The whole family is insanely eavesdropping on my thoughts Chapter 594
Chapter 594: Backed by a Sage
“Dean?”
“Where did you find a dean? Do you need my uncle and grandfather’s help?” Shi Yun couldn’t help but ask.
Lu Chao Chao waved her hand dismissively. “No need, no need. The dean I invited is someone famous!”
“Once we have a dean, those scholars will be begging to teach here.”
Deng Zhi sighed. “These self-righteous hypocrites claim to study the teachings of the sages, yet they are simply afraid of women rising and challenging men’s status.”
Even with Princess Sunshine offering a hefty payment, these scholars refused to come.
It was said that the annual tuition amounted to over three hundred taels, not to mention the gifts given during festive seasons.
Since the academy offered free education, the princess had shouldered all the costs herself.
The Lu family worried over this, yet Lu Yan Shu remained calm.
Three days later, the Lu family dressed in their finest and headed toward the women’s academy.
Meanwhile, a great event had shaken the entire capital, leaving scholars across the nation in fervor.
It was said that one of the Three Sages, the Book Immortal, had descended into the mortal world with dozens of disciples to cultivate through worldly experience.
A living Book Immortal!
Scholars prayed to the Three Sages daily, seeking fortune in their studies, but what truly thrilled them was the chance to receive personal guidance.
To be guided by the Book Immortal was worth more than ten years of study!
“Did the Book Immortal really descend? Could it just be a rumor?”
“The Three Sages ascended through the Dao of literature and have never set foot in the mortal realm again. Why would they suddenly return? No, I must find out more…” Scholars across the capital were abuzz with speculation, their excitement rendering them unable to focus on reading.
It was also rumored that the Book Immortal had brought many disciples along.
The disciples of Book Sect were all renowned great scholars who had also ascended through literature.
Their legacy had been passed down generation after generation, with countless accomplished students across the world.
Those very students had now become revered teachers of the current age.
Who wouldn’t dream of receiving their wisdom?
As the Lu family approached the women’s academy, many skeptics scoffed.
“I heard today marks the academy’s opening. Should we go watch the spectacle? I want to see which fool agreed to become their teacher!”
The scholars, already too excited by the Book Immortal’s rumored return to concentrate, rallied at once.
“Let’s go! Let’s see the show!”
Thus, a vast wave of scholars surged toward the women’s academy.
Xu Shi Yun stood at the academy’s entrance, already surrounded by a large crowd of onlookers.
The academy gates remained shut, its name plaque covered with red cloth, waiting for the auspicious moment to be unveiled.
“The time has come!” After brief formalities, Deng Zhi’s voice rang out.
Shi Yun and Lu Chao Chao stood beneath the plaque, grasping a corner of the red cloth.
“Dawn Academy.”
This was the first spark, the first guiding light for women’s education.
Some in the crowd clapped, while others crossed their arms, observing with cold disdain.
Before everyone’s eyes, Shi Yun pushed open the academy gates.
The women’s academy was vast, and from the entrance, one could see three stone statues standing in the central courtyard.
“They dare to erect statues of the Three Sages?” someone in the crowd scoffed.
“Does Dawn Academy even have teachers?”
“Could it be they couldn’t find a single scholar willing to teach?”
“From what I hear, the position of dean remains vacant. And yet, they dare to open an academy? Women should stay home and raise children. Studying is a man’s duty.”
Lu Chao Chao stepped forward, her gaze sweeping over the crowd. Hmph. Those old officials hiding in the shadows were surely enjoying the spectacle.
For these scholars to act so boldly, there must have been encouragement from those behind the scenes.
“No need for you all to worry. Dawn Academy’s twenty-one deans are already on their way…” Just as her words fell, commotion erupted from the crowd’s outskirts.
“Hurry! A Sage has arrived in Northern Zhao!”
“The Book Immortal and his disciples have reached the outskirts of the capital! Quick! If we receive even a single word of guidance from the Sage, it will be worth more than a decade of studying!”
The Sacred Books were written by the Sages themselves!
Why study dead words when a living Sage stood before them?
Countless scholars paled, then immediately turned and rushed toward the city gates.
The hidden court officials murmured among themselves, “Report to His Majesty at once.”
“We must leave the city to welcome the Sage!” After all, this was one of the Three Sages—the Book Immortal himself.
In the blink of an eye, the crowd outside the women’s academy vanished.
Lu Yuan Xiao’s eyes widened. “A-A Sage has come to Northern Zhao?!” He wanted to go pay his respects, yet he also wanted to support his sister. After a moment of hesitation, he stood firm beside her.
Outside the capital’s gates.
A man in plain robes, Zhi Xin, stood with a host of disciples behind him. “Is this Northern Zhao’s capital?”
The gate guards, upon seeing his face, were momentarily dazed. He looked identical to the Three Sages’ statues outside the book halls!
A moment later, their vision blurred, and they caught a faint glimpse of his golden, ethereal form.
They averted their eyes at once.
A Sage had transcended reincarnation, entering the Dao through literature. Mere mortals could not gaze directly upon him.
“Y-Yes, this is indeed the capital of Northern Zhao.” No sooner had they answered than an elderly voice trembled from behind.
Grand Tutor Xu, shaking with reverence, fell to his knees. “Sage above, your student pays respects!” The aged scholar performed a full kowtow, his head striking the ground.
One after another, government officials arrived, dropping to their knees in droves.
“Sage above, we students pay respects!” The grand procession of scholars knelt in unison, their voices ringing in reverence.
Some were so overcome that they fainted from sheer excitement.
In the hearts of scholars, the Sage was held in the highest regard—even the Emperor himself had to bow in respect, praying for scholarly prosperity.
Upon hearing the news, Emperor Xuan Ping rushed out of the palace without even changing his robes.
Upon seeing the Sage at the city gate, his pupils shrank.
Had his rule truly been so great that it warranted the Sage’s descent?!
Striding forward, he declared, “For the Sage to grace Northern Zhao is our nation’s greatest fortune! Please, enter the palace and allow me to offer you the highest hospitality!”
The Emperor’s heart surged with emotion, his eyes burning with anticipation.
The surrounding scholars trembled with joy. If the Sage stayed in the capital—if they could receive his guidance…
The heavens!
Who needed to pray for scholarly prosperity when they could claim it for themselves?
However, the Sage shook his head. “I have come to Northern Zhao today at the behest of an old friend—to teach and cultivate students.”
The Sage… wanted to teach?
Emperor Xuan Ping was stunned. A Sage was taking a position as a teacher?!
Who was worthy to be a disciple of a Sage? What level of genius would they have to be?
As they watched in disbelief, the Sage and his disciples marched forward.
Among them were legendary scholars from the Sacred Books, revered figures of literary history.
Emperor Xuan Ping felt a pang of disappointment. So, he hadn’t come to acknowledge the Emperor’s greatness?
The officials followed eagerly, whispering among themselves.
“A Sage as a teacher? Does this mean we might have a chance to learn under him?!”
A feverish desire burned in their hearts.
Yet…
As they followed, their excitement gradually gave way to unease.
“I have a bad feeling about this…”
“This path…” It led toward the women’s academy.
No… no, no, no!
As their faces paled with horror, they watched the Sage stop at the gates of Dawn Academy.
Princess Sunshine stepped forward and proclaimed loudly, “Welcome, Dean!”
The Sage had become the Dean of Dawn Academy.
She had invited the Sage himself!
This novel is translated and hosted on Bcatranslation