Sneaking Around

In the Imperial Garden, palace attendants bustled back and forth, arranging the banquet with meticulous care.

Most of the students and officials attending the Teacher Appreciation Banquet had arrived early at the Imperial Garden. Today, many were here just to catch a glimpse of Professor Jade Evans, the legendary young prodigy, whom many had only heard about but never seen in person.

A group of civil officials gathered together, chattering animatedly:

“Professor Jade Evans has just come of age, yet is already renowned across the land for his mathematical genius—truly a once-in-a-lifetime prodigy!”

“Isn’t that so! Professor Jade Evans is only eighteen, but look at him—already the dean of the two most prestigious academies in the country. That’s just incredible.”

“Exactly! Most people at eighteen are still burning the midnight oil, desperate to get into Phoenix Academy. But Professor Jade Evans is already a dean at eighteen, with students all over the country! I heard this year’s Top Scholar, Henry Thompson, even took Professor Evans’ class back when he was at Phoenix Academy.”

“Oh wow, really? That’s amazing! This Henry Thompson is quite something too—so young and already the Top Scholar. Truly impressive.”

The officials chatted away, occasionally glancing up at the pavilion, searching among the gathered students for a glimpse of this year’s newly crowned Top Scholar.

“Henry Thompson, it’s about time. Let’s go greet Professor Evans!” suggested a student from Phoenix Academy.

Henry Thompson nodded, saying, “Alright, let’s head to the entrance of the Imperial Garden together to welcome Professor Evans.”

The students descended from the pavilion in a grand procession, heading toward the entrance of the Imperial Garden. These young talents, brimming with youthful confidence, reminded many officials of their own early days in court, filled with the same exuberance.

At the entrance, the students waited, with Henry Thompson standing at the front. Sure enough, Professor Jade Evans soon appeared.

“We respectfully welcome Professor Evans!”

These future pillars of the court now stood respectfully on either side of the path, bowing deeply to greet their mentor—Professor Jade Evans.

Professor Evans appeared in flowing white scholarly robes, his poise as graceful as jade. He walked forward, almost like a celestial being descended to earth, leaving the officials trailing behind in stunned admiration.

What a dazzling young scholar—graceful as orchids and jade!

Not only is he so gifted, but also so outstanding—it’s as if all the blessings of heaven and earth have been bestowed upon him!

The students escorted Professor Evans to the banquet platform in the Imperial Garden.

Today was the Teacher Appreciation Banquet, so Professor Evans was invited to take the seat of honor. Lola, now promoted to Vice Dean, followed closely beside Lily Evans.

Henry Thompson rose and offered a toast to Lily Evans first.

Lily Evans took the cup and drank it in one go, but her gaze at Henry Thompson was somewhat complicated.

The young Top Scholar before her did not yet know that the mentor he so respected was actually Princess Consort Lily Evans, one of those forced to kill his mother, Lady Tang, years ago.

Lily Evans set down her cup, quickly regaining her usual composure.

Meanwhile, Lola sat beside Lily, as serious and silent as ever, though she occasionally glanced toward the corner tower of the Imperial Garden, as if watching someone.

“What are you looking at?” Lily Evans noticed Lola’s unusual behavior and followed her gaze, spotting a tall man in a guard’s uniform standing unobtrusively in the corner. That man was none other than Alexander Hayes!

Lily Evans frowned slightly, a thousand questions swirling in her mind: Alexander Hayes could enter the palace openly, so why sneak around disguised as a guard? Could it be...