"That’s right, I object! She can’t even read, so how could she have gotten an A-plus? We all know the teacher is just showing blatant favoritism!" the student cried out.

Teacher Zhang was so furious he felt like punching him twice.

"Teacher, there’s no need to be so upset. The Crown Prince and I made a bet. We’ll soon find out if I cheated," Ye Qianning said.

’The best way to prove myself is to silence them with my skill.’

"A bet? What bet?" Teacher Zhang asked.

"The loser gets kicked out of Lou Mountain Academy. But if I lose, it won’t just be about leaving Lou Mountain—it’ll be my head, too," Ye Qianning said, pointing to her head.

Qian Fanji’s placid eyes stirred at her words.

"You... why did you have to bet your head?" Teacher Zhang asked, stunned.

"I was afraid they wouldn’t dare take the bet if the stakes were too low." ’If I scared them off, it wouldn’t be any fun.’

"You’re just being cheeky," Teacher Zhang said helplessly. "Since a bet has been made, then let it proceed. I am also being questioned, so I won’t act as the witness."

’He would have been worried before, but after yesterday’s monthly exam, he’d realized this girl was no simple character. She possessed a hidden, profound talent.’

"I’ll be the witness," Qian Fanji said.

Seeing his uncle, Qian Zhuye shrank back slightly.

"You shouldn’t either," Teacher Zhang said. "You’re one of my prize students. If you act as a witness, people will think you’re in on it too. The Crown Prince must have someone he trusts at the academy. Please ask him to find a witness."

The wailing student froze, forgetting even to cry...

’Judging by the teacher’s tone... could it be that Ye Qianning really earned an A-plus on a single question?’

The other students also felt their hearts begin to pound. Teacher Zhang had taught them for two or three years, so many of them knew his personality well. He wasn’t the least bit panicked by a bet that involved expulsion from Lou Mountain; not only was he not stopping it, he was even helping find a witness...

At this point, the students were about sixty percent convinced that Ye Qianning actually had genuine talent.

"I have sent for Teacher Song," Sang Qi announced. He was also growing nervous; Teacher Zhang’s attitude was making him second-guess himself.

’If I’m really forced to leave the academy over this... I’m the Crown Prince, for heaven’s sake.’

"Ah, that’s excellent. Teacher Song doesn’t get along with any of the other teachers at the academy, and he’s a renowned academic genius in Beili. He would be the perfect witness. It’s just..." Teacher Zhang seemed to recall something.

"If you have something to say, Teacher, please speak freely."

"It’s just that Teacher Song seemed to have suffered some kind of setback a while ago. He’s been in seclusion in his courtyard for days, forbidding anyone to disturb him. I have a feeling he might not agree to come," Teacher Zhang said, shaking his head as he mused.

"Pfft."

When Ye Qianning first heard the Crown Prince mention inviting Teacher Song, she was a bit suspicious. But after hearing Teacher Zhang’s explanation, she was certain. ’So it *is* that Teacher Song!’

Qian Fanji also seemed to recall something, a faint smile playing on his lips.

"What are you smiling about?" Qian Zhuye asked Ye Qianning. As he spoke, his gaze drifted to his uncle and he saw that he was actually smiling. Qian Zhuye nearly choked.

’Why does Uncle look like he’s in such a good mood?’

"It’s nothing. I just think Teacher Song must be a remarkable person."

Qian Zhuye quietly looked away. "Well, of course," he added in a low voice. "Teacher Song is an academic genius in Beili. He has a very high status, and many students are desperate to attend his lectures."

"Having someone like him as a witness is perfect," Ye Qianning said, her mood excellent.

Although Sang Zhi saw Ye Qianning write the last exam question, he didn’t see what she wrote.

’Judging by Teacher Zhang’s attitude, he seems certain the little fatty won’t lose. What in the world did she write for that final question to make him change his tune so drastically?’