Just as they'd suspected, Yin Xichen had been bluffing. A carriage? Yeah, right. There was a carriage outside the academy, but it bore the crest of the Magistrate's household—it was clearly there for Sheng Saya and had nothing to do with Yin Xichen.
De'an scoffed. "I ought to have a plaque made, one inscribed with 'A Model for All Teachers.' I'll give it to Mr. Yin and see if he even has the decency to blush."
"He probably won't blush. The man has no shame."
"Hey, Sheng Saya, are you heading home? How about giving Zhao Jing a ride? He's heading back to the city too, but unfortunately, Mr. Yin played him, so he doesn't have a carriage."
Sheng Saya emerged from behind them, holding two books.
She had gone to the Book Collection Pavilion after class to return the books she'd borrowed and check out two new ones, which was why she was late.
