Chapter 595

Chapter 595: Beating One’s Chest in Frustration

Lu Yuan Xiao stammered as he gazed at the Sage before him.

“The S-Sage… has come to our home?” Despite his usual mature demeanor, a flicker of youthful excitement betrayed him.

“Sage above, please accept this student’s respects!” Without hesitation, he prostrated himself, his forehead knocking against the ground in a resounding kowtow.

Zhi Xin had heard Lu Chao Chao mention her family’s disappointing third brother before.

Yet now, upon seeing his clear and intelligent gaze, he hardly seemed the fool she had imagined. A trace of surprise flickered in her heart.

“Master Zhi Xin, please enter. The academy is fully prepared, awaiting only the esteemed guests.”

Shi Yun was also momentarily taken aback, but she had seen enough of the world to remain composed.

“Sage, please enter. The women’s academy in the capital has been constructed and will begin enrollment tomorrow.”

“The esteemed scholars here are the pillars of our institution. Once the branch academies are completed, you may take up your rightful posts.”

“For now, I must trouble the honored scholars to conduct lessons in the capital.” Shi Yun was exceptionally courteous. These were the legendary scholars of the sacred texts!

Outside, a throng of onlookers watched as the Sage stepped into the women’s academy.

Many scholars wished to approach, but Lu Chao Chao stood at the entrance, raising her hand. “Close the gates.”

Grand Tutor Xu wiped the cold sweat from his brow. “Chao Chao, though your grandfather is aged, his lifelong passion has been teaching and nurturing talent. Tell me, does your academy still lack instructors?”

Grand Tutor Xu, an elder with hair as white as frost, was none other than the Emperor’s own mentor—a man of unparalleled prestige. Chao Chao had never even considered the possibility that he would volunteer to teach!

Her eyes gleamed with boundless excitement. “Yes, yes, we need many!”

“But, Grandfather, my little temple may not be able to provide a grand salary…” She scratched her fingers together sheepishly.

Grand Tutor Xu waved a dismissive hand. “I teach for the love of it, not for silver.”

“By the way, the Sage is here to lecture. Did you offer him a salary?” Grand Tutor Xu was curious—what kind of reward had she promised to lure a Sage, who had remained secluded for a millennium, back into the world?

“The Sage sees education as his duty. He came freely.”

“He does not take payment.”

Grand Tutor Xu’s jaw clenched in envy, his cheek twitching in pain.

With the support of his cane, he wobbled his way through the academy’s grand entrance.

Lu Chao Chao swept her gaze across the crowd. Whomever her sharp eyes landed on, that person immediately averted their gaze, unwilling to meet her eyes.

“I understand. My senior brothers all have great pride. You would never demean yourselves by becoming teachers at a women’s academy.”

“I won’t persuade you…”

“Lest you claim that Chao Chao is humiliating you.” With a casual wave of her hand, she turned to enter.

A deep sense of frustration burned in the eyes of the scholars.

To read the words of a Sage was a rare fortune. But now, to have a living Sage within reach and to let the opportunity slip away—they feared they would spend their nights wailing in regret, unable to focus on their books ever again!

Even on their deathbeds, they would remain unwilling to let go.

“Could you… ask again?” The young scholar at the front, sweat beading at his brow, suddenly spoke up.

Lu Chao Chao turned back. Oh? She recognized this one.

“Forget it. This is Senior Brother Lin Yan Yang, isn’t it? I remember you.”

“It was you who tore down the announcement Sister Deng Zhi posted.”

“It was also you who declared that anyone who entered the women’s academy would be a turtle bastard.”

“Never mind, never mind…”

“Chao Chao would never make my senior brothers into turtle bastards.”

From her sleeve, she pulled out a signed and sealed document. Lin Yan Yang’s face flushed purple with shame.

“Chao Chao has proof—your own handprints are on it…”

The crowd of scholars nearly wept.

Their pride was unyielding. They would never lower themselves to teach at a women’s academy.

But…

But she had invited the Sage!!

Scholars revered the Sage above all. They read his teachings daily, paid homage to his statues. And now, he was right beyond this door.

Lu Chao Chao waved at a little beggar lurking nearby. The boy hurried over eagerly. “Brother Bun…”

“Go shout to the surrounding villages—‘The Sage has personally come out of seclusion to enlighten women. Enrollment starts tomorrow, limited spots available, first come, first served.’”

“Hmm…”

“Since the branch academies have yet to be built, every class will be taught by esteemed scholars and the Sage himself.”

“Until the branch academies are completed, the esteemed scholars will hold at least one class a day and remain stationed at the academy for inquiries and discussions.”

“Any newly recruited instructors will be students of the Sage. If they have any difficulties, they may consult the academy’s deans during their spare time.”

“This is a benefit exclusive to our academy’s faculty—a little backdoor privilege that Chao Chao has arranged.”

Her words sent waves of excitement through the crowd. Some scholars nearly jumped in anticipation.

“To receive direct guidance from the Sage?”

“Heavens! This is a scholar’s greatest fortune, the greatest blessing! How fortunate to be born in Northern Zhao, to not only witness a living Sage but to learn from him directly!”

“The Sage’s disciples are all figures who are remembered for eternity. We are truly blessed…”

Beyond the Sage, there were over twenty of his direct disciples!

All legendary scholars whose writings had been revered for centuries.

The scholars’ faces lit up with uncontrollable joy.

The civil officials exchanged uncertain glances. They were all well-read men—who could resist the opportunity for direct tutelage from a Sage?

An old minister hesitated before stepping forward. “Princess Sunshine, might this old servant be permitted to enter and pay respects to the Sage? As a mere student, I would like to offer my reverence.”

Lu Chao Chao shook her head, looking completely innocent. “But last time, Minister, you tried to kill yourself in the Golden Imperial Hall. That was so terrifying! Chao Chao’s heart is still wounded, so I made a rule—no outsiders may enter the academy.”

The minister’s face turned crimson, yet beyond that single door lay the Sage.

The Sage!

Even if he received no personal guidance, merely glimpsing the Sage would be a blessing beyond words.

“This servant was foolish, this servant was blind!”

But Lu Chao Chao remained unmoved. She simply raised her hand and declared, “Close the gates.”

She ignored the mournful gazes behind her.

Inside, Lu Yan Shu, Lu Yuan Xiao, and Grand Tutor Xu accompanied the Sage and the scholars on a tour of the women’s academy.

“This academy is unlike ordinary institutions.”

“In addition to scholarly teachings, it also provides instruction in breathing techniques for cultivation. It even includes lessons on agriculture, lest students remain ignorant of the hardships of the common people.”

Zhi Xin’s footsteps faltered.

A moment of silence passed before a soft chuckle escaped her lips.

“Yes, the sufferings of the people.”

“If scholars only bury themselves in books, detached from the masses, then what meaning does success hold?” Suddenly, she understood.

Lu Chao Chao’s actions would benefit generations to come.

And perhaps, the ones who would benefit most weren’t just the women.

It was the entire world.

“An official who does not serve the people might as well go home and sell sweet potatoes,” Lu Chao Chao muttered under her breath from the back.

The others chuckled at her words.