The Country Maiden: Fields and Leisure
Chapter 914 - 912: Feuds Over the Years

They even proclaimed that unless the court humbly invited them three times and recognized Baiyun Academy as the best academy in the world, none of their students would enter the court to serve as officials.

And then...

There was no then.

The court wasn’t run by Baiyun Academy. Many people with both literary and martial skills were willing to serve the imperial family.

What was a Baiyun Academy?

Not to mention that at this time, the headmaster of Changqing Academy had great foresight. When Baiyun Academy fiercely embarrassed the court, he stepped up, voluntarily submitting to the court, offering a few good plans, and gifting the court with several collections of books treasured by Changqing Academy for years.

Compared to this, the court naturally chose Changqing Academy.

They accepted the good plans from Changqing Academy and gathered all the talents, except those from Baiyun Academy, into the court.

The scholars from other places, who had been overshadowed by those from Baiyun Academy for years, finally had the chance to rise. Who the hell cared if it was the former dynasty or the current one?

Forget about the scholar’s integrity! The former dynasty had brought destruction upon itself, making life miserable for everyone. After the current dynasty took over, people finally had peaceful days. Who wouldn’t want a peaceful life?

Moreover, why read books for a lifetime? Isn’t it for the imperial examinations, to become officials, and to bring glory to one’s ancestors? Forget those lofty ideals, that’s the reality.

Now, with such a great opportunity, only a fool wouldn’t seize it.

Not to mention, the current court was quite respectful to scholars, treating them with courtesy. Except for those from Baiyun Academy, who were out of their minds, everyone happily joined the current court.

The people of Baiyun Academy still held their airs, waiting for the court to humbly invite them three times, but what they waited for was the court’s wide announcement to the world, saying they would accept talents with no need for formality.

By the time the people of Baiyun Academy realized that the court would never agree to their terms, it was too late.

Not only were the good positions taken by others, but the court’s impression of Baiyun Academy was extremely poor.

If it weren’t for the fact that they had just stabilized their power and needed to show generosity and care for scholars, the court, following the temperament of the Saint at the time, might have considered disbanding the academy entirely.

With Baiyun Academy losing the favor of the Saint, the students’ status became awkward.

Compared to Baiyun Academy’s decline, Changqing Academy was flourishing and received much favor from the court.

As one rose, the other fell; Baiyun Academy gradually lost its former glory and fell to a second-class academy.

Meanwhile, Changqing Academy rose to first-class status.

As a result, Baiyun Academy no longer dared to complain to the court but attributed the blame to Changqing Academy, believing it was their petty behavior that robbed Baiyun Academy of the court’s favor.

Especially later, when Changqing Academy consistently overshadowed Baiyun Academy, everyone recognized Changqing, forgetting the decades-long prominence of Baiyun.

On Changqing Academy’s side, having gained tangible benefits, they showed exceptional tolerance towards Baiyun Academy, maintaining a low profile and modesty, which Baiyun saw as a guilty conscience.

In the eyes of outsiders, however, it was the noble demeanor of Changqing Academy.

For many years, Baiyun and Changqing seemed peaceful on the surface, but in secret, many challenges had been exchanged between them.

Yet ultimately, scholars valued scholarly integrity, and even if they challenged each other, it was in honest literary contests. Even in defeat, it was accepted as having lesser skills without complaint.

But this year, Baiyun Academy’s underhanded tactics were worth some contemplation.

Wang Yongzhu and Song Chongjin listened to the long-standing grievances between Baiyun Academy and Changqing Academy, looking at each other, realizing this was indeed an ancestral feud!

Nevertheless, Wang Yongzhu became clearer about Gu Zikai’s family background.

How could an average scholar obtain such information? Yet Gu Zikai recited it as if reciting a family treasure, with details likely unknown even to the teachers of the academy.

Gu Zikai seemed indifferent, discussing these matters openly.

Wang Yongzhu and Song Chongjin understood the situation.

After discussing the animosity between the two academies, Gu Zikai paused, unable to resist saying, "Miss Wang, though Baiyun Academy offended the court back then, their foundation remains. Over the years, they’ve strived to approach the court quietly, now not to be underestimated. If you aren’t absolutely certain, it’s better to endure for now!"

"In this year’s Dragon Boat Race, with Brother Song and me around, we’ll win fair and square, publicly humiliating them and letting Baiyun Academy see the strength of Changqing Academy!"

This was to prevent Wang Yongzhu from taking action.

Wang Yongzhu certainly wasn’t that foolish. Attacking Baiyun Academy in Jing County now would implicate Changqing Academy no matter the outcome.

To truly teach them a lesson, it would be better to do so once they had left Jing County for some time.

However, Wang Yongzhu still appreciated Gu Zikai’s good intentions.

After a few more words, dinner was ready.

Old Granny Zhang personally made the wheat pancakes, cooked a few small dishes, and sliced radish and cucumber strips. Coupled with succulent wild vegetables and several kinds of mushroom sauce, some spicy, some with minced meat...

It filled two large tables.

Since Old Lady Li was also helping, they simply called Lang Hao and his wife to join in the meal as well.

Gu Zikai, feeling delighted, couldn’t resist the fragrant mushroom sauce, especially the spicy one, enjoying it so much that sweat appeared on his forehead, but he was reluctant to put down his chopsticks.

Wang Yongzhu, surprised by Gu Zikai’s fondness for spicy food, quickly instructed Old Madam Ding to brew a pot of mung bean soup, cooled with cold water, to give to Gu Zikai, fearing he might get a stomachache at night.

Gu Zikai enjoyed the meal thoroughly, going against his usual habit of eating only until 70-80% full, feeling utterly satisfied.

Having resolved his previous misunderstanding with Song Chongjin, he felt relaxed, not holding back.

At the dining table, while eating, he praised Old Granny Zhang’s culinary skills, making her beam with joy.

After the meal, when leaving, Old Granny Zhang insisted on packing a jar of spicy mushroom sauce for Gu Zikai, urging him to enjoy it without worry and to come back for more when finished.

Gu Zikai accepted the gift without reservation, thanked Old Granny Zhang, and with a few words, arranged to come back in a few days for another meal before taking his leave.

Song Chongjin watched as a bottle of old soybean vinegar was nearly emptied; these people were too cunning! No chance to win Yongzhu’s heart, so they even competed for the in-law’s affection! Ah, shameless!

He never imagined Gu Zikai could be this way!

Back in their room, Song Chongjin playfully complained, half in jest, that Old Granny Zhang no longer cared for him.

Wang Yongzhu found it amusing, teasing, "Say that in front of Mother, and see if she doesn’t whack you with her shoe! If she didn’t care for you, would she bother scorching these sauces? They’re for you to take on your autumn exams journey!"

Song Chongjin, unaware of this, was momentarily taken aback, tears welling up in his eyes, until he finally said, "Mother still loves me the best!"

Wang Yongzhu, knowing exactly what troubled Song Chongjin, playfully feigned dissatisfaction: "Of course, Mother now only cares for you, more than me!"

Even though Song Chongjin knew Wang Yongzhu was coaxing him, as Old Granny Zhang loved Wang Yongzhu the most, he still felt warm and comforted inside.