The First Test of Authority
Because they drank at the banquet, Su Li woke up with a headache the next morning, while Xiao Zetian seemed completely unaffected, as if nothing had happened.
"You drank so much yesterday, how come you don't look drunk at all?" Su Li looked at Xiao Zetian with envy, this guy who never got drunk no matter how much he drank.
Xiao Zetian smiled and said, "It's something I trained for in the military camp."
Saying that, he pulled Su Li into his arms and massaged her head, making her feel better. She got up to wash and get ready; today she was going to start her formal teaching.
At breakfast, Su Li noticed Li Yanhao was missing and casually asked. Lingdang said, "The young lord left early this morning, alone. Nobody knows where he went."
Su Li responded, "Maybe he went to find Young Master Shen. They've been hanging out together these days."
After breakfast, Su Li took Lingdang out, also bringing Yuan Ling and Su Shirong along.
Su Shirong had a hangover from last night and completely forgot about telling Madam Sun that he wanted to get married; he was still unaware that the family was worried about finding him a wife.
He got into Su Li's carriage and habitually looked for Bailu, only to find that it was not Bailu with Su Li today, but Su Li's disciple, Miss Lingdang.
"Hello, Miss Lingdang," Su Shirong greeted a little shyly, then said to Su Li, "Sister Ali, why isn't Miss Bailu going to the city with you today? I still have some business to discuss with her."
Su Li smiled and said, "Bailu is indispensable at home, and the Vegetarian Bistro needs Lingdang's help. I'll take Lingdang with me from now on. If you have any business questions, you can ask me too."
Su Shirong scratched his head and said, "N-no problem. If I have any, I'll ask you. Thanks, Sister Ali."
After sending Su Shirong to Qingmiao City and then Yuan Ling, Su Li and Lingdang returned to the Vegetarian Bistro to change disguises. The two then headed to Wutong Academy, marking the start of Su Li's teaching career.
Arithmetic classes were usually scheduled for the afternoon; mornings were generally for studying the Four Books and Five Classics. So when Su Li arrived, a group of arithmetic teachers were gathered in the courtyard reserved for their rest, drinking tea and chatting.
Originally, the arithmetic teachers were chatting enthusiastically, but as soon as the new arithmetic head, Master Su Yu, appeared, everyone immediately fell silent. They all stood up, discreetly sizing up Master Su Yu. The courtyard was deathly quiet, creating an extremely awkward atmosphere.
Wang Shili and Liu Bozong exchanged a glance, sharing a sinister smile without a word.
Even though the boy was only fifteen and had the backing of Dean Gu, what could that really do? The academy was full of undercurrents; these old foxes found it easy to trip up Master Su Yu.
Wang Shili, with a venomous smile, discreetly sized up Master Su Yu, thinking to himself, "I've crossed more bridges than you've walked roads. Just wait, I'll teach you a lesson and make you slink out of Wutong Academy in shame!"
Su Li stood at the foot of the corridor stairs, her gaze calmly sweeping over everyone, her expression composed and unruffled.
Su Li knew clearly that as a fifteen-year-old parachuted in as the new arithmetic head, the old foxes here would definitely not accept her. Sure enough, they started with a covert show of force, excluding her from the group.
Su Li, confident and poised, flicked her sleeve and calmly ascended the steps. She glanced at everyone and broke the silence: "Good morning, gentlemen. I am Su Yu, the newly appointed arithmetic head."
After saying this, Su Li said no more, showing no intention of ingratiating herself. She stood there gracefully, her clear, penetrating gaze scanning everyone as if seeing through their thoughts.
How could she resolve such a collective cold shoulder in a way that was clever and preserved her dignity?