Chapter 417: Chapter 417: Master, Are You Going to Hit My Palm?
Zhi’er obediently stood to the side, watching Mo Yanchi and Wang Xuanwen.
Wang Xuanwen wore an awkward smile on his face.
He looked at Zhi’er and said ingratiatingly, "Princess, it turns out this was all a misunderstanding, my apologies, my apologies."
"Please, Your Highness, don’t be angry with me. I didn’t mean to report you for cheating; we’re all on the same side."
Bai Xingye suddenly reprimanded, "Who says you’re one of us? My sister did not cheat."
Wang Xuanwen hung his head and dared not speak any further.
He thought he could curry favor, but who would have thought he’d make a blunder again!
Mo Yanchi sighed softly, looking at Wang Xuanwen: "Lord Wang, your studies are the poorest, yet you do not strive to improve, constantly scheming about your classmates."
"If this continues, how can you study well? Stretch out your hand."
Wang Xuanwen looked up abruptly: "Master, will you strike my palm?"
Mo Yanchi had already picked up the ruler.
His face was solemn: "I’m striking you so you’ll remember this lesson and focus on your studies, instead of overly monitoring others."
Wang Xuanwen resignedly extended his palm.
Mo Yanchi wielded the ruler, producing two crisp sounds.
Wang Xuanwen couldn’t help but grimace: "Ouch!"
Standing nearby, Zhi’er timely covered her eyes.
The teacher really would hit someone!
Mo Yanchi only struck twice before pulling back his hand.
Wang Xuanwen was discontent in his heart, but outwardly he had to endure and say, "Thank you for your teaching, teacher."
Mo Yanchi nodded: "You may go."
Wang Xuanwen turned to leave, and as he passed by Fang Youzhen, she suddenly raised her hand, seeming prepared to strike him as well.
Mo Yanchi intervened: "Miss Fang, classmates must not slander or fight with each other; know when to stop."
Fang Youzhen looked at Wang Xuanwen, who was holding his head, and frustratedly withdrew her hand.
She raised her eyebrows and said, "Don’t let me hear you spreading rumors again, or I’ll drag you from the academy and give you a beating myself!"
Wang Xuanwen dared not say a word and left sullenly.
"Sister Zhen~" Zhi’er opened her little hands, her soft voice full of joy as she rushed toward Fang Youzhen.
Wang Xuanwen glanced back, catching Mo Yanchi smiling contentedly at Zhi’er inside Yunzhi Pavilion, with Fang Youzhen comforting the little one as well.
Everyone’s gaze was focused on Zhi’er.
Wang Xuanwen secretly gritted his teeth.
He clearly saw the Sixth Prince Bai Xingye helping with the cheating!
Wang Xuanwen had planned that if Fang Youzhen did not help, he would resort to threats.
Who would have thought that by coincidence, the cheating answer sheet happened to get ink-stained!
Wang Xuanwen suspected this was all Master Mo Yanchi’s doing on purpose.
After all, wasn’t Zhi’er his little apprentice?
Surely he feared word of the cheating would damage his reputation!
A sinister light flashed in Wang Xuanwen’s eyes.
At that moment, Bai Xingye seemed to sense something, raised his head, and looked at him with furrowed brows.
Wang Xuanwen quickly lowered his head and hurried away.
Before leaving Yunzhi Pavilion, Mo Yanchi asked Zhi’er to wait for him a moment.
A moment later, Mo Yanchi returned with a plate of pastries for the little one.
"These are from the Dining Hall, prepared daily only for the teacher, saved for my little apprentice to eat."
Zhi’er’s eyes lit up, and she tenderly exclaimed, "Thank you, master!"
She held the plate, sat on a chair, and began devouring the delicacies.
The little one didn’t forget to offer a piece to her brother, Bai Xingye, beside her.
Bai Xingye glanced at it, turned his head: "I don’t eat sweets!"
Zhi’er puffed her cheeks and huffed: "Then Zhi’er will eat them all, and if brother wants some later, there will be none left!"