The first class in the afternoon was Luminous Stone Alchemy by Zhu Yan. No one dared to be late for his class. Ming Shuiyun arrived early and saw Li Ying and Qian Yuya sitting in their usual spot in the middle-back rows.

She was just about to go over to greet them when her left hand was suddenly taken by someone: "Shuiyun Palace, there's a good spot in the front row that's empty. Let's go over quickly."

"Mm, okay."

Several girls accompanied Ming Shuiyun. Almost all of them were excellent students from distinguished families, and they were also the most influential figures in their grade.

Studying at Imperial Academy is important, but it isn't everything—Qian Yuya, Lin Xue, and Kui Nianruo are indeed top students, but that's all there is to it. People admire them for their grades but don't choose to side with them because of it.

It's like playing cards; being 'good at studying' is a trump card, but not the ultimate one. It needs to be complemented with 'family background,' 'social connections,' and other assists to efficiently gather people for one's benefit.

In Imperial Academy, there's no shortage of second-generation elites with prominent family backgrounds, academic excellence, beauty, and maxed-out social skills. The entrance exam ensures that incompetents can't enter the academy, and with Cha Huan around, fools can't survive there.

If Qian Yuya's circle is 'worthy of respect,' then the circle that Ming Shuiyun is in now is 'enviable'—it's like that group in high school that's always discussing where to go for karaoke, travel, or concerts. The difference is that besides fun, Ming Shuiyun's circle also includes 'future prospects' and 'power.'

As she was surrounded and escorted through the classroom, Ming Shuiyun no longer received even a hint of 'hostile glances' but felt nothing but eagerness and respect.

Perhaps some could ignore Ming Shuiyun since she's not yet the emperor; but no one could neglect those around her—their fathers were the most powerful people in Yanjing.

As she passed by the seats of Li Ying and the others, Ming Shuiyun couldn't help but glance at them. Only Li Ying and Kui Nianruo turned to look at her. Kui Nianruo's eyes were filled with deep concern, her lips slightly pouted, seemingly a bit unhappy with Ming Shuiyun's departure; whereas Li Ying playfully blinked and waved at her with a smile.

Although she knew they meant well for her, seeing that they didn't greet her, Ming Shuiyun still couldn't help but feel a bit sad.

After sitting down in the first row, Ming Shuiyun couldn't help but ask, "Senior sister, don't you need to attend classes?"

"The courses in the third year are more flexible. Most of the time is spent on project design or joining labs, and there aren't many mandatory courses."

Senior sister Long Xiaoyuan winked at Ming Shuiyun, "Do you mind me attending class with you?"

Ming Shuiyun quickly shook her head, "Of course not."

"That's good. Shuiyun Palace, your grades aren't very good. You need someone to assist you, to achieve more with less. We've got it arranged, ensuring you'll have study partners to help you quickly digest the classroom content... Don't refuse, compared to us spending time with you, having Shuiyun Palace spend more time on studies would be the real waste."

"Besides, we've also compiled a simple reading list." Long Xiaoyuan took out a slip of paper, "You don't need to buy these, I'll bring them over tomorrow. The teaching at Imperial Academy is still too rough, Shuiyun Palace needs to learn more."

Ming Shuiyun looked at the one-meter-long slip and was dumbfounded, "So many books?"

"They're all essential reads. Without knowledge and learning, how can one distinguish right from wrong and employ loyal and talented people?" Long Xiaoyuan sincerely said, holding Ming Shuiyun's hand, "Don't worry, we'll read with you, we won't let you feel bored, and we'll discuss anything you don't understand together."

"I've read 'The Book of Killing' over a hundred times, which gives me some insights. Let me accompany Shuiyun Palace with this book." Another female classmate joked.

"Impressive! Just reading 'The Book of Killing,' with its research on trends, operation, and strategy makes me dizzy, and you can read it over a hundred times... I haven't read many books, but I've read 'Buying Life' multiple times too, I can provide some references for Shuiyun Palace."

"I'll be responsible for accompanying the reading of the 'Twin Tribulations' series..."

Everyone was enthusiastic, and clearly, Ming Shuiyun couldn't refuse this kindness, only nodding in agreement. At this moment, Zhu Yan entered the classroom just as the bell rang, extinguishing all the conversation, and everyone entered the most tedious alchemy class.

'Luminous Stone Alchemy' was probably the class Ming Shuiyun disliked the most, both hard to understand and remember. Even though Zhu Yan's voice was as loud as a bell and thunderous, forcibly pouring knowledge into students' minds, Ming Shuiyun still couldn't help but get distracted, doodling on her textbook or playing Battle Cards with Li Ying—the entertainment options in class were limited, and playing Battle Cards was the most cost-effective hidden pleasure, even if the cards were confiscated by the teacher, it wasn't a loss, as Battle Cards were cheap anyway.

When Ming Shuiyun absentmindedly drew a pig-headed Lyre Le Yin on the blank part of the textbook, her elbow was suddenly nudged. She turned her head and saw Long Xiaoyuan winking at her, making a shushing gesture.

Ming Shuiyun immediately sat up straight and obediently listened, but soon she wanted to slack off again. However, instead of having mischievous friends like Li Ying or Ice Maiden Qian Yuya beside her, there were Long Xiaoyuan and others who had expectations for her as followers. There was no chance for her to slack off.

Finally enduring until the end of class, Ming Shuiyun let out a long sigh of relief. She had no more classes today and could finally take a break—

"Let's go to the garden for extra lessons!" Long Xiaoyuan said with a bright smile, "After all, Shuiyun Palace, you enrolled late this semester, and your foundation is not very strong. But don't worry, we'll help you catch up with the teaching progress during extracurricular time!"

"Oh, thank you all, but this is too much trouble for you..."

"No need to be polite, serving Shuiyun Palace is our privilege, we don't find it a bother at all," Long Xiaoyuan laughed, "Actually, tutoring and accompanying reading should be handled by more professional instructors, even if not from the academy... but Imperial Academy doesn't allow outsiders to enter, so only us semi-skilled students can help Shuiyun Palace study, I hope you won't mind."

"No, no, no, how could I mind you?"

"Then it's fine, let's go."

"I..." Ming Shuiyun couldn't help but look back at Li Ying and the others, but in just that short moment, they had already left the classroom.

According to their previous habits, today was reading day. They would go to the White Box Library to find books to read and share, Li Ying always managed to find those books that made people blush and ears turn red, Kui Nianruo would read about past romantic stories, Qin Yueshi would read biographies of ancient wealthy merchants, Lin Xue would watch historical stories, and Qian Yuya would pick up any book and read it. By dinner time, they would share what they had read while enjoying the aroma of the food, processing and sharing the knowledge with their companions...

As Ming Shuiyun was escorted by Long Xiaoyuan and others to the garden, there was a small puddle on the road. Ming Shuiyun didn't notice and stepped into it, looking down at the ripples in the puddle, as if she had stepped on the sky and broke it.

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