T/N: As mentioned before, this novel starts off slow but gets good later on! If you’re finding it as tedious as I do with these early chapters, I would say try to bear with it for a bit more! It starts to pick up from Chapter 5.
I’m not taking this up officially. If anyone is interested in taking over, please feel free to do so; no need to ask for permission or wait out the 3 month courtesy period.
Chapter 3 – To repeat a grade is to humiliate the Xu family and their IQ
With tears of blood, Xu Ran toiled over her desk for 3 days and 3 nights, and finally managed to finish her homework just before school restarted.
It was fortunate that the questions were not as difficult to understand as she had imagined – it mostly comprised of text interpretation and explanation, and could be answered by flipping through a few books. In the process of doing her homework, Xu Ran sorrowfully realised that many of the questions texted in her exam were found in her homework.
She remembered the blank piece of paper she submitted, and her intestines almost became green from regret. She memorised it as she wrote it out, and after going through it once, she managed to memorise bits and pieces of it.
It was ultimately impossible to cram everything at once, thus Xu Ran would have to come up with some other method. After finishing her homework on text interpretation, she was left with her homework on current affairs and arithmancy.
She took one look at the questions and silently put down her book.
She couldn’t swell her face up by slapping it to look imposing ah (idiom – to act big by feigning beyond your abilities)…if she couldn’t do it, she couldn’t do it.
(Translated by jillaimee at Silent Moon Translations.)
When he learnt about Xu Ran burning the midnight oil and studying hard, Xu laoye felt very reassured. The day Xu Ran was to return to school, Xu laoye happened to be off work, and in high spirits, he personally escorted her to school.
The Ceremonial Rites Pavilion was located on the East side of the Imperial street, surrounded by government offices. The privy council and Senate offices that Xu laoye often frequented was located in the innermost part of the East side. The Ceremonial Rites Pavilion was near the Xuande entrance, less than a mile away from the bustling city centre.
The Ceremonial Rites Pavilion was filled with the children of government officials; Xu laoye immediately saw many of his colleagues and subordinates in the Senate office. As a Senate official and assistant to the Prime Minister, though he had yet to enter the Cabinet, Xu laoye was considered to be of higher rank. His colleagues gathered around to greet him.
They occasionally addressed Xu Ran, their words full of praise. Everyone was an expert in waxing poetic, and they praised her so unreservedly that Xu Ran felt embarrassed listening to them.
On the other hand, Xu laoye was very pleased with the praises. Regarding this daughter of his, he understood clearly that though she was a little stubborn, she definitely had the ability to live up to their praises. As long as she was willing to put in some hard work, it was entirely possible for her to rank first.
Inwardly pleased but maintaining his solemn expression, he patted Xu Ran’s head and said: “You’re too kind. My daughter still needs to work harder.”
Officials A, B and C exchanged glances, and smiled: “Sir has taught your daughter well. You are too humble.”
Xu laoye smiled and escorted Xu Ran into the academy.
The moment they left, the officials immediately changed their tune.
Official A: “I heard his daughter handed in a blank piece of paper for 8 exams, and he actually still has the face to send her here personally. If it was me, even if you beat me to death I wouldn’t come and embarrass myself here.”
Official B: “Lower your voice. But you’re right, I’m afraid there has never been a case of submitting blank papers for 8 consecutive exams in our entire history since this dynasty was established. Although it is only a minor academy exam, such an act is truly too wilful.”
Official C: “I heard that the Xu family’s second miss has always had mediocre grades. She probably realised her own inability and gave up altogether.”
It looked like she would share the fate of Zhao family’s young miss – marrying someone and entering through the back door!
Xu Ran followed behind Xu laoye. Their walk was followed by several people pointing and whispering about them. Xu Ran felt uncomfortable all over, and pressed closer to Xu laoye: “Father, let’s not look for Teacher Lü any more. School has just started; he must be busy.”
Xu laoye glared at her. “What are you afraid of, I’m just going to explain a few things to Teacher Lü. Don’t tell me that he can’t even squeeze out enough time to listen to a few words from me?”
Xu Ran closed her mouth and didn’t dare to speak further.
Teacher Lü was in the process of sorting out the exam papers; upon seeing Xu laoye, he immediately put the papers down, and instructed the servants to serve up some tea.
The tea was served by servant Tian Er.
The original Xu Ran had a good relationship with Tian Er, and outside of serving Teacher Lü, would help Xu Ran with a few things. For example, now that Teacher Lü was about to show the eight blank exams papers to Xu laoye, Tian Er aggressively blinked repeatedly at her.
Xu Ran froze, completely missing the point. She thought in her heart: This servant must have a problem with his eyes.
Teacher Lü cleared his throat. He allowed the words that he was about to say to stew in his stomach for a while, removing any phrases that could provoke unhappiness, then carefully said: “Regarding the examination, I believe Master Xu has heard about it.” As he spoke, he picked out Xu Ran’s answer sheets and held them out.
Xu laoye‘s face went green.
Teacher Lü coughed, and continued: “Xu Ran was on break from school for 2 months; the homework that she has fallen behind on must be remedied. If her grades at the year end examination isn’t desirable, it Is best for her to enter the Primary 5 grade, and redo the year.”
Xu laoye’s face turned greenish black.
Falling by a grade and redoing the year – this was simply a shame upon the Xu family’s intelligence.
(Translated by jillaimee at Silent Moon Translations.)
When he left, Xu laoye repeatedly reminded Teacher Lü: He must monitor Xu Ran carefully. Even if his methods are a little strict, he should go ahead and use them.
Then he turned and said to Xu Ran: If she doesn’t work hard in the new semester, then she best be prepared to spend some days in hell.
Xu Ran swallowed, and suddenly felt an enormous weight on her shoulders.
Tian Er, taking advantage of being the supporting role to Teacher Lü, secretly came up to her, “Miss Xu doesn’t need to be anxious. Prepare well and you will definitely score well next time.”
Xu Ran thanked him for his well wishes, and prepared to continue walking towards the Academy.
Tian Er followed closely, “The prescription Miss Xu gave the last time was very effective; the medicinal herbs used were cheap yet effective, my mother took three courses of the medicine, and her cough has improved significantly.”
Listening to this, Xu Ran couldn’t help but feel curious. It couldn’t be that the original host also had medicinal skills? Looking at Tian Er’s attitude towards her, he seemed very grateful.
To treat even a servant boy so well, the original host should be a kind little lady. Xu Ran couldn’t help but sigh again, good people don’t live long ah. To be replaced by counterfeit goods like her, even becoming the rebellious daughter in her parents’ eyes – if the original host knew, she would probably be enraged to the point of puking blood.
Xu Ran shook her head, she couldn’t trample over someone else’s life and body in vain like this. She needed to live well, summon up her vigor, even if severe floods and great beasts laid ahead of her, she must still live every day well.
Xu Ran smiled at Tian Er, “It is good that it is effective. Anything you need, just let me know.”
Tian Er stammered out, “Today is the first day of school, and it is a half-day. Teacher Lü has given me half the day off, I wish to go home with my younger brother. Could Miss help me pass a message?”
Xu Ran thought for a long while, and still couldn’t recall just who Tian Er’s younger brother was.
Tian Er quickly said, “My younger brother is Han Tong, he is in the same class as Miss. Miss is a person of high rank, it is normal not to remember.”
Xu Ran finally remembered who Han Tong was.
The top student of the Primary 5 grade; other than in the two subjects of governance and music in the Six Arts, there was essentially no one who could score higher than him. As an average student, the original host had little contact with him.
Xu Ran asked, “Why don’t you go yourself, he should just be in the classroom.”
Tian Er mumbled, “… I’m afraid others will laugh at him…” for having a servant boy as an older brother.
Xu Ran pursed her lips, and agreed.
When she entered the classroom, Xu Ran scanned the room for Han Tong. The class consisted of 30 students. The new school term had just started, and everyone was clustered in groups chatting away.
She had yet to find Han Tong when someone came up to her, greeting her merrily.
“Ran Ran, you’ve recovered!”
Xu Ran looked up and saw a young lady with a round face and almond shaped eyes. When she smiled, two dimples appeared on her freckled cheeks, looking as sweet as the nectarine flowers in spring.
Xu Ran had long done her research from the human Google(1) Fei Cui, and knew that this was Xu Ran’s good friend Su Tao. Also the sister of the Sir Su that Older Sister was always trying to defeat. The original Xu Ran was not a fan of networking, and wasn’t very close with Su Tao, so Xu Ran wasn’t worried that Su Tao would detect anything amiss with her identity.
Although the original host did not leave her all the memories regarding the exams, it was still enough for her to handle conversations with the acquaintances of the original host.
Xu Ran smiled at her, “I’ve recovered, thank you for specially coming over to visit me the last time. I’ll invite you to our manor to play next time, sorry for the trouble.”
Su Tao had visited the manor once when Xu Ran was ill. At that time, Xu Ran had only just transmigrated over, her entire being had still been in a state of turmoil and she hadn’t dared to meet with anyone.
She had rejected her directly.
(Translated by jillaimee at Silent Moon Translations.)
Thankfully Su Tao had a good personality. She didn’t mind in the slightest, and smiled sweetly, “Seeing that you are fine now, I’m relieved.”
The two of them sat together for a while, and the atmosphere slowly become awkward.
Xu Ran searched through her memories, and realised that the original host was not good at networking. She had few friends, and even with Su Tao, someone whom she had known for five years, they had never had any meaningful conversations.
Was this some form of social anxiety? Xu Ran thought for a while, and decided to take the initiative in conversation. “Su Su, do you know where Han Tong is?”
It was the first time she had heard Xu Ran use such an intimate form of address. Su Tao startled a little, but quickly replied warmly, “I just saw him leave to look for Teacher Liu, did you have business with him?”
Xu Ran nodded. She would just have to wait for him to return.
The two of them continued to stew in silence.
Xu Ran thought that she had to make more friends. Su Jiao’s gossip would come in handy at this time.
When she brought up the topic of Zhao Yan, Su Tao was indeed interested. When two ladies got together, gossiping about others was the best way to deepen their friendship.
The two of them expressed sympathy regarding this matter. Marrying someone to take a shortcut was truly not something glamorous.
Su Tao remarked, “Look on the bright side, at least she can fulfil her own dreams and successfully enter Radiant Pavilion. Zhao Yan might have been a little fierce, but she was still our fellow classmate, hopefully everything goes well for her.”
At the mention of Zhao Yan’s fierceness, Xu Ran immediately remembered. Some time back, during the sixth paper of the Primary School examinations, she had accidentally bumped into someone, and had immediately been glared at harshly, and it seemed like… she had even been scolded.
If she remembered correctly, the person who had scolded her was Zhao Yan!
Mn, truly not a person easy to get along with.
As they were chatting, Su Tao suddenly pointed to the door, and Xu Ran saw that Han Tong had arrived. He was a young man dressed in a light green robe, looking coldly imperious and charming.
Xu Ran passed Tian Er’s message to Han Tong. After hearing the message, Han Tong remained expressionless, and walked past her without even a word of thanks.
Xu Ran was left awkwardly standing there.
Su Tao hurriedly stepped forward to resolve the situation, murmuring, “The teacher will be here soon, we should get back to our seats.”
(Translated by jillaimee at Silent Moon Translations.)
The first thing Teacher Lü did upon entering the classroom was to hand out the papers from the exam.
Holding eight pieces of blank paper filled with a bright red question mark, Xu Ran’s entire face was red.
Incomparably…shameful.
The entire class knew that she had handed in a blank piece of paper, and kept looking over at her. Xu Ran practically couldn’t tolerate it. Su Tao considerately moved her chair closer to her.
“It’s okay Ran Ran, you were just ill…” Su Tao was about to continue with ‘to the point of being muddled’ but quickly swallowed the words back.
Teacher Lü gaze swept through the classroom, and rested on Xu Ran. He cleared his throat, “Xu Ran, change seats and come to the front.”
Fifteen minutes later.
Xu Ran sat in front of the teacher’s desk and received the special treatment of Teacher Lü spittle flying everywhere as he spoke. She choked speechlessly.
If she turned her head, she had a perfect view of everything that was going on in the class. The feeling of having her desk moved to the podium to look down at the entire class – Xu Ran had never experienced it in her previous life, and now got the opportunity to experience it in this lifetime.
Truly painful.
Just as she finally managed to get to the end of Teacher Lü’s class, and was about to sigh with relief, a mocking voice rang out, “Yo, Xu Ran, now that you’ve been moved right in front of the teacher’s desk, are you going to throw a tantrum and pretend to be sick again when you get back home?”
Xu Ran straightened imperiously. It seems like this person wants to pick a fight with her ah.
Terms:
(1): 人肉机 – An App on Baidu Tieba, a Chinese communication app. It allows one to dig up information about a user, including their IP address, phone number, address etc. Translated to ‘Google’ for more universal understanding.
Thoughts:
It’s been a bit of a hectic period. Hope everyone is well in these chaotic times. Stay strong and at home! This was my final year at uni, and I wouldn’t have had time to do another chapter tbh if not for all this happening. Not going to make any promises, but continuing updates on this novel looks to be more likely than before.
Silent Moon Translations 