"Hmph!" Mr. Yu said, hands behind his back and head held high, emphasizing again, "They ruined my long shirt."

Since it was done by the two of them, we will naturally compensate you.

"You want to bet? I'm wagering with top-grade Shu brocade! Can you afford it?" Mr. Yu questioned coldly.

"Compensation, compensation no matter the cost." Fu Liujin said.

"Dean!" Tang Hongbo was anxious, but as Dean Xie Guangwen remained motionless in his place.

"Take a look here." Xie Guangwen stood in the corner, observing secretly.

Tan Hongbo naturally didn't dare to say anything, he just secretly worried for his good brother.

"Eight gold, bring fortune, it's your turn now."

Although reluctant, Fu Liujing apologized on their behalf. They felt a little embarrassed but were indignant inside.

Fu Liujing, don't think that just because they apologized, this matter is over.

"Of course," Fu Liujin said coolly, his expression solemn and composed, neither humble nor arrogant. "Does Master still wish to apologize to them two?"

"Apologize to them?" Mr. Yu thought he had heard wrong, "Fu Liujin, are you crazy?"

"I am very clear now." Fu Liujin stared straight into Mr. Yu's eyes, not afraid at all. "Sir, quoting my younger sister, a teacher's way is to prioritize virtue, learning comes after, and integrity sets the example."

Tan Hongbo was a little nervous, "Dean, you seem angry. Fu Liujin is just being protective of his younger brother."

Xie Guangwen raised his hand, stopping himself from speaking.

Is this really what that little girl from the Fu family said?

How could she say something like that?

How many maidservants are there in the Fu family?

Tan Hongbo was taken aback, "Just one, only three years old, but he's quite clever and adorable."

That's the one I saw before. She's clever enough, and cute too, but it's unbelievable that a three-year-old girl could say something like that.

On the other hand, Mr. Yu's voice rose a little higher.

"Fu Liujin, how dare you scold me?"

“I dare not! But Confucius said, those who are upright in their conduct will act without being ordered, and those who are not upright will not act even if ordered. In my view, a teacher is even more so. After all, the students you teach will enter government service in the future. If you, as a teacher, are like this, then your students will be like this too. Those in government service, if they are not upright, will bring harm to the people.”

"You...good...good for you, Fu Liujin, don't think that just because you read two days of books, you are someone important. I have been a teacher here for over ten years, and even if you report to the dean, there is no reason for a teacher to apologize to a student."

Then, he will definitely think you are disrespectful to your elders, and you won't be able to come back to the academy.

Tan Hongbo was terrified, he really worried for them. He secretly glanced at the director's expression, but couldn't tell what it meant.

Oh no.

"Sixth Brother, forget it. I won't study with Tien Fu if you don't want to. It would be a shame for you not to study," sighed Fu Bajin. "We don't need to apologize."

Fu Tianfu also knew this time might be a real disaster, so he started to cry, "Sixth Uncle, I don't need to apologize, we were wrong, sir, it was all our fault. It has nothing to do with my Sixth Uncle."

Mr. Yu looked down at the two flustered boys with a smug air, feeling quite pleased with himself. He didn't believe he couldn't handle these few country bumpkin kids.

"Fu Liujing, don't forget, this year the emperor granted amnesty. In a few days, it will be the township examination. Remember if you are qualified, our academy still has a say."

Fu Liujin's eyes turned cold, but Mr. Yu smiled triumphantly.

Fu Tianfu finally broke down and cried, "Sir, it's all my fault. I let Han Ziwang be the one to ride a horse and fight back. Please don't get angry, and please don't cancel my sixth uncle's exam qualification."

Mr. Yu twitched his lips and looked at Fu Liujin.

Fu Liujin took a deep breath and said, “If even the Dean thinks I’m wrong, then let’s cancel it. This academy teaches people to read but not how to be human. If that's the case, might as well just stop going. We can always go back to our village school and wait a few more years. What difference does it make?”

"Good... good... Fu Liujin, you're bold. You wait, I'll go tell the academy..."

"Dean, you're here just in time. You see, this Fu Liu Jin just now said a lot of bad things about our academy. He even said that you don't understand right from wrong and that these country bumpkins think they're someone after passing the Tongsheng Exam. He thinks we can't teach students like this…"

Tan Hongbo glanced at Fu Liujin, not knowing what to say.

"Fu Liujing, what did you just say?" Xie Guangwen asked in a low voice.

"The dean said..."

"Mr. Yu, I'm asking about Fu Liu Jin," Xie Guangwen said.

Mr. Yu quickly shut his mouth and looked at Xie Guangwen's expression. He glared angrily at Tan Hongbo, blaming him for meddling.

The director actually came! He just heard so much.

"Dean, I said that I wanted to go back to the countryside school."

"You're quite determined." Xie Guangwen said coldly.

Mr. Yu seized the opportunity to fan the flames, "Dean, this kid is arrogant beyond belief. Send him back! Our academy can't afford to teach someone like him."

Fu Liujn took a deep breath, "Ba Jin, Tianfu, let's go."

Mr. Yu said, "That kind of rebellious student, the principal certainly wouldn't like him either."

"Wait!"

Just as Mr. Yu was feeling triumphant, Xie Guangwen suddenly called out to the few people who were getting up and leaving.

Tan Hongbo also took the opportunity to plead, "Liujīn, don't be angry and impulsive. Quickly apologize to the Dean and Mr. Chen. Dean, Liujīn studies very diligently, he is sure to pass the provincial examination."

"Brother Tan, there's no need for that," Fu Liu Jin said, a touch of disappointment in her voice.

Xie Guangwen smirked, what a stubborn one.

"Fu Liujing, your fifth older brother, has average talent and gave up halfway. It's fine. You are intelligent, so you just leave the academy? Are you willing to?"

"I can't bear to leave, and I won't give up reading. Going back home to study is the same." Fu Liujin said truthfully.

"If Mr. Yu does not apologize, will you really have to leave?"

"Really?" Fu Liujin said loudly.

"Let him go, we have plenty of students like that."

"So many? I wonder, Mr. Yu, how many have you taught?" Xie Guangwen retorted.

Mr. Yu stared at him, speechless. "I..."

"If not, then go apologize to the two of them. Otherwise, you'll miss out on a good official, and Mr. Yu, you'll be deeply guilty."

"An apology?" Mr. Yu was reluctant.

"Well, it's no use just having knowledge. If you become an official without integrity and virtue, what good is it?" Xie Guangwen nodded at Fu Liujin.

This kid has some potential.

Xue Guangwen spoke up, and Mr. Yu could only apologize.

But the two boys' prank will have to be punished, they can't escape a month of using the outhouse.

"Dean, actually that's not feces. It's my dad's pickled stinky tofu and fermented black beans mixed together. The stinky tofu is fragrant after being fried,"

Xie Guangwen stroked his chin whiskers and laughed heartily.

First published on the website of Traditional Chinese Novels.