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Miss Hong, who had played chess with Su Xiaoxiao last time, likely hadn’t been selected, as Su Xiaoxiao didn’t see her.
Su Xiaoxiao found an empty spot and was about to sit down when the young lady beside her said, “This seat is taken.”
Su Xiaoxiao moved to another row but received the same response.
No one was willing to share a desk with her.
Su Xiaoxiao simply turned and headed straight for the first row, taking a seat at the left-hand desk.
Everyone gasped!
She’s in trouble now.
This country bumpkin plump girl is in big trouble!
She really has no sense of awareness!
Didn’t it occur to her why no one dared to sit in the first row?
“See, I told you she’s stupid.”
“Shh, keep your voice down.”
“Why worry? She can’t hear us.”
The young ladies in the back rows whispered among themselves.
Qin Yanran lowered her gaze and flipped through a poetry collection she had brought, pretending not to hear anything.
Before long, Princess Hui'an arrived.
Emperor Jingxuan had specifically instructed that once they entered the palace academy, they should be regarded as ordinary students and were not to flaunt their royal status.
Even still, how many people would dare not to treat her as a princess?
The room fell silent instantly.
Princess Hui'an glanced at the front-row seats, noticing an unfamiliar plump girl sitting there, but made no comment before taking her seat at the right desk in the first row.
In tradition, the left side was considered superior. Princess Hui'an was well aware that the leftmost seat belonged to Jingning.
But if someone else dared to compete with Jingning for the seat, she wouldn’t interfere.
How could the young ladies know her thoughts?
They simply thought the little plump girl was incredibly lucky to have narrowly avoided Princess Hui'an’s wrath.
Princess Jingning made her belated appearance after almost everyone in the class had arrived.
Her late arrival was due to another outbreak of acne on her face.
She was already plain-looking, and with the addition of acne made her almost unbearable to look at.
She wore a veil and a forehead adornment that barely covered most of her face, though it was quite uncomfortable.
Princess Hui'an sneered gleefully, "Oh, breaking out again? How many times is that this year?"
Princess Hui'an had perfect, porcelain-like skin that appeared to be so soft without the need of any scented creams.
Unable to surpass Jingning in status, she instead struck hard where it hurt most, which was her appearance.
Princess Jingning cast a cold glance at her.
"Say one more word, and I'll slap your mouth until it's sore!"
Princess Hui'an retorted, "You wouldn't dare!"
Princess Jingning stepped forward. "Let's see if I dare or not!"
"The teacher is here!"
One of the young ladies warned.
The two princesses called a temporary truce.
Princess Hui'an rolled her eyes and turned away with a huff.
Princess Jingning walked to her seat.
To her surprise, someone was already sitting there.
The desks in the classroom were long enough for two, but as princesses, Jingning and Hui'an each had their own desk.
This was an unspoken rule.
Princess Jingning recognized the audacious little girl, it was the ‘poor thing’ who had been isolated the day before.
Is she sitting here to…… show goodwill toward me?
Because I lent her my sedan chair yesterday?
Now that I think about it, this little girl is quite pitiful.
At least I’m a princess of the nation. No matter how those people gossip about me behind my back, they wouldn’t dare say anything openly.
Unlike this little girl, who was bullied by eunuchs on her very first day in the palace—
It’s only natural that she would seek my protection.
Princess Jingning, who lacked companions, instinctively projected her entire internal drama upon Su Xiaoxiao.
The young ladies who had been waiting to see Su Xiaoxiao were startled as Princess Jingning sat alongside her with no trace of displeasure.
Everyone was speechless.
The teacher entered with his book.
Princess Jingning quietly opened the book on the desk and said, "This princess permits it."