Chapter 1753 – Handsome and Beautiful Last a Lifetime
Jiang Pengji continued, “Earlier, Mr. Yuanjing wrote to me asking for my opinion. He said that the top-level students at Golden Scales Academy have reached graduation age. If we keep them in the academy, it would only waste their precious youth and might even spoil them, so it’s better to let them graduate and venture out. I think there’s some truth to that. However, graduation is a significant event, and we should make it look good. I want to design some exclusive graduation attire for them, with the clothing and accessories carrying meaningful implications to enhance the students’ sense of identity and belonging to Golden Scales Academy. Furthermore, I’d like to create a graduation certificate as proof that they have completed their studies at the academy.”
Wei Ci was already accustomed to his lord’s random ideas.
Graduation attire and certificates were things he had dealt with in his past life, so he wasn’t surprised at all.
However—
Wei Ci said, “This matter carries great significance, so I believe it’s better for our lord to design it personally.”
Having been the head of the water army for many years, Wei Ci had a fantastic grasp of people’s sentiments.
He understood that even a casual gesture could win people over, rivaling the effects of spending money or promoting talent.
He could handle the finished designs, but it would be best if Jiang Pengji personally worked on the designs for different elements; that would yield the best results.
_(:з)∠)_
Anyway, since the school uniforms designed by their lord had been worn by students for a decade, it would make sense for the graduation attire to also bear the lord’s design. It’s about having a beginning and an end. Wei Ci knew very well what kind of aesthetic their lord had; she would certainly make the students look handsome, beautiful, and otherworldly.
“Zixiao has a point; I can design it too.”
Jiang Pengji thought of the attires she had seen in the past and shook her head inwardly.
Too ugly!
Even if they were designed by big names, Jiang Pengji could honestly say—ugliness is a fundamental sin.
She hoped that this batch of students would be recorded in history as handsome, beautiful, and otherworldly, so future generations could see just how good her taste was.
#Learning good or bad is temporary, but being handsome and beautiful lasts a lifetime (。-ω-)#
Suddenly, inspiration struck Jiang Pengji.
The male graduation attire would mainly consist of a round-collared robe, avoiding the currently popular styles merely because the narrow sleeves and round collar save fabric. The female graduation attire would be based on a high-waisted ru skirt template, with narrow sleeves as well. An outer robe would be added over the short jacket, and the hem of the skirt would be adorned with landscape motifs, cranes, and pine and bamboo patterns. The signature cloud patterns of Golden Scales Academy would surely be included. Of course, Jiang Pengji also added a pattern of willow branches at the cuffs to subtly hint at the “Liu Clan,” but right in the center of the back, she painted a cute round face of an Iron-Eating Beast… wait!!!
Wei Ci was dumbfounded.
“My lord, this might not be appropriate—”
Jiang Pengji replied, “What’s inappropriate about it? This Iron-Eating Beast face will become the new clan emblem in the future.”
Allowing the students of Golden Scales Academy to use the royal family’s clan emblem—what an honor it would be for scholars in this era!
This move would cement Golden Scales Academy’s unique status while firmly tying it to the royal family.
Jiang Pengji was never one to suffer losses; her cunning schemes were simply hard to guard against.
Wei Ci: “??? ”
Using this Iron-Eating Beast face as the royal clan emblem in her past life was one thing; was she really going to do it again in this life?
“The Iron-Eating Beast is a symbol of strength; after all, it was a fierce beast that followed Chi You as he fought across the land.”
Jiang Pengji’s words were pure nonsense; she was drawn to the Iron-Eating Beast solely because it was too cute.
Wei Ci hesitated, “Then my lord plans to incorporate it into the students’ attire…”
Jiang Pengji, with all seriousness, blurted out, “It symbolizes that the graduating scholars will be loyal to their sovereign and devoted to their country, just like how the fierce beast followed Chi You, making them the pillars of the nation. Furthermore, allowing them to wear clothing adorned with royal clan emblems on this day signifies that they are the emperor’s students.”
Wei Ci: “…”
Almost fell for that!
He realized that despite having lived a life, he still couldn’t match his lord’s ability to speak nonsense with confidence.
After all her arguments, Jiang Pengji managed to keep her opinion but delegated tasks like hairpins and waist accessories to Wei Ci.
He genuinely worried about what other bizarre ideas his lord might come up with.
Lü Zheng and his daughter just exchanged smiles and said nothing.
On their way to Wanzhou, Lü Zheng promptly picked up his wife and son.
Wait—
“You’re not still single, are you?”
When did he start dating?
Due to the differences between their two lives, Wei Ci couldn’t be sure whether Lü Zheng’s family had been blown away by a butterfly’s wings.
Lü Zheng had been alone all this time in the days leading up to this, and without a lady in his household, Wei Ci had assumed Lü Zheng was a middle-aged bachelor.
Lü Zheng replied coolly, “Starting a family and having children is a matter concerning the continuation of the family line; in this world, besides you, who at this age is still single?”
Wei Ci: “…”
An arrow hit his knee _(:з)∠)_
Lü Zheng quickly added the finishing blow, sneering, “Oh, our lord is also single.”
Not a single young master given to him, not even one. Maybe it’s better that these X-men and X-women go bury themselves.
For all these years, Jiang Pengji had been prodded about marriage and childbirth, remaining indifferent. Wei Ci also acted deaf and mute.
Lü Zheng successfully brought back his wife and children.
After being separated for a long time, the couple had so much to talk about, while their bothersome son was directly tossed to Kang Xintong for care.
Since the journey to Wanzhou was too long, the group would spend the New Year halfway.
As the festival approached, the academy’s teacher was less strict with the students than usual; lower-grade students continued to review what they had learned, while higher-grade students focused on self-study and discussions. Feng Yi always arrived early at the classroom, his diligence making the top students in his class feel inferior.
Feng Yi worked so hard because he felt he had “taken a two-year break due to military service” and needed to catch up with his classmates. Other students didn’t want to be surpassed by Feng Yi, so they all put in extra effort. For a while, a strong learning atmosphere filled the class, much to the heartfelt delight of the teachers.
However, this was tough luck for the unfortunate Sun Lan.
Golden Scales Academy required ordinary students to board, seeing their parents only once a month in the reception hall and returning home only once every six months.
The student dormitories were within Golden Scales Academy; boys stayed on the south side, while girls were on the north side, strictly prohibited from approaching the opposite dormitories. Regular students benefited from proximity to classes, but students like Feng Yi, who were walking scholars, had to wake up even earlier since they lived off-campus.
Feng Yi always arrived half an hour before morning reading started, which hinted at how early he woke up.
Sun Lan, having also been “military-serviced,” constantly compared himself with Feng Yi, forced to accompany him with a bitter smile.
“In this freezing weather—couldn’t you sleep in a bit longer—”
When Sun Lan arrived at the classroom, a candle was already burning on Feng Yi’s desk for light.
Outside the circle of candlelight was darkness, and the cold wind was howling outside; Feng Yi didn’t seem to fear ghosts.
Feng Yi sat upright, “A day’s plan starts in the morning.”
He heard Sun Lan’s footsteps getting closer, and upon hearing the rustling of clothing, the other sat down on the mat next to him.
“This is just too early—”
In the dead of winter, one would almost prefer to die in bed.
