The Crown Prince had been pulled away, and even the dimmest students understood: Teacher Song believed the Crown Prince would lose, and the consequences would be severe.

In contrast, both Teacher Zhang and Ye Qianning were perfectly calm. They weren’t afraid of being challenged to a competition on the spot. The ones who were afraid were their accusers. It was the ultimate slap in the face.

"All students who voiced their doubts today will go to the Ancestor Hall and kneel. You may not return to your lessons until you have copied the Disciple’s Rules five hundred times." Teacher Zhang announced, his gaze sweeping over the students before landing on the one on the ground, who looked so terrified he was about to faint. "If you remain unconvinced, you are welcome to compete in public as well."

"I... I..." The student’s vision went dark, and he collapsed onto the ground.

Teacher Zhang shook his head. "Send him back to his family’s estate. As of now, he is expelled from the academy."

"Yes, Teacher." The academy guards stepped forward and carried the student away.

The students quickly dispersed as well.

Sang Zhi breathed a sigh of relief. A match between the Crown Prince and the little fatty would have been a mess to clean up, regardless of who won. Fortunately, Teacher Song had put a stop to it.

Only then did Qian Zhuye find his voice. "I have never seen such a bizarre scene. Was that even the same Teacher Song I’ve met before?"

"How many times have you even met him?" Ye Qianning said.

"It doesn’t matter how many times! Teacher Song broke a whole pile of the Disciple’s Rules. Isn’t that something else?"

Ye Qianning just smiled faintly without a word. ’Compared to the Disciple’s Rules, Sang Qi’s future is obviously more important. For Teacher Song to go this far for him, he truly is a good mentor.’

’I just hope Sang Qi can understand his intentions.’

"If I hadn’t seen it with my own eyes, I’d have thought Teacher Song was possessed," Teacher Zhang remarked, still finding the whole thing very strange.

"His pride was wounded, so he’s shut himself off," Qian Fanji said coolly.

"How was his pride wounded?"

"Heh," Qian Fanji chuckled, offering no explanation.

Teacher Zhang’s curiosity was piqued. "Out with it. What are you laughing at?"

"The moon wanes when it is full; water overflows when it is filled."

Teacher Zhang mulled over the words. Teacher Song was indeed quite arrogant. ’Looks like someone really took him down a peg or two...’

"Uncle, what does that mean?" Qian Zhuye asked curiously.

Qian Fanji glanced down. "If you fail the next monthly exam, the armory will be locked."

"No, don’t! This time was a fluke! Next time... I guarantee I’ll pass next time!"

"A fluke? You call spending all your time with her copying the Disciple’s Rules a fluke?" Qian Fanji asked.

The moment he heard this, Qian Zhuye instinctively moved to stand in front of Ye Qianning. "Uncle, you know my heart isn’t in literary studies. I prefer the martial path."

Ye Qianning could read between the lines. ’He’s just trying to say I’m a bad influence on Qian Zhuye, isn’t he?’

Qian Fanji’s eyes fell on the two of them standing together—one large, one small—and he froze for a split second. Recovering, he said calmly, "Literary studies are just as important for a military man. No more slacking off."

"Yes, Uncle."

"Look at this, a commotion that’s lasted all morning. It’s nearly time for lunch. Rest well during the break, so you’ll have the energy for your afternoon lessons." Teacher Zhang gestured for everyone to disperse.

"Yes, Teacher."

Sang Zhi and Qian Fanji both bowed in acknowledgment.

Before he left, Teacher Zhang glanced one more time at Ye Qianning, chuckling and stroking his beard as he walked off.

Qian Fanji looked as if he wanted to say something, but in the end, he left without a word.

"My uncle’s acting a little weird today." Qian Zhuye raised a hand to scratch the back of his head.

"Has your uncle ever acted ’normal’?" Ye Qianning retorted, staring at that fox’s retreating back. ’Of my father’s group of four, Qian Fanji is the most unfathomable, completely impossible to read. The only one who comes close is Gu Shuo.’

"I know, right? I actually saw Uncle smile just now. That’s not just weird, it’s *really* weird."

Ye Qianning: "..."

’We are not on the same wavelength at all!’

"Come on, let’s go get something to eat." Ye Qianning couldn’t be bothered to argue with him.