No need to endure
Xie Sili spent seven days at the academy, and because of her deliberate actions, she did not make friends with anyone there. Even those who wanted to approach her were forced to distance themselves because of her personality.
Led by Xie Siyao, the noble ladies from high-ranking families deliberately made things difficult for her, knowing that she was Xie Siyao's older sister, and even spread all sorts of rumors about her in the school.
Xie Siyao wanted to stop her, but found that no matter what she did, it was to no avail. With no other options, Xie Siyao wanted to apologize to her in person, but Xie Sili said that she didn't care.
Xie Sili declined Xie Siyao's invitation, citing illness, which inevitably led to gossip from Xie Siyao's close friends.
Xie Sili maintained an image of aloofness throughout the academy. When others tried to make things difficult for her in terms of studies and knowledge, she answered every teacher's question in a well-organized manner. When someone pointed out behind her back that she couldn't read or write, she would actively participate in such activities and resolve any problems they came up with.
Over time, people's criticism of Xie Sili turned into admiration. Not only noble ladies but also young masters praised her highly. Regardless of her personality, Xie Sili became their role model in Longmen Academy, where strength is respected.
Since entering Longmen Academy, she has been staying in the bamboo house in the backyard, where she would occasionally drink tea, chat, and play chess with them.
On this day, Xie Sili did not go to the school, but instead followed Murong and Shangguan to the office to discuss how to arrange the major examination.
Since its founding, Longmen Academy has held a major exam every year near the New Year.
The so-called "grand examination" was a process where all students from the academies were ranked according to their scores after the results were released, and those with outstanding scores were recommended by the academies for official positions.
However, the Longmen Academy in Chang'an City today is no longer the same as it used to be, because Murong and Shangguan are not good at scheming and intrigue.
The atmosphere inside the academy is far inferior to that of academies in other countries.
"We have failed the young lady's expectations," Murong and Shangguan said simultaneously.
"If it weren't for our lack of skill in scheming and intrigue, the atmosphere in this academy wouldn't be so chaotic." Murong's words carried a hint of guilt.
Seeing their bowed heads, Xie Sili said with interest, "If I cared about such a small matter, I would have sent you back to Yuzhou City long ago."
"Although the waters of Longmen Academy have become muddy, I don't mind making the waters of Chang'an even muddier."
"Our dynasty has only been established for a hundred years. Both Emperor Xianzong and the previous emperor implemented a policy of emphasizing military affairs over civil affairs, which indirectly led to the current chaotic and unbalanced power structure in the court. Although the current emperor has tried his best to improve the situation, he has not been able to achieve the desired results."
"Was this the idea behind the founding of Longmen Academy by the young lady?"
Hearing Murong Xiang's voice, Xie Sili thought for a moment and then nodded. "Education is the most important thing for the country. It is a great fortune for our dynasty to have someone like Mr. Zhuge. If the Crown Prince had not passed away early, how could Mr. Zhuge have retired?" As she spoke, she poured herself some tea.
"Mr. Zhuge has many disciples, and it is my great fortune to be able to cooperate with him. Although the 'Dragon Gate Academy' is under my name, it was Mr. Zhuge who strongly promoted it back then."
Seeing that there wasn't much tea left in the cups in front of Murong and Shangguan, Xie Sili refilled them.
Before Xie Sili could finish speaking, a figure rushed over. He pushed open the door of the office and said respectfully, "Dean, Vice Dean, Miss, the young master and young lady have gotten into trouble."
Hearing the teaching assistant's words, Xie Sili looked up at him, frowning, "What did you just say?"
"The young master and young lady got into trouble. It is said that they beat up the child of the Minister of Works. The Minister of Works had a son late in life and was spoiled by his wife so much that he was unruly. He was a little tyrant in the school, but who knew that he would run into the young master and young lady."
Xie Sili stood up slowly and calmly. "Tell me in detail what happened. Don't be anxious. I know those two kids, A-Che and Yan-Yan, very well. They would never fight with anyone unless their bottom line was crossed."
Xie Sili listened to the teaching assistant's words and a cold smile appeared on her lips. She turned her gaze to Murong and Shangguan and said, "First, reorganize the academy, then prepare for the big exam."
"yes."
Xie Sili followed the teaching assistant slowly to the Enlightenment Hall.
When she arrived at the Enlightenment Hall, she saw a chubby boy lying on the ground, his face swollen like a pig's head, groaning in pain. The woman squatting beside him was comforting him tenderly.
When she faced Xie Jingche and Xie Jingyan, she would hurl insults at them, even cursing their ancestors for eighteen generations, showing no trace of the demeanor of the wife of the Minister of Works.
"Mom, you have to stand up for me!" The chubby boy cried out, clutching his body, but still pointing at them, "These two little hussies hit me!"
"Who are your parents! Do you even know who I am!" The wife of the Minister of Works pointed at the two of them, her eyes dark and her tone unfriendly. "Bring your parents here immediately! I will definitely avenge my son! If anything happens to my son, I will make you pay with your lives!"
As she spoke, she disregarded Xie Jingche and Xie Jingyan and reached out to push them both down.
"I must expel Xie Jingche and Xie Jingyan from the academy! I'll make sure they can never study at Longmen Academy again!" The chubby boy said angrily, his pig-faced features causing him to stutter slightly.
"Go and find your parents right now! Where did this wild child come from, daring to bully the children of our Minister's family!" The Minister's wife spoke sternly, completely disregarding that this was a public place.
"I had no idea that the wife of the Minister of Works would stoop so low as to act like a shrew in the street." Xie Sili looked at the wife of the Minister of Works standing before him with a mocking smile. "I am their guardian. May I ask what business the wife of the Minister of Works has with me?"
Seeing the Minister of Works' wife trying to rush forward, she stood there and gently tapped her knee with a pebble, causing her to kneel down with a thud.
“Madam, although I know this is your son’s fault, there is no need for such a grand gesture,” Xie Sili replied bluntly. “It’s just children playing around, why should you take it to heart?”
"How can this be just children playing around! Look at this, is this children playing around!" The Minister of Works' wife stood up and said sternly, "Look at how badly my son has been beaten. How can someone so young be so cruel?" The Minister of Works' wife pointed at her with a trembling hand.
"You must apologize to my son today, or you will no longer be allowed to stay in Chang'an!" The wife of the Minister of Works declared resolutely. "How can such a ruthless person remain in the academy? Is this the kind of student the academy teaches? If so, how can the court appoint such a vicious person?"
Xie Sili smiled instead of getting angry, and turned his gaze to the lady. "May I ask, Madam, do you know why your son was beaten?"
She didn't give the lady a chance to speak, and continued, "Madam, imagine if you had a daughter, and your daughter was being bullied. As her older brother, shouldn't you stand up to protect your younger sister?"
She took in the emotions on the Minister of Works' wife's face and could roughly guess that even the wife was probably the mastermind behind it all, thinking that this matter could be resolved peacefully, but she did not expect that the little fat boy would be beaten up like this.
"I wonder if Madam has ever heard the saying, 'Spoiling a child is like killing him.' Now your son is bullying my daughter. What if one day he bullies someone else? Will he still stand here and negotiate peacefully with you? Or will you insist on killing your son?"
“Madam, little do you know that I am today, and you will be tomorrow?” Xie Sili raised his eyes to look at the wife of the Minister of Works standing in front of him.
"So what? She's just a lowly commoner, why bother with her?" The lady looked up at her, her eyes full of sneer. "Just because I am the wife of the Minister of Works, and you are just a commoner, it is not a wise thing to fight with an official."
Xie Sili listened to her words, playing with the Buddhist beads that had been wrapped around his hand, and glanced at her. "Is Madam sure she doesn't want to reconcile with me? I'm willing to accept Madam's apology today, but things won't be the same tomorrow."
"I will not accept reconciliation, nor will I apologize to you. Besides, it is your daughter's good fortune to be favored by my son. Don't put on airs and act high and mighty here!" The lady's words were mocking, and her gaze was full of contempt.
Xie Sili stopped turning the prayer beads in her hand and looked at her with a smile on her lips. "It just so happens that I don't want to accept your son's apology either."
Xie Sili walked to Xie Jingche and Xie Jingyan's side. Xie Jingyan, who had been struggling, finally relaxed at this moment and reached out to hug Xie Sili's waist.
She patted Xie Jingyan's head, glanced at Xie Jingche standing beside her, and took their hands as they walked towards the door.
As they were leaving the Kaimeng Hall, they ran into Xie Sinan, who was rushing over. Xie Sili didn't go to see him, but instead left directly with Xie Jingche and Xie Jingyan.
"Let me tell you, I won't let your child go. Your daughter will only be a dog by my son's side!" The lady cursed at Xie Sili's back.
Murong and Shangguan turned their gazes to the wife of the Minister of Works.
Murong stepped forward and said, "Madam, you should be lenient when you can. Since you are unwilling to reconcile with her, why do you insult her?"
Shangguan glanced at the chubby boy, then turned his gaze to his wife. "Madam, your son is unwell and it is not suitable for him to stay at the academy. It would be better for him to return home to recuperate from today onwards."
"The Dean is right. I will take my son back to the manor to recuperate." The lady, regaining her composure, turned her gaze to Murong. "Dean, who was that young lady just now?"
“She’s just a commoner,” Shangguan said. “Madam, you don’t need to take it to heart. What can she do even if she doesn’t accept your apology? You are the wife of the Minister of Works, aren’t you?”
Upon hearing this, the lady smiled and nodded to Murong and Shangguan, "Yes, what trouble can a mere commoner stir up?"
Murong and Shangguan exchanged a glance and then lowered their heads to hide the smiles on their lips.
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