Chapter 377: Chapter 377: The Second Courtyard is in an Uproar

When Xie Yuanjiu saw Mr. Han arrive, it was like seeing her savior.

She immediately forced out some tears. "Teacher, Ningning... she..."

"Master, you’re here!" The little one pattered over to Mr. Han, her cheerful, high-pitched voice cutting right through Xie Yuanjiu’s tearful complaint.

Just a moment ago, Mr. Han’s expression had been stern.

But that changed when he heard Shen Ningning’s soft, sweet call and saw the little one run over.

He immediately broke into a hearty laugh. "Ningning, I was waiting for you in the classroom for ages. Why didn’t you show up? What’s all this chatter about?"

Seeing the loving, protective look in Mr. Han’s eyes, both Li Yuyi and Xie Yuanjiu’s expressions stiffened.

They could hardly believe it.

The other students, however, were used to it.

Ever since Mr. Zheng was arrested and Mr. Han became the National Academy’s foremost teacher and Head Master, his favoritism for Shen Ningning had grown stronger by the day.

Everyone knew that Mr. Han was a master of both literary and martial arts. With his powerful muscles, it was said he could kill a disobedient student with a single punch.

Not a single troublemaker in the entire National Academy could escape Mr. Han’s corporal punishment.

The only exception was Shen Ningning. His favoritism for his prize pupil was blatant to the extreme.

No one batted an eye at it anymore.

Shen Ningning proudly lifted the food box she had brought with her.

"Master, at home we have a grapevine that’s watered with mountain spring water. Eating its fruit can ward off illness and disaster, so I wanted to bring some for everyone to try."

Upon hearing this, Mr. Han beamed.

"I’ve long heard that Wolf Mountain is home to countless rare and exotic plants. It seems I’m finally getting the honor of tasting one of its treasures."

Shen Ningning nodded. "Of course!"

Mr. Han waved an Attendant Student forward to help open the food box, then permitted the other students to line up and take some grapes.

Li Yuyi had been ignored for quite a while now. ’Back in Nanzhou,’ she thought, ’when have I ever been treated so coldly?’

Her father was the Magistrate of Nanzhou, so she was always the center of attention wherever she went.

’I can’t believe I came to the National Academy today to put Shen Ningning in her place, only to be humiliated by her instead!’

Li Yuyi’s fingernails dug into her palm. She glanced at Xie Yuanjiu, only to see her standing there with her head lowered.

’Useless girl!’ she cursed inwardly.

"Mr. Han, I don’t think this is appropriate. It would be best if no one ate what the Commandery Princess is offering," Li Yuyi said, raising her voice, her tone tight with suppressed rage.

Only then did Mr. Han turn his head, finally noticing her presence.

After thinking for a moment, he recognized her. It was the eldest daughter of the Li Family, who had just enrolled today and been assigned to the Huangzi Class.

"And why not?" Mr. Han frowned, his expression turning serious once more.

Li Yuyi gritted her teeth. "I have read countless books since childhood, and my father has hired many famous tutors for me, but I have never heard of grapes that can cure illnesses."

Shen Ningning pouted. "You’re just ignorant. My grapes can do it."

Li Yuyi sneered. "Commandery Princess, you may be young, but you should know that it’s wrong to lie."

"If you’re so worried, then don’t have any. Why are you trying to stop us?" a cold voice cut in from the crowd.

Everyone quickly turned to look.

It was Xu Jingxi, stepping out from the crowd with a cold expression. He held a scroll in his slender hand, carrying himself with an air as refreshing as a cool breeze, his features as handsome as Crown Jade.

Then, Xu Jingxi walked to the food box and took two grapes from the Attendant Student.

In front of everyone, he ate them with unhurried grace.

Though his robes were simple and faded from countless washings, he carried himself with such a noble air that anyone who didn’t know him might mistake him for a young lord from a fallen noble house!

After finishing the grapes, Xu Jingxi’s gaze fell upon Shen Ningning.

The little girl was blinking her large, round eyes, looking up at him with eager anticipation.

"They’re very sweet. Delicious. Even if they can’t cure illnesses, they’re worth tasting," Xu Jingxi commented coolly.

A wide smile instantly bloomed on Shen Ningning’s innocent face.

She lifted her little head, her expression triumphant.

’See! I told you so. My grapes are super sweet!’

The students began to buzz with excitement, whispering eagerly to one another—

"Xu Jingxi, who normally only has eyes for his books, actually spoke up for the Commandery Princess!"

"How strange! It’s unbelievable! It’s like a big brother protecting his little sister!"

"Don’t talk nonsense. The Commandery Princess is Chancellor Xie’s daughter, and Xu Jingxi is a commoner. To me, it looks more like a guard protecting his lady."

The more they talked, the more excited the crowd became. No one paid any mind to Li Yuyi, whose face was twisted in a furious scowl.

She glared at Xu Jingxi. ’Who does this poor, upstart scholar think he is, daring to defy me?’

Mr. Han raised a hand to quiet the noisy students.

"Alright! Anyone else who wants grapes, hurry and line up. Don’t let Ningning’s kind gesture go to waste."

"Once you’ve had your grapes, head back to your respective classrooms immediately."

The students immediately formed a long, orderly line.

Everyone knew that Wolf Mountain was full of treasures, so a grapevine grown there was bound to produce incredibly sweet and delicious fruit.

Only a fool would refuse to eat them!

The two "fools," Xie Yuanjiu and Li Yuyi, stood to the side, watching helplessly as the other students buzzed with activity.

Everyone who ate the grapes praised their sweetness. Shen Ningning, smiling sweetly, was as busy as a little bee, telling everyone about her grapes and asking them what they thought of the taste.

Li Yuyi’s face was livid. "Just you wait," she muttered.

Her voice was low as she turned and walked away.

Xie Yuanjiu glanced after her, then turned back to silently eye the grapes.

’The last time Shen Ningning caught the plague, she nearly died. Was it because she ate something from this mountain that she recovered?’

She deeply regretted siding with Li Yuyi.

’Otherwise, she might have been able to talk her way into getting some from Shen Ningning.’

「That evening, at home.」

On Xie Suzhi’s orders, the second branch of the family had been dining separately from the main branch for the past few days as a safety precaution.

Thus, Xie Yuanjiu and Second Madam Xie were having their meal alone in their quarters.

Xie Yuanjiu had been sullen ever since she got home.

Second Madam Xie asked her what was wrong several times, but Xie Yuanjiu couldn’t be bothered to answer.

’After all, her mother couldn’t help with anything and was more likely to make things worse.’

Just then, two burly, thick-waisted matrons entered the courtyard, leading six maids.

One of the matrons pointed at the things in the courtyard. "Move it. Take everything that needs to be moved. You girls, go inside and help Second Madam pack!"

Xie Yuanjiu’s heart lurched. She hastily put down her chopsticks, and she and Second Madam Xie hurried outside.

"What are you doing? Hey! Don’t touch my sea hibiscus flower!" Second Madam Xie lunged forward, trying to snatch a flowerpot from a maid.

The matron stepped forward and gave a sinister little smile.

"Second Madam, you’ll have to forgive us. We are acting on the Second Master’s orders to move your and the Fourth Miss’s belongings to a separate residence."

’Moving!?’

Second Madam Xie was stunned.

’Xie Dizhi is kicking us out of the mansion!’

"For no good reason! Why should I move? It must be you damned gossips spreading rumors! I won’t move, no matter what! I don’t want to leave the Xie Mansion!" Second Madam Xie shrieked, her face contorted with fury.

The matron feigned surprise. "Oh, Second Madam, you give this servant far too much credit. I wouldn’t have the power to stir up such trouble."

She then jutted her chin, indicating that Second Madam Xie should look at Xie Yuanjiu, who was standing behind her.

"It was the Fourth Miss. She goaded Miss Li into targeting the Commandery Princess at the National Academy. When the Second Master found out, he was furious. That’s why he ordered us servants to move you out immediately."

"The Second Master also said it would be more peaceful for you once you’ve moved. You won’t have to worry about catching the plague here."

Second Madam Xie’s eyes went wide.

She turned to look at Xie Yuanjiu. The girl stood in the darkness, the swaying lanterns illuminating her deathly pale face.

"Mother, I... I..."

"Are you insane, Xie Yuanjiu? What did you do to Shen Ningning this time!" Second Madam Xie lunged forward and slapped her daughter hard across the face.

Xie Yuanjiu cried out in pain, covering her head and trying to duck away.

Seeing this, the matron said coldly, "Pull them apart. The Second Madam’s temper has been getting more and more erratic lately. Don’t let her cause any real injury."

By the time the maids managed to pull Second Madam Xie away, Xie Yuanjiu’s face was already swelling, and her hair was a mess.

"You were born to be my ruin! My relationship with your father was finally getting a little better, and you go and find a way to get him to throw me out! You’re determined to make my life miserable!" Second Madam Xie shrieked, completely breaking down.

Finally, she collapsed to the ground, sobbing. "How could I have given birth to a daughter like you!"

Xie Yuanjiu clutched her cheek, her head bowed as she sobbed quietly.

But deep in her eyes, unseen by anyone, a vicious, snake-like malice began to fester.

’Shen Ningning truly was born to be her bane.’

The commotion in the second courtyard lasted all night.

Shen Ningning, however, was already fast asleep in the land of dreams.

She dreamt that the grapes on the Medicinal Fruit Tree had all come to life.

They were lining up and jumping into the Spiritual Spring Pool to take a bath.

It looked just like dumplings being dropped into a pot.

When Shen Ningning leaned in for a closer look, they chattered and splashed water at her.

They even shouted, "Come on, eat us! We can cure the plague!"

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