Chapter 576: A Disastrous Start
The carriage stopped in front of Bailu Private School and the two children got off.
In front of me is an ancient courtyard with four big characters "Bailu Private School" on the door plaque.
A few older students were standing on both sides of the gate, talking in low voices.
Gu Qingchen looked around curiously, while Qian Zhenyun adjusted his clothes neatly.
"Let's go, let's go in!" Gu Qingchen took Qian Zhenyun's hand and was about to walk in.
"Wait," Qian Zhenyun held her back, "We should wait outside the door and let the doorman inform us."
Gu Qingchen stopped and said reluctantly: "Is it so troublesome?"
As he was speaking, a white-haired old man walked out of the courtyard, followed by several students.
The old man had a kind face, but there was unquestionable majesty between his brows.
"This is Principal Zhou." Qian Zhenyun reminded in a low voice.
Gu Qingchen immediately put away his distracted expression and saluted like Qian Zhenyun: "I am Gu Qingchen, your student, and I am honored to meet you, the dean."
"Student Qian Zhenyun greets the headmaster."
Principal Zhou nodded, his gaze lingering on the two children for a moment: "Are you the children of the Duke of Zhenguo's Mansion?"
"Yes, Headmaster." The two answered in unison.
"Very good," Principal Zhou turned around, "Come in with me. I'll show you around the school's rules."
The courtyard of Bailu Private School was much smaller than Gu Qingchen had imagined.
There are just a few school buildings lined up in order!
Principal Zhou led the two children and introduced them as they walked: "Our private school has three dormitories, divided into classes according to age and academic level. You are still young, so you will first study with Mr. Li in the enlightenment class."
Gu Qingchen looked around and his eyes were attracted by a tall sycamore tree in the yard.
There were stone tables and benches under the tree, where several older students were discussing academic matters.
"Headmaster, what is that thing for?" she asked, pointing at the sycamore tree.
"That's where students discuss their studies during breaks," Principal Zhou replied, then reminded him, "Student Gu, you must pay close attention in class and not look around."
Gu Qingchen stuck out his tongue: "I understand, Headmaster."
Qian Zhenyun whispered to the side: "Sister, be more respectful."
Soon, they arrived at the door of the introductory class. From inside the room came the sound of children reading in unison.
"Master Li," Principal Zhou pushed the door open and walked in. "Two new students."
There were about ten children in the room, all around seven or eight years old. When they saw the headmaster come in, they all stood up and saluted: "Greetings, Headmaster!"
Master Li was a middle-aged man with a serious face and a ruler in his hand.
He nodded and said, "Two new students, please find a seat. We are reciting the Three Character Classic."
Gu Qingchen looked around and found that the seat near the window had the best view, so he pulled Qian Zhenyun over.
"Man is born good. Natures are similar, but habits make them different." The children's reading voices rang out again.
Gu Qingchen recited a few sentences and found it a bit boring.
Learn these things again?
She could recite the Three Character Classic at the age of five!
After listening for a while, Gu Qingchen felt really bored, so he started fiddling with the small wooden sculpture under the table.
"Student Gu!" Master Li's voice suddenly rang out, slamming the ruler heavily on the podium. "What are you doing?"
Gu Qingchen was startled, and the small wooden sculpture fell to the ground with a crisp sound.
"I, I'm attending class." Gu Qingchen stood up, his face slightly flushed.
"Listening to the lecture?" Master Li walked up to her. "Then recite what you just read."
Gu Qingchen opened her mouth. She really hadn't been listening attentively just now. Although she had already memorized the Three Character Classic, she didn't know where she had gotten to just now.
"If you don't teach, your nature will change. The way to teach is to be specialized." She said tentatively.
"Wrong!" Master Li said sharply, "What you just recited is 'In the past, Meng's mother chose a good neighborhood, and when her son refused to learn, she broke her loom!'"
Gu Qingchen curled his lips: "I can recite it anyway, so it doesn't matter which part I recite."
As soon as these words were spoken, the whole class was in an uproar.
She is so brave!
Qian Zhenyun was so anxious that he kept winking at her.
Master Li's face instantly darkened. "How dare you! Private schools have their own rules. How can you think you can stop studying just because you know how to do it?"
"I didn't say anything wrong." Gu Qingchen stiffened his neck. "I could recite the Three Character Classic when I was five, word for word, from beginning to end! If you don't believe me, test me!"
Gu Qingchen pointed at Qian Zhenyun again and said, "If you can't do that, ask him. He can even recite Gun Gun by heart, and he's in a private school, but what he learns is so superficial. He's not even as good as my father taught him."
"Shut up!" Master Li's beard trembled with anger. "How arrogant and disrespectful of teachers! Someone, take her to the yard and make her stand there as punishment!"
Two older students walked in and Gu Qingchen was dragged out by his arm.
"Let me go! I can walk on my own!" Gu Qingchen struggled. "You guys are not well-educated and can't win arguments, so you just bully children!"
In the yard, Gu Qingchen was punished to stand under a sycamore tree, holding a thick book in both hands.
The sunlight was a little dazzling, she squinted her eyes, and the more she thought about it, the angrier she became.
"What a crappy private school! I'd rather be free at home." She muttered softly, "Master Li is such a fusty old-fashioned person with a stubborn mind!"
A few children happened to pass by and when they heard what she said, they shook their heads and sighed.
"This new little girl is really brave."
"She's going to have to suffer the consequences for daring to contradict Master Li in public."
Gu Qingchen heard this and became even more dissatisfied: "What's so great about that! Isn't he just a teacher? You really take yourself too seriously!"
"What did you say?" A boy in his teens walked over with a stern look on his face. "Master Li is highly respected, how could he allow a young girl like you to be so presumptuous here?"
"Highly respected?" Gu Qingchen sneered, "He's worthy of it, isn't he? My father is the real hero, fighting in battle to protect his country! Who the hell is he!"
The boy's face turned red with anger: "You, you are simply lawless!"
"I'm lawless, what can you do to me?" Gu Qingchen raised his chin, looking fearless.
These words soon reached Master Li's ears. He was so angry that he stamped his feet and immediately ordered his men to lock Gu Qingchen in a small room behind the school.
"Since you are so unruly, reflect on your actions in there! You are not allowed to come out without my permission!"
The small room was dark and narrow, with only a small window letting in a faint light.
Gu Qingchen was pushed in and the door closed heavily behind him.
She banged on the door and shouted, "Let me out! You bad guys! I'm going to tell my dad and have him deal with you!"
"How dare you be so stubborn!" Master Li's voice came from outside the door, "Think carefully inside about what it means to respect teachers!"
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