The next morning, Jun Hua was forced to wake up early by Xia as it was her first day at school. Jun Hua had Xia help her to prepare since she was not accustomed with how noble girls should dress up. After about half an hour, Xia finally finished.
Jun Hua stretched out her body and called Yamin, her bodyguard.
"Min, you will be going to the border and act as Jun Min there. Don't worry, just appear beside my uncle. Then on Thursday, you should be back here."
"Yes, Miss."
With that, Yamin disappeared once again and Jun Hua strode out of her room with the way Madam Mu taught her last night. If she continued to walk as she used to, people would certainly say that she was a crude girl.
"Grandfather, Madam Mu."
Jun Hua greeted the two people in the dining room. Madam Mu's eyes lit up soon as she saw her. She was particularly surprised to see that Jun Hua was finally able to walk correctly this morning. Just last night, she still had a lot of mistakes, but today there were none. Her strides were so graceful and refined, perfect for a noble girl. With this, the evaluation Madam Mu had for Jun Hua was risen to another level.
Jun Zhenxian nodded. "Little Hua, your carriage is ready."
Jun Hua nodded. "Thank you Grandpa."
"Sure, now come here and give your grandpa a kiss."
This time, Jun Hua just smiled and didn't step forward; her eyes seemed to emit unconcealed rage. Her grandfather laughed when he saw her reaction. He was only teasing her, but it seemed the girl took it seriously. On the side, Madam Mu coughed to hint her irritation.
"You should find a different way to tease her, Old Man."
Jun Zhenxian was stunned, but he nodded easily. Seeing two angry women was far scarier than one!
Jun Hua didn't linger much longer and bid her farewell after eating, leaving her grandfather in the midst of a lecture. She ignored the pleading look her grandfather passed to her. Madam Mu's lecture was quite harsh; hence she hoped that with this, probably her shameless grandfather would learn how to control his mouth better.
Xia helped Jun Hua to settle into the carriage comfortably before settling herself as well. Along the journey, Jun Hua had her eyes closed, a calm expression showed in her delicate face, deeply thinking of her plans. To train merely inside the Jun family's estate was not enough for her to be more familiar with 'battles' amongst women. She needed to find a way to let herself experience them.
"Miss, we are here."
Jun Hua opened her eyes and with Xia's help, she alighted from the carriage.
The academy was built in a large estate, covering thousands of meters length with three huge structures. On the far right, stood a two-story structure painted with soft, feminine colors, clearly telling people that this building was where classes for noble girls were being held.
On the other end, another two-story building was built. Unlike the latter, it held a very masculine aura with its natural earth-colored walls, evidently implying that it was where classes for noble boys were held.
The third and the biggest one was the main hall, situated in the middle of the whole estate. It was purposely built to hold special occasions within the academy, such as final exams and even social events. The whole academy was surrounded by luscious rows of blooming flowers and various trees and there were walkways linking the three buildings.
All students who attended this academy were from noble families only. Considering the area and the number of students, the academy was certainly the largest in the whole kingdom.
Amongst the girls who were standing around the entrance, Jun Hua didn't see any familiar faces. She was wearing a veil to cover her face, thus making it difficult to recognize her. Most of these girls did not wear one in school, since it was inconvenient and they loved to show off their pretty faces.
"Xia, wait for me here."
Xia nodded. Servants were not allowed to enter the school's premises. Since all students were all nobles, their servants would just wait outside until their lessons were finished.
Jun Hua then headed towards the entrance. Her steps were slow and light that the corner of her skirt didn't move at all. Her movement was so graceful and there was a kind of dignified air around her. Her well-defined features looked extremely adorable, which attracted the attentions of the boys in the hallway. Even under those gazes, her steps didn't falter one bit.
Jun Hua started to look for her classroom. Noble girls would start going to school at age thirteen, and finish education by the time they reach fifteen years of age, when they would be married away. Jun Hua was fourteen, so naturally she was placed in Class 2, though she had never been here before.
"Jun Hua?" a surprised voice came to her ears.
Jun Hua turned to see a young girl around the same age as her, wearing a light yellow dress. Her features were exquisite and delicate. There were still some traces of naivety on her face, but her eyes that always looked down on people were a giveaway to her malicious heart, truly an eyesore.
It took her a couple of seconds to remember the girl's name, Lin San, the second young miss of the Lin family. As the daughter of Chun Maora, she was used to be given the first class items. Jun Hua had only met her once; however, seeing her for this second time only made her feel that this girl was really a rotten spoiled young lady.
"Lin San," Jun Hua acknowledged the girl.
Lin San stared at Jun Hua. She was annoyed that this 'eyesore' was here. However, as the academy was intended for the young nobles, and considering Jun Hua was a noble young miss although a concubine-born, Lin San couldn't actually do anything about her being there. Aside from that, Jun Hua's mother came from the Jun family.
"You have just started school? Do you think you can catch up with us?" her tone was full of ridicule as she intended to shame Jun Hua.
At this point, Jun Hua remembered the arrogant young general, Lan Ping. Their tone of voice was very similar, she wondered if they were related at some point.
Seeing the dazed look on Jun Hua's face, Lin San ignored the girl and stepped into the classroom followed by a few of her minions. Most of them were like her, a concubine-born, but at that moment they all looked at her with ridicule. With the current status of the Jun family, there was no way Jun Hua could be better than them.
Jun Hua stared at them with an indifferent expression. She had just remembered that she will be in the same class with Lin San since that girl was in her second year. She really wanted to teach that annoying girl a lesson, however, considering her plan, she needed to let her go for now.
'There will come a day when you will not even be able to look down on me anymore.'
Elai’s (the editor) Comment:
Lin San to Jun Hua: my delicate eyes do not deserve the sight of you.
Jun Hua: the feeling is mutual. *smirk*