Chapter 7: Truly Worthy of Being the Little Sister of the One I Adore

In their country, women could attend school and become teachers. They could even enter the imperial court as officials.

Chu Ying pondered. Only students participating in the poetry competition and the judges should be allowed on the stage, right? Could it be someone from another academy?

Chu Ying thought to herself.

[Why has my little sister started daydreaming? Could this poem be too difficult? It seems I must explain it to her properly...]

"The exquisite dice holds red beans, deep into the bones—" Chu Ying recited loudly, cutting off Chu Hengyang's lecture before it could begin.

That was close! She almost fell into the "study dungeon" known as her eldest brother!

Chu Ying hurried to recite poems one after another at the top of her lungs, giving Chu Hengyang no chance to tutor her. Sigh, she had truly sacrificed so much for the romance between her brother and her future sister-in-law!

The carriage stopped just as Chu Ying’s throat began to ache from all the reciting. She spoke with a raspy, duck-like voice, "Eldest brother, I’ll head out first."

"Mm," Chu Hengyang nodded, feeling a pang of sympathy.

[Sigh, if I had known my little sister loved poetry so much, I should have explained it to her more often at home. She wouldn't have had to read until her voice went hoarse out of such a thirst for knowledge.]

[I suppose I shall start this very evening.]

"Little sister." Chu Hengyang lifted the carriage curtain, but before his gentle smile could even form, Chu Ying had already vanished. He looked puzzled. "Xiao Wu, where is the Ninth Miss?"

"Oh, the Ninth Miss?" Xiao Wu, who often accompanied Chu Hengyang to and from the Imperial Academy, was quite familiar with her. "The Ninth Miss just scurried away like a wisp of smoke, as if she were being chased by a ghost."

"Is that so?" Chu Hengyang shook his head helplessly.

Sigh.

Did his little sister really love poetry and learning to such an extent? She was so impatient to enter the Imperial Academy and participate in the poetry competition that she fled as if pursued by a demon. It seemed he had underestimated her passion for study. She was no longer the mischievous child of the past. He would need to discuss with their parents about enrolling her in the Imperial Academy.

Chu Ying, who had escaped Chu Hengyang’s "study curse" as if fleeing for her life, had no idea that her frantic behavior had been misunderstood, ultimately leading her to be thrown mercilessly into an even larger ocean of knowledge.

She wiped the sweat from her forehead, relieved. "Hahahaha! Escaped another disaster!"

So what if her eldest brother wanted to teach her? She had successfully protected her brain from being tainted by the evil influence of knowledge, hadn't she? Chu Ying felt proud.

"Young lady, are you also a student here for the poetry competition?" A voice as clear and pleasant as a bell chimed.

Chu Ying looked up instinctively and her eyes widened instantly.

Stunned and shocked.

Wow! What an absolutely breathtaking beauty!

Before her stood a woman in a lake-blue dress, her features delicate and icy. Her beauty and noble air were impossible to ignore, washing over her. Her eyes, as if containing falling stars, were both cold and elegant, and her long, curled lashes added a touch of mysterious, icy charm. Her brows, eyes, and nose were more exquisite and graceful than anything the greatest painter could ever capture.

No, this is incredible!

Chu Ying’s heart pounded wildly; she had never seen such a beautiful woman.

"Mm... mm." Chu Ying nodded, completely mesmerized. "I am a student here for the poetry competition."

[How adorable.]

Xiao Yixi couldn't help but curve her eyes into a smile.

Wait!

Only after speaking did Chu Ying realize what she had just said. What did she just say? Did she say she was a student participating in the poetry competition? No, no!

Chu Ying couldn't make sense of the chaos before her. Did she... did she just hear this beautiful woman's inner voice?! That couldn't be right! She was only supposed to be able to hear the inner voices of her family members!

[She is truly worthy of being the little sister of the person I love.]

The inner voice sounded again.

Chu Ying: "!!!"