Chapter 23: System, a Proper System, Won’t Give You Shortcuts to Slack Off or Cheat
System: [Host, it’s not your fault. After all, few can reach the level of Dongli Academy. Writing policy essays concerning the nation and its people is somewhat difficult for an art major like you. Moreover, besides the Civil Examination, Dongli Academy also tests the Six Arts, which differ greatly from what you, a modern person, have learned.]
System: [Host, it’s not that you aren’t excellent—it’s just that what you’ve learned differs from the ancient knowledge of this Otherworld. If you had grown up here since childhood and held Su Yingxue’s status, you could have matched Mo Yunsheng’s talent and learning.]
Upon hearing this, Zhang Susu fell into thought for a moment. She asked the System softly, puzzled: [If that’s the case, why does the Original Work never mention Su Yingxue as exceptionally talented, learned, and intelligent?]
[Given Su Yingxue’s status as the Eldest Princess of the Da Sheng Kingdom, with her noble position, she would surely have attended the official academy, Juxian Elegant Lodge. If she had long been mentored by renowned teachers of Dasheng, how could she have such a notorious reputation?]
The System fell silent for a while before whispering: [After the age of six, Su Yingxue never attended Juxian Elegant Lodge for a single day. Data retrieved from the Otherworld backup shows that when Su Yingxue was six, she clashed with the then-headmaster of Juxian Elegant Lodge. Her willful and arrogant behavior angered the headmaster so much that he vomited blood and collapsed. The incident later escalated to the imperial court.]
[First, Su Yingxue explicitly stated her unwillingness to study at Juxian Elegant Lodge. Second, the incident alarmed the Yushi Tai, whose censors unanimously condemned it. Later, as the ruler of the kingdom, Su Qinhuai temporarily revoked her student status on the grounds that she suffered from a hidden ailment requiring confinement and delicate care within the palace.]
Hearing this, Zhang Susu couldn’t help but feel that if what the System said was true, this Su Yingxue was truly pitiable. A mere six-year-old child—how could she possess such fierce and ruthless temperament to cause such an uproar? Could Su Yingxue really be as notorious as the rumors suggested?
Zhang Susu: [It seems that even now, with me taking on Su Yingxue’s identity, I only inherit the notorious reputation that Mo Yunsheng scorns, without any of her talent or learning. Even if I wanted to transfer to Dongli Academy now, with my current abilities, I’m afraid I wouldn’t pass the entrance exam. It looks like the path of becoming a classmate to get close to Mo Yunsheng is unfeasible in the short term. Everything still needs careful planning.]
System: [Yes, Host. Theoretically, that’s the case.]
Lost in thought, Zhang Susu suddenly looked up, her eyes gleaming with an idea as she asked the System: [System, in other transmigration novels, systems often come with cheat codes or special abilities. So, System, do you have any shortcuts that could help me get into Dongli Academy?]
Zhang Susu: [For example, could you sneak out this year’s Dongli Academy entrance exam papers for me in advance? I could have the princess estate’s advisors act as ghostwriters, do the papers, and memorize the answers?]
Zhang Susu: [Or, say, could you give me some kind of elixir that boosts my memory exponentially in a few days, granting me photographic recall, and instantly enhances my physical constitution, making me smart and healthy enough to improve my abilities in a short time and pass the Dongli Academy exam? That way, I could find the second male lead early, complete the Conquest Mission sooner, return to the modern world faster, and you, System, could finish your task earlier too? What’s wrong with that?]
System: [Host, how can you entertain such thoughts? This system is a proper system, and cannot provide you with shortcuts for slacking off or cheating. The purpose of this system is to offer appropriate task solutions within the bounds of morality, justice, and the regulations of the Time-Space Planning Bureau, helping the host complete tasks—not to assist you in scheming or engaging in dishonest practices.]
System: [Please be down-to-earth, study diligently, and strive to pass the exams, relying on your own abilities and knowledge to gain admission to Dongli Academy. This system does not possess any special shortcuts or the ability to suddenly interfere with the operational rules of NPCs in the Otherworld. This Otherworld is like a game with multiple choices.]
[To enhance the host’s experience, the Time-Space Planning Bureau uses the most advanced AI algorithms to simulate the host’s choices and drive the interactions and world dynamics of NPCs. Therefore, this system cannot forcibly alter the rules and guidelines of the Otherworld, nor can it help you cheat. At most, it can assist you in planning, enabling you to genuinely and legitimately approach Dongli Academy through your own true talent, hard work, and earnest study.]
After listening to the System’s words, Zhang Susu sighed softly. She hadn’t expected that, having been a university student in the modern world, she would still have to study and take exams to enter Dongli Academy in this Otherworld. Since scheming was out of the question, she could only rely on herself, working diligently and earnestly to gain admission through her own efforts.
It seemed that her next step would be to find a way for Su Yingxue to return to Juxian Elegant Lodge to study, thereby bridging the gap in her current academic performance. Once she had mastered the material, she could then apply to Dongli Academy, and the difference shouldn’t be too significant.
With this thought in mind, Zhang Susu’s resolve solidified. She requested a collection of past exam papers based on Dongli Academy’s educational philosophy from the System and transcribed them using her consciousness.
Then, Su Yingxue summoned Qiushuang and expressed her desire to study. Given that her current academic abilities were significantly behind those of the other students at Juxian Elegant Lodge, she proposed to Qiushuang that she first find a reliable and capable private tutor from the Princess’s Palace—someone with genuine talent and learning—to help her catch up on her studies intensively.
Upon hearing the Eldest Princess’s words, Qiushuang initially found it somewhat unbelievable. After all, the Eldest Princess had previously only indulged in luxury and pleasure—when had she ever considered the idea of studying? Since Su Yingxue’s fall into the lake, not only had her temperament become more restrained, but she also seemed like a different person. She no longer enjoyed scolding or mistreating servants or palace attendants, and now she had even developed a thirst for knowledge and learning.
Qiushuang couldn’t help but feel delighted and overjoyed at Su Yingxue’s newfound maturity and sense of responsibility. She immediately agreed and, with a smile, turned to leave and seek instructions from Eunuch Sixia.
Although Eunuch Sixia appeared to be nothing more than an inconspicuous guard on the surface, he was actually a wise and versatile advisor left to the Eldest Princess by the late imperial consort. He was well-versed in court politics and the intricacies of the inner palace, excelling in both literary and martial arts. On the surface, the Princess’s Palace was managed by Su Yingxue’s four first-rank maidservants, but in reality, the true overseer behind them was Eunuch Sixia, whose status and position were technically one rank lower than theirs.
Eunuch Sixia always operated from the shadows, strategizing and managing affairs on behalf of the Eldest Princess. As a result, not even the slightest movement or change within the Princess’s Palace could escape his watchful eyes.
Sure enough, within the time it took to finish a cup of tea, Qiushuang returned from outside the palace, bringing with her a loyal advisor to Her Highness the Eldest Princess—Mr. Qingming.
Qiushuang said with a smile, “Her Highness the Eldest Princess, from today onward, Mr. Qingming will be the tutor guiding Your Highness in your studies, imparting knowledge and resolving doubts. The sessions will last for the duration of three incense sticks each day.”
Qiushuang clapped her hands, and several men and women dressed elegantly and with exceptional appearances stepped forward gracefully, taking their places behind Mr. Qingming. Zhang Susu examined each of them in turn, thinking to herself that these must be the renowned masters who would teach her the Six Arts in the future.