Chapter 367
Chapter 367: Chapter 361_1 Chapter 367: Chapter 361_1 Jiang Wenshu refused to admit anything, and without evidence, even though they were certain of his guilt, accusations without proof were meaningless. The headmaster, after observing the reactions of Liang Wei and the others, had made his judgement. Yet, even as headmaster, he could not punish Jiang Wenshu without evidence, and had no choice but to let him leave.
“Headmaster, why did you let Jiang Wenshu go? It was clearly him who instigated everything behind the scenes.” Liang Wei and the others were fuming with anger as they watched Jiang Wenshu walk away arrogantly. They were so upset that even though they were the ones in the wrong, they started questioning the headmaster.
“Why are you so foolish to get provoked so easily and be used by others?” The headmaster felt a rush of anxiety on behalf of his old friend, wondering how he could have raised such a thoughtless grandson. Remembering his friend’s frustration, he could now somewhat relate to that feeling.
“But…” Liang Wei was both anxious and angry, yet unable to come up with a retort. The others with him felt the same.
“What’s the use of ‘but’? I haven’t even started with you yet. Whether Jiang Wenshu instigated you or not, it was you who injured Lin Qing, and that’s undeniable. I should hand you over to the government right now and let the Magistrate deal with you. A little suffering might teach you to restrain yourself in the future.” Seeing that Liang Wei showed some remorse, and that Lin Qing didn’t press too hard on the matter, the headmaster’s words were merely a scare tactic to admonish Liang Wei, ensuring he wouldn’t dare to commit such acts again.
Such was the headmaster’s reputation that Liang Wei and the others believed him without a second thought. They gave up on Jiang Wenshu and began to beg the headmaster for mercy, “Headmaster, I was foolish this time to have listened to the villainous Jiang Wenshu. Please spare us this once, we won’t dare to do it again, we beg you, headmaster.”
“Yes, headmaster, it’s not entirely Liang Wei and the others’ fault; it was Jiang Wenshu who gave the idea. Maybe we can let it slide this time and if they err again, you can harshly punish them then,” Lin Qing, who already intended to quell the matter, saw that Liang Wei and his group were repentant and wouldn’t be swayed by Jiang Wenshu anymore. Since there was no reason to pursue troubles further and rather than having the headmaster punish them and create resentment, reconciliation was preferable.
“Headmaster, my brother is right, it was Jiang Wenshu’s fault. They were just instigated. As long as it doesn’t happen again, we won’t hold today’s events against them,” Lin Yue noticed the headmaster’s intention to forgive Liang Wei and the others and the tone of tough love in his speech. It was clear there was some connection between Liang Wei and the headmaster. Since the matter was settled, why not give them a favor? It would earn Liang Wei’s gratitude and leave a good impression of leniency on the headmaster. This would be beneficial, not only for Lin Qing who was studying at the academy but also for Dalang and the others who would attend the academy in the future. It was like paving a way for them in advance.
Liang Wei, seeing that Lin Qing and his sister spoke on his behalf despite the past, gave them a grateful look, “Headmaster, even Lin Qing, the victim, is saying so. Please let me off this time. I truly won’t dare to do it again.”
“Hmph, how many times have I heard that from you? And when have you ever kept your word? Even if Lin Qing is magnanimous enough to forgive you, the rules of the Songshan Academy are not for show. If I don’t punish you today, and everyone else follows suit, the reputation of Songshan Academy that we’ve built over hundreds of years could be ruined in an instant. We cannot condone such behavior.”
“Headmaster, punish me if you must, just don’t send me to the government. I really can’t bear the beating. And if my grandfather and father find out that my misdeeds reached the public tribunal, they’ll skin me alive. Headmaster, please believe in me one more time, just this once. I won’t dare to offend again,” pleaded Liang Wei.
“Headmaster, please believe in Liang Wei this one time. If this becomes a public tribunal case, it won’t reflect well on the academy’s reputation. Besides, this incident is ultimately because of me. If Liang Wei and the others really were beaten by the Magistrate, I would feel uneasy too.”
“Fine, in light of Lin Qing’s willingness to set aside past grievances and plead on your behalf repeatedly, I will deal with you leniently. Now go and thank him, and remember, you will pay for Lin Qing’s medical expenses. Did you hear that?”
Liang Wei, relieved to see the headmaster relent, quickly agreed, “Of course, of course. It was we who caused harm to Brother Lin, and it’s only right that we cover the medical expenses.”
Eventually, the headmaster sentenced Liang Wei and the others to cleaning the academy for a month and to copy ‘The Analects of Confucius’ and ‘The Great Learning’ a thousand times each. They inwardly complained but realized that it was already the lightest punishment possible and accepted it earnestly.
With the matter resolved, as they left the headmaster’s office, Liang Wei’s attitude toward Lin Qing improved significantly. Especially because of his intense disdain for the treacherous Jiang Wenshu, he found Lin Qing, his rival, much more agreeable. Not only did he follow the headmaster’s orders to have a doctor treat Lin Qing’s injuries, he also showed genuine concern and even offered to move Lei Wei into a better room at his expense, though Lin Qing refused. Liang Wei grew to respect Lin Qing’s character even more, recognizing that Lin Qing was unlike villains like Jiang Wenshu—inherently noble—and became even closer to him.
Meanwhile, Zhao Erhu hurried to the Songshan Academy, rushing to Lin Qing’s residence to find someone, only to discover that neither Lin Qing nor his sister was there. He grew anxious. Could it be that his young wife hadn’t come to the academy? Where had she gone?
Zhao Erhu, having arrived at the academy later than Lin Yue and after spending quite some time asking around, learned that Lin Qing had been injured and that the siblings were at the headmaster’s demanding justice. He rushed over worriedly, knowing his young wife’s temperament might lead to trouble in her efforts to protect her brother. He berated himself for not being there for her whenever such incidents occurred.
Zhao Erhu, by nature slower to reach the academy than Lin Yue, had further delayed in making inquiries. When he finally got there, Lin Qing and his sister had already left the headmaster’s office. Zhao Erhu first checked on Lin Yue, inspecting her carefully to ensure she was unharmed before he felt relieved. Then, turning to Lin Qing, he saw just how badly he had been beaten, with a bruised and swollen face. Zhao Erhu wondered how worried his young wife must have been upon seeing that, especially since he hadn’t been there to support her, a real irresponsible act.
“Wife, how did Big Uncle end up like this? Who did this? Tell me, and I’ll hit them back for you,” Zhao Erhu said with a fierce expression. Although he did not believe that violence was the best solution, he understood his young wife was probably still angry with him and that he needed to show that he was taking her side.
Liang Wei and the others, overhearing Zhao Erhu’s words, involuntarily shrunk back, thankful that they had already reconciled with Lin Qing. After all, Zhao Erhu was a big man with considerable strength; they certainly wouldn’t be able to endure a beating from him.
“How did you get here so quickly? Aren’t you supposed to be with your little aunt?” said Lin Yue to Zhao Erhu with a smirk.