Chapter 33-Part 2

She didn’t expect to catch the old teacher’s attention and receive such great praise.

As for those who had previously mocked Jiang Xiurun, they are now all silent. The students of the Ding class were often ridiculed by students from the Tiangan and Dizhi classes. Today, finally, there emerged a young gentleman praised by the teacher, Young Master Jiang, and everyone was delighted and proud.

Dou Siwu was even more delighted. He patted Jiang Xiurun on the shoulder and said with a smile, “Excellent, excellent! The students of our Ding class cannot be looked down upon today. I invite everyone to have a drink after class!”

The students in the Ding class were all mediocre, below average in talent. When it came to academic studies, they were as clueless as chickens, but when it came to eating, drinking, and having fun, they were all experts. Hearing Dou Siwu’s invitation, they all responded enthusiastically.

Jiang Xiurun didn’t want to go initially, but with the enthusiastic response from her classmates, she thought that she might need their help in the future, especially since she would soon be running away. Building good relationships with her fellow students might come in handy later, so she reluctantly agreed.

After class, several students from the Ding class, including Jiang Xiurun’s brother Jiang Zhi, gathered together and headed out of the academy in groups of two or three, arriving at Taixian Ju, a famous restaurant in the capital frequented by officials and dignitaries.

Although the students varied in their academic abilities and personal qualities, they were simpler compared to people like Liu Pei, who smiled to everyone’s face but schemed behind their backs. After a few drinks, the atmosphere became lively.

Jiang Xiurun was cautious not to reveal too much in front of her classmates and skillfully employed the art of polite conversation she had honed in her past life. Soon, she was regarded as a close friend by these simple-minded people, with each one calling her brother. Even her frequent refusals to drink due to feeling unwell were no longer held against her.

Observing the crowd at the table, Jiang Xiurun noticed that Dou Siwu appeared rough and straightforward on the outside, but he was actually simple-minded and loyal. He spoke fondly of heroes from previous generations. It seemed that only with such a character could he have run straight into danger without hesitation in his previous life, when Emperor Qi’s power was waning and he stood against the Crown Prince.

At that time, Jiang Xiurun secretly admired him, seeing Dou Siwu as a hero unafraid of authority!

She never expected that one day she would be calling this hero, Dou Siwu, her friend and brother.

After drinking for more than two hours, Dou Siwu paid the bill, and everyone stumbled out of the tavern, bidding farewell to each other before getting into their own carriages and returning home.

Jiang Xiurun was about to board the carriage to the crown prince’s residence when Dou Siwu called out to her, hiccupping slightly as he said, “I’ve heard of your reputation, Xiao Jiang. Today, seeing you in person, you’re not as arrogant as some people say. We hit it off right away. If you ever need my help in the future, just let me know.”

With that, he gave her a hearty pat on the shoulder, then struggled to climb back into his carriage and headed back to the Dou residence.

Jiang Xiurun was somewhat pleased. Today’s dinner had made her more familiar with the students of the Ding class, providing her with more connections for the future.

As Jiang Xiurun turned to walk towards her carriage, she suddenly noticed a luxurious carriage with four horses parked next to it. It was the carriage commonly used by the Crown Prince of Qi,Feng Liwu.

At this moment, the curtain on the carriage was lifted, revealing the handsome and elegant face of Feng Liwu, who was gazing sharply at her through the window.

Startled by the prince’s piercing gaze, Jiang Xiurun quickly walked over and bowed to greet him.

Feng Liwu’s expression remained stern as he spoke calmly, “You’ve only been at the academy for three days, yet it seems you’ve already made friends all around and are busy socializing.”

Today, Feng Liwu returned to his residence very early. He had originally intended to wait for Jiang Xiurun to return home and test her understanding of the lectures she had studied at the academy.

However, to his surprise, he waited and waited but did not see the young tutor return home.

Feng Liwu sent someone to inquire and learned that Tutor Jiang had gone out drinking with his brother and classmates.

Feng Liwu, feeling restless at home, ordered a carriage to the restaurant to search for him. Unexpectedly, he saw young master Jiang in an intimate situation with another man…

Jiang Xiurun was unaware of the turmoil in the prince’s heart.

When questioned by Feng Liwu in this manner, she thought the crown prince was mocking her lack of focus on studies and excessive socializing.

Feeling remorseful for not living up to the educational support provided by the crown prince’s residence, she quickly responded, “Today, I received praise from my teacher for my essay, and my classmates meant well by inviting me to celebrate. In the future, I will be more respectful and not behave so extravagantly.”

Feng Liwu remained silent, his face cold, until Jiang Xiurun boarded the carriage, then he turned back to the crown prince’s residence.

Jiang Xiurun didn’t expect the crown prince of Qi to be stricter than her teacher, Mr. Mufeng. She couldn’t believe he disapproved of her spending time like this. She couldn’t help but feel a little regretful. At least, it seemed that the crown prince was attentive to the future of his aides rather than just demanding and exploiting them.

She never liked owing anyone, so she naturally wanted to reciprocate. She decided to do something an aide should do: “Your Highness, while drinking today, I thought of something. Confucius was able to tailor his teachings to individual students, yet the academy solely judges people based on their essays. Isn’t that too arbitrary? If someone lacks literary talent but excels in military strategy, wouldn’t that be a waste of talent?”

Feng Liwu looked at Jiang Xiurun; his expression inexplicably softened. “Is that what you were thinking about while drinking just now?”

Jiang Xiurun quickly nodded obsequiously, saying, “I always remember Your Highness’s kindness and concern because I received my salary from Your Highness!”