The carriage comes to a halt, jolting me from my thoughts. Outside the imposing gates of Pi Yong Academy, I can already see figures waiting - clearly nobles by their elaborate clothing and confident bearing. This is it - my new home for the foreseeable future. I take a deep breath and straighten my robes before stepping down.

Immediately, the eyes of the waiting group focus on me. At their head stands a young man in elegant blue robes with a gentle smile that doesn't quite reach his eyes. Behind him, a younger man in even more ostentatious clothing scowls openly, clearly displeased at having to wait.

"Greetings," says the blue-robed man with a flawless bow. "You must be the Prince of Guangling. I am Yuan Ji of the Ru'nan Yuan family, sent by the academy director to welcome you."

Before I can respond, the scowling youth speaks up. "Really, Brother? We've been waiting here for hours for this...破落世子 (declining noble heir)?"

Yuan Ji shoots him a sharp look. "公路 (Gonglu), that is no way to speak to our guest."

The young man - Yuan Shu, I assume - rolls his eyes but falls silent. Yuan Ji turns back to me with that same perfect smile, but I notice his eyes carefully assessing me, as if weighing my worth. "Please, allow me to show you to the director. Your quarters have been prepared near the eastern courtyard, next to mine."

I feel a flicker of unease at this news - having a member of the powerful Yuan family as a neighbor might not be coincidence. As if reading my thoughts, Yuan Ji adds softly, "I thought it best you have a familiar face nearby as you settle in."

The situation is already more complicated than I anticipated. As I prepare to respond, I notice movement from the corner of my eye - a young man leaning against a nearby tree, smoking a pipe and watching the scene with obvious amusement. He meets my gaze briefly before looking away, but not before I catch a hint of something like recognition in his expression.

This academy may prove more interesting than I expected.