Volume One, Chapter 19: Chu Yuning Expelled from the Academy.

It had been nearly a month since Master had last given a lecture. Worried that he was falling behind in his studies, Chu Yuning hurried back to Ziyun Academy before the mid-autumn festival.

Having been away for so long, Chu Yuning eagerly sought to greet his fellow students upon arrival. Yet, those classmates who once flocked around him with flattering smiles now regarded him with chilling indifference and strange, scrutinizing gazes.

“What’s going on?” Chu Yuning couldn’t help but ask.

“What else could it be but your doing?” a sarcastic voice replied. “Brother Chu, don’t you realize you’ve become a celebrity in the city? Your deeds are being whispered about everywhere. Everyone at the academy knows just how famous you’ve become! Congratulations, Brother Chu!”

The sneering tone belonged to a young nobleman who had long resented Chu Yuning.

Chu Yuning sensed no good tidings behind such words and grew more anxious to uncover the truth. Just then, a fellow student ran over to him. “Brother Chu, you’ve finally returned. The academy’s dean wants to see you.”

“All right, I’m coming!”

Chu Yuning set down his book satchel and followed him to the Ink Pavilion where the dean awaited.

The dean of Ziyun Academy, Master Sun, was a man over fifty who had once served as a third-rank minister at the Honglu Temple. After retiring, he founded Ziyun Academy in Jian’an City, rallying many learned scholars to teach. In just ten years, the academy rose to become the foremost institution in the southern lands of the Great Yan kingdom.

Upon seeing Chu Yuning, Dean Sun put down his brush. “You’re back!”

“Dean Sun, your calligraphy is truly exquisite as ever, flowing like clouds and water. Might this humble student be so fortunate as to keep this precious work?” Chu Yuning complimented, glancing at the ink scroll on the desk.

But Dean Sun did not respond.

A chill seized Chu Yuning’s heart. He had once been the academy’s brightest star, the pride of all the masters who believed he was destined for top honors in the imperial exams.

Dean Sun had always been kind to him, yet today he ignored him entirely, not even acknowledging his words.

Had his flattery gone too far and offended the dean?

Swallowing his pride, Chu Yuning bowed respectfully. “I have settled my family affairs and returned to the academy. I will strive to catch up quickly and not hold back my peers.”

“Don’t rush your studies just yet,” Dean Sun said calmly. “First, go home and properly resolve your own matters.”

Chu Yuning was stunned. “Dean, my mother has been laid to rest, my younger sister is settled. There is nothing left to attend to. I can devote myself fully to study!”

“Then tell me, how did your mother die?”

“Of course, it was by her own hand, unable to bear the shame, she hanged herself.”

“Is that so?” Dean Sun’s gaze turned cold as he scrutinized Chu Yuning. “Then why have I heard that you drove her to death? That you forced your own mother to perish, abandoned your sister? With such heartlessness and wickedness, our little academy cannot harbor you. You must leave.”

***

“What do you mean by that, Dean Sun?”

All color drained from Chu Yuning’s face. He had studied at Ziyun Academy for three years, always among the top students and beloved by the masters. He had never imagined he would be cast out.

How could this happen?

Who was spreading such slander?

Even after leaving the Ink Pavilion, Chu Yuning felt dazed, unable to accept the dean’s final words.

“A scholar’s talent outweighs character, but if you cannot prove these accusations false, we will not admit a student of such vile nature. Find another place to study.”

How was he so immoral?

Had he not acted out of righteous duty to sever ties with his mother after her disgrace? Besides, she was not burned alive as rumored—she hanged herself. How had such falsehoods spread throughout Jian’an City?

Who was stirring these malicious tongues?

Chu Yuning’s face darkened as he emerged from the pavilion. His book satchel had already been placed by the entrance as ordered by the dean. When he went to retrieve it, several academy students blocked his path.

“Brother Chu, you leave so abruptly without even paying back what you owe us. Do you plan to skip out on your debts? Your little cousin was right—you’re a deadbeat!” one sneered.

“Exactly! No wonder the dean wants to expel you! Scum like you don’t deserve to be our classmate! Pay us back your debts and get lost!”

Surrounded and insulted, Chu Yuning’s eyes grew fierce with anger. He scoffed bitterly, “It’s only ten taels of silver. I’ll pay you back.”

He pulled a pouch from his chest and threw it to the ground.

“Yet I shall remember this humiliation. When I succeed in my studies, I will not forget what you said today!”

Many of these students knew his true talent and feared inviting his wrath should he pass the upcoming imperial exams and rise to power. They quickly fell silent.

Watching those who had mocked him fall mute, Chu Yuning snorted disdainfully. “Besides, I’m only taking a temporary leave. It won’t be long before someone comes to welcome me back. Just wait and see.”

With that, he slung his satchel over his shoulder and strode out of Ziyun Academy.

His pace was long and steady, without a backward glance. His posture was firm and resolute, imbued with the dignity of a scholar.

But this composure lasted only until he vanished from the sight of his peers. Once outside Ziyun Academy’s gates, his shoulders sagged instantly.

The satchel fell to the ground, spilling its books.

Squatting, Chu Yuning gathered his scattered books and stuffed them back into the bag. Rising, he gazed at the setting sun, uncertain of where to go next.

***

If only he hadn’t thrown that pouch of silver to those classmates!

Those ten taels were all the family had left. He had searched everywhere at home and could find no more. They had been left by his late mother.

Now without a single coin, he was penniless—not even enough to rent a room for the night.

Where could he go at this late hour?

He knew where the Wang family lived but would never seek refuge with a lowly aunt.

Chu Yuning carried his satchel to the city walls near the refugee encampments. He found a reasonably clean corner, wrapped himself in a blanket, and tried to sleep.

Tonight, he would make do here. At dawn, he would return to his village and find whoever had spread those lies.

Then he would clear his name and return to the academy!

***

“Have you heard the latest scandal all over town about the son who burned his own mother alive?”

“Yeah, I heard the son’s a student at Ziyun Academy, supposed to be quite learned!”

“Learned or not, filial piety comes first! Better to have a roast bun than such a son!”

“Don’t be so harsh. I just heard a new version saying there’s more to the story.”

“What’s that?”

“That his mother was caught in an affair by the son himself!”

“That can’t be right. Maybe she was with another man just to earn silver for his studies... Hey! Hey, who are you? Let go of my collar! Let me go!”

The man speaking passionately suddenly had his collar grabbed. He shrank back, staring at the furious Chu Yuning before him.

Gritting his teeth, Chu Yuning demanded, “Where did you hear these rumors?”

The man pleaded, “It’s from the Four Seasons Teahouse storytellers! It’s not my fault! If you want to complain, take it up with the teahouse’s storytellers!”