Forced to Relinquish Power

This old man, Mr. Hugh, is the eldest and most respected among the Phoenix Academy administrators. When Professor Jade Evans was appointed to a high position at such a young age, he was already dissatisfied. Now that he’s discovered Professor Jade Evans is actually a woman, of course he’s seizing the chance to push Lily Evans out of Phoenix Academy.

Mr. Hugh stroked his white beard and sneered at Lily Evans: "Nonsense! You, a woman, flout the rules of womanhood and propriety—this is utterly outrageous. Someone like you is a danger to the nation! If you know what's good for you, you should hand over your position as Dean and quietly go home to take care of your children!"

Lily Evans stared at Mr. Hugh coldly: "I earned my position through skill. Why should I give it up just because you say so? If I refuse, what will you do about it?"

Mr. Hugh glared: "If you won’t hand over the Dean’s position, don’t blame us for being rude!"

As soon as Mr. Hugh finished speaking, he suddenly felt a murderous glare shoot his way—sharp as a flying dagger. It was Alexander Hayes standing nearby.

"Mr. Hugh, do you think if we push Lily Evans too hard to give up her position as Dean, we might anger her husband?" one of the administrators whispered nervously. "Prince Alexander Hayes is a battlefield hero, a living legend drenched in blood. If we upset him, we might be in for more than we bargained for."

As soon as he spoke, several others glanced at Alexander Hayes, whose fierce demeanor was enough to make them reconsider their bravado.

Mr. Hugh watched, exasperated. These people were like reeds in the wind—just one glare from Alexander Hayes and they were ready to flee. Pathetic!

But Mr. Hugh couldn't let them run off. If they left, he'd fail his mission to force Lily Evans to hand over her authority. How would he explain that to his master?

Mr. Hugh's eyes darted as he made up his mind—these administrators weren't going anywhere. If they left, he'd be alone facing Alexander Hayes, and that was enough to scare anyone half to death.

So Mr. Hugh put on a stern face and barked, "What are you all so afraid of? Look at you—have you read all those classics just to end up cowards? Women teaching and nurturing students is a sign of chaos! We've studied for years to serve our country and ease its troubles. Now, with enemies at our gates, how can you shrink away?"

Mr. Hugh's words left the administrators wavering, uncertain what to do.

Mr. Hugh continued, "Don't be scared! Prince Alexander Hayes is just trying to intimidate us—do you really think he'd kill us? We're some of the top scholars in the Kingdom of Jin; we're not so easily disposed of!"

Mr. Hugh's words calmed the crowd. Those who had wanted to slip away decided to stay and watch how things unfolded.

Seeing the situation back under control, Mr. Hugh allowed himself a smug smile. Then, when no one was looking, he discreetly signaled to someone hiding near the palace wall...

So Mr. Hugh put on a stern face and barked, "What are you all so afraid of? Look at you—have you read all those classics just to end up cowards? Women teaching and nurturing students is a sign of chaos! We've studied for years to serve our country and ease its troubles. Now, with enemies at our gates, how can you shrink away?"

Mr. Hugh's words left the administrators wavering, uncertain what to do.

Mr. Hugh continued, "Don't be scared! Prince Alexander Hayes is just trying to intimidate us—do you really think he'd kill us? We're some of the top scholars in the Kingdom of Jin; we're not so easily disposed of!"

Mr. Hugh's words calmed the crowd. Those who had wanted to slip away decided to stay and watch how things unfolded.

Seeing the situation back under control, Mr. Hugh allowed himself a smug smile. Then, when no one was looking, he discreetly signaled to someone hiding near the palace wall...