Yang Du spoke expressionlessly, "By order of His Majesty, name tags will be issued to all students."
The eunuchs lifted the red cloth, revealing two different plaques.
One type is made of jade, and the other is made of wood. There are more jade pieces, and exactly seven wooden pieces.
Yang Du called out names, "Li Jun, Xiong Chumo, Mu Zixi, Nian Chenghan, Liu Zizai, Huo Baijun, Zhao Lin, Qi Wuyi... please come up and receive your name tags."
He pointed towards the jade plaque.
But no one moved; even the most foolish person could see the discriminatory treatment involved.
Especially since Xiao Zhixing was standing there, she had beaten him up and sealed him back last time because she was treated differently.
Don't assume that her recent well-behaved and amiable behavior means she's had a better temper; they wouldn't dare to have such a fantasy.
Xiao Zhixing sneered, "May I ask, Dean Yang, why are there two kinds of these plaques?"
Yang Du cupped his hands in greeting, "Your Majesty commands, and I am acting in accordance with your orders."
Xiao Zhi walked over, picked up a piece of wood, and said, "Oh, it's made of Phoebe zhennan wood. You've gone to a lot of trouble."
He then picked up a piece of jade, saying, "It's just ordinary mutton fat jade. It's quite remarkable that Your Majesty would think of using such fine wood to comfort us."
*Smack*
The two plaques were tossed back onto the tray, and the eunuch carrying the tray trembled inexplicably.
Xiao Zhixing turned to face Yang Du with a kind smile, "I am quite surprised. We are all students of the Gentlemen's Academy, so why is the Queen's plaque made of wood?"
Is this an insult mocking us as rotten wood?
Yang Du's cheeks tightened slightly, but he bowed respectfully, saying, "Your Highness has misunderstood; I had no such intention."
Xiao Zhixing neither agreed nor disagreed.
With a flick of his sleeve, all the plaques were instantly reduced to dust by the force of the energy. The eunuchs were so terrified that they all knelt down in unison, fearing that the energy would strike them.
"Get up, all of you. I am not an unreasonable person."
Xiao Zhixing smiled faintly, "Academician Yang, go back and make a new one. If you lack good materials, I am very willing to provide them."
Yang Du gave her a deep look, then bowed and turned to leave with the eunuchs.
Before long, Xiao Zhixing heard the Emperor System's angry curses: "Arrogant and domineering! Disrespectful to everyone! Audacious and reckless! Disregarding imperial authority! Ugh... I'm so angry!"
Zhao Yunqi sighed, "I warned you long ago that there's no need to test her over such trivial matters, lest you get angry for nothing."
The Emperor System was annoyed. "I just can't stand her being so domineering. Even Xiao Yan didn't dare to be so arrogant back then. It's outrageous! What gives her the right to act like this!"
Zhao Yunqi said, "Don't be angry. Who knows if she's testing my tolerance?"
The Emperor System scoffed, "Sooner or later..."
Xiao Zhixing snorted coldly, "I'll deal with you one day!"
That stupid bastard in the gutter only knows how to use these petty tricks. If it actually dared to send a master to kill her, she would praise it for being so clever.
Unexpectedly, after revealing its Heavenly Rank strength, it chickened out.
This fish is too timid and difficult to catch; it takes a lot of effort.
After the name tag was broken, Yang Du didn't mention it again, nor did he bring a new one, as if everything remained the same.
The second month's quiz continued, but Xiao Zhixing didn't stay at the Gentleman's Courtyard as often. Instead, he spent his days running between the camp and the Prince's Mansion, except when taking the exams.
Yang Du did not offer any opinion and let her do as she pleased.
Seeing this, others gradually reduced the time they spent at Junziyuan, and would take the books they wanted to read back with them.
The group only gathers together during exams; on other days, boys and girls go about their own activities, but those who are close will hang out together.
Xiao Zhixing is an exception; he rarely participates in activities.
She was busy cultivating, training troops, and handling affairs. She was busy using the sand table to conduct combat exercises with Huo Baijun, Xiong Chumo, Mu Wan, and others. She was busy studying at court meetings and occasionally causing trouble for the emperor and ministers. She was also busy guessing what the main system's plans would be.
Meanwhile, the popularity of the Gentlemen's Courtyard in Shengjing City gradually subsided. As the guests moved around freely, outsiders still thought that it was just like last year, a random move by the emperor to select his own faction.
When Xiao Zhixing had a moment to himself, he realized that the betting money he had won in the competition had gone silent and he still hadn't received it.
It's been over a month now.
"Your Highness, the owner of that gambling den has run away." Luo Ercai said helplessly, "When my men went there, they only managed to steal five thousand taels of silver; the rest was divided up."
"They escaped? Didn't they track them down?"
Luo Ercai said, "That boss has been running a gambling den in Shengjing City for seven or eight years. His reputation has always been very good, which is why everyone goes there to place bets. I didn't expect him to run away so quietly this time. I am ashamed that I didn't find many clues."
Xiao Zhixing asked Ying Yi to investigate. Although it was just a casual bet, she thought she could run away after losing her money. It wasn't that easy.
It wasn't until the third day that Yingyi returned to her.
“This person has connections with the Southern Barbarians. I suspect he might be a spy planted by the Southern Barbarians in our Great Sheng.”
Unexpectedly, there was an unforeseen gain. Did they flee in advance to avoid attracting attention when things got out of hand?
"Continue the investigation. It would be best if we could find the upstream supplier. Once we find them, do not act rashly."
That might be useful.
Of the four kingdoms bordering Dasheng, only Nanfan remains silent, so we must be wary of them.
Speaking of this...
In recent days, the northern barbarians have retreated, the northern border is in a stalemate, and there have been occasional battles at the Jianan Pass of the southern barbarians. Overall, Dasheng has remained stable.
Perhaps it couldn't withstand the constant nagging, because just two days after the thought crossed my mind, new news came from the south.
"Your Majesty! A great victory! General Feng has delivered the letter of peace from the Southern Barbarians by express courier! The Southern Barbarians have retreated!!"
On the day of the grand court assembly, a military report arrived from Jianan Pass.
Zhao Yunqi's face lit up with joy, "Good! Excellent!"
The crowd shouted "Long live!"
Zhao Yunqi stood up and waved, "I am very pleased. The country is fortunate to have such a capable minister. Great prosperity and peace are assured."
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