Thinking back to the day before yesterday, I realized that I had really angered this man, and he seemed to be making a move to let go.
Now that he has released her, I hope we can part ways amicably. At this moment, Cen Xi has already forgotten the divination that the Hidden Sect Ancestor gave her.
As soon as Shen Jinchen entered, he obviously saw someone. His expression was as steady as Mount Tai, displaying the noble and elegant demeanor of a prime minister, with only a barely perceptible curve at the corner of his mouth.
“I have some business to attend to these past few days and will be leaving Shangyang City for a month. During this month, my studies will be handled by Prime Minister Shen. I am deeply grateful to Prime Minister Shen for stepping forward. You should also respect your teachers.”
After everyone looked him over, Wen Daru stroked his beard and spoke again, implying that he would be gone for many days and that Shen Jinchen would be in charge of everything afterward. He stressed that they should respect their teacher and be obsequious to Shen Jinchen, who was a high-ranking and powerful minister close to the emperor. They should try to curry favor with him and seize the opportunity.
After Cen Xi finished speaking, she glanced at everyone and then slowly left the classroom.
Cen Xi looked up at the sky speechlessly. It seemed that she would be spending the next month with this jerk.
She simply can't interact normally with a man she's had a relationship with without any ulterior motives!
Should we make another trip?
Thinking of this, Cen Xi couldn't help but glance at Xiao Qiliang, who was sitting extremely upright.
She suppressed her thoughts again.
Anyway, the appearance of this scoundrel completely stirred up Cen Xi's heart, so afterwards, she didn't hear a single word he said in class.
She was only brought back to her senses when that scoundrel called on her to answer a question.
"You're a new student, aren't you? Today we're discussing learning, so tell me what learning is."
Cen Xi looked at the crowd of gazes directed at her, and in her heart she cursed a thousand times. Damn it, this bastard was definitely doing it on purpose, just wanting to embarrass her in public.
Cen Xi really wanted to answer, "What is learning? I don't know," but she was always proud and had a deep-seated vanity, so she couldn't let herself lose face in such a situation.
But she really couldn't just keep making up classical Chinese. After thinking it over, her eyes lit up. Wasn't the ancients studying for an official career and to get married?
The saying "There are houses of gold and beauties in books" is very apt.
So Cen Xi coughed twice in a serious tone and said, "Studying is naturally for passing the imperial examinations, to get a title and a good family. What else could it be? If it weren't for these things, why would we scholars study day and night with such dedication? Does Your Excellency think my answer is correct?"
As soon as Cen Xi finished speaking, the students in the classroom could no longer hold back and burst into laughter.
"Am I wrong? Don't you study to pass the imperial examinations? Or to find a good wife in the future? Don't you want to achieve success and fame like the person on stage?"
"If you have desires, you should speak them out boldly. If the goal is the same, why hide them?"
Cen Xi has finally found the reason why she hates ancient scholars: they are clearly after official positions and careers, but they presumptuously claim it is for self-cultivation.
See? She just told the truth, and now these people are staring at each other blankly.
"Your perspective is quite unique, but it also contains some flawed logic. Sit down."
Shen Jinchen raised an eyebrow and glanced at her, gesturing for her to sit down, a faint smile playing on his lips where no one could see.
"What kind of twisted logic is this? It's the truth! Didn't Shen Xiang study in the first place so that he could enter officialdom, then marry a wife and have his family honored?"
Cen Xi stood straight, smiling at the person at the head of the table, determined to challenge him. "Damn it, you think I'll just sit down because you tell me to? Dream on."
"Learning is for understanding principles, for assisting Your Majesty in governing the country and ensuring the well-being of the people. This scholar, I do not disagree with your statement, but scholars should have integrity and not be overly focused on personal gain."
Shen Jinchen coughed lightly, then said seriously.
"What a fine saying! Reading should naturally cultivate integrity. Does Prime Minister Shen think that deliberately forcing a woman is also a virtue that saints like you should possess?"
Cen Xi found the man increasingly unpleasant to look at. She recalled that from the moment she met him until she lost her virginity, everything had been orchestrated by him. The anger she felt was suffocating, and she couldn't let it go. How could he possibly talk to her about integrity today?
"This student has taken it too seriously. The court is most wary of those who speak without restraint. After class, go to my residence to copy one hundred copies of the 'Standards for Being a Good Student and Child.' That concludes today's lessons. You may all leave."
Shen Jinchen glanced at Cen Xi's sullen face, rubbed his forehead, and then reprimanded her in a serious tone.
After saying that, he didn't wait for her to reply before saying his last sentence, and then walked out of the classroom with light steps.
Cen Xi watched his departing figure, her heart filled with mixed emotions.
Damn it, with everyone watching, if she doesn't go to his place after he said that, she'll be disrespectful to her teacher and will definitely be scorned by all the students of Qingshan Academy.
Has she fallen into a trap again?
Cen Xi stomped her foot angrily and reluctantly headed in the direction Shen Jinchen had left.
"It seems I've overestimated myself? The cat I've set my sights on seems to be in heat early. What should I do?"
Xiao Qiliang had been watching the interaction between Shen Jinchen and Jiang Yu ever since Shen Jinchen deliberately asked Jiang Yu to get up and reply. Others saw it as an arrogant scholar defying the youngest prime minister of the dynasty, but he saw it as flirting.
It seems that the white-clad man I encountered in a moment of panic at Feifeng Mountain last time must be Prime Minister Shen.
But so what if she has an ambiguous relationship with Shen Jinchen?
Xiao Qiliang was not one to easily admit defeat. He had never failed to get the kitten he had his eye on. Even if he ended up with a broken flower, so what? He could still play with her after all.
Cen Xi had only been at Qingshan Academy for a day when, after turning a few corners, she was surprised to find herself lost.
The houses and courtyards here are so similar that she felt it would take her at least three days to find the dog's dwelling if she didn't have any directions and had to search room by room and courtyard by courtyard.
Cen Xi was about to give up and head towards her residence. If she couldn't find it today, she could just run into that bastard tomorrow and tell him that her place was too secluded. It wasn't that she didn't want to look for it, but that she simply couldn't find it. She couldn't be blamed for that.
Unexpectedly, as she turned around, she bumped into Wen Qiyu, who had followed her. He blocked Cen Xi's path with most of his body and said with a look of surprise:
"Hey buddy, I finally caught up with you. You look so small and have such short legs, but I didn't expect you to be able to run so fast. You really exhausted me."
Stopped by someone, Cen Xi carefully examined the man who had almost become Zhu Yanniang's possession. She felt he was a bit simple-minded and couldn't help but ask with a smile:
"Young Master Wen, why are you following me?"
“Your insights in class just now resonated with me. Actually, my father always told me to study hard and cultivate my character, but what he really wanted was for me to pass the imperial examinations and bring honor to the family. He spoke so grandly, but he was just being hypocritical.”
"Brother, I truly admire your courage in openly provoking Prime Minister Shen. I wish to consider you a close friend. I wonder if you would be so kind as to grant me that request?"
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