CENTIE Chapter 34

The Imperial Academy was located within the Imperial City. To its north was the Imperial Palace, to the south was the Shunxi Gate, and to the east was the Right Court. It could be said that it was surrounded by the most formidable institutions in the country. Only the Anfu Gate to the west served as an entrance and exit for the students.

As the highest educational institution in the Great Xuan Dynasty, the opening of the Imperial Academy was naturally extraordinary. Just as the second wave of morning drums faded, and the gates of various wards in Chang’an were barely opened, carriages began to pour out one after another, finally converging outside the Anfu Gate.

The Imperial Academy admitted only 300 students annually, and these students were either wealthy or noble. The Academy was divided into six schools: the School of the Sons of the State, the Imperial University, the School of Four Gates, the School of Writing, the School of Mathematics, and the School of Law. Among these, the Schools of Writing, Mathematics, and Law trained specialists in writing, arithmetic, and law respectively, while the other three focused on cultivating well-rounded talents.

The School of the Sons of the State, the Imperial University, and the School of Four Gates mainly studied Confucian classics, with the School of the Sons of the State being the most prestigious. It admitted 72 students, all children of officials of the third rank and above. The Imperial University admitted 140 students, children of officials of the fifth rank and above. The School of Four Gates admitted 130 students, children of officials of the seventh rank and above. Occasionally, local officials could recommend exceptionally talented students from humble backgrounds to study at the School of Four Gates, but such cases were extremely rare.

Xiao Jingduo entered the School of the Sons of the State. In the Xuan Dynasty, the third rank was essentially the highest official position. The first and second ranks were often honorary titles given to retired or deceased senior officials. Those who held real power in the court were all third-rank officials. The fact that the School of the Sons of the State only admitted children of officials of the third rank and above shows how stringent the requirements were. Although Xiao Ying’s official rank was not yet at the third level, he held a noble title of the second rank, which qualified Xiao Jingduo for admission to the School of the Sons of the State.

Xiao Jingduo entered the School of the Sons of the State. In the Xuan Dynasty, the third rank was essentially the highest official position. The first and second ranks were often honorary titles given to retired or deceased senior officials. Those who held real power in the court were all third-rank officials. The fact that the School of the Sons of the State only admitted children of officials of the third rank and above shows how stringent the requirements were. Although Xiao Ying’s official rank was not yet at the third level, he held a noble title of the second rank, which qualified Xiao Jingduo for admission to the School of the Sons of the State.

The carriage from the Marquis of Dingyong’s mansion stopped after dropping Xiao Jingduo at the Anfu Gate. Not only their carriage but those from other families also halted there. Beyond this point was government territory where even court officials had to walk; carriages of officials’ families certainly wouldn’t be allowed to pass. Unlike other students who reluctantly parted with their families, Xiao Jingduo bid farewell to the people from the Marquis’s mansion without hesitation and strode towards the Anfu Gate with his book boy.

After refusing the old lady’s offer to provide a bookboy that day, Xiao Jingduo went to the West Market and bought one himself. When Xiao Jingduo asked for his name, the boy just shook his head. Later, Xiao Jingduo gave him the surname Xiao and named him Lin. Xiao Lin didn’t talk much, often keeping silent, but he was very efficient in his work. Xiao Jingduo was secretly pleased and bought him from the slave trader.

Xiao Jingduo had initially planned to carry his own books, but Xiao Lin forcefully took them from him. Xiao Jingduo didn’t insist and was happy to be unburdened.

Upon entering the Anfu Gate, the Imperial Academy was immediately visible. At this time, the Academy was bustling with people, filled with vibrant young men with their hair tied up in scholarly fashion. Just looking at the scene filled one with hope. Xiao Jingduo’s mood unconsciously improved, and he walked towards the Academy with a smile on his face.

As it was Xiao Jingduo’s first year at the Imperial Academy, the procedures were more complex compared to the returning students’ casual process. These procedures were supposed to be handled with family members, or for more influential families, by servants. However, Xiao Jingduo was an exception, handling everything himself.

After completing the paperwork, it was time to go to the dormitory. Xiao Lin followed silently behind Xiao Jingduo. Xiao Jingduo glanced at him casually without paying much attention.

In fact, on that day at the West Market, Xiao Lin wasn’t the most outstanding choice; he wasn’t even qualified. After all, a book boy was supposed to be clever, sweet-tongued, and perceptive. The Imperial Academy was a complex environment, and having a quick-witted bookboy was crucial. Other families would choose the most intelligent from among their servants, or at least someone sociable. However, Xiao Jingduo’s bookboy was as silent as a wooden bucket.

Xiao Lin was undoubtedly unqualified as a book boy, but Xiao Jingduo didn’t mind. He felt that the less said, the better, and preferred someone who was silent but efficient in his work.

They soon arrived at the dormitory. Following the room numbers, Xiao Jingduo pushed open the door to his quarters.

The room was located in a somewhat remote area, but it had a good orientation with excellent lighting and was quiet and clean. Perhaps due to its remote location, it appeared more spacious than other dormitories. Inside, there were two beds on the east and west sides, two writing desks arranged side by side under the window, with reed mats folded beneath them. Apart from these, there was nothing else.

For a student of the School of the Sons of the State, such accommodation might seem too simple, but Xiao Jingduo found it quite suitable. Compared to Qingyuan Temple, this dormitory was already much more luxurious. If he could live comfortably in a Buddhist temple, he could certainly manage here.

Xiao Jingduo had known that the dormitory would be shared by two people. It seemed his roommate had not yet arrived. Influenced by his time at the temple, Xiao Jingduo was very fond of cleanliness and was about to start tidying up the room when Xiao Lin beat him to it. Xiao Lin grabbed the water basin, fetched water from outside, and began to clean the room.

Only then did Xiao Jingduo realize he now had a book boy. He pinched the bridge of his nose, trying to adapt to this change. Since Xiao Lin had taken over his task, Xiao Jingduo had nothing to do and could only sit at the desk to read.

After a while, the door was suddenly pushed open with force, and a boisterous voice rang out: “Damn it, why is my assigned room so far away? It’s killing me!”

Xiao Jingduo looked up at the sound. As the person outside crossed the threshold and saw Xiao Jingduo, he couldn’t help but exclaim, “Wow!”

Xiao Jingduo immediately felt displeased.

The other person realized his reaction was exaggerated. He smiled and said, “My apologies, my apologies. But you can’t blame me, you know what you look like. I never thought a man could look like you do.”

Xiao Jingduo became even more displeased. Seeing Xiao Jingduo’s growing anger, the other person awkwardly fell silent.

During the three years Xiao Jingduo spent cultivating himself on Mount Zhongnan, the mountain air had purified him, making him fair and ethereal. His facial features were smooth and handsome, with extremely black eyes and very white skin, creating a striking contrast that was both clear and beautiful. However, Xiao Jingduo’s features and contours were clearly masculine, not effeminate. At first glance, he appeared to be a clean and beautiful young man, which had startled Bai Jiayi.

Xiao Jingduo had grown accustomed to people’s stares. Over the years, he had become increasingly popular among women, but his cold temperament meant he ignored this attention, avoiding trouble. However, for a man to react this way was too much.

Bai Jiayi, unaware of Xiao Jingduo’s disdain, continued to marvel at his face. Could his future roommate really be this good-looking? Bai Jiayi suddenly felt excited about his dreary student life.

After observing for a while longer, Bai Jiayi realized he had forgotten something. He hurriedly said, “I forgot to introduce myself. I’m Bai Jiayi, from an ordinary family.”

Xiao Jingduo didn’t believe the ‘ordinary family’ part and mercilessly exposed him: “To enter the School of the Sons of the State, one must at least be the descendant of a third-rank official. How can that be called an ordinary family?”

Bai Jiayi scratched his head: “Ah, is that so? Well, my ancestors did include high officials. I heard my grandfather reached the third rank in the previous dynasty, but then our family fell from grace. During the chaotic times, the male lineage was repeatedly decimated, leaving only the women. Now, I’m the only male left.”

Xiao Jingduo fell silent for a moment, thinking to himself that indeed, that was a fall from grace.

Unaware of Xiao Jingduo’s internal criticism, Bai Jiayi continued to sigh: “Grandmother is really something, insisting on sending me here to study. I really don’t want to go through this again.”

With Bai Jiayi being the only male left in the Bai family, he was like a single green leaf among a sea of flowers, usually pampered beyond measure. Bai Jiayi quite enjoyed this treatment, but unfortunately, his comfortable days didn’t last long before he was forcibly sent to study. For this, his grandmother had even called in favors from old acquaintances, all to ensure he studied well and restored the Bai family’s glory as soon as possible.

Bai Jiayi was a thousand times unwilling in his heart, and he didn’t want his grandmother to waste precious favors for this. But the die was cast, and he had no choice but to be sent to the Imperial Academy to study, feeling utterly miserable.

Bai Jiayi let out a long sigh, his almond-shaped eyes dimming. He was fair and handsome, with upturned eyes that naturally seemed to smile, giving him a rather dashing appearance. Even now, with a dejected look on his face, he could still evoke sympathy from women.

This was Xiao Jingduo’s first impression of his roommate – a frivolous, spoiled young master.

After settling in, formal classes were to begin the next day. This batch of new Imperial Academy students first went to pay respects to Confucius, then sat formally in the main hall to listen to the Chancellor’s words of encouragement.

“Your admission to the Imperial Academy is a lifetime blessing. The sages have high hopes for you, and the court has given you many privileges. You should use this to motivate yourselves, focus on your studies, and pass the imperial examinations as soon as possible to serve the court. Students of the Imperial Academy don’t need to take the county or provincial exams; upon graduation, you automatically qualify for the imperial examinations and can register with the Ministry of Rites that same year. But don’t think you can slack off just because you’ve entered the Academy. The assessments here are extremely strict, divided into ten-day exams, yearly exams, and graduation exams. Ten-day exams occur every ten days, yearly exams once a year, and the graduation exam is mandatory for everyone. Those who fail not only lose their eligibility for the imperial exams but will also not be recognized as Academy students. The Emperor has reopened the imperial examinations and revitalized education to encourage scholars across the land. As the elite, you must not disappoint the Emperor’s expectations of you.”

Bai Jiayi was dozing off as he listened. He forced his eyelids open and saw Xiao Jingduo sitting upright, attentive from start to finish. Bai Jiayi found this incredible and whispered to Xiao Jingduo, “Aren’t you tired?”

Xiao Jingduo glanced at Bai Jiayi but didn’t respond.

Undeterred, Bai Jiayi tried again, “We can talk quietly, the Chancellor won’t hear us.”

“The Chancellor is speaking. Pay attention and don’t talk,” Xiao Jingduo replied.

Bai Jiayi’s mouth fell open in surprise. Goodness, he hadn’t encountered such an oddity in a long time. Not only was Xiao Jingduo listening intently to the same old opening speech, but he was even telling Bai Jiayi not to talk!

Bai Jiayi shook his head, feeling that he and Xiao Jingduo were from different worlds. He had no choice but to lean back and continue his battle with sleepiness.

As the Chancellor continued his lengthy speech, a commotion suddenly arose outside. A person who looked like a palace eunuch entered, smiling and bowing to the Chancellor: “Greetings to the Chancellor, and to all the professors and instructors.”

The Chancellor hurriedly stepped down and bowed along with the other officials of the Imperial Academy: “So it’s High Eunuch Gao. What brings you to the Imperial Academy today?”

“His Highness the Crown Prince remembered that today is the opening day of the Imperial Academy. He wished to come and offer congratulations in person, but due to pressing state affairs, he couldn’t find the time. So he sent this humble servant to bring congratulatory gifts and wish the Chancellor success in obtaining excellent talents.”

“His Highness is truly thoughtful,” the Chancellor said with a beaming face, clearly pleased by the Crown Prince’s gesture. As the Chancellor and High Eunuch Gao exchanged pleasantries, Bai Jiayi couldn’t help but nudge Xiao Jingduo, whispering, “This Crown Prince really knows how to win people over.”

Xiao Jingduo raised an eyebrow and glanced at Bai Jiayi, unusually stern: “Don’t be disrespectful.”

“Huh?” Bai Jiayi felt bewildered. How could this person be so rigid that he couldn’t even make a casual comment about the Crown Prince? Feeling rebuffed, Bai Jiayi muttered to himself, “It was just a casual remark. It’s not like you’re related to the Crown Prince. Why are you taking it so seriously?”

Xiao Jingduo glanced at Bai Jiayi but said nothing.

After the long and complex rituals ended, Xiao Jingduo and the other new students went to receive their books. Before they could do much else, night had fallen.

The book boys stayed separately in the servants’ quarters, not with their masters. The students, exhausted from the day, returned to their dormitories and immediately became rowdy.

Fortunately, Xiao Jingduo and Bai Jiayi’s room was in a remote location, so the noise from other students was faint by the time it reached them, not interfering with their reading.

Xiao Jingduo turned another page. Bai Jiayi, extremely bored, couldn’t help but say, “Hey, aren’t you tired? Where are you from? How many sisters do you have? Are they pretty? How old are they? Are they married? …Okay, I just want to chat with you.”

Xiao Jingduo gave Bai Jiayi a cold warning glance and went back to reading. Xiao Jingduo’s coldness didn’t deter Bai Jiayi, who continued chattering: “Why were you sent to the School of the Sons of the State? I was sent here by my grandmother. She had to call in favors from several old acquaintances. If you ask me, it’s a waste of these favors. Wouldn’t it be better to save them for arranging a marriage for me? By the way, you haven’t told me yet, why did you come to the Imperial Academy?”

Xiao Jingduo was quite tempted to say he was recommended by the Crown Prince, but being naturally low-key, he ended up saying nothing.

“We still have classes tomorrow. You should at least flip through the textbook,” Xiao Jingduo finally said.

Bai Jiayi looked shocked. Xiao Jingduo was even previewing the lessons? What kind of monster had he encountered?

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