Rebirth: Traveling To Ancient Times As A Companion Reading Chapter 24

The Examination

The next day.

Inside Qide Hall at the Imperial Academy.

As late autumn approached, the maple trees outside the window had long since lost their former greenery, replaced by a vibrant, fiery red. Sunlight filtered through the treetops, staining half the courtyard in crimson hues.

Maple leaves scattered by the wind could be seen everywhere. As the autumn breeze blew, a few more leaves that could no longer hold on wobbled and leaped from the branches, drifting through the window and landing on the desks inside the room.

One leaf happened to land squarely on Qiao Yi’s head.

Suddenly feeling something on his crown, Qiao Yi reached up and brushed off a maple leaf.

Hmm?

Qiao Yi was pleasantly surprised. He hadn’t known what to do with himself anyway, so he figured he might as well play with the leaf. He didn’t know a single thing on this wretched exam, and sitting there doing nothing was simply too boring.

Picking up a nearby brush, Qiao Yi began to doodle aimlessly on the leaf.

The teacher responsible for supervising the exam noticed that Qiao Yi was no longer staring into space but had actually started writing. He was quite surprised, thinking that Qiao Yi had finally seen the light, and rose from his seat to see what was happening.

But when he reached Qiao Yi’s side and saw what he was doing, the teacher’s lips twitched violently.

Qiao Yi was so focused on the maple leaf that he didn’t even notice the teacher, who had been standing dozens of feet away, was now right beside him.

Just as Qiao Yi finished sketching the outline of Heipa, a hand suddenly reached out and snatched away the maple leaf drawing he had worked so hard on.

Who is it! What do you think you’re doing snatching my… thing? Qiao Yi was in the middle of his creative flow and was just about to add color when someone took his work. He turned around angrily to demand an explanation, but as soon as he saw who was standing there, his voice grew weaker and weaker until the last word vanished entirely.

Qiao Yi immediately dropped his arrogant and impatient attitude, straightening his posture and replacing his expression with one of pure obedience. Teacher, why have you come over?

The teacher watched Qiao Yi’s transition, which was as smooth as silk, and let out a cold snort, clearly not falling for it. I have taught at the Imperial Academy for many years, yet I have never seen a student as arrogant as you. Even the princes and princesses have never been so reckless and unmotivated during an exam. You show absolutely no respect for your teachers!

The teacher did not lower his voice, and everyone else in the room looked over at the commotion.

Qiao Yi secretly lamented his luck. How is this my fault? It’s not like I asked to take this exam. I’ve only been studying for half a month and haven’t even grasped the basics, yet I’m expected to take an exam alongside these locals who have been educated since they were toddlers. It’s already good enough that I’m sitting here quietly, okay?

Despite his thoughts, Qiao Yi put on a miserable face. Teacher, it’s not that I don’t want to write, it’s that I don’t know how.

The teacher countered, You don’t know? As the study companion to Prince Ronghua, you don’t even know basic classical recitation and comprehension, yet you have the nerve to say that? Everyone in this room is a companion to a prince, princess, or noble. Who among them isn’t of higher status than you? Yet who else is as thick-skinned and shameless as you?

These words were quite harsh. Even those who had been focused on their papers couldn’t help but look up and glance over.

Although the royal children and their companions took the same exam, they were divided into two different testing halls.

Qiao Yi was, without a doubt, in the hall for study companions.

This morning, when Prince Ronghua of Prince Lin’s Mansion arrived at the academy, he had brought a companion with him. Everyone had been curious about which family he was from, but now, sitting here, this person couldn’t even write a single word.

The others couldn’t help but feel speechless. The position of Prince Ronghua’s companion had actually been taken by such a useless person.

Qiao Yi didn’t know what the others were thinking, but feeling their eyes on him made him feel incredibly uncomfortable. He looked at the classical texts he couldn’t understand and then at the nearly full papers of those around him. Feeling a massive headache coming on, he simply stood up and said, Since I don’t know a single answer, there’s no need for me to stay here and disturb the other students. Why don’t you just let me leave?

The teacher hadn’t expected Qiao Yi to say such a thing. Furious, he pointed at Qiao Yi and said, If you’re so capable, then get out!

Without a second thought, Qiao Yi snatched the maple leaf back from the teacher’s hand, turned around, and walked out.

The teacher stood there stunned, watching Qiao Yi leave. He truly hadn’t expected Qiao Yi to actually dare to walk out without finishing the exam.

Once he snapped out of it, the teacher began to tremble with rage. He shouted, Stop!

This time, Qiao Yi did stop. He turned around obediently and said, Teacher, I’m doing this for the sake of my fellow classmates. Look, this commotion has already wasted so much of their time. If they end up doing poorly, wouldn’t that bring shame to you?

Hearing this, the teacher remembered that this exam had been proposed by the Emperor himself, who had even participated in setting the rules. If he ruined the entire exam because of this one person, then he…

Thinking of this, the teacher stopped trying to block Qiao Yi. He suppressed his temper and waved his hand dismissively. If you’re going to leave, then get lost quickly. Don’t stay here and disturb the others.

This was exactly what Qiao Yi was waiting for. He instantly broke into a wide smile. Thank you, Teacher.

Seeing Qiao Yi’s blatant joy, the teacher felt his heart ache even more. What sin had he committed to encounter such a troublemaker during his first time supervising an exam?

To avoid making himself sick with anger, the teacher turned away, avoiding Qiao Yi’s smiling face.

However, when he turned back, he saw several students looking at Qiao Yi’s departing back with expressions full of envy. Sensing something was wrong, he picked up his ruler and rapped it against a desk. What are you looking at? Focus on your own work and don’t follow his example!

The students, startled by the sound of the ruler, quickly lowered their heads, though their hearts were filled with admiration for Qiao Yi. If only they had that kind of courage.

Having finished his business and departed, Qiao Yi had no idea what kind of impression he had left on the others. He was currently busy searching the courtyard for his cat.

Didn’t we agree you’d hide here and wait for me? Where’s the cat? Qiao Yi carefully searched every corner of Qide Hall but still couldn’t find Heipa.

Qiao Yi wondered if the cat had snuck out.

He turned to leave, intending to look outside.

But as he turned, Qiao Yi’s eyes met Heipa’s large green ones. His gaze slowly moved upward, and he found himself staring at the person standing at the courtyard gate holding Heipa.

Looking at the handsome youth in the plain white brocade robe, Qiao Yi hesitated, unsure if he should step forward to ask for his cat back.

Neither of them spoke first.

Are you looking for this cat? The youth in white finally spoke. I saw it lying in the grass when I came by. It looks like its leg is injured.

Injured? Qiao Yi stepped forward and took Heipa into his arms. What happened?

Meow…

Someone hit me, ooh…

As soon as it was in Qiao Yi’s arms, Heipa curled up pitifully. Aside from its injured left leg which it couldn’t move, it wanted to hide its entire body.

The person opposite them couldn’t understand Heipa’s words and thought Qiao Yi was asking him. Looking at the wound on Heipa’s leg, he said, This cat of yours… it was likely hit because it annoyed someone.

Qiao Yi replied, Annoyed someone? My cat is the most well-behaved creature. Why would it provoke anyone?

Hearing this, the youth in white shifted his gaze from the cat to the person. His expression was calm as he said, Sometimes it doesn’t have to provoke anyone. It doesn’t stop some people from being petty and malicious just to be spiteful.

Qiao Yi thought he had misheard. He looked at the elegant youth in white, who gave off an aura of a refined and sophisticated gentleman. Had those words really come from him?

Seeing Qiao Yi frozen, the youth’s expression remained unchanged, as if he hadn’t said anything at all.

Since the cat has been returned to its owner, I shall take my leave. The youth began to walk away.

Wait a moment, Qiao Yi called out.

The youth stopped and looked up. Is there something else?

Qiao Yi said, Regardless, thank you for saving my cat. My name is Qiao Yi. If it’s convenient, may I ask your name?

The youth replied, There’s no need. It was just a small matter. If it wasn’t me, it would have been someone else.

With that, the youth said no more and walked past Qiao Yi into the hall.

Well, Qiao Yi didn’t want to force it.

After a moment, Qiao Yi thought the person had gone far enough and was about to leave himself, but before he could take a step, a voice came from behind him again.

My surname is Fang, and my given name is Qingzhou. Your cat is very cute.

Qiao Yi was stunned. He turned around, but the youth had already walked far away.

Silently watching Fang Qingzhou’s departing figure, Qiao Yi stroked Heipa in his arms and couldn’t help but say, This person is strange, but he seems quite nice.

Meow.

Of course he is.

Hearing Heipa’s voice, Qiao Yi looked down. You know that too?

Meow.

If he hadn’t saved me, I probably would have died out there.

Speaking of which, Qiao Yi found it very strange. I told you to hide in the carriage and then wait for me in the courtyard when the time was right. How did you get hit?

Meow!

I was following your scent, but halfway here, a few figures suddenly appeared. They saw me carrying a cloth bag and insisted I was stealing food. They picked up sticks to hit me. I was holding the bag, so I couldn’t dodge very well, and they actually hit my left leg. Luckily I ran fast, so only one leg got hurt. Otherwise, I wouldn’t be here.

Qiao Yi asked, Who hit you?

Meow.

I don’t know. But their clothes looked different from the people here. They had a blade of grass on their left shoulder, but I don’t recognize it.

Grass? Clothes?

The Imperial Academy of the Great Yong Dynasty was different from the one Qiao Yi knew from his previous life. This was his first time here, and aside from knowing it was a place for royal children to study, he knew nothing else.

Qiao Yi was puzzled. Today was the day of the Qide Hall examination. Logically, people from Qide Hall shouldn’t be wandering around outside.

Meow.

By the way, that grass seemed to be in the same place as the leaf on your clothes.

Heipa’s leg hurt, and it kept rubbing its head against Qiao Yi’s body to try and soothe the pain, but it suddenly rubbed against a particularly stiff spot. Heipa slowly looked up, and a red maple leaf embroidery came into view.

Hearing this, Qiao Yi followed Heipa’s gaze and saw the maple leaf on his left chest.

Seeing the maple leaf, Qiao Yi remembered that the clothes Lou Ling wore this morning also had this pattern. The other study companions in the exam room also had red maple leaves embroidered on their left chests.

What is this?

Qiao Yi stood there, his mind racing as he tried to find the connection between the maple leaf on his chest and the grass on the people who had bullied Heipa.

But before Qiao Yi could figure out the connection, Lou Ling, who had already finished his exam, suddenly appeared in front of him.

Lou Ling approached and saw Qiao Yi lost in thought while holding the black cat. He reached out a hand, intending to stroke the cat, and asked, What are you thinking about?

Meow!

Heipa didn’t like Lou Ling. Its fur stood on end, and it would rather endure the pain in its leg than be touched by him.

Startled by Heipa’s reaction, Qiao Yi almost dropped the cat. He didn’t have time to think about the embroidery anymore and quickly focused on holding Heipa steady.

At this moment, Qiao Yi looked up and realized Lou Ling hadn’t come alone. He was followed by several youths of similar age wearing the same clothes.

Knowing that these people must have significant identities, Qiao Yi slowly took a step back.

Hey, Lou Ling, is this the study companion your mother chose for you in Jiangzhou? He doesn’t look like much… One of them noticed Qiao Yi’s movement and found it amusing. Growing up in the countryside really shows. He doesn’t even know how to greet people. Is he actually a fool?

Lou Ling’s expression darkened. Is it any of your business how he is?

Tch! The person seemed defiant. You really think you’re something special. Your father is just an idle prince, and I am a Prince…

Xiao Chen, that’s enough!

The eldest-looking youth at the front stopped the one who was being provocative.

Second Brother… I’m not wrong!

The leader ignored him and turned to Lou Ling with a smile. You only returned from Jiangzhou yesterday and took the exam today; you must be exhausted. We won’t trouble you further. We’ll be going now.

Lou Ling didn’t respond.

The youth’s expression didn’t change as he dragged the shouting boy away.

The others, seeing the two leaders leaving, didn’t stay long and went their separate ways.

Watching them leave, Qiao Yi thought of something and glanced at Lou Ling. Are those your brothers?

Lou Ling replied, I have no brothers.

Oh. Qiao Yi didn’t argue. Instead, he said, Since I’m your study companion, shouldn’t I know a few things a companion ought to know?

Lou Ling looked at him. What do you want to know?

Qiao Yi said, For example, who those people were just now.

Lou Ling didn’t answer directly. You’ll find out eventually.

Qiao Yi smiled and turned his head. I want to know now.

Lou Ling didn’t take the bait and instead brought up the exam. How did the test go?

Qiao Yi stroked Heipa absentmindedly. Not great.

Lou Ling asked, Is that so?

Qiao Yi didn’t say anything.

At first, Lou Ling didn’t understand the meaning behind Qiao Yi’s silence.

It wasn’t until the afternoon’s riding and archery assessment that Lou Ling realized Qiao Yi hadn’t intended to take the exam at all—he had simply skipped the afternoon session entirely.