One sentence laid his heart bare, leaving everyone speechless.
Outside the courtyard gate, the students fell utterly silent.
Zhao Yuanlang stood rooted to the spot, unable to advance or retreat.
He was just about to speak when a voice suddenly sounded behind him.
"What a fine declaration: 'You have read the sages' books in vain, and you are even less worthy of being human.'"
Everyone turned at the voice and saw a man approaching at a leisurely pace.
It was Jiang Yu, the Heir of Prince Ning.
With no attendants behind him, he walked alone to the gates of the Wei Residence, a fan in hand, neither hurried nor slow.
Seeing him, Zhao Yuanlang looked as though he had found his savior. He hastily cupped his hands. "Your Highness..."
Jiang Yu waved a hand, signaling that he need say no more.
Then he raised his head and looked at the figure in the courtyard, clad in hemp mourning robes, his back ramrod straight.
"Wei Family Son." Jiang Yu's voice was neither loud nor soft.
"What you said was excellent. Truly. Excellent."
He stressed those last two words, a smile playing at the corners of his mouth.
"But..." Jiang Yu closed his folding fan and tapped it lightly against his palm.
"You say he was not a servant. You say your late grandfather burned his indenture long ago.
Then let me ask you this: if he was not a servant, where did this man live during his lifetime?"
Wei Nisheng turned to face Jiang Yu, his gaze calm.
"First in the Side Courtyard of the Wei Residence, then in this courtyard."
"The Side Courtyard? Was that a courtyard belonging to your Wei Family, or a home of his own?"
Wei Nisheng said nothing, knowing Jiang Yu was twisting reason to force