Chapter 800 Pang Jie and Li Jian Apologize

Whether to declare war on the Kingdom of Laki is a matter of great national importance, and no result has been reached through discussions.

When Cheng Wanwan came out of the Imperial Study and returned home, it was already midnight.

Zhao Sidan was still awake, sitting in the courtyard reading a book while waiting for her to return. Granny Qi quickly had someone bring her some late-night snacks.

Seeing her exhausted face, Zhao Sidan hesitated for a moment, then sighed, "Mother, go to sleep early."

His mother was just like that; despite being a woman, she always shouldered the responsibilities that a man should bear.

He used to think that as long as he passed the imperial examination and became a member of the court, he could stand in front of his mother and protect her from the wind and rain.

But after reaching this point, he realized that the distance between him and his mother was still very, very far. He was only a seventh-rank official, while his mother was already a second-rank noblewoman. It would take him at least ten, twenty, or even thirty years to rise to the third or second rank, or he might remain a low-ranking official for his entire life...

He finally understood why his older cousin worked so hard: if he didn't, he wouldn't be able to keep up with his mother.

He must work hard, harder and harder, even if he can't catch up, he must try his best to catch up.

Cheng Wanwan slept soundly that night. The morning sunlight shone through the window, brightening the room, and she then opened her eyes and got out of bed.

Hearing the commotion inside, Yan Hong pushed open the door and came in to serve.

After washing up and getting dressed, she went to the front yard and saw several people sitting there, including Lu Yingxue with Yu Jiao and Old Madam Shen.

"Sister Wanwan, are you alright?" Lu Yingxue rushed over and touched her arm. "The news about those bastards from Laji Kingdom ambushing Linxi yesterday has spread like wildfire in the capital. Many people are saying that Sister Wanwan was captured by the Laji Kingdom. It really scared me to death."

Yu Jiao took her hand: "Auntie, the back of your hand is injured."

Cheng Wanwan had some scratches on the back of her hand, which had already scabbed over and were nothing to worry about.

Old Madam Shen pulled her to sit down in the courtyard: "You, you, what should I say? You should think more about yourself. You have four sons and several grandchildren. If something happens to you, how will those blockheads live?"

“Exactly!” Lu Yingxue exclaimed indignantly. “It’s one thing for those Laki people to come for you, Sister Wanwan, but they clearly want to capture those spoiled brats. Why risk your life for such worthless things? How about this, let’s go back to Dahe Town tomorrow. We won’t have to worry about being schemed against. Life will be so carefree and comfortable.”

Cheng Wanwan chuckled: "Why do you say the same thing as Si Dan?"

“It was Si Dan who sent us to act as intermediaries,” Madam Shen said slowly. “This child didn’t sleep all night and went to the Shen family before dawn to tell me about this, so I called Xiao Zhan Niang to come over early this morning. Si Dan is fifteen years old this year. Although he is young, he is calm and steady. In addition, with the Shen family looking after him in the capital, Wanwan, you can go back to Dahe Town with peace of mind.”

"Four Eggs..." Cheng Wanwan's feelings were complicated. "Okay, I'll go back after I'm done with this busy period."

She promised the Queen that she would stay in the capital to receive the royal family of Asab, and that she would return to Dahe Town as soon as this matter was settled.

I've been away for so long, and to be honest, I miss home.

As the three were talking, Granny Qi came in to report: "Madam Pang and the Lady of Huainan Marquis are here with Young Master Pang and Young Master Li to request an audience."

"Wanwan, you go ahead and greet the guests. We'll be leaving now." Madam Shen stood up. "Don't do anything too busy these next few days. Just focus on getting better."

After seeing off Madam Shen and her daughter Lu Yingxue, Cheng Wanwan walked towards the flower hall.

"Lady Sui." Lady Pang and Lady Huainan descended the steps to greet her, and the two knelt down solemnly to pay their respects. "Thank you, Lady Sui, for saving our lives."

Cheng Wanwan reached out and helped the two up, then looked up at the two spoiled rich kids behind them.

Pang Jie was just frightened, probably because he didn't sleep well last night. He had dark circles under his eyes, but his spirits were still okay.

Li Jian fared much worse; his head was stepped on by a Laki man, and his right cheek was swollen and wrapped in white cloth, making him look like a pig's head.

"You two, stop standing there and come here." Madam Pang turned her head. "Come here."

Pang Jie and Li Jian stepped forward, bowed respectfully, and said, "Thank you, Madam Xie, for saving our lives."

"Besides expressing gratitude, you also need to apologize," Lady Huainan said. "Think about the outrageous things you did at the school. Do you think you've lived up to Lady Sui's sincere concern for you as your teacher?"

Pang Jie's face was filled with guilt.

He did indeed do a lot of terrible things at school, and he caused so much trouble for Madam Sui, but Madam Sui saved him.

If it were him, would he step forward to save the person who has always been against him?

"Was it really Lady Sui who saved us?" Li Jian asked, somewhat disbelievingly, as he was still unconscious at the time. "From the first day of school, I've been unreliable and always angering the teachers. If Brother Pang and I had been captured by the Kingdom of Laji, Lady Sui would have had a much easier time in class without the two troublemakers like us. Why would she save us?"

“Because you are my students.” Cheng Wanwan smiled. “The fifty-four students of Xiao Qin Academy are a whole. It won’t work if any one of them is missing. As long as you are in the academy, I will protect you. If one day you do not want to study anymore, our teacher-student relationship will not end. There is a saying that goes, ‘A teacher for a day is a father for life.’ I will always be your teacher.”

Li Jian opened his eyes in confusion: "Is that all the simple reason you're looking for?"

He couldn't even remember how many teachers he had. Changing teachers every three to five days was common for him, and he never truly respected any teacher from the bottom of his heart.

However, this woman, who had only been his teacher for five or six days, treated him like a junior from the bottom of her heart.

His inner thoughts were extremely complex.

“It’s your good fortune to have met such a wonderful husband as Mrs. Sui.” Mrs. Pang kicked Pang Jie. “You should explain to Mrs. Sui what I told you at home.”

Pang Jie cupped his hands, lowered his eyes, and said, "I was born with a silver spoon in my mouth. I know from history books about the humiliation of the Western Rong and how countless small countries coveted the land of the Great Yu Kingdom. But knowing is one thing, experiencing it firsthand is another. I appreciate your painstaking efforts, sir. I hereby swear that I will not waste this year at Xiao Qin University. I will definitely achieve something and serve my family and country."

Li Jian looked at him in surprise.

This man is nothing like the old Brother Pang.

He grew up with Pang, who was more mischievous than him at heart. How come he seems like a completely different person after going through this ordeal?

"What are you still standing there for?" Lady Huainan said with displeasure. "Watch how Pang Jie does it, and then you should do the same."

Li Jian: "..."

Just two days ago, his mother was telling him to stay away from Brother Pang, but now she's changed her tune.

He put aside his thoughts, walked up to Cheng Wanwan, cupped his hands and said, "I will study hard like Brother Pang, strive to achieve something, and serve my country!"

After the two apologized, Madam Pang and the Lady of Huainan presented gifts of thanks.

Cheng Wanwan couldn't refuse, so she had to accept it. Both families were wealthy and didn't lack money, and the gifts they sent were all top-quality medicinal herbs.

The four of them didn't linger and left quickly.

At noon, Zhao Sidan returned from court, and Cheng Zhao came over with him. He told Cheng Wanwan about what happened in court.