Chapter 7

Wenxin Book Hall.

Gu Jinnian walked inward based on his memory.

At the same time, he was pondering the situation just now.

"The black aura sank into the ancient tree, like nutrients."

"What is this black aura?"

"Is it anger?"

"No, it shouldn't be anger."

"Is it resentment?"

As he walked, Gu Jinnian kept guessing what the black aura was.

From the current situation, the black aura should be nutrients. After it sank into the ancient tree, it formed a small fruit.

As for what kind of fruit it was, Gu Jinnian didn't know; he estimated it would only be clear after it matured.

And everything so far was just his guess.

To confirm, he still needed to test it.

Just as Gu Jinnian was thinking, several familiar voices suddenly sounded.

"Jinnian."

"Brother Jinnian."

As the voices echoed, Gu Jinnian looked over.

Not far away, inside the classroom, there were more than thirty desks, each with a person sitting in front of it.

About 70% were males, 30% were females, all roughly between the ages of fourteen and sixteen, in the prime of their youth.

However, this alone showed how prosperous the Confucian path was.

In ancient times, there were many rules, and theoretically, women were not allowed to study. But in this era of Confucian prosperity, everyone took pride in studying, even women. Although they were not allowed to take the imperial exams, high-ranking officials still sent their daughters to study at academies.

To have status in their future in-laws' homes.

As for the people who called out, they were mostly sitting in the last row.

The seating arrangement, whether in ancient or modern times, had a similar logic.

Those with talent sat in the front, while those without talent sat in the back, enjoying leisure and entertainment.

Wenxin Book Hall had a significant background, and no one who came here was an ordinary person.

If there really was an ordinary person, it would be even more remarkable, as someone without background or connections could enter Wenxin Book Hall, meaning they were very intelligent and a true scholar.

They might even become one of the top three in the imperial exams in the future.

Wenxin Book Hall did indeed have such a person, but this person studied with the hall's dean and didn't need to attend morning classes, with someone teaching them specifically.

As these people called out, the classroom instantly buzzed with excitement.

Everyone turned their gaze to Gu Jinnian.

The events from half a month ago were still fresh in their minds, even though they hadn't seen it with their own eyes, but the whole capital was abuzz with the news.

They didn't expect Gu Jinnian to return?

Previously, they had speculated that Gu Jinnian would be expelled from Wenxin Book Hall or that he would be too embarrassed to come to school. Now it seemed these speculations were false.

For a moment, the gazes of the students in the classroom were somewhat peculiar.

Some were surprised, some were strange, some showed fear, and some showed coldness.

Of course, the young men sitting in the last row were particularly enthusiastic and excited.

These people were all descendants of military officers, either the eldest sons of marquises or the grandsons of national dukes, or the children of great generals.

In short, they were all descendants of military officers.

People tend to gather with those of similar backgrounds.

Civil officials and Confucian scholars' descendants played together.

Military officers' descendants also played together.

The two who called out first were both very heroic, standing up to a height of six feet, and they were only sixteen years old.

Fortunately, Gu Jinnian's height was also about the same, so he didn't appear short.

One was Wu An, the son of the Marquis of Shenyang.

The other was Li Ping, the son of the commander of the southern gate of the capital.

Wu An was the oldest, being one of the oldest in the third generation circle of the capital, almost seventeen years old, standing at six and a half feet tall, and having reached the peak of the physical realm, making him very fierce.

He was often involved in fights in the capital and had a good relationship with the original body.

The Marquis of Shenyang was once a trusted subordinate of the old lord Gu, meaning the Marquis of Shenyang was one of the old lord Gu's soldiers, and their relationship was very close.

As for Li Ping, he was also quite good. His father was the commander of the southern gate of the capital, a significant position with three thousand elite troops under his command, guarding the southern gate of the capital and managing the security of the southern district of the capital.

However, compared to the Marquis of Shenyang, or even the Marquis of Zhen, he was not as powerful.

But Li Ping was very righteous, willing to take the blame when things went wrong, and helped many people.

Therefore, in the third generation circle, he had some status and was one of the original body's good friends.

"It's been a while, I miss you."

At that moment, Gu Jinnian walked over and gave the two a bear hug, showing their relationship while also not revealing anything.

"Jinnian, you've survived a great calamity, and you will surely have good fortune. After the class, I'll take you to a fun place."

After the bear hug, Wu An's heroic face showed a genuine smile.

"Brother Jinnian, are you fully recovered? I went to see you a few days ago, but your steward stopped me."

"Should be fine now?"

Li Ping also spoke, looking at Gu Jinnian with concern.

"Already no big deal."

"Just need a few more days of rest."

Gu Jinnian smiled and casually replied, but soon his gaze fell on the classroom.

Among the thirty-odd people, Gu Jinnian instantly locked onto two figures.

In the first row, on either side.

A woman in a light pink dress and a man in a green-brown Confucian robe.

The woman was extremely beautiful, with skin as smooth as snow, ice-like muscles and jade-like bones, a flowing cloud hairstyle, and a green jade hairpin, making her look very young. Her face was a perfect oval, her eyes bright, and her demeanor gentle and innocent, a true beauty.

However, her eyes were slightly flickering, and there was a hint of disgust.

This was the daughter of the Minister of Rites, Yang Hanrou.

As for the other man, he had clear eyebrows and bright eyes, very handsome, wearing a green-brown Confucian robe, exuding the aura of a scholar, looking as if he was very studious.

This person was Zhang Xun, the son of the great Confucian scholar Zhang Xun.

To describe him, Gu Jinnian would say that Zhang Xun was Yang Hanrou's "licking dog."

Zhang Xun's father and the Minister of Rites had a very good relationship, and they could be considered childhood friends.

The day of the argument, Zhang Xun was there, and all the events were caused by him.

The whole incident was simple: the original body had someone else do his homework, and Zhang Xun reported it to the teacher, leading to a scolding.

After the scolding, the original body didn't say much, though he was unhappy. However, he wasn't stupid and knew that continuing to trouble Zhang Xun would cause even bigger problems, so he just felt uncomfortable.

But unexpectedly, they met again after school.

Zhang Xun's words were venomous, and after a few sarcastic remarks, the original body retorted, saying that he was at least not as bad as Zhang Xun.

At a young age, not studying, only thinking about romantic affairs, which indirectly insulted Yang Hanrou.

Then they argued, back and forth, until Yang Hanrou pushed the original body into the lake.

All the events were just a child's quarrel.

Both sides were at fault.

But what truly made Gu Jinnian feel disgusted was that Yang Hanrou, despite her own fault, blamed others and tarnished their reputation.

If this matter wasn't handled well, it could ruin one's future.

How could it not be disgusting?

Yang Hanrou's gaze was slightly filled with disgust, while Zhang Xun's was full of coldness.

Feeling Gu Jinnian's gaze, they both retreated a bit, as they were more aware of the whole situation than anyone else.

"Jinnian, you've just recovered from a serious illness, you need to rest well."

"Leave the other matters to me. The academy will soon be over, and then we can settle scores."

Wu An's voice sounded, mistakenly thinking that Gu Jinnian wanted to cause trouble with these two, so he specifically stood up and said this, meaning that Gu Jinnian shouldn't cause trouble now.

Wait until after the academy ends.

Hearing Wu An's words, both of their faces changed, and Zhang Xun sneered but didn't dare to say anything.

There was no other reason; he simply couldn't beat Wu An.

At that moment, the teacher's figure appeared.

An old man, holding a book, entered the classroom.

As soon as the teacher arrived, everyone instantly became quiet, and the classroom fell silent.

Even these descendants of military officers didn't dare to be disrespectful to the teacher.

Respecting teachers and valuing the path of learning was not a joke, whether in the Great Xia Dynasty or any other dynasty, respecting teachers was paramount.

Heaven, Earth, Sovereign, Parents, and Teacher.

The teacher was like a half-father, and defying the teacher was a grave disrespect.

However, before the teacher could say anything, Gu Jinnian's voice sounded.

"Teacher, I want to change my seat."

As Gu Jinnian's voice echoed, everyone in the classroom became curious.

They didn't know what Gu Jinnian was up to.

At the front of the classroom.

The sixty-year-old teacher frowned slightly. If it were any other student, he would have scolded them, but Gu Jinnian was the grandson of a national duke and the only male heir in the family.

He had to give some face.

"Where do you want to move to?"

The teacher asked, looking at Gu Jinnian.

"Teacher, I want to move next to Yang Hanrou."

Gu Jinnian replied.

Upon hearing this, everyone in the classroom's expressions changed.

Who didn't know what happened a few days ago?

Now that Gu Jinnian had just returned, he wanted to change seats? To say there was no personal grudge, who would believe it?

Not only the students, but even the teacher knew Gu Jinnian had ulterior motives.

Therefore, the teacher shook his head and said.

"Denied."

The teacher calmly refused.

But Gu Jinnian didn't care, looking at the teacher.

"Teacher, my father said that I should study well this time. My talent is not high, and I need someone to help me."

"Yang Hanrou is quite good, although she is a bit lacking, she is still the best among the short."

Gu Jinnian said.

This statement instantly made everyone in the classroom silent.

What does "the best among the short" mean? If someone else said it, they would accept it.

But when Gu Jinnian said it, they couldn't accept it.

Who didn't know that Gu Jinnian's grades were the worst? How could he say such things?

Indeed, the teacher also frowned.

You really have no shame.

At that moment, a wisp of black aura emanated from everyone, less than before, but when combined, it was about the same.

Especially Yang Hanrou and Zhang Xun, who provided the most black aura.

This black aura sank into the body, becoming nutrients for the