Mu Lin looked at the person who came in surprise, and met a pair of eyes as clear and deep as cold jade.
This person has a very strong aura, and his every move reveals an indescribable charm, which often makes people ignore his too young appearance. Upon closer inspection, this 11 or 12-year-old boy has tough features, especially deep eyes, and he is indeed a deep and sharp appearance.
Facing his aggressive gaze, Mu Lin did not say anything easily, but glanced at Fennel.
Fennel immediately stepped forward to block the man's sight, "Sir, please don't talk nonsense. Although my young master looks like a girl, he is a real man!"
"I see..." The young man looked at the master and servant with a smile, and nodded slightly to Mu Lin, "My name is Qin Yuan, and my courtesy name is Zishu. I am honored to be here, young master."
Mu Lin had no choice but to step forward and greet him, lowering his voice and speaking gently:
"My name is Tan Yizhen, from Jingsheng. Master Qin is right."
"Why are you so polite? I call you my real brother, and you can call me Brother Qin, okay?"
Really... brother...
Mu Lin was getting goosebumps.
"… I'm not really familiar with Master Qin, so there's no need to do this."
This Qin Zishu doesn't look like a sociable person at all. What's his intention in chatting her up like this
"It's almost time. Yizhen has to go to Jingxinzhai to take the test. I'll take my leave now."
"Slow down."
Qin Zishu did not force her to stay, but watched her go away with a smile.
A figure in black appeared silently behind Qin Zishu and said respectfully:
"My Lord, this master and servant appeared suddenly. Are they..."
There was no warmth in Qin Zishu's eyes, and he said calmly:
"It's just a coincidence. Send someone to check Tan Yizhen's identity."
"I obey your command."
When Mu Lin arrived at Jingxinzhai, there was only a quarter of an hour left before the test. The three teachers, including Gu Yao, were all present. Mu Lin then realized that she was the only student, and it was estimated that she was the only one who needed to be tested today.
Unexpected but reasonable. More than a month has passed since the opening day of Baihu Academy. She is probably the only one who can get in through the back door with a letter of recommendation. Thanks to the close friendship between Prince Yan and the current vice-chancellor Yue Changsong...
Mu Lin met the teachers' slightly inquiring looks calmly, and when the time came, he sat down calmly to answer the questions.
As she expected, the first topic was indeed simple, and she could write without much thought, as if inspired by God. Then, as she wrote more, she found that the difficulty gradually increased.
The test lasted a total of one and a half hours, but when Mu Lin finished answering half of the questions, she found that two-thirds of the time had passed. Her face remained calm, but a little sweat had seeped out of her forehead.
She definitely couldn't finish answering all the questions, so she had two choices. The first was to answer them in order and answer as many as she could; the second was to answer the questions according to their difficulty, from easy to difficult, so as to ensure the maximum score.
Of course, Mu Lin knew that the second option was the most beneficial to her. A high score was the most practical, wasn't it? But she inexplicably didn't want to do that, because these questions were so wonderful, the harder the questions, the more wonderful they were. She liked to play with difficult questions and liked the process of thinking, rather than just pursuing simple and quick utilitarianism.
Be down-to-earth and blooming flowers along the way.
In the end, Mu Lin managed to finish 70% of it.
When the time was up, he stopped writing and watched the test paper being presented. Mu Lin still maintained a serious posture, with a calm expression. The teachers on the high platform passed the test papers to each other, occasionally whispering a few words and laughing heartily.
"The writing is good, but it lacks some strength!"
This body is indeed a little weak, so it is normal that the wrist strength is insufficient.
"It's a bit complicated here, but the idea is good..."
Mu Lin thought that he could write something more complicated...
"An eight-year-old child has a mind as quick as that of a sixteen or seventeen-year-old boy. The young are indeed to be feared..."
She is over ten thousand years old. She may not be as talented as these great scholars, but if her thinking is not quick enough, it would be a shame!
"Old Xu, leave this test paper to me before you leave. It's time to give a blow to those arrogant guys in Tianji Academy..."
She never thought that she could be someone else's child. Mu Lin did not sympathize with the young boys who were about to be crushed, because she had been crushed countless times by her talented master due to similar circumstances.
"A thousand ships pass by the sunken boat, and a thousand trees bloom in front of the dead tree. It can be said that the disciple is better than the master..."
Mu Lin took in all of Gu Yao's mumblings and blushed a little at the praise.
And Master Xu in the middle shook his head as he looked at her, his eyes full of admiration. It was not known whether it was an illusion, but Mu Lin felt that the look he gave her from time to time was very loving.
After the three people finished reading the paper, they asked Mu Lin a few questions, such as how far he had studied, who had taught him before, and whether he wanted to finish answering the questions that followed.
Mu Lin was neither arrogant nor impatient and answered all the questions one by one.
"Sir, I have just finished reading the Four Books and am about to read the Book of Changes..."
"Sir, I am truly grateful to the Emperor for having studied for two years in the Jingsheng Palace with Imperial Tutor Song Yuan, Imperial Academy Master Liu Ying, and Scholar Bai Chongbai..."
"Sir, I like this test paper very much. Thank you for your kindness, but the questions at the end are complicated and I cannot finish them all at once..."
Master Xu nodded with satisfaction. "Yizhen, with your qualifications, you will have a good career in Jingsheng. Why did you come all the way to Baihu Academy to study?"
Mu Lin had expected this question to be raised. She didn't want to say anything high-sounding. She said seriously, "Sir, I think that 'reading ten thousand books is not as good as traveling ten thousand miles'. Although Jingsheng literature is prosperous, it is still one school, or it can be said that it is a few schools of thought. If we are confined to a corner, we will always be like summer insects talking about ice, unable to see the vastness of the world."
"Baihu Academy is a sacred place in the hearts of students all over the world, and it is also a paradise that Yizhen longs for. Yizhen believes that the confusion in her heart will eventually be answered here."
Every word comes from the heart.
Master Xin, who was the most taciturn, suddenly spoke up, "I heard that you don't want the academy to assign you a senior brother?"
Mu Lin said sincerely: "I dare not lie to you, sir. I am really weak and live alone all year round. I am not good at socializing..."
"Then you need a caring senior brother to take care of you. Don't worry, since you have been assigned to the Advanced Class A taught by me, I will naturally choose a suitable senior brother for you."
"… "
Okay, as long as you are happy.
The three of them did not give Mu Lin a definite grade in the end, and Master Xin directly arranged her to the advanced Class A of Tianxuan Academy.
After hearing this, Hui Xiang was very happy for his master. He had inquired about it. Tianxuan Academy was divided into three stages: elementary, intermediate, and advanced. Each stage was divided into four classes, A, B, C, and D, with more than 30 students in each class. His princess was immediately assigned to the top place in Tianxuan Academy!
Mu Lin was in a good mood. He didn't have to attend classes with a bunch of little kids, but with a group of young teenagers. It was at least quieter.
I just don't know what kind of person this "good senior brother" forced upon her will be, whether he will be difficult to deal with, and it would be best if they don't interfere with each other...
Mu Lin didn't expect to meet a familiar person in the afternoon.
"Master Qin?"
"To be precise, you should call me Brother Qin now."
That’s right, she passed the assessment and is now a student at Baihu Academy.
Mu Lin smiled and said, "That's right. Senior Brother Qin, I'm really rude." After that, he bowed and blinked, "From now on, please give me more guidance."
Qin Zishu looked at her steadily but did not speak.
"… What's wrong, Senior Brother Qin?"
Mu Lin felt a little embarrassed when he looked at her. Was there something on her face
Qin Zishu raised the corners of his lips, his eyes showing a special kind of warmth and brightness.
"Looking at this freshly minted junior apprentice, I feel...very happy."
Mu Lin always felt that something was a little strange, so she decided to stay away from this Senior Brother Qin in the future.
"By the way, Senior Brother hasn't introduced himself yet."
Qin Zishu took a step closer to her, and the two were only a foot apart, just on the edge of safety.
Mu Lin resisted the urge to step back and looked at him in confusion.
"From now on, I will be Yizhen's desk mate and roommate, and I will eat and live with Yizhen."
Mu Lin smiled politely, "Did Senior Brother Qin decide this on his own?"
Qin Zishu seemed to enjoy watching her various expressions. Before he looked at Mu Lin, he finally said leisurely, "Director Zhang personally agreed to it."
"… "
Damn! If it was Master Xin, she could still suggest changing a senior brother. As for the academy's highest authority, Zhang Shanzhang, who came and went without a trace, forget it!
Mu Lin frowned slightly, and cursed Qin Zishu countless times while thinking deeply, but in the blink of an eye, his expression turned calm and unperturbed.
Looking into Qin Zishu's deep eyes, he said with a smile:
"I really have a bad temper. I hope Senior Brother Qin will tolerate me in the future."
Don't you have to be a dog-skin plaster and cling to this princess? There are plenty of ways to deal with you.
Qin Zishu clapped his hands, "Shan Zheng, help Yizhen move his things to Xinyi Residence and live with me."
Mu Lin: “…”
It's only been a short time, how did you end up living with a man
"Don't bother. I didn't bring much with me. Fennel, just pack your bag."
"In that case, Shan Zheng, go and complete the admission procedures for Yizhen. At the same time, fetch the pens, inkstones, paper, and school uniforms provided by the academy and send them to Xinyi Residence."
"yes."
Mu Lin didn't even have the chance to refuse before Shan Zheng left.
"Yizhen, follow me back to Xinyi Residence first. I will introduce you to the rules of Baihu Academy."
"good."
Although she knew he meant well, Mu Lin still felt uncomfortable. A common problem among those in power is a desire for control and a habit of being in a dominant position. In front of Qin Zishu, she was told everything by him and couldn't find a reason to refute. This feeling of being dominated... Mu Lin felt uncomfortable when she thought it would last for two years.
There cannot be two tigers in one mountain, even if one is male and the other is female.
This principle applies everywhere.
Xinyi Residence is a standard double dormitory with two beds in the main room, two desks in the study room, and a clean room shared by roommates.
It was indeed a perfect arrangement for them to eat and live together. Mu Lin could hardly maintain the smile on his lips.