"This little lass certainly has her own ideas. Impressive. She might just grow up to be a great literary figure." Dean Chen was even more delighted. Even he wouldn’t dare suggest altering the script, so this little girl had real audacity.

"The literary world is for the soft and weak. I prefer martial prowess—if anyone has a problem, I’ll just beat them up," Ye Qianning said. Then, she went back to teasing the bird with a small spoon, making little clicking noises.

The tutor’s face turned green. "Dean, did you hear that? If all the academy’s students start imitating her, our reputation will be ruined!"

"My Direct Disciple doesn’t count as a regular student. The little lass is naturally carefree, so just let her be," Dean Chen said with a chuckle.

"Dean!"

The tutor was exasperated. She had already led several students astray.

"For my Direct Disciple, being at the academy is like being in her own home."

The tutor wanted to cry but had no tears. In all his years at Lou Mountain, this was the first time such an exception had been made. The crucial point was that the Crown Prince and the other Princes were also students here, and even they had to follow the student code of conduct.

If she used her status as a Direct Disciple to flout the rules, it would surely arouse the dissatisfaction of the Crown Prince and the other Princes.

Things would get ugly if the matter reached the Emperor.

"Tutor, I’ll start copying the student code of conduct tomorrow," Ye Qianning said, suddenly turning her head.

The tutor was stunned.

"You were right to scold me today, Tutor. As a Direct Disciple, I’m a living signboard for the academy. I must lead by example. From now on, I’ll be sure to follow the rules."

"R-Really?"

Her sudden change of heart made the tutor doubt his own ears.

"Of course. If I don’t conduct myself well, I’ll bring shame upon my Master and you, Tutor. So, for both of your sakes, I will study diligently at the academy."

"This child is teachable! For someone so young, she is truly insightful."

The tutor was moved by her words.

Even Dean Chen was stunned. ’To think she could say something like that... Is this really the same flamboyant little girl?’

In an instant, the tutor felt the future looked much brighter. Gratified and moved, he clutched the papers and walked out of the courtyard.

"Little lass, are you serious?" Dean Chen asked, still a bit dazed.

Ye Qianning nodded. "The academy is my master’s life’s work. If I were to ruin his lifelong reputation, my transgression would be great indeed."

"I don’t care about such things." Dean Chen knew the girl well; he had accepted her as his Direct Disciple precisely so she wouldn’t have to be so restrained.

"But I care. Besides, I really do want to learn how to read and write."

"Learning to read? That’s simple enough. I can teach you," Dean Chen said, his interest piqued.

"There’s no need. I’ll go to the classroom with the Eighth Prince. He can teach me after our lessons are over."

Dean Chen paused for a moment. "Why do you want him to teach you?"

"He’s easier on the eyes."

"Just because he’s easy on the eyes?"

"Mhm."

"I see..." Dean Chen fell into thought.

Ye Qianning turned away and picked up the spoon again, teasing the bird in front of her. The bird in the cage kept swiveling its head, chirping out curses and constantly turning its rump to face her.

Ye Qianning was already used to the constant stream of curses. If she took offense to everything, she’d never get a moment’s rest. So, she teased it with great patience, slowly wearing down its defiant nature.

She was quite surprised by the bird Luo Wen had caught. It was a Honey-sucking Parrot. The upper part of its body was green, with light green radial stripes on the crown of its head. The back of its head was dark blue, adorned with light blue radial feathers.

Its cheeks, ear coverts, throat, and belly were red, while its thighs were a blue-purple. The undertail coverts and lower back were yellow-green. The top of its tail was red, and the underside was gray. Its beak was orange, and its irises were a reddish-brown.

All in all, it was a riot of color, a truly ornate creature.

Its lifespan was also quite long for a bird. Most importantly, this type of parrot was a prolific breeder and lived in large flocks.