Upon returning home, Xu Zhen shared the news about the academy with Xu Qianchun.
When the palace had a day off the next day, Xu Zhen took Xu Qianchun to the academy to register for classes.
Hongdu Academy offered a wide array of subjects, including calligraphy, painting, letter writing, history, and over forty other courses. Each student was required to enroll in at least six classes. The academy operated on a five-day schedule, with students attending one to three classes each day.
With around a thousand students, the scale and level of formality at Hongdu Academy were unmatched by Qinglong Mountain Academy.
Although the academy was located at the corner of a street in Chang'an, it was built against the mountains, surrounded by beautiful scenery. Gurgling springs, pavilions for storing books, quiet meditation rooms, and dense bamboo groves punctuated the layered mountains.
The head official sat at the entrance, managing the academy's affairs.
After Xu Zhen paid the tuition, she walked over to fill out the course selection. Respecting Xu Qianchun's opinions, she turned and asked, "What six subjects do you want to study?"
Xu Qianchun replied, "I'll follow your lead, Teacher."
Nodding, Xu Zhen casually selected a few popular subjects, including martial arts, Confucian studies, Taoism, and history.
The head official helped Xu Qianchun fill out the enrollment form. When he handed the form to her and glanced at her disguised face, he praised, "The Assistant Minister's younger sister is indeed exceptionally talented and poised!"
Xu Zhen couldn't help but laugh upon hearing that.
After all, this was the main antagonist; naturally, she would have an extraordinary demeanor.
The head official then went on to explain additional details, such as class schedules and classmates.
Xu Zhen listened attentively and afterward took Xu Qianchun to find their classroom. Once they located it, she watched as Xu Qianchun greeted her classmates with a nod and a bow, sensing a harmonious atmosphere before finally feeling at ease enough to leave.
However, she hadn't walked far when she noticed three familiar figures by the roadside; they seemed to be the same ones she'd played cuju with last time.
One of them, with keen eyesight, spotted Xu Zhen from a distance and called out, "Hey!"
Xu Zhen didn't want to get involved, so she turned to walk away.
The sharp-eyed one quickly approached her, blocking her path, and called out, "Aren't you the helper from before? What are you doing standing here?"
This was the same person who had kicked the ball to Xu Zhen earlier. Since he hadn't insisted she pay for the ball, she had a good impression of these cuju-playing youths.
Thinking for a moment, she explained in a good-natured manner, "I'm not a helper."
Surprisingly, the young man was very polite and smiled as he said, "Regardless of whether you are a helper, your skill was truly impressive last time! Where did you learn your arithmetic? Was it also at Hongdu Academy? I don't recall seeing you there before."
Xu Zhen replied, "I'm not from the academy; I just happened to come by today."
The young man smiled at this and nodded, saying, "Then that's perfect!"
Confused by what was "perfect," Xu Zhen was about to ask when the young man grabbed her sleeve and pulled her along, exclaiming, "Come on and help me persuade my brother!"
