Meng Qingluan pricked up her ears and casually moved to the side of the crowd.
"Who is this Chen Yan?"
"I've never heard of him before, and I've never seen him at the academy. He must be a very young man."
"That's amazing! You got first place on your very first attempt at the academy exam."
"..."
Meng Qingluan quickly raised her hand to cover her mouth, suppressing the scream that she almost couldn't control.
First place in the provincial examination?
Shen Yan? With such a sharp mind, he should write his own college entrance exam papers.
Meng Qingluan excitedly led Shen Yan to the list, and sure enough, she found his name at the top.
First place stands out conspicuously.
Meng Qingluan was overjoyed, while Chen Yan glanced at her indifferently and then looked away.
His gaze fell on Meng Qingluan's face, noticing that her cheeks were flushed red, like a little apple.
I couldn't resist raising my hand to ruffle the top of her head.
Meng Qingluan was in a good mood and didn't slap his hand away, letting him touch her.
"Chen Yan, what reward do you want?"
"Um……"
Chen Yan pondered.
Soon, people noticed the two who had arrived late and guessed that this was Shen Yan.
Someone recognized Shen Yan's talent and took the initiative to strike up a conversation with him.
"Young Master Shen?"
Chen Yan frowned impatiently as he was interrupted.
Afraid of startling Meng Qingluan with her cold expression, she responded with a faint sound.
"Um."
Seeing that someone had caught wind of it so quickly, Meng Qingluan remarked on the pragmatism of people.
This doesn't hinder Chen Yan's social life.
After all, he didn't have any close friends, and it would be too lonely for him to come to the academy to study.
Shen Yan isn't a caged canary I've raised; she needs her own social life.
So, Meng Qingluan reached out and gave it a push...
Shen Yan was pushed forward.
The man was even more delighted to see this and hurriedly said some random things.
Seeing this, some people also crowded around Shen Yan to try and get close to him, praising his talent in their words.
Shen Yan was getting fed up with them.
Suppressing his impatience, he would occasionally reply with a word, his eyes always glancing behind him.
Young Master Zhu happened to witness this scene and, standing not far away, spoke in a cool and indifferent tone about Yin and Yang.
"Young Master Shen is truly skilled; his hands, which are adept at playing the pipa, can also wield a pen."
"..."
Everyone was taken aback by what Young Master Zhu said.
They quickly realized what he meant by playing the pipa.
Even with today's more open-minded society, it's rare to see families training men to play the pipa.
The man playing the pipa, isn't that...?
The group exchanged bewildered glances, pretending not to understand Young Master Zhu's words, and continued their conversation with Shen Yan.
The tone was much more distant.
Shen Yan was pleased that they were indifferent to him, and he didn't want to associate with others.
After offering a final, perfunctory remark, Shen Yan turned and stood back beside Meng Qingluan.
He squeezed her hand with dissatisfaction, even rubbing against the thin calluses on her fingers.
Meng Qingluan patted his hand, and the two walked one after the other to Zhu Gongzi's side.
Meng Qingluan flashed a perfect smile, revealing eight teeth.
"Young Master Zhu, do you know what I meant by what I just said?"
Young Master Zhu scoffed, completely unconcerned.
"Of course I know, do you need to tell me?"
Meng Qingluan smiled faintly, leaned close to him, lowered her voice and left a message, then turned and left the academy with Shen Yan.
Young Master Zhu was so angry that he gritted his teeth and stomped his feet.
Meng Qingluan only said one sentence, but he immediately understood its meaning.
Braised pork with glass noodles!
Meng Qingluan held Chen Yan's hand as they returned, feeling uneasy.
She didn't believe that the scholars in the academy didn't know about Nanfeng Pavilion and were simply naive young men who were ignorant of the ways of the world.
Young Master Zhu's words subtly hinted at Shen Yan's previous encounter at Nanfeng Pavilion.
Yet it remains obscure and unclear.
It's hard to tell whether he works as a servant or a young master at the Nanfeng Pavilion.
Damn it.
If those scholars consider themselves superior and some are jealous of him, Shen Yan will inevitably be isolated in the academy.
Shen Yan noticed her worried expression and stopped.
"What's wrong?"
Meng Qingluan raised her head and immediately rattled off a series of instructions.
"Chen Yan, you must never suffer in silence if you are bullied at the academy. You must fight back, understand?"
Chen Yan was taken aback. So that's what he was thinking about.
A warmth filled her heart, and her already soft lines became even gentler. She nodded in agreement.
"Don't worry, no one will bully me."
"You promise that if you are bullied, you will tell me and won't keep it to yourself."
"I promise."
Meng Qingluan was relieved after receiving his assurance.
Unlike Chen Yan's emotional reaction, Meng Qingluan's mind was filled only with the will to survive.
Shen Yan had finally become her best friend.
If you were bullied at the academy, you would eventually suppress it and develop a mental illness.
Wouldn't all my efforts be in vain?
Besides, she had already planned everything.
If Shen Yan successfully assists Li Zhanjue in ascending the throne and avoids his death, she will divorce him.
They'll be best friends by then.
Shen Yan will definitely not treat me badly; by then, I'll have money and connections.
She vowed that she would definitely keep a whole yard full of handsome young men in her backyard.
Meng Qingluan was lost in her own beautiful fantasy and did not notice Li Lan walking towards her.
"Long time no see, Xiangxiang."
Meng Qingluan was lost in thought when she suddenly heard a familiar voice.
Upon closer inspection, Li Lan was already standing in front of him.
That icy-faced man was still by her side.
Upon hearing the pet name he used for Meng Qingluan, Shen Yan's face instantly darkened.
Li Lan also noticed Shen Yan's sour face and smiled even more brightly.
Meng Qingluan's eye twitched involuntarily. How did she run into this guy again...?
He forced a smile and politely returned the greeting.
"Long time no see, Young Master Li."
Li Lan looked hurt and exaggeratedly clutched his chest, taking a few steps back.
"Xiangxiang, I never expected you to be such a heartless woman! We've only been apart for a few days, yet you're so distant with me."
Meng Qingluan: "..."
Grandpa, are you alright?
Shen Yan's face darkened completely, and he gave him a cold glare.
He took a step forward, blocking most of Meng Qingluan's body and cutting off his view.
"Young master, please have some self-respect."
Li Lan smiled slightly and glanced at him casually.
"Where did I cross the line? Kids, please move aside and don't disturb my reunion with your older sister."
"..."
Shen Yan felt—
Li Zhanlan's words were more damaging than any of his previous remarks.
Even that hug wasn't as hurtful as those words.
So this despicable man has always thought of himself as Meng Qingluan's younger brother?
Who is his play for?
Li Zhanjue, that incredibly stupid guy?
Meng Qingluan poked her head out and explained.
"He's not my brother..."
Li Lan interrupted, "That must be my brother."
"...is my husband."
After explaining, Meng Qingluan pulled her head back inside.
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