Chapter 228: First Encounter at the Academy

Chapter 228: First Encounter at the Academy

The next morning, teacher Xun Chong brought E'lan to the students and introduced them with a smile.

"This lady's maiden name is Tang Mengshuang. You must remember that when you study together in the future, you must take care of each other and not quarrel."

All the students responded in unison.

"Yes."

Only Zhuang Rui stood there in a daze, forgetting to answer.

Looking at E-lan's appearance, his heart felt sweet.

I didn't expect that there would be such a delicate and beautiful woman in the world. She is completely different from my third sister. She is so lovable.

Her name is Tang Mengshuang?

The name is also touching, much better than the three words "Zhuang Xianhui".

Isn't this the woman I've always dreamed of?

Just as he was thinking about it, he saw her walking towards him with lotus steps, and then she came to his side and was arranged by Xun Chong to sit in the empty seat.

With just one step, they officially became classmates.

From then on, no matter what Zhuang Rui did, he kept his eyes fixed on E Lan.

After a few hours, Xun Chong could no longer bear it and called out.

"Jiang Xiaoli!"

This was Zhuang Rui's pseudonym. In order to integrate into the folk school, he specially asked for permission and chose a fake place of residence in the suburbs of Beijing.

After studying for many years, he had long been accustomed to his fake name and responded as soon as he heard it.

As always, the attitude is free and unrestrained.

"What advice do you have, Mr. Xun?"

Xun Chong had a gloomy brow, which made people feel awe.

"Can you recite the article I just recited?"

Zhuang Rui answered truthfully without hesitation.

"meeting."

Xun Chong's face was calm, with a hint of scorn on it.

"meeting?"

"The whole article has more than 2,800 words. I'm only teaching the first lesson today. How could you possibly memorize it?"

After asking the question, his face turned stern and his words were cold and sharp.

"You deceived your teachers and boasted shamelessly. With your cynical attitude, how can you participate in the imperial examinations and serve the Emperor Yan and His Majesty in the future?"

From childhood to adulthood, I have had dozens of teachers, and every one of them criticized me in this way.

Zhuang Rui was already used to it, and responded calmly and indifferently.

“I really can recite it.”

"What Mr. Xun recited was just Confucius's Treatise on Benevolence. It's not some puzzling article, right?"

Xun Chong sneered a few times, then turned serious.

“Hahaha…what nonsense!”

"Even those who participated in the Shengjing Prefecture Mutai Examination would not dare to speak so rudely."

"Okay, since you can recite it, recite it for me to hear."

Zhuang Rui nodded in response, looking a little bored.

"Yes."

"The ancient Qing emperor and his ministers were in chaos, so they fell, and the benevolent were there..."

The more Xun Chong listened, the more frightened he became.

"You... actually got it exactly right?"

After being startled, he coughed twice to cover up his embarrassment.

Thinking that one should not allow oneself to become complacent and lose one's composure, Xun Chong used himself to illustrate others and belittled them appropriately.

"When I was young and vigorous, I was also so smart that I could read ten lines at a glance and memorize them. Even so, I am not a rare person in Guilin or Kunshan. There are still many people who are outstanding. Therefore, your ability to recite this article is not a world-shattering feat."

Zhuang Rui smiled in surprise and nodded in agreement.

"Mr. Xunzi's words are very true. Confucius's Theory of Benevolence was written by a mediocre person who memorized the annotations and wrote it in one stroke. It is indeed not a world-shaking work."

Xun Chong was shocked and furious.

"Ahem...you you you...you are simply..."

Zhuang Rui blinked, feeling confused.

"Is not it?"

That's what everyone in my family says.

I was careless and exposed myself? No way.

Putting aside the talents of my father and eldest brother, even a mediocre person like my third sister said that this article is simple and the views are wrong, so it must be really simple.

It's strange, why does Mr. Xun look like this?

Xun Chong gritted his teeth, but could do nothing about it.

"Yeah... you're right..."

"It would be better if you could be polite and listen carefully to the recitation."

He was a new teacher, so he was surprised and amazed at Zhuang Rui's talent, but his classmates were already accustomed to it.

Since every teacher, like Xun Chong, commented that his talent was mediocre, his classmates had no idea that Jiang Xiaoli had any special qualities.

This was the first time E Lan had heard of Ning Yunxi and she had also seen his talent since she was a child. She knew that he was an outstanding talent and she couldn't help but fall in love with him.

Compared to the third girl, his talent and knowledge seem...more outstanding?

Jiang Xiaoli, I will remember him.

After the lecture was finished, it was time to leave school, and Xun Chong smiled and gave instructions.

"Students take turns cleaning the school. Yesterday it was the last person's turn, Tang Mengshuang. I will let you clean today."

E-Lan bowed.

"Yes, I will follow your instructions."

Xun Chong nodded with satisfaction, apparently praising E Lan, but actually giving Zhuang Rui some advice.

"She is respectful, modest and polite, far superior to many other students. Miss Tang is truly a model of a great person."

Zhuang Rui understood what he meant and curled his lips in displeasure.

E-Lan lowered her head and looked anxious.

"How dare I accept your humble words, Master? Please just call me by my name."

Xun Chong has kind eyes and a happy smile.

"That's how it should be in school. After school, you and I are both common people, so we should treat each other equally."

E Lan smiled modestly and shook her head slightly.

"The gentleman is also an elder, and I dare not be disrespectful."

Zhuang Rui couldn't stand it anymore, so he picked up the broom and swept under Xun Chong's feet intentionally or unintentionally.

"Mr. Xun, why aren't you going home yet? Excuse me, but I'm a bit in the way."

As soon as Zhuang Rui turned around, Xun Chong glared at him with his hair pointing and his eyes bloodshot.

"Relying on the fact that you are the son of a wealthy man, you are so arrogant and rude. Is this the etiquette of the Jiang family?"

"I have no intention of damaging the Jiang family's reputation. I just want to remind you that Young Master Jiang's words and deeds are rude and have brought shame to Mr. Jiang and Madam Jiang!"

Zhuang Rui imitated E'lan's humility and smiled slightly, but his smile only showed a hint of arrogance.

"My parents don't care about these illusory reputations. Forgive me for being blunt, but Mr. Xun is meddling in other people's business, right?"

Xun Chong's long beard fluttered, and he was filled with uncontrollable anger.

"You are so arrogant. I must visit the Jiang family's elegant residence and talk to Mr. Jiang!"

Zhuang Rui was completely dissatisfied.

I have clearly learned to be polite, so how can I be so rude?

Is this a deliberate targeting?

Then I might as well not use any humble words!

"Then go quickly, you're in the way."

Xun Chong suppressed his anger and began to grit his teeth again.

"It's Miss Tang who is cleaning today, why are you doing this?"

Zhuang Rui shook his head and smiled contemptuously.

"I am happy with it, what's your business?"

Xun Chong was so furious that his heart ached. He left after saying some harsh words.

"When we get back home later, I'll see how you'll explain it to your parents!"

Zhuang Rui ignored him and continued sweeping the floor.

Anyway, they are all fake parents, one is one of my father's servants, and the other is one of my mother's maids. Why should I explain to them?

E'lan's jade hand, half covered with her sleeve, came towards her.

"I don't want to trouble you. Please go ahead, Jiang Shaolang. I'll clean it myself."

Zhuang Rui did not give up the broom.

"You are so soft and delicate, please be gentle and kind, don't hurt your hands again, from now on, let me do everything for you."

O-Lan lowered her eyes in fear.

"How about that?"

"Jiang Shaolang is the son of a wealthy man, and he is also a senior fellow student in the school."

"The order of seniority is in place, and I dare not overstep my bounds."

Zhuang Rui refuted it cleverly.

"I just heard you talking to someone and learned that you are a year older than me. Since there is a hierarchy of seniority, it is my responsibility not to overstep my authority."

As he said this, he used his free hand to press her shoulders and made her sit back in the chair.

"If you find it embarrassing, why don't you sit down and keep me company as a reward? How about that?"

E-lan was embarrassed for a moment, and then performed the flat ceremony.

"Then...thank you, Young Master Jiang."