Published at 20th of January 2024 8:26 am

Chapter 380: Difference between Cloud and Mud

This chapter is updated by NovelFree.ml

Translator: CokeZero Editor: Rainystars

Dean Lu and Lady Xia walked in and looked at Xie Yunjin with joy, saying, “What a great occasion! This time, in Qinghe County, we’ve had a total of eleven scholars passing the exam. It’s the most scholars we’ve ever had in history. Among them, Yunjin, your contribution is the greatest. Eight of the students you guided have become scholars.”

Those students who didn’t seek guidance from Xie Yunjin regretted their decisions immensely.

As soon as Dean Lu received the news, he brought his wife over to express gratitude to Xie Yunjin. After all, this accomplishment also benefitted the Qinghe County school.

The future enrollment for Qinghe County school wouldn’t be a problem anymore, and Dean Lu became happier the more he thought about it.

Xie Yunjin grinned and said, “This is closely tied to the students’ hard work. My role is not that significant.”

Dean Lu laughed heartily and looked at Xie Yunjin with satisfaction, saying,

“Yunjin, you’re truly suited to be a teacher. It’s a pity you have to participate in the imperial examination. Otherwise, I would have liked to keep you at Qinghe County school as a teacher.”

As Dean Lu finished speaking, Lady Xia gave him a stern look and said, “Nonsense! With Yunjin’s talents, he will definitely pass the examination. In the future, you might even need to flatter Yunjin.”

Lady Xia’s words made Xie Yunjin uncomfortable. What did she mean by needing to flatter him? If that got around, people might say all sorts of things about him. However, he refrained from showing his annoyance.

He turned to classmate Han on the side of the room and said, “You just passed the scholar’s exam. Your family is probably waiting for you to celebrate. You should go back.”

“Alright, I’ll take my son with me on the way back.”

Xie Yunjin and Lu Jiao nodded. Han then turned to Dean Lu and Lady Xia, happily inviting them, “My family will host a meal the day after tomorrow.

Dean and Madam, you must come.”

Dean Lu smiled, “It’s appropriate to host a meal. We’re planning to host one tomorrow as well. You should come tomorrow too.”

Han immediately turned to Xie Yunjin and Lu Jiao. Tomorrow, the Dean was hosting an event, and Officer Zhao was also hosting a meal. Where should Yunjin go?

Xie Yunjin calmly smiled and said, “The dean is hosting a gathering tomorrow? Then, we as a couple won’t be able to attend as guests. Tomorrow, our neighbor Officer Zhao is hosting a meal. Our family has already agreed to go to Zhao’s house for dinner.

As Xie Yunjin finished speaking, Dean Lu’s expression showed a hint of displeasure. Lady Xia immediately frowned and looked at Lu Jiao.

“Jiaojiao, you’re not holding a grudge against me, are you?”

Lu Jiao had an especially strong aversion to Lady Xia. This woman was too sharp-tongued and had an air of superiority. In reality, Lady Xia was only the wife of the dean of the Qinghe County School, and she didn’t even have an official title.

Lu Jiao really couldn’t fathom the source of her superiority complex. Perhaps she was used to being praised and thought of herself as something special.

Lu Jiao smiled at Lady Xia and said, “Lady Xia, you’re overthinking it. Officer Zhao just came earlier to invite us for a feast tomorrow. We promised him, so we can’t break our word.”

Lady Xia immediately interjected with a smile, “He’s just a small officer. It’s not a big deal if you don’t go.”

Xie Yunjin and Lu Jiao both disliked Lady Xia’s words. Dismissing a constable so casually, and considering them beneath her, was disrespectful, especially to people like them with rural backgrounds. This probably explained why Lady Xia had been upset with Lu Jiao earlier.

On the side, Dean Lu’s face darkened suddenly. He coldly rebuked, “What nonsense are you talking about? Yunjin is an educated man; he can’t go back on his word.”

He glared at Lady Xia with sternness, causing her to furrow her brows in displeasure.

Dean Lu was afraid that she might cause embarrassment at the Xie family’s house. He hurriedly bid farewell to Xie Yunjin, “Then, we’ll take our leave.

Yunjin, you’re still recovering, so rest well.”

Xie Yunjin nodded and said, “I’ll be back to school in a few days.”

“Alright.”

After saying this, Dean Lu held Lady Xia’s hand and turned to leave. Lady Xia’s face remained displeased.

In the room behind, Han couldn’t help but mutter quietly, “Why is she like

He had never noticed that she could be so shallow before. She usually carried herself with great decorum.

Xie Yunjin asked Han to go back, “You should go back quickly.”

Han acknowledged and left with his son to return to the Han residence.

In the Lu family’s carriage, Lady Xia and Dean Lu started to argue loudly.

“A little scholar doesn’t even know his place. If he becomes an official in the future, won’t he become arrogant?

Someone with his character doesn’t deserve to take the imperial examination. He lacks integrity and doesn’t respect his mentors. If I publicize his behavior, I wonder if anyone will let him take the imperial examination.”

Lady Xia spoke without any consideration. Dean Lu’s face turned an iron shade of blue. He glared at Lady Xia and shouted in anger, “Shut up! What nonsense are you talking about? Do you even realize the impact your words might have on Yunjin’s reputation if they spread?”

Lady Xia dismissed his concerns, “He brought this upon himself. If he doesn’t respect his mentors, it’s his own fault if his reputation suffers.”

Dean Lu couldn’t believe what he was hearing from Lady Xia. He sighed heavily and said, “I didn’t expect you to change like this. You weren’t like this before.”

Lady Xia was the daughter of a scholar. In the past, she was sensible and rational. However, she had transformed into this. If people slightly didn’t give her face, she would get angry. Who did she think she was?

A mere wife of the dean of Qinghe County School, yet she considered herself so high and mighty.

This was probably due to excessive flattery, which had made her conceited.

Thinking about this, Dean Lu looked at Lady Xia and said, “It seems I have to send you back to your hometown.”

Upon hearing this, Lady Xia was shocked. She turned incredulously to Dean Lu,

“You… you actually want to send me back to my hometown?”

Dean Lu wasn’t originally from Qinghe County, and their hometown was quite remote. Lady Xia had never imagined that she would be sent back to her hometown by her husband. If she were sent back, she would become a laughingstock.

“Why are you treating me like this? I bore you two sons and two daughters. In old age, you treat me like this?”

Dean Lu angrily reprimanded, “If you keep speaking without thinking, I will definitely send you back to your hometown. Your reckless words could ruin our two sons.”

Lady Xia looked at Dean Lu in shock, “What does that mean?”

Dean Lu lowered his voice and said, “Yunjin might have gotten involved with the Crown Prince’s connections. If that’s true, your thoughtless words could bring disaster upon our children.”

Both of the Lu family’s children were scholars, currently studying in the capital to strive for the imperial examination and eventually become successful in the civil service.

If they did something against Xie Yunjin’s interests and he sought help from the Crown Prince, their sons would definitely face trouble.

Lady Xia turned pale instantly and didn’t dare to say a word.

Though she was sought after in Qinghe County, she also knew that people like her and the Crown Prince were worlds apart.

In a low voice, Lady Xia whispered, “I promise I won’t speak recklessly

anymore.”

Seeing Lady Xia like this, Dean Lu didn’t press further. He had to make his wife realize the consequences of her actions. Otherwise, her careless remarks might harm the foundation of their family.

At the Xie residence, Xie Yunjin was discussing Lady Xia’s behavior with Lu Jiao.

“When she first came to Qinghe County, she was quite a good person. But these years of being praised by students’ mothers have made her somewhat arrogant.

Just ignore her.”

“Yeah, I know..”

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