CHAPTER 137: CHAPTER 135: SENIORITY AND RANK

Song Wei saw her in a daze, probably thinking of something, "Little sister, are you also yearning for the Hongwen Academy?"

Song Fang smiled, "I’m just asking casually. Third Brother mentioned some point tea, incense, flower arrangement, and painting hanging; I’ve never even heard of them. It feels unrelated to me. Besides, we aren’t cut out for that!"

The more straightforward the refusal, the more it proves a hidden longing in the heart.

Song Wei could tell that his little sister wasn’t without "ambition," but too many limitations held her back, leaving some indulgent dreams to only linger in her mind.

"If your sister-in-law does recover her voice, when I send her to the Hongwen Academy, you should go along!"

The sudden remark left Song Fang, who was picking her nails with her head lowered, stunned.

"Third Brother..." As if not daring to believe, her voice even trembled a bit, "Are you serious?"

Song Wei’s gaze was gentle, "Climbing to higher places is a common human desire. Unless one loses their drive, there’s no reason to go lower. You’re still young and have plenty of opportunities. Learning more won’t do you any harm."

Though it was spoken indirectly, Song Fang wasn’t foolish; she understood that her brother was hinting that only by bettering herself could she expand her options for a husband.

Admittedly, while at home, she never agreed to suitors introduced by matchmakers, hoping that one day she might rise above her station—not dreaming to become a phoenix, but at least not wanting to be stuck in a valley unable to marry out.

Once married in such a place, regardless of how well the man treats her, it means her descendants can only live in the countryside. With luck, they might gain some recognition; without it, they would be common farm laborers.

The descendants of those descendants would face the same fate.

Song Fang had kept this thought to herself for many years, never sharing it, fearing being ridiculed for dreaming.

After all, she was just a village girl; even if she had some beauty, at best, she might become a concubine in a wealthy family.

Rising above? Isn’t that just dreaming?

Now, a grand opportunity had landed from the skies, leaving her dizzy with astonishment.

Afraid it was a mere dream, Song Fang repeatedly asked Song Wei twice, receiving a confirmed answer: as long as her sister-in-law recovered, she could follow to the Hongwen Academy to study and learn skills.

Song Fang was overjoyed. She stood up and ran into the kitchen, throwing her arms around Wen Wan, who was chopping vegetables.

Wen Wan was startled, worried the knife might hurt someone. After securing it, she turned to look at Song Fang, eyes filled with confusion.

"Sister-in-law, do you know what Third Brother just said?"

Wen Wan shook her head, curious what her husband had said to make her so happy.

Song Fang’s face was full of uncontrollable excitement, "Third Brother said, as long as you recover, he agrees for me to go with you to the Hongwen Academy!"

Wen Wan understood, so that was it.

Actually, she should have thought of it earlier; since he intended to bring his little sister to the capital, he wouldn’t really leave her in the small courtyard to do laundry and cook every day.

Wen Wan just didn’t expect that upon hearing of the chance to go to the Hongwen Academy, her little sister-in-law would be so excited.

Comparing to her own calm response earlier, her sister-in-law’s reaction was indeed too intense.

Wen Wan thought about it and felt that the difference in their reactions stemmed from her sister-in-law having higher aspirations.

Hence, she was very happy for the opportunity to rise higher.

As for herself, she had married early, her husband treated her very well, cherishing her in every way, so she was content with her current situation.

Going to the Hongwen Academy was merely icing on the cake; no matter how well she learned, her husband would still be Song Wei, and that couldn’t change.

Frankly, compared to her sister-in-law, she lacked ambition.

But sometimes, thinking about it, as long as her husband remained Song Wei, being unambitious was alright, she was content.

Seeing the little sister-in-law’s face blooming with happiness, Wen Wan was happy for her too.

Song Fang held on to her, acting spoiled, "Sister-in-law, starting tomorrow, I’ll make sure to decoct the medicine for you every day. You must get better! My happiness for the rest of my life depends on you."

These words made Wen Wan instantly feel a huge sense of pressure.

She wasn’t sure if she could really recover, so she didn’t dare promise anything, instead just curling her lips in a comforting smile.

Song Fang realized what she said was inappropriate and added, "Of course, even if you don’t recover, you’ll always be my sister-in-law. How I treated you before is how I’ll continue to treat you."

Wen Wan believed her little sister-in-law wasn’t just placating her and showed a genuine smile.

Song Fang helped her carry the dinner to the main room and, because of her happiness, the atmosphere at the table was noticeably livelier than usual.

——

Every morning, Xu Shu would pass by the Eight Treasures Building on his way to the Imperial College. He had already arranged with Song Wei for him not to eat at home, as he would bring food from there and wait outside the gates of the Imperial College for Song Wei.

Due to Xu Shu’s kindness, Wen Wan spared the trouble of getting up early to make breakfast for her husband, allowing her to sleep in every day.

Early the next morning, Song Wei was already dressed and ready to leave, while Wen Wan was still snuggled in bed sleeping soundly. Maybe it was too cold outside, she maintained the curled-up position from last night, lying on her side, showing only a small head with a lock of hair falling by her cheek, making her face appear even softer and fairer.

Song Wei, eager to leave, suddenly halted his steps, leaned down slightly, and kissed her on the side of the face. The soft sensation stirred ripples in his heart.

The sound of Song Wei leaving was very light and didn’t disturb her.

When he arrived at the Imperial College, it was still early.

Xu Shu found a pavilion, and the two of them planned to have breakfast there.

Just as they sat down, they saw Lu Yanqing walking in their direction from a distance.

It’s rare that the little followers around him were nowhere to be seen, even rarer that he had changed into the uniform of the Imperial College.

Truly the first time in history.

Walking all the way, he drew a lot of attention.

However, none of the students dared let their gaze linger on him too long nor gossip, for fear of bringing trouble upon themselves.

There’s a saying, "Wearing a dragon robe doesn’t make one a Crown Prince."

In the case of Lu Yanqing, it turned into "Wearing a uniform doesn’t make one a student", young as he was, his eyes were chillingly cold.

Xu Shu had no doubt that if anyone dared to greet him now, they would immediately become a punching bag, beaten beyond recognition.

"Once you’ve had your fill, just go, don’t dawdle around."

Song Wei saw Xu Shu staring in Lu Yanqing’s direction and timely reminded him.

Xu Shu snapped back to his senses and quickly took another spoonful of porridge.

Putting the bowls and chopsticks into the food box for the servant to take back, Xu Shu and Song Wei walked towards the lecture hall, splitting ways shortly after due to different grades.

Song Wei saw Lu Yanqing at the entrance of the Cultivation Hall for second-year students.

He stood with arms crossed, leaning against the red-painted pillar, exuding a cold arrogance from a position of superiority.

If memory served, Lu Yanqing was a first-year student.

Song Wei was a bit surprised to see the Little Overlord here, but only for a moment before he collected himself.

He didn’t want any interaction with Lu Yanqing.

With eyes straight ahead, Song Wei was about to step into the Cultivation Hall.

"Are you Song Wei?"

Lu Yanqing’s voice came from behind, not like a usual inquiry, but more like a final interrogation of a death row inmate.

Song Wei paused slightly, turned around, and wore a courteous expression, "I am, may I ask who you are?"

Lu Yanqing gave him a cold glance, "Playing dumb, are you?"

Song Wei steadied himself, "I don’t understand what you’re saying."

"If you hadn’t gone to tell Master Sacrificial Officer that day, would my father have been summoned?"

Lu Yanqing’s eyes were full of malice.

If that matter hadn’t reached his mother’s ears, he wouldn’t have been tied up and punished by kneeling in the Lu Family Ancestral Hall, laughed at by so many people.

After learning it was a Ningzhou tribute student who went to complain to the Master Sacrificial Officer, Lu Yanqing was furious enough to want to skin Song Wei alive. However, his mother confiscated his followers, forced him to wear the uniform, and gave him a deadly ultimatum; if he dared to cause trouble at the Imperial College again, he’d be sent to the army to fend for himself.

So, Lu Yanqing endured and endured, which was why he didn’t immediately charge at Song Wei and stab him the first time he saw him.

For his own deeds, Song Wei admitted frankly, "Yes, I went to Master Sacrificial Officer, and it was my idea to have him ask the Prince Consort to intervene."

"Good, I’ll remember this grudge,"

In Lu Yanqing’s tone, it was clear he hated Song Wei intensely.

Yet for some reason, he didn’t take action.

Song Wei thought, perhaps the Eldest Princess had done something to keep him in check.

For now, it seemed that the only one who could suppress the Little Overlord was Princess Changping.

Song Wei gathered his thoughts, "If there’s nothing else, I’ll head in for class."

"Come with me!"

Lu Yanqing dropped the words and headed straight outside. Not hearing Song Wei’s footsteps follow, he turned back, his face dark and unpleasant, "Do you want me to fetch you personally?"

Song Wei remained unmoved, "I have a class later, if you have something to say, just say it here."

"My father wants to see you." Lu Yanqing’s gaze fixed firmly on Song Wei.

Not giving Song Wei a chance to speak, he added, "I’ve already taken the liberty to excuse you."

Song Wei stayed rooted, thinking back on how when he left this morning, Wanwan was still asleep. Even if there was a bad premonition, Wanwan wouldn’t be able to warn him.

So, for now, Song Wei remained as cautious as possible.

Xu Shu said Lu Yanqing, besides being openly violent, liked to play tricks behind the scenes.

Who knew if what he said about the Prince Consort wanting to see him was true or fake?

"I’m giving you one more chance."

Lu Yanqing’s patience was worn out, his voice and face both unfriendly.

Song Wei chuckled lightly, "The Prince Consort is a reasonable man, surely he understands that I’m just a poor student from a remote area. Every class at the Imperial College is crucial to my future prospects. I can’t afford to miss them, nor dare to take leave for trivial matters just after enrolling."

"Song Wei, do you know who you’re talking to?" Lu Yanqing’s eyes blazed with fire.

Being someone with extensive experience, Song Wei felt no fear facing Lu Yanqing’s Little Overlord demeanor, his tone was calm and measured, "No matter how noble your background, now that you’re wearing the uniform of the Imperial College, you’re a student here just like me. In terms of seniority, you should address me as ’Senior Brother’."