Chapter 130: Turmoil at the Academy, Unwavering Resolve for Reform

Chapter 130: Turmoil at the Academy, Unwavering Resolve for Reform

"What happened to Dean Zhang?" Lin Shiya’s heart tightened. She hurried to the door and flung it open.

"Dean Zhang... he... he has fallen ill!" the servant gasped, breathless.

Lin Shiya’s brows furrowed, and a sense of foreboding rose within her. Dean Zhang was the head of a renowned academy in the Jiangnan region, a man of great prestige and significant influence among the literati. He had always maintained a cautious stance toward reform, and though Lin Shiya had repeatedly sought his support, she had met with no success.

"Prepare the sedan chair. We are going to the academy," Lin Shiya decided instantly.

Night shrouded the land, and a biting wind howled as the sedan chair jolted along the uneven road. Lin Shiya’s heart rose and fell with the swaying of the chair. It was far too suspicious for the Dean to fall ill at such a critical juncture.

By the time they reached the academy, it was late into the night. Lin Shiya hurried into the Dean’s room, finding him lying in bed, his face pale and his breathing shallow.

"Dean Zhang, how are you feeling?" she asked with concern.

The Dean slowly opened his eyes and saw her. "Official Lin, what brings you here in the dead of night?" His voice was hoarse and weak, his tone tinged with distance.

Lin Shiya acutely sensed the change in his attitude, confirming her suspicions. She remained composed and said, "I heard you were unwell and came to pay a visit."

"I have merely caught a cold; there is no need for you to trouble yourself, Official," the Dean replied coldly.

Lin Shiya ignored his coldness and continued, "Dean Zhang, reform is now imminent, and there is much to be done. We are in dire need of the support of someone as esteemed as yourself."

The Dean let out a cold sneer. "Reform? Hmph, it is nothing more than a play for popularity."

Lin Shiya’s heart sank. It seemed the Dean had already been swayed by the old guard. Taking a deep breath, she looked at him with steady eyes. "Dean Zhang, do you truly believe reform is a mere play for popularity? Do you know—"

"Official Lin!" a sharp voice interrupted her.

A man dressed in silk robes and holding a feathered fan walked in. It was Strategist Yuan, a schemer for the old guard. "The Dean needs rest. You should take your leave." He stood in front of Lin Shiya with a smug smile.

Lin Shiya looked at him coldly. "Strategist Yuan, you—"

"Strategist Yuan, do not try to stop me!" Lin Shiya snapped, her gaze like a torch. She turned back to the bed. "Dean Zhang, are you aware that the academy is now stagnant? The curriculum is archaic and no longer fits the development of the times. Reform is not for show; it is to breathe new life into the academy and cultivate truly capable talents!"

Her voice rang out with conviction, echoing through the room. She paused before continuing, "You have seen it yourself: the imperial examination has become rigid. The talents selected can only compose poetry and prose, yet they lack practical ability. If this continues, the nation will crumble! Reforming the examination is an absolute necessity!"

The Dean’s closed eyes opened slightly; her words hit home. He was well aware of the academy’s state, but constrained by the pressure of the old guard, he had not dared to speak out.

"Dean Zhang, you are the leader of the Jiangnan literati. Your choice will affect the fate of countless scholars. Are you truly going to watch the academy decline into ruin?" Lin Shiya’s tone was sincere, filled with expectation.

The Dean fell silent, his heart caught in a fierce struggle. Seeing this, Strategist Yuan panicked. He quickly stepped forward. "Dean Zhang, do not listen to this woman’s bewitching words. The reformists have ulterior motives and intend to disrupt the court!"

"Strategist Yuan, stop spouting lies!" Lin Shiya rebuked him. "Reform is for the prosperity of the nation and the well-being of the people. How can you call that disrupting the court?"

"Hmph, facts speak louder than words!" Strategist Yuan sneered and pulled a piece of paper from his sleeve. "This is a secret letter plotting the reform. It is written clearly here that they—"

Lin Shiya snatched the letter and scanned it rapidly, her face turning ashen. The letter was clearly a forgery, its contents absurd, yet it was enough to incite the masses.

"This letter is a fake!" she declared sharply. "Who is behind this rumor-mongering, trying to sabotage the great cause of reform?"

Strategist Yuan wore an insidious smile. "Official Lin, words are cheap. Do you have any proof that this letter is forged?"

Lin Shiya was momentarily stunned. She knew the letter was fake, but she had no evidence. Just then, a commotion erupted outside the door.

"Official Lin is a witch, trying to ruin the court!"
"Down with the reformists! Restore our rightful order!"

The students of the academy were in a frenzy, surrounding the room and shouting slogans. Lin Shiya’s heart sank; it seemed Strategist Yuan had planned this well in advance.

"Official Lin, what else do you have to say?" Strategist Yuan asked triumphantly, a victorious light in his eyes.

Lin Shiya looked around at the angry faces, her heart filled with helplessness and indignation. She knew she had reached a desperate impasse.

"You... you have all been deceived!" she shouted with all her might.

She forced herself to stay calm, scanning every word on the paper, searching for a flaw. Suddenly, her eyes stopped at the bottom right corner, where a small seal was stamped.

She had seen this seal before!

"This seal belongs to the bank in the south of the city!" Lin Shiya pointed at the stamp, her voice ringing out. "And the owner of that bank is a distant relative of Strategist Yuan!"

A stir ran through the crowd. People looked at one another, whispering. Strategist Yuan’s face turned deathly pale; he had not expected Lin Shiya to be so sharp.

"You... you are talking nonsense!" he shouted, his voice cracking. "This seal... is a forgery!"

"Is it?" Lin Shiya sneered. "Then I ask you, Strategist Yuan, whose handwriting is on this letter?" She turned her gaze to a trembling student in the crowd. "Student, you wrote this letter, didn't you?"

The student turned pale, unable to meet her eyes. "I... I was only following orders..."

"Who ordered you?" Lin Shiya pressed.

"It was... Strategist Yuan!" the student finally broke down and shouted.

The truth was out. Gasps erupted from the crowd. The students looked at Strategist Yuan with anger and disdain. They had not realized they had been used as mere pawns.

"Strategist Yuan, what else do you have to say?" Lin Shiya demanded.

Yuan was speechless, his face as white as paper. He had never imagined his meticulously planned conspiracy would be dismantled so easily. "I..." he stammered, unable to form a word.

"Guards, seize Strategist Yuan!" At Lin Shiya’s command, several guards rushed forward and bound him.

Thunderous applause erupted from the crowd. The students expressed their respect for Lin Shiya’s wisdom and courage. Master Fang stood beside her, his eyes filled with admiration. He looked at her, his heart swelling with pride. He knew this woman was destined for greatness.

Lin Shiya felt his gaze and felt a warmth spread through her. She turned and smiled at him. "Master Fang, thank you for today."

Master Fang shook his head gently. "It is my honor to serve you, Official Lin." He paused, staring intensely at her. "However..." He stopped, as if there was something more to say.

Lin Shiya was about to ask, but Dean Zhang slowly rose, a hint of determination appearing on his pale face.

"Official Lin," he said, his voice weak but carrying undeniable weight, "I am willing to lend you my strength."

The words struck like a thunderclap, shaking everyone to their core. With the Dean’s unparalleled status in the Jiangnan literati, his support was a massive boost to the reform.

A look of surprise flashed in Lin Shiya’s eyes. "Dean Zhang, you are truly righteous!" she bowed, her tone filled with genuine admiration.

The Dean waved his hand and looked at the students, speaking with deep emotion. "I am old and should have been enjoying my twilight years. But the times are in turmoil. If we do not stand up now, I fear we scholars will have no face to meet our ancestors!" His words rang out, striking at the heart of everyone present.

"We are willing to follow Dean Zhang and do our part for the cause of reform!" the students knelt in unison, their voices firm and resolute. They had been blinded by rumors, but now that the truth was clear, hope for the future burned in their hearts.

Lin Shiya watched these passionate young people, filled with relief. She was no longer walking the path of reform alone; behind her stood countless righteous souls. The turmoil at the academy had unexpectedly become a turning point—she had won this battle!

However, the joy of victory did not cloud her mind. She knew well that Strategist Yuan was merely a pawn of the old guard. The true enemies were still lurking in the shadows, waiting for their moment. She had to remain vigilant.

The night wind was still biting, but it could no longer blow away the hope in people’s hearts. Moonlight filtered through the window, illuminating Lin Shiya’s face and reflecting the determination in her eyes.

She looked around and saw the undisguised admiration and affection in Master Fang’s eyes. A warmth stirred within her. Everything seemed to be moving in a positive direction, and the dawn of reform was visible. Yet, a trace of unease still permeated the air.

She recalled Master Fang’s hesitation earlier, and a bad premonition arose.

"Official Lin..." Master Fang’s expression was grave, as if he had a hidden burden. He started to speak, then stopped, his eyes filled with worry.

Lin Shiya was about to press him for an answer when he abruptly shut his mouth.

"What exactly is it?" Lin Shiya looked at him, puzzled.

Master Fang hesitated for a moment, then finally spoke, his tone tinged with anxiety: "Official Lin, I..."