Chapter 4: A Bit of That Flavor
Since Han Ranzhi had just taken them to Jingyi Pavilion via a shorter timesaving route, although it reduced some time, they also missed many of the academy's beautiful scenery.
After leaving Jingyi Pavilion, Han Ranzhi planned to take Lu Yuner to the Doctoral Hall[1] a little later, and first take her around to casually explain the general situation of the Imperial Academy.
This Imperial Academy was spacious, with ancient trees towering in the campus, providing ample shade. It was elegant and quiet, with occasional sounds of reading from nearby pavilions.
As the two chatted comfortably while walking, they occasionally encountered male and female students returning to their dormitories[2]. They all wore white student robes and bowed to Han Ranzhi, secretly glancing at Lu Yuner with slight curiosity.
Lu Yuner and Han Ranzhi had only walked a few steps when they were interrupted by a young girl's voice from behind, "Director!"
The two turned to look and saw three girls about fifteen or sixteen years old, in the prime of youth, full of vigor.
While greeting, the students cast an inquiring look at Lu Yuner, "Director, is this a new female student?"
Han Ranzhi and Lu Yuner exchanged smiles, and Han Ranzhi explained, "This is a new Doctor. You may respectfully address her as Doctor Lu."
Upon hearing this, the students all showed surprised expressions and bowed, saying, "Doctor Lu."
Lu Yuner nodded with a smile in response.
"Doctor Lu, let's continue," Han Ranzhi gestured for her to move forward.
As Lu Yuner had just lifted her foot to leave, one of the female students called out to her, "Doctor Lu, we are all students from Chengxin Hall! Welcome to come and lecture!"
The Imperial Academy was divided into three levels and six halls. The academy assigned students to different levels and halls based on their depth of knowledge. To advance to a higher hall, students of lower halls had to upgrade through a credit system, that is, determining whether students could upgrade or graduate by accumulating credits through examinations.
The junior class had three halls: Zhengyi Hall, Chongzhi Hall, and Guangye Hall; the intermediate class had two halls: Xiudao Hall and Chengxin Hall; the senior class only had Xuxing Hall.
Han Ranzhi watched the departing figures of the students with satisfaction and said, "Unexpectedly, our Doctor Lu is quite popular among the students. There have been far more students coming up to greet us along this path than I usually encounter."
"Is that so? But I feel these students are so respectful of teachers and well-mannered, this must be due to the good education and influence of the Imperial Academy!" Lu Yuner's gentle gaze rippled with faint amusement in her eyes.
Han Ranzhi said with a smile, "I hear it, you're praising my effective guidance!"
On the other side, two male students were secretly observing the two chatting and laughing from a distance.
"No wonder many male students said they saw a particularly beautiful woman outside Jixian Gate today, it turns out to be true. That Doctor Lu beside the Director looks extremely beautiful, with such an otherworldly and exceptional aura. If only she could come teach at the men's college?"
"Really? I also think that Doctor Lu looks so beautiful when she smiles, especially those enchanting peach blossom eyes, I'm almost falling into them. I really want to know if that Doctor Lu has already taken a husband and had children? If..."
Before he could finish speaking.
"Truly shameless!" A cold voice suddenly sounded behind the two male students.
The two male students turned around in displeasure, but upon seeing who was behind them, their faces immediately showed panic, and they both said, "Young Prince."
They had also heard that this Young Prince would come to study at the Imperial Academy, but they found it hard to believe.
Logically, these royal relatives would usually have great scholars from the Hanlin Academy arranged to teach them privately, and there was no need to come to this Imperial Academy. Now seeing the person before them, they had no choice but to believe it.
Su Qingwan originally didn't want to stay at the Yun Qinwang Mansion, so he went to lie down in the dormitory with Xiao Yuan. Who knew that not only was the dormitory simple and plain, but four people even had to live together.
Although there were also individual dormitories available next to the East Garden, plus not being allowed to bring attendants, having to do everything from eating, drinking, living, and traveling by oneself, Su Qingwan weighed the pros and cons and decided to return to the Yun Qinwang Mansion after all. He didn't want to suffer like this.
Just as he was coming out of the dormitory, he heard someone discussing. He originally paid no attention, but unexpectedly heard someone mention the word "Lu", and his steps that had started moving suddenly stopped.