If you were cold and aloof in your past life, why are you crying in this one?

"Xi Lingxian? What are you doing here?"

Hearing a familiar voice behind her, Xi Lingxian subconsciously turned her head.

Okay, they're all acquaintances.

Xie Wanru, Xie Wanning, Xie Wanting, Gu Xin...

"What else can one do at the academy? Of course, it's to study and advance one's academic career."

"You? Studying classics?" Xie Wanru seemed to have heard the biggest joke in the world, then suddenly realized, "I know, you're lying. You still like Qingyu, don't you?"

Xi Lingxian sighed, "Third Miss Xie, your Xie family isn't so poor that you can't afford a doctor; hurry up and get a few more to check your head!"

"you!"

"What do you mean, 'what do you mean, 'I'? I'm so beautiful, even a god would be worthy of me. Why would I bother with Wang Jue?"

"Right now, I like gentle, considerate, and caring men. Which word do you think Wang Jue fits that description?"

"From now on, if you see me, you'd better take a detour, or my soft sword won't discriminate! Understand?"

"Rude!"

"I am rude, and if you are not, then you are not allowed to fight back when I hit you, otherwise it means you are rude too."

Xie Wanru was speechless.

Xie Wanting felt embarrassed by Xie Wanru and pulled her away.

……

early morning

The sound of bells rolled down from the bell tower on the mountaintop, through the corridors, and into the cracks in the doors and windows of every dormitory, pulling everyone out of their dreams.

Xi Lingxian opened her eyes, looked at the unfamiliar curtains above her head, and was momentarily dazed. Then she remembered that she was in the Linchuan Abode.

She sat up, put on her coat, and quickly washed up.

Today is the first day of school. We will listen to the instruction in front of the hall, where the headmaster will personally recite the etiquette and rules.

As I stepped out of the dormitory, the sky was just beginning to lighten with the first hint of dawn.

Shen Qingdai grabbed her sleeve and ran outside, saying, "The headmaster is giving a speech today, and my brother said that being late will get you punished!"

The two arrived at the front of the lecture hall. A number of people were already standing in the open space in front of the hall.

"Clang—clang—clang—" The bell rang three more times, long and solemn.

The crowd quieted down, and all eyes turned to the lecture hall.

The lecture hall door slowly opened, and Gu Yong walked out.

He wore a dark gray robe, his hair and beard were all white, and his face was thin and frail.

He stood on the steps, his gaze sweeping across every face, exuding an imposing aura without anger.

"Gentlemen."

"Without rules, nothing can be accomplished. The Linchuan Academy has stood for a century not because of its academic achievements, but because of its rules. You may not be learned or have profound knowledge, but you must abide by the rules."

With a wave of his hand, several pageboys filed out from behind him, each carrying a stack of scrolls, which they distributed to each student one by one.

The scroll was tied with a red silk ribbon; it was heavy and felt substantial in the hand.

"These are the rules of the academy, passed down from the day it was founded, without a single word changed. After you go back, you must read and memorize them word by word. After a month, if you still can't memorize them—" He paused, his gaze sharp as a knife.

"Expelled from the monastery."

A low gasp rose from the crowd.

Xi Lingxian pushed aside the red ribbon and pulled hard—the scroll slipped from her hand and fell with a clatter.

She was dumbfounded.

The scroll was longer than her, spread out on the ground, extending from her feet to more than three feet away, densely covered with small regular script.

She squatted down, grabbed one end of the reel and pulled it toward herself, but after pulling for a long time, she only managed to pull it halfway.

"this……"

Her voice was a little unsteady, "This is way too long..."

Shen Qingdai had already unrolled the scrolls and spread them all over the floor.

She squatted on the ground, her expression shifting from shock to despair, and from despair to utter hopelessness.

"Fanfan," her voice drifted on and on, as if coming from a great distance, "we've been deceived."

Xi Lingxian looked at her, waiting for her to continue.

"My brother told me that studying at Linchuan Academy is very relaxing. Every day, you just listen to lectures, practice calligraphy, admire flowers, and drink tea. It's not much different from being at home."

Xi Song's expression was exactly the same as Shen Qingdai's.

"Sister, didn't you say studying here is easy?"

In the hall, Gu Yong began to recite the academy's motto.

"Frugality cultivates virtue; students should not compare themselves to each other in terms of food, clothing, and daily necessities..."

Xi Lingxian looked at the sun overhead and felt as if the words "asking for trouble" were stuck in her head.

……

Outside the gate of Linchuan Hermitage, separated by a blue stone path, stands a teahouse.

Although it's called a teahouse, it's actually more like a viewing platform built on the edge of a cliff.

With three sides suspended in the air and one side backed by a mountain, the entire retreat can be seen from the veranda.

The teahouse is unusually crowded today. New students are enrolling at the academy, and many family members from prominent families have come to see them off. Unable to leave immediately, they gather in twos and threes in the teahouse, drinking tea and discussing which family's daughter is the prettiest and which family's son is the most handsome among this year's new students.

On the second floor of the teahouse, in a private room by the window.

There were five or six people sitting inside, all of whom were famous scholars of metaphysics in the world.

Pei Yu, who was in charge, was a famous scholar of philosophical discourse in Jiankang City. Sitting opposite him was Zheng Shu, the Vice Minister of the Chancellery, who was also a pillar of the metaphysical circle and author of "Chongwu Lun," which made him famous for a time.

The others were all figures who, if picked out at random, could debate with a group of scholars in a lively discussion.

At this moment, everyone's gaze fell on one person.

Wang Jue sat by the window, wearing a dark blue robe, his hair tied up with a jade hairpin, his face cold and his eyes distant.

"Young Master Wang," Pei Yu put down his teacup and looked at him with a smile, "I invited you here today not only to enjoy tea and discuss philosophy, but also to ask you for a favor."

Wang Jue withdrew his gaze and looked at Pei Yu. "Mr. Pei, please speak."

Pei Yu stroked his beard and pointed out the window.

From this angle, you can see the entire layout of the retreat.

Lecture hall, library, dormitory, corridor, and that open space surrounded by maple trees.

In the open space, the newly enrolled disciples were listening to Gu Yong's instructions, standing in a dense, dark mass.

"The academy has recently added two new study rooms, one named Baopu and the other Shouzhuo, both located in the bamboo grove to the east, in a quiet and elegant setting. Headmaster Gu said he would like to ask someone to inscribe a plaque for them."

Pei Yu's gaze fell on Wang Jue, and his smile deepened. "The calligraphy of the Langya Wang family is renowned throughout the land. Young Master Wang's calligraphy is even more priceless. Would Young Master Wang do me the honor of inscribing a few words for these two studies?"

The private room fell silent for a moment, and all eyes were on Wang Jue.

The Langya Wang family is renowned for its calligraphy. Wang Xizhi's "Preface to the Poems Composed at the Orchid Pavilion" is hailed as the finest example of running script in the world. The calligraphy of the Wang family members was more valuable than gold in Jiankang City.

Although Wang Jue's calligraphy was not as good as his great-uncle's, it was still outstanding among the younger generation.

Because of their rarity, Wang Jue's calligraphy is rarely given away.

He didn't reply immediately, his gaze drifting out the window.

On the open ground, Gu Yong was still spitting as he spoke, while his disciples below looked drowsy.

Xi Lingxian was whispering to Shen Qingdai and Xi Song on either side of her, shading her eyes with her hands, her beautiful eyebrows slightly furrowed, staring bitterly at Gu Yong who was speaking eloquently on the stage.