Chapter Nine: Luo Ningsang Is Framed

Luo Ningsang’s eyes brightened, and she began to rummage through her belongings impatiently. As she stuffed snacks into her mouth, her cheeks bulged, making her look just like a little squirrel hoarding food. From time to time, she would pick up a piece and offer it to Mo Youli. "Try this, too. It’s delicious."

Mo Youli shook his head slightly, his expression indifferent. "I don’t care for sweets."

Having been accustomed to bitter tea and strong spirits since childhood, he found it difficult to muster any interest in these soft, sweet, and fragrant pastries.

Luo Ningsang, however, would not give up. While Mo Youli was focused on explaining a problem to her, she flashed a mischievous smile and suddenly leaned in close.

Mo Youli could smell the faint, delicate fragrance wafting from the girl, reminiscent of spring flowers just beginning to bloom—rich, sweet, and refreshing. Before he could recover his senses, a piece of pastry was pressed to his lips by Luo Ningsang.

"Just have one bite."

She blinked and smiled playfully, her eyes sparkling with the triumph of a child who had successfully snuck into a honey pot.

Caught off guard, Mo Youli took a small bite. The pastry was soft and sticky, and the sweetness instantly spread across his tongue.

The tips of his ears turned bright red, as if scorched by fire, and he began to stammer. "I... I’ve eaten it. You... you pay attention to my explanation."

Having said this, he hurriedly lowered his head, not daring to meet Luo Ningsang's gaze. His long, slender fingers toyed with the pages of the book, trembling slightly.

Seeing him so innocent and flustered, Luo Ningsang felt an even stronger urge to tease him.

From then on, during their study breaks, she would launch such "surprise attacks" from time to time—either "ambushing" him with pastries or leaning close to his ear to whisper a witty remark.

Mo Youli was always left blushing and flustered by her flirtations, yet he could never bring himself to pull away.

The ambiguous atmosphere, like a thin mist in spring, continued to linger between them.

Outside the window, the sunlight shifted, casting dappled shadows. Inside, the room remained quiet and cozy, filled only with the rustle of paper and the soft sound of laughter.

Mo Youli explained the problems with increasing patience and gentleness, his voice low and rich. Luo Ningsang listened intently, occasionally frowning in thought, then lighting up with sudden understanding, her eyes curving into lovely crescents.

"Mo Youli, if we used a different approach for this problem..."

Luo Ningsang chewed on the end of her brush, tilting her head as she asked. Strands of hair fell over her shoulders, with a few stray locks playfully brushing against her cheek.

Mo Youli reached out to tuck her hair back, his fingertips lightly touching her cheek; the contact made them both shiver.

He coughed softly, suppressing the flutter in his heart, and picked up his brush to slowly work through the problem on paper. "If you use another method, you can start from here..."

Just as he was speaking, Mo San burst in, full of energy. He held an exquisitely carved food box and presented it to Luo Ningsang as if it were a treasure. "Princess, this is the freshly made sugar-steamed custard. I had to wait in a very long line to get it. Please, have a taste."

Luo Ningsang’s eyes lit up as she reached out to take it. "You’ve been thoughtful."

After taking a spoonful, she offered it to Mo Youli. "You try this one, too."

Mo Youli smiled helplessly and took a bite. The blend of creamy milk and sweetness was indeed quite good.

Seeing him satisfied, Luo Ningsang’s smile deepened. "Mo San is quite good; he’s certainly clever when it comes to picking food."

Receiving the praise, Mo San grinned and scratched his head. "As long as you like it, Princess. I’ll go out and find more delicious things for you every day."

"That’s enough, you may leave now."

Mo Youli waved his hand, casting a dark, warning glare at Mo San.

The joy Mo San felt from the praise instantly vanished, replaced by anxiety. *Is the master really jealous of even this? I was just trying to curry favor with the future mistress!*

After Mo San withdrew, Mo Youli turned back to Luo Ningsang. "Continuing from before, the key point here is..."

Luo Ningsang quickly收敛 (composed) her smile, sat upright, and listened with full attention.

As the sunlight slanted and shadows lengthened in the room, twilight had quietly descended before they realized it.

Luo Ningsang stretched and yawned. "My brain is about to explode from today's studying, but the harvest was plentiful."

Mo Youli closed the book and said softly, "You’ve worked hard, Princess. Rest early; I shall return tomorrow."

With that, he lifted his gaze and gave her a deep look, as if trying to imprint her image upon his heart, before turning to leave.

...

Xiao Ze'an had just arrived at the academy to ask for leave on Luo Ningsang's behalf.

"Brother Ze'an, I heard you say Sister Ningsang is ill? Is it serious? She seemed perfectly fine yesterday; how could she fall ill overnight? I’m so worried about her. After school today, I’ll go visit her with you."

Hearing Xiao Ze'an, Shen Shuwan feigned concern and leaned in, her words planting seeds of doubt, all while wanting to see for herself what tricks Luo Ningsang was playing.

Yu Xiaoxiao, however, spoke bluntly. "Maybe she’s just worried about the final exams and is faking illness to avoid coming to school. I knew she was a coward. With her level of learning, how could she possibly have a drastic change in just a few days? Don’t you all agree? Hahahaha!"

As Yu Xiaoxiao’s mockery spread, the students behind her burst into laughter, fully agreeing with her.

Xiao Ze'an, for the first time ever, offered an explanation. "Luo Ningsang is indeed ill. She will be here after missing two days. Stop talking nonsense."

"Brother Ze'an, don't blame Xiaoxiao. She’s just outspoken. We’re all classmates, and she doesn't mean any harm."

Shen Shuwan stepped forward, portraying herself as someone who looked out for others, making everyone think she was understanding and kind.

Yet, few could recall that it was Shen Shuwan who had started the gossip in the first place.

...

Luo Ningsang and Mo Youli stayed together for two full days, returning to her palace only at night and coming back early each morning.

Mo Youli was more than happy to do so, and in his excellent mood, he did not even mind the mistakes made by his three shadow guards.

"Mo Youli, I’m feeling better, so I should head back to the academy. I’ll still come to trouble you every night, though. But I promise I’ll only bother you for a few more days."

Luo Ningsang calculated that there were five days left until the final exams, and with a bit more effort, her level should be fine. She kept clinging to Mo Youli for tutoring, vowing to thank him properly once the exams were over.

"It’s no trouble at all. The Princess is intelligent and diligent; it is my honor to help clarify things for you."

In front of Luo Ningsang, Mo Youli never used the imperial "Zhen" (I), always using the common "Wo." This distinction was reserved for Luo Ningsang alone.

"Once I finish my exams, I’ll thank you properly. You’re not allowed to refuse."

Luo Ningsang hopped to his side like a little rabbit, staring straight at Mo Youli.

Mo Youli did not speak. Facing her gaze, he felt his throat tighten and forgot how to breathe.

"Fine..."

It took great effort to squeeze out that one word, his clenched fists working hard to suppress the inner heat.

"Princess, your medicine."

Mo Wu handed a bowl of pitch-black medicine to Luo Ningsang.

She remembered the first day: Mo Youli was so worried about her cold that he insisted Mo Wu examine her. Luo Ningsang had politely declined, but she couldn't resist Mo Youli's concern.

Although she agreed, she had dismissed everyone else to let Mo Wu examine her alone.

After a friendly "discussion," Mo Wu began delivering daily medicine meant to nourish her skin and regulate her health. Luo Ningsang’s complexion became rosy, her skin glowing, and her little face looked soft and flushed.

The two of them couldn't hide their little schemes from Mo Youli, but seeing Luo Ningsang drinking the medicine so proactively every day, he didn't expose them.

Luo Ningsang was actually plotting to poach Mo Wu for her own use; having someone who was a master of both medicine and poisons by her side would be nothing short of wonderful.

As the sky darkened, on her way back to her quarters, Luo Shaochen was waiting for her like someone waiting for a rabbit to run into a tree.

"Little Sister, you and Emperor Mo...? I heard everything from Father. You two were alone for two days."

Luo Shaochen looked full of gossip. He hadn't been able to get anything out of his father, so he had come to his sister directly.

"Stop prying into things you shouldn't."

Luo Ningsang walked straight past him, but Luo Shaochen followed, unwilling to give up.

"Hey... just tell me, dear sister."

"It’ll disappoint you, but I don't have those kinds of feelings for him. I’ve been studying hard for the past two days, and Mo Youli has been tutoring me. I made a bet with my classmates that if I don't rank in the top ten in the final exams, I’ll roll out of the academy."

Luo Ningsang put her hands on her hips and turned to fire a barrage of words at the Luo Shaochen trailing behind her.

"What? Top ten!"

Luo Shaochen’s eyes widened in shock.

"What? Is there a problem!"

"No, no problem. It’s just, little sister, are you sure you can squeeze into the top ten?"

Based on his understanding of his sister, it was too difficult for her to stage a comeback. Even when he had teased her a few days ago, it was only meant to push her to improve her studies.

"Luo Shaochen! Don't underestimate me! You can come and see for yourself when the results are posted. I certainly won't let you down."

Luo Ningsang lifted her head confidently. Luo Shaochen smiled, though he felt a bit like crying.

Nodding, he decided not to disturb his sister’s rest.

In the past, they were known as the "good-for-nothing sibling duo" and were often secretly laughed at. Now that his sister was like a little sun, full of drive and confidence, he decided he would go back and review his own lessons as well.

...

For the last five days, Luo Ningsang would doze off in class during the day and stay up all night being tutored by Mo Youli.

The days flew by, and finally, the exams arrived. Luo Ningsang wrote with ease, as if inspired. Questions she couldn't understand before now seemed so simple.

The next day, as the morning sun broke, the academy was bustling with noise.

In the center of the academy, a huge scroll hung high, like a majestic banner fluttering in the breeze.

It was densely packed with names. The ink characters, looking like rows of little black tadpoles, were arranged neatly from top to bottom according to their grades, exuding a sense of solemnity.

Students surged from all directions like a tide, surrounding the scroll until it was completely blocked.

They craning their necks, their eyes wide as copper bells, searching nervously and eagerly for their own names among the rows, muttering to themselves, their hearts focused entirely on their rankings in the final exams.

"First place, it’s Xiao Ze'an again!"

Someone in the crowd shouted, and everyone cast envious glances.

Xiao Ze'an was a legendary figure in the academy—quick-witted, filled with knowledge, and capable of composing poems and essays on the spot. Everyone was accustomed to him firmly holding the top spot.

"Second place is Shen Shuwan. Miss Shen is truly impressive, proficient in everything from music and chess to calligraphy and painting; her talent is unmatched."

People whispered, their eyes filled with admiration. Shen Shuwan, dressed in a moon-white dress, stood quietly in the crowd like a lotus blooming in the moonlight, cold and beautiful. Hearing her rank, she only nodded slightly, her expression indifferent.

"Yu Xiaoxiao is in sixth place."

Someone else shouted. Upon hearing this, Yu Xiaoxiao’s lips curled into a smug smile. She crossed her arms, her chin held so high it almost reached the sky, her eyes filled with arrogance.

Just then, a cry of surprise erupted from the crowd: "Luo Ningsang’s name is right after Yu Xiaoxiao’s! She actually ranked seventh!"

The sound was like a stone thrown into a calm lake, stirring up a thousand waves.

Everyone looked stunned, their eyes nearly popping out of their sockets, their faces filled with disbelief.

"Luo Ningsang, how could you possibly rank seventh based on your ability!"

Yu Xiaoxiao jumped up as if her tail had been stepped on. She pointed a finger straight at Luo Ningsang’s nose, her fingertip almost poking her face, her expression one of undisguised suspicion and anger.

Luo Ningsang had been full of joy, staring at her ranking, but before her smile could fully bloom, she was startled by Yu Xiaoxiao’s screech.

Her eyebrows arched in anger, and a fire ignited within her. Clenching her fists, she retorted without showing any weakness: "Why couldn't I rank seventh? Some people who lose a bet should remember they need to roll out of here gracefully!"

"Teacher, Luo Ningsang must have cheated! Her ranking was always at the bottom; how could she suddenly jump to seventh? I won't believe it even if I die!"

Yu Xiaoxiao turned to complain to the teacher nearby, tugging at the teacher's sleeve so hard the teacher swayed, her face full of false grievances, as if she had been wronged terribly.

The teacher frowned, looking at Luo Ningsang with utter disdain. Without asking for the facts, he stated firmly, "Luo Ningsang, I overlooked your usual laziness, but I never expected you to stoop to cheating!"

Luo Ningsang straightened her back and argued loudly, "Teacher, what evidence do you have? I earned this rank with my own ability; I did not cheat!"

Her chest heaved violently, and her breathing became rapid.

"If the teacher says you cheated, then you cheated! Ask the other students—who believes you could get such a high rank on your own?"

Yu Xiaoxiao put her hands on her hips, shouting at the top of her lungs in the crowd and gesturing for everyone to agree.

"We don't believe it either. Luo Ningsang must have used some underhanded methods to get that rank." A student with a sharp face chimed in, looking disdainful.

"Exactly, if the teacher says so, it must be true." Another nodded in agreement, eyes filled with blind obedience.

"I won't believe it even if I die. Someone who can't even recognize a few characters can't suddenly become this good." A burly student said in a muffled voice, arms crossed, looking certain.

"I also think Luo Ningsang definitely cheated. She’s too unscrupulous to win a bet." Yu Xiaoxiao’s lackey jumped out too, pointing at Luo Ningsang and chattering on and on.

Hearing these slanders, Luo Ningsang trembled with rage. She clenched her fists so tightly that her nails dug deep into her palms, leaving crescent-shaped marks.

"I said! I did not cheat! I earned this result in the final exams entirely on my own!"

Luo Ningsang shouted at the top of her voice, her eyes turning red from the grievance of being falsely accused and having no way to explain.