Chapter 88

Chapter 88

The Imperial Academy.

Because of his brother-in-law's repeated reminders, and because Shen Huaizhi himself was worried about those frivolous young nobles' sharp tongues, he had not only given prior notice to his fellow students at the academy, but on the day Han Zhang enrolled, he even came to the academy early to wait and receive him.

Seeing how much importance he placed on this, the other students became even more curious about Han Zhang, and gathered around to tease:

"Brother Shen, how many times have you said this already? Our ears aren't deaf—do you really think we'd bully him with all this fuss?"

"Exactly! Those who know say he's your brother-in-law; those who don't, seeing that longing look of yours, would think you're waiting for your sweetheart! You treasure him so much you can't even sleep in, and come running over to stand guard like a watchdog at the door?"

"Hahaha, this isn't like you at all, Brother Shen..."

This group of spoiled young nobles were used to joking around, their mouths having no filter, spouting all sorts of nonsense without any restraint.

Shen Huaizhi glared at them, waving his sleeves repeatedly: "Get outta here, get outta here! What kind of garbage are you all spouting! That's my brother-in-law—my real brother-in-law! Is that the kind of thing you can joke about? What if someone mishears and rumors start spreading? Are you trying to ruin me?"

This wasn't him being overly dramatic—the noble circles were a real mess.

Just recently, a scandal had broken out in the capital involving a man and his sister's husband, and rumors were at their peak. If someone with ill intent twisted his words, he wouldn't be able to clear his name no matter what.

The group of idlers knew they'd overstepped, and quickly laughed sheepishly while pretending to slap their own mouths:

"Ah, yes, yes—that really shouldn't be said carelessly! Don't mind us, Brother Shen, we've got no filter—we deserve a slap!"

"But speaking of which, Brother Shen, is your brother-in-law really as good as you say? A scholar like him... would he really bother with good-for-nothing idlers like us?"

This bunch knew themselves pretty well.

Though they all studied at the academy, they didn't dare call themselves scholars, and they knew the students who were good at their studies looked down on them.

Hearing this, Shen Huaizhi's expression immediately brightened, as if a dam had broken, and he began to speak endlessly:

"Naturally! My Brother Han is someone special! How could he be so narrow-minded? My Brother Han isn't just talented—he's open-minded, visionary, down-to-earth, warm and polite... In short, except for his humble origins, he's excellent in every way!"

"Haven't you all been wondering why Old Pan and the others have suddenly improved so much in their studies lately? That's all thanks to my Brother Han."

And speak of the devil, here they come.

Knowing that Han Zhang was entering the Imperial Academy today, Pan Taining and the others had also rushed over ahead of time, panting and out of breath.

From a distance, they began shouting anxiously: "Old Shen, has Brother Han arrived yet? Today is Brother Han's first day—we can't miss being here to welcome him! Ah, damn it, we stayed up too late celebrating yesterday and almost didn't wake up this morning—we nearly missed the moment..."

Their hair was all disheveled, clearly tied in a rush, showing how frantic they'd been when leaving.

Given how proud and hot-tempered Shen Huaizhi, Pan Taining, and the others were, no one had ever seen them so respectful and devoted to anyone!

Just who was this Han Zhang? What was he, some kind of superhuman?

The group of idlers looked at each other, both curious and astonished: "Brother Pan, you're all actually studying under this Han Zhang too?"

"You bet! Otherwise, how would Old Pan and the others suddenly have gotten so smart? Let me tell you, my Brother Han..."

Seeing everyone's expressions, Shen Huaizhi was bursting with pride, and began listing Han Zhang's virtues again.

Pan Taining and the others chimed in support: "That's right, that's right—Brother Han is just that impressive..."

The four of them genuinely praised Han Zhang from the bottom of their hearts, building him up as if he were a god on earth.

Fortunately, the other idlers knew their temperament and understood there was plenty of exaggeration in those words, so they just listened for the fun of it without taking it seriously.

But those who didn't get along with Shen Huaizhi and his group found it hard to stomach...

Especially Fan Zixu and Zhao Hongji, who were also students at the Imperial Academy!

Because of the relationships between their respective spouses, they and Han Zhang had never seen eye to eye. They found Han Zhang highly disagreeable and would pick quarrels with him at every opportunity.

Now Han Zhang had earned Shen's father's favor and been recommended into the Imperial Academy, enjoying a smooth path and success in everything.

In contrast, their own families had been secretly demoted in rank and title through Shen's father's behind-the-scenes maneuvering, forcing them to humble themselves and curry favor with fathers-in-law they once looked down upon—only to be met with a cold shoulder.

With such a stark contrast, how could these two small-minded men not harbor resentment toward Han Zhang?

But with their families in dire straits, they didn't dare cause open trouble anymore. Instead, they could only instigate another idler, Kang Zhanxun, who also had a poor relationship with Shen Huaizhi, to take the lead.

Kang Zhanxun was no fool.

He knew perfectly well they were using him as a pawn, but he genuinely didn't get along with Shen Huaizhi and truly couldn't stand seeing him gloat. So he played along, extorting quite a few good things from the two before stepping forward to pick a fight.

And so it was.

Just as Shen Huaizhi and the others were in full swing, enthusiastically praising Han Zhang.

Kang Zhanxun let out a sneer: "Shen Huaizhi, you're going backwards in life. A mere poor scholar from a humble family is worth all this fawning over? Look at yourself, fawning and wagging your tail like a lapdog. You're a disgrace to all of us nobles and officials."

His lackeys and henchmen chimed in as well: "Young Master Kang speaks the truth! Shen Huaizhi, why don't you take a good look at yourself in the mirror? A proper son of an official family, lowering yourself to curry favor with some unknown, bitter poor scholar—aren't you ashamed?"

Unlike Shen Huaizhi's group of civil-official playboys, who still held some respect for poor scholars with outstanding academic records,

Kang Zhanxun's group, from military families, openly looked down on everyone—not just talented poor scholars, but even brilliant sons of prestigious families.

They didn't dare start real feuds, but they never missed a chance to trade verbal jabs.

When his sworn enemy came looking for a fight, Shen Huaizhi absolutely couldn't back down—especially when the target of their mockery was his cherished brother-in-law and Brother Han!

Shen Huaizhi and Pan Taining immediately shot back without yielding: "A bunch of frogs at the bottom of a well! My Brother Han's abilities are beyond the comprehension of brutes like you who only know horse riding and archery!"

Kang Zhanxun sneered again: "I'd say you're the one sitting in a well looking at the sky, Shen Huaizhi!"

"What's wrong with knowing horse riding and archery? The six gentlemanly arts are ritual, music, archery, charioteering, calligraphy, and mathematics... You only know how to bury your heads in books and compose a few sour poems—what real skill is that?"

"If you've got the guts, have your Brother Han compete with us in riding and archery. Otherwise, what's all this talk of being unmatched in the world? Aren't you afraid of biting off more than you can chew?"

Compete in riding and archery?

Shen Huaizhi certainly couldn't agree to that.

Although the Xiangnan Academy also offered courses in the six gentlemanly arts, and enrolled students all learned some riding and archery, Han Zhang came from a humble background—how could he have had the means to master such skills? His ability was bound to be limited, no match for these military idlers who'd been immersed in riding and archery since childhood.

Shen Huaizhi retorted: "Why should my Brother Han compete with you in riding and archery? Why don't you compete with him in poetry and prose? Using your strength against his weakness—truly shameless!"

"Exactly! What business is it of yours what we say? Who asked you to butt in?"

"Kang Zhanxun, since you're so proud of your riding and archery, why hasn't your father secured you a military post through hereditary privilege? Instead, you're wasting your years at the academy, idling away like this?"

"What does that tell us? It tells us you're a good-for-nothing, Kang Zhanxun..."

Pan Taining and the others also chimed in from the side, bickering along.

Yet, one remark inadvertently hit Kang Zhanxun right where it hurt.

The one thing Kang Zhanxun could not stand was that, as his father's only son, he had never gained his father's regard and was berated daily as a good-for-nothing.

"How dare you insult me!"

Kang Zhanxun, being gloomy and hot-tempered, couldn't hold back his rage and immediately threw a punch at Shen Huaizhi and his companions.

The punch whistled through the air with terrifying force.

"Kang Zhanxun! What are you doing? This is the academy—how dare you throw punches here!"

Shen Huaizhi and the others scrambled back, terrified.

Though they knew a bit of kung fu and had been in plenty of scraps, they were no match for Kang Zhanxun.

This guy was famous for being a brute—he could kill a tiger with his bare hands. If it weren't for his explosive temper, which made him attack friend and foe alike without any sense of restraint, like a human beast,

with his family's military connections, he would've made a name for himself in the army long ago.

They didn't dare fight him; one wrong move and they'd be dead.

"Help—"

"Murder—"

"Kang Zhanxun has gone mad again—run!"

Shen Huaizhi and his crew, knowing when to back down, immediately covered their heads and ran, screaming for help.

The other rich kids around—even Kang Zhanxun's usual lackeys—were just as terrified and scattered in every direction.

When Han Zhang arrived at the Imperial Academy, this was the chaotic mess he walked in on.

"Second Brother, what's going on? What are you guys doing?"

Han Zhang stepped forward to help Shen Huaizhi, who had tripped and fallen while running away.

Shen Huaizhi was glad to see him, but then remembered someone was still after them. No time to explain—he grabbed Han Zhang and kept running.

"Brother Han, I'll explain later—just run... Ugh!"

"—Too late."

Kang Zhanxun's sinister voice came from right behind them.

One hand grabbed the back of Shen Huaizhi's collar, and a fist, whistling with terrifying force, was about to smash into his face.

Shen Huaizhi's whole body went limp, and only four words echoed in his head:

I'm dead!

That was the only thought in the minds of the young nobles around them.

But the next second—

Kang Zhanxun's fist, looking like it carried a thousand pounds of force, was caught solidly by Han Zhang.

"A gentleman uses his words, not his fists."

Han Zhang said that, but then with a quick over-the-shoulder throw, he slammed the guy hard onto the ground.

Then, dislocating the guy's shoulder, he kicked him several yards away.