C18 Unfair

Today, even though she accompanied Ruxuan to register, her true intention was to see Rong Qi. She had spent a fortune to find out that the person in charge of registration today was this very prince.

"Hold on, could you both step aside, please? Let Miss Tiange go first." Rong Qi's smile remained gentle, yet it felt like Xueyao had suddenly fallen into an icy pit.

"Why?" Ruxuan's temper flared up, and she glared, demanding an explanation.

"Because I, the prince, wish it. If Miss Xie disagrees, she can choose not to register." Rong Qi patiently explained, maintaining a charming and elegant smile throughout.

Not registering meant giving up, and giving up the Academy meant forfeiting the future glory of the Xie Mansion. Ruxuan didn't have the courage to do that.

Ruxuan stepped back, swallowing her pride, but Xueyao stood frozen, as if paralyzed. She didn't want to take a step back; she couldn't believe that in Rong Qi's eyes, her allure was less than that of someone so undeserving.

"Xueyao?" Ruxuan called out.

Xueyao clenched her fists tightly within her sleeves, her nails digging into her palms without her realizing it. In the end, she relented, for what else could she do?

However, Tiange did not accept Rong Qi's favor. Standing at the registration desk, Tiange looked at Rong Qi coldly, "Didn't I tell you, I don't need your help?"

Certainly, when Rong Qi helped her at the Silk Garden, it didn’t mean she had to be grateful to him. There’s no such thing as kindness without reason, nor favors without motive. She didn’t know what Rong Qi was after, and who could guarantee this wasn’t a trap, a setup to ensnare her?

“But I need it,” Rong Qi said, handing Feng Tiange a form for the Martial Academy. “It’s rare to get a chance to connect with the Empress Dowager. How could I pass up such an opportunity? Just fill it out, and if you have any questions, feel free to ask.”

Feng Tiange ignored Rong Qi, picked up the pen, and filled out the form according to the instructions, then handed it back to him.

“Hmm, not bad, very good,” Rong Qi said as he took the form. “Next.”

“I’d like another form for the Wenn Mansion,” Feng Tiange said calmly, her voice steady.

Not only Rong Qi, but the other candidates waiting outside were all stunned. Since the Imperial Academy was established, the Martial Academy and the Wenn Mansion had always been separate, and no candidate had ever applied to both at the same time. Feng Tiange was the first!

“Well…” Rong Qi knew who Feng Tiange was and had just seen her display her skills outside, so he naturally assumed she was aiming for the Martial Academy. Her surprising request caught him off guard, as he hadn’t heard of Silver Mask having such talents.

“Tiange knows there’s no precedent for this at the Imperial Academy, but the rules don’t say it’s not allowed,” Feng Tiange interrupted Rong Qi. “Besides, the courses at the Wenn Mansion and the Martial Academy can be chosen selectively. I’ll manage my time accordingly.”

Rong Qi didn't feel awkward at all as he handed over the application from the Wenn Mansion. "You're the granddaughter of the Empress Dowager. Whatever you say goes."

Feng Tiange's mouth twitched slightly, a bead of sweat forming on the back of her neck. Once she completed the application, she left without a second thought.

Outside, the students waiting to apply had varied expressions—some were envious, others scornful, and a few were simply shocked. Feng Tiange took note of their reactions. To rebuild her influence, she needed people.

In the Imperial Study Room, Beiming Yuan had been handling state affairs ever since the Qi Emperor fell into a coma, a responsibility he had carried for three years. As he set aside the last document, the elderly attendant, Lee Chengrui, stepped forward with a respectful bow. "Your Highness, the Imperial Hospital just sent word that Fong Qi has stopped supplying medicine from the previous provider and is now sourcing from the Virtue Helping Hall in the Nether Market."

Beiming Yuan glanced sideways, his expression slightly cold. "Why?"

"Apparently, Fong Qi discovered that the previous supplier was using substandard ingredients. I looked into it, and indeed, some of the materials weren't genuine." Lee Chengrui, who had been promoted to the inner study after Beiming Yuan took charge, had spent over forty years navigating palace life. His experience and shrewdness were precisely why he was chosen for this role.

"You useless thing!" Beiming Yuan scolded lightly. The manager of Harmony Hall was considered one of his people, and the profits he received from Harmony Hall each year were more than enough to grease the wheels both inside and outside the court. Losing this source of income naturally made Beiming Yuan angry.

"If the Crown Prince were to speak up, Fong Qi wouldn't dare disrespect you..." Lee Chengrui ventured cautiously.

"That's not an option," Beiming Yuan frowned. "If I, the Crown Prince, were to intervene over something as minor as Harmony Hall, it would raise suspicions. Instead, have someone look into the background of Virtue Helping Hall. If it's clean, let it be."

Lee Chengrui nodded in understanding. "By the way, Your Highness, you previously asked me to keep an eye on Feng Tiange. This morning, the young lady went to the Imperial Academy and filled out an application form, using a noble quota from the Empress Dowager."