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Chapter 13: Slap in the Face – The Moment the Words Fell, the Whole Room Was Shocked

Under the intense stares of the crowd, Pei Shang’s words shattered the tense silence.

He shouted sharply first, “Sir will be randomly calling on someone to do a sand table simulation today. Could it be that everyone is as well-prepared as Brother Xie?”

When those around began showing signs of worry, he revealed his true intent.

“What are you still crowding here for? Scatter already! If Sir comes in and calls on everyone, I’m not taking the fall if we all mess up.”

The students around him immediately scattered like birds fleeing a tree.

Pei Shang looked smug for a second, but a moment later, worry crept into his tightly knit brows. Stretching his neck, he cautiously leaned past Yu Jinnian and looked toward Yu Mingyao, his voice steady but audible.

“You’re really leaving?”

Those four words carried endless emotion, spoken with layers of unspoken meaning.

Yu Mingyao didn’t really want to speak. Right now, she only wished she could shrink into a shadowy corner like a mushroom, silently radiating melancholy.

But whenever she heard that clear, hesitant voice, she would recall the previous life—how when she and Xie Zhuoguang drifted apart, this very person, even with his home in ruins and family gone, still remembered she was alone and did his best to make her smile.

With a face more beautiful than most women, dazzling and striking, Pei Shang had never experienced hardship growing up. He was wild, arrogant, and occasionally mischievous—until catastrophe struck.

The Pei family, three generations deep, was reduced to just three: him, the old madam, and the third house’s older sister.

She had no romantic feelings for him, only deep respect. On those cold nights alone, she would think of him—of how he rose from devastation—and remind herself that she too could endure.

That she too… didn’t need to cling to Xie Zhuoguang’s illusory love.

“Mm. I’m going back.”

She smiled sweetly at Pei Shang.

Her voice was soft, like water ready to spill, her eyes shimmering with gentleness.

When she saw the youth meet her gaze, his ears instantly turned bright red.

Yet the man who in his past life was the infamous and blood-soaked Minister of Justice—whose mere name could silence crying children—could brush petals off her shoulder with calm composure, unfazed.

“I won’t be coming back either.”

Pei Shang, clearly wanting to say more, was silenced by what she added.

“Ah…”

The boy’s eyes drooped instantly, his spirits plummeting.

He slowly turned away, slumping over his desk like a defeated rooster, utterly dejected.

Beside him, Yu Jinnian snorted coldly.

Xie Zhuoguang, who had his back to Yu Mingyao the whole time, grew even more tense.

He didn’t turn around—but perhaps because of that, his full attention focused on his ears and back. It was as if he had been cast into darkness, and the person behind him was his only salvation.

As her soft voice drifted into his ears, Xie Zhuoguang imagined her rosy lips moving gently.

The words she spoke seemed wrapped in sugar. He couldn’t imagine how Pei Shang could possibly resist her.

That breathtaking moment yesterday—they both saw it.

After class, Pei Shang, usually a chatterbox, was uncharacteristically quiet. It took a while before he muttered gloomily—

“I’m not as good as her.”

They had both seen her pale face, her sweat-drenched forehead, and how she endured the pain as if it were nothing and still pulled her bow.

“You think I should go along with her? Maybe give it a try?” Pei Shang had murmured back then.

From resistance to admiration—Pei Shang fell faster than expected.

And he—Xie Zhuoguang—was more shameful than he thought himself to be.

He tried to suppress the storm brewing in his chest, but the teasing laughter behind him made the blood surge violently within. He could almost taste blood in his throat.

So bitter. So iron-tinged.

As the room fell silent, Qingfeng entered holding exam papers behind Elder Fan. As soon as they stepped inside, they saw everyone sitting upright and orderly.

Unable to contain his curiosity, Qingfeng glanced at Yu Jinnian seated at the back.

Just yesterday, the boy had been howling in pain, and Qingfeng had helped take him to the doctor. The doctor had said his injury needed rest—but not only had the boy sneaked off to watch the riding competition, he even showed up to class today.

“Qingfeng, that’s enough.”

Elder Fan gestured for him to leave after the papers were placed.

Qingfeng nodded, but couldn’t help turning to glance back—right as Yu Jinnian grinned excitedly at him.

Once the class mascot left, the students’ hearts collectively tensed. All eyes fell on the pile of exam papers Qingfeng had just set down.

That thin stack would determine their pride—or shame—for the next week at least.

This time, their private wagers were also on the line. As the announcement drew near, who didn’t feel nervous? Even if Yu Mingyao had performed brilliantly in riding, there was still the policy paper.

How could a sheltered girl know how to draft state policy?

Their money might still be safe!

Under a dozen expectant stares, Elder Fan remained composed. He sat down, sipped his tea, and then began flipping through the papers.

“I must win! Bless my sister Mingyao to dazzle everyone and blind a certain someone!” Pei Bizhu whispered, hands clasped.

Beside her, Pei Lianzhu sneered, rolled her eyes at Yu Mingyao, and then turned to Pei Bizhu to retort, “Some people sure love to dream in broad daylight!”

“So what if that Xie heir showed her favor yesterday and let her win by default? She still won’t pass the strategy paper.”

“You don’t actually think your pretty-faced sister Mingyao can beat me into the top three, do you?”

“You—!”

Pei Bizhu was about to retort when Elder Fan’s calm voice rang out.

“This time, I want to especially commend one student.”

“Who? Who?” Pei Bizhu shouted, ignoring Pei Lianzhu.

Elder Fan glanced at her blandly. “Silence.”

Pei Bizhu lowered her head, embarrassed. “Okay,” she muttered.

Before Elder Fan could finish, Yu Jinnian—sensing what was coming—turned around excitedly, barely able to contain himself.

“Sis, I knew it!”

He, like Pei Bizhu, couldn’t hide things—his loud voice drew Elder Fan’s sharp glare.

Yu Mingyao, who had been melancholic over her departure, couldn’t help but smile at their antics, her gloom dispersing.

“The top scorer in the policy exam is… unexpectedly a girl. Truly, women are no less than men in governance. Qingfeng will post the full essay and ranking after class.”

“All of you, regardless of gender, should take her as an example and study harder.”

Elder Fan lifted a paper.

Below, everyone held their breath.

“Yu Jinnian: Grade C.”

With that, everyone relaxed slightly.

Pei Shang saw Yu Jinnian frozen in place, staring at his paper without moving.

“Brother Jinnian, go get it~ You think Sir’s going to bring it to you?” Pei Shang joked.

Yu Jinnian finally came to and got up.

Yu Mingyao shot Pei Shang a playful glare.

Pei Shang, flustered, instinctively took out his fan and fanned himself in a show of false calm.

“Pei Baiting: Grade B+.”

“Pei Bizhu: Grade B.”

…

As Elder Fan continued, the stack of papers shrank. The hearts of those still waiting beat faster.

Only three had not yet been called.

“It’s me—it has to be me,” Pei Lianzhu muttered through clenched teeth. Pei Bizhu wanted to mock her but was silenced by a deadly glare.

Xie Zhuoguang felt his own heart tense—not for himself, but for Yu Mingyao.

Only he, Yu Mingyao, and Pei Lianzhu remained. Pei Lianzhu had always ranked in the top three. Though unlikely, what if she had outperformed him?

Pei Shang already looked certain. He congratulated Yu Mingyao from across the aisle.

Yu Jinnian, unhappy with Pei Shang, tried to block his view and congratulated his sister himself.

At the center of it all, Yu Mingyao felt unexpectedly calm.

She had agreed to the bet only to stand up for her brother—she hated seeing him so aggrieved.

That embrace after the archery test, when she clutched his sweat-drenched hand—that was enough for her. She was already content.

No matter the result, she could face it like a fisherman watching the changing seasons on the river.

“Xie Zhuoguang: Grade A.”

“Pei Lianzhu: Grade A-.”

Everyone held their breath.

“Yu Mingyao: Grade A+.”

The moment the words landed, the room fell silent in shock.

Yu Jinnian’s mouth dropped wide enough to fit a whole egg. He knew his sister was amazing—but he didn’t think she’d be this amazing!

Not only did she beat that proud-as-a-peacock Pei Lianzhu, but she even surpassed Xie Zhuoguang!

Ha! That’s my sister!

Just as he was about to congratulate her, a clatter of desks and chairs came from the front.

“Sir, I don’t believe it! Did you make a mistake?”

“She’s just a country bumpkin! How could she beat us city-raised elites?”

Pei Lianzhu was red with rage, pointing at Yu Mingyao.

“Yeah! Exactly…” someone chimed in.

Elder Fan calmly observed.

“If you doubt, I shall clarify. After the break, Qingfeng will post both your essays for everyone to judge.”

“But for disrespecting your teacher, you must also be punished—copy Student Conduct Rules 100 times and be grounded for seven days. Do you accept?”

Pei Lianzhu raised her chin. “As long as you’re fair, I accept.”

With the drama over, class finally reached break time.

As soon as Elder Fan left, Pei Lianzhu glared at Pei Bizhu and Yu Mingyao, then summoned her maid to go check the rankings.

Others who had placed bets excitedly called on Pei Shang to go with them.

Pei Shang waved them off, annoyed. Soon, only a few remained in the hall.

He was just about to ask Yu Mingyao again why she was quitting when he saw her waving to Yu Jinnian.

“Brother, let’s go speak to Sir.”

As the two figures left together, Pei Shang looked utterly bereft.

It’s over. What do I do now?

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