Her Entire Court Reborn with Her in the Modern World

Chapter 80: Chapter 79: The Empress’s Might, Turning the Tables

Xu Shuyu knew very well just how much Old Sir Xu and Old Madam Xu valued their reputation.

If Shi Changying participated in the calligraphy competition and not only failed to win a prize but was eliminated, her image in the eyes of Old Sir Xu and Old Madam Xu would plummet to rock bottom. Xu Shuyu felt it would be better for Changying to study quietly and keep a low profile rather than show off unnecessarily.

Shi Changying replied casually, "To fill my stomach."

Since she didn’t have much of an education, why would she pretend to be cultured? She was simply doing it for the prize money. Who would turn down money?

Xu Shuyu clearly hadn’t expected such an answer, and she slowly frowned.

"Shuyu!" Suddenly, a hand patted her shoulder. "Why are you standing at the office door? What are you thinking about?"

Xu Shuyu turned around. Seeing it was Meng Shuyan, she recounted what had just happened.

"Sister, you’re so silly. By saying that, wasn’t she basically accusing you of being completely out of touch?" Meng Shuyan was furious. "How many days has she been back at the Xu Family? How much food does she eat a day? Yet she still claims she can’t fill her stomach. All she does all day is play the victim and ruin your and my reputations at school. And the worst part is, some classmates actually fall for it!"

Xu Shuyu said flatly, "I was just wondering why she agreed to participate in the calligraphy competition."

"Mom said that in a place like Ming Village, you have to drive a tractor to the town just to buy anything. It’s like a primitive society." Meng Shuyan curled his lips. "What did she even use to practice calligraphy? Writing on the dirt with a branch? Does she think a calligraphy competition is just playing house?"

Xu Shuyu couldn’t be bothered to listen to Meng Shuyan’s long rant. Finding him too noisy, she simply walked away.

"Sister, you better be careful!" Meng Shuyan grew angrier the more he thought about it. He had to think of a way to take Shi Changying down a peg.

Inside the office, Teacher Bei was chatting with the head of the language department. "Director, look at this child Changying’s handwriting. She actually writes in the Cui Style, so I want her to participate in this year’s Youth Calligraphy Competition."

The language department head looked at the photo of Shi Changying’s blackboard writing from today and exclaimed in amazement, "It really is the Cui Style, but it also has her own personal flair. The little girl must have put a lot of effort into learning it, right?"

"She must have at least ten years of foundation. It’s far from simple," Teacher Bei said. "Principal Ning mentioned her father is a historical archaeologist. Even though they live a poor life, he must have specially trained her in this regard."

"A historical archaeologist? Wait, I remember now!" The language department head slapped his forehead. "Isn’t her father the one who claimed that Empress Taichu was a Ming Jun, and that she opened up the maritime trade routes? Oh, Old Zhou, how do you have the free time to come over to our language department?"

A middle-aged man walked in with his hands behind his back, shaking his head playfully as he said, "I was bored and came to chat with you all, only to happen upon you guys talking about history."

Teacher Zhou was the head of the history department and was also in charge of teaching the advanced history classes.

"Who’s talking about history? We were talking about the new student in Little Bei’s class." The language department head waved his hand. "Her father is somewhat famous, though not for a good reason, because he claims that Xuan History is fake, especially the eight years when Empress Taichu was on the throne."

Teacher Zhou pushed his glasses up his nose and said, "I actually don’t think that way. Xuan History does indeed have many suspicious points. Of course, we shouldn’t put too much stock in conspiracy theories or fake history, but daring to seek the truth is the best attitude for studying history."

"Alright, Old Zhou. Since you’re here, let me show you something good." The language department head cleared his throat. "Look, what is this?"

Teacher Zhou leaned in to take a look and immediately cried out in shock, "The Cui Style?"

"Exactly, it’s the Cui Style, the font created by the Xuan Dynasty calligrapher Cui Jinghan." The language department head said triumphantly, "It was written by the new student in Little Bei’s class. Little Bei is having her participate in the calligraphy competition."

*GASP!* Teacher Zhou drew in a sharp breath. "Teacher Bei, your luck is too good. A randomly transferred new student actually knows the Cui Style. Why couldn’t a student like this be in my class?"

"Actually, she almost did become a student in your class," Teacher Bei said reservedly. "Principal Ning said he wanted student Changying to study history, but she insisted on studying physics."

"It’s probably because her father knows how hard the path of studying history is, so he definitely didn’t want his child to study it as well." Teacher Zhou didn’t overthink it and simply asked, "Teacher Bei, could you send me a copy of the photo?"

Teacher Bei agreed readily, "No problem."

"I once went to the Nanling Museum to see the authentic work of Cui Jinghan’s *Sorrow of Nine States*," Teacher Zhou suddenly added. "Every word weeps blood, and the ink was indeed blood. The very last character was missing a stroke. I’m afraid he breathed his last and passed away before he could even finish writing it. Sigh..."

Shaking his head, he left the language department office.

Before the start of the second period, Shi Changying’s phone buzzed.

[God of Delicious Cake]: The surveillance video is restored. I thought it’d be tough to handle, but it was nothing much.

[Only I am the first]: I owe you a free kill.

[God of Delicious Cake]: ...

[God of Delicious Cake]: That really won’t be necessary.

Shi Changying was a King of her word. She forwarded the video to Qingyuan.

[Only I am the first]: A Yuan, I found someone to restore the surveillance video.

When Qingyuan received this message, her entire team was in a state of frantic desperation. Although she had established her own studio three years ago, she was still under Xingyi, and the elite personnel were all stationed at the company headquarters. Because of her refusal to yield, Xingyi clearly wanted to teach her a harsh lesson.

After a whole night of brewing, the heat of public opinion had reached its peak.

[Lu Qingyuan still hasn’t shown her face? Is she feeling guilty because she’s a thief?]

[Turning from a fan to a hater. Lu Qingyuan is way too petty. Can’t she stand seeing rising stars? Frankly, she just lacks the skills and is afraid of being surpassed.]

[Support Shuyi in defending her rights! Support suing Lu Qingyuan for defamation!]

Seeing that the Gold PR window was about to pass, Sister Xu was burning with anxiety. She did have methods to quell this storm, but without hard evidence in hand, it would invariably leave a negative impact on Lu Qingyuan.

Sister Xu felt incredibly guilty. "A Yuan, I’m so sorry."

"Sister Xu, what are you saying? It’s not your fault." Qingyuan let out a breath. "There’s no need to worry anymore. Sister Ying just gave me the restored surveillance video."

"What? Quick, let me see it." After watching it, Sister Xu’s spirits soared. "Good... this is fantastic! PR team, release this footage across the entire internet immediately!"

The PR team sprang into action at once.

With a heavy weight lifted off her chest, Sister Xu slumped onto the sofa, feeling as if she had just fought a massive war.

Qingyuan lowered her head and typed a few words on her phone.

[Qingyuan]: Thank you, Sister Ying.

[Only I am the first]: What are you thanking me for? You are my person. I can lecture you, but how could I let others bully you?

Qingyuan shuddered violently. Gripping her phone, her nose couldn’t help but sting with emotion. Whether it was four hundred years ago or four hundred years later, Empress Taichu had never left her side.

[Qingyuan]: Sister Ying, restoring this footage must have caused you a lot of trouble.

[Only I am the first]: No trouble. Just a minor matter involving murder.

[Qingyuan]: ?

At that moment, a knock sounded at the door, and the assistant went to open it. Upon seeing Bai Shuyi, Sister Xu’s expression changed instantly. "What are you doing here again? What, came to flaunt your power again?"

"Teacher Lu, I have no intention of targeting you, nor do I wish to go against you. We are both artists under Xingyi, so we should consider the company’s development." Bai Shuyi said flatly, "I already put in a good word for you with Ling Yuan, but since you are hell-bent on having your own way, there’s nothing more I can do."

Qingyuan smiled and said softly, "Miss Bai, why don’t you check the latest news first?"

She placed her phone on the table.