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“Then let your little sister fight this battle for you, Brother.”
After listening, Pei Shang thought for a moment and realized he had asked the wrong person.
In the capital, everyone knew his close friend was upright and moral, treating beauties as nothing more than bones, with his heart set only on the books of sages.
Although born into a noble family and exuding an aura that warned others to stay away, he had lofty ambitions from a young age.
Unlike himself.
Pei Shang sighed. Just after he exhaled, he suddenly thought of something, and his eyes lit up.
“What do you think if I start a betting pool? Kind of like how the Qianji Pavilion does it — let people bet on who will rank the lowest. We’re all bored anyway. Under our teacher’s rule, this school is like a stagnant pond, lifeless. This could add a bit of fun.”
“A betting pool?”
“Oh come on, Brother Xie, don’t make it sound so ugly. It’s just some harmless fun between classmates. Purely for amusement.”
“So? Are you in?” Pei Shang folded his fan, his face full of excitement.
Compared to Pei Shang’s enthusiasm, Xie Zhuoguang remained calm. That was always his look — eyes like mist in autumn, cold and distant.
His brown eyes seemed to contain only endless chill.
When Pei Shang’s words entered his ears, Xie’s pupils contracted slightly — but only for a breath — before returning to normal.
Even Pei Shang, his closest friend, noticed nothing unusual.
“Boring.”
Xie Zhuoguang’s face remained cold. He had always dedicated himself to self-cultivation and would never involve himself in such things.
When it came to studying, Pei Shang might lack motivation. But when it came to indulgence and entertainment — he was an expert.
The very next morning, word of Pei Shang organizing a betting pool on who would place last in the school spread like wildfire.
Of course, the main subjects — Yu Jinnian and Yu Mingyao — had no idea.
Surrounded suddenly by so many fiery, curious gazes, even someone as thick-skinned as Yu Jinnian felt uncomfortable. Pei Shang already glancing her way was annoying enough.
Now there were so many more staring eyes.
Yu Jinnian pouted, ducked her head, and rolled her eyes quietly.
As soon as Old Master Fan said “dismissed” from the lectern, the long-suffering Yu Jinnian instantly perked up and packed her things at lightning speed.
Once the teacher left the room, she grabbed Yu Mingyao and Pei Bizhu, and the trio fled like the wind.
They had truly become the fastest group to leave Pei Academy in just two days — a trio bonded by their mutual dislike of studying.
Pei Bizhu, feeling an instant connection with Yu Mingyao, had never felt school so enjoyable. Normally, she only came to class to compete with Pei Lianzhu.
That guy always acted like he didn’t care about studying, tricking her — but always scored at the top during exams.
While she always placed last.
Every month, she got punished — standing or getting her palms smacked.
The three slowly strolled toward the Pei residence.
Pei Bizhu, delighted yet slightly guilty about maybe not being last anymore, asked, “Mingyao, I always pray to the ancestors before exams, hoping to beat Pei Lianzhu. Want to come burn incense with me?”
“As they say, ‘Sharpening your weapons before battle — it might not make you faster, but at least you shine!’ Who knows, those pretentious guys are probably cramming at home right now.”
“Sure, we don’t absorb knowledge well, but learning is about sincerity! Don’t you agree?”
She blinked her round eyes at Yu Mingyao, seeking agreement.
In her past life, they had shared a deep bond. Seeing Pei Bizhu’s innocent, unchanged look brought Yu Mingyao back to their younger days — chatting under the covers, whispering secrets.
Pei Bizhu often grumbled about Pei Lianzhu, calling him a toad dreaming of eating swan meat — trying and failing to win over Xie Zhuoguang.
She had always described it so vividly, and back then, Yu Mingyao would quietly listen, thinking only of the man like the moon in the sky.
Now, she realized how deeply she’d once fallen for Xie Zhuoguang.
She never imagined he would change — from a refined gentleman like green bamboo to a man she both loved and hated.
Ancient teachings told women to be reserved, but she sometimes resented how deep feelings could go completely unnoticed.
Walking side by side, Yu Jinnian saw his sister spacing out again and leaned over so as not to waste Pei Bizhu’s kind intentions.
“I used to think nobles were arrogant and domineering, but other than your older brother from the main house, the rest of your family is pretty kind. Thanks to their help, I’ve basically figured out the whole exam.”
“Wait, Old Master Fan is actually serious?!”
Yu Jinnian was shocked. He thought he and his sister were just there to fill seats — but the teacher really meant to punish the bottom two.
And the punishments were intense — some even humiliating.
“Of course!” Pei Bizhu widened her eyes. “You didn’t know? There’s even a whole betting pool on who’ll rank last!”
“Hehe… even though we’re friends, I bet a little on you two too.”
“What?! You really look down on us like that?” Yu Jinnian was furious. “So who’s getting the most bets?”
Pei Bizhu: “Obviously you and Mingyao. Ninety-nine percent of the bets are on you two. Only Prince Xie didn’t bet — he never joins in on this kind of stuff.”
“Don’t be mad. Think about it — bet one silver, earn three back. Who wouldn’t be tempted?”
Yu Jinnian was fuming. “This is outrageous! Mingyao, did you hear that?!”
Called out like that, Yu Mingyao’s dazed expression suddenly softened, returning to her usual gentle look.
Instead of getting angry, she smiled sweetly — her smile almost enchanting.
“Well then, Brother,” she said softly, “why not shut them up with results?”
“You—!” Yu Jinnian kicked a rock in frustration. “Now you’re mocking me too?”
“I just mean,” she said, voice like a gentle stream, “do you truly want to hold your head high?”
Yu Jinnian: “Yes.”
“Then let your little sister fight this battle for you,” Yu Mingyao said firmly.
Pei Bizhu, who’d watched the whole exchange, stared at her in confusion.
Yu Mingyao giggled and patted her head.
“Bizhu, I’ll let you in on a better way to earn money. Bet on me making the top three — you’ll win big.”
Meanwhile, Pei Shang had started logging everyone’s bets.
If he was going to do something, he’d do it perfectly — even had a ledger and abacus ready.
The school was mostly empty now, with only Pei Shang and Xie Zhuoguang left. Pei Shang happily worked his abacus while holding his betting book.
“See? The house always wins. I’ve already collected nearly a hundred silver taels. For every ten taels, I keep one as a fee.”
“Even if there’s an upset, I still pocket ten taels.”
At this, Xie Zhuoguang’s hand holding the pen paused.
His expression remained cold. “So what about your promise — triple the payout if Mingyao places high?”
Pei Shang waved it off. “Please, that was just a hook to attract bets. I didn’t make them lose money. The house fee is voluntary. Don’t I deserve a little for my effort?”
For some reason, Xie Zhuoguang felt a sting in his heart.
Head lowered, he muttered: “Then… who was the first to bet on her?”
His voice was too soft, barely audible.
Pei Shang only saw his lips move. “What?”
Xie Zhuoguang said nothing more.
But the next morning, when Pei Shang entered the study, his classmates all stared at him with shining eyes.
Someone shouted, “Brother Shang! Collect this bet! Some rich fool left 200 silver taels on your desk, betting that Yu Mingyao won’t be in the bottom two!”
“The handwriting’s messy — no idea who it was. But who cares, right? That kind of money? We welcome it!”
Everyone cheered.
From the moment news of the monthly exam broke, Yu Jinnian became the talk of the school. Learning of the bet, he burned with indignation.
Everyone acted nice to his face while betting on his downfall.
Traitors!
He was so angry he couldn’t sleep.
Even on the way to the exam, his spirits were low.
He kept glancing at his sister, who looked serene as ever — occasionally smiling in a way he didn’t understand.
He really wanted to ask if she was confident.
But the words stuck in his throat every time.
As the familiar scenery passed, the Yu siblings entered the academy.
“Hey… you two?”
Yu Jinnian nearly exploded.
Everyone was already there. Not a single student was late — even Pei Shang, who always cut it close, was already seated.
Compared to them, it looked like he and his sister didn’t take the exam seriously at all.
Anger surged in Yu Jinnian’s chest. He had restrained himself for two days.
Not anymore.
His tall frame strode to Pei Shang’s desk and slammed down silver taels.
“Fifty taels. On my sister placing top three.”
Everyone watching gasped — then burst into laughter.
“Top three? More like bottom three!”
“Hey now, don’t disrespect our moneybag. He’s our lucky god — show some respect!”
“Thanks in advance, Jinnian!”
Pei Shang, unfazed by Yu Jinnian’s death glare, calmly logged the bet.
Then, in typical fashion, he even called out: “Any other kind souls with burning money? Only one more bet slot left!”
“Going once—!”
He thought no one would take it. Then a soft voice said:
“M-me too… I want to bet on Sister Mingyao.”