CHAPTER 14

This Author has something to say: Ciao!!!(Flutters eyelashes in Duolingo). Anyways I just realized that I forgot something very crucial. I would like to thank @Meimei_8 and @Chocolates_Dark for the power stones, thank you honestly, these little things motivate me to write. So I guess I am dedicating this chapter to you both. So I was thinking about something, I figured there are somethings I cannot describe very well in words; like the character's dressings and hairstyles and I really wish for my readers to be able to get the image just right. I'm in the middle of pleading with my sister to open an Instagram account for the book, but for now that she is yet to approve my request, I decided to post the pictures in the comment section, so please do well to check them out... Grazie mille 

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As Fusheng and Xueying left her room, the sun was already packing up it's bags. The orange rays created a sombre atmosphere in the Academy, Fusheng was in a good mood because to her standing in the Academy next to her best friend from childhood was a already a big win for her.

Looking around at the almost empty courtyard Xueying said "It seems like the assembly already started."

Fusheng feeling excited said "Let's hurry up to the venue, I can not miss my first assembly in the Academy."

Xueying rolled her eyes "The assembly is very boring and I guess that it is almost over by now."

Fusheng chuckled "You can't understand, I never believed I would be here so it's a privilege."

Xueying was overcome with pity towards her Meimei, she then held Fusheng's hands and dragged her along to the assembly ground. There Fusheng was amazed by what she saw, although it was well known that the Academy was prestigious, but it was at that moment that Fusheng truly understood the meaning of the prestige. 

The number of students in the academy really amazed Fusheng, she originally thought that there would not be younger students in the academy, but to her surprise she saw students of about 10, 11, and 12. She might just be among the older students, she was a bit sad about her delayed entrance into the Academy, but decided not to dwell in the past.

As she scanned through the crowd, she saw a small group gathered around Meilan at the back, with Meilan as the star of the group. They were attentively listening to whatever Meilan was saying. Fusheng being in a good mood decided to mess with Meilan a little. 

She turned to Xueying and said "Xueying, let's go over to that place, close to that tree."

Xueying looked over and noticed that Meilan was there, she frowned "Ughh, why do you want to go there, that place is clearly contaminated."

Fusheng chuckled at her reply "I want to know what Meilan is so animated about? Who knows, it might be about me."

Xueying said "It is obviously about you, if she talks about herself no one would listen."

Fusheng glanced at her and said "You really did work on your sass over the years"

Even though Xueying did not like the idea of standing next to Meilan, she still followed Fusheng along. On getting there they heard Meilan boldly claim that she had offered Fusheng a ride to school.

"You see my Jiejie did not come to the academy after everything that happened. I personally asked her this morning to join me to come to the Academy, but she refused and even spoke rudely to me."

Fusheng was taken back by Meilan's claim and seriously if she was not Fusheng, she would have believed the entire charade. People listening to her story, seriously believed her and sympathized with her, making her Fusheng seem like a useless student. Meilan did not even stop there,

"I even asked her why she did not want to come to the Academy, she replied saying that the prime Minister's son was not yet at the Academy, so she did not see why she should come."

By this time the people that were listening to her talk already saw Fusheng standing behind her, but maybe the shock made them shut up, but our good Meilan did not even read the room and continued talking, like she wanted to prove her point.

"She even said that she could easily get into the Academy with grandfather's name backing her up." 

Fusheng originally wanted to listen to her make a fool of herself, but she could not let her drag her grandfather's name into her little charade. So she spoke up first "Meilan have you seriously never considered working as a storyteller in one of these tea houses, you are seriously wasting your talent here."

Fusheng derived joy from seeing Meilan freeze, caught in her own lies, she slowly turned probably wishing that the person behind her was not Fusheng, but unfortunately the last person she expected to see what standing leisurely at her back. "What are you doing here?"

Fusheng was very amused at her reaction, she said "What? Why are you acting like I am not a student of this Academy? Or did you wish I would not come to the academy?"

Meilan gathered her wits and said "No, Jiejie don't get Lanlan wrong, I just thought you did not make it into the Academy on time because I did not see you earlier."

Fusheng nodded understandingly "Ohh, I understand."

Meilan really prayed to all the Buddhas that Fusheng would not expose her lies and would just let it slide. Just when she thought that everything had already been settled, she heard Fusheng again.

"So is that why you lied about offering to bring me back to school in your carriage?"

Meilan froze, but trying to save face, she stood her ground and thought that Fusheng did not have any proof against her and besides the people in the academy already believe her more than Fusheng. She boldly said "How can sister say that? I know you don't like Lanlan but you should not accuse me like that. I know within my heart that I offered for us to go to school together, but you declined and refused my good will."

Fusheng did not expect that Meilan would be so shameless as to continue to insist that she was not at fault and even tried to blame her right in front of her. Fusheng tried to give her another opening to escape and said "Are you sure you did not tell me this in your sleep?"

Meilan stood her ground and even adopted a grieved expression and said "I know Jiejie does not like Lanlan, but please do not make fun of my intelligence. I clearly asked you twice, but you declined and even gave reasons. You said that there is no reason for you to go to the academy if the prime Minister's son was not yet here and said that you could always enter in to the Academy, given our grandfather's reputation."

At the mention of her grandfather, Fusheng frowned "You really are shameless, I gave you several chances to leave with your honor intact but you don't just get the hint."

By this time, Meilan already got the sympathy of the onlookers and some of them said "You this waste stop trying to frame poor Lanlan." "we all know that you're madly in love with the prime Minister's son, so stop trying to shift the blame."

Fusheng did not even get upset about the people speaking up for Meilan, she calmly said "it makes sense that she easily deceives you people, you all are lacking braincells."

She turned to Meilan "You said that you offered to take me to school with you, but I have not even been in the house for a few days now."

Without allowing Meilan to say something, Fusheng hurriedly brought out the receipt of the Lodge she had been staying at. She knew something like this would happen, given Meilan's mindset, so she paid extra for the attendant to prepare this receipt. 

Fusheng proudly flashed the receipt before Meilan's face and her mindless fans, she said "This is proof that I have not been staying at the house for a few days now which means that I did not come to school from the house, so how is it possible that Meilan offered me a ride."

Meilan never expected that Fusheng would produce an evidence proving that she did not stay at the house and so did her mindless fans as they all stayed silent. 

When Meilan came back to herself she called out "Jiejie, I..."

Xueying irritated by her coquettish display snapped "Who is your Jiejie? Stop this act of yours, it is very disgusting."

Meilan just noticed Xueying and regretted dragging the issue of offering a ride to Fusheng out like this. She wanted to rush to explain herself to Xueying, but Fusheng did not let her.

Fusheng came two steps closer to Meilan standing just face-to-face with her, she said "Let today be the very last time you ever mention my grandfather as your grandfather or even mention him, because you are not worth him. If you need a grandfather then ask your father to tell you about his father, but do not claim my grandfather as yours ever again."

Meilan could not come up with a comeback, so she hurriedly left with her two minions in shame.

Fusheng flashed Xueying an innocent smile, while Xueying rolled her eyes at her.

***

Meanwhile in the general assembly as Master Jiang was giving his final remarks, he caught sight of the silent commotion going on at the back. He glanced at the three people standing next to the big tree, then also glanced at the crown prince standing next to him and could already feel the headache that is session was going to bring.

***

As the assembly ended and many of the students hurried off to their different dorms, Fusheng caught sight of Lingjun as he was coming straight to her. He smiled to her, probably over the shock he got in the afternoon.

"We meet again Fusheng" he nodded to Xueying and did not really say much to her. 

He turned to Fusheng again and said "I did not see you during the general assembly, I thought you lost your way and almost started searching for you, but luckily I saw you as the assembly was ending, but you were talking to some weird people."

Fusheng almost burst out in laughter, because this boy just referred to Meilan as "some weird people". She said to him "No I was just doing something, so I came late."

Lingjun nodded and said "Have you gotten assigned to your dorm?"

Fusheng shook her head "I am just about to do that. What about you?"

He shook his head and said "No I am yet to do that. I have something to do I will see you later."

And just like that he walked away, Fusheng had a big smile on her face while she watched his retreating back. Xueying asked her who he was, because she had not seen him before. Fusheng explained her chances encounter with him and also told her how she will take him as her sidekick. Xueying thought she was just talking nonsense and did not pay her any mind and took her to the office of Master Jiang.

***

Unknown to them, before Lingjun came to talk to Fusheng, the Crown prince saw Fusheng and Xueying and was about to go and talk to the two ladies, but he stopped in his tracks as he saw Lingjun to their direction with a smile. He could not believe his eyes and had to just stand there to observe things, but he saw Lingjun acting so docile and familiar with Fusheng. He did not know what to do again, he resolved to follow Lingjun out.

***

As Xueying and Fusheng got to Master Jiang's office, Fusheng discovered that the Master Jiang was that white haired young man that approved her admission to the Academy. She still could not understand why someone this young would be the Master of such a prestigious institution, but decided to ask Xueying the history about it later.

Master Jiang on seeing the both of them, said to Fusheng "The academy has been sending you letters since the moment you lost your cultivation, but you rejected every single letter but this one, may I ask why?"

Fusheng smiled and said "What if I told you that I never got any of those previous letters..."

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Author's speech: Salve! This chapter might be coming in late, I am really sorry that. 

The song I'm listening to currently is "Wu Ji from the Untamed. For those that don't understand, it is that Flute song that Wei Wuxian always plays, the particular one that made Lan Wangji recognize him" the song is so heart touching, I highly recommend.

Anyways do not forget to go through the comment section for the pictures I talked about.

All the pictures I will post are from Pinterest.

Happy reading pookies ...