The merchant's rebirth led to the complete downfall of the Marquis's mansion.

Before going to the academy, Qin Yao specially changed into men's clothing.

Since it was an academy, female guests were not usually received. Qin Yao didn't want to be too conspicuous, so dressing up as a man was just right, and it wouldn't interfere with watching the excitement.

This time she took Qingzhi with her, as Qiuliu had something more important to do.

After turning a corner, Chen's father took Chen Jinzhi and headed towards Kangshan Academy.

Afraid of missing the show, Qin Yao got up very early and arrived at Kangshan Academy early.

After explaining their purpose, the gatekeeper quickly had someone take them to the dean's courtyard.

The dean had just finished breakfast and was worrying about the things he needed to deal with later.

He liked Jiang Su; his knowledge was among the best in this year's students, and he had warned him about it when the incident happened last time.

Character is also an important part of the assessment, and scholars should pay attention to their words and deeds.

But now, he's in trouble again.

This time it was still theft from the academy, which made him... sigh!

The dean sighed deeply.

Just then, someone announced that people from the Qin family had arrived.

Although the dean was surprised that the Qin family would send people, he still had them invited in.

As soon as Qin Yao entered, she respectfully bowed to the dean while holding a fan.

"My name is Qin Zhao, and I greet the Dean!"

Chen Jinzhi followed closely behind.

"Chen Jinzhi greets the Dean."

The dean nodded to them, "Come on! Do it!"

The two returned the greeting and expressed their gratitude before taking their seats.

The dean still had to give the Qin family some face, so he didn't think about anything else at the moment and asked:

"May I ask what brings you two here?"

"This is a letter from my young lady. Please take a look!"

Qin Yao took out a letter from her bosom and presented it to him.

After reading the letter, the dean pondered for a moment, but said nothing. He then called Chen Jinzhi over.

Kangshan Academy has principles; it accepts recommendations, but admission still requires passing the dean's test.

After a few questions, the dean stroked his beard with satisfaction, unable to suppress his smile.

"Good! Good! Good!"

Chen Jinzhi quickly replied modestly, "Dean, you flatter me."

"Wow! I don't praise people easily, but you have such knowledge at such a young age, that's rare!"

The dean looked at Chen Jinzhi with satisfaction.

Yang Jinghong had already surprised him last time, but this time the Qin family sent him an even more outstanding talent.

How could he not be happy to have found two such promising talents?!

As a result, his attitude towards Qin Yao became even more amiable.

After chatting for a while, the dean also raised a question regarding Qin Yao's arrival:

"Jinzhi could have just come directly, why did you have to deliver it personally this time?"

Last time, Yang Jinghong personally delivered the letter to my door.

"Oh, is that so? Besides sending Jinzhi, Miss also asked me to check on the progress of the library and bring the subsidies and wages with me."

Hearing Qin Yao say this, the dean understood.

However, the dean's expression darkened when the topic of subsidies came up.

"What's wrong, Dean?" Qin Yao asked at the right moment.

The dean sighed deeply, "What a misfortune for our sect! If you hadn't come, I'm afraid I would have sent a letter to the Qin family myself."

The dean explained in detail:

"A few days ago, Master Liang, who was in charge of managing the money, suddenly discovered that some silver was missing. After some investigation, it turned out to be a student in the mountains... Alas!"

"The stolen money was silver sent by the Qin family, and a considerable amount has already been spent. I feel deeply ashamed!"

Qin Yao already knew, but she didn't expect Jiang Su to take her money. What a small world!

"How will the dean deal with such a student of bad character?"

The dean shook his head. "The academy cannot be kept, and the money must be repaid! As for the rest, I simply cannot bear to ruin his future..."

Qin Yao was not surprised. The dean was known for his love of talent and was very willing to give students who made mistakes a chance.

If it weren't for his good nature, why wouldn't he, a top-ranking scholar in the imperial examinations, have entered officialdom?

Jiang Su was lucky to have met him, but unfortunately, he also met her.

Just then, someone came in to invite the dean.

The dean stood up and said to Qin Yao, "This matter also concerns the Qin family, so you should go and take a look too!"

Qin Yao nodded and followed the dean out.

Chen Jinzhi followed them out.

Upon arriving at the lobby, it was already packed with people; this time, things were different from the last.

Not many people knew about this last time, and there was even a scapegoat, Jiang Zu.

This time, however, no. Someone personally witnessed Jiang Su sneaking around Liang Fuzi's residence.

Many classmates also testified that Jiang Su lived a very extravagant life during this period, and they also saw sandalwood boxes containing silver when they went to Jiang Su's residence.

That box belonged to Master Liang.

Just yesterday, Master Liang led a group to Jiang Su's residence and found the stolen silver. Master Liang recognized the mark on the box at a glance.

Jiang Su knelt before the statue of Confucius, remaining silent and letting the people around him gossip.

From the moment he found the silver, he began to argue that he hadn't done it. How could he, the heir of a noble family (in the past), have committed theft?

He pointed out that the pageboy beside Yang Jinghong was his former servant Jiang Zu, saying that Jiang Zu must be holding a grudge and had come back to take revenge on him.

Although Jiang Zu wouldn't admit it, Jiang Su wouldn't mistake him for someone who had been by his side since childhood, even if he looked different now! He was Jiang Zu!

Unfortunately, nobody believed it.

Jiang Zu followed Yang Jinghong and came from the Princess's residence, while Yang Jinghong's identity was even more extraordinary.

Does he mean he doubts the princess?

He dare not.

Therefore, I can only assume that I have mistaken the person for someone else.

What's even more terrifying is that he couldn't explain where the money went, or why he secretly went to Master Liang's residence.

He never cared about these things. The new page was just someone he had temporarily sent over. His requirements weren't high; he just wanted Jiang Liu to take care of his daily life before he returned.

He was so engrossed in his studies that he had no idea there was extra silver in the house.

Moreover, his page often went down the mountain to buy him things, and when he asked about it, the page would only say that his family gave him a lot of money.

He didn't pay much attention to it. He even suspected the pageboy, but when he asked, the pageboy said that there was a lot of silver in the room and he thought it was sent from home.

How could there suddenly be so much silver in the room? Someone must have taken it. Jiang Su wanted to pin the blame on the page to get himself out of trouble.

His classmates said they saw him secretly go to Master Liang's room.

Everyone was in an uproar.

Jiang Su suddenly felt as if the ground beneath his feet had collapsed. He went to Master Liang's residence. He actually went, and he went because he knew that Master Liang would be the examiner for the next imperial examination.

He was confident in his knowledge, but after serving as an official for so many years, there were bound to be oversights in his scholarship.

He didn't take the exam this time either. If he knew the questions...

At this point, Master Liang had a rough idea and wanted to try his luck, but he didn't expect to be seen by someone else!

What else could he say?

He felt as if an invisible net was enveloping him, wrapping him up so tightly that he could only accept the horror of death.

No one believes him now. Even the dean who gave him a chance last time shook his head and sighed.

But it doesn't matter, the scandal at the academy won't get out, and he can continue taking the exam.

Thinking about it this way, he suddenly wasn't afraid anymore.

Wait until he gets high school! Then all these people will have to fawn over him!

So, he chose silence.

The dean walked in, listened to the supervisor's report, and sighed.

"In that case, expel them from the academy!"

Jiang Su was not surprised and respectfully bowed to the dean.

"Thank you for your guidance, Dean and Master. I am ashamed that I cannot clear my name today. I will surely return with my innocence cleared one day..."

Before Jiang Su could finish speaking, someone rushed out from outside.

"Dean, Dean, something terrible has happened!"

The man whispered something to the dean, who, after being somewhat moved, widened his eyes and pointed at Jiang Su kneeling on the ground.

"You...you! You actually..."

Jiang Su was confused, and the others were equally bewildered.

Now, Qin Yao, who was last, silently made way, and several constables walked in.

They're here to arrest Jiang Su...