Daily life in the academy

Bai Zhi asked herself in her heart, am I afraid?

She thought...she shouldn't be afraid now.

When she was reading the original book "Sheng'an Fengyunlu", her eyes were more focused on Yan Qingchen, who was described by the author as unique. He had outstanding looks, a superior family background, and was the apple of everyone's eye. Every time he appeared, he was radiant and the focus of everyone's attention.

But Yan Qingchen's fate was destined to be bad, he was just An Ziqian's whetstone in the original book.

The people of Yan State spread the rumor that Yan Qingchen had a bad temper. Even Bai Zhi thought so when she first met him. However, after spending some time together, she realized that rumors should not be believed completely, nor should they be blindly listened to. As for the origin of the rumors about his violent personality... those people deserved to be beaten.

Zhang Yongan and the two Luo brothers bully the weak and even talk about human trafficking without any burden. They must have done a lot of bad things.

Therefore, in Bai Zhi's opinion, Yan Qingchen was the one who showed her true nature. Her behavior just now was purely due to... excitement!!

Bai Zhi was bullied twice in a row and was rescued by Yan Qingchen each time. Moreover, this man who everyone thought was a bully and a playboy actually thanked her!

Only her figure was reflected in those beautiful eyes like black pearls, and then he opened his thin lips and said, "Thank you!!!"

How lethal this is for a person who is obsessed with looks. Bai Zhi admitted that she was indeed a fangirl!

This mental activity actually only took a moment. As the three of them walked forward, Yan Qingchen's eyes were still on Bai Zhi, waiting for her answer.

"I'm not...."

As Bai Zhi opened her mouth, the bell for morning classes rang, and at the same time, Xie Guan's voice appeared behind them.

"The bell has rung. Why don't you three hurry up and go into the school? What are you dawdling for?"

Bai Zhi subconsciously glanced back, and unfortunately her eyes met Xie Guan's. She could only stop and turn around to bow, "I'm sorry, Master Xie. I'll go to the classroom right away."

"You stay here, Yan Qingchen and Mu Bailian go quickly." Xie Guan frowned and stopped Bai Zhi.

Seeing his angry expression, Bai Zhi's heart skipped a beat. Was Xie Guan going to teach her a lesson again for not following his teachings and hanging out with the children of the nobles?

Unexpectedly, Xie Guan spoke with concern: "Bai Zhi, what's wrong with your face? Did someone bully you again?"

Bai Zhi was slightly startled, but she was still hesitant. The last time she reported the truth, what happened was that Zhang Yongan's followers became more and more rampant. They first pushed her into the water, but she could swim. When their plan failed, they directly surrounded her and were sure that no one would help her. If she hadn't met Yan Qingchen by chance, she would have been able to escape. She didn't know how to report it again, and whether she would suffer more tragic revenge when she was alone again.

Seeing Bai Zhi's embarrassment, Xie Guan guessed half of what was going on and said bluntly, "Just tell me what's bothering you. I'll help you resolve the issue."

Does this mean that he will help you find a solution when you have difficulties?

Bai Zhi thought for a moment, then told Xie Guanting everything that had just happened, including how Yan Qingchen appeared in time to rescue her, and emphasized that this was the second time that Master Yan had rescued her.

Xie Guan put his hands behind his back. When Bai Zhi said that he still couldn't dodge the punch, he felt a little guilty. His thoughts couldn't help but go back to the day when he met the emperor.

"Thank you, Qingchen and Qingyu's case wasn't within the Yunlu Academy, but it was still within Lishan. But now each side has its own version of events, and the two suspects suddenly died in prison, leaving us with no way to verify the truth. What are your thoughts?"

The current emperor, Yan Yunrui, the second emperor of the State of Yan, seemed to be chatting casually with his old ministers, but the majesty of having been in a high position for many years was unconsciously revealed between the lines.

Xie Guan stood below, his expression calm, yet unaffected in the slightest. "Your Majesty, this incident has once again antagonized the Ning Prince's Mansion and the Zhaoyue Princess's Mansion. It concerns the royal family. I, this old minister, will investigate thoroughly and seek justice for both of them. It also so happens that a few days ago, a student reported that Zhang Yongan and other students at the academy were maliciously bullying students from disadvantaged families, and this incident even implicated Xiao Qingyu. Perhaps the two incidents are related."

"There is such a thing?"

Xie Guan nodded. "I have already interviewed several students and the situation is true. I wanted to deal with this matter as quickly as possible, but I didn't expect such a disaster to occur again."

"A bunch of young boys, to have committed such abominable acts is simply absurd. Where do they place the laws I have issued? Is this how Zhang Huaicang, the Minister of Revenue, taught his son?"

Yan Yunrui cursed angrily, and the eunuchs and palace maids around him were terrified and their bodies trembled uncontrollably. It was obvious that when the emperor was angry, he was very intimidating.

Seeing that Xie Guan, who was sitting below him, was still calm, Yan Yunrui calmed down a bit and spoke normally again: "I believe Mr. Xie has already thought of a countermeasure?"

"Your Majesty, Yunlu Academy is the pilot academy designated by you. I will never allow anyone to sabotage it, so I have already drafted an expulsion order, ordering the students headed by Zhang Yongan to drop out as a warning to others." Xie Guan spoke every word with a resounding voice.

The hall fell silent for a moment. After a long while, Yan Yunrui slowly spoke, "I remember that Zhang Huaicang's son, Zhang Yongan, seemed to have a good relationship with Qingyu. Although the two of them both insisted that the other was to blame for the death, I was young once, and the bet between the two was just a child's play. Qingyu's leg... Zhaoyue cried in front of me before, and I really couldn't do anything about it. I have to bear it with all my heart."

Xie Guan was, after all, a veteran of two dynasties. He had experienced countless hardships, and now he could still maintain a stable position and stand safely in the Liangyi Hall to discuss matters with the emperor. His eyes were more than those of ordinary people, and he immediately bowed and asked:

"Your Majesty, what do you think?"

Having such an insightful minister was a relief. Yan Yunrui's originally solemn expression softened, and his tone softened. "It was just a fight between children. I will punish both sides, but Qingyu has also suffered. His leg won't heal for a while, and his body has suffered. If his mood gets worse, I really can't explain it to Zhaoyue. Why don't you just give him a verbal reprimand and let it go."

After a pause, he added, "Also, you should comfort those poor students who have been bullied on my behalf and make sure they don't delay their studies."

Xie Guan, who also came from a humble background, understood the difficult situation faced by students from disadvantaged backgrounds. He bowed silently and said calmly, "Your Majesty, it is not easy for students from disadvantaged backgrounds to enter the academy. Even a few words of comfort will not heal the hurt they have suffered."

"I know you, Xie Qing, are kind and respectful of talent, but I'm also in a difficult position. If I don't appease that brat Qingyu, I'm afraid Zhaoyue will come to the palace to cause trouble every now and then. I'm also in a very difficult position."

"Your Majesty, I, an old minister, must return to investigate the truth. Regardless of whose fault it is, as long as you handle it impartially, you will surely gain the forgiveness of Princess Zhaoyue and His Royal Highness Prince Ning."

"Xie Qing, you are already sixty years old, and you must have many children and grandchildren. They all say that emotion and reason should come first. If you only treat your family members with legal principles and show no mercy, you will definitely hurt the hearts of your loved ones!"

"But Your Majesty..."

Xie Guan was about to argue, but Yan Yunrui stopped him loudly: "Alright, I have made up my mind. Xie Qing, there is no need to say anything more."

Xie Guan sighed inwardly and said, "Yes, Your Majesty, I will comfort those students after returning to the academy. I will take my leave now."

Yan Yunrui nodded: "Okay."

He pressed his right hand against his throbbing temple. The old minister who was slowly retreating in front of him had been in the court since his father founded the State of Yan, and had devoted his life to the country. His loyalty was unquestionable, but when you thought he was insightful, he immediately showed his stubborn and rigid side, which was really a headache.

But he was a loyal minister after all, and he could not let such a small matter damage the harmony between the monarch and his subjects. When he was about to turn around and leave, Yan Yunrui called him.

"Thank you, sir. You haven't seen the Crown Prince for quite some time. Why don't you stay in the East Palace for a few days and investigate for me to see if the Crown Prince has neglected his studies."

"Yes, Your Majesty."