The lean old man wore only the simplest Confucian robes, but his eyes shone brilliantly.
After Minister Xun summoned him, the old man appeared outside the Imperial Academy in an instant.
Behind him, the grounds of the Imperial Academy slowly faded from sight without a trace.
"Libationer Liu, please come here for a talk."
Minister Xun cupped his hands toward the distant sky.
Yet Libationer Liu shook his head. "No need. I am occupied with Imperial Academy affairs and cannot spare the time to chat with you just now."
How utterly rude!
The powerful onlookers around them could not help feeling surprised.
By rights, Libationer Liu was a subordinate of the Minister of Rites, and the Imperial Academy also fell under the Rites Department's jurisdiction.
Why was Libationer Liu acting so high and mighty?
He would not even come when a minister personally invited him?
But then the spectators recalled Minister Xun's strength, and they understood.
Had Minister Lin Xuanji still been in office, would keeping a mere Libationer Liu in line not have been child's play?
Leaving everything else aside, Lin Xuanji's strength spoke for itself: he was a Sixth Realm, Gentleman Realm powerhouse.
But Minister Xun?
He had only taken office a few days ago, and his seat had barely warmed beneath him. Many people probably had yet to adjust their thinking.
That went doubly for Minister Xun's former political enemies.
Besides, the Imperial Academy was a rather special institution to begin with.
Education!
The venerable Confucius placed great importance on teaching and moral cultivation, and princes and princesses studied at the Imperial Academy.
With such a special institution, Libationer Liu had no shortage of excuses.
The powerful onlookers reckoned that, since Minister Xun had taken office, Libationer Liu had probably obeyed administrative orders while refusing personal summons