouble. Later, I’ll take her as my goddaughter, and will find another marriage for her. She can’t stay and hinder you.

Shen Hua sipped her tea.

"Repeat everything you’ve just said in front of Mr. Wang."

Ji Huo puzzled: "Why?"

Ji Ge: "I know you detest Mr. Wang, but remember, once a teacher, forever a father."

Le Jia: "You ought to do something good for a change."

Shen Hua, frustrated: "The girl who ’can’t see’ that you mentioned, she’s the Wang Family girl."

Ji Huo fell silent abruptly.

It was unclear whose words had moved Ji Huo.

Without waiting for others to speak again, he rushed out.

Shen Hua peered down from the window, only to see Ji Huo, after looking around, grabbed Hu Jianping, who was coming to dine, off his horse and, like a bandit, leapt into the saddle and galloped away.

All along the way, Ji Huo was beset with many thoughts.

He feared Mr. Wang wouldn’t believe him.

After all, he was impulsive and troublesome, whereas Cheng Zheng was very adept at beguiling people.

Therefore, when he finally met Mr. Wang, Ji Huo looked very solemn.