ALL NOVEL Chapter 24
After waiting for a while, the three of them were called into the cottage.
Jing Xingzhi noticed a hint of worry in Teacher Zhang’s eyes when he came to summon them.
Keeping a watchful eye, Jing Xingzhi followed Teacher Zhang into the cottage. Being a bit late, he ended up standing between Zhu Da and Zhang Kaiwei—two individuals who didn’t get along and had no inclination to stand together.
In the lobby of the cottage, Mother Li knelt with Li Huamin, weeping and refusing to stand up.
Li Huamin, next to his mother, remained oblivious to his brother’s wrongdoing. To him, it seemed like his brother had merely mistaken someone. He had seen his brother kowtow to their mother earlier, seeking forgiveness. Now, with a dark and red forehead, he sneakily glanced at the newcomers.
Recognizing someone he had seen among them, Li Huamin stared a few more times.
Jing Xingzhi nodded at the child, and seeing Li Huamin smile at him shyly, he noticed the child pulling on Mother Li’s sleeve.
Mother Li, still immersed in tears, hoped that her tears and sorrow would sway the academy officials. Suddenly raising her eyes, she recognized Jing Xingzhi and was momentarily surprised, recalling the comfort she felt from the young man.
However, that sense of ease was now just a memory. Mother Li then thought about the current situation. Kneeling on the cold ground to plead for her eldest son’s fault, she was willing to do whatever it took if it could be of use.
Above the lobby, three grandmaster chairs occupied the space, and three individuals sat there.
In the middle was Fang Qichen, gray-haired with a beard, his eyes swollen like fish bubbles, giving them a somewhat lazy and lifeless appearance, as if he were unwell.
On Fang Qichen’s left was Deputy Chief Zhang Mingyu, a man in his forties with a lean figure. He held two walnuts in his hand and wore a warm smile on his lips.
To Fang Qichen’s right, a middle-aged man with a fair face and no beard sat. His skin and flesh were tender, and he wasn’t a familiar face in the academy.
“Hello, Chief! Hello, Deputy Chief!” Jing Xingzhi and the other two greeted them as they approached and stood still.
Zhang Mingyu glanced at his nephew, standing slightly to the side rather than in the center. He furrowed his brows slightly and said, “The three of you are all outstanding students. I’ve called you here because I have something to ask you.”
He glanced at the Li family kneeling on the ground. “You’re all aware of the reasons why Li Huasui was expelled from the academy. Now, his mother wishes to plead for mercy and have the academy reduce the punishment. What are your thoughts?”
All three individuals present were directly involved in the events leading to Li Huasui’s expulsion.
Li Huasui was the little brother of the mantis (Zhu Da), Zhu Da was the mantis while Zhang Kaiwei was the oriole, and Jing Xingzhi was the cicada who accidentally escaped capture.
Because the cicada eluded the trap, the unfortunate one became the little mantis.
After a gentle nod from Fang Qichen, Zhang Mingyu unreservedly turned his gaze toward Zhang Kaiwei and inquired, “Kaiwei, what’s your perspective?”
Zhang Kaiwei’s heart raced; he saw the signal his uncle made, indicating that this was a crucial moment. This instance could likely involve the Chief’s recruitment of disciple.
Zhang Kaiwei’s response could determine if he would be chosen by the Chief among the three and accepted as a disciple. His Uncle, Zhang Mingyu, advocated for him to speak first.
Taking a moment to consider, Zhang Kaiwei surmised that the academy would likely alter the punishment due to Mother Li’s plea.
Therefore, he cast a glance at the Li family members kneeling on the ground. Pity flashed in his eyes when he looked at Mother Li and Li Huamin, a woman and a boy. When his gaze rested on Li Huasui, it conveyed regret and sorrow.
After his eyes surveyed the scene, Zhang Kaiwei spoke in a respectful tone, “Kaiwei believes that Brother Li misidentified the person who stole the money. It’s a minor matter. We are all classmates with mutual friendship. Brother Li didn’t do it intentionally. Therefore, the students believe it would be favorable if the academy is willing to reduce the punishment, aligning with the sentiments of my fellow classmates.”
Zhu Da curled his lips with disdain in his eyes as he looked at the ground. He knew that Zhang Kaiwei was a hypocrite, always harboring the intention to harm others, yet now pretending to be virtuous!
As if Li Huasui being expelled from the academy had nothing to do with Zhang Kaiwei’s own hands—absurd!
Upon hearing this, the grateful Mother Li glanced at Zhang Kaiwei.
After Mother Li slapped Li Huasui, he vaguely confessed to misidentifying the person. Of course, Li Huasui couldn’t delve into the details of the plotting and being plotted against in front of his mother.
Consequently, Mother Li remained unaware of the names or appearances of any of the three individuals, and she had no inkling that they were connected to her son’s expulsion from the academy.
Yet, what Zhang Kaiwei said now was in Li Huasui’s favor, something Mother Li acknowledged.
In doubt, Li Huasui reached out and pulled his mother closer.
Kneeling on the ground, Li Huasui felt embarrassed and lost face. But before his mother arrived, she slapped him twice to snap him out of his misplaced priorities during his year at Huanshui Academy.
Entering the academy wasn’t about living a comfortable life by currying favor. Li Huasui’s goal was to pass the imperial examination. With his background, the only way to succeed in the imperial examination was through diligent study.
Unfortunately, he overthought matters and failed to immerse himself in his studies.
However, Li Huasui was not unintelligent. When Deputy Chief Zhang Mingyu asked the three about their opinions, Li Huasui sensed something was amiss. Disliking Zhang Kaiwei, he reached out and pulled his mother.
No one paid close attention to the subtle actions of the Li family. Even if noticed, no one would mention it. Only Mother Li silently sensed that her eldest son seemed to dislike the person who spoke amicably.
“I understand your perspective,” Fang Qichen spoke up. He seized the opportunity and turned his gaze to Zhu Da, who stood on the other side without delay.
“Zhu Da, what are your thoughts?” Fang Qichen directed the question personally, likely due to the impatience evident in the other individual seated beside him, who was eager to see the junior stumble with insincere and uncomfortable remarks.
Zhang Tong, fair-faced and hailing from the palace, arrived from the emperor’s order. The newly appointed Concubine Xian, displaying cleverness, proposed that someone be sent to Huanshui to check on Fang Qichen’s well-being, thus demonstrating her concern for the emperor’s natal family and earning the emperor’s favor.
The emperor found Concubine Xian’s suggestion favorable and dispatched Zhang Tong to Huanshui County to assess Fang Qichen’s condition and arrange for his care. The emperor’s backing influenced Zhang Tong to show courtesy to Concubine Xian.
Among the three present, Zhang Mingyu supported Zhang Kaiwei, Teacher Zhang assisted Zhu Da, leaving Jing Xingzhi as the solitary figure.
Fang Qichen occasionally glanced at Zhu Da but showed no emotion in his eyes. For Fang Qichen, the choice of his disciple made little difference; it primarily served to reassure the emperor about his well-being.
Chief Fang remarks had curtailed Zhang Kaiwei’s opportunity to speak, allowing Zhu Da to express himself. Zhu Da refrained from displaying joy, understanding the need to answer judiciously.
Zhu Da, with some worry, met Zhang Tong’s gaze. Zhang Tong responded with a gentle smile, reassuring Zhu Da that him, sent by his eldest cousin, would support him as long as he provided a reasonable answer.
Stepping forward, Zhu Da declared, “Students believe the academy’s prior actions were justified. Brother Li displayed aggression and maliciously targeted Jing Xingzhi. It is only fair for Jing Xingzhi to seek severe punishment. Wrong actions should bear consequences! Allowing such behavior would jeopardize the academy’s management.”
Mother Li, kneeling on the ground, registered the mention of ‘Jing Xingzhi.’ Although Li Huasui hadn’t clarified, the money discovered in their home, her eldest son’s demeanor, and the academy’s punishment indicated his wrongdoing.
Zhu Da’s words aligned somewhat with Fang Qichen’s perspective on handling the matter. Fang Qichen nodded; a form of acknowledgment compared to Zhang Kaiwei.
Zhu Da, pleased, stepped back with flushed excitement.
With the questioning continuing, it was now Jing Xingzhi’s turn.
Observing Zhang Mingyu and Fang Qichen questioning each student, Zhang Tong, intrigued, turned his attention to Jing Xingzhi and asked gently, “Young man, they have stated their views. What is your perspective?”