When Lin Shu returned to the academy entrance, Jingrong’s carriage convoy had just arrived.

It stopped right at the gate!

Ji Yunshu descended from the carriage and looked around Mingshan Academy with great interest.

Above the main gate hung a plaque inscribed with “Mingshan Academy”!

That plaque wasn’t like those of wealthy households—gleaming with gold—but rather had been carved bit by bit with an exquisite carving knife, then dyed with ink and set in relief. Even the edges of the plaque were polished extremely delicately and smoothly—not vulgar but elegant.

The location where Mingshan Academy was situated was surrounded by mountains on all sides with evergreen trees. Outside, there was an endless bamboo forest. The bamboo leaves rustled in the wind, and after this heavy rain, the fragrance of earth and bamboo mixed together, very pleasant to the nose. From within the bamboo forest came the calls of many birds.

Melodious and pleasant to hear!

No wonder it was called Mingshan Academy!

Such a place—with its beautiful environment and quiet, pleasant atmosphere—if one could live here for an extended period, it would be truly fortunate.

Seeing Lin Shu and several of his fellow students standing at the academy gate, Jingrong’s lips curved upward.

He stepped forward and said, “I presume your Master Yu should know by now?”

Lin Shu straightened his body, raised his chin, and said, “I’ve already reported to our master. The master said to tell you to leave quickly. The academy has never entertained outsiders or travelers.”

A direct order to leave!

“Master Yu’s way of receiving guests is truly unique.”

“This is an academy rule, written on the disciplinary wall since the academy opened. How can we let you break it? Leave quickly.”

He waved his hand dismissively!

Hearing this, Lang Bo stepped forward with a stiff face, thinking to himself that this young fellow had truly grown tired of living. Even he wouldn’t normally dare speak to his own prince this way. What airs was he putting on?

He was about to approach Lin Shu when Jingrong blocked him.

Turning his gaze sideways, his brow furrowing tightly, he coldly reprimanded, “Stand down.”

“…”

Slightly awkward.

Lang Bo glared fiercely at Lin Shu, clenched his fist and punched it hard into the air, but could only retreat.

Yet Jingrong, whose temperament usually wasn’t very good, had been courteous from beginning to end, as if completely transformed into a different person.

He then smiled. “Young brother, please trouble yourself to inform your Master Yu again. Just tell him four words.”

“What four words?”

“Zhaochao Youxi.”

Hm?

What the hell was that?

Lin Shu naturally refused. His heart was full of hostility toward this group, and his tone hardened. “I already told you, Mingshan Academy never receives outside guests. Do you not understand? Or are you deliberately looking for trouble?”

At this time, Shang Zhuo, who had also changed his clothes, came over and happened to hear the four words “Zhaochao Youxi” that Jingrong spoke.

He was naturally a peacemaker!

He stepped forward and said, “Everyone, since Mingshan Academy opened, we have indeed established such a rule—outsiders are not permitted to enter the academy, and we don’t shelter outside guests here overnight. Although it’s getting late and it truly shouldn’t be right to leave you sleeping outdoors, rules are rules and cannot be broken.”

“I’m not trying to make things difficult for you. If you could just take these four words ‘Zhaochao Youxi’ to Master Yu, and if he firmly refuses to allow us to enter, then so be it.”

This—

Shang Zhuo thought for a moment. “All right, I’ll go inform the master.”

Lin Shu quickly grabbed him. “What trouble are you stirring up?”

His words carried anger.

Shang Zhuo said, “Those who come from afar are guests. Lin Shu, don’t take what happened in the pavilion earlier to heart anymore.”

“You…”

He was too angry to speak. How could someone turn their elbow outward like this?

But Shang Zhuo had already turned to go inside and relay the message to Master Yu.

Lin Shu snorted, then led his fellow students to block the gate, not allowing anyone to enter.

The two groups remained at an impasse!

Muruo asked Jingrong, “Have you changed your nature? Since when have you been so polite and courteous to people?”

Jingrong said with a smile, “The students Master Yu has taught mostly follow his temperament. But I actually quite like such people. The Dalin court happens to lack precisely such a person. Moreover, perhaps… this year’s top scholar will be a student from Mingshan Academy.”

His words had hidden meaning.

The implication was quite obvious.

“So you’re planning ahead, eh?” Muruo saw through his intentions with one sentence.

“I wouldn’t say planning ahead. After all, in the court, having one more friend is always better than having one more enemy.”

“Fine, you’re really something.”

Muruo gave him a thumbs up, both praising the wisdom of this move and laughing at him for playing the pig to eat the tiger.

Tang Si in the distance saw the two huddled together talking quietly about something. Curious, she bumped Ji Yunshu beside her.

“Guess what they’re talking about?” She tilted her chin in that direction.

Ji Yunshu looked over and shook her head!

Getting no response, she found it extremely boring and asked again, “By the way, when I was sleeping in the carriage earlier, did something happen with you all in the pavilion?”

“Good things.”

“What good things!” Her eyes brightened.

“Tremendously good things!”

“Then tell me!”

Ji Yunshu ignored her.

Tang Si stamped her foot in frustration and turned to walk to the side.

At this moment!

Shang Zhuo brought “Zhaochao Youxi” to Master Yu. Upon hearing those four words, Master Yu’s eyes, which had been reduced to mere slits, suddenly opened wide. His mouth hung open for a long time before he supported himself with both hands on the armrests of the pear wood chair, borrowed the strength to stand up, and quickly left the room, walking with difficulty toward the academy gate with an unsteady gait.

Along the way, those students were seeing Master Yu walk so urgently for the first time. Even when they politely bowed in greeting, Master Yu didn’t stop to respond. It was truly strange, so they all thought something had happened and followed behind him to the main gate.

Mingshan Academy was very large. From the rear courtyard to the main gate, Master Yu walked for nearly half the time it takes to burn a stick of incense, walking until he was gasping for breath, almost unable to catch his breath.

When he reached the gate, he saw the group of people standing outside the academy, and his gaze naturally fell upon Jingrong.

Those features indeed bore some resemblance to the late Emperor!

He lifted his somewhat trailing long robe and quickly stepped forward, bowing slightly in salute.

Jingrong took a step forward, quickly supporting Master Yu by both elbows, then gently lifted upward.

“Master Yu, while traveling abroad, it’s best to dispense with formalities.”

Master Yu nodded. “Yes.”

Respectfully and reverently.

Those students were all dumbfounded. Usually, if Master Yu was the slightest bit displeased, he would take his discipline ruler and reprimand students, showing no mercy whatsoever. Moreover, his word was law. They hadn’t seen him smile even once in several months, much less be as humble and amiable as he had just been. What had gotten into him this time?

Had the sun risen in the west?

Master Yu also immediately welcomed Jingrong and the others inside, yet he didn’t forget to reprimand Lin Shu standing by the gate. “When guests arrive, it is proper etiquette. You’re simply muddled! How can there be any reason to block people outside the gate? Go copy the Book of Poetry and Rhapsodies ten times immediately. For every character missing, ten strikes with the discipline ruler.”

Having said that, he raised his hand and gave him a heavy knock on the forehead, then walked away.

Lin Shu was dumbfounded!