Not far away, a seemingly unassuming yet exquisitely crafted carriage was quietly parked under the ancient locust tree in front of the academy.

The car body was painted a dark indigo, which was Princess Jingle's usual attire when she went out of the palace incognito.

A corner of the carriage curtain was gently lifted by a fair, jade-like hand, revealing Princess Jingle's bright, sparkling eyes, filled with a gentle smile as she gazed intently at the academy's gate.

She had specially changed into men's clothing today. A moon-white brocade robe accentuated her tall and straight figure. Her hair was tied up in a high bun, and only a mutton-fat jade pendant hung at her waist. At first glance, she looked like a handsome nobleman.

"If we go down now, Young Master Pei..."

Her red lips parted slightly, and she was about to instruct the maid to lower the carriage stool when her slender fingers suddenly stopped.

"Pei Ziqing! Scholar Pei! Please wait!!!"

At the entrance of the academy, a clear, down-to-earth young voice, carrying the air of everyday life, pierced through the students' refined conversation and rang out abruptly.

The sound was quite loud, like a pebble thrown into a calm lake, instantly attracting everyone's attention.

The students stopped in their tracks and looked curiously in the direction of the sound.

Under the old locust tree at the entrance of the academy stood a boy of about fifteen or sixteen years old, dressed in a clean and neat short jacket.

He held a rather luxurious-looking invitation high in one hand, while in the other he held several yellowed sheets of paper.

That's right, the person who came was none other than Xiao Liu, who had been given the mission.

Pei Ziqing's smile froze.

He recognized the person who had arrived and also the familiar gold-embossed invitation in the other person's hand.

That was an invitation he sent to Bazhenlou a dozen days ago, intending to humiliate Liu Zixi and borrow some more money!

An ominous premonition instantly gripped him.

Xiao Liuzi didn't care how ugly Pei Ziqing's expression was.

He remembered his employer's instructions: he had to skin the animal himself in front of everyone!

Seeing Pei Ziqing stop, he nimbly weaved past several students blocking his way and darted to Pei Ziqing in a few steps, a smile that was excessively enthusiastic on his face.

"Oh my! Scholar Pei, I've been waiting for you!"

"I am here on the orders of the owner of Bazhenlou Restaurant to deliver something to you!"

Xiao Liuzi has a loud voice, making sure that everyone around him can hear him.

The surroundings fell silent instantly.

The owner of Bazhenlou?

Isn't that the up-and-coming female owner of a restaurant in the capital?

What is her relationship with Pei Ziqing?

Countless inquisitive gazes were focused on Pei Ziqing.

"You! What nonsense are you spouting! I don't know any owner of Bazhenlou Restaurant, get out of here!"

Pei Ziqing's face flushed red and then turned pale. He tried to remain calm, lowered his voice and scolded her, while attempting to bypass Xiao Liuzi and leave.

"Scholar Pei, don't be anxious! Look, this is the invitation you extended to our master more than ten days ago, inviting him to a poetry gathering!"

How could Xiao Liu let him leave?

He blocked Pei Ziqing's way like a piece of chewing gum, and at the same time nimbly stuffed the invitation card in his hand into Pei Ziqing's arms.

"Our master said that Scholar Pei's gathering is full of distinguished guests, and she, a lowly merchant, really dares not presume to grace such a refined occasion, lest she offend your refined ears. Therefore, this invitation should be returned to Scholar Pei as is!"

Xiao Liu deliberately raised his voice.

Upon hearing this, the expressions of the surrounding students became somewhat subtle.