Make Way, My Books Are Heavy, I Might Get Hurt (Seeking Monthly Votes, Seeking Rewards)

At the very least, regarding the Poetry, Politics, and Military Strategy book, he was finished!

To actually dare not analyze the verses—was that not the same as implying that Instructor Shen's poetry was poorly written?!

Having offended Instructor Shen, there would be no hope of passing any future poetry exams.

Ning Hao and Liang Yuan's expressions shifted slightly; how could this Junior Brother Chu not analyze a single word?

This was no longer a matter of inability, but one of attitude.

In the back row, Lu Xian appeared to be worried for Chu Ming, but inside, he was already gloating.

Chu Ming closed the Poetry, Politics, and Military Strategy book unhurriedly, looked up, met Shen Yu's gaze directly, and replied without a hint of timidity: "Because I believe, sir, that your verses do not require analysis."

Still being stubborn!

The atmosphere shifted subtly, and the students knew a good show was about to begin.

Liang Yuan nudged Ning Hao secretly. After a moment of hesitation, Ning Hao bit the bullet and spoke up: "Instructor Shen, Junior Brother Chu only arrived at the academy yesterday. Exhausted from his travels and having not yet adjusted, he was dragged to class by Liang Yuan and me. He spoke out of turn..."

Before he could finish his plea, Shen Yu raised a hand to interrupt, staring fixedly at Chu Ming: "Why do you think my verses do not require analysis?"

Chu Ming feigned a thoughtful expression, then replied: "Although your verses lack flowery, ornate language and do not follow the standard meter and rhyme expected of poetry."

He actually dared to say that?

He might as well have just said that Instructor Shen's poetry was nothing but plain, colloquial speech.

Ning Hao and Liang Yuan's hearts sank.

Lu Xian and the other students sat back, waiting for the fireworks.

"Continue." Shen Yu's tone remained low, but in the eyes of the crowd, it was the precursor to an imminent eruption.

"Your verses, sir, use the most straightforward method to clearly and concisely express your intent. This humble student believes that you are blazing a new trail."

The Great Qin Dynasty utilized complex language, which could be divided into two parts.

The first was the written form, which employed characters with intricate, complex strokes.

The second was that all disseminated literature—poetry, songs, historical records, classics, chronicles, novels, and travelogues—was written in classical prose.

Hm?

Why did that sound wrong?

Was Junior Brother Chu actually praising Instructor Shen?

But what kind of man was Instructor Shen? A veteran teacher who had spent half his life instructing students; how could he possibly fall for such flattery?

Lu Xian and many other students curled their lips in disdain. Only now did he realize he had offended the instructor and was trying to salvage the situation with such tactics—it was too late.

Moreover, Instructor Shen was an instructor with an extremely high level of poetic attainment and a profound understanding of literature. No one knew why his own poetry was so plain, but no one dared to actually call it "plain."

This wasn't praise; this was being clever at one's own expense!

On the dais, Shen Yu stared at Chu Ming without a word. Aside from the anxious Ning Hao and Liang Yuan, everyone else wore the expression of someone watching a disaster unfold.

"Is that truly what you think?"

However, contrary to everyone's expectations, Shen Yu's tone shifted abruptly. His voice rose from a low register, sounding almost... excited?

And what was the meaning of that fleeting, subtle expression on his face—one they had never seen before?

If one were to describe it using the experiences of these students, it was the same excitement they felt when they passed the Academy Exam and were admitted to the school.

Was Instructor Shen... feeling understood?

Did Instructor Shen actually fall for this?!

The crowd's gazes turned to suspicion as they stared fixedly at Chu Ming.

Don't nod, whatever you do, don't nod!

Chu Ming nodded silently.

"Good!" The fleeting excitement on Shen Yu's face vanished, replaced by a genuine smile—a smile the students had never seen before.

He walked down from the dais, stood beside Chu Ming, and picked up the question paper: "Your name is Chu Ming?"

"Yes," Chu Ming replied calmly.

"Just entered the academy?"

"Yes." Chu Ming answered truthfully.

"For the next monthly exam, you are exempt from the poetry section."

"Thank you, Instructor Shen."

"Come with me." As Shen Yu spoke, he grabbed Chu Ming's wrist, intending to lead him away, but no matter how hard he pulled, he couldn't budge him. "You have quite some strength."

"Where to?" Chu Ming couldn't guess what the instructor was planning.

"To eat." Since he couldn't pull Chu Ming, Shen Yu simply gave up and stated his purpose directly.

What?!

Instructor Shen was personally inviting a student to a meal?

Over twenty gazes converged in an instant; if those stares could be turned into sharp blades, they certainly wouldn't have hesitated to strike.

Lu Xian's mouth hung slightly agape, his throat feeling as though it were stuffed with something even more bitter than the medicine he took when ill, and more sour than vinegar.

Ning Hao and Liang Yuan simply stared in a daze, unaware that their necks were twisted so far back they were nearly facing behind them.

Was such a thing even possible?

Liang Yuan poked Ning Hao, and only then did the two turn their bodies around, exchanging glances to communicate.

Ning Hao: Why?

Liang Yuan: How would I know?

Eat?

Chu Ming himself was stunned for a moment; after all that, this Academy instructor who looked to be about the same age as Steward Fang actually wanted to take him out for a meal?

This instructor did not seem as stern as he appeared on the surface.

But was it really just for a meal?

Disliking flowery prose and advocating for simplified characters and vernacular, this instructor was truly afraid of breaking new ground...

"Sir, this student still has classes to attend." He cupped his hands in a salute.

Shen Yu released his grip: "Class? Very well, I shall wait for you at the Dining Hall."

Having said this, his expression returned to its former severity, and he swept a cold gaze around the room, frightening the Students into sitting bolt upright at their desks.

Once the instructor had departed, the Students could no longer sit still.

Those sitting nearby bypassed Lu Xian and crowded around Chu Ming: "Brother Chu, my name is Su Zhi."

"Brother Chu, I am Mo Ran, a good brother of Lu Xian's, right Brother Lu?"

Lu Xian remained frozen.

"Brother Chu, I also share the surname Chu, my name is Chu Yizhuo; perhaps we even share some blood relation."

"..."

Looking at the Students in the front row, a few hesitated, choosing not to befriend Chu Ming and instead turning to leave.

Others smiled at Chu Ming, offered a slight bow, and walked out of the Lecture Hall one after another.

"Chu Ming, that name sounds familiar, as if I've heard it somewhere before..." one of the departing Students murmured.

Ning Hao stood at his desk, his eyes shining as he looked at Chu Ming.

"Senior Brother Ning, haven't you always wanted to study poetry and prose with Master Shen? Since Junior Brother Chu has received an invitation from Master Shen, why don't you go talk to him and have him bring you along?" Liang Yuan said with a mocking smile.

"Don't be too proud to ask; as scholars, how can we let something as trivial as face cause us to miss such a golden opportunity?" he added.

"Senior Brother Ning, that is a chance for one-on-one contact with Master Shen, the instructor of Baiyuan County and a master of poetry and prose."

Because of his love for poetry and prose, Ning Hao had always regarded Shen Yu as a renowned scholar and hoped to receive his guidance.

He turned to look at Liang Yuan, then at Chu Ming, and finally, his feet began to move.

But before he could leave his desk, he saw Chu Ming pick up the Poetry, Politics, and Military Strategy, his expression calm as he said to the Students surrounding him: "Excuse me, please make way. The book is heavy, and it is easy to get hurt."

"Haha, Brother Chu, you truly know how to joke. How could one get hurt so easily?"

"Indeed, Brother Chu, rest assured. Although I ranked first in the Academy Exam, I have also practiced martial arts. I am strong and sturdy; even my family's guards aren't as strong as I am. Who could possibly hurt me?" the Student named Mo Ran boasted.

Practiced martial arts?

Hearing this, the other Students displayed expressions of either disdain or envy.

However, no one made way.

No, one person did.

Lu Xian moved back a few steps without a sound.

Back in Willow Town, after the Academy Exam had ended, at the entrance of the private school, he had heard those words from afar and witnessed the exact same scene.

Holding the Poetry, Politics, and Military Strategy, that calm expression...