In areas other than academics, Li Ying's judgments are always spot-on, whether it's about where to go on holidays, which elective is easy for credits, or which gourmet spot is worth visiting... Li Ying can firmly hold her place in this small circle not only because they live under the same roof but also because her character and skills are enough to overshadow her mediocre grades.

The Imperial Academy is the least likely place for 'golden thigh shortcut' scenarios to exist. People like Lin Xue, Qian Yuya, and Kui Nianruo, who have been outstanding since enrollment, have received countless welcomes from influential classmates over the year, yet their core circles remain unbreakable. Only two new members, 'Ladylike' Qin Yueshi and 'Empress Candidate' Ming Shuiyun, were added, proving they never pick friends out of the trash.

Li Ying's ominous predictions proved true again— the second class in the morning was Yan Yi's "Situation and Policy." Usually, few would mess around in this class because everyone couldn't help but appreciate Yan Yi's astonishing beauty.

It was Aiki Combat Technique; Yan Yi used Aiki Combat Technique.

Yan Yi, at a young age, became a mentor of the Glorious Department, considered one of the four kings of the Imperial Academy, due to her teaching quality that surpassed Zhu Yan— she would use Aiki Combat Technique to create echoes in class, increasing vocal adhesion, naturally focusing students' attention on the lesson.

Simply put, it's Aiki Combat Technique: Human Enchanting Voice.

The special use of Aiki Combat Technique isn't rare; other teachers use it too. For instance, no one dares to speak in Zhu Yan's class. His lessons resemble a heavenly tribunal, each word reverberating, literally stuffing knowledge into students' minds; street hawkers use this skill too, the moment many in Yanjing hear "char siu buns," they salivate immediately.

But Yan Yi's use is the most effective, partly because her Aiki Combat Technique seems to touch the threshold of the Peak of Perfection level—her skill is high.

And because she's beautiful and sweet-voiced, unbeatable. Who wouldn't want to be led across the ocean of knowledge by a charming young lady?

However, there were whispers in Yan Yi's class.

The discussion revolved around Ming Shuiyun— her family background, her grades, her abilities, even her posture in class, down to her hairpin... Before Lin Xue and Li Ying could react, Yan Yi noticed the disruption of her 'charming class' and suppressed the murmurs: "If anyone confidently thinks their Aiki Combat Technique surpasses the teacher's, I'm willing to be challenged— anyone caught chatting using Aiki Combat Technique in my class will get zero in finals and be disqualified from all award considerations."

As Ming Shuiyun was grateful for Yan Yi's righteous words, Yan Yi looked at her and asked, "Student Ming Shuiyun, what are the three significances of the Radiant First Charter today?"

Ming Shuiyun quickly stood up: "Uh... protect the people, awaken the people, and... I don't quite remember..."

"What is the core essence of the autarkic system?"

"I don't know..."

"Sit down." Yan Yi said calmly, "Other subjects aside, I hope you put more effort into Situation and Policy— if the ruler cannot understand the thread and essence of a policy, even good governance turns to evil."

Ming Shuiyun knew Yan Yi was well-intentioned but still felt embarrassed, as if sitting on pins and needles, the surrounding gazes felt like silent ridicule; if not for her friends around her, she felt she might not be able to sit.

Finally enduring until the end-of-class bell, she exhaled a long breath, yet normally it was Li Ying urging everyone to rush to the cafeteria, now asked a puzzling question: "Shuiyun, are you going to the cafeteria?"

Before Ming Shuiyun could respond, Qian Yuya stood up directly and said, "Go, how else would we know what tricks they're up to?"

Kui Nianruo asked with a face full of confusion: "Can Shuiyun not go to the cafeteria? If she doesn't go, what will she eat?"

"Even in the classroom, people dare gossip behind others." Lin Xue glanced at the students leaving: "The cafeteria is a place full of gossip, it's impossible to tell who says what. I don't agree with Shuiyun going to the cafeteria; it would unnecessarily taint her ears."

"What's the intention behind those in the back?" Qin Yueshi frowned and said, "Undermining Shuiyun's self-esteem by spreading her shortcomings? But it feels too... like child's play."

By now, they all knew the current rumors clearly had someone fanning the flames, yet they had no resolution— it was the students within the Imperial Academy doing the gossiping.

And they weren't fabricating, merely recounting what Ming Shuiyun had done. So, is repeating one's actions considered slander?

The group couldn't figure it out, and Ming Shuiyun revealed a relaxed smile, "If we don't go to the cafeteria soon, we'll have a long queue, let's eat first— can the mastermind actually incite students to gobble me up in the cafeteria?"

However, when Ming Shuiyun stepped into the cafeteria, she thought otherwise— the moment she entered, it was as if a wave of silence rippled outward from her as the center, and the cafeteria, supposed to be bustling and requiring raised voices, gradually quieted down.

Under countless gazes, Ming Shuiyun and her group chose to line up in the 'braised chicken' line, yet the student standing ahead of Ming Shuiyun, after a moment of consideration, suddenly chose to line up elsewhere.

As one of the signature dishes of the school cafeteria, "Braised Chicken Rice", it was surprising to see all the students quickly disperse, leaving an open path for Ming Shuiyun to walk through.

Under the gaze of countless people, Ming Shuiyun felt as if what she received from the cafeteria auntie was not braised chicken rice, but the crown of the Radiant Emperor.

"Hey, where's Li Ying?" Lin Xue suddenly noticed Li Ying was missing.

Kuinian Ruo turned pale: "While walking, you suddenly realize someone is missing, then when you finish eating you find another person missing, and then during class you discover that you're the only one left..."

"Nie Ruo, you secretly read my supernatural novel again." Li Ying walked over and patted Kuinian Ruo's shoulder, took advantage of her being startled to pat her twice more, and explained to everyone: "I just went to check the bulletin board."

"Yes, the bulletin board is the best place for public opinion to ferment... What did you find?" Lin Xue asked.

Li Ying got her food, sat down with them, and said: "I saw many posts about Shuiyun, some praising her, some criticizing, but they can basically be summed up as—how to evaluate Ming Shuiyun as the most likely next Empress? What are her strengths and weaknesses? Can she become better?"

Kuinian Ruo tilted her head: "Sounds like a fairly normal discussion."

Lin Xue pondered: "Such discussions appeared before, but the subject was not Shuiyun but Ming Shuangli... But back then, Ming Shuangli didn't receive so many inexplicable malice like Shuiyun does now, did she?"

"It's different." Qian Yuya shook her head: "Ming Shuangli is different from Shuiyun."

"Moreover, back then, although Ming Shuangli considered herself the next Emperor, apart from those who actively supported her, other students didn't take her seriously, at most considering her as 'one of the potential candidates for Emperor', akin to a Prince." Qin Yueshi said while biting her chopsticks: "But Shuiyun now is 'the most likely candidate to become Emperor', in other words, she is now the Crown Prince."

"So, Lin Jie, you said one thing wrong just now." Li Ying casually picked up a piece of chicken to munch on and said:

"What Shuiyun is receiving is not inexplicable malice... or rather, it's not just malice."

As they were discussing, the cafeteria gradually returned to its noisy state, even more so than before they entered—just not far from them, two groups were almost at the brink of a physical altercation!

"Shuiyun Palace simply doesn't have the capability to rule as Emperor!" A boy stood up, slamming the table, and he didn't conceal his view as he looked towards Ming Shuiyun's table: "How could a weak, incompetent woman possibly steer the great ancient ship of Radiant properly?"

Others chimed in as well:

"Radiant can no longer bear a mediocre or merely conservative ruler!"

"The Eighth District trembles, outer ministers disloyal, imperial court factions, rebels run rampant, without a wise ruler the chaos cannot be reversed!"

"The ambitions and legacy of over two thousand years of Radiant cannot end here!"

Lin Xue and the others immediately stood up, but before they could rebut, other students stood up for justice: "Is Shuangli Palace better than her? Shuangli Palace acts arbitrarily and recklessly, is she the helm that can revive Radiant? Shuiyun Palace may currently lack in ability, but with the assistance of all the court's civil and military officials, she could well be a ruler that revitalizes the empire!"

"Are the affairs of the world solely decided by an autocrat? As long as Shuiyun Palace can discern talent, with the assistance of capable ministers, she can equally illuminate the world!"

"If the two-thousand-year history of Radiant is to end, it is not solely the fault of an Emperor; if it is to endure, it is not solely the Emperor's merit!"

"The throne has been vacant for two years; electing a new Emperor quickly is the only way to stabilize the people's hearts!"

"Bullshit!" someone cursed loudly: "Who doesn't know the court is full of traitors, even Shuangli Palace may not be able to deal with those old foxes, if Shuiyun Palace ascends the throne won't she just become a puppet manipulated by others, with imperial decrees that don't reach beyond the court, maybe even appointed as a prince... You're not only ignoring the country's affairs, but also neglecting Shuiyun Palace's happiness!"

"Yanjing still has loyal ministers, and more noble and stalwart ones; if according to you, the new Emperor would have been chosen long ago, why delay until now? As the ancient saying goes, 'When a king desires a minister to die, the minister has no choice but to die!' As long as Shuiyun Palace can ascend, naturally the people's hearts will rally and she'll hold the power!"

"Wouldn't it be better to let Shuangli Palace rule!?"

"But Shuangli Palace lost in points!"

In no time, the cafeteria remarkably turned into a debate arena, with Ming Shuiyun and the others sitting in the center of the debate, with both opposition questioning Ming Shuiyun and supporters advocating for her. Li Ying felt as if even her braised chicken rice had been spat on by people several times.

"Enough!"

Lin Xue slammed the table forcefully: "If you want to argue, do it outside. Don't disturb us while we're eating!"

"The one who should leave is you, Lin Xue!"

Suddenly, someone shouted loudly: "Lin Xue, according to your fellow townspeople, your father was a Backlight Particle in the Star Engraving County, captured and killed by the Statistical Department. You left your hometown and came to Yanjing for studies... As a child of a Backlight Particle, you intentionally approached Shuiyun Palace. What kind of intentions are you harboring?"

Lin Xue's expression remained unchanged: "Utter nonsense! My father was killed by thugs, he was never a Backlight Particle! Let that fellow townsman come out and confront me!"

Qian Yuya glanced at Lin Xue but said nothing.

"Still trying to argue!" The student's face froze, sneering: "Shuiyun Palace is associating with criminals everywhere, who knows what they've learned from witnessing such things? Maybe the one sitting on the throne won't be the emperor, but a rebel!"

"Who are you calling a criminal?" Li Ying directly threw the braised chicken rice over.

"I'm talking about you, Li Ying! As a gray ten student, what other purpose do you serve besides leading Shuiyun Palace astray?" He pointed at Qian Yuya and Kuinian Weak: "Around Shuiyun Palace, there are only people from the Outer District—now it's only a matter of time before the Outer District establishes independence, and then you want to support a Shuiyun Palace surrounded by friends from the Outer District?"

Immediately someone retorted: "Qian Yuya and Kuinian Weak are both top students, pillars of excellence. How can you exclude talents based on geography?"

The opposition snickered: "Oh, what about Qin Yueshi?"

Qin Yueshi, who had been silently eating, slightly trembled on her shoulder, and Ming Shuiyun quickly held her hand.

"Not to mention she was admitted without testing, especially since the royal family initiated this—but she's Qin Le Yin's sister! Qin Le Yin is a trusted minister of Shuiyun Palace, and Qin Yueshi is Shuiyun Palace's close friend. By then, will it be Shuiyun Palace commanding the world, or Qin Le Yin?"

"More than an outsider, even better!"

The supporters almost couldn't refute—no one believes Ming Shuiyun can 'control' Qin Le Yin, but Qin Le Yin at most can control Ming Shuiyun's 'public affairs', whereas Qin Yueshi has infiltrated Ming Shuiyun's 'private affairs'. If this sibling duo has exceptional means, they might make Shuiyun Palace obedient without any thought of resistance.

"Shuiyun Palace is still young, doesn't know to keep virtuous company and stay away from vile characters. Understandable." Suddenly someone bowed to Ming Shuiyun, saying: "Please, for the sake of the realm, associate with men of loyal resolve, stay away from spirits and demons, open your sacred ears, diligently apply yourself in studies!"

"Please, for the sake of the realm, Shuiyun Palace!"

"Please, for the sake of the realm, Shuiyun Palace!"

Like a chain reaction, around half the dining hall suddenly bowed to Shuiyun Palace, clasped hands in respect, sincerely speaking, loyally at heart, and their voices spread outward, silencing all insignificant noise, everyone looked towards Shuiyun Palace.

Ming Shuiyun, while holding a piece of chicken, silently put down her chopsticks, looking bewilderedly and nervously at these students in front of her.

What do they mean?

What do they hope I do?

"Let's go." Lin Xue suddenly grabbed her tray and left, followed closely by Qian Yuya and others. As Ming Shuiyun was about to follow, Li Ying suddenly pressed her shoulder, made her sit down, and secretly handed her a note.

The note only had one line:

"Among malice, there lies loyalty. More than half of the students at the Imperial Academy are loyal to Radiance, yearning for a wise ruler. Proceed with caution."

Ming Shuiyun finally understood what was happening.

In this era of turmoil, almost all students at the Imperial Academy were filled with fervor. When the Radiant Celestial Maiden came to study at the academy before, only a few opportunists followed suit, but most students were indifferent—after all, the candidate for emperor wasn't a real emperor. It was better to take another class and earn more credits than to gamble on supporting a dragon.

The change in attitude of the Imperial Academy students started with the appearance of the leaderboard.

From that day, rumors like 'the first princess on the leaderboard will become the emperor' spread throughout the academy, took root, and now the academy students couldn't ignore it—they could disregard the throne competition, but they had to pay attention to whether the next emperor would be a wise ruler.

Most wished for Radiance to rekindle, tired of the chaos of the world, yearning for a wise ruler to descend and sweep the universe, bringing back a peaceful era.

Regardless of the supporters or the opposition, they had neither malice nor affection towards Ming Shuiyun, it was the fervor in their hearts and their personal beliefs that drove them to support or oppose Ming Shuiyun.

They hoped Ming Shuiyun would become the ruler they imagined.

This was a trap.

This was a poison brewed from the fervor of Imperial Academy students.

Ming Shuiyun could simply walk away, ignoring them, but that would offend supporters and please opponents, and to put it harshly, offend more than half the students at the academy.

Not just the students, Zhang Yuan and Yan Yi's attitudes also represented the teachers'—they too wished for the future emperor to invest in education and become a wise ruler for the ages.

In addition, the Sword Holder's attitude—was he looking forward to an empress who could win the academy students' support, or waiting for a tyrant who had offended the teachers and students to act recklessly?

That's why Lin Xue and the rest left so decisively.

As long as they left first, it would give Ming Shuiyun a way out. Future matters can be addressed later; there was no need to make things difficult for Ming Shuiyun.

Sure enough, after Lin Xue and others left, the opposition had nothing more to say and dispersed, while the supporters gathered around Ming Shuiyun, enthusiastically introducing themselves:

"Shuiyun Palace, hello, I'm Chen Zile, my father is a senior official in the Ministry of Works..."

"Shuiyun Palace, I'm Dragon Xiaoyuan, a second-year senior in the Guard. Are you interested in joining our 'National Security Tea Party'?"

"Shuiyun Palace..."

Ming Shuiyun met more friends in one afternoon than she had in her entire life, even after lunch. She was escorted by the group to the balcony garden of the Guard Department building.

Handsome seniors, kind seniors, cheerful classmates... Ming Shuiyun's wariness was soon melted by their smiling faces, gradually joining in and taking a sip from the teacup.

"Shuiyun Palace, the core essence of the autocratic system is actually quite simple." While chatting casually, senior Chen Zile suddenly said: "But if you delve into it, it involves many other things... Are you not doing well in your 'Situation and Policies' course? We can help tutor you."

"No, no." Ming Shuiyun quickly said: "I'll review it myself at home. By the way, can you let sister Lin and the others come over? They're actually very nice people..."

"Shuiyun Palace."

Senior Dragon Xiaoyuan held her hand seriously, saying: "Studying by oneself is inefficient. If you need it, please don't refuse, we'd be happy to lend a hand."

"Lin Xue and the others... I know they are also good people, but they haven't made you a better person."

"A better... person?"

"Yes, a better person. Shuiyun Palace, don't engage in pointless socializing, don't do meaningless things; your time is very precious."

Ming Shuiyun stared blankly at Dragon Xiaoyuan's serious face, then looked at the others' eyes filled with expectation and even sincere devotion.

Suddenly, she felt a bit scared.

"Because you're the future emperor of Radiance."

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