Your Majesty, Please Stop!

Chapter 88: A Challenge from Other Classes

On October 24th, it was the Frost's Descent.

Frost's Descent is the last solar term in autumn, and winter is not far away.

In the early morning, it was indeed much colder. Even though the sun had risen, it still made people feel a chill. The students of Class Yi Kui were feeling even colder.

At the beginning of the Mao hour, someone with panda eyes entered the classroom.

By the end of the hour, almost everyone had arrived.

The usual idle chatter was gone. Everyone had dark circles under their eyes, yawning while nervously writing or reciting while staring at the ceiling.

"Yuzhou, the old capital, and Hongdu, the new capital, the stars are... Huh? What comes after the stars? I remember it clearly from last night."

"Alas! Fate is not fair, and life is full of twists and turns. Feng Tang ages easily, and Li Guang is hard to promote. Qu Jia Yi was exiled to Changsha, not without a Saint Lord; fleeing to Liang, fleeing to Liang... The gentleman on the beam, the switch of pillars... Forget it, I'm so annoyed!"

"The sound of the bell, the feast at home, what comes after that..."

Su Zefeng didn't have the same determination as he had yesterday. His dark circles were heavier than anyone else's. He had a premonition that Xin Zhuo, that scoundrel, would definitely come after him. He absolutely couldn't let him succeed. This was a matter of dignity. As he thought about this, he subconsciously looked at Yuan Yourong.

Yuan Yourong glared at him. Her originally playful face looked particularly haggard at this moment. "Shut up. Everyone should focus on their own recitation. If you can't recite it, be prepared to be punished. Don't look at me!"

Su Zefeng pursed his lips and looked at Murong Yunxi beside him. He noticed that her hair was messy, and she was lying on the desk, making a soft snoring sound. There was a glistening drool at the corner of her mouth. He couldn't help but shake his head.

At the front, Bai Xuanji, Helian Sheng, and Li Xiyue were radiant and composed. Not only had they memorized the entire text, but they also understood its deeper meaning. They couldn't help but be impressed by the talent of the young master.

Yes, it was difficult to find the source of this poem, but with their family background and education, it was not difficult to distinguish that Xin Zhuo was not plagiarizing. There was no great scholar in the world who had written a similar work.

"The setting sun and the lonely horse fly together, the autumn water shares the same color as the sky."

Helian Sheng sighed with emotion, "This description of the scenery, although simple and concise, creates vivid images in one's mind and evokes emotions. Truly remarkable."

"Though poor, I will remain steadfast and not give up my ambition to reach the top."

Li Xiyue, with her bright eyes and white teeth, couldn't help but feel sentimental. She supported her chin with her hand and murmured to herself, "It is said that the young master is a bandit. When I first saw him, I thought the scholars in the academy had gone mad, but it turned out to be my narrow-mindedness. Not to mention the 'Tao Te Ching,' which is a rare and extraordinary work, even this poem is well-structured, with exquisite language that is admirable. It is no less than the great scholars of this era. As for ambition, it only shows that I am a commoner."

The two looked at the cold and aloof Bai Xuanji and saw that she had been repeating one sentence all along: "It is thanks to the gentleman's insight and the wise man's understanding of fate..."

Helian Sheng curiously asked, "Junior Sister Bai, how do you interpret this sentence?"

A rare trace of sadness appeared on Bai Xuanji's face. "If my father had read this poem when he was young, he would never have willingly fallen into decadence..."

Helian Sheng and the others exchanged glances. It was not appropriate to comment. Bai Xuanji came from a prestigious family. Her father was once a Half-step Great Master and held a high position, but he was secretly plotted against and became disabled overnight. He had willingly fallen into decadence and became a drunkard.

At this moment, the sound of footsteps came from outside. The students in the classroom thought it was the teacher and sat up straight, looking outside.

However, it was not the teacher who came, but seven students in white robes. The leading young man was tall and imposing, exuding an unparalleled confidence and dominance.

Following closely behind was a female student, graceful and elegant, wearing a male student's hat and carrying her hands behind her back, giving off an air of keeping everyone at a distance.

"Huh? Who are they? What are they here for?" Murong Yunxi, who had just woken up, asked Yuan Yourong in surprise.

Yuan Yourong frowned and whispered, "The first place on the Jia list is the Crown Prince of Nanling, Ji Cunxiao. The granddaughter of the third place on the Jia list, the Left Deputy of the Ministry of Personnel, is Zong Lingxi. The remaining five people are also on the Jia list. In addition, there are Bai Xuanji and three others from our academy. The top ten on the Jia list are all here. They are probably here to listen to the 'Dao De Jing' as well."

Muran Yunxi blinked her eyes and said, "These people have impressive backgrounds. Why are they studying in our small academy on the border? It's strange."

Yuan Yourong chuckled and said, "My grandfather once said that this place is a land of hidden dragons and spirits. The founding emperor once hunted in these mountains and later gathered a group of people to establish a dynasty. That's why every few years, important figures send their children to the Autumn Palace Pavilion to absorb the dragon's aura and achieve success. It is said that there are also many daughters of wealthy families pretending to be nuns in the Water Moon Temple."

"Oh," Muran Yunxi nodded, seemingly understanding.

At this point, the servants of the academy had already moved seven bookcases to the front. Ji Cunxiao and the others waved their wide sleeves and sat down.

Helian Sheng, who was somewhat familiar with everyone, cupped his fists and asked knowingly, "What brings you senior brothers and sisters here?"

Ji Cunxiao's expression was indifferent, with a hint of superiority in his tone. He said, "The Master said that a new teacher has arrived in the new classroom, teaching a profound and wonderful scripture called the 'Dao De Jing.' He specifically asked us to come and listen!"

Li Xiyue snorted, "It's nothing special. There's no need for all of you senior brothers and sisters to come personally. In our free time, we can also explain it to you."

One's own teacher's knowledge is one's own. It feels uncomfortable when others come.

"If the true meaning of the scripture is indeed profound, how much can you understand?" Zong Lingxi said coldly.

"Of course, it's best to come in person," Li Xiyue replied indifferently.

Ji Cunxiao glanced at Bai Xuanji, then looked at Helian Sheng, and said, "In fact, our teacher has already taught us the two chapters of the 'Dao De Jing' yesterday. However... I'm not afraid to offend you all, but although these scriptures are indeed extraordinary, they don't bring much benefit to us. At least with our current realm, it is quite difficult to fully comprehend them. We have also read this poem, which is indeed talented, but..."

Bai Xuanji questioned coldly, "What do you mean, Senior Brother Ji?"

"The meaning is simple!" Zong Lingxi took over, sharp and direct. "Whether it's the scripture or the poem, they are too extravagant and profound, and they have the suspicion of exaggeration and empty talk. Even if the new teacher transmits the scripture to other teachers to teach us, it is still acceptable. Not to mention that we are currently at a critical moment of advancing from the low stage to the middle stage of the Martial Dao."

Let's not mention that all of you will soon enter the court as civil and military officials. Ji Cunxiao and I have already been assigned to the Divine Strategy Army. I don't know how much this little teacher knows about military strategy and the Martial Dao.

If you only understand the scripture and have talent, how are you any different from the Confucian scholars? Do you have the qualifications to be a teacher?"

Is this a challenge?

Challenging Master Xin?

Bai Xuanji, Helian Sheng, and Li Xiyue exchanged glances, their brows slightly furrowed. They no longer argued. They didn't know if this was Ji Cunxiao and the others' own idea or if it was instructed by other teachers.

Moreover, they were also curious. Does Master Xin only know scripture and poetry? If that's the case, it's indeed inappropriate.

"I agree with Senior Brother Ji and Senior Sister Great Master!" Su Zefeng, who was behind them, suddenly stood up with a righteous expression, cupped his fists, and said, "Junior Brother also thinks that our Master Xin only knows scripture and poetry, and it's a bit empty talk. How about letting him teach us military strategy and the Martial Dao today?"

As soon as he finished speaking, angry glares were cast from all around. It's one thing to have doubts, but to say it directly is going too far:

You traitor!

Su Zefeng couldn't help but feel his scalp tingle. He sat down with a wry smile on his face.

(End of this chapter)