Chapter 28

Chapter 28: Step by Step

“What is happening?” Su Yun Yan blurted, stomping her foot. “There are so many people here—how am I the only one who doesn’t know?”

That made her look stupid.

Su Xuan Ming motioned her closer. “Don’t rush. I’ll explain slowly. Out of the ten, Li Shao Yan was the leader—but Wu Fa Tian has Song Shan Academy behind him. He was the hardest to deal with.”

“So Mother approached Li Ming De and the others first. Whether by pressure or persuasion, she pulled eight of them to our side. And to reach the Dragon-Martial Grand General’s Residence, we had to pass through the night market—so commoners gathered to watch. That built momentum for us.”

He lowered his voice even further. “Do you remember the first thing Censor Jiang said when we arrived at his residence? Mother had already coordinated with him. After we dealt with Li Shao Yan… Censor Jiang helped Mother shape an image for us—bullied by power but unafraid of it, merciful, unwilling to drag others down.”

Su Yun Yan blinked, half understanding and half lost.

Su Xuan Ming gently patted her head. “It’s fine if you don’t get it. Just remember this—Mother moves step by step, and she understands people. Help her more. If you stay close, you’ll learn.”

Su Yun Yan nodded hard. “Brother, I understand. From now on, I’ll handle everything in Mother’s small kitchen!”

The late-autumn night cut cold. A gust of wind swept through and everyone shivered.

Headmaster Wu adjusted his robe, returning to that imposing, dignified look. “Each side has its own story. We can report this to the authorities and let them judge.”

Gu Nan Xi almost laughed.

Same routine.

They all believed Marquis Yong Chang Manor was weakening, and His Majesty wouldn’t offend so many officials over someone like Gu Nan Xi. That was why they dared suggest reporting to the authorities even while knowing the truth.

Gu Nan Xi would never choose that path.

She took a deliberate step back and bowed deeply to Headmaster Wu. “A student scuffle is a small matter. How could we trouble the authorities? I was rash to disturb the headmaster late at night.”

The moment those words fell, the air turned heavy.

“Mother…” Su Yun Ting’s face went pale. He bit his lip, trembling, and only after a long moment did he manage the word again, soft and broken. “Mother.”

Su Xuan Ming stood to the side, eyes bright with pain. His throat bobbed as if he were swallowing blood. He looked like someone split clean in two.

All he could think was: I dragged Mother into humiliation.

Some women in the crowd turned away and wiped at their eyes, as if the Marchioness’s humiliation pressed against their own ribs.

“The Marchioness is so strong-willed… and even she won’t dare clash head-on with Song Shan Academy?”

“Song Shan Academy is like a thousand-year-old tree, roots tangled everywhere. No matter how strong the Marchioness is, how could she tear it up by the roots?”

“Song Shan Academy has Grand Tutor Tong behind it. Forget the Marchioness—even His Majesty won’t do anything to it.”

The mood sank like fog.

The commoners felt it keenly. If even someone as noble as the Marchioness had to yield, what hope did little people have?

And the ordinary women here didn’t know grand politics—but they knew this: Headmaster Wu wanted to climb by stepping on women’s blood and tears.

Yet Headmaster Wu didn’t gloat. He didn’t press harder. Instead, he stayed guarded and said cautiously, “If it’s only a small conflict, then let it end like a mountain breeze. Agreed?”

Gu Nan Xi smiled faintly.

If it ended here, he could punish Su Xuan Ming later under academy rules—and she would have no excuse to strike back.

“Agreed.”

Satisfied, Headmaster Wu started to close the gate—

“Headmaster Wu,” Gu Nan Xi said, stopping him. “Wait.”

She looked ashamed. Then she turned and ordered, “Xuan Ming, kneel.”

Su Xuan Ming didn’t know what he had done wrong, but he obeyed at once.

Gu Nan Xi bowed again, voice steady. “Headmaster Wu, student scuffles are small matters. What I’m about to say affects all of Song Shan Academy—and every student under heaven.”

Headmaster Wu’s fingers clenched around the doorframe. His heart pounded.

This Marchioness—Gu Nan Xi—was petty, calculating, and relentless. She had made such a grand show. Did she truly have a hidden blade?

But he had never dealt with her before. What leverage could she possibly have?

He kept his expression calm, but caution sharpened his eyes. “Marchioness, speak.”

Gu Nan Xi sighed, as if weighed down by regret. “This is my fault as well. My eldest son is kind by nature—and talented. I couldn’t bear to waste his gifts, so I wanted to find him a good academy.”

“In the capital, the Imperial Academy and Song Shan Academy stand at the top together. I thought I would send my eldest son here to study hard. One day he could place first as top scholar, serve His Majesty with all his strength, and bring blessings to the people.”

Applause burst out like thunder.

“Well said, Marchioness!”

“A mother’s heart—how admirable!”

“Who doesn’t want their child to succeed? Even if the Marchioness made a small mistake for that, who can blame her?”

Gu Nan Xi inclined her head to the crowd in thanks, then continued, voice growing quieter. “Song Shan Academy admits the finest talents. Of course its entrance exam is beyond ordinary people.”

Someone nearby chimed in, “That’s true! My master’s eldest son took it ten times and still couldn’t pass!”

Headmaster Wu waited coldly, eyes narrow.

Every academy had an entrance exam. Everyone knew Song Shan Academy’s was difficult.

If Gu Nan Xi meant to use that as a weapon, she would find the blade dull.

Gu Nan Xi dabbed at her eyes with her sleeve, remorse plain on her face. “For the entrance exam, students must write an essay resolving a doubtful point. If your reasoning is clear, you’re admitted. After the exam that day, someone came to me and said the examinees were full of talent. With my son’s level, he probably wouldn’t get in.”

Her voice trembled as she continued, “In a moment of greed, I believed him and paid three thousand taels. When the results were posted… my son’s name was on the list.”

Headmaster Wu’s pupils tightened.

Song Shan Academy was a private school. Some under-the-table dealings weren’t unheard of.

But he had lifted Song Shan Academy’s reputation too high.

If word of bribery in the entrance exam spread, it wouldn’t stain one person. It would crush the academy’s name.

Before he could react, Gu Nan Xi grabbed Su Xuan Ming and covered her face. “I can’t bear this shame. Today my son will withdraw from school of his own will. From now on he will never step foot in Song Shan Academy again!”

She tugged Su Xuan Ming as if to leave.

“Wait!” Headmaster Wu snapped, suddenly righteous. “Marchioness—do you know who it was? Song Shan Academy will never tolerate such a thing!”

Gu Nan Xi lifted her head, eyes clear.

“It was Hall Instructor Li Qing He.”

And with that, she turned and swept away with the crowd like a dark tide.