Tutor Zhang: "...Absolutely not. Your Highness, since the bet has been made, there’s no logic in calling it off."

Minister Qian: "Your Highness, I believe you need not go easy on her because of her age."

Sang Qi: "..."

Sang Zhi: "..."

Ye Qianning: "..."

Qian Zhuye: "...Does my uncle have a grudge against you?"

Ye Qianning: "We’ve had some run-ins."

"Oh... Well, be careful then. Don’t let my uncle set you up," Qian Zhuye warned.

Sang Qi was mortified. ’This bunch... they’re simply outrageous!’

"Sigh!" Tutor Song’s head was throbbing. He couldn’t afford to offend either side. He shuffled closer to Tutor Zhang. "Tutor Zhang, the academy prohibits large gatherings. This competition involves the Crown Prince and the Dean’s personal disciple. The academy and the royal family have always been on good terms. It won’t look good if word gets out that they’re causing a scene."

"What’s so bad about it? The Crown Prince is the one who listened to slander and insisted my Little Senior Sister cheated. How can we let such an insult slide? Besides, as the Crown Prince, he ought to have his own judgment. If he’s so easily swayed by a few words, then the future of Beili... sigh!" Tutor Zhang sighed.

’If the Crown Prince is to mature, we can’t just shower him with flattery. When he makes a mistake, he must face the consequences. Let him learn that seeing is believing, and hearing is deceiving.’

"Sigh, Tutor Zhang, I’m begging you," Tutor Song pleaded, his face etched with worry. He looked like he was on the verge of tears.

Much of Tutor Zhang’s anger had subsided by now. ’Then again,’ he thought, ’if Ye Qianning wins, she’ll be targeted by the Crown Prince’s faction from now on. That wouldn’t be good.’

"Little Senior Sister, seeing as Tutor Song is pleading so earnestly, how about we just let it go?"

Ye Qianning feigned reluctance. "I can’t do that. If we don’t compete, the Crown Prince and everyone else will keep questioning whether my results are fake. If that rumor spreads, won’t people spit on the tutors’ names?"

Tutor Zhang nodded. She had a point.

"That may be true, but I trust Tutor Song will handle this properly." ’If it weren’t for him being the Crown Prince, I wouldn’t be giving him an out at all.’

"Yes! Little Senior Sister, rest assured, I will absolutely handle this. From now on, if anyone in the academy dares to suggest you cheated, I will punish them severely and without leniency!" Tutor Song hastily interjected.

Ye Qianning actually felt a little embarrassed being called "Little Senior Sister" over and over again.

"Since Tutor Song has pleaded on his behalf, let’s leave it at that for today." At this point, even without the competition, Sang Qi had already lost face completely.

"Thank you, Little Senior Sister." Tutor Song bowed.

Tutor Zhang’s jaw nearly dropped. ’Incredible. Tutor Song has really had a change of heart.’

The students were just as shocked. Tutor Song was such a proud man, yet here he was, bowing to Ye Qianning and calling her "Little Senior Sister" so willingly.

Sang Qi’s face darkened. ’Tutor Song is utterly humiliating me!’

"Hmph! What do you mean ’leave it at that’? If not for Tutor Song’s sake, This Prince certainly wouldn’t let you off..."

"...Your Highness, let’s go." ’God, I need to shut him up,’ Tutor Song thought desperately.

’Face?’

’What face do I have left? I’ve lost not just my reputation, but my dignity too.’

"Hmph." Sang Qi was extremely displeased and stubbornly ignored the advice. "If you’re really so capable, then at next month’s exam, we’ll..."

"Crown Prince!" Tutor Song’s voice shot up. 𝗳𝚛𝚎𝚎𝘄𝕖𝕓𝕟𝕠𝚟𝚎𝕝.𝗰𝕠𝐦

’For the love of God, shut up! Forget next month’s exam—you couldn’t beat this girl even if you grew a second brain!’

Sang Qi, having been cut off, whipped his head around to glare. "Tutor!"

Tutor Song didn’t dare say another word. He threw decorum to the wind, grabbed Sang Qi, and practically dragged him away from the scene.

Ye Qianning and her friends watched as if it were a comedy skit, seeing the two of them push and shove their way out of sight...