Chapter 904 - 906 You kicked too lightly_1
With Wang Tianyou’s level of martial arts, could he even get close to Bai Ruozhu? Jiang Yichun was present, and the dark guards didn’t make a move, but Bai Ruozhu, however, grabbed onto Jiang Yichun.
Looking at Bai Ruozhu helplessly, Jiang Yichun’s eyes revealed a trace of doting affection.
When Wang Tianyou charged at Bai Ruozhu, everyone showed a look of surprise. For a scholar to strike a woman, wasn’t that too shameful? Of course, the real embarrassment was yet to come.
Just as Wang Tianyou rushed forward, his hand hadn’t even touched Bai Ruozhu when she effortlessly lifted her leg and kicked him. Then, with a scream, he tumbled away.
Unable to defeat a woman and instead getting beaten by one, Wang Tianyou would become the laughingstock of the Capital City’s aristocratic young masters.
Ding Guangji and the others hadn’t left yet and almost laughed out loud upon witnessing the scene. They had no sympathy for Wang Tianyou and quickly followed Ding Guangji out. The people from Beiyu Academy didn’t hold back either, laughing heartily, with some deliberately laughing loudly. The laughter echoed through the yard, attracting the attention of the servants and maids who were cleaning, all unable to resist coming over to enjoy the commotion.
Wang Tianyou, having been kicked so hard he lost his breath, was fortunate his entourage rushed over to help him. It took him a while to recover, tasting a metallic flavor in his mouth and feeling both angry and somewhat frightened. He hadn’t expected Bai Ruozhu to have such powerful leg strength.
Although Bai Ruozhu’s martial arts were not on par with Tu Ying and Tu Bai, she had learned some techniques from the guards and dark guards around her. How could a pampered young master like Wang Tianyou stand a chance against her?
Of course, thanks to the strength bestowed by the Spatial Pond’s water, she was also stronger than before.
"You, you’ll pay for this. Our Wang Family and you are sworn enemies now!" Wang Tianyou had already lost his confidence, each word followed by a violent cough. His entourage saw that they were outnumbered and quickly helped Wang Tianyou to leave.
After everyone had gone, Guo Xing and his group eagerly asked the academy principal what exactly had happened. The principal briefly explained the situation, and everyone became furious upon hearing it, saying that if it wasn’t for Bai Ruozhu’s timely discovery, they would have suffered unjustly.
"I didn’t tell everyone before because I didn’t want you all to act rashly in anger. Now that the matter has been clarified, Mr. Qiu has promised to give us an explanation. So whether it is during the upcoming banquet or during our stay in Jiangnan, I hope no one will keep bringing this up; otherwise, it would appear as if we are kicking someone when they’re down," the principal said.
Bai Ruozhu nodded silently in agreement; the principal was right. The organizing committee would clarify things, and if they still talked about it everywhere, it would indeed make them look petty.
Everyone nodded after hearing this and agreed to the principal’s request.
Since there was still some time left, Bai Ruozhu excused herself from the principal and went to find Tu Ying.
"I should’ve dealt with him for you, you kicked too lightly," said Jiang Yichun in a low voice when they were alone.
Bai Ruozhu chuckled, "Leave him a dog’s life, so we won’t be accused of kicking someone while they’re down."
Jiang Yichun smiled, "As you wish."
Tu Ying and Tu Bai were in the house frantically dealing with Little Dengdeng who had just made a shiny mess again.
With Tu Bai injured and unable to move freely, practically less useful than a half-person, Tu Ying, who claimed she could take care of a child, found the shiny mess absolutely disgusting. She handled it with extreme caution, and Little Dengdeng, the little rascal, made it even more difficult by kicking about, truly living up to his nickname.As soon as Bai Ruozhu entered the room and saw the scene, she was amused and said, "Let me do it."
Jiang Yichun followed suit and also saw it, thinking to himself, how come you aren’t getting angry now that Wuying is touching your son’s butt?
Bai Ruozhu, being experienced, quickly took care of Little Dengdeng and also told the two about what happened at the Public Hall. Wuying and Tubai were particularly outraged, but after hearing Bai Ruozhu relay the head of the academy’s instructions, they also knew their limits and said they wouldn’t hold a grudge against the people from Chang’an Academy, after all, those students were not privy to the internal details.
Soon, the head of the academy sent someone to call them, indicating it was time to attend the banquet.
The group went to the Liuxian Building arranged by the organizing committee. The Liuxian Building had been completely reserved, and the attendees were all competitors from The Eight Academies. Everyone greeted each other warmly, but soon, many noticed that nobody from Chang’an Academy had arrived.
It wasn’t long before Mr. Qiu came out with his entourage, who were holding red announcements, and then Mr. Qiu said to everyone, "There has been an issue with the rankings of the competition. The correct individual and overall points rankings need to be announced again, and there have been changes in the results. Second place is now Beiyu Academy. As for the original third place, Chang’an Academy, due to Dean Zhang Xiuquan and the organizing committee’s responsible person Deng Lin conspiring to cheat, disrupting the competition system, Chang’an Academy’s overall ranking qualification for this competition has been revoked!"
The crowd was stunned to hear that Chang’an Academy’s ranking qualification had been revoked. For cheating?
Tai’an Academy, which originally ranked fourth, was particularly overjoyed because this meant they moved up to fill the spot, suddenly making it into the top three.
Mr. Qiu ignored the crowd’s surprise and walked to the head of the academy and the people from Beiyu Academy, then bowed deeply and said, "On behalf of the organizing committee, I apologize to Beiyu Academy. As there were those in the organizing committee who accepted bribes and cheated, it has caused you inconvenience. Now, Deng Lin and others like Zhang Xiuquan have been detained, and the organizing committee will ensure you have justice."
The head of the academy quickly stood up to support Mr. Qiu and said, with embarrassment, "Mr. Qiu is upright. We should thank you for giving us justice, and your apology is more than we deserve."
Bai Ruozhu and the others all stood up and returned the courtesy to Mr. Qiu, saying that this was the personal act of Deng Lin and they wouldn’t hold the organizing committee responsible.
Mr. Qiu, seeing that the people from Beiyu Academy were very understanding, felt relieved and even more convinced that they deservedly won second place this year.
The updated rankings were then posted on the wall of the restaurant for everyone to reconfirm their positions, after which the prizes for the top three academies were awarded.
The prizes were not actual gold and silver but were even more meaningful, including exquisite paintings, original ancient books, premium Soot Cloud Ink, and so on.
Fourth to seventh places also received encouragement prizes, and after that, the banquet began. However, by the time the banquet ended, not a single person from Chang’an Academy had appeared. It wasn’t that the organizing committee prohibited them from attending, but at this time, no one had the face to show up.
At the end of the day, the other students of Chang’an Academy were the real ones to be pitied, as this was truly an undeserved disaster for them. Later, people quietly discussed among themselves, saying it was still better to have secured third place—at least that was top three, which was better than not having any ranking at all. Going back without a ranking, they would have to face ridicule.
Fortunately, individual rankings were not affected. Those who secured personal rankings could still return with honor, which would benefit them in future Rural and Provincial Examinations. It was just unfortunate for those who did not get a ranking, as they would have no chance even to compete for an academy’s overall ranking.
After the competition ended, the Huainan King had messages sent to The Eight Academies, saying the arranged accommodations could continue to be used without formality. The head of the academy discussed with the others and decided to stay in Xuanlang City for two more days before setting off, then take a trip around Yangzhou.
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I forgot to say, happy Qixi Festival to everyone~