Chapter 72: The Orchid Courtyard
Xu Mian was very emotional, which made the people curious.
“Mr. Xu, what’s that exactly? Show it to us!” complained someone.
They had come all the way here to watch, but Mr. Xu did not even show it to them?!
“What’s wrong with you guys? The bell is ringing. Go to your classes now! If you’re late, aren’t you afraid that your teacher will punish you?!” Xu Mian clamored and clasped the painting in his hand even tighter now.
It was Master Yun Wei’s masterpiece!
Master Yun Wei was an expert out there. He did not have many paintings on the market, but each of them was precious. At the moment, the academy had only collected a painting of a drunk Taoist master. It was a small painting, but it had an extraordinary artistic conception.
The Taoist master in the painting seemed nothing different than a regular man. He was even a drunkard. However, when one looked at it carefully, they would notice the melancholy of the Taoist master seeing through everything in the world.
The Taoist master’s chic and carefreeness were brilliantly showcased in the painting.
Master Yun Wei’s handwriting was like a wandering dragon and flying phoenix. At the same time, it was like a violent wind and magnificent thunder. It contained an intense wildness!
How could he do that if he had not been painting for tens of years?
Such a master must be dying now. Anyone would collect however many paintings they could as they would be something valuable for years to come!
“Sir, which class do I go to?” asked Xie Qiao.
Xu Mian was so happy that he almost forgot. He said immediately after Xie Qiao’s reminder, “You’re in Class Sun in the Snowball Bush Courtyard. I heard that you grew up in a Taoist temple from a young age. I’m worried that your foundation is lacking, so this class suits you better.”
Xie Qiao raised her brows slightly. Since she had no idea how this Snowball Bush Courtyard was, she could only nod to respond.
Subsequently, Mr. Xu brought the new students to their classes.
Xie Qiao was stunned as soon as she arrived at the class.
The entire class…
What should she say? They were all… ten-year-old ladies. None of them were 15.
Although she was not planning on making friends, she was surrounded by children. Would she not be an attention seeker?
“Sir, can I be in the same class of people my age?” asked Xie Qiao.
“You can. It’s just that most people your age have been studying in this academy for a few years. They have a good foundation. Moreover, our requirement is high. This class is different. The requirement is lower,” Xu Mian was extraordinarily patient since he had obtained something valuable. His voice was gentle too.
“I don’t mind,” said Xie Qiao.
“Alright, then. I’ll send you there. If you can’t catch up, you can always come back.” Xu Mian was very easy to talk to now.
Xie Qiao would be sent to the Orchid Courtyard after speaking to him.
She had been listening to the other ladies chatting along the way, so she understood the class system now.
Class Qian, Kun, Sun, Moon, A, B, C, D. The arrangement had something to do with their identity.
For instance, she was a fourth-grade official’s direct eldest daughter, so she was put into Class Sun.
There were five small rankings after that.
They were ranked by flowers.
The first one was the Peony Courtyard, second Orchid Courtyard, third Chrysanthemum Courtyard, fourth Snowball Bush Courtyard, and fifth would be the Begonia Courtyard.
Although Xu Mian agreed to send her into the higher ranking class, she was only sent to the Orchid Courtyard. The reason being those who wanted to get into the Peony Courtyard would need to sit for an examination. The students in the class were skilled, talented ladies. The number of students was low as well.
Nobody could get in through shortcuts.
The Snowball Bush Courtyard only had a snowball tree in the courtyard. There was nothing special about it.
However, it was different at the Orchid Courtyard.
There were varieties of orchids planted all over the courtyard. The fragrance lingered, so it made it extraordinary.
Xie Qiao only walked in after looking around for a little bit. She found somewhere inconspicuous to sit.
Although she sat somewhere inconspicuous, she attracted some attention anyway.
It was the Orchid Courtyard, meaning almost no new students would be sent here.