Chapter 55

"Come on, dear, just a bit more effort and you'll be second!"

"The student knows his fault..." The young master of a prominent family, skilled at gauging the situation, had already inquired about Wang Fang's background. If he really angered the old man, the Cheng family would not be spared.

"Knowing one's faults and making amends is the greatest virtue," Wang Fang said coolly. "In the future, when you write poetry or essays, remember to have substance in your words. Literature should convey principles, not just show off your vocabulary. Remember this well."

"The students will remember..." the scholars bowed in unison.

"Let Attendant Yuan explain the academy rules to you. I will go down the mountain." Wang Fang stood up.

"May we respectfully see you off, Headmaster..." The etiquette in the school was much stricter than in society. Although Chen Ke had no other educational experience, his nagging father had already taught him everything he needed to know.

"Rules of the Zhongyan Academy." Attendant Yuan cast a cold glance at the students. "Frequently visit your parents; pay respects to the sages on the first and fifteenth of each month; correct your biases; maintain proper and solemn behavior; dress and eat frugally; do not involve yourself in external affairs; sit and walk according to age; avoid criticizing or defaming elders; reject harmful friends; do not waste time in idle talk; read the classics three times a day; read several pages of the outline each day; understand current affairs and physical principles; read ancient texts and poetry; write with a pen; complete your assignments on time; read at night and avoid sleeping in; if you have doubts, strive to resolve them! Remember these eighteen rules, recite them every morning, and discipline yourselves. Those who violate them will be punished severely!"

"We will remember..." the students responded respectfully.

"Hmm, that's enough for today." Attendant Yuan said. "The academy will officially open the day after tomorrow. Be here on time for roll call." He paused. "According to the rules, students from this county should commute, but the Headmaster has made an exception for you. If any of you want to stay on campus, sign up with me next door!"

As soon as Attendant Yuan left, all the students collapsed to the ground, rubbing their stiff legs and complaining. They were used to sitting in chairs, not kneeling for long periods.

"Do you plan to stay on campus?" Chen Ke supported himself on his knees and slowly stood up.

"No, I plan to commute," Su Shi said. "My mother and sister have moved to Qingshen, so we can see each other every day."

"Right," Chen Ke smiled. "I don't plan to stay on campus either. It's too restrictive to have someone manage even my sleep." He pulled Si Lang up. "You should go home too."

"Eldest brother has already arranged a place for me to stay," Si Lang, the most refined of the Chen brothers, said. It was truly a wonder that such good sons could come from such a pair of scoundrels as Chen Xishi and his wife.

"If you can stay, stay; if not, leave," Chen Sanlang, the most assertive of the Chen brothers, said. "Home is always better than school, and we can be closer."

"Alright, then," Si Lang was moved by the last sentence.

"Do you have room at your place?" Song Duanping approached, grinning. "A bed will do."

"If I said no, Uncle Song would come with a knife," Chen Ke laughed. "Let's go, let's go!"

They packed their book boxes and left, laughing and joking. But they were stopped by an assistant. "Who is Su Shi?"

"That's me."

"Follow me, the Headmaster wants to see you."

Su Shi left, puzzled, and returned a short while later with a letter. "It turns out the Headmaster and my father are old friends. He asked me to bring this letter home."

"I see." It was getting late, so they hurried down the mountain. At the bottom, Wu Lang was already waiting. "Second brother said they moved to the Upper Temple. It's too inconvenient to come down the mountain every day, so they won't be returning home daily."

"Alright," Chen Ke said. "Let's get going."

They left the Zhongyan Temple and headed for the county town. The sunset dyed the sky red, and the wind on the dam made the wheat fields ripple. The relieved young men ran and chased each other, their laughter echoing in the countryside... until they were stopped by the Cheng family's men on the dam.

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The three Cheng brothers had all gone to the Lower Temple, so they had already finished their classes and were waiting for the Chen brothers here.

Seeing that the two older ones were not around, Cheng Zhiyuan felt no restraint. He sat on his horse, looking down. "We're seven or eight miles from the academy. Beating you up won't get us in trouble, right?"

"That's what I should say." Chen Ke threw his book box to the ground and stretched. "I've been looking for a reason to beat you up!" Damn, riding horses in front of me all day, don't you see I don't even have a donkey?!

Jealousy burned fiercely, and Chen Ke rubbed his hands together, excited. "Come on, all of you!"

"Uh..." The Cheng brothers were surprised. They thought, "Is there such a person who itches for a beating?" In their view, their three servants were well-trained, and they would easily beat these kids. So they snarled, "What are you waiting for? Attack!"

"I can handle it alone!" One servant stepped forward. Nicknamed 'Golden Flower Rat,' he took off his shirt, revealing a tattooed body, and said calmly, "Kids, come on, all of you!"

"Go!" Chen Ke shouted, and he and Wu Lang charged forward. The Golden Flower Rat hadn't even reacted when Chen Ke kicked him to the ground, and then Wu Lang grabbed his leg and threw him into the rice field with a roar.

"Ouch..." The first cry of pain came from the field.

The Chen brothers, raised on beef and trained in military boxing from a young age, could easily handle ten or twenty such scrawny ruffians.

The Cheng brothers were stunned. They thought they were coming to bully the weak, but they had kicked a hornet's nest.

"You attacked us, two against one, that's not fair!" Cheng Zhiyi urged the other two to join the fight.

"These two are mine." Chen Ke and Wu Lang hadn't even moved when a figure darted forward and quickly beat the two servants to the ground.

A small whirlwind passed, and the servants groaned helplessly: "Annoying, I haven't even introduced myself..."

"Extras don't need names," the figure, having finished, struck a pose. "I'm different. I'm Song Duanping, who stands up for justice!"

"Ha ha ha..." Chen Ke sneered, approaching the Cheng brothers step by step. He had only beaten up ruffians before, but he had never tasted the flesh of such delicate young masters.

The three servants, all young men, seeing their usual bullies on the ground, were scared and retreated. The Cheng brothers, on their horses, no longer felt superior and panicked. "You, don't do anything rash. Do you know who we are?"

"I don't care who you are!" Chen Ke pointed at the three Cheng brothers. "Today, you will remember. In Qingshen, if you're a dragon, you'll coil; if you're a tiger, you'll lie down!"

The Cheng brothers, now disheveled, were taken aback. Cheng Zhiyuan, trying to save face, said, "This can't end here."

"What do you mean?" Chen Ke asked coldly.

"I mean..." Cheng Zhiyuan forced a smile. "Let's have a meal at a restaurant another day, and I'll apologize to the Chen brothers." He was a smart man who didn't want to lose in the moment.

"Who needs your damn meal." Chen Ke narrowed his eyes. "For Song Duanping's sake, I'll forgive you this time. But from now on, no riding horses in Qingshen County, or I'll beat you every time I see you!"

"What, what does that have to do with anything?" Cheng Zhiyuan was confused.

"Because you block the roads and ruin the city's appearance!" Chen Ke waved his hand. Would he admit it was out of sheer jealousy?

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When they returned home, it was almost dark. The elders had already prepared a sumptuous dinner for them.

Hearing that the children had been admitted, the elders were naturally very pleased and asked them to wash their hands and take their seats.

After washing their hands, Su Shi took out Wang Fang's letter for his father.

Su Xun unfolded it and smiled at his youngest daughter, who was passing towels to her brothers. "Why have you been unhappy all day, Little Sister?"

"Not at all..." Su Xiaomei smiled. "I'm happy that my brothers got into the academy."

"But you've been frowning all day," Su Xun chuckled. "Your little mouth could hold an oil bottle."

"That's because I was worried about my brothers," Su Xiaomei made a face and smiled. "Now I'm relieved."

"Oh, I misunderstood," Su Xun said, pretending to realize something. "I thought you were envious that your brothers could go to school."

"No..." Su Xiaomei smiled, but her eyes were red.

"Hubby, are you really such a father?" Lady Cheng scolded Su Xun.

"Ha ha ha," Su Xun ignored her and teased his youngest daughter. "Since you're not envious, I'll tell Old Master Wang to find another girl."

"What?" Su Xiaomei, very clever, widened her eyes and looked at her father. "Is Old Master Wang taking female students?"

"Smart." Su Xun stroked his beard and smiled. "Old Master Wang has a daughter, one year older than you. After her mother passed away, she has been living at the academy, feeling very lonely. Old Master Wang remembers that I have a clever daughter and wrote to ask if you could study with her." He paused and looked at Su Xiaomei mischievously. "What do you think?"

It was not uncommon for girls to attend the academy before they reached the age of fifteen. Besides, Wang Fang would ensure that girls and boys did not mix, so Su Shi had no concerns.

"Whatever Father decides." Su Xiaomei smiled, her eyes curved.

"I don't really want you to go," Su Xun shook his head. "Why does a girl need so much education? It's more important to learn needlework."

"Only by studying can one understand principles," Su Xiaomei, caught up in the moment, was almost in tears. "Father, you don't want me to become an ignorant and boring woman, do you?"

"Ha ha ha ha..." Everyone at the table was amused by the young girl.

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The evening update is definitely on time. It's not easy to get back into the rhythm... I need recommendations and support to be second!

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