From cannon fodder villain to beloved heroine

The carriage stopped on the bluestone road outside the academy, and the air was filled with the faint scent of ink.

Yan Ruyu and Xu, the male protagonist, walked hand in hand into the academy, ready to begin their peaceful new life.

However, this tranquility was soon broken.

"Have you heard? That Yan Ruyu is spreading fallacies and heresies, bewitching people!" Whispers spread like venomous snakes throughout the academy, and a tense and oppressive atmosphere filled the air.

Yan Ruyu and Xu, the male protagonist, stopped in their tracks, their faces filled with shock.

They never expected to hear such rumors so soon after arriving at the academy.

The surrounding students cast strange glances at her, pointing and whispering as if Yan Ruyu were some kind of monster.

"Outrageous!" Yan Ruyu was furious and walked straight to the source of the sound—a group of students gathered under the ancient tree.

"Confucius, tell me, isn't the ideology spread by Yan Ruyu a heretical and fallacious doctrine?" Young Master Bai looked at Confucius beside him with a fawning expression.

Confucius stroked his beard, his face full of disdain. "Women showing their faces in public is already against the established order, let alone spreading such strange and absurd theories. It's simply heresy!"

Yan Ruyu walked up to Confucius, her eyes sharp. "Confucius, everything I have said is a policy that benefits the country and the people. How can it be considered heresy or fallacy?"

"Hmph! Women should stay at home to support their husbands and raise their children. What's the point of reading books and talking about principles?" Confucius said firmly, refusing to back down in the slightest.

"Men and women are equal, and women can also serve the country and its people!" Yan Ruyu argued forcefully and resolutely.

Some of the students around him echoed Confucius, while others remained silent, creating a tense atmosphere.

"Absurd! Utterly absurd!" Confucius exclaimed angrily, his beard bristling and eyes wide with rage.

Yan Ruyu sneered, "Confucius, do you know..." She paused, a sly glint in her eyes, "Shang Yang's reforms?"

Yan Ruyu smiled slightly, her eyes sparkling with a hint of cunning, exuding the confidence of a queen as she controlled the entire scene.

"Confucius, you haven't forgotten Shang Yang's reforms, have you? What's wrong with reforming to strengthen the nation? Do you think Shang Yang was also a heretic?" Her voice was clear and crisp, yet firm and resolute, each word like a small pebble striking Confucius's heart.

Confucius's face stiffened; he hadn't expected Yan Ruyu to suddenly bring up Shang Yang's reforms.

This historical allusion was precisely what he had always admired, yet now Yan Ruyu used it to refute him, leaving him speechless and feeling as uncomfortable as if he had swallowed a fly.

He opened his mouth, but couldn't say a word for a long time. He could only stare blankly at Yan Ruyu, his old face turning red.

The students around them began to whisper among themselves, and some started to question Confucius's views.

Mr. Lu stood in the crowd, watching Yan Ruyu speak eloquently. He had always admired Yan Ruyu's talent and courage, and he also agreed with her new ideas.

However, due to Confucius's prestige at the academy, he never dared to openly support Yan Ruyu.

The male protagonist, Xu, stood beside Yan Ruyu, holding her hand tightly. He knew Yan Ruyu's wisdom and ability, and believed that she would definitely be able to resolve this crisis.

Yan Ruyu felt the warmth of Xu's palm and a warm current surged in her heart.

She squeezed Xu's hand back and gave him a reassuring look.

Standing on the outskirts of the crowd, Miss Ye looked at Yan Ruyu and Xu, who stood side by side. She had always longed for free and equal love, and admired Yan Ruyu's courage and talent.

"Confucius, why are you silent? Could it be that I hit the nail on the head?" Yan Ruyu raised an eyebrow, her tone tinged with provocation.

Confucius's face turned ashen, but he was powerless to refute. He could only flick his sleeves angrily and say, "Hmph! I disdain to argue with you!" After saying that, he turned and left.

Yan Ruyu watched Confucius's departing figure, a cold smile curling at the corner of her lips.

She knew that the battle had just begun...

"Yu'er," the male protagonist called softly, his tone tinged with worry, "what do you plan to do?"

Yan Ruyu turned to look at Xu, a resolute glint in her eyes, "An eye for an eye!"

Unlike the traditional victims of slander who weep and wail in anguish to recount their grievances, Yan Ruyu made a startling statement, demanding that the academy hold a public debate to set the record straight!

“Since Confucius thinks I’m spreading fallacies and heresies, then please provide evidence and let’s have a public debate, shall we?” she said firmly, her brows revealing a defiant spirit.

Confucius and the others' eyes widened instantly, as if an egg could fit inside.

That's a really high-level move!

They originally thought that Yan Ruyu would be like other women, meek and submissive after being labeled, and allowed to be manipulated by others.

Unexpectedly, she actually took the initiative to request a public debate, which is simply unheard of!

Young Master Bai was so angry that he jumped up and down, pointing at Yan Ruyu's nose and cursing, "How dare you, a woman, be so insolent!"

Yan Ruyu remained unmoved, calm and composed, with a confident smile on her lips.

This calm and composed aura instantly intimidated everyone.

Dean Su stroked his chin, looking thoughtfully at Yan Ruyu. In the end, he nodded and agreed to Yan Ruyu's request, deciding to hold a public debate in the academy's lecture hall.

The news caused an uproar throughout the entire academy!

The students spread the news excitedly, as if it were Chinese New Year.

The lecture hall was packed with people, three layers deep, it was even more lively than a vegetable market!

Yan Ruyu returned to her room and began to actively prepare materials for the debate, while Xu Nanzhu quietly helped her from the side. The two worked together seamlessly, like a perfect couple.

Yan Ruyu was full of fighting spirit, as if she could already see the dawn of victory.

Young Master Bai was gritting his teeth in the corner, his face terribly gloomy, no one knew what evil scheme he was plotting.

However, just as the debate was about to begin, Yan Ruyu discovered that her carefully prepared debate materials had been tampered with!

The crucial content was torn up, and the important data was tampered with; it was simply appalling!

Yan Ruyu suddenly felt a chill rise from the soles of her feet to her heart. Who was behind this?

The surrounding air seemed to freeze, creating an eerie and oppressive atmosphere.

Seeing this, Xu's expression also turned serious. He grabbed Yan Ruyu's hand and whispered, "Yu'er..."