The princess was ordained by Heaven.

Chapter 180 Entanglement

Zheng Xun: Okay. I'll respect her aesthetic sense.

They returned to Wuzhou City amidst their banter and jokes.

Xu Zhen changed course and went to Suzhou, while Zheng Xun went to her destination—Wuzhou Academy.

Wuzhou Academy is located on a hill, with a total of nine thousand steps from the foot of the hill to the top.

The academy had a rule that students were not allowed to ask servants to help them move things. Since the academy had little supplies, the students had to go down the mountain to the town at the foot of the mountain to buy what they needed during their days off.

Zheng Xun and his group arrived on a day off.

The disciples on the mountain were all dressed in long blue and white robes. When they poured into the town, it was like a fresh and youthful breeze that swept from the east side of the town to the west side, filling this ordinary little town with the fragrance of books, which made people feel happy just looking at it.

Zheng Xun left his horse at an inn in town and took Zheng Jiu and Zheng Shi out for a stroll.

The town is small, and since the only people around are the local residents and students from the academy, there are mostly bookstores.

Zheng Xun also saw Madam Xia's storybook in the bookstore, displayed in the most conspicuous position, and passing students would all take a look at it.

The Right Vice Minister of the Ministry of Personnel was also quite fast. After switching from romantic novels to standard vernacular novels, his publishing speed was also incredibly fast.

Zheng Xun then saw his newly published storybook displayed in the bookstore.

The students had also heard of the famous Fengyueke, and when they saw books bearing his name displayed so openly, they marveled at the shopkeeper's audacity.

But when they turned to the contents, they realized that Fengyueke no longer wrote about romance, but instead about chivalry.

But a master is a master; his writing is superb, and whatever he writes is brilliant. Therefore, his book has become the second most popular masterpiece in the store.

Moreover, many bookstores here burn incense inscribed with the name of the Hermit of Still Water. One bookstore even has a seal at its entrance, which was also made by the Hermit of Still Water.

Zheng Xun found it quite interesting; even though she wasn't in the capital, the place was filled with the shadows of people from the capital.

Moreover, the anti-book that was a bestseller a few months ago has now been relegated to a corner, covered with a thin layer of dust, and is clearly ignored.

Some bookstores even use those reversed books to prop up their table legs.

It seems the imperial court's efforts to save the city have been effective, especially in Wuzhou, which is so close to the capital. I wonder how things are in other places.

Zheng Xun slowly walked from one end of the street to the other.

The last bookstore was particularly lively, not because the store was doing well, but because there was something interesting to see there.

Zheng Xun glanced at Zheng Jiu and Zheng Shiyi, then pointed to the layers upon layers of people.

"on!"

Zheng Jiu and Zheng Shi stood on either side of her in perfect harmony, skillfully leading her to the very center of the crowd.

The main figures being watched were a young man and a young woman. The man was dressed as a student of Wuzhou Academy, and the woman was wearing a light blue cotton long gown. Her clothes were so plain that there was not a single decoration. Her appearance was not particularly exquisite, but she had a special temperament, like a rare orchid in a secluded valley, with a refreshing and invigorating feeling.

The man held a jade pendant in his hand, stared at the woman, and shouted, "Master Cen! Please say yes!"

Compared to the man's agitation, Master Cen's expression remained extremely calm: "Zhou Ming, how many times has this happened?"

Zhou Ming did not back down because of her coldness: "Master Cen! No matter how many times you refuse, I will not admit defeat."

Upon seeing this, the onlookers began to jeer:

"Oh, what a beautiful and graceful lady! A gentleman would love to have her!"

"Just say yes! He's so persistent, he must really mean it!"

Master Cen's indifferent gaze swept over everyone before finally settling back on Zhou Ming: "I am your teacher, yet you insist on disregarding human relations and entangled with me; I have warned you several times that I have no feelings for you and you need not entangle yourself with me, but you turned a deaf ear, disregarding my feelings and acting selfishly; you have placed me under the gaze and public opinion of everyone, completely disregarding the gossip that will befall me."

Zhou Mingsheng's voice was tingled with bitterness. He lowered his head like a helpless little dog: "I didn't mean to..."

"Not on purpose? Zhou Ming, do you know how many people say behind my back that I'm promiscuous and a womanizer? How many people say I'm cold-hearted, ungrateful, and heartless? Don't you know? But I haven't done anything wrong, so why should I be in this situation?"

Zhou Ming was somewhat embarrassed and angry at her words: "All that talk is because Cen Wan looks down on me! It's just because I'm poor, isn't it? But this is only temporary..."

Cen Wan smiled and said, "Zhou Ming, I look down on you not because of your family background, but because you have no sense of responsibility whatsoever, and..."

As if recalling something amusing, her smile grew even brighter: "The Zhou family has poured all its resources into supporting your education, but your mind is full of crooked ideas. With your barely passing grades, it's only temporary..."

The uglier Zhou Ming's expression became, the more forceful Cen Wan's voice became: "Zhou Ming, with such a lack of responsibility, this is all you'll ever amount to."

Zhou Ming's face flushed red: "You're talking nonsense!"

He got so angry he wanted to fight, but Zheng Xun glanced at Zheng Shi.

Zheng Shi, who had been eagerly anticipating his move, charged out like a nimble cheetah.

She kicked Zhou Ming in front of Zheng Jiu, then excitedly winked at Zheng Jiu.

Zheng Jiu: ...

Is there something wrong with her?

But he understood what she meant, and was even a little eager to try it out.

Okay, maybe he has some problems too.

He resignedly stretched out his foot and kicked Zhou Ming back in front of Zheng Shi.

Accompanied by Zhou Ming's pig-like screams, the two of them kicked him around like a ball several times.

Zheng Xun watched with great interest for a while, and when she saw that it was almost done, she coughed lightly and said, "That's enough."

Although Zheng Jiu and Zheng Shi were having a great time, they stopped as soon as Zheng Xun made a sound.

Zhou Ming, who had just escaped the tiger's jaws, rolled twice more before coming to a stop.

By this time, he no longer had the strength to get up.

An old man standing nearby felt sorry for her and muttered, "All she did was boldly express her love to a girl. I don't know what she did wrong to deserve being beaten. These people are just too unreasonable."

A middle-aged man carrying a load on his shoulder couldn't help but chime in: "That's right. If it weren't for Cen Wan, a woman, insisting on being a teacher, people wouldn't have lost their interest in studying. Young Master Zhou's poor exam results are all because of her."

Zheng Jiu had already figured out Zheng Xun's attitude, so without her permission, the two of them stepped forward together.

The older man slapped him once, and the middle-aged man slapped him twice.

They were naturally unhappy about being beaten for no reason, but Zheng Xun's principle towards those who said such things was to beat them until they couldn't speak.

So whenever they opened their mouths again, Zheng Jiu and Zheng Shi would slap them one after another.

The two of them were stubborn, and even being beaten didn't stop them from babbling on and on.

Finally, Zheng Jiu and Zheng Shi got tired of fighting, so they had no choice but to silence them by pressing their pressure points.

They are not afraid of being beaten, but their inability to speak is terrifying.

But their wailing and terrified pleas for mercy went unnoticed by anyone.

Zheng Xun gave a thumbs up: "Well done!"

Zheng Jiu and Zheng Shi both looked proud: "We've studied Zhao Hou's secret manual, and now we're the chief disciples of the Ba Zhang Sect!"

Zheng Xun: ?

What kind of sect is this "Slap in the Palm"? What "Slap in the Palm" sect?

Lord Zhao has even started a sect?

Did those slaps really open up her meridians?

Just as she was speechless with emotion, Cen Wan came over.

She raised her hand, her wide sleeves hanging down in front of her: "Thank you for your help, young lady and the two heroes."

Zheng Jiu and Zheng Shi had cold faces, but Zheng Xun could sense their pleasure.

"Hehe, hehe, chivalrous man, I am a chivalrous man."

"I am also a chivalrous person."

Zheng Xun looked away, unable to bear the sight.

Cen Wan smiled kindly and turned to face the two people whose pressure points had been sealed: "These three are standing up for me, Cen Wan. If you are not satisfied, come and find me directly. I, Cen Wan, will fight you to the end!"

After saying that, she looked at Zhou Ming and said, "The reason I have tolerated you so many times is simply because I think you are not a bad person at heart and can still be redeemed. Besides, it is not easy to get into Wuzhou Academy. I hope you can turn over a new leaf."

She sighed in disappointment, "But now it seems I was too kind. Pack your things and go home, and don't come to the academy again!"

Zhou Ming was shocked: "No! What gives you the right?"

“Zhou Ming, you always forget one thing. Although I am a woman, I am also your teacher.”

She flicked her sleeve and bowed to Zheng Xun and the others, saying, "Thank you all for speaking up for me. Today, I'm hosting a dinner for you three. Please have some light wine and snacks. I hope you'll do me the honor."

Zheng Xun nodded: "Then thank you very much, Master Cen."

Just as they were about to squeeze out of the crowd, two pig-faced men suddenly blocked their way.

They pointed to their throats, as if they wouldn't be let go today unless their throats were treated.

Zheng Xun paused for a moment, then calmly walked past them.

Cen Wan glanced at them, seemingly wanting to say something but holding back.

Zheng Xun explained, "Don't worry, their acupoints will be released in half an hour. Since they have committed a verbal offense, it is only right that they learn a lesson."

Cen Wan smiled faintly: "I'm just afraid that if the punishment is too severe, you'll get into trouble."

"Troublesome?" Zheng Xun seemed unconcerned. "I'm not afraid of trouble."

They thought Cen Wan would take them to a restaurant or teahouse, but she actually took them directly to her home in town.

The Cen residence wasn't large. Just as you stepped into the front yard, you saw a middle-aged man chasing a dog with a pair of scissors.

"You stinking dog! You bad dog! Stop! If I don't teach you a lesson today, I'll be letting down Dean Cen's reputation!"

The dog nimbly darted behind Cen Wan and hid, only then did the man realize that a guest had arrived.

Cen Wan called out helplessly, "Father..."

The man coughed awkwardly and lowered the hem of his shirt tucked into his waistband: "Well, that damn dog tore up one of my paintings. I was so angry that I wanted to cut its fur and teach it a lesson..."

Cen Wan: "It's just a painting..."

"The painting of a hundred birds that you hid in the secret compartment."

Cen Wan was silent for a moment: "I was hiding in the secret compartment, how did the dog find it?"

Feeling guilty, Mr. Cen said, "I just wanted to take it out and take a look..."

Cen Wan suddenly grabbed the dog by the scruff of its neck, pulled it out, and shoved it in front of her father: "Cut it!"

The dog whimpered pitifully, but neither the father nor the daughter softened their hearts.

If the dog could speak now, it would probably yell "dog abuse!"

Finally, the father and daughter held the dog down and shaved its head bald.

The back of his shirt was shaved into two large characters: "Bad Dog".

The three people left standing by: ...

The dog, forced to change its appearance, whimpered and ran away. The Cen family father and son finally remembered their guest.

Cen Wan coughed lightly and said apologetically, "I'm sorry for the neglect."

She introduced herself and explained why she had invited Zheng Xun and his group to be her guests.

As Cen's father listened, his anger flared up: "That Zhou Ming is bothering you again? I've told you to kick him out of the academy long ago, but you still won't listen..."

Cen Wan interrupted him: "I've already told him that the academy doesn't welcome people like him, and he didn't hurt me. These three heroes even beat him up, and they also beat up those gossiping people half to death."

Zheng Xun: Actually, it's not that serious.

However, Cen's father was clearly appeased.

He walked excitedly to Zheng Xun, tears welling in his eyes, and bowed deeply to him: "Thank you all so much for your help! I only have this one daughter, and she's intelligent, beautiful, sensible, and knowledgeable. Moreover, she's filial, polite, generous, and gentle..."

"Dad, we've gone off-topic."

Mr. Cen paused for a moment, then continued, "In short, thank you all very much!"

Zheng Xun tentatively said, "Dean Cen, you're too kind..."

"Your thanks are too much. May I ask where you all come from and where you are headed?"

Zheng Xun: It really is Dean Cen.

Why does Dean Cen look so crazy?

Also, why does this sentence sound somewhat familiar?

She put aside her other thoughts and smiled, "I was on my way to Wuzhou Academy, but I didn't expect to run into Master Cen."

Dean Cen raised an eyebrow, his gaze somewhat subtle.

"Oh? May I ask what brings you gentlemen to the academy?"

Zheng Xun could sense his scrutiny.

It's not surprising, really. She just happened to help Master Cen and also happened to know Dean Cen. If she really wanted something, he would probably suspect that she had ulterior motives.

“My elders asked me to travel around, and I happened to come to Wuzhou. I had long heard of the Wuzhou Academy, so I wanted to go in and visit it.”

Dean Cen's furrowed brows relaxed.

Normally, if he heard such a request, he would be lucky if he didn't yell at the person and kick them out.

Academies are places for studying, not for visiting.

But since Zheng Xun and the others had helped his daughter, he smiled and said, "Although outsiders are not allowed to enter the academy, I, as the dean, can make that decision."

He smiled and said, "If you gentlemen don't mind, why don't you stay at my humble abode for the time being? Tomorrow I will take you to visit the academy."

Zheng Xun readily agreed.

At noon and in the evening, the Cen family hosted two extremely lavish banquets, with some dishes even prepared personally by Dean Cen.

However, his cooking skills were really nothing to write home about.

Cen Wan was sensible, so she stopped Zheng Xun, who was closest to her.

But you can stop one, but not three.

Zheng Jiu and Zheng Shi took a bite with great anticipation, and then their faces visibly turned green.

But Dean Cen was still looking at them with anticipation.

They were embarrassed to spit it out, but they really couldn't swallow it, so they rolled their eyes several times in embarrassment.

Zheng Xun glanced at them sympathetically, then suddenly pointed behind Dean Cen: "Look!"

At her shout, Dean Cen turned around instantly.

Zheng Jiu and Zheng Shi also craned their necks to look, and Zheng Xun quickly nudged them.

The two finally realized what was happening and spat out what was in their mouths.