The Royal Academy had a strict rule that outsiders were prohibited from entering. Without the Crown Prince's letter, even the imperial guards from the East Palace could not enter as they wished.
Naturally, there were ways to meet the students studying there. They just had to tell the teacher why they were there and obtain the teacher's permission.
However, in a class full of ladies, it would be difficult if the guests were men.
The few imperial bodyguards looked at each other.
They hesitated and left.
"It seems that Xie Pinggang will be guarding Half-Immortal Xie for a long time. I'm afraid we can't approach her these few days…"
One of them said, feeling troubled, "Maybe… We should inform His Highness…"
If His Highness came himself, he could meet her at the academy.
However, as His Highness's close imperial bodyguards, it was a taboo to need His Highness' protection.
No matter how merciful His Highness was, it was impossible that Qin Zhi could stay by His Highness' side, or the rest who wanted his position would feel unfair.
Compared to his life, that was nothing…
Imperial Bodyguard Zhou glanced at Qin Zhi, who was dying in bed. He sighed. "I'll go."
They had only told His Highness that Qin Zhi was ill instead of telling his real situation.
His Highness had many imperial bodyguards around. All they had to do was not to assign him to work for a few days.
It would be horrible to tell His Highness that Qin Zhi was insensible to be doubtful of His Highness' judgment and had not believed in Half-Immortal Xie's ability. That was why he had ignored what Half-Immortal Xie said when she was around!?
However, now that this had happened…
Imperial Bodyguard Zhou arrived before Zhao Xuanjing obediently. He knelt on the ground and recounted everything that had happened.
"This humble one is to blame to not have watched him back then. Now, his illness… It's quite severe. He went to doctors, but none of the medicine worked. We even took him to a few Taoist masters secretly along the way. All of them said that something filthy is on him. He drank water with a burned talisman, but it didn't work," said Imperial Bodyguard Zhou.
Zhao Xuanjing glanced at him.
"So you're saying he's been surviving on the things he got from the Water Moon Temple?" Zhao Xuanjing asked while frowning.
"Yes. Half-Immortal Xie's Master gave over 10 talismans. He would carry them close with him every now and then. Every time the talisman was taken out, the thing would be burnt." Zhou Weizong nodded immediately.
He took out the talisman that was burnt earlier and showed it to Zhao Xuanjing.
Xie Qiao's "weak" face appeared in his head.
He frowned. He wanted to laugh as he thought about it.
"I happen to be visiting the Royal Academy today. I'll ask her. However, I can't guarantee whether she will say yes," Zhao Xuanjing's low and slow voice was heard.
Zhou Weizong was stunned.
'He sure is easy to talk to…
'Something seems off, though.'
No matter what, Qin Zhi's life would be safe for now as His Highness had agreed to do it.
He changed into a light-green robe in the room. There were silver bamboo leaves embroiled at the edges of the sleeves. He had a jade belt tied around his waist and looked more gentle and charismatic now.
However, his dark eyes were dimmer now.
Back in the academy, many people surrounded Xie Qiao.
"Our Orchid Courtyard won't serve useless people. If you're just here to pass the time, go to the Begonia Courtyard. It's quiet over there!"
"Are you going to leave after attending half-day of class again? Are you going to drag our Orchid Courtyard down in the examination!?"
"Ms. Xie, we knew that it'd be troublesome for you to learn at such an age. But you can't be troubling us, right?"
Xie Qiao was speechless and rather dumbfounded. "What do you mean?"
"What do we mean? How dare you ask that?!" One of the ladies was loud.
Xie Qiao remembered her. She had been gossiping about her aside yesterday. It was just that she had no idea what her name was.