Drinking the headmaster's fine tea, Zhong Nan shared his understanding of Shen Han.

Especially since he had already verified that Shen Han indeed possessed the strength of the Sixth Grade.

Moreover, judging by his battle with Dugu Tian, his combat prowess was also extremely strong.

The headmaster also knew that Shen Han had outperformed Qianmu Fan during the Shen Family assessment in Yun'an City.

Coupled with his Sixth Grade strength, Shen Han was more than qualified to be a protégé.

After a conversation with the headmaster, it was settled that Shen Han would be accepted as a protégé.

However, the headmaster made a small request not to announce Shen Han's status as a protégé to the public for now.

He intended to introduce Shen Han as a 'Surprise Attack' during the inter-academy competition at the end of May.

The headmaster stood up slightly, looking at the surrounding scenery.

In the eyes of the people of Great Wei, the Tianyi Academy was just there to make up the numbers among the four academies in the capital.

None of the young talents who made a name for themselves each year ever came from Tianyi Academy.

This year, Tianyi Academy was determined not to be at the bottom.

Using some tactics, employing some schemes, the headmaster wanted to elevate Tianyi Academy from last place.

The requirement wasn't high; surpassing the Jade Dragon Academy would suffice.

Zhong Nan did not refuse, as keeping a low profile for another month or so didn't matter to Shen Han.

Having received the headmaster's approval, the matter was officially decided.

With Shen Han added, there were only nine protégés in the entire Tianyi Academy.

These nine were the top students of Tianyi Academy.

The inter-academy competition was naturally represented by these protégés fighting for the academy.

Leaving the headmaster's tower, Zhong Nan had just reached his courtyard when he saw Qiu Shuyin waiting before his gate.

Qiu Shuyin from the Qiu Family had considerable accomplishments in musical cultivation.

Qiu Shuyin's elders were tutors at Mountain Sea Academy, specializing in musical cultivation methods.

Zhong Nan also knew that Qiu Shuyin coming to Tianyi Academy was merely out of spite.

Shen Ye had refused to choose her and chose Su Jinyu instead.

Feeling angry, she came to Tianyi Academy.

"Mr. Zhong..."

Upon seeing Zhong Nan, Qiu Shuyin immediately stepped forward to greet him.

The Qiu Family, being a scholarly family, raised their younger generation to be courteous as well.

"Shuyin, is there something urgent you need from me?"

"Actually, it's nothing major; I just wanted to ask you to help persuade Shen Han.

Since he's now under your wing, I'm sure he would listen to you."

This statement from Qiu Shuyin left Zhong Nan completely puzzled.

"Persuade him? Persuade Shen Han about what?"

Upon hearing Zhong Nan's questioning, Qiu Shuyin hesitated briefly but decided to be straightforward.

She, being an honest person, candidly explained to Zhong Nan about fabricating rumors concerning Shen Han and Su Jinyu.

"These rumors were your creation..."

Qiu Shuyin waved her hand, "I didn't make things up. Mr. Zhong, can you really say Shen Han doesn't have feelings for Su Jinyu?

After Su Jinyu called off the engagement, he must have wanted to win her over even more.

These rumors merely expressed his true feelings."

Taking a moment to pause, Qiu Shuyin continued.

"And to make it up to him, I introduced Fu Meng'Er to him.

The Fu Family's Fu Meng'Er is quite a climb for Shen Han, don't you think?

Yet he refused to appreciate this..."

Upon hearing this, Zhong Nan found it hard to listen any further.

"You fabricate rumors about Shen Han and slander others, yet say others don't appreciate it...

Shuyin, a person should consider others more.

If others fabricated rumors about you, wouldn't you feel resentment already? That's already being quite generous.

How could you expect others to cooperate with your schemes...

And Fu Meng'Er is not some great climb for Shen Han."

Hearing these words from Mr. Zhong, Qiu Shuyin's expression turned somewhat sour.

This response was clearly a refusal to help her.

After hesitating briefly, she bid farewell to Mr. Zhong.

Both Shen Han and Zhong Nan, teacher and student alike, were quite arrogant.

When Mr. Zhong mentioned that Fu Meng'Er wasn't a climb for Shen Han, Qiu Shuyin no longer wanted to continue the conversation.

She didn't feel like arguing further; they couldn't even discern what constitutes a climb.

Evidently, Zhong Nan lacked even the most basic concept of the power and influence of various aristocratic families.

Without Shen Han's cooperation, spreading this rumor would require much more effort.

But it didn't matter; Qiu Shuyin had some confidence that she could do it herself.

Passing by Xiangyun Pavilion, Qiu Shuyin bought a box of peach crisp, intending to visit Fu Meng'Er for a chat.

The Fu Family in the capital had some influence as well.

The always pampered Fu Meng'Er, although studying at Mountain Sea Academy, did not live on campus.

Among women, it's easy for conflicts to arise.

Fu Meng'Er moved to a house outside the academy in less than half a month of residence there.

Seeing it was Qiu Shuyin, the attendant at the door bowed and allowed her in.

In the backyard, Fu Meng'Er, in a light pink dress, was practicing her music on the zither.

Seeing Qiu Shuyin's arrival, Fu Meng'Er immediately paused, smiling as she welcomed her.

"Shuyin, you finally came. Please critique my zither skills~"

Saying this, Fu Meng'Er took Qiu Shuyin's hand and led her to look at her zither.

But Qiu Shuyin held her back at the table, her face showing a weary smile.

"Meng'Er, let me rest for a moment..."

Hearing this, Fu Meng'Er's little mouth pouted involuntarily.

"I made such a sacrifice to help you get close to Shen Han, yet Shuyin won't even critique my zither skills..."

Hearing this complaint, Qiu Shuyin showed a helpless smile.

"My dear Meng'Er, how are you wronged...

Isn't Shen Han handsome and courteous in speech and manner? His talent and potential aren't bad either.

If you truly open your heart to him, you won't be wronged.

Moreover, I'm not refusing to critique you, just resting a bit first..."

Qiu Shuyin responded in a reproachful tone.

Fu Meng'Er still pouted, her eyes filled with feigned grievance.

"You might say that, but Meng'Er doesn't believe it.

If Shen Han were really that good, Shuyin wouldn't let me have him.

It's like with Shen Ye; if any of us friends showed a slight interest in him, he would have cut ties with us long ago..."

Fu Meng'Er said with a smile, for it wasn't her first day knowing Qiu Shuyin.

If it weren't for her also disliking Su Jinyu, she wouldn't be helping Qiu Shuyin like this.

"Meng'Er, I'm not lying, that Shen Han really is quite exceptional, and his looks are indeed handsome.

It's just that my heart is set on Shen Ye, so I didn't focus on him.

Plus, he refused...

He wouldn't even agree to meet you..."

Refused?

Upon hearing this, the smile on Fu Meng'Er's face slightly faltered.

After a moment, she regained her composure.

"If he doesn't want to meet, then let it be. Meeting would just be a burden and increase his worries~"

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