The Imperial College of Laifeng State is located in the city, not far from the imperial palace. It takes about quarter of an hour to get there by carriage.
Today is Hua Qingcheng's first day to go to the Imperial College. Mu Lige originally wanted to send her there, but Hua Qingcheng sympathized with Mu Lige because she was pregnant and could not bear to see her suffer, so the person accompanying her in the carriage today was Situ Ye.
At 2:15 AM, the Crown Princess' exclusive carriage, pulled by Xiang Yunma, set out from the East Palace, left the Imperial Palace, and headed towards the Imperial College in the city.
The carriage moved forward quickly with a "clattering sound". After arriving at Qingyun Street, a majestic bluestone archway soon appeared in front of Hua Qingcheng, with the three big characters "Guozijian" engraved on it.
After passing through the memorial archway and continuing on for nearly half a quarter of an hour, Hua Qingcheng saw a magnificent academy. Above the academy's gate stood a large golden nanmu plaque, engraved with the six characters "Laifeng State Imperial Academy" painted in gold lacquer with a picture of a dancing dragon and phoenix.
The Imperial College, the highest institution of learning in Laifeng State, had a strict administrative system. Students were required to wear the academy's uniform during school hours and were restricted to eating lunch in the academy's dining hall (family members could bring them lunch, but they were not allowed to leave). They also had daily assignments like memorizing texts and practicing calligraphy, as well as monthly study targets. Failure to complete these tasks resulted in penalties.
The Imperial College also used a point-based system for academics. Examinations were held periodically at the Imperial College. The top scorer received one point, those above the average received half a point, and those below average received no points. The program lasted four years, and only those with excellent performance and a minimum of sixteen points could graduate.
In addition to royal relatives, nobles and some daughters of aristocratic families, those who could enter the Imperial College to study also included outstanding female students selected through local imperial examinations, some successful candidates who failed the imperial examinations, and international students from other countries.
As for Hua Qingcheng, she was a special case. Since she hadn't received a formal education as a princess, Emperor Nalan Yunzhi allowed her to study basic knowledge at the Imperial College while receiving additional lessons from the princess's tutor. Although she wasn't subject to the Imperial College's curriculum, she still had to abide by the basic rules.
"Aye, you go back to the East Palace first. I will go back after school in the evening."
Along the way, Hua Qingcheng and Situ Ye snuggled up to each other, but now it was time for them to separate.
"Okay. Qingcheng, I'll come over to bring you lunch at noon, remember to wait for me."
Situ Ye's big palms were broad and warm, and his smile was as warm and heartwarming as the morning sun, striking directly into Hua Qingcheng's soul.
"Aye, isn't there a cafeteria in the academy? Wouldn't it be too tiring for you to run around like this?"
"I'll make it for you myself."
Situ Ye's bright eyes sparkled, and the look he gave Hua Qingcheng was full of tenderness.
Delivering food to Hua Qingcheng and being able to take a walk out at the same time is much more comfortable than being locked up in the palace. Situ Ye is very happy about it. Besides, he can also see Hua Qingcheng more often. It is such a happy thing. Why bother?
"Okay. How can I refuse Aye's feelings? I'll wait for you."
Hua Qingcheng took Situ Ye's hand and pecked the back of his hand. Situ Ye also caressed Hua Qingcheng's face and placed a gentle kiss on her lips.
"Brother, if you keep on being so annoying, Her Highness will be late for school!"
Situ Ye's lips had just withdrawn from Hua Qingcheng's lips when a familiar teasing voice came from outside the carriage.
Situ Ye lifted the curtain of the carriage and jumped down swiftly. The girl in front of him, wearing the uniform of a girl from the Imperial College and with two buns on her head and a blue ribbon fluttering in the wind, who else could it be but his sister Situ Wanqing?
"Doudou, you are so disrespectful. You don't call me brother or sister-in-law, and you even dare to make fun of brother and sister-in-law!" Situ Ye raised his hand and pulled the ribbon on Situ Wanqing's bun, saying unhappily.
"Situ Xuanye, I'm warning you, don't call me Doudou anymore. I've grown up and taller."
Fourteen-year-old Wan Qing waved her fist towards Situ Ye, but it didn't have much impact in front of the tall and strong Situ Ye.
"Wanqing, how are you?"
Hua Qingcheng, who stepped down from the carriage last, smiled faintly at her sister-in-law. She had met Situ Wanqing before when she went to the Prime Minister's Mansion. Although she was not very old, she already had the demeanor of a noble family.
"Wanqing pays homage to Her Royal Highness the Crown Princess!"
Situ Wanqing was about to kneel down and pay homage to Hua Qingcheng, but was stopped by Hua Qingcheng.
"Today I...today I am here to study. We are both students of the Imperial College. Moreover, you are my aunt. There is no need to be polite in private."
Treating Erlang's family with courtesy is naturally a manifestation of love for Erlang. Seeing that Situ Ye looked at her with more gentle eyes, Hua Qingcheng knew that she had done the right thing.
"The land of gentleness is the tomb of a heroine. I didn't expect that the princess is such a kind person."
Just as Hua Qingcheng was talking to Situ Ye and his sister, a mocking voice suddenly came from behind them.
Hua Qingcheng and others looked back and saw a woman who looked to be about twenty years old, dressed in a crimson brocade palace dress, holding a sword, stepping on the coachman's back, and slowly getting off the carriage.
"Xiahou Yu? What are you doing here?" Situ Ye became alert when he saw Xiahou Yu coming.
"Xuan Ye, long time no see. How are you?" Xiahou Yu's gaze softened a little when he saw Situ Ye.
"We are not familiar with each other." Situ Ye said coldly.
"Xiahou Yu, Situ Xuanye is already the Crown Princess's concubine. You...don't overstep your bounds."
Although the emperor's canonization had not yet come down, Hua Qingcheng did not want Situ Ye to lose face, so she directly granted him the title of Concubine Lord.
Hua Qingcheng showed her arrogance as a princess to Xiahou Yu. She could have used her status to crush him, so why not use it?
This chapter is not finished yet, please click on the next page to continue reading the exciting content!
Continue read on readnovelmtl.com
