Yan Wenjing was not someone Chu Ruoyan had met often, but he didn't seem like the type to cause trouble.
It's not that he's particularly well-behaved, but rather like a little black sesame dumpling that can somehow make others shoulder the blame for any big mess he causes.
Being caught in the act today must mean something had really upset him.
Chu Ruoyan pondered for a moment and said, "Since the Marquis and Second Sister-in-law are not around, how about this: take me to see him first, and if the situation is serious, we can send someone to inform them later."
The nursemaid thought this was a good idea too; they needed someone from the family to help protect Young Master Sun no matter what.
So, she led Chu Ruoyan straight to Guangwen Academy.
Guangwen Academy was a renowned school in the capital, having produced several top scholars. The children of various noble families were sent here to study.
Naturally, those who taught here were no ordinary people. For example, Yan Wenjing's teacher was Teacher Tang, who had retired from the Hanlin Academy.
"Third Lady, it's not that I don't want to give face to the Yan family, but Wenjing has gone too far this time!"
"A disciple educated in Confucian teachings, versed in the ways of Confucius and Mencius, actually got into a fight with someone. He even broke the wrist of Chancellor Gu's eldest grandson, Gu Hongzhi. If it hadn't been discovered early, he might have dislocated the entire arm!"
Chu Ruoyan listened to Teacher Tang's angry words with an apologetic expression, offering her apologies.
Seeing her good attitude, Teacher Tang couldn't keep his anger up: "The main issue is that the Gu family already knows about this. They took Gu Hongzhi to see a doctor first. If they return and find Wenjing is not here, it will be hard to explain..."
Chu Ruoyan understood his point and didn't press the matter.
"Teacher Tang, may I see Wenjing first?"
"Follow me then."
The scorching heat was intense.
Yan Wenjing was standing in punishment outside the academy by the low wall.
Sweat was pouring down his face, and his small arms and legs were trembling uncontrollably.
Teacher Tang asked sternly, "Do you know your mistake?"
Yan Wenjing replied loudly, "I don't know!"
Teacher Tang, exasperated, gave Chu Ruoyan a look that said this child was incorrigible!
Chu Ruoyan quickly put on a smiling face and coaxed Teacher Tang away before approaching Yan Wenjing.
At that moment, the little boy was already dizzy, and the sudden shade felt comfortable, making him sigh in relief.
Then he saw Chu Ruoyan.
His little face immediately fell: "What are you doing here?"
Chu Ruoyan found it quite amusing: "Your nursemaid came to find me, so I came."
"Hmph, I told her to ask Second Aunt, not you!"
"But your Second Aunt went to the estate, and your Third Uncle isn't here either, so what can be done?" She spread her hands innocently.
Yan Wenjing was about to cry, sweat rolling down his face like beads.
He tried hard to clench his teeth to keep from crying: "Go away! I don't want you to meddle!"
After all, he was still just a child.
Chu Ruoyan smiled and took out a handkerchief to wipe his sweat: "Alright, I won't tease you anymore. How is it, are you hurt?"
Yan Wenjing turned his little face away in anger: "Don't touch me, you wicked woman!"
The nursemaid looked at him with a face full of concern, "Oh, my dear Young Master Yan, please don't be stubborn anymore. Just soften up a bit with the tutor, apologize, and let this matter be over, alright?"
Talking about apologizing, Yan Wenjing's eyes flashed with ferocity, "No apology! Not only will I not apologize, but I’ll beat him to death!"
His fierce demeanor was like that of a little wolf cub.
Chu Ruoyan chuckled, "If you could really beat him to death, would you still be punished now?"
"I was tricked by him. Who knew he would call for help? If Hua Yan and Tao Zilang weren't there, you’d see how I'd deal with him!"
"That's because you were too careless and fell into the enemy's trap. Next time, you should anticipate the enemy's moves and strike decisively."
Yan Wenjing nodded thoughtfully, then realized something was off.
Why did this sound like she was teaching him how to handle such situations next time?
He hesitantly asked, "You... you don't blame me for hitting them?"
Chu Ruoyan raised an eyebrow, "Of course I blame you. If you hadn't stirred up this trouble, why would I be here basking in the sun with you?"
The slight goodwill that had just arisen instantly vanished.
Yan Wenjing secretly gritted his teeth; he must have been sunstruck to have any expectations of this wicked woman!
At this moment, two elegantly dressed women approached, each accompanied by maidservants. One of them asked with a stern expression, "Are you Yan Wenjing's second aunt?"
Chu Ruoyan remained silent.
The woman continued, "I am Hua Yan's mother, and this is Tao Zilang's mother. Second Young Madam, your family's young master beat our boys like that. There must be an explanation, right?"
Yan Wenjing sneered and was about to speak when Chu Ruoyan interrupted, "I wonder what 'beat like that' means?"
Madam Tao said angrily, "My son was punched until his nose bled, Hua Yan's eyes were bruised, and the most pitiful is Hongzhi, whose left wrist was broken. It shows how vicious the attack was!"
Madam Hua added, "Indeed, Second Young Madam, we have always respected the Yan family, but our husbands served as ministers in the same court as General Yan. If you really can't provide a convincing reason, we can only strike the drum of complaint and ask the emperor for justice!"
Chu Ruoyan felt a headache coming on.
What’s with these people lately? One after another, they all want to seek the emperor's judgment.
Is the emperor really that idle?
Yan Wenjing, not knowing what was going on, stuck his neck out and played the hero, "If you have the guts, go ahead and sue. At worst, you can chop off my head, but don't expect me to apologize!"
Madam Hua and Madam Tao were instantly furious, flicking their sleeves, "Second Young Madam, is this the upbringing of the Yan family?"
Chu Ruoyan rubbed her temples, "Alright, Wenjing, let me ask you, why did you hit them?"
Yan Wenjing closed his mouth tightly and turned his face away. Madam Tao, on the other hand, seemed to recall something and hurriedly said, "No matter the reason, you shouldn't hit people!"
Unexpectedly, Chu Ruoyan shook her head, "Madam Tao, that's not quite right. If someone were to wield a knife or sword against him, should he just stand there and be cut?"
"But my son..."
"Madam Tao," Chu Ruoyan interrupted her, a hint of coldness in her voice. "You keep preventing me from getting to the bottom of this. Could it be that there's some unspeakable reason that led Wenjing to lay such a heavy hand on your sons, no, the three of them?"
Madam Tao dared not speak further.
The expression on Madam Hua's face also seemed somewhat unnatural.
At this point, Chu Ruoyan was almost certain that the three children had provoked first, saying something they shouldn't have, which enraged Yan Wenjing and caused this young wolf cub to shed his disguise and reveal his true nature!
She wasn't in a hurry, just calmly staring at him.
Unable to bear her gaze, Yan Wenjing finally murmured, "They said Grandfather was greedy for glory and reckless... and that my father was a fool, carelessly losing the city gate, giving the enemy an opportunity..."
Chu Ruoyan's face changed instantly!
She had privately asked her father about the Yan family's army's recent defeat, and this was precisely the reason.
The enemy had split their forces; one group lured the general away from Hangu Pass, while the other took the opportunity to attack and capture the pass.
It was such an obvious strategy to lure the enemy, yet the general fell for it. At the time, the one left to guard Hangu Pass was the Yan heir, who had never lost a battle before but was utterly defeated by the enemy...
The Ministry of War and the cabinet had burned countless midnight oils over this, yet they hadn't come to a conclusion.
And now...
Greedy for glory, reckless in defense.
Such comments had come from the mouths of a few children.
Could it be that those above had decided to define it this way?
