Chapter 107: May I Sit on This?

On the day the results were posted, people swarmed in front of the Guozijian notice board.

When everyone saw the long list of names on it, the crowd erupted in a series of exclamations.

The Outer Dormitory class, long regarded as the playboy class, this time had nearly half its members' names prominently on the list, and among them, Wu Qilin's name even made it into the middle ranks!

Cao Songhui shouted, voice breaking, "Impossible!"

"These losers, how could they achieve such results? It must be cheating!"

The remark sparked many of the failed or lower‑ranked students to echo it, and voices of doubt rose everywhere.

"Brother Cao, your words are justified!"

"How could they possibly earn such excellent scores!"

"There must be foul play! Get the Jiziu! They definitely cheated!"

Wu Qilin glared, about to retort.

Someone called out, "The Jiziu has arrived!" The crowd automatically cleared, making a path.

Cui Daisheng's expression was solemn as he walked slowly, followed by the unsmiling Yin Riji, the Left Chief who was holding Tuan Tuan, and a scholar bearing a stack of exam papers.

"Jiziu!" Cao Songhui stepped forward, bowed, and said, "The students think there is an error in the Outer Dormitory class's results; please investigate, sir!"

Cui Daisheng's gaze swept over the crowd: "Do you have any evidence for your doubts?"

Cao Songhui deliberately raised his voice: "Everyone can see how the Outer Dormitory students usually perform in their studies. How could they make such a sudden leap? The students don't believe it!"

Many students echoed, "Exactly! When did they ever study hard?"

"Exactly! If they only indulge in food, drink, and fun, this result would be about right!"

"I don't believe it either!"

Wu Qilin was the first to protest: "You haven't seen us studying, yet you say we didn't work hard?"

The other Outer Dormitory students retorted, "Why is it natural for you to do well, but when we do well it's cheating?"

Cui Daisheng raised his hand, signaling the students to be quiet.

"I anticipated there would be doubts this time. Since that is so, please all examine together."

The scholar holding the exam papers handed them out one by one to the students present, letting them pass them around.

Everyone examined them closely; although the handwriting on the papers was sloppy and ugly, the arguments were exceptionally brilliant.

"Hmm, the points are novel, the citations clever—not easy!"

"Indeed, the insights are unique, a real eye‑opener."

"This, this line of thought! Clearly different from the teachings of our Guozijian, yet it manages to justify itself—brilliant!"

Many scholars focused intently, their faces showing contemplation, murmuring praise.

Tuan Tuan proudly gave a thumbs‑up to her students: "Well done!"

Cui Daisheng's clear voice rang through the hall: "The Outer Dormitory students' answers, though their penmanship is still shallow, have lively reasoning and novel insights; do any of you still have doubts?"

The students exchanged glances and silently shook their heads.

Cui Daisheng cleared his throat, coughed, and pointed at Tuan Tuan: "The progress of the Outer Dormitory today is entirely thanks to my Junior Master—this young master's contribution."

Tuan Tuan lifted her head, her tail almost wagging: "Exactly! It's me!"

All the Outer Dormitory students gathered around, standing beside her, their chests puffed up high, each raising their brows in triumph.

"Young master is mighty!"

"Young master is impressive!"

"See who still dares to call our Outer Dormitory a playboy class!"

Yin Riji looked at the cluster of students surrounding her, the young Master Ancestor whose small face radiated brilliance,

and also glanced at the students still holding the exam papers, studying them carefully.

This young Master Ancestor does seem to actually have some skill!

The scorching summer melted away, the weather turned slightly cool, and autumn was clear and refreshing.

Eunuch Cheng entered Prince Ning's Mansion, his face beaming, and delivered the Emperor's decree: the autumn hunt is imminent; Prince Ning is to bring the Princess Consort and Princess Jiayou to the palace to accompany the carriage, and tomorrow they will go together to the western suburban hunting grounds.

"Prince, look," Eunuch Cheng pointed behind him at several young eunuchs waiting around three exquisite soft sedan chairs, "His Majesty has specially ordered the servants to receive the Prince's family and escort them by sedan chair into the palace."

"As you command." The family boarded the sedan chair, and the route was unobstructed all the way into the palace precincts.

That night, the palace lights were lit.

Inside Zichen Hall, a rare warm scene unfolded.

The evening meal had long been cleared, and Xiao Yuanhang and his wife sat calmly drinking tea.

Meanwhile, Emperor Xiao Jieyun lounged casually, leaning back on the soft carpet.

He silently watched Xiao Tuanzi in front of him, holding his desk seal and brush holder…

He built a little house on the floor.

"Imperial Uncle, give me that," Tuan Tuan pointed with her small hand; Xiao Jieyun turned, reached for the item she wanted, handed it to her, his face showing an indulgent smile he himself hadn't even noticed.

Eunuch Cheng stood nearby, his heart roiling with waves.

Such a scene of familial bliss was something even the princes and princesses had never experienced from the Emperor.

Outside the hall, Murong Yuyiao, who had been trying to send a message through an inner servant, happened to take in the whole scene.

The Emperor's unguarded indulgence and Tuan Tuan's carefree composure pierced her deeply.

She waved her hand, stopped the inner servant's report, turned and left, her clenched hands trembling slightly, a fierce jealousy and rage burning through every limb.

"Take the token of Shoucheng Palace," she ordered her personal maid, "and go to the Huo family. Deliver a message to Wen Xuan."

"Tell her about what just happened in Zichen Hall."

"Tell her that the person she despises most now has free access not only to Chen Hui Hall but also to the Emperor's Zichen Hall."

"Yes," the maid replied, and left on the command.

The next morning at dawn, the sky was faintly bright.

Xiao Yuanhang and Cheng Ru'an dressed neatly, and, with the equally tidy Tuan Tuan, headed to the main hall to meet His Majesty.

Xiao Jieyun wore a dark indigo hunting outfit embroidered with gold, over which he draped a massive cloak of the same color embroidered with dark‑gold dragon patterns; his bearing was majestic, and he was about to set out.

Tuan Tuan trotted on its short legs, pattering "tang tang tang" to his side, lifted its little head and curiously stared at the lower edge of the cloak that hung down and lay spread on the ground.

"Imperial Uncle," she called softly.

"Hmm," Xiao Jieyun lowered his eyes; his imposing expression unintentionally softened a bit.

"Your cloak is so long,"

"Hmm."

"The Palace is so big!"

"Hmm, hmm?" What mischievous idea is this little fellow thinking now?

"Walking is so tiring!" Tuan Tuan complained plaintively, its little face scrunched up as if faced with a huge problem.

Xiao Jieyun raised an eyebrow, waiting for its follow‑up.

Sure enough, Tuan Tuan extended a tiny paw, pointed at the splendid cloak behind him, and astonishingly said, "Imperial Uncle, may I sit on this? If you drag me, I won't have to walk!"

Xiao Yuanhang and his spouse stifled their laughter, their faces showing embarrassment—what a child!

Eunuch Cheng slipped at his feet, nearly falling.

The other palace attendants standing nearby suddenly held their breath, fearing they might burst into laughter.

Xiao Jieyun was stunned for a moment, then, unable to laugh or cry, blurted two words: "Nonsense!"

His tone contained no reproach; instead, he bent down, scooped up the wildly imaginative little creature, and placed it steadily on his arm.

"Is this better? Higher, and you can see farther."

Tuan Tuan looked around, nodded, and, satisfied, said, "Hmm, okay."

Xiao Jieyun smiled, cradling Xiao Tuanzi, and strode out briskly.

In the western suburban hunting grounds, banners fluttered, and the ceremonial guards shone brilliantly.

When the Emperor's party arrived, the princes and civil‑military officials had already formed a line awaiting them.

After a brief ceremony, the hunt not yet officially begun, everyone roamed freely within the grounds, familiarizing themselves with the surroundings.

Tuan Tuan returned to her father's side; it was her first time at the hunting grounds, everything seemed fresh, looking here and there.

Suddenly, her eyes lit up, and her gaze was firmly drawn to something beneath a distant cliff.

It was an abandoned long spear, most of its shaft embedded in the rock, leaving only a short segment of the pole and a rust‑stained, mud‑caked spearhead exposed; it seemed almost fused with the stone, gray and inconspicuous.

But in Tuan Tuan's eyes, that object emitted a dazzling golden glow!

She excitedly tugged at her father's sleeve, pointing, "Daddy! Look quickly! That! It's a truly wonderful thing!"