Chapter 67: The Imperial Academy Opens a New Path, The Heroine Unfolds Her Grand Design

Chapter 67: New Paths at the Imperial Academy, The Heroine Unfolds Her Grand Vision

Lin Shiya’s heart tightened; the sinister gaze of Grand Commandant Wang was like a venomous snake lurking in the shadows, making her acutely aware that more obstacles were surely waiting ahead. She drew a deep breath, trying to steady the turmoil within, yet she dared not lower her guard for even a moment. She knew the battles in the court were far more intricate than she had imagined—one misstep, and she could fall into an abyss from which there was no return.

The atmosphere in the Imperial Academy, too, seemed shrouded with oppressive gloom, cast by Wang’s resentful glare. The students, who had just been basking in the joy of Lin Shiya’s reforms, now sensed something amiss. They whispered uneasily, their eyes darting anxiously toward Lin Shiya on the lectern, their hearts filled with worry.

Sure enough, the next day at the Academy, the mood became subtly charged. Lin Shiya had barely stepped into the lecture hall when she sensed something unusual. The students wore varied expressions: some curious, some expectant, and others, inexplicably hostile.

At that moment, a young man dressed in luxurious brocade robes stood up—it was Young Master Song. A contemptuous smile played at his lips, and his gaze carried a hint of challenge. He cleared his throat and, with a tone bordering on flippancy, said, “Top Scholar Lin, I have some questions regarding your lecture yesterday. May I ask for your guidance?”

His words had hardly finished when murmurs spread through the hall, and every eye fixed upon Lin Shiya. A foreboding rose in everyone’s heart.

Song’s questions were clearly meticulously crafted, each word laced with difficulty and traps. Not only did he stray from the content of yesterday’s lecture, he also brought up obscure texts and theories—clearly intent on making things hard for her.

The tension in the hall thickened, the very air seeming to freeze. The students held their breath for Lin Shiya, knowing Song’s move was meant to suppress her prestige, to disgrace her in the Academy.

Lin Shiya’s gaze was deep and still as a cold lake. She glanced at Song, showing no trace of panic. She knew this challenge was inevitable—and one she must face.

She drew a steady breath, about to reply, when Murong Fu’s low voice sounded from outside the hall, “Wait.”

Murong Fu strode in, his plain azure tunic unable to mask his regal bearing. He walked straight to Lin Shiya’s side, his gaze sweeping the crowd, finally settling on Song with a hint of authority.

Song, accustomed to idle luxury, had never faced such a presence—his confidence faltered, his eyes flickering, unable to meet Murong’s gaze.

Lin Shiya nodded gently, signaling Murong Fu to keep calm, then turned to Song, a confident smile on her lips. “Young Master Song’s questions do diverge from yesterday’s lecture, but since you have doubts, I shall answer. Though your queries draw upon obscure texts, they are closely tied to the principles of governance…”

She spoke with measured eloquence, turning Song’s deliberately difficult questions into opportunities for deeper explanation, citing sources and references, making the previously abstruse theories clear and accessible.

Her speech flowed smoothly, her voice crisp and pleasant, like a mountain spring cleansing the doubts from the students’ minds.

Gradually, the tension in the hall dissipated, replaced by a sense of clarity and ease. The students listened, entranced; Song, who had hoped to embarrass Lin Shiya, found himself instead serving as the platform for her brilliance, his face alternating between pale and flushed, left awkwardly in place.

When the lesson ended, thunderous applause erupted in the hall, lingering long after. Students crowded around Lin Shiya, eager to ask questions, which she answered patiently and thoroughly, deepening their admiration for her.

Yet, amid the joy, Grand Tutor Zhang entered, his face dark, and coughed heavily, interrupting the discussion. With stern gravity, he declared, “Top Scholar Lin, your lecture today seems at odds with the orthodox teachings of the Academy. I believe you should focus on the classics of Confucius and avoid innovation that might mislead the students.”

The hall’s atmosphere tensed instantly, students exchanging uneasy glances, none daring to speak.

Lin Shiya’s expression remained unchanged. She drew a slow breath and replied respectfully, “Master, everything I taught comes from ancient texts, not…”

“Ancient texts?” Grand Tutor Zhang sneered, cutting her off. “The sea of ancient writings is vast, filled with absurd words. How can they all be trusted? Can you cite the source of what you taught?”

Lin Shiya smiled faintly, reaching into her sleeve and slowly producing a roll of aged bamboo slips.

She unfurled the slips, their yellowed segments bearing a passage of classical writing. With a clear, resonant voice, she read aloud, each word striking with the force of truth, seeming to pierce through to the heart.

This was precisely the source of her lecture’s content, a powerful rebuttal to Zhang’s doubts.

All was silent in the hall; everyone listened with bated breath, as if time itself had paused. Even those scholars who had doubted Lin Shiya now secretly nodded, moved by her vast knowledge and by her courage in challenging authority.

Grand Tutor Zhang’s face turned ashen; he had not expected Lin Shiya to produce a genuine citation, and his carefully laid scheme collapsed utterly. He opened his mouth to retort, but found himself without ground for argument. All he could do was storm out, leaving only a disgraced figure behind.

Lin Shiya put away the bamboo slips, her gaze sweeping the crowd. She knew the road ahead would be long, with more challenges awaiting.

The lesson continued, Lin Shiya’s voice growing stronger, more passionate. She shared her knowledge and insights without reservation, igniting a fire of curiosity in the students’ hearts. The hall became lively, students eagerly questioning and participating, brimming with vitality.

As she taught, Lin Shiya recalled Murong Fu’s voice outside the hall, that simple “Wait.” In that moment, she had felt his support and encouragement, sensed his deep trust in her. A touch of tenderness flickered in her eyes—a softness unusual in the solemn setting, bringing a gentle warmth to the hall.

When the lesson ended, students gathered around, expressing their respect for Lin Shiya. Their admiration was evident; they saw her as a model, a guiding light. Her prestige in the Academy rose to unprecedented heights.

Looking at these vibrant students before her, Lin Shiya felt a surge of hope. She knew she was changing the Academy—and changing the times.

Drawing a deep breath, she solemnly announced, “Everyone, I have something to share…”

She surveyed the room, cleared her throat, and declared loudly, “My abilities are limited, but I wish to invite several distinguished scholars to the Academy, to join us in academic discussion. What do you all think?”

At her words, the hall burst into excitement. The students, thrilled, whispered eagerly among themselves. To learn from eminent scholars was a dream come true for many.

“This is wonderful! To hear the teachings of renowned masters—what luck for us!”

“Top Scholar Lin truly has the students’ interests at heart. How could we miss such an opportunity?”

“Such noble intent! We will wholeheartedly support her!”

Praise and cheers echoed throughout, the hall immersed in joy.

Lin Shiya looked at the energetic faces before her, filled with satisfaction. She knew she was step by step changing the Academy, and step by step changing the age.

In the days that followed, the Academy was enveloped in an atmosphere of optimism. The students studied diligently, eager for the chance to learn from the masters and broaden their knowledge. Lin Shiya worked tirelessly, reaching out to respected scholars and preparing for the upcoming gathering.

Yet Lin Shiya knew the path would not be smooth. Grand Tutor Zhang would not let matters rest; he would surely plot in secret, perhaps resorting to even more underhanded tactics to suppress her.

Indeed, as Lin Shiya left the Academy, heading back to her residence, she overheard several students whispering.

“Did you hear? Top Scholar Lin…”

“Hush! Don’t say such things aloud…”

“What’s the worry? I heard it myself…”

Lin Shiya’s steps faltered, a sense of foreboding rising in her heart. She slowed down, quietly moving closer to the students to listen.

“…I heard Top Scholar Lin isn’t truly so talented, but…”

“But what?”

The students suddenly fell silent, glancing around warily before hurrying away, leaving only a meaningful look behind.