"...How do you know he won't become arrogant if you don't give him full marks?"

"He's not even prideful yet; instead, the spirit, ambition, and vigor that Linlu's students should have are being extinguished by old predecessors like you."

Zhu Yourong's words were light, yet they seemed to exert the Myriad Catties Skill, freezing the atmosphere in the room.

The female students who came over to help didn't dare breathe, while the other teachers looked sideways to observe the old teacher's reaction.

Old Mr. Zeng was known for his stubborn and rigid nature in the academy.

The belief that Classics are first in Art Studies is viewed as very old-fashioned by many, and he often directly states this in front of everyone, naturally displeasing Art Studies teachers like Duan Jiuling and Su Changfeng in the main hall. However, they usually can't argue because of seniority, and confronting him puts them on the defensive.

But saying that Old Mr. Zeng is bad wouldn't be accurate either; to become a teacher at the academy means he must have the character of a role model, and he teaches the academy's students diligently, fulfilling his duties well.

Nevertheless, in the eyes of these young teachers, once a person grows old, their thinking inevitably solidifies, treating their established experience like treasure. Yet both the Sacrificial Officer of the academy and the Deputy Mountain Master, along with other senior decision-makers of the academy, still listen to and respect the opinions of these academy elders and veterans.

This is a common phenomenon within the Confucian Academy, as filial piety is the foremost virtue, and non-family elders should also be respected and honored.

Therefore, when Old Mr. Zeng likes to offer guidance and instruction, younger teachers at the academy feel helpless, yet they must nod and accept, acknowledging that they have learned from it.

At this moment, after Zhu Yourong stepped in, no one spoke. All the teachers held back their laughter, seriously looking at Old Mr. Zeng with a 'This Mr. Zhu is so disrespectful, how can he speak of Old Mr. Zeng like that, so disrespectful' attitude. Actually, quite a few were secretly amused.

Thus, all the pressure fell upon Old Mr. Zeng.

It was expected that the old man would pull his beard and glare, but surprisingly, upon seeing the standing female teacher, Old Mr. Zeng's expression subtly changed, and he inexplicably became good-tempered:

"Young Zhu, why are you putting labels on the old man? You youngsters, if you truly had ability, ten of me couldn't extinguish things like spirit, ambition, and vigor. Just like usual, no matter how much I talk, most of you are still not convinced, right?" Old Mr. Zeng sighed.

Zhu Yourong was unyielding, her voice crisp, "But the old man can choose, as you did now, not to give full marks to the younger generation."

Old Mr. Zeng turned his gaze aside, "There's a reason for not giving full marks, don't put the 'unreasonable suppression' label on the old man..." The old man said this with some anger but immediately sighed again, "Well, never mind, this matter needs more discussion. Fine, let's do this, I'll deliberate with Young Shen again. You outsiders stop getting fired up, go back to your seats first..."

Yet Zhu Yourong wasn't so easily fooled; she had just heard Mr. Shen expressing surprise, saying 'good handwriting' upon seeing the paper, so she had guessed some things.

She nodded, "What's the reasoning, old teacher, please enlighten me. Besides, Weirui is untalented, before entering the scholastic path, I studied Classics for several decades and understand a little. The old teacher might as well teach the younger generation."

Old Mr. Zeng: ...

All the teachers: ...

Good heavens, where do you just understand a little? You're so young; if the 'several decades' guess is correct, you must have started learning at three, right? If the rumors within Confucianism about a 'prospective noblewoman who insists on the southern wall' are not wrong, you've practiced Classics and Confucianism to the brilliant Nascent Soul level, and thus have been lauded by the Confucian Temple as the foremost scholar below a gentleman.

Old Mr. Zeng's face subtly stiffened.

A certain 'senior sister' known for fiercely protecting those younger than her was staring unflinchingly.

No one could hope to bully her 'young junior brother' under her watchful eyes.

Thereupon, the old man spoke again, "There's no reason for the Classics exam papers to have others overstep their roles, no way, no way...hold on, young Zhu, do you know the owner of this paper? Why are you speaking on their behalf?"

The intervening female teacher's face remained unchanged; she was dressed in male Confucian attire but did not hide her red lips and white teeth, her clear voice pleasant to hear: "Old master, don't speculate wildly. I haven't seen the paper, how could I know whose it is? It's just that some things have been suppressed in my heart for a long time. The old teacher's ways are very similar to those old veterans in the Confucian Temple. I've long had trouble watching them."

The mention of the Confucian Temple made everyone deeply concerned, while Old Mr. Zeng appeared helpless; so, this girl was specifically picking soft targets, right? The sages and virtuous ones in the Confucian Temple suppress you, and your father and the Zhu family have no solutions. Why should the old man be involved?

The old man seemed to recall certain rumors, murmuring in his heart about it, yet it was inconvenient for him to argue further with her now, so he simply shook his head, "I won't argue with you. As for the full marks issue... let me put it this way, neither Young Shen nor I can decide; at most it can get nineteen points. If it needs to be higher, this paper must be sent to the person who jointly set the questions for review, and have them decide."

Upon hearing this, Zhu Yourong's gentle expression finally changed, yet surprisingly, she wasn't very shocked, remaining silent.

And the rest of the spectating teachers were astonished; Mr. Shen was also amazed and asked: "Old Mr. Zeng, isn't this paper set by you? I clearly remember you were the one who finalized this Trial Policy question, wait a minute, could it be..."

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