"Zhou Qingran!!"
The vice-dean suddenly pointed at Zhou Qingran, his face ugly as he roared, "This matter began because of you. We cannot let everyone bear the consequences along with you. Now, why are you not kneeling and kowtowing to the elders to admit your fault?!"
The elderly man in magnificent robes also shouted, "Kneel at once! Do you intend to drag the entire academy down because of yourself?"
Zhou Qingran's expression turned cold. She stared at the vice-dean and the elderly man in magnificent robes, frost gleaming in her eyes.
Was this her fault?
Everyone had forced her to marry Duan Jingtian. Was she wrong even for refusing?
Was resigning herself to fate the right thing to do?
Duan Jingtian had been the one who wanted to see her partner, and he had proposed the duel. Now that he had lost, everyone had turned around and begun attacking her instead?
"Do not forget that Old Jiang is also from the branch academy. If the Head Academy unleashes its wrath, Old Jiang will die because of you as well!"
The elderly man in magnificent robes spoke again. At those words, the chill in Zhou Qingran's eyes swiftly melted away. She clenched her fists tightly, her body trembling.
Old Jiang was the person she respected most, someone she regarded as both father and master. If Old Jiang died because of her, her heart would never know peace.
Seeing Zhou Qingran's expression, the elderly man in magnificent robes knew he had won. Zhou Qingran valued her feelings deeply; she could not possibly watch Old Jiang, who had raised her, die because of her.
"Hurry and kneel to admit your fault. Only then will Old Jiang not be dragged down by you!"
"That's right, kneel already!"
"Kneel!"
"Kneel!"
"..."
The mentors who had