Speaking Ill Behind Someone's Back
"Ah, Master Wang! We're just curious, that's why we're here to take a look. We've heard that the new Master Su is quite something, so we want to see who exactly he is." The students didn't disperse; soon, even more students gathered, all to see the new Master Su.
Wang Shili's expression was very unpleasant. He thought back to when he first entered Wutong Academy—no one came to welcome him! Now this new Master Su, who suddenly appeared from nowhere, must be a complete fraud!
"Hmph, that new Master Su, I've never even heard of him. I bet he's just some rich and powerful guy fishing for fame!" Wang Shili muttered angrily under his breath.
Lingdang watched Wang Shili's expression and whispered to Su Li, "Master, it seems Master Wang isn't very welcoming to you."
Su Li shook her head, smiling with a hint of helplessness. "It's to be expected. I'm an outsider parachuted in as an accounting instructor, so naturally, I'll step on some toes."
Lingdang stuck out her tongue and whispered, "I thought the academy was a sacred place for studying, free from all these messy things—clean and pure."
Su Li laughed and shook her head. "All the sharp minds of the Jin Dynasty gather here. Do you think it can be peaceful? These scholars, each smarter and craftier than the next, all have twisted minds. It's a war without gunpowder—brutal and fierce!"
Su Li recalled the academic rivalries she heard about back when she was studying—professors' feuds were truly battles of high intellect, far fiercer than ordinary quarrels.
Scheming, stabbing with soft knives, double-crossing—these intellectual battles require smarts; without a sharp mind, you just can't play the game.
Lingdang nodded in agreement. Having followed Xiao Zetian, she had learned some court secrets. These scholars play mind games so well, it's like killing without blood—truly formidable.
Su Li and Lingdang were talking quietly together. Normally, with just the two of them, they wouldn't draw much attention. But their disguised faces were too handsome, and their outstanding aura made them stand out instantly, attracting quite a few gazes.
Wang Shili also noticed Su Li and Lingdang. He walked over with a face full of the respectful smile of a mentor, completely hiding the angry look he'd shown earlier when badmouthing Master Su behind his back.
If you hadn't seen Wang Shili's earlier expression, you wouldn't have guessed from his elegant and refined demeanor now that he had just been angrily badmouthing a future colleague behind their back!
Su Li and Lingdang were young—Su Li was fifteen, Lingdang only twelve. Looking at Su Li's attire, Wang Shili immediately assumed she was a privileged young master from a powerful family, a new student at Wutong Academy.
"Young master, are you a new student at Wutong Academy?" Wang Shili asked with charm and grace.
Su Li lightly cleared her throat and gave a vague "Mm."
Wang Shili immediately put on an enthusiastic yet refined demeanor. "Young master, to be admitted to Wutong Academy, you must be very talented. After enrollment, students are divided into classes and can choose their own teachers. Have you chosen your teacher yet?"
Su Li coughed twice and shook her head.
A gleam of joy immediately appeared in Wang Shili's eyes. Wutong Academy's system was very advanced—the teachers' ratings were directly linked to the number of students and their grades. This young master clearly came from a wealthy family and looked smart and talented. Wang Shili decided he must seize the opportunity and make sure this young master chose him as the accounting instructor.