Chapter 307: Hope to bet on the right thing.
"It's such a disgrace. They bullied their classmates even on the street. If it gets out, it will ruin the reputation of our academy."
“Master, he borrowed money from us and didn’t pay it back, and his two friends even beat up people from our academy…” The leading scholar emphasized the word “friends” and tried to change the subject.
Ran Qingxuan almost laughed, and took a step forward and said coldly: "It was you who humiliated people first and made them kneel in the street. How come it became our problem after only a quarter of an hour?"
"There are so many people here, so many eyes watching, how shameless do you have to say that?"
"That's right. I watched the whole thing. It was clearly you who cursed her mother and wanted to see her make a fool of herself. These two couldn't stand it anymore, so they stepped in to help."
"They say that people with extensive knowledge are gentle. Looking at you, I'm afraid you haven't learned even the basics, right?"
The sneers and ridicules from the people around him were too harsh. The scholar knew very well that the teacher valued Qiao Zhixu's knowledge, and thought that by taking the initiative, he could find a reasonable excuse for bullying others.
But he didn't expect that Ran Qingxuan's few words would arouse public anger. When the scholar met the teacher's angry eyes, he immediately lowered his head and dared not look at him.
"Master, I do owe them money, but my mother is sick and needs to take medicine regularly. I can't just watch her...
Also, I’m not not paying back the money, it’s just that I don’t have that much money for the time being…”
The teacher didn't say anything. He looked at the leading scholar and then at Qiao Zhixu.
He valued Qiao Zhixu's knowledge, but he also knew that the father of the scholar in front of him worked in the government. If he sided with Qiao Zhixu today, it would not be a big deal for him as a teacher, but Qiao Zhixu would definitely have a hard time in the academy in the future.
After a moment, the master slowly said: "Today I am here to bear witness. You must pay back the money you borrowed. If Wang Fu troubles you again in the future, I will give you justice."
It is only natural to pay back debts, but Qiao Zhixu had clearly said before that he was short of money, so how could he pay the money back all at once? Ran Qingxuan really didn't know whether this old man was helping him or making things difficult for him.
Sure enough, upon hearing this, the scholar named Wang Fu immediately said, "Master, you are right. As long as you pay us back the money you owe us today, I will never trouble you again."
"But...can I give you a few days..."
Wang Fu was sure that Qiao Zhixu could not come up with the money, so he pressed him, "How many days can I give you? You have to tell me a specific time, or else I will ask you to pay me back and others will think I am bullying you."
Qiao Zhixu looked at the looks from the people around him, suppressed his shame and anger, and spoke slowly: "Ten..."
"He can pay it back today." Gu Yanchen pulled out the purse from his waist and opened it.
"You..." Wang Fu's face changed instantly, but he couldn't get angry since the teacher was here. He could only look at Gu Yanchen angrily for ruining his plans.
"You are a poor beggar and you still want to help him pay back the money. Can you afford it?"
"How much does he owe you?" Ran Qingxuan asked coldly.
Wang Fu stretched out his hand: "Fifty taels, you can pay it back..."
Before he could finish his words, Gu Yanchen opened his purse, took out fifty taels of silver and threw it at him.
Wang Fu took it subconsciously, and his face turned green after confirming that it was real silver.
"Since Qiao Zhixu has paid off the money he owed you, don't bother him again in the future, otherwise I will definitely expel you from the academy."
Wang Fu was still somewhat unwilling, but when he met the Master's gaze, he immediately lowered his eyes.
“Yes, the students know.”
Ran Qingxuan knew that Qiao Zhixu would pass the imperial examination next year, and as a teacher he probably also knew that this person had a chance to enter the palace examination. Although he seemed to be protecting him, he actually did not want to offend Wang Fu's father.
Seeing that the teacher and Wang Fu were about to leave, Ran Qingxuan immediately said in a deep voice: "Sir, please wait."
"What's the matter, young lady?" The teacher turned around and looked at her with a faint expression.
"The matter of this young man's debt has been resolved, but as a classmate, he wantonly humiliated his classmate and cursed his mother. As his teacher, do you think this is appropriate?"
The old teacher's grip on the cane tightened instantly when he heard this. So many people were watching, and by doing this, didn't Wang Fu mean that he was a poor teacher?
Looking at Ran Qingxuan, who was eloquent, the old man said in a deep voice: "It is indeed inappropriate. Wang Fu, apologize to Qiao Zhixu."
"Why..."
"I think it's just an apology. It's not sincere at all." Ran Qingxuan interrupted Wang Fu without waiting for his rebuttal.
"So what do you want?" The old man could see that these two people were just meddling in his affairs, and he couldn't just leave, which was really torture...
Ran Qingxuan shrugged, looking nonchalant: "These words are like nails stuck in Mr. Qiao's heart. I'm afraid it will be difficult for him to study every time he thinks of them in the future. It would be bad if he remembered what they said in the exam room and performed poorly.
"So, he must compensate Mr. Qiao for mental damages. This is fair. After all, isn't propriety, righteousness, integrity and shame what the academy teaches?"
Ran Qingxuan looked at the old man who was trying hard to suppress his anger, and immediately knew that he had made the right bet.
Being able to teach a juren or jinshi would make him a good name for himself for the rest of his life. He only became a jinshi in his lifetime, but he brought honor to his family for half his life, and even the academy was elevated to a higher level.
According to Qiao Zhixu's knowledge, he was at least a Jinshi. The old teacher had to consider the academy and himself. In addition, he did not want others to think that he was doing nothing as a teacher in the academy, so he could only signal Wang Fu with a sullen face.
"This girl is right. Knowing etiquette is the most basic thing. Please don't bring shame to the academy."
This time, Wang Fu was very decisive. In front of so many people, he took out twenty taels of silver from his pocket. When he was about to throw it in front of Qiao Zhixu, he was suddenly met with the old man's serious expression.
With no other options, he had to get closer to Qiao Zhixu and slap the money hard into his hand.
"And you two will also have to pay for your inappropriate remarks!"
Wang Fu had already given it all, so they had no choice but to pay the money with reluctance.
"Master, you have taught me well. Students like this need to be taught well. Otherwise, if one of them becomes the top scholar and still behaves like this, we ordinary people will suffer."
"That's right, my son is going to study at the beginning of the year, I will definitely send him to Wutong Academy..."
"Then we will..."
Seeing that this move won praise from the people, the old man's ugly expression improved a little, and he turned around and signaled Wang Fu and the others to leave.
After everyone left, Gu Yanchen took the silly Qiao Zhixu into an empty alley nearby.
Ran Qingxuan had already prepared a cotton coat and handed it to him, signaling him to change it quickly.
"Sir, Miss, thank you for your help today."
Qiao Zhixu bowed deeply to them, and Gu Yanchen immediately helped him up.
"It's just a small favor, Mr. Qiao, please don't mind it."
Ran Qingxuan knew that Qiao Zhixu's personality had not changed because of his mother's death, so he was still a kind person.
If she wanted him to keep it that way, the only way out might be through his mother.
Continue read on readnovelmtl.com
