Madam Bai's eyes were filled with anger, and she was about to lose her temper. Zora quickly rushed over, massaging her mother's shoulders and acting sweetly, "There's nothing, really. He just took something and left. I have nothing to do with him."
Seeing her daughter acting so eager to please, Madam Bai, knowing that her daughter was always careless, felt her anger slowly ease.
She sighed deeply and spoke seriously, "My child, sigh... forget it. I thought you were truly trying to improve yourself by studying hard. Seems I was wrong. As long as you are happy, even if he was from a brothel, your mother would find a way to make him clean and follow you. But a lowborn man must never taint the Bai family's bloodline. He can only be a concubine and must never have children. You must remember this."
Zora was stunned. What was her mother talking about? She had already said there was nothing going on...
Seeing Madam Bai's disappointed face, Zora quickly tried to please her, "Mother, I really don't have any other thoughts. That Young Master June is just very good-looking. Maybe I'm just nicer to good-looking people. Please don't overthink it."
"Very good-looking?"
Before Madam Bai could continue, Zora quickly changed the subject.
"Mother, did you ask about the school like I told you?"
"You know I can't read or write. I would have to start from the basics. I thought about it. I can't enter the academy right now. Can you hire a private tutor for me?"
Hearing that her daughter still wanted to study, Madam Bai felt much better and spoke calmly, "I've been making plans for you these past two days. In two months, it will be the Autumn Examination. Right now, the academies are extremely busy, and it's probably impossible to get in."
"You should stay home and start learning to read first. I will hire a great scholar for you. As long as you work hard, with your intelligence, you could even become a top scholar one day."
Zora gave an awkward little laugh. With the original owner's stupid brain? Top scholar? Maybe if she went to sleep early and dreamed...
Anything is possible in dreams!
"Mother, it doesn't have to be a great scholar. Just hire a regular tutor. Please don't find one of those old, stubborn ones. They're so annoying."
"Don't worry. I'll hire one for you by tomorrow."
The maids started bringing in the dishes. After Madam Bai and Zora sat down to eat, Zora asked again, "Mother, can you explain simply about our dynasty's examination system and when the exams happen?"
Madam Bai took a sip of wine and began to explain carefully.
"After the new Empress took the throne, the examination system changed a lot. Back then, the battle for the throne was fierce, and every princess had powerful supporters. Many talented people chose sides."
"After becoming Empress, she removed many of these talents. She didn't want to be controlled by noble families, so she wanted to train people from humble backgrounds. She changed the exam schedule from once every three years to once every two years. The Autumn Examination is held in August."
"To avoid making the noble families too angry, she gave them a little favor. Girls from noble families under 18 years old, recommended by a scholar or a fourth-rank official, could skip the basic exam and go straight to the academy exam (to become a Scholar)."
"After becoming a Scholar, they could take the next year's Provincial Exam (to become a Senior Scholar)."
"Then comes the National Exam (to become a Tribute Scholar). If a noble family girl fails to qualify for the final Palace Exam, but is under 25, and has three Tribute Scholars recommend her, she can still join the Palace Exam."
Madam Bai put down her wine cup and looked at Zora, who was deep in thought.
"Did you understand? It's okay if you don't. I'll guide you step by step. Don't worry. I was a scholar myself. Even though I was just average, I can still help you on this path."
Madam Bai smiled warmly at Zora.
Zora immediately smiled back, showing her big white teeth.
"Mother, I understand. So, there's an academy exam in two months too? If you recommend me, can I take it?"
Madam Bai was surprised by the question and shook her head, "In two months, it will be the Provincial Exam. The Academy Exam is next month."
"Oh, got it. Let's eat!"
Zora eagerly served her mother several dishes and started eating happily herself.
Seeing her daughter eating so happily, Madam Bai didn't say more. No one could become a Scholar after just one month of study. Even if her daughter was smart, she would need to wait until the next chance.
After the meal, Zora went back to her courtyard and ordered Ana to arrange a study room. She also told Lisa to buy pens, ink, paper, and inkstones. She was very busy!
Zora planned to pass the Scholar exam next month, so she was very pressed for time...
She also had to help Sean detoxify later tonight.
"Sigh, such a tiring life..." Zora muttered.
Then she turned to Mana and said, "Prepare the bath. I need to bathe and change clothes!"
At midnight.
Zora changed into tight black clothes.
She told Ana, who was on night duty, "Go sleep. Don't keep watch tonight. Come in when I call you tomorrow morning. Don't enter without permission."
"Yes, Miss."
Zora turned off the lights and quietly climbed out the window.
She moved easily through the night and quickly arrived at the Grand Preceptor's residence, jumping into the courtyard of Sean's garden.
Strangely, the courtyard was extremely quiet. Sean's room had no lights on, the door was closed, and there were no servants around.
Zora wondered if Sean was even home tonight.
She carefully climbed in through the back window to check.
Once inside, she quietly closed the window halfway and walked towards the inner room.
Before she could get close, she heard faint moaning sounds.
It was Sean...
Something was wrong. His voice sounded painful!
Zora quickly moved to the bedside and called softly, "Sean, what's wrong?"
What answered her was even more painful moaning.
She touched his forehead — it was ice cold. Sean was soaked in sweat, his clothes completely wet.
Zora immediately used her wood-type power to check his body.
But as soon as her power entered, it felt like it was being sucked into a bottomless pit. Sean's moaning grew even more painful.
Zora's lips turned a little pale, and she quickly pulled back her power. Sean was having a poisoning attack, and she couldn't cure it while he was like this!
Her hand trembled lightly.
He was in a lot of pain...
Zora quickly searched through her space storage with her mind, hoping to find something useful.
Nothing. Nothing. Nothing!
She regretted it a little. Because her wood power was strong in healing, she had never thought to stock up on antidotes.
The smell of blood reached her nose.
Zora quickly pulled out a small night lamp and lowered the bed curtains to keep the light from leaking outside and attracting attention.
She saw blood at the corner of Sean's mouth.
This was bad!
Zora quickly took out a soft towel, rolled it up, and carefully pried open Sean's mouth, making him bite on it — luckily, he hadn't bitten his tongue yet.
Two lines of tears fell from Sean's eyes. Zora felt her heart tighten. How much pain must he be enduring? A proud man like him, reduced to unconscious tears...
Gritting her teeth, Zora pulled out a syringe filled with anesthesia!