When Leng Zhizhi received the news, she was playing with the two princesses.

"really?"

Leng Zhizhi looked at her personal maid Zhan'er: "Have you found out the truth?"

Zhan'er shook her head: "There's no need to inquire. It's already spread throughout the entire harem. The Imperial Concubine has been demoted to Zhaoyi."

"Tsk tsk." Leng Zhizhi snorted lightly, "She harmed the princess and was only demoted to Zhaoyi. It seems that powerful people from her maternal family are indeed not to be trifled with. I thought she would lose her life."

Zhan'er frowned and said helplessly, "After all, she is the legitimate daughter of the Tong family."

"The Tong family..." Leng Zhizhi pursed her lips, sighed, and said no more.

In the cold palace, Tong Runing listened to the contents of the imperial edict and breathed a slight sigh of relief.

Fortunately, as long as she remains in the harem, she will eventually climb up the ranks!

What's more, she has a son!

Thinking of Yang Zhi, Tong Runing's eyes lit up: "Father-in-law, where is Zhi'er?"

Eunuch Cai frowned almost imperceptibly: "The Second Prince is naturally in his own palace. Your Highness, please rest assured. The Emperor's grace is boundless, and the Second Prince will continue to be raised under Your Highness's care."

Upon hearing this, Tong Runing immediately knelt down to express her gratitude. After Eunuch Cai left, Lan'er helped Tong Runing up and said, "Your Highness, let's go."

Tong Runing took a deep breath: "Let's go to Zhi'er's!"

Outside the palace, Bai Tuantuan frowned deeply: "The Imperial Concubine was only demoted to Zhaoyi?"

"This is already the best possible outcome," Chen Xingfeng said calmly. "After all, the Imperial Concubine has the Tong family as her backing."

Bai Tuantuan pouted: "Then Consort Li must be furious."

"The inner palace and the imperial court are becoming more and more complicated."

Bai Tuantuan shook her head and changed the subject: "Where's my mother?"

As soon as Bai Tuantuan finished speaking, Chen Zhixiu appeared: "Why are you all here?"

Before the three could answer, Chen Zhixiu continued, "Tuantuan is going to school tomorrow. Have you prepared everything?"

"I'm ready, Mother. Where have you been?"

"I went out for a stroll and performed in a few plays." Chen Zhixiu took a sip of tea, a sly glint in her eyes. "You'll find out tomorrow."

Chen Xingfeng and Chen Lingfeng exchanged a glance, somewhat puzzled.

However, Chen Zhixiu clearly wouldn't explain to them. After saying a few words, she went to find Yuan Chenchen.

The next day.

Just after midnight, Bai Tuantuan woke up, got dressed, picked up a large bag of bottles and jars from the table, and headed out of the mansion.

As soon as I stepped out of the courtyard, I saw Chen Xingfeng and Chen Lingfeng.

"Big brother, second brother." Bai Tuantuan ran over.

Chen Lingfeng took the sack from Bai Tuantuan's hands: "What's all this?"

"All kinds of medicines."

The three chatted as they arrived at the city gate.

Looking at Ning Nanxiao sitting on his horse, Bai Tuantuan said again, "The Emperor actually sent a child to negotiate with Baihe Kingdom. How shameless!"

"Tuantuan," Chen Xingfeng's voice was serious, "the walls have ears."

Bai Tuantuan pouted and jogged over to Ning Nanxiao's side: "I've prepared some medicine for you, including poison and antidote. I've written the instructions on the bottles."

Ning Nanxiao curled his lips into a smile: "Don't worry, I'll earn a first-class merit!"

Bai Tuantuan rolled her eyes: "Overconfident." As she spoke, she grabbed Ning Nanxiao's arm.

Ning Nanxiao's ears turned red: "What are you doing?"

Bai Tuantuan remained silent, and a surge of vital energy directly entered Ning Nanxiao's body.

Ning Nanxiao felt warm and comfortable all over, and looked at Bai Tuantuan in surprise: "What did you do to me?"

"I've given you something good." Bai Tuantuan's face was a little pale, but she was in good spirits, smiling as she looked at Ning Nanxiao. "Waiting for you to come back."

Ning Nanxiao smiled, her eyes sparkling with amusement: "Don't worry."

Chen Xingfeng and Chen Lingfeng walked over. Chen Lingfeng glanced to the side, and Ning Nanxiao nodded.

"If the Emperor finds out..." Chen Xingfeng frowned, "Wouldn't it implicate you?"

"No," Ning Nanxiao said dismissively. "I'll just pretend I don't know. Besides, if something goes wrong, he'll have to take responsibility himself. Most importantly, do you really think the Emperor doesn't know?"

Chen Xingfeng paused for a moment, then laughed: "Yes, I misunderstood."

Chen Lingfeng curled his lip: "What does the Emperor want to do? Why does the Crown Prince have to do it secretly?"

Who can understand the Emperor's thoughts?

Ning Nanxiao chuckled: "Alright, I have to get going. I'm off now."

Ning Nanxiao packed up his things, waved to his friends, and rode his horse out of the city.

"I don't know when I'll be able to return, I just hope everything goes well."

After sighing, Chen Xingfeng took Bai Tuantuan's hand and said, "Let's go back."

Bai Tuantuan yawned and her soft voice rang out: "Uncle Chengzu is going to Baihe Kingdom tomorrow, right?"

“Yes, I heard that Aunt Chunhua will be going too,” Chen Lingfeng interjected. “The capital city has lost another family that was on good terms with us.”

After taking a nap, Bai Tuantuan went to the Capital Academy.

The arrival of Bai Tuantuan has attracted a lot of attention.

Bai Tuantuan also noticed several familiar faces.

For example, Mu Xiangyang, the grandson of King Ping.

The eldest daughter of the Minister of Rites: Su Shishi; the daughter of the Vice Minister of Rites: Qiu Qiao'er; and the granddaughter of the Grand Secretary: Zheng Yinrong.

Oh, and Xiao Ruyan too.

Bai Tuantuan looked at Xiao Ruyan with some surprise, wondering how she had gotten to the Capital Academy.

Neither the Zheng family nor the Xiao family can help her!

Jingcheng Academy is divided into three classes: large, medium, and small.

Students can only advance to the middle class after passing the courses in the small class, and then to the large class after passing the courses in the middle class.

Although the Capital Academy is large, it doesn't have many students. Of course, those who can get in are all descendants of prominent figures in the capital.

After exchanging greetings with Master Qian, Bai Tuantuan sat down in an empty seat.

The first lesson was taught in classical Chinese.

Bai Tuantuan looked at the head-shaking Master Qian, glanced at the people around her out of the corner of her eye, and chatted with the soup ladle and iron pot: "Head-shaking, it really makes people drowsy."

"Bai Tuantuan, study hard." The spoon said while munching on an apple, "Read more books; books hold a wealth of knowledge, and books hold beautiful women."

Bai Tuantuan's lips twitched: "Although I am only five years old, I am actually hundreds of years old. I have already memorized all of this."

"Don't be arrogant." The childish voice of the spoon carried a hint of lecturing. "You know you're hundreds of years old. If you repeat a grade, that would be embarrassing!"

Bai Tuantuan: ……

"Although I am hundreds of years old, I have never studied these things, so it is normal that I do not understand them and it is normal that I have to repeat a grade."

soup spoon: ...

The iron pot scoffed, its tone dripping with sarcasm: "You really know how to make excuses for yourself."

Bai Tuantuan: "When you can be lazy, you'll never be diligent! Just give up!"

"Bai Tuantuan, tell me what this means?" Mr. Qian's sudden question startled Bai Tuantuan.

Zheng Yinrong scoffed, "Master, she's from the countryside and has never been to school. How would she know what that means? Aren't you just making things difficult for her?"