Chapter 27
Chapter 27: The Little Grind-King
Chu Tian Tian raised one tiny finger and issued her order like a general.
“One month,” she said. “Monthly exam. You must test into Class B.”
Xie Jun Yi stiffened.
Chu Tian Tian’s big eyes slid to that deadly contract. “Otherwise…”
She dragged the word out, slow and sweet.
“Tian Tian won’t take you to earn big silver anymore.”
Big silver.
Those two words grabbed Xie Jun Yi by the throat.
He’d just tasted it—how good it felt to win, to be praised, to make money.
Now she threatened to cut him off.
“Study!” he shouted, panic and determination colliding. “I’ll study! I’ll study even if it kills me!”
He jabbed a finger at the sky like he was swearing to heaven itself. “Boss, just wait! One month from now, Class B will have a seat for me, Xie Jun Yi!”
Xie Zheng stood nearby and turned into a statue.
His son—who normally got headaches just from seeing a book—had just vowed to study like his life depended on it.
The world had truly gone mad.
Xie Zheng escorted Chu Tian Tian out personally, bowing so deeply his spine nearly snapped. His old face was full of gratitude and awe. “Ninth Princess… this humble servant is moved beyond words. From today on, you point east, and I will never point west. Whatever you say, I support.”
He looked at her like she was a living miracle. “If you can straighten that unfilial son out… you’ll be the living ancestor of our Xie family. I’d even set up a longevity tablet for you at home.”
A chime rang in Chu Tian Tian’s head.
[Ding! High-risk mission resolved: Xie family hatred eliminated beyond expectations.]
[Reward: Golden-silk soft armor credited.]
Chu Tian Tian climbed into her carriage, legs swinging happily. She reached into her Pocket Space and pulled out a tiny vest—thin as a cicada wing, cool to the touch, glowing faintly gold.
“So pretty!” She poked it. It looked delicate, but it felt tough in a way that made the hair rise on your arms—like even a blade would lose.
Her eyes drifted to A Dai walking outside, silent as ever.
He was her guard. Her little brother.
If he was protecting Tian Tian, then Tian Tian needed to protect him first.
“A Dai! Get up here!” she called, lifting the curtain.
A Dai climbed in without a word.
Chu Tian Tian shoved the vest into his arms, face serious. “Put it on. Tian Tian is giving it to you. Then you can protect Tian Tian more safely, okay?”
A Dai stared at the priceless armor, then at her earnest eyes. His throat moved. He nodded once and carefully hid it close to his body.
Meanwhile, in Chu Jiao Jiao’s bedchamber, fury smashed everything within reach.
“Useless!” Chu Jiao Jiao shrieked, hurling her favorite jade hairpin until it shattered. “Even Xie Jun Yi got taken down by her?!”
Her cute face twisted into something ugly. “Chu Tian Tian… what are you?”
No. She couldn’t wait any longer.
“Prepare the sedan,” she snapped. “To the Bureau of Astronomy!”
Her palace maid trembled. “Princess, the National Preceptor—”
“Shut up!” Chu Jiao Jiao cut her off. “This princess will speak to the National Preceptor in person. That disaster star must be nailed down as truth.”
The next day, at the Royal Academy, Chu Tian Tian marched in on her short legs.
A Dai followed on her left like a shadow.
On her right was her newest fanatic underling: Xie Jun Yi.
The three of them together drew stares like fireworks.
“All right, little Xie brother,” Chu Tian Tian said, flicking her hand. “Go back to Class D and grind.”
Then she turned to A Dai, face solemn. “A Dai, Tian Tian is leaving you homework. I’ll test you after class.”
“Yes, Princess,” A Dai answered at once, not even asking what it was.
Chu Tian Tian placed a piece of pine-nut candy into his palm and said, very seriously, “Question is: does A Dai want to find his father and mother? Think hard, okay?”
Inside Sun-Chasing Class, the air was thick with suffering.
After Chu Tian Tian’s shocking recitation performance yesterday, the headmaster had rewritten the rules overnight.
Sun-Chasing Iron Rule: Before dismissal each day, the day’s lesson must be checked. Anyone who can’t recite stays. Until they can.
The academy wailed.
Especially the students of Class A through Class D—just hearing the word “recite” made them pale.
And the culprit?
Chu Tian Tian, who somehow managed to throw the entire Royal Academy onto the fast lane all by herself.
People even gave her a nickname:
the Little Grind-King.
Today, class ended. The teacher cleared his throat.
Before anyone could even start panicking, Chu Tian Tian shot to her feet and recited the entire lesson—word for word, smooth as water, not a single stumble.
She strutted out first, hands behind her back like a proud little peacock, leaving behind a classroom full of worship and despair.
As for Xie Jun Yi?
Chu Tian Tian didn’t need to guess. He was staying.
So she grabbed A Dai and fled, escaping like a professional.
In the carriage, A Dai stayed quiet for a long time. Then his voice came low, trembling around the edges.
“Princess… A Dai wants to find my parents. But…” His fists clenched. “Since I can remember, I’ve been begging. Maybe I was thrown away when I was very small. What if… they don’t want me? If I find them, will I disturb them?”
Longing sat in his voice. Confusion. And something small and aching, buried deep.
Chu Tian Tian set down her half-eaten candied fruit and patted his tense arm with her sugar-dusted little hand.
“A Dai is the best little brother Tian Tian has ever seen,” she declared, eyes bright. “You’re as good as an angel.”
She nodded like it was settled fact. “Tian Tian thinks your parents must be searching for you, too. Just like Tian Tian—when Tian Tian couldn’t find Mother, Tian Tian’s heart cracked into pieces.”
Then she puffed out her chest, suddenly fierce. “And if—if the worst happens, then Tian Tian will raise you! Tian Tian has lots of gold! And potatoes! I’ll feed A Dai until you’re white and chubby!”
She shoved another pine-nut candy to his lips. “Now. Eat candy.”
Sweetness filled the carriage.
Two small figures sat shoulder to shoulder—one biting candied fruit, the other biting pine-nut candy—cheeks puffed, chewing like the world was safe for at least this moment.
After Lin Chong was dragged out of prison, he didn’t return to that rotten Lin family. He holed up alone in a shabby little courtyard tucked into a quiet alley off South Street.
Just thinking about how the Lin family had tried to force Consort Li to bow her head to the emperor and beg for mercy made his liver ache with anger.
He paced at the alley mouth, craning his neck like he was waiting for a miracle.
Finally, a familiar carriage rolled in.
“Sweetie!” Lin Chong’s eyes lit up. He hurried forward, forcing a smile onto his worn face.