Chapter 44
Chu Liuyue replied with a question when she heard that. “Why can’t I be here?”
“You…” After everything that happened at the Crown Prince’s birthday banquet, Chu Xianmin hated Chu Liuyue to the core! When she saw her now, she wanted to rush up and teach Chu Liuyue a lesson! But when the words were in her mouth, she suddenly noticed someone standing next to Chu Liuyue.
It was Teacher Bai Chen from the academy!
She forcibly swallowed her words and retracted her vicious gaze. When she looked up and glanced at Bai Chen, she had her usual warm smile plastered on her face. “Greetings, Teacher Bai Chen.”
The others around her only came to their senses then and began greeting him too. “Greetings, Teacher Bai Chen!”
Bai Chen frowned without saying a word. He had clearly heard the entire conversation from earlier!
Setting the enmity between Chu Liuyue and Chu Xianmin aside, Chu Liuyue had never provoked the others. He never expected them to be so harsh with their words while conversing!
Although Chu Liuyue was not his treasure, he could not bear to hear anyone insult or defame her!
Bai Chen had an explosive temper, and his heart was burning with rage from everything he had heard.
Chu Xianmin worriedly exchanged glances with the others when she felt Bai Chen’s anger. Did he hear everything that we said earlier? Even if he did, we were talking about Chu Liuyue, so why is he getting upset?
“Teacher Bai Chen, are you sure you didn’t make a mistake? Chu Liuyue has a defective Yuan meridian! She was born a good-for-nothing! How does she have the ability to enter the academy?” The girl called Peipei could not stop herself from voicing her suspicions as she looked at Chu Liuyue with doubt and hatred.
Bai Chen was so upset that he started laughing. “I’m telling you that not only did she make the cut, but she also passed all three assessments!”
Chu Xianmin and the others were stunned. When they realized the meaning of Bai Chen’s words, they had very colorful expressions on their face!
Caught between laughter and tears, Chu Liuyue looked at Bai Chen. He came to her defense before she could say anything.
Chu Xianmin’s face turned green then white, unable to believe what she had heard.
But how could it be fake? Bai Chen was standing next to Chu Liuyue!
What means did Chu Liuyue use! It was like a fire was burning in her chest, and she could barely stand!
“Minmin, Peipei, why aren’t you all here yet? The exam is starting now! All the teachers are looking for you all! You’ll be late if you don’t leave now!” Someone appeared in the distance at this time.
An idea flashed across Chu Xiamin’s mind, and she looked at Chu Liuyue. “Sister, you came at the perfect time. The mid-term exam period is the academy’s most exciting time. Why don’t you go take a look? If you’re interested, you can take part as well. This is a chance for you to familiarize yourself with more people in the academy. What do you think?”
Is she trying to get a feel of my abilities? Chu Liuyue smiled. “Sure.”
…
Zhen Bao Pavilion was especially lively today. It was not noon yet, but quite a number of people had gathered on the first floor, and they were all people of status.
They were all here for the same reason—Zhen Bao Pavilion had recently received a fresh batch of treasures, and they were holding an auction for them today!
The pamphlet had been sent to the various families a few days ago. There were a few rare items, so several people showed up.
Zhen Bao Pavilion’s second-in-charge, Yan Ge, was making small talk with various people.
“Second Master Yan, we have waited so long for today’s auction!”
“Yeah! I wonder who those few items will end up with!”
“Hehe, you’ll know when the auction starts! You’ve worked hard, Second Master Yan!”
Yan Ge was full of smiles. “It’s nothing. I have to thank you all for gracing me with your presence today…”
At this point, an attendant hurried over to Yan Ge, whispered into his ear, and handed him a letter.
Yan Ge smiled. “I’m sorry. Everyone, please excuse me.” With that, he retreated into the small room behind the main hall and carefully opened the letter. “Why would Master suddenly send a letter now…”
Yan Ge’s words were cut short by what he read, and he widened his eyes in shock! His expression changed rapidly, and it took him a while to calm himself down.
After a while, he walked out and stood in the middle of the hall. “I’m sorry, everyone. Today’s auction is canceled.”
Everyone seated was stunned.
“What?! Canceled?!”
“What is going on? We’ve been waiting all morning, and you just decide to cancel it?”
Yan Ge shrugged apologetically, but his tone was firm. “I’m sorry, everyone. However, there’s a good reason for this cancellation. Our master said that everything in Zhen Bao Pavilion, including the new batch of treasures, is temporarily not available for transaction. He would like to pick a gift for Madam from them personally.”