From cannon fodder villain to beloved heroine

Yan Ruyu gripped the thin prohibition document tightly, her knuckles turning white.

She looked around. In the academy's classroom, everyone sat in a group, the atmosphere so heavy it seemed like water could drip from it.

Anxiety was written all over everyone's face, and their faces were gloomy, as if the sky was about to collapse.

The students who were enthusiastically discussing new ideas just a few days ago are now completely silent, not daring to utter a sound.

A sense of despair permeated the air, making it hard to breathe.

Yan Ruyu frowned, trying to calm herself down.

She took a deep breath and said slowly, "Don't panic, everyone. Things haven't gotten to the worst point yet. We'll definitely find a solution." However, her words didn't have much effect, and everyone remained worried.

"Hmph, what other way is there?" Confucius's sarcastic voice broke the silence. "This is the consequence of the new ideas you've been advocating! I think we should find the culprits and punish them severely!" His sharp gaze was fixed on Yan Ruyu and Xu Nanzhu, as if he wanted to devour them alive.

The young master Bai behind him also shouted, "That's right! They must be severely punished! Otherwise, it will be difficult to appease public anger!"

"Confucius, what do you mean by that?" Yan Ruyu suddenly stood up and retorted without backing down, "The new ideas advocate progress and innovation, what's wrong with that? Is sticking to the old ways and being complacent the right path?"

"How dare you! How dare you talk back to the Master!" Young Master Bai's eyes widened in anger, as if he was about to rush up and attack at any moment.

"Enough!" Dean Su slammed his hand on the table, interrupting Young Master Bai's rant. "What time is it now? You still have the mind to fight amongst yourselves! Calm down!" He looked around at everyone, his tone heavy. "The imperial decree has been issued. We must come up with a solution as soon as possible, or the consequences will be unimaginable."

Mr. Lu, who had been silent all along, finally spoke up: "Dean, in my opinion, perhaps we should first..."

“Yu’er, you…” The male protagonist Xu gently tugged at Yan Ruyu’s sleeve and whispered a few words in her ear.

Yan Ruyu's eyes flashed, and she said firmly, "Dean, gentlemen, students, I have an idea..." She paused, her gaze sweeping over the crowd, "I have decided to personally go to the capital..."

Yan Ruyu, dressed in plain clothes, stood in the center of the magnificent hall, facing the many court officials, yet showed no fear.

Her voice was clear and crisp, and she articulated the essence of the new ideas with perfect logic, like a breath of fresh air flowing into the dull court.

Initially, the officials were skeptical, looking like a group of old cadres who couldn't understand the jokes of young people.

Some shook their heads, some sneered, and some whispered among themselves, thinking that the young girl was arrogant and ignorant.

However, as Yan Ruyu continued to speak eloquently, their expressions gradually changed.

Doubt turned into contemplation, disdain into appreciation, and whispers into hushed discussions.

"This... seems to make some sense?" An old minister stroked his beard and muttered to himself.

“Indeed, new ideas are not entirely without merit,” another official echoed.

The atmosphere in the court underwent a subtle change; the doubts gradually disappeared, replaced by reflection and discussion.

Yan Ruyu's lips curled up slightly, and her eyes sparkled with confidence.

She knew that she had successfully sown the seeds of new ideas in this land.

Meanwhile, thousands of miles away in the academy, the male protagonist, Xu, was pacing anxiously.

He would sometimes look up at the sky, and sometimes look down in deep thought. He recalled Yan Ruyu's determined look before she left, and all the little things they had shared. A warm feeling welled up in his heart.

He knew that his Yu'er would surely turn danger into safety and return in triumph.

He held the jade pendant that Yan Ruyu had given him tightly, as if he were holding her hand and feeling her presence.

Looking at the male protagonist's affectionate expression, Miss Ye was filled with emotion and secretly wiped away her tears.

"Young Master Xu is truly devoted to Miss Yan!" she exclaimed.

Yan Ruyu, far away in the capital, also felt the longing from the male protagonist, Xu.

This longing transformed into a source of strength, sustaining her as she continued to fight.

She took a deep breath and continued, "My lords, new ideas are not about overthrowing tradition, but rather..." She paused, her gaze sweeping over the crowd, "...taking the essence and discarding the dross!"

"What a brilliant approach to extracting the essence and discarding the dross!" an official exclaimed.

Yan Ruyu smiled slightly, thinking to herself, "I'm not here to defend your young master's new ideas..." Her eyes suddenly became deep, and a faint smile appeared on her lips.

As soon as Yan Ruyu finished speaking, the hall fell silent.

The officials looked at each other, as if they had heard something unbelievable.

They originally thought the young girl would defend the new ideas, but to their surprise, she pulled a "miraculous reversal" and proposed combining the new ideas with the court's governing philosophy!

This move was absolutely brilliant, leaving everyone present speechless.

Yan Ruyu remained calm and composed, speaking fluently as if everything was under her control.

She skillfully combined the advantages of new ideas with the needs of the court, proposing a plan that could both promote social progress and maintain the court's rule.

These insightful observations prompted even officials who had previously opposed the new ideas to begin to seriously consider them.

At the academy, thousands of miles away, Dean Su was also incredulous upon hearing the news.

He slapped his thigh suddenly, exclaiming in realization, "Brilliant! How come I didn't think of that!" He paced back and forth in the room excitedly, as if he could see a bright future for the academy.

When the news reached the academy, everyone cheered and spread the word.

The academy was bustling with activity, as if it were a festival.

The male protagonist's new ideas not only gained widespread recognition in the academy, but also in the imperial court, which was a double blessing!

Yan Ruyu and the male lead Xu embraced tightly, tears streaming down their faces.

After weathering so many storms, they finally saw the rainbow.

Their bond has become even stronger and more unbreakable than steel during this crisis!

The academy was full of vitality and hope, as if spring had arrived and all things were reviving.

However, just as everyone was immersed in joy, a group of martial arts practitioners suddenly broke into the academy, shattering the tranquility.

They all looked fierce and menacing, clearly not good people.

"Where is Yan Ruyu?" the leader shouted, his voice like a thunderclap, making everyone's eardrums buzz.

Yan Ruyu and Xu Nanzhu were startled. They exchanged a glance and saw the doubt and tension in each other's eyes.

Who are these martial arts figures?

Why are they looking for Yan Ruyu?

Is a new crisis about to begin?

Everyone in the academy was stunned by this sudden turn of events.

They watched the uninvited guests warily, and the atmosphere instantly became tense.

"Who are you people?" Xu, the male protagonist, stood in front of Yan Ruyu and asked in a deep voice.

The leader sneered, offering no reply, but simply waved his hand, signaling his men to take Yan Ruyu away.

"What are you trying to do?" Yan Ruyu shouted sternly.

However, what answered her was the coldness of a blade… “Take him away!”