As he knew, when the Empress Dowager first became the Empress, she founded the Xinya Academy, and not only that, she also personally designed the school uniforms.
However, the designs she made demanded an extremely high standard of figure.
Over the many years that had passed, no one could showcase the exquisiteness of those uniforms.
Thus, current uniforms had been considerably altered in size.
Yet the set the Empress Dowager meticulously designed was still preserved!
Unexpectedly, someone chose it today!
Song Guo respectfully said, "Yes, Your Highness, it is written so on the paper."
Ye Yiheng nodded in satisfaction, "Very good."
No matter whose daughter she was, if the person wore it fittingly, it would also serve as a consolation to the Empress Dowager.
Song Guo unfolded the paper, "The paper also specifically mentions that the lady who chose this set of clothes is none other than the Fifth Miss of Lai."
Ye Yiheng's handsome brows slightly furrowed, it was her!
The next day was the eleventh, and Lai Jiajia had come to Qingyu Residence early to wait for Leng Yu Yan.
Seeing Leng Yu Yan come out from the inner room, even though she had seen her wear the uniform yesterday, seeing it again today still shocked Lai Jiajia's eyes.
It truly embodied the saying, her grace was like a gentle breeze upon ripples!
This was indeed the figure of a gracefully demure lady!
She could make even the simplest style of clothing look captivating and take one's breath away.
"My carriage is at your disposal, big sister."
The Leng Residence had different classes of horse carriages, and as Leng Yu Yan was the legitimate daughter, naturally, she had access to high-standard carriages.
Lai Jiajia was also a legitimate daughter, albeit from a secondary branch, and given that Second Young Master Lai had no title, their family's carriages were slightly of lower rank.
Yesterday, when they went out, Lai Jiajia shared a carriage with Leng Yu Yan.
However, today that carriage was taken by Man Ting and Li Lu.
"It's just that third and fourth sister took the carriage early on."
"No matter, it's merely a means of transport," Leng Yu Yan proceeded to walk toward the courtyard.
She still vividly remembered Man Ting's disdainful attitude from yesterday; such people would definitely vie over trivial matters.
The carriage stopped in front of Xinya Academy.
Miao Zhu, attaching a small wallet to Leng Yu Yan's waist, cautioned with concern, "Miss, I've put some candies and preserved fruits in the wallet, along with the jade token you often fiddle with. Eat the candies when you're bored, and you can play with the jade token."
"It sounds like you are sending a child to school with treats and toys."
"Indeed not, as a maid, I haven't been away from Miss for such a long time, today we will be apart for a whole day!"
Miao Zhu raised her eyebrows proudly, as she was several months older than her mistress.
While her mistress's mother was alive, she had instructed her to take good care of her, and she always remembered that! If not for the academy's rule that servants could not enter, she would definitely have accompanied her.
Leng Yu Yan laughed out loud, tapping her on the forehead, "Yes, I've noted that."
Seeing this, Lai Jiajia turned to her own maid, Qinxian, "Look at that, what if I crave something sweet?"
Qinxian, quite sincere, lowered her head and softly said, "Then please share some with Fifth Miss."
At this, all four of them laughed.
After the sisters entered the academy, Miao Zhu and Qinxian rode the carriage back to the residence, planning to return near the end of the school day to pick them up.
Given that Leng Yu Yan didn't know which class she was assigned to, she followed Lai Jiajia to the academy, planning to ask the teacher along the way.
As they walked, they passed several academic buildings from left to right.
Many female students peeked out of the windows, whispering among themselves.
The incident at Huayang Hall the day before had already spread within Xinya Academy. Seeing Leng Yu Yan in person, they were first shocked by her stunning appearance in the school uniform; second, they felt fortunate that her face was too ugly, needing a light veil to cover it, still not surpassing them.
Besides that, there were discussions: "Which class do you think she will be placed in?"
"Those who enter without examination are surely placed in Class A."
The female students of Class A whispered to Lai Manting, "Manting, will your fifth sister join our class?"
Lai Manting replied gently, "My fifth sister has never liked reading or writing; I'm afraid she would make you laugh."
"Is that so? Wouldn't that embarrass Manting?"
"Exactly, Manting is the talented girl of our class. Having such a sister is really hard to describe!"
Just then, a female teacher came out from Taoli Garden and addressed Leng Yu Yan, "Are you the new student enrolling today?"
Lai Jiajia timely introduced, "This is Lady Cao, who specializes in dance."
Leng Yu Yan nodded and greeted, "I have seen Lady Cao."
Lady Cao sized up Leng Yu Yan from head to toe, finally pausing on her veil, then said, "You are assigned to Class D. Follow me to Taoli Garden to get a set of books."
As soon as she spoke, the students from other classes all let out a sigh of relief, their faces simultaneously showing disdain.
They had just worried that this ugly girl being in the same class would disgrace them, but now it seems that their concerns were unnecessary.
Lai Manting, with a hint of scorn in her eyes, moved gracefully to Leng Yu Yan's side amidst all eyes, "Little sister, no need to be vexed. Diligence in studies can still lead to a change in classes."
"Thank you for the encouragement, sister, but I really don't need it!" Leng Yu Yan spoke indifferently.
It was as if everything around her had nothing to do with her.
After dropping that remark, Leng Yu Yan then left with Lady Cao.
Entering Taoli Garden, Leng Yu Yan found that this place was essentially the modern equivalent of a school's staff room. Different cubicles housed teachers of various subjects, male and female, young and old.
Following Lady Cao deeper inside, Leng Yu Yan noticed the teachers' gazes briefly sweep over her face.
Ever since she had applied patches to her face, she had prepared herself mentally.
No matter how curious others' looks were, she could calmly ignore them and remain composed.
Moreover, those patches were originally part of a facial treatment she'd applied herself, thanks to her medical skills, or they would still be on her face.
After fetching the books, Leng Yu Yan left Taoli Garden, immediately followed by the teachers' discussions.
"Is she the Fifth Miss of Lai, the future Crown Prince Consort?"
"Such a pity about her figure and posture, too bad her face isn't presentable."
"Teachers, be cautious with your words! After all, we all work at an academy established by the Late Empress." The speaker bowed to the air, "For the sake of the Late Empress, we, as teachers, must set a good example."
The previous speaker snorted, turning to ask, "Lady Cao, she's in your class. What do you think?"
Lady Cao pondered for a moment, slightly moving her lips, then said, "She and the Crown Prince will be marrying soon, so she likely won't stay at the academy long."
What she implied was, discuss whatever you want, keep silent if you don't want to. As long as that ugly girl from the Leng Family doesn't cause trouble in her class, it doesn't concern her.
As soon as Leng Yu Yan arrived at the classroom, Lai Jiajia was very happy to wave her over to an empty seat next to herself.
Mid-morning passed and came noon; the students had lunch, followed by a rest.
During the break, Lai Jiajia quietly pulled Leng Yu Yan aside to a corner of the study.
"Why don't you join our team, sister?"
As soon as she finished speaking, four people appeared from behind a bookcase, all staring keenly at Leng Yu Yan.