Chapter 26 Ambition
Zheng Yanling's eyes widened slightly. So this was the girl the Xiao family had recently found.
Just as she thought, he and Xiao Yuyao were not on the same path.
Therefore, over the past month or so, Xiao Yuyao has smeared him openly and secretly, making him seem utterly worthless.
“Zheng Yanling, so you are Xiao Yuxuan. I am a year older than you. You can call me Sister Zheng or Zheng Yanling.”
After introducing herself, Zheng Yanling leisurely glanced at Xiao Yuyao, observing her currently strained and delicate appearance, and smiled:
"Xiao Yuyao, who are you trying to impress with this act? I'm not one of those people who pity women, so you'd better save your energy."
She spoke so rudely that Xiao Yuxuan was filled with mixed emotions. She wondered how Zheng Yanling and Xiao Yuxuan could have such a bad relationship, and what had happened between them.
It seems that not everyone in the girls' school is Xiao Yuyao's accomplice.
"Miss Zheng, don't push your luck."
Xiao Yuyao bit her lip, her face pale, and she looked like she was about to collapse.
Zheng Yanling took a large step back with a look of disgust, as if avoiding something dirty.
"Yu Xuan, you saw it yourself, I didn't touch a single hair on her head." After saying that, he went to call Xiao Yu Xuan, "Let's go, let's go, it's almost time for class."
Xiao Yuyao stood rooted to the spot, her fingernails digging into her palms, the resentment in her chest almost solidifying into a tangible form.
Zheng Yanling is the granddaughter of Prime Minister Zheng and Princess Pingyin. She has a noble status. If she hadn't disliked forming cliques and the things that ordinary girls do, she could have easily become the leader of this year's female students.
Yet this seemingly indifferent and unrestrained girl always seemed to be at odds with her. At first, Xiao Yuyao would try to please and flatter her, but somehow she always ended up making things worse, eventually leading to this situation...
"Yuyao? Why are you standing at the door and not going in?"
Not far behind her, a high-pitched female voice suddenly rang out, and the pearl hairpins and pendants made a pleasant tinkling sound as their owner moved.
Xiao Yuyao was startled, quickly composed herself, and turned back with a smile:
Good morning, Princess Wenyue.
Qi Wenyue walked to her side and just then saw the backs of the two figures, one in red and one in green, disappearing into the distance.
"Zheng Yanling? Who's that next to her? She's not from our class, is she? She looks unfamiliar."
Xiao Yuyao looked up, a hint of innocence and envy in her eyes:
"That's my sister Xiao Yuxuan. It's great. I also hope that we can talk about anything. But in the end, things between us are... Never mind, Wen Yue, you've made a fool of yourself again."
Qi Wenyue recalled her conversation with the Princess and the Crown Prince that day, and she was furious.
"So it's Xiao Yuxuan! How could she be at the girls' school? Did your parents pull strings to get her in? Does such an illiterate girl deserve to study with us?"
Xiao Yuyao shook her head:
"Wen Yue, stop talking. Yu Xuan is my parents' biological daughter after all. I'm just the one who took over their place, so it's only right that I'm not valued."
Qi Wenyue was even more furious. The Xiao family was far too lenient with Xiao Yuxuan. The girls' school wasn't a place where just anyone could get in. Many ordinary noble ladies couldn't even pass the entrance exams, yet this uneducated embroiderer was allowed to enter without any test?
Furthermore, even though Yu Yao is clearly her older sister, she immediately fawned over Zheng Yanling upon arrival, showing how opportunistic she is.
Seeing the indignant look on Qi Wenyue's face as she stood up for her, Xiao Yuyao smiled with satisfaction.
So what if Xiao Yuxuan befriends Zheng Yanling? Princess Wenyue is the most noble girl in the girls' school, and she will definitely stand by her side.
The four classes, A, B, C, and D, are ranked every six months based on a comprehensive evaluation of family background, personal qualities, and exam scores. Qi Wenyue, Xiao Yuyao, and Zheng Yanling are all students in Class A. Xiao Yuxuan, however, was admitted without examination, and even though she is the daughter of Minister Xiao, she could only temporarily enter Class D.
Zheng Yanling found Xiao Yuxuan pleasing to the eye and asked her on the way to Class D:
"Why did you decide to come to the girls' school? Do you also want to be betrothed to one of the imperial relatives during the imperial concubine selection and become a titled lady?"
"Is that what Sister Zheng thinks?"
Zheng Yanyue scoffed:
"I study the Four Books and Five Classics, and learn both literature and martial arts, but if it's just to be a good wife and mother, then I'd rather stay at home and chat with my sisters all day about hair ornaments and fashion trends. That would be much more carefree and relaxing."
After she finished speaking, her expression stiffened slightly, as if she were recalling some unpleasant memory.
"Never mind, I was just kidding—"
Xiao Yuxuan focused her attention and said earnestly, "What Sister Zheng said is also what I think."
“I have observed that since ancient times, loyal ministers and righteous men have risked their lives for the country in times of crisis. Although their bodies were torn apart, their merits were inscribed on the bell and their names were recorded in history.” (1) Now, our dynasty is plagued by constant foreign enemies and internal troubles. The waters run deep. Although my strength is like an ant trying to shake a tree, I dare not be stingy in offering it.”
Zheng Yanling paused, her expression a mixture of shock and shame.
"My dear sister, you have such a magnanimous heart. I was just being petty and narrow-minded... I almost offended you. It was my fault, and I apologize to you!"
As she spoke, she tried to bow to Xiao Yuxuan, which made Xiao Yuxuan both amused and exasperated.
"Good, well said!"
From behind the bushes next to the two, a woman in a moon-white robe stepped out, clapping her hands.
She wore her hair in a traditional Chinese updo, and her eyes were clear and bright, like glass. She looked more like a teacher than a student.
"Greetings, Master Nie!"
Zheng Yanling quickly bowed.
Xiao Yuxuan followed her example and curtsied, saying, "Master Nie."
"Your words don't sound like what a typical girl would think. Which class are you in? I've never seen you at the girls' school before."
Master Nie looked at Xiao Yuxuan with admiration. She was dressed elegantly but simply, and had a calm and composed demeanor. Her views were also rare. When did such a person appear in the capital?
"This student is Xiao Yuxuan from Class Ding. Today is my first day of school. I thank you, Master, for not blaming me for my arrogance."
Master Nie suddenly realized, "This is the daughter the Princess was talking about, the new daughter of the Xiao family?"
The princess originally intended to place her in Class A so that she could be with her older sister. However, because the exam was postponed, the princess did not want her to stand out and become the object of resentment among other students. Instead, she arranged for her to be placed in Class D first, and it would be fairer to divide the students into classes according to their scores after the exam.
When she learned of the princess's inner thoughts, she wondered why she had to go to such lengths for a little girl. Now, having overheard these words upon their first meeting, she had come to appreciate the child more.
“It’s good to have such an idea. Although the current dynasty has not yet officially implemented the system of female officials, as long as we women fight for our due rights, your ambitions will be realized sooner or later,” Master Nie encouraged.
Too much time had been wasted; by the time Xiao Yuxuan arrived at the entrance of Class Ding, the teacher was already inside.
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