The students taught by Lily Evans are all renowned mathematics scholars from across the country, so their connections are extensive, and they know many distinguished intellectuals.
Many of these intellectuals are not affiliated with the Gu Family, or simply dislike the Gu Family, which has kept them from teaching at the Royal Academy.
Now that the Royal Academy of Mathematics is recruiting liberal arts instructors, with the royal endorsement and Professor Jade Evans—an esteemed scholar—presiding, plus generous compensation, Lily Evans is sure to attract a wealth of talent.
Sure enough, as soon as the recruitment notice was distributed, the students started discussing it. Many approached Professor Jade Evans, saying they knew someone suitable for the position and immediately began writing letters to recommend their friends.
Lily Evans approved each recommendation and promised that anyone who successfully helped recruit talent would receive a reward.
Additionally, Lily Evans had recruitment notices posted throughout the capital, launching a large-scale search for talented individuals with high rewards.
But Lily Evans' actions did not go unnoticed by those with ulterior motives.
Gu Family.
The room was thick with the scent of herbal medicine. Gregory Gu Jr., Imperial Grand Tutor, lay on the bed listening to his subordinate read the recruitment notice. He kept his eyes tightly shut, but his trembling eyelashes betrayed his inner turmoil.
After a long while, Gregory Gu Jr. opened his eyes. The swelling from the beating he received from Alexander Hayes and Dr. Rowan Hayes hadn’t subsided, making his face look like half a peach, and his body was wrapped in bandages.
"She... she's recruiting liberal arts instructors to expand the Academy of Mathematics. Why? Is she doing this to get back at me, to oppose me?" Gregory Gu Jr. clenched his fists, the pain in his body nothing compared to the ache in his heart. He gave a bitter laugh: "Lily, do you still not understand how I feel about you? Why can't we remain friends? Why do you insist on going against me..."
His subordinate lowered his eyes and asked, "Sir, should we stop Professor Jade Evans from recruiting liberal arts instructors?"
A flash of severity crossed Gregory Gu Jr.'s eyes, but then, as if he couldn't bear it, he said, "Forget it, let her be. If she wants to recruit, let her recruit. Who am I to deny her anything?"
"Yes, sir," the subordinate replied softly.
Gregory Gu Jr. let out a heavy sigh, his tone helpless yet tinged with affection: "Lily, look at you—whatever you want to do, I never stand in your way. I always indulge you. With all the ways I spoil you, shouldn't you give me something in return..."
Gregory Gu Jr.'s voice grew softer and weaker, as if he had lost all strength. At last, he asked his subordinate, "How is Grand Chancellor's health today?"
The subordinate answered, "Sir, the Grand Chancellor's health declines by the day, and lately he keeps asking to see you. We've told him you're away on inspection and won't be back for several months. But the Grand Chancellor is shrewd; he's already sensed we're lying to him. I'm afraid we won't be able to keep it from him much longer."
Gregory Gu Jr.'s voice suddenly grew urgent: "You must keep it from Grand Chancellor! His health is already fragile—he can't take any shock. If he finds out how badly I'm hurt and gets upset, if anything happens to him... In short, you must keep it from him. He absolutely cannot know."
"Understood, sir. I will do everything I can to keep the Grand Chancellor from learning the truth."
"Mm, you may go." Gregory Gu Jr. was clearly exhausted, his voice barely audible.
After his subordinates left, Gregory Gu Jr. lay on the bed with his eyes closed, unable to stop Lily's face from appearing in his mind. His desire for her surged like a raging flood, threatening to overwhelm his reason and burst its banks...