"Oh, I see... Fine, I’ll go get ready and take you there myself."

"Father, you’re still severely injured. You shouldn’t leave the manor. It would cause trouble if you were seen."

Xiang Minghou had thought of that as well. He sighed. "Never mind. Father will come to see you on Lou Mountain in a few days."

"Mm."

Ye Qianning agreed. ’The General’s Manor is surrounded by Hidden Guards right now, so ordinary spies can’t get close. Father’s injuries are a mystery, too. The outside world only knows they’re severe—almost fatal.’

’When the Emperor heard what happened a few days ago, he sent several Imperial Physicians over. And back then, Father’s wounds really were severe.’

’If anyone saw him up and walking after only seven days, it would definitely start some nasty rumors.’

"Pangtuan is going to Lou Mountain? I’m free today, so I’ll take you." Madam Zhan was eager to spend more time with Pangtuan.

"Didn’t you have something to discuss, Madam Zhan? This way, you two. We can talk in the study." Xiang Minghou stepped in front of Madam Zhan, blocking her view.

Madam Zhan was very reluctant. She tilted her head, trying to get a few more glimpses of her granddaughter, but he blocked her view completely.

Zhan Yi saw this and was very displeased. "Let’s go, dear. We certainly do need to have a ’talk’ with him. Hmph."

’She’s clearly our granddaughter. What right does he have to stop us from even taking a look?’

Madam Zhan nodded, her gaze still lingering.

Xiang Minghou turned back and instructed her, "Have the steward prepare a carriage for you. Be careful on the road."

"Okay."

Ye Qianning turned and fled the scene. ’Let the adults handle their own business. As for who her biological family was, she didn’t really care.’

’Whoever I’ve accepted as family is my family. It doesn’t matter to me if we’re related by blood. If they decide they have to do a blood-linking test, I’ll cooperate.’

A lot had happened at the General’s Manor over the past few days, and there wasn’t a soul in the Capital City who didn’t know about it. The news was even spreading like wildfire within the academy.

Ye Qianning hadn’t been to the academy for days, but stories about her were already making the rounds.

The more the rumors spread, the more outlandish they became. The students had somehow twisted the image of a chubby, cute girl into that of a hideous and arrogant fatty.

The academy was filled with children from wealthy families, and many of them thought the young miss of the General’s Manor was a savage country bumpkin who acted high and mighty just because her father was a general.

They said she was an ill-bred girl from the countryside, completely illiterate. They couldn’t understand what the headmaster was thinking, taking someone like that on as a personal disciple.

Ye Qianning had left in a hurry that morning without eating. By the time she was halfway up the mountain, she was already hungry. She arrived at Lou Mountain just as the students were having lunch, so she went straight to the academy’s dining hall.

This was the first time Ye Qianning had eaten in the dining hall since she started at the academy. The seating arrangement seemed to be organized by class level.

Looking from the entrance, she could see rows of tables, arranged in a very orderly fashion from the senior classes to the junior ones.

According to the academy’s rules for disciples, one must not speak while eating. The dining hall was full of people, yet it was surprisingly quiet...

All the children wore the same uniforms, making it rather difficult to find anyone. Ye Qianning scanned the room for a long time before finally spotting Sang Zhi in a corner at the very back.

"Little Stiff." Ye Qianning beamed as she walked over and sat down across from him.

Sang Zhi looked up, his eyes lighting up with surprise.

"Hehe," Ye Qianning chuckled. She turned and instructed Luo Wen, who had followed her in, "Go see what’s good to eat. Make sure to get lots of meat."

"Yes, miss." Luo Wen’s voice was loud and clear.

Ye Qianning’s gaze fell back on the boy across from her. "Why are you eating so little?"

Sang Zhi pursed his lips.

"No wonder you’re so scrawny. A boy your age should eat more meat. Meat makes you big and strong," Ye Qianning said, propping her chin on her hands with a wide smile.

Sang Zhi seemed conflicted for a moment before he finally spoke. His voice was quiet but very proper. "One must not speak while eating."