When Tang Si acted spoiled, he had a kind of Nezha-like quality from *The Hundred Thousand Whys*.

Ji Yinshu didn’t look at him, only asking one question: “Why don’t you go find Muruo and have him accompany you?”

“Don’t mention him! During the day, I just kicked him once, didn’t I? He’s been sulking at me the whole way. When I went to find him just now, he directly shut the door in my face. Tell me, I’m his lifesaver! How can anyone treat their lifesaver like this? Back then, I shouldn’t have saved him—should’ve just let him get killed.”

“…”

“A’Ji, just come out for a walk with me. I’ve been cooped up in the room so long I’m about to get sick from boredom.”

He grabbed Ji Yinshu’s sleeve and gently shook it.

Ji Yinshu felt utterly helpless. She glanced outside. Though it was evening, the outside glowed red with thousands of lights, and since the rain had stopped, she thought about it for a moment.

She nodded. “Fine!”

She agreed!

Tang Si happily pulled her out the door.

Mingshan Academy was indeed very large. During the day, it appeared tranquil and pleasant, serene and comfortable. At night, it had quite a warm and graceful flavor. Along the winding stone paths, almost every ten meters there would be a glowing red lantern, casting light on the bluestone slabs, the tree shadows, and the redwood—everything had texture, interwoven in staggered layers, with an antique charm that met the eye naturally.

The two wandered aimlessly around the academy for quite a while!

Along the way, they didn’t encounter a single student.

Tang Si wondered, “Where the hell did everyone go?”

Only with this remark did Ji Yinshu remember—the young servant who had delivered her meal earlier mentioned that classes were being held in the front courtyard lecture hall. Mingshan Academy was so famous, the courses taught must surely be highly beneficial. Those students must all have gone to attend the lectures.

Thinking that continuing to walk around with Tang Si like this would be even more boring than staying in the room, and even somewhat noisy.

She simply pulled Tang Si over there.

Inside the lecture hall!

Rows upon rows of students sat with straight backs, proper and dignified, with opened books placed before them and inkstones with freshly ground ink beside them. Their gazes were fixed directly on the lecturing teacher on the platform, listening very attentively, their eyes carrying a thirst for boundless knowledge.

On the platform, an elderly scholar sat cross-legged behind a desk, eyes narrowed, head swaying, currently explaining matters concerning the principle of filial piety coming first.

“This filial piety, ah, as the ancients said well, among all virtuous acts, filial piety comes first. The rites of filial piety mean being close to one’s parents. The *Mengwen Book of Filial Piety* has said that rites come first, established with oneself. Among the hundred schools of thought, speaking in multitudes, father is heaven, mother is earth. Nothing surpasses filial piety reaching to the knees first. So this filial piety, ah, is virtue, is grace and kindness. You must remember it in your hearts and practice it in your actions. Master Jiang’s *Encyclopedia* also discussed this, saying that so-called…”

That voice was very deep and thick, yet it grew lighter as he spoke, and his head drooped lower and lower as he continued.

This lecturing teacher had been hired by Master Yu a few days ago at considerable expense. Though he couldn’t be considered any kind of supreme sage or master teacher, in the Bingjing area he was still a renowned schoolteacher. Of the students he had taught, eight or nine out of ten had passed the provincial examinations. Though compared to Master Yu in terms of literary learning, he fell somewhat short, Master Yu believed in “teaching from multiple sources” and “refining excellence through excellence,” so he had invited this teacher to lecture, hoping his students could also learn something from another teacher.

To put it plainly, it was like a school inviting a famous speaker to give a special lecture for everyone to hear and learn from.

The teacher spoke above while the students below sat motionless listening, until the lecturing teacher’s voice ceased…

He had fallen asleep!

A few students who couldn’t bear the stillness moved a bit, stretching their necks and twisting them, loosening their muscles and bones.

Among them, a man with small eyes and a small nose turned his head to look back, and just happened to see Ji Yinshu standing outside the lecture hall. He quickly nudged Lin Shu beside him and leaned over to say, “Lin Shu, look.”

Hm?

Lin Shu frowned, annoyed that he had interrupted his studying. Impatiently following the direction he was pointing, he looked back and saw Ji Yinshu and Tang Si.

“What are they doing here?”

“Don’t know.”

“Master Yu has already let them stay here, which shows enough face. Now they even dare to intrude into this lecture hall.”

Anger!

The small-eyed man leaned closer to him again, revealing a sinister smile, and said, “Lin Shu, it was because of that group that you were punished by the teacher. Do you want to…” get revenge?

Before he could finish, Lin Shu raised his hand and knocked heavily on his head!

“Why are you hitting me?”

“Don’t act rashly. I don’t want to be punished to copy the *Poetry and Rhapsody* again. My hand is still sore and aching.” Lin Shu spoke while twisting his wrist.

It really hurt!

The man clutched his head in pain. “Then what do we do?”

“Wait.”

So the two sat properly, waiting for an opportunity.

In any case, Lin Shu was definitely going to get this revenge.

The lecturing teacher sitting on the platform had his head lowered for quite a while before lifting it again. His small eyes blinked, and he muttered a few more sentences. Probably truly unable to endure anymore, he closed the book in front of him, tucked it under his arm, then stood up supporting himself. While lifting his robe, he walked toward the door behind him, saying as he went.

“You all, ah, read your books on your own. Study filial piety well. This year’s metropolitan examination, ah, might very well have this as a test question…”

His voice was hollow and deep, dragging out the tones even longer than Master Yu did.

Until the person disappeared through the door on the left side.

Once the teacher left, those students in the lecture hall who should continue reading continued reading. But Lin Shu smiled wickedly and led those who usually hung around with him, striding toward the entrance.

Actually, when the lecturing teacher left, Ji Yinshu had also wanted to leave. But seeing Lin Shu staring at her and walking over, she simply stood there waiting.

She also wanted to see what that young man was up to!

“Scholar Ji, is it?”

Sure enough, Lin Shu had already investigated their identities thoroughly.

Ji Yinshu humbly bowed in courtesy. “That’s correct.”

Lin Shu sneered coldly. “That person surnamed Jing who came with you, earlier in the pavilion was full of literary philosophy and reasoning, speaking quite eloquently. Looking at you, fair and clean, dressed plainly and elegantly, you also have quite a scholarly air about you. I imagine you’re not bad either?”

His voice was very loud!

Naturally, it drew onlookers. Those who had been about to pack up and return to their rooms all came over to watch the excitement.

Ji Yinshu smiled. “I am but a crude person. How can I compare with all of you? You are all students of Mingshan Academy, and moreover, having just passed the provincial examination, you will soon travel to the capital for the metropolitan examination. Among the top three ranks, there will surely be outstanding individuals. Between myself and all of you, there is no comparability. I won’t presume to teach fish how to swim.”

After hearing her finish, Lin Shu took two steps forward, standing there tall and imposing, eyebrows slightly raised, corners of his mouth twisted into a cunning smile.

He said, “Scholar Ji, your appearance may be humble, but the words you speak… aren’t humble at all.”

In his tone, there was unmistakable provocation!