Young Master Xiao

The inspection at Guangwen Hall was held every October.

The inspection was a test for each student in the academy.

Exceptional students could enter the talent showcase, and most importantly, many scholars and court officials would watch, including the princes.

If there were good students, they might gain an opportunity to enter officialdom.

In short, showcasing one's talents was always a way to gain attention. Therefore, every year during the inspection, everyone tried their best to win a title.

Among the second-year students, Ye Amy excelled the most, shining brightly every year during the inspections.

Ye Cindy, although not as accomplished in poetry and literature as Ye Amy, ranked high in arithmetic and always managed to secure a position.

As for accomplishing nothing and being at the bottom, it was always Ye Lily.

She couldn't play musical instruments, chess, calligraphy, or painting, and knew nothing about arithmetic or strategy. Every inspection day, she embarrassed herself.

Forget about talent showcases; even passing the test was difficult. In her past life, Ye Lily dreaded the annual inspections, envying Ye Amy and Ye Cindy basking in glory on stage.

Now, looking back, it all seemed like childish rivalry. She had seen much bigger challenges. The inspection didn't bother her anymore.

She glanced at Feng Anning and said, "Inspection? I've never thought about competing for any rankings. What's there to compete for at the bottom?"

Feng Anning was slightly taken aback. She hadn't expected Ye Lily to admit her low ranking so frankly.

She scrutinized Ye Lily carefully and asked, "Were you really hurt so badly that your personality changed so much?"

Ye Lily seemed to have transformed overnight—calm, straightforward, and poised, showing a maturity beyond her years.

Sitting at the same table, this change in demeanor was even more noticeable.

"Yes," Ye Lily smiled faintly and said no more.

Perhaps it was instinctive for teenagers to admire or respect those more mature than themselves.

Ye Lily's demeanor inadvertently improved Feng Anning's attitude towards her.

After the arithmetic class ended, the students went to the garden outside Guangwen Hall to rest and play.

The girls were either playing chess or discussing newly written poems inside the classroom when they heard what sounded like a startled horse outside.

"What's that sound?" Yi Peilan turned her head.

"Let's go outside and check," Jiang Caixuan suggested, pulling Ye Amy along. "Come on, let's see what's happening."

Ye Lily had no intention of joining the commotion, but Feng Anning, after taking a few steps, turned back, thought for a moment, grabbed Ye Lily's hand, and said, "Let's go together!"

Ye Lily was surprised. Feng Anning had always looked down on her, let alone such intimate gestures. Before she could figure it out, Feng Anning had already pulled her out of the classroom.

Outside, many students had already gathered at the entrance upon hearing the noise. Seeing Feng Anning dragging Ye Lily over, they all cast astonished looks.

Ye Amy's eyes flickered slightly, but she said nothing. On the other hand, Ye Cindy snorted disdainfully. Since learning that Ye Lily also admired Duke Ding, she no longer bothered to pretend to be friendly.

But what surprised people wasn't this. Cai Lin, who had just squeezed out of the crowd, exclaimed joyfully upon seeing someone outside, "Young Master Xiao!"

Young Master Xiao? Ye Lily looked out.

Outside the vermilion gates of Guangwen Hall stood a chestnut-red steed, its coat shiny and smooth, obviously a priceless treasure.

The horse kicked its front hooves proudly, its elegant figure drawing much attention.

But it paled in comparison to the rider.

The young man sat upright on the horse, wearing a narrow black brocade robe embroidered with cloud patterns, draped in a deep purple sable cloak.

His right hand lazily played with the horsewhip. He had sharp eyebrows and bright eyes, extremely handsome features. His lips curled slightly, half-smiling, half-not, but his eyes were very cold.

Immediately, some girls in the crowd blushed and, regardless of the setting, boldly threw handkerchiefs folded into flowers towards the young man.

The customs of Mingqi were always open, especially lenient towards the young.

The flower landed in the young man's arms. He reached out, picked it up, and smirked. The girl who threw the flower immediately clutched her chest, her face flushed, clearly smitten.

The next moment, the young man's mischievous smile vanished instantly. The flower fluttered down to the ground, crushed under the chestnut horse's hooves.

He lazily straightened his posture, exuding a natural aggressiveness, yet his handsome face amplified that allure to the fullest. He was naturally captivating, impossible to ignore.

What a cold and nasty person.

Yi Peilan muttered, "It's Young Master Xiao."

Ye Lily raised an eyebrow. Young Master Xiao, Xiao Jack.

The prominent families of Mingqi today were mostly those who had fought alongside the former emperor to establish the kingdom.

Through generations, some families retained only their names, empty inside. Others flourished, blossoming like flowers.

There were families like the Fengs, civil officials, and the Yes, military generals.

If the Ye family, through generations of generals, were honest and straightforward soldiers, recognized as sincere people, then the Xiao family, holding significant military power, were troublemakers.

The current emperor was helpless against the Xiao family.

Perhaps the Xiaos always had a rebellious streak. They did outrageous things, like ignoring orders from the capital to retreat and instead pursuing risky victories.

They even justified it with "a general in the field may choose whether to follow orders."

But the royal family always found the Xiao family untouchable because the Xiaos were invincible in battle.

The Ye and Xiao families were naturally opposed, partly due to the former emperor's deliberate divide and rule tactics to maintain balance in the court.

Ye Xin and Lord Xiao's political views never aligned. Ye Xin disapproved of Xiao Ding's aggressive and cunning battlefield tactics, considering them unorthodox.

Xiao Ding disapproved of Ye Xin consulting military books while fighting, calling him outdated and inflexible. Apart from arguing in court, the two families had no interaction, which the former emperor was pleased to see.

After Xiao Ding's wife passed away, Xiao Ding didn't remarry.

He had a concubine who bore two sons, meaning Xiao Jack had two half-brothers.

Perhaps Xiao Ding pitied his legitimate son for losing his mother early and wanted to compensate, spoiling Xiao Jack rotten, turning him into a lawless character.

Even so, Xiao Jack remained an extraordinary person. Aside from his mischievous and cold nature, his talent, intelligence, appearance, and family background were all top-notch in Mingqi, which was why so many girls secretly admired him.

But alas, Ye Lily sighed inwardly. Such an outstanding young man ultimately met a tragic end—shot by thousands of arrows, skinned, and dried as an example.

Perhaps her gaze of pity was too obvious. The young man suddenly looked over, his star-like eyes flashing slightly, giving her an ambiguous glance.