Chapter 794 Holding the First Parent-Teacher Meeting

The fifth day of the semester at Xiao Qin University was the parents' meeting.

This day happened to be a day of rest for the imperial court, and the King of Qin personally sent someone to deliver the invitation. Those who were parents had to come whether they wanted to or not.

Early in the morning, the school gate was filled with carriages. The wives of officials of the first, second, and third ranks arrived together, as did the parents of the scholars.

Chairs were set up in the plaza near the entrance; everyone could find a seat.

Since it's a parent-teacher meeting, students don't need to participate; they can all review and study in class.

These days, there are no parent-teacher conferences, and this is the first time these people have participated in such an event, so they find it very novel.

"Mrs. Li, what exactly do you think is the purpose of this parent-teacher conference?"

“The children have been studying for four or five days now, so they should tell us about their performance in school.”

"It's best to tell our parents about this in private. Isn't it embarrassing to say these things in public?"

"Madam Dou, please don't say that. I heard that your Qingsong received praise from Madam Sui at school, which is quite good."

"Lady Sui has a gentle personality and loves to praise people. I heard that she even dug up the story of the young master of the Marquis of Huainan saving someone when he was a child and praised him for it."

"Judging from this, they probably won't say anything that would make us parents lose face."

"..."

Those present whispered among themselves for a long time.

When the time came, the King of Qin led the teachers and scholars of Xiao Qin University onto the stage.

"Thank you, ladies and gentlemen, for attending the first parent-teacher meeting of Xiao Qin Academy." King Qin began politely. "Xiao Qin Academy is a unique academy, and the knowledge it teaches is different from other academies. This parent-teacher meeting is held so that parents can understand Xiao Qin Academy. Now, please welcome Dr. Tao, the vice-headmaster of the academy, to explain the unique features of Xiao Qin Academy to the parents."

Dr. Tao stepped forward and carefully explained the university's curriculum, as well as why servants and maids were not allowed to attend the university...

The people below listened attentively, and several adults raised questions, which Dr. Tao answered one by one.

After this part was finished, the King of Qin continued, "Now, let's invite Mr. Cheng to talk about the students' performance in the school."

When he said Mr. Cheng, no one realized who he was. It wasn't until Cheng Wanwan stepped forward that everyone realized that Mr. Cheng was actually Mrs. Sui.

"Let me first introduce the student performance scoreboard to everyone," Cheng Wanwan said with a smile. "The school will score students based on their attendance, class performance, homework, and other factors. The scoreboard is updated daily and is included in the monthly scoreboard according to a certain ratio. Before the monthly scoreboard is released, the scoreboard is the most important reference data."

Her points ranking left her elderly parents completely bewildered, not understanding what was going on.

"Next, I will announce the total rankings for these four days." Cheng Wanwan opened the list and read it out slowly, "First place, Li Jian, with a total of thirteen points; second place, Peng Wang, with a total of nine points..."

Lady Huainan looked bewildered: "Is there perhaps another person named Li Jian in the capital?"

"...Tenth place, Dou Qingsong." Cheng Wanwan stopped reading and said with a smile, "Only the names of the top ten students will be announced at the meeting. If any parents want to know their child's ranking, please ask Dr. Tao after the meeting. Now, please let these ten students come up to the stage to receive their prizes."

The top ten students were invited out of the classroom and walked onto the stage according to their ranking.

"My God, is the first place really my Jian'er?" Lady Huainan grabbed her husband's arm. "My lord, look! The person standing in first place, isn't that Jian'er? Am I seeing things?"

The Marquis of Huainan was also filled with disbelief: "It really is him."

The Li family only had a place in the capital because of their ancestors' influence. This influence only lasted for three generations, ending with his generation. So the Li family's hopes were all on his son. However, his son was a good-for-nothing. He was over twenty years old and had accomplished nothing. He spent his days eating, drinking, and having fun. He sent his son to Xiao Qin Academy just to try his luck. Unexpectedly, his son actually won first place.

Li Jian stood at the front, head held high, feeling the gazes coming from all directions.

It can be said that he had never been so honored in his life, and it was the first time he had been praised in public and received so much attention.

It turns out, being number one feels so wonderful.

He looked at his parents and smiled smugly.

"He's made something of himself! My son has finally made something of himself!" Lady Huainan wept with joy. "Lady Sui truly knows how to raise children. Jian'er will surely amount to something great if he stays with Lady Sui. Lady Pang, don't you agree?"

She excitedly grabbed Madam Pang's sleeve.

Madam Pang pursed her lips, her face showing displeasure.

Her son, Pang Jie, grew up with Li Jian. It doesn't make sense that Li Jian is number one while her son isn't even in the top ten.

Although she didn't have high hopes for her son, people are afraid of comparisons, and it's easy to feel unbalanced when comparing. She was determined to ask her son where he ranked later.

On the platform, the King of Qin took out ten sets of writing implements and handed them to the top ten students one by one: "You are the best in the school. The future of Xiao Qin University is in your hands. I hope that you will continue to work hard and bring glory to Xiao Qin University and to the Great Yu Kingdom. Can you do it?"

The students shouted in unison, "We can do it!"

"Alright, you can all leave now, Li Jian, please stay," Cheng Wanwan said. "Also, please invite these five students to the stage: Pang Jie, Pan Guangming..."

Madam Pang, sitting below, breathed a sigh of relief. She knew her son wouldn't be too bad and would probably be praised as well.

The other ladies also smiled. Although their sons were disappointing, it was a good thing that they could be praised in public at Xiao Qin University.

The six people stood on the platform, facing the parents below.

Pang Jie was a little confused about what Madam Sui was up to. If his parents hadn't been there, he certainly wouldn't have obediently come up on stage.

Since we're already up here, let's see what tricks this woman has up her sleeve.

"These six students are quite good. In addition to their studies, they also helped with the construction of Xiao Qin University." Cheng Wanwan said with a smile. "From the establishment to the opening of the university, it was indeed a bit rushed. Some infrastructure was not in place. On behalf of all the teachers and scholars, I would like to thank the six students for their hard work in contributing to the establishment of the university."

She said these words with a smile, but the six people on stage had an inexplicable sense of foreboding.

Cheng Wanwan pointed to the row of ornamental bamboo on the west side: "Someone, clear the weeds behind the bamboo grove."

Her words stunned the six people on stage. They exchanged glances, and finally their eyes fell on Pang Jie, signaling him to think of a solution quickly.

Pang Jie was going crazy. They had secretly dug the dog hole in the middle of the night, so it was extremely well hidden. How could Madam Sui have known about it?

Knowing this is one thing, but showing it to their parents is another?

Isn't this deliberately trying to kill them?

The parents below were all very curious, craning their necks to look in that direction, and then they saw a dog hole appear behind the bamboo grove.

"Pang Jie, Li Jian, Pan Guangming, and the other four students, in addition to their studies, still managed to find time to contribute a dog hole to the school. Their spirit is truly admirable." Cheng Wanwan still had a smile on her face. "After discussion, it was decided that each of the six students would be rewarded with a blue brick."

A servant behind the King of Qin came up carrying a tray.

The King of Qin handed the blue bricks one by one to the six people.