Lin Qingge had not yet stepped forward to acknowledge them when she heard the surrounded scholar speak with neither humility nor arrogance:
"Zhou claims he is indeed from a humble background, but that does not mean Zhou is inferior or willing to degenerate.
Zhou believes in studying the teachings of sages, upholding the character of a gentleman, and being a virtuous person.
Although Zhou is penniless, a lean tiger still has ambitions, and poverty does not diminish one's aspirations.
Zhou will not accept any ill-gotten gains.
Furthermore, using a method as dishonorable as stealing."
"Well said, 'A lean tiger still has ambitions, and poverty does not diminish one's aspirations'!"
Lin Qingge walked forward, applauding appreciatively, and said:
"As the saying goes: Learn extensively, inquire carefully, consider thoughtfully, distinguish clearly, and practice diligently.
Although this official does not know what has transpired, if it is merely a matter of passion, then there is suspicion of bullying!"
Lin Qingge's final words were somewhat impolite, causing the students gathered outside to turn their heads.
Among them were those from distinguished families, who scrutinized Lin Qingge from head to toe, and then said with their chins raised:
"This official?
You are an unfamiliar face?"
Before Lin Qingge could respond, Dean Ouyang Xiu, stroking his beard, reprimanded them:
"How dare you! This is the newly appointed Governor of Shuntian Prefecture, Lord Lin Qingxing!
You few newly enrolled students might not know, but Lord Lin Qingxing is an alumnus of our Hanlin Academy. After achieving the third rank in the imperial examination, he resolutely gave up the opportunity to remain in the capital and went to a remote area to serve as a county magistrate.
In just half a year, he rose from a mere ninth-rank county magistrate to a fourth-rank Governor, truly the pride of our Hanlin Academy!"
"What?!
You are Lord Lin Qingxing?!"
Upon hearing Dean Ouyang Xiu's introduction, the expressions of several students changed drastically, and it would not be an exaggeration to say they were terrified.
"What, you know this official?"
Lin Qingge felt that while she might not be considered exceptionally courteous, she was certainly approachable.
What was the meaning of these students acting as if they had seen a fierce beast?
As Lin Qingge pondered this, one of the students spoke tremblingly:
"Th-that is, are you the newly appointed Governor of Shuntian Prefecture, Lord Lin Qingxing, the one who took Prince Zhennan as a subordinate thug, and whose father resigns whenever someone encounters you?"
"Although this official does not quite understand your first sentence, it is true that the Governor of Shuntian Prefecture, Lin Qingxing, is this official."
Upon receiving an affirmative answer, the students' previous arrogance vanished without a trace. The student who had been the most arrogant earlier prostrated himself before Lin Qingge and said:
"Student Sun Yi, I have suffered from hysteria since birth. My earlier remarks were not intended, and I beg Lord Lin not to hold them against a patient like myself."
As if to prove his words, this student named 'Sun Yi' then raised his hand and slapped himself several times.
Following Sun Yi's lead, the other students also rushed to apologize to Lin Qingge and then proceeded to slap themselves.
???
Confused by this display, Lin Qingge listened to the incessant crisp sounds of slaps and turned to look at Dean Ouyang Xiu, who had a similarly complex expression, and tentatively asked:
"Dean Ouyang, have the students our academy now accepts become so indiscriminate?"
"This…"
As if to alleviate Dean Ouyang Xiu's embarrassment, Lin Yan walked to Lin Qingge's side and explained in a low voice:
"My Lord, although the capital is vast, information travels with incredible speed, especially within your circle.
Essentially, any stir is known within half a day.
Therefore, your recent feat of causing two high-ranking court officials to take leave should have spread throughout the capital, leading every household to instruct their children to steer clear of you.
It is likely for this reason that Sun Yi and the others resorted to self-harm to apologize to you and seek your forgiveness.
After all, slapping oneself a few times is more cost-effective than causing one's father to lose his official position and oneself to be severely punished.
Incidentally, Sun Yi's father is Grand Master Sun."
"So that's how it is."
A flicker of understanding and a hint of regret for the failed attempt at provocation crossed Lin Qingge's eyes.
At this moment, the student who had been surrounded walked up to Lin Qingge with a pleased expression, cupped his hands in a bow, and said:
"Student Zhou Zeli, greetings, my Lord."
"Tell me, what happened? Why did they falsely accuse you?"
Lin Qingge trusted Zhou Zeli's character, hence she used the word 'falsely accuse.'
Zhou Zeli, knowing that his Lord trusted him as always, his eyes lit up. He bowed gratefully and recounted the entire incident.
It turned out that Sun Yi had brought a desk inkstone called 'Sun and Moon Shining Together' from home yesterday.
This inkstone was not only carved from superior dark jade but also bore the personal inscription of the new Emperor, making it priceless.
It was said that when the new Emperor was still the Crown Prince, he had gifted it to Prime Minister Shangguan, and it had then passed to Grand Master Sun, who kept it as a treasured family heirloom.
Sun Yi, wanting to show off among his peers, had secretly taken the inkstone from home.
However, the inkstone, which had been placed in good condition on his desk this morning, had vanished when he looked at it again.
Zhou Zeli, being the last student to report to the Hanlin Academy, was already somewhat ostracized due to his outsider status, or rather, his humble origins and his habitually simple and frugal lifestyle.
Therefore, after the inkstone went missing, everyone regarded him as a suspect.
"Is it easy for outsiders to be ostracized when studying here?"
Zhou Zeli thoughtfully considered Lin Qingge's seemingly unrelated question and replied:
"My Lord, regarding other students, I am not sure, but the situation of two other impoverished students from outside our province in my cohort should be similar to mine."
Upon hearing this, Lin Qingge looked at Lin Yan and asked, "Clerk Lin, were you ever ostracized when you studied at the academy?"
"There were some minor frictions at first, but after the examination results were posted, they ceased.
Of course, my Lord, being so adept at socializing, never even had any friction."
Lin Qingge understood that Lin Yan was reminding her that her own brother, despite his affable nature, had never quarreled with others or been isolated.
Indeed.
Her brother, with his perpetual smile, always appeared friendly to everyone.
But if even the equally amiable Lin Yan had faced difficulties, why had her brother, also of humble origins, remained unscathed and untroubled?
Dean Ouyang Xiu, recovering from his awkwardness, chimed in:
"Lord Lin, the matter of the inkstone can be resolved by the students themselves later. Shall I lead you all to visit the adjacent area?"
Glancing at Dean Ouyang Xiu, whose face was beaming with a smile as he tried to smooth things over, Lin Qingge suddenly understood why Elder Su preferred returning to his hometown to grow flowers and tend to plants rather than remaining in the capital.
If Elder Su were here, with his temperament, even if the King of Heaven himself arrived, he would first ascertain right from wrong.
However, it was undeniable that from the perspective of long-term academy management, Dean Ouyang Xiu was more suitable.
Seeing that Prince Andre and the others showed no signs of impatience and were even engaged in animated discussion, while the Khitan Emperor and his companion remained in a corner, drawing circles, Lin Qingge, reassured, cupped her hands to the person before her and said:
"Dean Ouyang, the inkstone has not been lost; it is right here in this classroom."