The Imperial Academy.
Liang Yun slumped on the desk, watching the students of the Imperial Academy come and go, chatting and laughing.
Occasionally, he saw familiar faces. Liang Yun couldn't help but get up, then silently sat back down, giving up the idea of greeting them. He could only hide in a corner, sulking alone.
Because Liang Xiao had offended Ouyang Hong and his son, Ouyang Sheng, he, as Liang Xiao's cousin, was still ostracized by many students, even though he had declared his stance.
At this moment, Liang Yun could only grumble a few words at Liang Xiao in his heart, but he was helpless.
Even his elder brother couldn't deal with Liang Xiao, and grandfather still protected him...
The more Liang Yun thought about it, the angrier he became. His knuckles unconsciously tightened, and the white paper on the desk was creased.
Why did he get all the good things, while I have to bear all the bad ones?
Just as Liang Yun was fuming alone, a group of students led by Ouyang Sheng walked in, heading straight for the corner.
"Liang Yun!"
Ouyang Sheng walked in with a smile, sat down on the ground, his eyes never leaving Liang Yun.
The students around them tactfully moved away, and many left.
Now, Ouyang Sheng was like a plague god. His career had been hindered because of Liang Xiao, but he still had his father and uncle as his backing. No one dared to offend him, for fear of incurring his wrath.
Liang Yun tried his best to remain calm and smiled, "May I ask what business Scholar Ouyang has with me?"
Ouyang Sheng asked, "Liang Yun, do you truly dislike Liang Xiao?"
Liang Yun nodded repeatedly, "He's only one year older than me, and I've had enough of his temper!"
"That's only natural. Any scholar would despise such a wastrel from the bottom of their heart, wouldn't they?" Ouyang Sheng said, then took out a letter and handed it to Liang Yun.
Liang Yun glanced at it, and his pupils constricted. "This is..."
"Not long ago, Liang Xiao beat up refugees in the refugee camp and recruited them as private soldiers. This is his personal crime and will not implicate his family. However, if someone were to act righteously and denounce their kin, and serve as a witness, it would be more convincing and the case would be handled more quickly."
As Ouyang Sheng explained, he sat next to Liang Yun and patted him on the shoulder.
"Brother Liang Yun, you also despise Liang Xiao, don't you? You wish he'd be kicked out of the family. He's not your biological brother, so would you please testify for us? As long as Liang Xiao commits a crime, your grandfather won't protect him, and he'll definitely be kicked out of the family. Do you understand what I mean?"
Liang Yun was already sweating profusely, exhaling large puffs of white mist. "This charge..."
Ouyang Sheng persuaded, "This is an excellent opportunity for you to show your stance to our circle. Scholars should be upright and not associate with people like Liang Xiao, right? Just sign your name. It would be best if you added some details, the more serious the better."
Liang Yun stared blankly at the letter, then looked up at Ouyang Sheng and the others, and hesitantly reached for his brush.
Ouyang Sheng was overjoyed. "I'll grind your ink for you!"
Under everyone's expectant gaze, Liang Yun took a deep breath and calmly wrote.
"Brother Liang Yun truly understands the bigger picture. Your future..."
Ouyang Sheng and the others muttered gleefully, but then their expressions changed drastically.
What Liang Yun wrote were four characters: Utter nonsense!
"Slap!"
Liang Yun slammed the brush onto the desk, stood up indignantly, pointed at Ouyang Sheng's nose, and berated him.
"No matter how much Liang Xiao and I disagree, or how unbearable he is, he is still the blood of my uncle, and he was personally taught by my grandfather. How could he possibly do such an inhumane thing! You hypocrites, wanting to ruin the reputation of my Liang Mansion, not in your wildest dreams!"
Liang Yun was still not appeased, and he pointed at the plaque in the distance, shouting, "Are you worthy of these words of the ancient sages!"
The plaque bore the inscription "Justice and Brightness," a calligraphy by Zhuo Mingfeng, the founding prime minister, revered as a treasure by the Imperial Academy!
Everyone was enraged and shamed. Ouyang Sheng trembled with anger, glaring at Liang Yun. "What do you mean by this?"
Liang Yun scanned the room and realized that only Ouyang Sheng's men were present. His heart sank, but he maintained a cold smile on his surface.
"I am the grandson of the Left General. If you have the guts, kill me here. Otherwise, I will expose this matter!"
The crowd was stunned by Liang Yun's words and dared not act rashly.
Ouyang Sheng laughed in extreme anger. "Liang Yun, are you planning to become bird of a feather with Liang Xiao?"
"I, Liang Yun, admit I'm not clever enough, but I'm not stupid enough to be used as a pawn!" Liang Yun glanced at Ouyang Sheng with disdain.
Ouyang Sheng narrowed his eyes and sneered, "Are you trying to detach yourself from the circle of capital scholars from now on?"
Hearing this, Liang Yun slammed the table and shouted sternly, "You haven't learned a bit of the righteousness and shame of scholars, and you only know how to form cliques and attack outsiders! If you represent the literary circle, if you represent the Imperial Academy, then I'd rather not study at all!"
Under everyone's astonished and angry gaze, Liang Yun packed up his belongings and left indignantly.
Ouyang Sheng came back to his senses and urged, "Quick, go inform Dug Gu Xiao!"
Liang Yun rushed back to the Liang Mansion. Thinking that he had to abandon his studies again because of Liang Xiao, he became even angrier and hurried towards Liang Xiao's courtyard.
At this moment, Liang Xiao had just arranged lodging for Zhen Mi and walked out of the courtyard alone.
"Liang Xiao!"
Liang Yun went up to him and asked, "Tell me honestly, did you beat up refugees in the refugee camp? Did you recruit private soldiers from the refugee camp and keep death warriors?"
"What are you talking about?" Liang Xiao frowned.
Liang Yun recounted Ouyang Sheng's incident.
Liang Xiao's face immediately darkened, and he said in a deep voice, "Those two rascals had sound limbs and could work, yet they stayed in the refugee camp, stole Zhen Mi's cakes, and beat up little girls. Anyone with a conscience would teach them a lesson, wouldn't they?"
Yue Lian explained, "Third Young Master, Young Master wasn't trying to recruit private soldiers, let alone death warriors. He and the granary official had already discussed finding over a hundred refugee families and planning to arrange work for them."
Hearing this, Liang Yun turned and left dejectedly, "Then there's nothing more to it..."
Liang Xiao immediately called out to Liang Yun, walked over, and slung an arm around his shoulder.
"Tsk tsk, I didn't expect you to still care about me, your cousin."
Liang Yun disgustedly shook off Liang Xiao's hand. "Stop it. Haven't I suffered enough because of you?"
Liang Xiao grinned and said, "Look at the disposition of Ouyang Sheng and the others. Don't think about fitting into that so-called circle. How about this, as compensation, I'll find you a way to make money. I happen to need people too."
"Am I someone who can be bought for a few coppers?" Liang Yun said disdainfully.
"You might even get a few thousand or tens of thousands of taels later," Liang Xiao pouted.
"What is it? Take me to see it." Liang Yun's feet seemed to have a mind of their own. After a symbolic struggle, he followed Liang Xiao.
"I didn't expect the Young Master and Third Young Master to have reconciled so quickly," Yue Lian said, covering her mouth and chuckling. She watched the bickering brothers and returned to the courtyard to take care of Zhen Mi.
In a detached courtyard of the Liang Mansion, the six hundred refugees had finished washing and eating, and were eagerly awaiting the arrival of their benefactor.
Large numbers of Liang Mansion guards were stationed around them.
Under everyone's reverent gaze, Liang Xiao pulled Liang Yun into the courtyard.
"Don't kneel!"
Liang Xiao quickly stopped the crowd who were about to kneel in gratitude. The crowd bowed and saluted Liang Xiao with extreme trepidation.
"You want to make money relying on these people? You're dreaming!" Liang Yun glared at Liang Xiao reproachfully.