The Country Maiden: Fields and Leisure-Chapter 912 - 910: How Did It Change?_2

Along the way, no one knows who started it, but suddenly someone uttered astonishing words, suggesting that perhaps Changqing Academy lost last year and feared losing again this year, so they meddled, influencing high-ups to deliberately sabotage Baiyun Academy, hoping they’d perform poorly in the autumn exams.

It was merely a jest, yet it struck a chord with some, who had been chosen in Baiyun Academy’s team for their slightly robust physique despite mediocre grades.

They harbored resentment, wondering how much coursework would be disrupted along the way. Originally unsure about the autumn exams, this turmoil made it seem unlikely that they’d succeed this year.

Already disgruntled, they increasingly felt the statement made sense.

As they pondered over this, alighting from the boat, ideally, they should have followed the academy’s teacher and their classmates to Changqing Academy.

Changqing Academy had dedicated guest quarters to accommodate them.

However, they found an excuse to sneak away midway, intending to wander around Jing County and gather some news about Changqing Academy. If they could ignite trouble, humiliate Changqing Academy, and vent their anger, that would be ideal.

Wandering through, they found Jing County prosperous, with citizens well-dressed and courteous.

Originally thinking they’d return empty-handed, they suddenly heard some women scolding their children, which drew nearby questions overheard by them.

Truly, when heaven wants to help one, it’s effortless.

Someone even carefully asked which academy Scholar Song attended, only to hear it was Changqing Academy.

Exchanging glances, they all devised a plan.

Initially, they aimed to exploit those women’s issues to pressure the Scholar from Changqing Academy, while also tarnishing its reputation.

If executed well, perhaps they’d have one less competitor this year.

Thus led to the subsequent events.

Unexpectedly, halfway through, how did things spiral out of control?

According to their plan, they were supposed to champion justice by confronting Scholar Song’s family; whether the family yielded and apologized or stubbornly resisted, they would’ve tarnished Scholar Song’s reputation and consequently Changqing Academy’s.

Ultimately, they would retreat unscathed, leaving Changqing Academy’s reputation tarnished?

Yet, how did it end with their little scheming being spotted and exaggeratedly demonized?

Making everyone in Jing County view them as vile creatures?

A few scholars began to argue: "It’s not like you think, we—"

"Shut your mouth! Speak again, and don’t blame me if I spit in your face! Looking presentable, you call yourselves scholars, yet behave disgracefully!" Old Granny Zhang boldly guarded the scholars, watching vigilantly lest they stir trouble again.

From afar, a commotion was heard: "The officers are coming! The officers are coming!"

With urgent footsteps, familiar government officials appeared before Wang Yongzhu.

As they approached, recognizing Wang Yongzhu, their faces twitched, and they turned to ask nearby, "What’s going on?"

Elsewhere, someone shouted: "The academy’s teachers are here! The teachers are here! Make way—"

The crowd dispersed to create a pathway.

Two figures resembling teachers, leading a group of academy students, hurried over, among them none other than Song Chongjin and Gu Zikai.

The two first spotted Wang Yongzhu and Old Granny Zhang, relieved to find them unharmed.

Following the teacher, they reached the gateway of the Song Family Courtyard.

Government officials respectfully greeted the teachers, then stepped aside, as this matter involved Baiyun Academy, it was inappropriate for them to intervene. fгee𝑤ebɳoveɭ.cøm

One of the arriving teachers, face flushed with anger, glared at the disheveled scholars surrounded by onlookers: "Nonsense! Utterly outrageous! When we return, transcribe the books! Baiyun Academy’s reputation is entirely diminished by you!"

The scholars initially viewed the teacher as a savior, yet hearing this, they shrank, as if frost had struck them.

One of them, still dissatisfied, attempted to argue: "Teacher! This isn’t our fault, we—"

Embarrassed, the teacher shouted backwards: "Shut up!"

Turning back, he grinned apologetically to Changqing Academy’s teacher: "I sincerely apologize! These brats from our academy were thoughtless and caused you trouble!"

Changqing Academy’s teacher, stroking his beard, smiled: "It’s fine, it’s fine. Youngsters, after all, inevitably make mistakes; what’s important is acknowledging and correcting them!"

Baiyun Academy’s teacher, with twitching cheeks, silently maintained the grin.

Song Chongjin and Gu Zikai had already made their way to Wang Yongzhu, softly inquiring about the situation.

Briefly, Wang Yongzhu explained the situation and finally, somewhat apprehensively: "Brother Song, did I cause you any trouble?"

Song Chongjin smiled, "You did well! Luckily you restrained them; if it had escalated into violence, then we’d really be culpable!"

Gu Zikai added: "Exactly, without any violence, they’re at fault; had it escalated, we couldn’t clear our name even by jumping into the Jing River."

Wang Yongzhu quickly grasped the underlying meaning and understood.

Meanwhile, Changqing Academy’s teacher, having listened to an explanation from nearby, maintained a stoic expression, yet his gaze swept over, immediately recognizing this family member likely belonged to Song Chongjin.

Today’s situation, but for Song Chongjin’s wife’s composure, could have unfairly disadvantaged Changqing Academy.

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