CHAPTER 128: CHAPTER 128: BORROWING HER SECRET MEETING

Tang Xiaobai intentionally skipped her compulsory class, wanting to express concern for Mr. Zhang, who was being morally coerced, but ended up being forced to attend an advanced class before she could speak to one of the involved parties.

Mr. Zhang appeared calm and collected, emotions stable: "Gongsun wants to participate in next year’s spring examinations and hopes I’ll write a recommendation letter for him to enter the autumn selection in Lantian County."

Tang Xiaobai laughed aloud: "He came to the academy in August, wants to return for the county selection in September, and then attend the spring examinations in February next year. So, he came all this way just for your recommendation letter?"

Next February marks the triennial provincial examination held by the Ministry of Personnel, also known as the spring examinations.

Candidates for the spring examinations include students from official academies like the Imperial College as well as those selected from county examinations.

To participate in the county selection, a recommendation and endorsement are needed.

The Zhang Family from Qizhou is renowned, and a recommendation letter from Mr. Zhang indeed carries significant weight.

But isn’t Gongsun Yi’s approach rather unseemly?

"Eager for quick success, imprudently rash! Imprudently rash indeed!" Tao Fen, one of the top students in Class A, shook his head and sighed.

Mr. Zhang looked up at him and gently said: "A gentleman does not speak ill of others."

Tao Fen hurriedly stood up and bowed respectfully: "I acknowledge my mistake."

Tang Xiaobai chuckled from the side.

Wasn’t Mr. Zhang also implying that Gongsun Yi was wrong?

"Since Gongsun is from Lantian County, why not ask a local elder to endorse him, instead of going through great lengths to come to the capital?" Gu Hui asked perplexedly.

Tang Xiaobai glanced at him.

Gu Hui still seemed a bit naïve.

Gongsun Yi preferred distant help clearly because he didn’t have good relations at home!

Looking at his rebellious demeanor, who would like him?

However, Mr. Zhang did not speak ill of others, nor did he answer this question.

But another person did: "For the county selection, talent and virtue are both required. Gongsun Yi has been enrolled for less than a month, and Mr. Zhang has only met him about ten times. How could he vouch for him?"

The students turned towards the person who had just arrived at the door and bowed: "Mr. Lin!"

Lin Xujiji, dressed in a white robe, walked slowly into the classroom with his hands behind his back, sleeves hanging down, smiling: "Although Gongsun Yi managed to achieve a top grade, his essays are still somewhat lacking. Next year’s spring examinations might be a bit challenging for him, and even if he passes, his ranking won’t be impressive." Although his smile was warm, his words were direct. "Our academy’s top grades pale in comparison to the outstanding students from the Imperial College—" He paused, "Except for Pei Xuan."

Pei Xuan bowed: "You flatter me, sir."

Lin Xujiji smiled and said: "I have a few words to discuss with Mr. Zhang."

The students understood and withdrew.

Tang Xiaobai was about to leave as well, but Lin Xujiji suddenly glanced over and called: "Second Miss—"

Tang Xiaobai stopped: "What does Mr. Lin wish to say?"

Lin Xujiji smiled: "Thanks to Second Miss today for standing up boldly."

Tang Xiaobai felt a bit embarrassed: "It’s what a student should do."

Lin Xujiji smiled again: "Gongsun Yi comes from a poor background, often bullied in his hometown as a child. His mother would wash clothes to exchange for ink and paper to support his studies. After she passed away, he volunteered to be adopted by his clan to continue his education—"

Tang Xiaobai was surprised.

Did they already get a complete understanding of Gongsun Yi’s background?

Huntian Academy is indeed not an ordinary academy!

Yet, why did Dean Lin keep her to explain all this?

As she was pondering, she unintentionally glanced at the serene little master beside her and realized.

It turns out the master’s real intention was hidden!

Huntian Academy is clearly the Young Crown Prince’s force, and her little master belongs to him too, they’re using her to meet in private!

"He has talent and is willing to learn diligently. Several teachers have read his essays and think it’s not hard for him to pass the spring examinations. However, his eagerness for quick success is concerning. If Mr. Zhang writes that recommendation letter for him, someone will inevitably push him to become the first Huntian Academy student to serve. At that time, it could bring disaster!"

"Yet we can’t just let it be," Zhang Yin said, "Today’s incident has likely spread."

"Why not let me expel him from the academy?" Lin Xujiji proposed and looked at Tang Xiaobai, "What does Second Miss think?"

Tang Xiaobai: ...

What could Second Miss think?

She instinctively turned to look at the little master: "What about Ah Xiao?"

The other three in the room were all taken aback.

Lin Xujiji turned away and chuckled, while Zhang Yin couldn’t help but smile.

Li Mu lightly coughed twice, saying: "No—"

"Sir! Second Miss Tang!" came a hurried report from outside, "Gongsun has awakened!"

...

When Tang Xiaobai arrived, Gongsun Yi was kneeling before the academy’s hall, face pale with a sorrowful gaze, filled with accusations and disappointment toward this harsh world.

"The Zhang Family from Qizhou, famous nationwide, conducts examinations, recruits talents, takes in virtuous ones, hahaha..." He laughed toward the sky several times, "Fake! It’s all fake!" The blood on his forehead was a shocking sight.

The surrounding discussions were lively.

Students, having just joined the academy, weren’t familiar with the teachers, and upon seeing Gongsun Yi’s miserable state, instinctively sympathized.

Tang Xiaobai watched coldly for a while and approached Gongsun Yi.

Even those who did not know Second Miss Tang were ushered away by others, leaving a path open for her.

Tang Xiaobai walked up to Gongsun Yi and stopped.

Gongsun Yi glanced at her out of the corner of his eye, laughed mockingly, bearing a somewhat self-important demeanor.

Tang Xiaobai also smiled, adopting the pose of a young lady, raising her chin in a condescending manner: "You want a recommendation letter? I can give you one too!"

Gongsun Yi’s expression changed instantly, looking at her with suspicions, then scoffed again: "Why would Second Miss Tang make fun of us humble commoners?"

Tang Xiaobai shook her head: "I’m not joking. You know I’m the Second Miss of the Duke Yan Mansion. Recommending a county candidate is no big deal!"

Recommending a candidate isn’t difficult; the difficulty lies in endorsing and taking responsibility.

But what does a little girl know about endorsing and taking responsibility?

Gongsun Yi was delighted internally, but outwardly showed more doubt and caution: "What does Second Miss want me to do?"

"Prove your talent and virtue."

Gongsun Yi laughed: "I’ve earned top grades in the academy with my essays. Does Second Miss Tang still want to test my writing?"

Tang Xiaobai shook her head: "I don’t understand essays, I’d test you on classic passages instead."

"Classic passages" is a form of civil examination.

Simply put, it is a fill-in-the-blank test where the examiner provides a phrase from the scriptures, and the examinee fills in the surrounding context, assessing rote memorization, basic to the core.

Aiming for the spring examinations and priding himself on being well-read, how could Gongsun Yi be intimidated by such basic questions? Especially since it’s a ten-year-old girl proposing the questions.

He sneered and said: "I’ve heard Second Miss Tang has only studied for over a year, it seems unfairly favorable."

Faced with his sneer, the ten-year-old girl remained composed: "I’m not asking you to compete with me—" She paused slightly, reached back and pulled out a young boy from behind her.

Under the elegant green jade mask, the boy had fair skin and red lips, his deep, black eyes cold and somber.

"I will ask the questions. As long as you answer faster than him, you win, and then I’ll give you a path to the county selection—"

"Lose, and you have to leave Huntian Academy on your own!"