Chapter 29 The Academy

The carriage eventually stopped in front of an inconspicuous courtyard.

The gate to the courtyard is simple, with the words "Academy" written on the plaque in strong and vigorous characters.

The old servant guarding the gate had obviously received instructions. Upon seeing the sandalwood carriage, a hint of awe flashed in his eyes, and he quickly bowed and opened the door.

Xie Sangning got out of the car with Ru Chun by the arm, and as soon as she landed, her gaze swept across the courtyard.

The bluestone floor was swept fairly clean, and a few plum blossoms bloomed proudly in the corner of the wall. Apart from that, it was so simple that it was almost shabby.

A number of people immediately came out of the courtyard. The old man in the lead was Zhou Zhiyuan, the former chief examiner of the dynasty who had lived in seclusion and was known as Master Zhou.

His hair and beard were all white, and his face was thin.

Upon seeing Xie Sangning, he bowed and greeted her, saying, "I am Zhou Zhiyuan, and I respectfully welcome Miss Xie."

Xie Sangning's gaze lingered on him for a moment, then she nodded slightly in response.

The group went to the study together.

Inside the study, dozens of students sat upright, some engrossed in writing, others reciting in hushed tones, creating a solemn atmosphere.

The solemnity was instantly shattered when Xie Sangning appeared at the door.

Everyone instinctively stopped what they were doing, and all eyes turned to her. The atmosphere suddenly became tense, and everyone stood up.

No one knew better than them that the young lady could make several grown men cry every time she appeared.

But no one hates her, because it is because of her that they can stand up from the ground and sit in this school, studying without distraction!

So what if someone is a bit sharp-tongued? There are no people here who can't tell right from wrong.

Xie Sangning moved gracefully, glancing around the room.

Her critical gaze swept over the students' faded white clothes, over the worn inkstones and bald pens on their desks, and finally settled on their slightly pale faces, made up from years of studying.

"Ha, look at you all, so pale and thin, with dull eyes. If I knew you were here to take the imperial examinations and bring glory to your ancestors, I would think you were tenant farmers gathered here waiting for your employer to give you chaff and wild vegetables!"

Sure enough, here it comes, and the first sentence hits you right in the heart.

This is to save her some money. It was a decision made jointly by the teachers and students of the academy, since the young lady is supporting so many of them.

The students' faces flushed red and then turned pale.

Xie Sangning ignored everyone's reactions and walked straight to the front.

Ru Chun had already cleverly brought over a chair.

Xie Sangning sat down gracefully, accepted the hand warmer handed to her by Ru Xia, and then slowly said, "Raise your heads and let me see if these pillars of society, built up with ten years of money, still have any semblance of humanity?"

The students did as instructed, raising their heads and trying to straighten their backs.

Xie Sangning's gaze swept across every face.

“You,” she casually pointed to a slender boy with exceptionally bright eyes, “what’s your name? Show me your writings.”

The boy's name was Chen Yan, and he was recognized as one of the best among the students.

He took a deep breath and respectfully presented the policy essay he had just written.

Xie Sangning took it, glanced at it a few times, and her eyebrows immediately rose high.

She didn't say anything, but simply held up two fingers, pinched the thin piece of paper, and flicked her wrist slightly in full view of everyone.

That page of the article, like a useless piece of waste paper, drifted down to the ground and landed at Chen Yan's feet.

The room was so quiet you could hear a pin drop.

Everyone knew that Chen Yan was going to be criticized.

"The idea seems lofty, but it's actually empty and devoid of substance, full of plagiarism and clichés! It quotes a lot of classics, but unfortunately, they're used in the wrong places, making no sense at all! Master Zhou, is this the top student you taught? Ten years of money, and this is all you produced?"

With each word she spoke, Chen Yan's face paled a little more, and the surrounding students dared not even breathe.

In fact, his policy proposals were excellent.

However, Xie Sangning only needs them to take the exam and pass it!

These excellent policies and brilliant ideas will not allow them to pass the imperial examination!

The atmosphere inside the study was extremely oppressive, and the students felt like they were sitting on pins and needles.

Xie Sangning picked up the teacup offered by Ruqiu and gently stirred the floating leaves with the lid: "However..."

"Chen Yan, although your intentions are empty, at least you know how to care about the people's hardships, so you still have some conscience."

Her praise, though still tinged with sarcasm, sounded like heavenly music to the students' ears!

"Listen carefully, I'm scolding you all, but it's for your own good!"

"I'm criticizing you because you're not good enough!"

"Two months from now, you will not be stepping into an examination hall, but into a battlefield!"

"It's a battlefield where thousands of troops squeeze onto a single-plank bridge! It's a life-or-death arena that determines whether you become superior beings or continue to roll back into the mud as ants!"

"You only have one chance. If you pass the exam, then you can go on your path to success. If you fail, then take your families and go back to Xihan to toil in the fields for the rest of your lives!"

Her standing up made her even more imposing.

"Do you think that I've spent ten years spending money to invite these reclusive scholars just so you can write a few essays about failing the exam, write some self-righteous articles about benefiting the country and the people, and then slink back to tell me that you tried your best but failed?"

"dream!"

Her voice suddenly rose: "I'm telling you, the imperial examination! It's your only path!"

"This is your only chance to stand upright in the court and tell everyone that my fate is in my own hands, not in the heavens! This is your only chance to repay me for the ten years of hard-earned money I've invested!"

"So, put away your pathetic pride! Put away your useless grievances!"

"If you fail the exam, all your ideas are just empty talk! You, along with all the hard work I've put in over the past ten years, will become a joke!"

She walked to the desk, picked up a stack of blank Xuan paper, and slammed it heavily on the table!

"Now! All of you, get to work! Rewrite all your fantastical tales! Master Zhou!"

Zhou Zhiyuan stepped forward: "This old man is here."

"Keep a close eye on them! Anyone who dares to slack off or make a mistake again will face the consequences of my ruthless methods! I have plenty of ways to deal with a few brainless scholars!"

“And another thing!” Her gaze swept over Ruchun, who was standing in the corner. “Ruchun, distribute the things you brought.”

As spring responded, along with summer, autumn, and winter, they carried in several heavy boxes. The boxes were opened, and inside were:

Fine ink, brushes, and paper; new winter clothes; boxes of exquisite pastries and dried meat; and even a bag of melon seeds—enough to improve their living conditions and for emergencies.

The oldest among them, Chen Sheng, was moved to tears upon seeing these things!

These golden melon seeds could definitely provide my elderly mother with excellent treatment!

"You need to keep your mind sharp, but your body can't break down either. This little something is a reward from me. But remember, if you take the benefits, you have to give me something of real value!"

"Two months from now, I want to see your names prominently displayed on the list! If anyone fails to make the list..."