141 Maybe the Day after Tomorrow (2/2)
Xu Shi was the Defender-general of the State, certainly the topmost of the Imperial Army. But in those proud Academy students' eyes, he seemed to not be particularly powerful. Those Tang officers, who had been striding forward, suddenly stopped upon hearing those words. The young general turned his head and coldly looked at the Academy students.
After a moment of silence, the young general said in a faint tone of irony, ”It turns out to be the Academy students. In the spring, you don't go hunting in the mountains but hang around together in the city. Our successive generation is really getting worse.”
The Academy students on the terrace could not tolerate that, so they all got up and wanted to argue with him. Unexpectedly, the young general did not retreat and seriously continued, ”When I read in the Academy, the proud one had to have true ability. Now you guys have only learned a little superficial knowledge but begin to show off with your comical talent...”
Not until hearing those words did all the students know that the young general was actually a Senior Brother from the Academy. They could not help keeping silent and did not know what to say. But the young general did not let them off and reprimanded them. ”Even if Xu Shi were to come here personally, he wouldn't dare to disrespect the Academy even a little bit? You are right indeed. But you must remember that General Xu respects the dean and the instructors, not useless students like you!
”In the future, behave yourselves outside. If you let me hear that the Academy students are making some arrogant comments again, don't blame me for beating you based on the Academy rules!”
The first lesson of the Academy was about etiquette, which was also their rule. The Academy's rule was that whoever had more power or a higher status was in the right. It was the teaching that all students had long kept in mind. At this time, they heard that this Academy predecessor was about to take out the Academy rules, so naturally, no one dared to randomly retort.
Situ Yilan opened the veil, looking at the situation there. Then, she could not help suddenly laughing and said when looking at the young general, ”Brother Hua, you're a dignified Senior Captain of the Gushan Commandery. Why are you angry with these little sisters and brothers?”
Listening to these words, the students looked at the young general with even more different eyes. The Gushan Commandery Senior Captain, Hua Shanyue... was a famous character of this young generation in the Tang military. No wonder that he behaved so powerfully just now.
Hua Shanyue looked at Situ Yilan, who had come from behind the veil, and sighed as he shook his head. He said, ”I forgot that you were still studying in the Academy. There is something urgent today. I'll go to greet the general tomorrow evening.”
Situ Yilan glanced around at this most-secluded backyard of the Victory House and figured out who he was here to see after anxiously coming back from the Gushan Commandery. With a slight smile, she said, ”Later, I'll go inside to pay my respects.”
”Of course you can.” Hua Shanyue faintly glanced at the Academy students around him and suddenly saw some familiar faces in the corner. He slightly hesitated but did not say anything as he continued with a smile, ”You can take Wucai. But don't bring any other unrelated people.”
”The best students of the Academy are here.” Situ Yilan gave him an untraceable reminder with a smile.
Hua Shanyue gratefully smiled and understood what she wanted to say. Then, he quickly left after making a bow with his hands folded in front.
...
...
When everyone was drunk, the lively place became even more lively and the desolate one even more desolate. Situ Yilan unexpectedly avoided the eyes of the other students and quietly went to the most common corner behind the veil. She looked at Ning Que, who was stretching half of his body to look for a frog, and frowned while saying, ”Why don't you want to talk to them?”
”They look repulsive and make boring speeches.” Ning Que saw a water reptile on the moss of the lake sneak into the dark and he regretfully sighed. He turned around and looked at her to say, ”This is probably how I appear in their eyes, so why should I have to get close to affect their appetites?”
Situ Yilan seriously looked at him and said, ”You've been wandering like a ghost in recent months. I really don't understand it. Don't you want to clear your name by telling them that you didn't avoid the semester exam bet?”
”The semester exam bet is really such a boring matter. Of course, I'm not used to being wronged. But since I have been wronged, I'll look weak, diffident, and disgusting if I were to join them again.”
Ning Que answered with a smile, ”Of course, I'll clear my name.”
Situ Yilan asked, ”When?”
Ning Que thought for a moment and then uncertainly replied, ”Maybe... the day after tomorrow?”