Grandma Li knew the children were frightened and felt a pang of sympathy, but she still said, "You're all grown up now. Think things through today, and be more careful around everyone in the future. The family can protect you for a while, but not forever, understand?"

The boys all nodded, and Jiaxi took the lead, saying, "Grandma, don't worry, we understand."

Grandma Li patted her grandsons on the back and then called to her little granddaughter, "Find some snacks or food for your brothers first, so they can have something to eat. Dinner won't be ready for a while!"

"Okay, Grandma." Jiayin nodded with a smile, then called to her brothers, "Come on, brothers, come back to the house with me, there's something delicious!"

Waving her chubby little hands, she looked like a tough gangster, and strode into the house first.

Before Jiaxi and the others could catch up, the three little foxes had already dashed inside.

"Hey, San Tiao is trying to steal some food, let's go!"

"Just now, it even stole my fruit!"

The boys chased after the little fox, making a lot of noise, and the yard became lively again.

Grandma Li breathed a long sigh of relief. Seeing her granddaughter-in-law peek out from the kitchen, she instructed, "Have Shuiling go to the canteen and tell Hongying to cook some good dishes. Send them to Dean Zhou's house later. Your uncle and the others will probably be talking until very late, so they'll be eating there!"

"With so many people suddenly arriving, it's difficult to prepare meals. Don't put Mrs. Zhou in a difficult position. After all, our family runs a canteen, so these things are easy to do."

"Okay, Grandma," Wenjuan replied, turned around and said to the kitchen, and then Shuiling went out.

Dean Zhou doesn't usually teach classes, and with the hot weather these past few days, he mostly stays at home to cool off, occasionally tending to his flowers and plants, and playing chess and drinking tea with old friends, which is quite pleasant.

At this moment, he was only wearing a T-shirt, fanning himself while talking to his wife.

He frowned when he suddenly heard that the three Li brothers, along with Imperial Censor Wen, had come to pay their respects.

Madam Zhou thought he didn't like people disturbing his peace, so she advised, "The Li family is very courteous; they even sent over fish and shrimp earlier."

"If anyone comes to you for help, I will do my best to assist them. Although this family comes from a poor background, they are very likable and will surely do well in the future."

Dean Zhou waved his hand, called a servant to fetch the clothes for receiving guests, and said, "It's not what you think. The Li family's mobilization is probably for some important matter."

Madam Zhou was also curious, so she quickly helped him get dressed and instructed him, "If anything happens, please let me know in time. I'm worried about you."

"Okay, I understand," Dean Zhou replied, then went to the front.

When the two sides meet, there will inevitably be some pleasantries and polite exchanges.

When Dean Zhou saw Jiaren and Lige'er there, he asked, "Why didn't these two children go to eat? They should have their evening lessons in half an hour."

Li Lao Er bowed and said, "Dean, we have come here today because we have something important to say, which is also related to these two children."

"Please send someone to invite Mr. Peng over, and it would be best to also invite a few other respected and impartial gentlemen from the academy to witness this."

Dean Zhou took a deep breath, realizing that his guess was correct; the matter the Li family wanted to discuss today was definitely significant.

He didn't ask any more questions, but called over his attendant and servant, and gave them a few instructions.

Soon, Mr. Peng and the two elderly gentlemen arrived at the door.

Mr. Peng was Jiaren's teacher. The other two teachers were Mr. Cheng, who was in charge of the academy's discipline hall. He was responsible for disciplining the students for any mistakes, big or small.

Another person surnamed Geng was also a well-known strict teacher in the academy, and he was very strict in his conduct.

Mr. Peng originally thought that the Li family was visiting the dean and asked him to accompany them, but when he entered the room he found that the atmosphere was not right and realized that something was amiss.

Mr. Cheng and Mr. Geng were also puzzled, but they didn't ask.

Dean Zhou said, "Uncle Li, can you tell me what exactly happened?"

Li Lao Er stood up, bowed to Mr. Peng, Mr. Cheng, and Mr. Geng, and then said, "Something happened at home these past two days. I originally thought it was just about the children's future, but Jia Ren just reminded me that if this matter is not handled properly, it will have a greater impact on the academy."

After saying that, he recounted in detail how his family members had gone out shopping and were forced to buy two wooden amulets from a vendor, how his mischievous niece had discovered the absurdity of the amulets, and how the vendor had been instructed by his classmate Jiaren's page.

Li Laosan also took out the two wooden plaques, fiddled with them for a bit, and then opened them, revealing the paper pieces inside to everyone.

Dean Zhou and several other teachers have dedicated half their lives to the academy, teaching and nurturing students, and doing their best to help them achieve great success.

They are all too familiar with the taboos that must be avoided in exams of all sizes.

To them, these two wooden signs and pieces of paper were like an earthquake, earth-shattering and devastating.

"Uncle Li... has this matter been investigated thoroughly?" Dean Zhou subconsciously didn't want to believe it.

The student who used such vicious methods to frame his classmate and ruin his path to the imperial examinations was actually from their academy?!

Mr. Peng, Mr. Cheng, and Mr. Geng were all shocked and angry, but more than that, they were unwilling to believe it.

Li Lao Er replied, “Gentlemen, our Li family is not so idle as to frame two scholars for no reason. Let’s find out the truth by bringing them here and asking them directly.”

"Both the two students and the pageboy who was in charge of making contact are in the academy right now."

Although Mr. Cheng was in charge of the Discipline Hall, he was a stubborn but soft-hearted person who was very protective of his students.

At this moment, he spoke with a cold face: "Lord Li, if it turns out in the end that this was not done by the students of the academy and it was just a misunderstanding, what will you do?"

"The students are still young, and they have an exam coming up soon. If this affects them and ruins their future, it's not something that can be made up for with a simple apology!"

Upon hearing this, Li Lao Er was not angry. He replied solemnly, "If the matter is investigated and it is proven that our Li family has wronged the two students, then I am willing to make a grand apology, even in front of all the students in the academy, to clear the names of the two students."

"If they have any other requests, our Li family will certainly do our best to compensate them. But then again, if the two of them are indeed plotting something malicious and framing their classmate, I hope the academy will handle the matter impartially!"

"After all, our family has already exposed their conspiracy. They can easily use some tricks to put two problematic plaques on two students. If they cause a scene in the examination hall, the two students will deserve their punishment, and Luo'an Academy will also lose face."

"It is only because my son Jiaren is devoted to the academy and does not want it to be disgraced that he has tried so hard to persuade us to come here! I hope the academy will not disappoint us or let my son down!"

Mr. Cheng's face flushed slightly as he was cornered, and he turned to look at Dean Zhou.

Dean Zhou nodded slowly, assuring the Li family on behalf of the academy, "Rest assured, we will handle this matter impartially."