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In the Western Creek Flower Area.

Chu Xuyuan and Chu Xuyao, one after the other, entered the small courtyard where Yan Yixian lived.

The courtyard was adorned with several rockeries, a small corner with a water lily pond, several koi swimming in it, brightly blooming water lilies, and two locust trees surrounded by various flowers and plants, creating an especially beautiful scenery.

Under the locust tree, a table, a person, and a pot of tea were set in a serene atmosphere.

Chu Xuyao approached quickly, “Teacher.”

Yan Yixian turned his head, his clear and handsome features softened with a monk-like detachment and calmness. “Why have you come? Is there something about your studies you wish to ask?”

“Not exactly,” Chu Xuyao placed an apple pie in front of Yan Yixian, his respect mixed with a hint of familiarity. “This is called an apple pie, for you to enjoy.” Yan Yixian smiled lightly, “Did you bring this just for me?”

Chu Xuyao nodded, “Teacher, you always eat so little. I thought you might have a poor appetite. This is really delicious, I’m sure you’ll like it.”

Yan Yixian looked down at the elegantly wrapped pie, touched by his students’ good intention. “Thank you, you are thoughtful.”

“Teacher, please enjoy. We’re off to our morning classes.”

“Go on.”

The brothers hurried away.

Outside the courtyard, two young students quickly hid behind a tree. After Chu Xuyuan and Chu Xuyao were far enough away, they emerged.

He Shaozhi spoke indignantly, “I knew it! That’s why they scored first and second in the recent test. They must be bribing.”

Su Wenji frowned, “I didn’t expect them to be that kind of people. I must expose them.”

He Shaozhi angrily plucked at the grass, “It’s despicable. We can’t let people like them stay in the school.”

Su Wenji glanced at the small courtyard, “And this Teacher Yan too, claiming to be the most indifferent to fame and fortune in the school, yet doing such morally corrupt things behind the scenes.”

Walking towards the classroom, He Shaozhi said, “Let’s probe Chu Xuyuan and Chu Xuyao.”

Su Wenji nodded in agreement.

Upon reaching the classroom, He Shaozhi confronted Chu Xuyuan and Chu Xuyao, hostility evident. “We know what you’ve been up to.”

Chu Xuyuan and Chu Xuyao looked baffled.

“What do you know?” Chu Xuyuan asked, puzzled.

He Shaozhi spoke with a tone of accusation, “You just went to Teacher Yan’s place.”

“So what if we did?” Chu Xuyuan was even more confused.

He Shaozhi looked down on them, “Don’t think we don’t know what you’re up to. We’re aware of everything, and once we have proof, we’ll make sure you’re expelled from the school.”

Chu Xuyuan was irritated, “Are you out of your mind? What have we done? What proof do you have? And by what right can you expel us from the school?”

Su Wenji pulled at He Shaozhi’s sleeve, signaling that they lacked evidence to make accusations.

He Shaozhi backed off, “You are out of your mind, Chu Xuyuan, Chu Xuyao. I’ve disliked you for a long time. Just you wait.” With that, he turned and left.

Su Wenji glanced at the Chu brothers before following He Shaozhi.

Chu Xuyuan, bewildered by the encounter, saw that their classmates were watching them. He waved his hand, “It’s all a misunderstanding. Let’s get on with our morning classes.”

The sound of reading aloud resumed.

Chu Xuyuan whispered to Chu Xuyao, “Brother, what was that about?”

Chu Xuyao replied indifferently, “Don’t know, don’t care.”

He Shaozhi sat in the back, glaring at Chu Xuyuan and Chu Xuyao. Kids from the village, how dare they outshine him!

In Class A, Chu Xuyuan, Chu Xuyao, He Shaozhi, and Su Wenji consistently ranked in the top four.

He Shaozhi’s greatest wish was to surpass the Chu brothers and become first, but it seemed fate played tricks on him, as he always ended up third, no matter how hard he tried.

His competitive spirit turned into jealousy. Now, he wished the brothers would just disappear.

Su Wenji shared the same thoughts as He Shaozhi. The two often targeted the Chu brothers and paid extra attention to them.

Of course, the Chu brothers were not easy targets and always maintained the upper hand.

Little did they know, bringing an apple pie would spark a series of subsequent troubles.

At the Li Family Porcelain Workshop.

In the workshop, Yan Yanrong approached Li Zhenzong alone, “Master, let me be in charge of the food festival participation, please?”

Li Zhenzong frowned imperceptibly, “I’ve already assigned this task to Qingshuang.”

Yan Yanrong insisted, “Master, Chu Qingshuang is only good at making porcelain, she doesn’t understand business. If you leave it to her and it fails, what then? This is a rare opportunity.”

Li Zhenzong paused, “Shaoliang will assist Qingshuang.”

“He might assist her, but he also…” Yan Yanrong left her sentence unfinished, implying that Li Shaoliang wasn’t great at business either.

Li Zhenzong felt his decision was a bit hasty upon hearing this. The porcelain workshop had put a lot of effort in securing a place at the food festival. If they didn’t get results, it would be embarrassing.

“Alright, you go and help Qingshuang too. She lacks experience, so give her some pointers if she needs them.”

Yan Yanrong was taken aback; she wanted to replace Chu Qingshuang, not be her assistant. “Master, I wanted to take charge alone.”

Li Zhenzong patiently said, “Yanrong, the Li Porcelain workshop is still a Li family business. You should consider the family’s interests, right?”

Yan Yanrong retorted, “But Chu Qingshuang is not from the Li family either.”

Li Zhenzong explained euphemistically, “She’s my disciple, and everyone in the county knows it.” The implication was that whatever Chu Qingshuang did, she represented Li Zhenzong, and the master-disciple relationship was like family.

Yan Yanrong’s fingers dug into her palm. She had also wanted to become Li Zhenzong’s disciple, but he wasn’t accepting new disciples, so she was just a nominal one.

“Master, I’ll assist Chu Qingshuang.”

Since she wasn’t given the lead role, she thought, why not use this opportunity to make things difficult for Chu Qingshuang.

Yan Yanrong left the room with ill intentions.

Li Zhenzong watched Yan Yanrong’s departing figure, thinking to himself that the younger generation seemed to be on bad terms. He hoped that through this event, they might come together more amicably.

Chu Qingshuang was busy shaping clay into porcelain. Having already prepared the porcelain to be sold at the food festival, she was now focusing on innovation.

She had crafted several bowls, plates, and vases with cute and interesting designs, eager to see the results after firing. Her master had given her the freedom to be creative, and she believed these novel patterns would be popular.

Yan Yanrong approached with an air of arrogance, “Chu Qingshuang, Master asked me to help you.”

Chu Qingshuang glanced at Yan Yanrong, suspecting she had ulterior motives. “There’s nothing I need help with. You can just stay aside.”

Yan Yanrong was visibly irritated. “Are you ordering me around, Chu Qingshuang?”

Chu Qingshuang looked up, “Then come and help with shaping the clay..”