stand back, let me come

Chapter 1544 Extra: A Complete Fiction (Part 2)
Guozixue, a paradise for exam kings and a hell for lazy bums.

The Imperial Academy (Guozixue) was affiliated with the Imperial College (Guozijian). It offered a variety of majors and a flexible academic system. Students could accumulate points through monthly and quarterly exams. Those who accumulated enough points could graduate early, while those who did not reach the required points but did not have to repeat the year. In addition, the points system had another advantage.

Those who reach the required points may also be recommended for official positions.

To fill vacant official positions in the capital or local areas.

Graduates from prestigious universities across the country could enter the Imperial Academy through entrance examinations, while special admissions were reserved for exceptionally talented students from the middle and small universities, such as Wei Sheng and his companion. Neither type of admissions considered social status or family background; only ability and talent mattered.

The earlier one demonstrates their talent, the sooner they can join the Imperial Academy.

Students of relatively average talent could graduate from the compound through diligent study, obtain their diplomas, and then decide whether to take the imperial examinations or enroll in the Imperial Academy. Even if they failed the imperial examinations, they could still accumulate credits through further study at the Imperial Academy and gain opportunities to enter officialdom.

Although the starting point for entering officialdom through the points system is not as high as that of the imperial examination system, it has the advantage of a relatively low threshold, making it a viable option for ordinary students.

Today, two new students arrived at the Imperial Academy.

They were all under seven years old.

Among them, the female ruler Wei Sheng set a new record for the youngest student to enter school.

Wei Cheng was extremely worried about this: "How old is Asheng? Can she keep up with the coursework at the Imperial Academy? The students in the lowest grade at the Imperial Academy are all a generation older than her. What if she gets bullied? What kind of lousy school is this? The students' elders can only see them once a month. Asheng is there to study, not to commit a heinous crime and go to jail. Why can't she live at home and has to live at school?"

It's easy to be bullied, isolated, or mistreated in accommodations.

Asheng is gentle in nature and even more so in heart.

Wei Cheng couldn't help but think about how she was being bullied by a group of students a generation older than her, which made his lust burn even more intensely.

Wei Cheng didn't hear a response for a while, so he stopped pacing, turned his head and raised his voice: "Uncle, say something!"

Wei Lou said, "Who can bully her?"

Wei Cheng: "She's young, anyone can bully her."

Wei Lou sneered: "Second-rank upper-middle, you don't understand."

This is the third promising talent with the potential to reach the pinnacle of academic achievement. All the professors, teaching assistants, academic directors, and registrars at the Imperial Academy are keeping a close eye on him. Unless the person who's picking on Asheng has a background like the Crown Princess, everyone else should forget about getting away with it.

Asheng is just grateful he doesn't bully others.

Considering that Asheng is the reincarnation of Ji Mo Cong, and the Gongxi Chou brothers are direct descendants of Ji Mo Cong, they are already naturally part of the Crown Princess's faction. Even without these uncle and nephew as her backers, she can do whatever she wants at the Imperial Academy. What could she possibly worry about?

Wei Cheng: "..."

Wei Lou tossed some fish food into the pond and said slowly, "As for that kid who always goes to school at the same time as Asheng, what's his name again? Tsk, his father is just a court attendant. Although it's a respectable position, it's not much of a backer. If the atmosphere at the Imperial Academy is bad and the students are corrupt, they'll pick on this kid to bully. The Imperial Academy is a place that Shen Youli protected with all her might. She shouldn't allow such morally corrupt things to happen."

Princess Shen De was also a student at the Imperial Academy.

If any bullying occurs, it will be Shen Tang who gets slapped in the face.

Wei Cheng said, "Xingning."

Wei Lou: "Xingning? Surname Xing?"

He tilted his head slightly, half-closing his eyes as he pondered the surname of the court attendant.

Whether it was the small, medium, or large colleges throughout Kangguo or the public colleges under the Imperial College, all students wore uniform school uniforms of the same style, regardless of gender. The materials and fabrics were all standardized, and the procurement and production were all handled by the Bureau of Clothing and Approval and Supervision under the Ministry of Revenue.

Therefore, the school uniform was chosen to be a round-necked robe style.

It is suitable for both boys and girls, and is also convenient for student activities and studies.

Some wealthy families want to choose the best materials.

They paid for their own uniforms to be custom-made according to the school's uniform style.

Their children have such delicate skin.

Wang Ting directly refused, and even enacted a law specifically addressing school uniforms. Students from the three academies all have the opportunity to serve in the government in the future, so the school uniforms are equivalent to official robes. If the material of the school uniforms were left to the discretion of the public, students would be divided into different classes based on their uniforms from the moment they enter school, which would violate the original intention behind her enactment of this law.

Crown Princess Shen De also wore the most ordinary school uniform to school.

what happened?
Can your child have skin as delicate as her daughter's?

If Ru Gui can wear it, why can't your child?
However, considering the vast territory of Kangguo, the ambient temperature at different locations within the three colleges varies at the same time, allowing for targeted adjustments. To enhance students' sense of honor towards the three colleges, each college can design its own emblem and motto, incorporating these elements into its uniforms.

The Imperial Academy should also follow suit.

The 18.0-year-old boy happily straightened his son's school uniform.

“My son is growing up so fast… In the blink of an eye, you’ve grown up so much.” The 18.0-year-old official was a sensitive and sentimental person, and seeing his child like this, he couldn’t help but shed tears, but he held back and said, “May you be as free as the wind.”

Xingning said, "Father, please take good care of yourself too."

The 18.0-year-old nods.

Xingning added, "I go home once a month."

The 18.0-year-old official nodded again, his gaze falling on the simple sash around his son's waist, and asked, "Why aren't you wearing your monogram?"

Xingning threw his luggage onto the carriage.

"I'm not willing to explain."

Normally, when a scholar first creates a literary monogram, it is engraved with the four characters "某氏，某某" (surname, courtesy name). However, the monogram of Xingning is somewhat problematic; it reads "宴氏，兴宁" (Yan family, Xingning).

His father's surname was not Yan.

To avoid criticism, the father claimed that he had taken his mother's surname.

No one would bother to ask what the ex-wife's surname was.

The Imperial Diarist, aged 18.0, had just arrived in the capital with his son. He had few relatives or friends there, and his connections were limited. He didn't know who to consult about this matter, or why his son's monogram was so strange. He had made a new discovery in the past two months, but he didn't know whether he should tell his child.

"Sigh, wouldn't it be even stranger not to wear it?"

The literary monogram and the sword are the two standard accessories for the literati.

Scholars consider it impolite not to wear these two items when interacting with others. Students in academies, full of youthful vigor, are more inclined to imitate and follow the elders' lead, so this etiquette is probably even more prevalent. If Xingning refuses to wear them, she might face isolation and bullying because of it.

Xingning said, "Wearing it would be even more troublesome."

Because it might be because you share a name with a celebrity.

Although some parents deliberately name their children after their ancestors to express their hopes, these ancestors are often long gone, while Yan Xingning's relatives are still alive and hold high positions. He really doesn't want to cause unnecessary trouble.

The 18.0-year-old official hesitated to speak.

Ever since he learned that his son shared the same name as someone listed in the first volume of biographies of famous officials and scholars, he had been investigating that person. Xingning and he had many similarities, not only in the content of their literary signatures, but also in their literary ranks, both being around the third rank. This was too much of a coincidence.

"Xingning went to the Imperial Academy, I'm afraid..."

The daughter of the Duke of Anguo is currently serving as the Director of Studies at the Imperial Academy.

The court attendant, 18.0, seemed displeased by this.

The Imperial Academy was located within Phoenix Palace City, covering a vast area, only slightly smaller than the Royal Palace. Students of the Imperial Academy, by virtue of their student status, could also travel to and from the Five Seas during holidays. These Five Seas were artificial lakes dug within the city walls, situated within the royal palace grounds.

Wuhai is open to tourists at fixed times each month.

I've been to Xingning with Qijulang18.0 before, so I'm quite familiar with the place.

The Imperial Academy is just across the street from Wuhai.

Xingning completed the formalities and sent her luggage to the dormitory.

Founded relatively recently, the Imperial Academy currently has just over 1,200 students. Dormitory space is ample, with most students sharing a room, and many dorms are still empty. The student guide from Xingning carefully explained various important details, including class locations, the location of the canteen, class times, the location of the Imperial Academy's library, and even mentioned the perfume shop on campus where students could bathe and wash.

The dormitory tatami mats were neatly folded with clean school uniforms, and the textbooks needed for class were laid out on the desk, with pens, ink, paper and inkstones all prepared.

There are almost no omissions.

Xingning breathed a slight sigh of relief.

Although he was precocious and composed, he was still only six years old. He asked the school register where Wei Sheng, who was specially recruited in the same batch, lived.

Xue Lu said, "Naturally, I will live in the girls' dormitory."

He instructed that the male and female dormitories should not cross the line. Their academic progress is similar, so they should be attending classes together; I'll see them tomorrow.

"Thank you for your guidance."

Xue Lu was very pleased with his actions.

At first, I was worried that these talented students would be arrogant and unruly, but I felt relieved after getting to know them.

After the student left, Xingning tidied up the dormitory again.

He made a hand gesture with his fingers: "It's all a fabrication."

Two identical avatars appeared, and Xingning said, "You guys review what you'll be learning tomorrow first. I'm going to the cafeteria."

The author has no objection to this.

Xingning soon discovered the troublesome situation.

The cafeteria operates on a real-name registration system, and the real-name registration props are the mediums through which the Qi of Heaven and Earth is condensed in the Danfu (a type of alchemy center). These include the literary signature of a scholar, the martial tiger tally of a warrior, and the medical records of a physician. Once you register for the first time, you leave your personal information, which will make things easier in the future.

Xingning: "..."

Biographies of famous ministers and scholars are bestsellers in Kangguo.

Each official and scholar had a copy.

Students of the Imperial Academy should have read it repeatedly.

He sighed, drew his signature, and completed the registration. During the registration process, Xingning saw the other person look up at him more than once with a strange expression, as if they hadn't expected a parent to plagiarize their idol's name, and how much pressure the child must be under.

Xingning went to get food.

The plate was full of meat.

The woman serving the food kept stuffing more food into his bowl.

His eyes held a hint of heartache, probably because he had never seen such a thin Imperial Academy student before and thought he had been abused.

It was the time when students were leaving school, and there were no empty seats in the cafeteria.

If there are no empty seats, you'll have to share a table with someone else.

Xingning found a female ruler who seemed easy to talk to.

The lady's clothes were simple, with almost no superfluous decorations, like a lotus emerging from clear water, which made Xingning feel good about her at first glance.

He secretly guessed that it must be a senior from a few years above him.

Having received permission, Xingning sat down: "Thank you, senior."

Senior Girl: "You look unfamiliar. Are you a new student?"

"Yes, the enrollment process was just completed today."

"Today?" The senior was slightly surprised, because the entrance exams for this semester had already ended. Then he seemed to remember something. "I remember there was a small college that specially recommended two new students. Was that you?"

Xingning nodded: "Mm."

"I remember they were a boy and a girl?"

The senior female student had heard about it from another instructor.

The other party also remarked that one of them might become a genius who reaches perfection in one step, and whose future achievements could rival those of Chu Shangjun and his apprentice.

The senior student neither confirmed nor denied this.

Chu Shangjun and his apprentice came from a chaotic era, but in today's peaceful world, it's not easy to reach that level.

It's not that they lack potential, but rather that they don't have many opportunities to make a difference.

Xingning nodded slightly.

For some reason, he felt a deep connection with this senior, and his heart raced. He grew increasingly fond of the woman's appearance, but this fondness was not the romantic attraction between a man and a woman that his elders spoke of. He was young and shouldn't have understood the difference, but his intuition told him it was different.

The senior asked him his name.

Xingning hesitated for a moment: "Xingning."

The senior student was taken aback again: "Xingning? Which two characters?"

Xingning originally intended to say "prosperity and peace," but the thought changed as soon as it reached his lips: "Where can one find solace, when even loved ones cannot be together? The moon above Xingning Tower, has failed to grace the wine shop with its springtime beauty."

Senior: "...It's these two words?"

Xingning's thin face showed a hint of embarrassment.

After all, compared to the Kang Kingdom, which unified the continent, Yan An was merely an ordinary scholar under the rule of a warlord during a chaotic era, just like countless wandering souls crushed to dust in that time—nothing special. In chaotic times, those who died with ideals were as numerous as carp crossing a river.

He wasn't particularly outstanding, and he died young.

However, the emperor still remembered this man, and his wife and daughters were outstanding and lived long lives. In addition, the first volume of biographies of famous officials and scholars was of great value, so the name Yan Xingning was well-known in some scholar circles.

Xingning was speechless, unsure how to explain.

My father has long admired Lord Yan.

This explanation is also plausible.

Since its inception, the name "Chou" has become a popular online character, used either as a given name or incorporated into a courtesy name.

The senior's smile was gentle.

"My father in heaven would be pleased to have such a good friend."

Xingning: "..."

Did the senior say the words "father"?

That is to say...

The woman before them was not a senior student of the Imperial Academy, but rather the daughter of the Duke of Anguo, Yan Sui, also known as Yan Miaohua, who concurrently served as the Director of Studies at the Imperial Academy.

She was also the daughter of Yan An.

Xingning, at such a young age, experienced embarrassment for the first time.

He was extremely embarrassed.

I accidentally bumped into someone's deceased father with the same name _(:з」∠)_
Xingning wasn't one of those old foxes in the court, so his expression was quite understandable. Yan Miaohua couldn't help but chuckle softly, covering her lips.

Fortunately, she didn't make things difficult for Xingning.

It's incredibly shameful to bully a six- or seven-year-old child.

Yan Sui suppressed her smile, lest she hurt the child's sensitive feelings: "Why do you eat so little? You look too thin..."

Xingning puffed out her cheeks slightly and said with a troubled expression, "Alas, everyone says that to me, but this is not something that can be recovered in just a few bites. I didn't know that after I guided my Qi into my body and condensed my literary heart, my head would grow so fast that even making clothes is difficult."

Yan Sui said, "That's how we all got by."

Once they enter a period of rapid growth, they will grow to near adult size within two or three years before slowing down. Xingning is only at the beginning. Looking at the boy in front of her, whose eyebrows and eyes are somewhat similar to her father in the portrait, and thinking that they share the same name, Yan Sui's expression softened a bit.

He instructed, "Don't be a picky eater. During your growth period, you need to eat more soy milk, eggs, and meat, otherwise your bones will become brittle and you will experience pain in your limbs and bones."

　|ω`)
　　I excitedly bought a small yellow croaker and checked the price per gram on the tree, only to find my bank card frozen and they wouldn't accept or pay me. Outrageous! I never want to experience that embarrassing situation of not being able to pay a single cent after a meal again. I was almost forced to dine and dash! _(:з」∠)_
　　I wonder if the bank's risk control measures will automatically unfreeze my account, or do I have to get up early tomorrow and go to the bank? Sigh, thankfully the frozen card wasn't my writing fee card, otherwise I'd be eating dirt this month.

　　(End of this chapter)