Seeing this woman, Yun Ye very naturally recited in his mind, “Radish-red arms, white radish legs, tiny cherry mouth.” He had seen many beauties, but he had never seen such an exotic beauty. Just getting shy, her blood could instantly turn her body rose-red in a flash? This, this needed to be witnessed.

Just as he walked forward two steps, he pulled his leg back, looking suspiciously at this fellow called Pang Zhun. That breathtakingly beautiful woman was really this guy’s daughter? One thing was certain—that son was one hundred percent this guy’s offspring: round face, pockmarked, lion nose, wide mouth, short hands, short legs, and round belly.

“Is this really your biological daughter?” Yun Ye wanted to confirm once more.

“Naturally, my Old Pang’s biological daughter. Manager Jin of your household who travels the great river is also an honored guest at our home. He can testify for me.” Pang Zhun slapped his big belly with resounding thumps, just short of swearing an oath.

“Perhaps it’s genetic mutation,” Yun Ye said to himself in his heart.

“How old was your daughter when she started her education? What books does she read now?” These things had to be asked clearly. If she only looked beautiful on the outside but was still a fool inside, that would be disastrous.

“Shier started reading at five years old. Her teachers always praised her as clever and bright, with an almost photographic memory. She’s proficient in all the Hundred Schools of Thought and has also delved into astronomy and geography.” Speaking to this point, Pang Zhun sadly shook his head and continued, “It’s a pity she’s a woman. If Shier were a man, why would I need to pester Marquis Yun so shamelessly? The academy’s main program this year admits one list, while the other three lists—even after leaving the academy, they still need to find their own livelihoods. I, Pang Zhun, can be considered to have ten thousand strings of wealth—there’s no need for this. If Shier were to take the main program exam, it would be a sure thing. But my son…”

Looking at Pang Zhun, who was desolate from the bottom of his heart, Yun Ye patted his shoulder and said, “Your son is indeed unsuitable for entering the academy, but if your daughter is as clever and bright as you say, I guarantee I’ll educate her well. You only have these two children. If you can’t rely on your son, rely on your daughter—it’s not a big deal. Old Jin has mentioned your situation. Building such a huge fortune with bare hands—you can be considered a local hero. Great men inevitably have unworthy wives and disappointing children. Having a good daughter is already heaven’s special favor.”

Pang Zhun laughed heartily and said, “Marquis Yun is right. Who can control what happens after death? As long as my daughter enters school, this old man will be eternally grateful.” Having said this, he pulled Yun Ye’s hand and imperceptibly slipped that cicada jade pearl into Yun Ye’s palm. Then the two smiled knowingly at each other.

“Marquis Yun, this time over eight hundred students—the academy’s pressure is unprecedentedly huge. We not only have to manage their food, clothing, housing, and transportation, but also worry about their future prospects. This blame we’re shouldering is a bit heavy.”

Xu Jingzong’s lips were dry and cracked. It seemed he had also said many words today. Yun Ye poured him a cup of water to moisten his throat. After he caught his breath, Yun Ye said, “Yushan Academy can’t only educate officials. If we only educated officials, why would we bother making the academy so large? We’d only need to teach a hundred or so students each year. Why expend this effort? Those with talent become officials; those without enter civilian life. The four classes of the world—craftsmen, farmers, scholars, and merchants—every profession needs talent. On the grasslands, would you dare say a qualified veterinarian isn’t a talent?”

“Only by expanding Yushan Academy’s influence to the common people can it have more vitality. Think about it—where is the Jixia Academy of ancient Qi now? It’s because they only taught idle talk and strategist techniques. They seemed invincible at the wine table, but in reality were like sand piles by the river—when a big wave came, they disappeared in an instant.”

“A total of one thousand seven hundred forty-three people participated in the examination. This is almost the essence of the Great Tang. Those who could get recommendation letters from teachers were without exception the talented and wise individuals of their localities.”

“Actually, Master Li Gang doesn’t place much importance on the fourth list. What he values most are the third and second lists. The students here will all be sent to supplement the academies in various prefectures and provinces. What do you think the intention is?” Having finished these words with a cunning smile, Yun Ye put his feet up on the desk and kept shaking them.

Xu Jingzong couldn’t help but laugh heartily. He moved his chair back, also put his feet on the desk, and shook them similarly, saying, “What a scheme! This way, all the outside academies become places supplying talent to our academy. The academy becoming the Great Tang’s highest institution of learning is an undeniable fact. To put it bluntly, even if major conflicts arise in the future, our academy can remain unmoved. No matter who sits in the highest position, they cannot do without the academy’s support. Brilliant, truly brilliant! Come, Marquis Yun, let’s drink to victory.” Having said this, he raised his teacup. The two laughed sinisterly together and drained their cups of tea.

No help for it—wanting the academy to continue forever required avoiding the strange cycle of dynastic changes every few hundred years. Yun Ye tried his best to make the academy an independent existence. If he could make the academy independent from the mortal world before his own death, that would be his greatest achievement. Obviously, Xu Jingzong thought the same. Such a goal was far more solid than any high office or generous salary. Binding oneself to the academy was finding an unsinkable island in the vast ocean for descendants.

After being educated by Master Li Gang for a full two hours, Hypatia came to Yun Ye’s office. She collapsed boneless in a reclining chair, hugged the teapot and gulped mouth-to-spout for a while, then said weakly, “Isn’t it just serving as the principal of the women’s academy? Was it necessary to instruct me for a full two hours? The old gentleman is advanced in years—doesn’t he know to rest? Speak then, what are your requirements? Say it quickly—I’m still waiting to see my dear students.”

Yun Ye took out a scroll and handed it to Hypatia, saying to her, “I don’t have much to say either. Just some regulations. I hope you can strictly implement them. This is what we discussed, and then I privately added a few more items. I hope you can abide by them.”

“Very good. It’s good that you have a standard. I really like female students. Teaching those stinking boys always annoys me. They don’t listen well in class and always steal glances at me. Plus, they have so many damn questions—asking during class, asking after class. Haven’t you noticed I’ve aged a lot these two years?” Hypatia nonchalantly took the scroll, unfolded it, glanced at it, and jumped up.

“Why can’t I live together with those fragrant, soft little girls? Why can’t I invite them to bathe together? I’m also a woman! ‘Must not have any strange physical contact’—what does this mean?”

Sitting behind the desk, Yun Ye said miserably, “What can I do? You have a beautiful woman’s body, but inside your body is a powerful man’s heart. Master Jinzhu went with you to the mouth of the great river and ended up getting so angry he fell gravely ill and nearly lost his life. In February weather, when plum blossoms were still blooming, it would have been one thing if you couldn’t distinguish plum blossoms from apricot blossoms, but what was the reasoning behind wearing gauze clothing in the freezing cold, holding an umbrella and wandering aimlessly through the plum blossom grove? When Master Jinzhu tried to drape clothes over you, you pushed him into a ditch. His body was already weak—he burned with fever for three whole days. Do you know that?”

Hypatia said with an embarrassed expression, “Didn’t you always say that apricot blossoms, misty rain, and Jiangnan counted as magnificent earthly scenery? Strolling with an umbrella in light rain—absolutely stunning. I just wanted to personally experience this artistic conception. Who knew Master Jinzhu would go crazy trying to drape fur clothing on me? I accidentally pushed him. Who knew…”

“You still have the face to say this! Do you know how many people were watching at the time? You attracted everyone in Songjiang City to come watch a bearded woman having delusions in the rain. What about the academy’s reputation? If it hadn’t concerned the academy’s face, would Master Jinzhu have bothered with you? You also know he’s originally someone who doesn’t pay attention to outside matters.”

Mentioning this matter, Yun Ye’s fury spewed from his throat. This was something only an idiot would do. You’re a woman who barely escaped from a lion’s mouth—how could you do such a stupid thing?

“It’s still you! You’re a big liar who deceived everyone, deceived me too. What breathing earth, what moving sea island—it’s all illusion. I don’t know why you deceive people. Master Jinzhu said you must have another purpose and told me not to speak of it everywhere. If you hadn’t set up this deception, would I have run to the Yangtze River mouth for no reason?”

Yun Ye laughed and pointed at the huffing and puffing Hypatia, saying, “If you want to expose my tricks, you have to be smarter than me. Tell me, what evidence do you have to prove I’m lying, that I’m a fraud? Did the sea island grow larger or not? Is it moving into the sea? Isn’t that island constantly moving? Maybe there’s breathing earth underneath—you just don’t have the ability to extract it. Science emphasizes evidence most. If you have the ability, produce evidence to prove I’m lying. Otherwise, lower your head obediently, listen, and do as I say.”

Hypatia was speechless. Yun Ye was right. The sea island was growing—she had personally measured it. The island was also moving into the ocean—she had also measured this. At the time, Master Jinzhu said that according to legend, there were giant turtles in the sea that could drag continents around. Immortal mountains overseas were like this—appearing and disappearing. Hypatia completely didn’t believe this nonsense, but with her knowledge, she didn’t yet know the reason for peninsula formation. In the West, such sea islands would definitely be crowned with magical names as well.

Forced by Yun Ye to recite all the regulations once, violating even one would face the danger of salary deduction. The current Hypatia had to support many people, so her salary couldn’t withstand deductions. She could only tearfully go to the women’s academy to meet her students.

“Hypatia, Hypatia! I heard you’re coming to be our teacher. That’s wonderful! Huh? Why are you crying? Which bastard bullied you? Tell me—we’ll go break his legs!”

Yun Ya saw Hypatia coming from afar and immediately excitedly went to meet her. Suddenly discovering she was crying, she indignantly wanted to uphold justice.

“It’s that bastard Yun Ye. He always bullies me. Today he even said he’d dock my salary. You know, if I have no salary, how can I support Demi and the others? Hastin won’t be able to roast meat for you either. They’ll have no choice but to continue dancing for others to earn money and be bullied by people.”