The First National Preceptor of the Tang Dynasty

Chapter 248

Sure enough, someone arrived shortly afterward. Xu Tian was already sitting in the main hall waiting. His familiarity with the place made the butler chuckle, and even Dongfang Tingyun chuckled softly beside him.

Sure enough, a seventy-year-old man came up and said, "What kind of academy is this? I've never heard of it. My son, who has been paralyzed in bed for many years, fell seriously ill yesterday, so I hitched up an oxcart to pick up my grandson and take him home."

I didn't expect your academy to refuse me entry because I'm nearsighted. Does my poor clothing constitute discrimination?

Xu Tian immediately stood up and said, "The emperor governs the world with benevolence, righteousness, and filial piety, and respects elders. How dare a junior discriminate against elders?"

Although the old man had never heard of these words, he calmed down.

Xu Tian sat back down and continued sipping his tea. Dongfang Tingyun explained, "Grandpa, we closed the gates during the exam yesterday to keep the candidates quiet and allow them to focus on their answers."

As Dongfang Tingyun spoke, she glanced at Xu Tian.

"Since you've sent your child here, he must be destined to pass the imperial examinations and become the top scholar, wouldn't you say?"

Upon hearing this, the old man's eyes immediately lit up.

“Jia Tai is the only son in three generations of his family. If he can really become the top scholar in the imperial examination, that would be a great achievement for a poor family, bringing honor to the family.”

Seeing that the old man was no longer as angry as before, he continued to persuade him, "Grandpa, it was wrong of us to turn you away yesterday."

Xu Tian nodded apologetically, but the old man's eyes darted around. He had taken money from Mo Xuan Academy; if he let Xu Tian go like this, people would definitely say he took the money and didn't do his job!

“People from our village have come too. You are clearly taking hostages.” Then they saw several people dressed as villagers standing outside the Xu residence.

Yang Chao simply waved his hand and said, "Butler, call them in."

At this moment, not only the people in Wang Village, but also many people were gathered outside the Xu residence.

The butler's face darkened: "Everyone, disperse, there's nothing to see."

Unexpectedly, the people outside the door started talking about it.

"This is really something else. This school run by Grand Tutor Xu is different from ordinary private schools. It's stricter than the village teachers, but he never follows the rules. Even yesterday, when Old Man Wang came to the city to pick up his grandson, we didn't get to see him."

"Now that Old Man Wang is furiously criticizing Grand Tutor Xu, Grand Tutor Xu is acting as if nothing happened. This is truly strange."

The steward shouted again, "Disperse, all of you!" Only then did the crowd disperse. When Old Man Wang saw his fellow villagers arrive, he immediately straightened his back and said, "Grand Tutor Xu, give us an explanation. If we don't see Jia Tai today, I will appeal to the court and tell the Emperor! Your academy is a fraud, completely incapable of educating people. You should close it down immediately."

Meanwhile, Li Chengqian was playing outside when he heard that the old man was an ordinary farmer, clearly from a poor family, yet he could speak eloquently. Who was behind this? He had been targeting Xu Tian time and time again, so he immediately went over.

When Xu Tian saw Li Chengqian arrive again, he inwardly groaned, then knelt down and bowed gently: "Crown Prince."

Li Chengqian was very satisfied. This time, the man did not bow to him, and then sat in the main seat.

"I am the Crown Prince of the current dynasty."

Upon seeing the crown prince, the old man immediately scoffed, "How could the current crown prince be a mere child?"

Seeing that everyone's eyes were on him, the old man knelt down with a thud and said, "Your Highness."

Li Chengqian rolled his eyes and said, "I said to close the gates during the exam period. Are you going to tell Father Emperor too?"

Seeing the young prince's determination to protect him, Xu Tian was at a loss for words, feeling somewhat moved. If this matter were to reach the Emperor's ears, he would surely be punished.