Compared to the prosperous North and Southeast, the Southwest region where Shu Mountain located is a bit remote, with neither Confucianism nor Daoism thriving. On the vast stretch of Southwest land, there are only a handful of renowned academies, among which is Nanshan Academy. Although no one had clinched the top academic placement in history, they had in fact, produced a scholar who placed third.
Unfortunately, later on, this celebrated scholar ended up in jail, robbing Nanshan Academy of some of its glory.
Nevertheless, this place remains the first choice for the sons of the city's affluent elite.
Today, Nanshan Academy is welcoming a newcomer.
"Dear classmates, let's welcome Chu Liang who joins our Gengzi Class."
The elderly teacher stood on the podium, his raised hand signaling the entrance of a young man dressed in fine silk – his appearance immediately drew the attention of the all the students present.
He had clear features, and an ethereal grace about him. Though he wore the same scholar's robe as everyone else, there seemed to be a certain loftiness about him that set him apart. He calmly entered the classroom at the teacher's invitation and gave a slight nod to the crowd below.
Following him was a student attendant, characterized by thick eyebrows, a suntanned complexion and a hint of irritation on his face as he carried a heavy book basket.
"Chu Liang, find an empty seat and sit down, we are about to start today's lesson." The teacher introduced him before giving instructions.
"Yes sir.", Chu Liang responded before making his way forward.
There were around twenty male students and ten female students in the class, each with their own desk. He looked around and chose to sit in an empty seat towards the back, next to an absent-minded student called Li Jue.
Just about to sit down, he heard the teacher rebuke, "There's no need for the attendant student to come in further, you can wait outside. If you wish to learn, you can do so quietly from the window. Just make sure you do not cause any disturbances."
"Oh..." The attendant student behind Chu Liang stopped, set the basket down, then begrudgingly exited the classroom.
This attendant student was none other than Lin Bei.
Standing outside the classroom window, he looked in and met Chu Liang's gaze, still clearly annoyed.
"Why are we both in the academy, yet you are a student and I am an attendant student?" He conveyed his disgruntlement through his silent gaze.
"Maybe it's just our different auras. After all, roles are not determined by one's social standing," Chu Liang responded with his eyes.
"I don't get it." Lin Bei still didn't accept it.
"Ok then. Being an attendant may make it easier for you to eavesdrop. Why not use this to your advantage and find out what you can from your circles? You might just uncover some clues to the mystery we're currently facing." Chu Liang retorted.
Only then did Lin Bei give up his protest and leave to mingle with his fellow attendants.
The Nanshan Academy students were all from wealthy local families or official families, so naturally, they all had their attendants. Naturally, it wasn't possible for all of them to follow every student into the classroom. There was a special lounge in the courtyard for them to rest, and if they desired to learn, they could eavesdrop at the window. As long as they didn't make any disturbances, they were left to their own devices.
A class at Nanshan Academy could be quite long, by the end of the first session, all the students around were a little drowsy, except for Chu Liang, who was still enthusiastic. He had been a top student in the past, and so he missed that classroom environment.
His old teacher had once mentioned that he was too easily distracted. If he could put his mind entirely into his studies, then no one could surpass him, and his achievements would be immeasurable. Unfortunately, his historical interests were widely ranging, including various sports, board games, video games, and he had strived to excel in all of them.
So he ranked only third in his state.
Li Jue, who was sitting next to him, seemed to have had a poor rest and had fallen asleep early in the class. Chu Liang didn't worry about him and instead turned his attention left and right, trying to find someone to strike up a conversation with.
Just then, the girl with the small freckles on her face turned her gaze towards him. Her eyes glistened with curiosity as she asked, "Chu Liang, where are you from?"
The other students were understandably curious about the good-looking transfer student.
"I am from Xingzhou City," Chu Liang replied with the information he had prepared earlier.
"Xingzhou City? Then why did you come to Nanshan Academy?"
"Because of family reasons, my whole family moved here, so I had no choice but to come here too," Chu Liang answered with a smile.
"Hehe, Nanshan Academy is pretty good. It's one of the best in the Southwest." The girl giggled with a cheery response.
"I thought the same before coming here, that perhaps it would be a good choice to come to the Nanshan Academy," Chu Liang said, appearing a bit worried, "Only when I arrived did I grow a little bit concerned..."
"Concerned about what?" The girl asked.
"I heard that the Academy has been haunted recently?" Chu Liang hinted in a low voice.
"Ah..." The girl's face turned grim, she quickly glanced around and lowered her voice, "Yes, it's true. But don't worry, it's only because ..."
"Li Chunxia!" a male voice interrupted harshly from nearby, "You have a loose tongue, don't you?"
Startled, the girl shook her head apologetically and quickly silenced herself.
Turned out, a muscular boy from several rows upfront had stood up. He didn't look pleased and seemed indifferent about their whispering, as if he was attuned to their conversation even from his distant seat.
The boy pointed at Chu Liang, "Newcomer, if you wish to study here, stop poking your nose into things. You hear me?"
Facing the intimidating warning, Chu Liang just smiled and nodded, behaving as if nothing had happened.
Right at that moment, a soft voice resounded from behind mayhem, "Yan Xiaohu, why are you being so rude?"
"Mister Song..." As he heard the voice, the muscular boy named Yan Xiaohu immediately calmed down and took his seat.
A woman in a light blue dress with a short open coat walked in. Her tall, slender figure, perhaps even a bit too thin, and a simple hairstyle revealed her porcelain-white ears and neck. Despite trying to look mature, her age was clear to see.
"A teacher at the Academy?" Chu Liang was surprised for a moment.
This lady looked far too young.
Mister Song, upon entering, woke the sleeping Li Jue by her side before slowly walking up to the platform and softly said, "Let's start the class."
Li Jue, looking at this teacher in awe, seemed to be more attentive than usual.
Compared to the old teacher whose frantic efforts to invigorate their students failed, her soft and gentle voice was, in fact, more effective. All the students, both male and female students, perked up, and nobody dozed off again.
"We have a new student today, don't we?" Mister Song looked at Chu Liang, introducing herself first, "Let me introduce myself. My name is Song Qingyi. I teach literature and poetry at Nanshan Academy."
Chu Liang looked into her gentle eyes, feeling a strange sensation stirring within him.
Despite her youth, Song Qingyi was deeply knowledgeable, able to teach complex concepts in a simple, enjoyable manner.
After class, it was time for lunch.
Chu Liang and Lin Bei reunited on their way to lunch.
"How did the inquiring go?" Chu Liang enquired.
"I found out everything. That Mister Song's real name is Song Qingyi. She's from Jiangnan and also newly arrived at Nanshan Academy a few days ago. She's around eighteen or nineteen, same as us... and she's single!" Lin Bei said excitedly.
Chu Liang: "?"