"Grandfather, don't slander me," Liang Xiao pouted. "I've always written with my left hand. Can't words be written by one's dominant hand?"
Zhuo Wentao sighed, "That's not entirely wrong. Is Liang Xiao left-handed?"
Zhuo Zifang glared at Zhuo Wentao and whispered, "Wasn't he at the Yan Prefecture Academy before?"
Zhuo Wentao's face was filled with shame. "I haven't paid attention to him, and he never submitted any essays. Later, he was expelled..."
Luo Changfeng was as happy as a seventy-year-old child, clapping incessantly. "As the saying goes, seeing the writing is like seeing the person! Regardless, my grandson-in-law has good calligraphy, so he can't be an unlearned good-for-nothing!"
Liang Qing was speechless, wishing he could kick Liang Xiao's backside again.
This brat was shrewd. Regular script with his left hand, running script and cursive with his right.
Now, whether it was that poem or that silk scroll, he could deny it to death!
Luo Qingxue's face turned pale and then flushed as she looked at Liang Xiao's handwriting.
How was this possible?
But soon, Luo Qingxue regained her composure and said, "So what if his handwriting is good? Can it defeat barbarians or save the people? He hasn't convinced me!"
Zhuo Zifang sighed and said, "Qingxue, we'll discuss your matters later. Wentao, it's your turn."
Luo Qingxue blinked in confusion. Then she saw Zhuo Wentao approach Liang Xiao.
"Liang Xiao, why don't you return to the academy to study?"
Everyone was startled. He was expelled last month, and now they were asking him to return?
Liang Xiao laughed heartily. "Dean Zhuo, are you making fun of me?"
Zhuo Wentao gave a wry smile. "I'm sincere. Think about it, the reason you were expelled was for beating up scholars who discussed surrender. That was also a manifestation of patriotism, wasn't it?"
"So Xiao'er was expelled for this reason?" Luo Changfeng was both shocked and furious. He almost jumped up to punch Zhuo Wentao.
In his life, the old man hated collaborators the most. His grandson-in-law beat up collaborators, and you expelled him??
Liang Xiao frowned.
Before he transformed into the Heavenly General and went into battle, he was studying at the academy. He had indeed beaten up five scholars who suggested surrendering Yan Prefecture.
Those five people were standing behind Zhuo Wentao.
Zhuo Wentao explained, "It wasn't just for that reason. He never wrote essays or answered questions from the teachers, purely coming to waste time and establish his identity. The teachers were already unhappy... But times have changed. I think perhaps he was biding his time, so I'm giving him another chance."
Liang Qing was overjoyed. "Xiao'er can return to the academy!"
Liang Xiao said sternly, "Dean Zhuo, you have quite the authority!"
As soon as he spoke, the entire hall erupted in chaos.
Everyone was shocked. Liang Qing, furious, walked towards Liang Xiao, ready to kick him again.
Luo Qingxue coldly shook her head, resigned.
This Liang Xiao was disrespectful to his elders. It would probably spread throughout Yan Prefecture City tomorrow, and the whole world would know in a month!
The Great Qian Dynasty valued civil virtues over martial prowess and doted on scholars, placing great importance on "respecting teachers and valuing the Way." Liang Xiao's words and actions, under normal circumstances, would warrant accountability!
Zhuo Wentao stopped Liang Qing and sighed, "Liang Xiao, I understand you're still angry. Just consider it me begging you, please return to the academy..."
"What??"
Facing this sudden turn of events, the scholars' faces turned ashen, Luo Qingxue's beauty lost its color, and Luo Changfeng was filled with surprise and joy.
The Dean of the Prefectural Academy held an official position. Zhuo Wentao was also the second son of Zhuo Lingjun and highly respected!
And now he was begging Liang Xiao to return to the academy?
Only Zhuo Wentao knew the difficulty of the situation. It was Zhuo Zifang's strict order to get Liang Xiao back to study!
Liang Xiao smiled. "No need for apologies. I'm not going back to this academy. Never mind you, even if the King of Heaven begged me, it would be useless!"
"Xiao'er!!" Liang Qing almost spat blood.
The esteemed Dean had humbled himself to beg him, and he was being so unreasonable?
Even Luo Changfeng couldn't remain calm. He grabbed Liang Xiao's sleeve and reminded him, "Xiao'er, calm down."
Liang Xiao scratched the back of his head, looking calm. "Do I look like I'm acting impulsively right now?"
Zhuo Wentao turned around and reprimanded the noisy scholars. "All of you, come and apologize to Liang Xiao!"
The scholars were both angry and anxious, but they dared not disobey Zhuo Wentao. They could only abase themselves and apologize to Liang Xiao.
Liang Xiao shook his head. "Dean, what do you take me for? Someone you can summon and dismiss at will? The day I left the academy, I swore that even if you invited me back with a grand sedan chair, it would be useless!"
The people from the academy turned red with shame and were unable to refute.
The scholars had mocked Liang Xiao for this statement for a long time, even turning it into a joke over tea!
"Then let's try the grand sedan chair..." Zhuo Wentao said with a dry laugh.
"Utterly absurd..." Luo Qingxue's chest heaved violently. Her excellent upbringing kept her from cursing.
Originally, she had intended to expose Liang Xiao, but the current situation was increasingly in Liang Xiao's favor...
"Teacher!"
At this moment, Zhuo Zifang was Luo Qingxue's only hope.
After Zhuo Zifang dismissed the scholars, he invited Liang Xiao to sit opposite him.
"Liang Xiao, I understand that no matter what, you will never forgive my son and return to Yan Prefecture Academy. However, the Princess has ordered that you must participate in the 'National Affairs Selection' next spring."
"What is this thing?" Liang Xiao blinked in surprise.
Zhuo Zifang stopped Liang Qing, who was becoming increasingly agitated, and explained it to Liang Xiao.
"Using the National Affairs Selection to decide my betrothal? Whose idea is this?"
"It's the Princess's command. The Princess represents the Emperor, and I believe the Emperor has already arranged your place by now."
Liang Xiao narrowed his eyes and pouted. "Is this little emperor bored out of his mind?"
The royal family had few connections. Instead of doting on more concubines and quickly producing heirs to avoid extinction, he had the time to meddle in his betrothal?
"Xiao'er, you're crazy!"
Liang Qing and Luo Changfeng were startled and rushed over, covering Liang Xiao's mouth.
"Zhuo Lingjun, Xiao'er said nothing just now!"
Zhuo Zifang smiled helplessly. "I am not a stubborn or old-fashioned person. The Emperor is magnanimous and will naturally not hold it against you. However, if you refuse to participate, it will be considered defiance of an imperial decree. Not only you, but your entire Liang family will be implicated."
Liang Xiao's eyes darted. With a cold face, he smiled. "Alright, the National Affairs Selection is still a month away, right?"
You've messed with me twice? Little emperor, you just wait for me!
By this time, Liang Xiao had already devised a plan.
Zhuo Zifang nodded and said, "Indeed! The National Affairs Selection is likely to test the Four Books and Five Classics. Therefore, you must have some understanding of the Four Books and Five Classics within a month. I have decided to take you as my disciple and personally guide you."
"Teacher??"
Luo Qingxue almost suffocated.
She was originally Zhuo Zifang's last disciple!
And now, Zhuo Zifang was going to make an exception and take in a prodigal like Liang Xiao?
Why him? This was clearly an attempt to help him!
Luo Qingxue despaired. She knew she was now completely alone.
Liang Qing and Luo Changfeng were overjoyed. "Xiao'er, quickly kowtow to your teacher. Zhuo Lingjun is a renowned scholar in the world!"
Zhuo Lingjun smiled. "This way, both sides are satisfied, and you won't have to return to Yan Prefecture Academy to study."
Liang Xiao pondered for a moment, then shook his head. "No need to become a disciple."
"What did you say???" Liang Qing felt a surge of blood rush to his head, as if something was blocking his chest!