My Promotion Story Through Time Travel

Chapter 7 The Academy Turmoil (3)

Mu Shaoying picked up a pen and wrote down the names Zhili, Xun, Jinbao, and Zhang Mo on the paper. Then she slowly wrote down Lin Ziping, Lin Zhong, Tao Xian, Granny Liao, Zhuzi, and Xiaoya.

Organizing the information gathered in his mind over the past few days, according to Jinbao and the others, Lin Zhong was a eunuch. Although it was unclear why eunuchs could engage in commerce, it explained why the Lin family had no head housekeeper, why he was fair-skinned and beardless, and why he had a fragrant scent. Steward Tao was also a eunuch, suggesting that the original owner of this body might be Lin Zhong's adopted child. Did Granny Liao, Zhuzi, and Xiaoya have any other connections to the original owner? Why were Zhili, Xun, Jinbao, and Zhang Mo targeting the original owner? Why didn't the original owner tell anyone about the "school bullying"? Why did the original owner disguise himself as a boy?

There were too many problems, and too little information available. Mu Shaoying looked at the names of the people she had met in the past few days written on a sheet of paper, folded it, and burned it on the candle beside her. She sighed deeply. All of this would have to be put aside for now; she would take it one step at a time. Perhaps this was just a pipe dream, and she would wake up someday. Right now, she should try to shed her "illiterate" status and understand this era.

Thinking back to the question she had just intended to ask Zhu Zi about why Jin Bao and the others bullied the original owner, she couldn't help but chuckle to herself. She was, after all, an adult. Now, in this small body, she too was starting to wonder about the reasons behind what had happened. Seeing you as strong, seeing you as weak, seeing you in a bad mood—without the constraints of law, without the awe of power, without moral standards, anything could become a reason for bullying. The reasons were no longer important. The original owner had already been bullied. Although she didn't know the conflict between the original owner and Jin Bao and the others, it was unreasonable for them not to accept punishment after the original owner fell into the water. After all, the body now housed Mu Shaoying, and she didn't want to experience "school bullying" in the future.

Mu Shaoying rubbed her head, got up and walked towards the bedroom. She had been thinking too much these past few days. Her brain capacity was limited, and she wondered if her CPU would break down. She was so annoyed. She wanted to go home and was addicted to her phone. She hadn't even watched the finale of the drama she was following. If she could go back, even if she continued to be a beast of burden, she would promise to work hard, not slack off at work, and uphold the principle of "I won't leave until the boss leaves" after get off work. She would be on call at all times, contributing to the company's development and dedicating her life to it.

For a period of time afterward, Mu Shaoying began to gather information and learn about the world. He finally learned that the current dynasty was the Great Zhou, and the place was Qingyang County, Huai Prefecture. The academy's teaching was divided into four stages: Meng (蒙), You (幼), Xu (序), and Jiao (教), similar to modern kindergarten, primary school, junior high school, and senior high school, each with three levels. An annual examination was held, and only those who passed could advance to the next level. Some passed in one year, others in three. If a student failed to pass the examination for more than five years at any level, they would be expelled. The Meng (蒙) level had the most students, with about ten classes per level, each with about fifty students. The You and Xu levels had the next few students, and the Jiao level had the fewest, as passing the Jiao examination required a certificate from the academy to be eligible for the Xiucai (秀才) examination.

Mu Shaoying believes this means that failing to pass five years proves a lack of academic talent, so everyone should work together without delaying each other and find other ways to succeed. This arrangement is quite humane.

Moshan Academy was a famous academy in Huaizhou. It basically occupied the entire mountain and was divided into several areas. The four teaching areas of Meng, You, Xu, and Jiao were separated from the academy’s teaching buildings by artificial hills and ponds. The teaching areas were further separated by walls. The academy also had areas such as a horse farm and a gladiatorial arena. In addition to the six arts of the gentleman, which are rites, music, archery, charioteering, calligraphy, and mathematics, it also offered subjects such as agriculture, animal husbandry, and medicine. This can be considered an ancient version of quality education.

According to Zhu Zi, Lin Zhong brought the original owner to this place two years ago. Lin Zhong started doing business, while the original owner was studying at Moshan Academy. Currently, he is in the first level of elementary education, which is the kindergarten class. He has been studying for two years and is learning some basic knowledge. Zhu Zi did not know about the situation before they came here. Mu Shaoying did not want to ask Granny Liao and Steward Tao, so she put it aside for the time being.

As for Jinbao and others, they can be considered prominent figures in Moshan Academy, for no other reason than their family background.

Zhili, whose full name is Fang Zhili, is from the Fang family in the capital. He is the nephew of the local prefect and is currently a first-year student at a primary school.

Ah Xun was of the same rank as Fang Zhili and was the son of Magistrate Ji.

Jinbao is the son of a local wealthy merchant surnamed He, whose business is famous far and wide. He Jinbao is of the same rank as the original owner of this body.

Zhang Mo is the son of a local merchant. Because of his business dealings with the He family, Zhang Mo has always been He Jinbao's "lackey".

Fang Zhili and Ji Xun entered the academy a year ago. How they met He Jinbao was probably due to the mutual attraction of power and money, but the specific reasons cannot be verified.

Moreover, due to Jinbao and others, the original owner's identity as a "little eunuch" became known in the academy.

According to Zhu Zi, when I first went to school, those whispering and malicious people were my friends. But after they found out that my uncle was a eunuch, they not only distanced themselves from me, but also started bullying me.

Later, he caused trouble for Mu Shaoying a few more times, but she resolved them all. Adults sometimes make a few ambiguous remarks that interfere with objective judgment, let alone children. As for friends, what deep friendship can there be at this age when they're playing in the mud and pee? A handful of candy can buy a bunch of kids an afternoon of fun. Besides, Mu Shaoying doesn't need to cultivate any friendship with these kids now.

The current situation has been analyzed, and resolving the trouble caused by He Jinbao and others should be put on the agenda. Although the academy is currently holding its elementary school exams, and Fang Zhili and Ji Xun are busy with their exams, He Jinbao, Zhang Mo, and others have not come to cause trouble. However, there is no way to guard against thieves for a thousand days if you are a thief for a thousand days. Moreover, the original owner of this body was pushed into the water by them.

After much deliberation, Mu Shaoying decided to tell her teacher—yes, to tell her teacher in a straightforward and direct way.

Without hesitation, she told Master Cheng the next day that He Jinbao had pushed her into the water. Master Cheng looked at Mu Shaoying with a grim expression: "Why didn't you mention this a few days ago?"

Mu Shaoying: I didn't know how to talk to you the other day?

But he said, “Master, because He Jinbao and Zhang Mo pushed me into the water, I stayed home to recuperate for several days. I thought it was an unintentional mistake by He Jinbao and Zhang Mo and that they would apologize to me. But they have not apologized to me yet. I think this matter should be told to you, Master, so that you can give me an explanation.”

Master Cheng frowned and said to the page outside the door, "Xiaoshan, go to the school and bring He Jinbao and Zhang Mo over."

A voice came from outside the door, "Yes, Master," and then the footsteps gradually faded away.

The chirping of birds drifted in from outside. It was late summer, but the room was still somewhat stuffy. Master Cheng remained silent. Every now and then, Mu Shaoying felt scrutinizing gazes upon her. Ignoring them, she stared blankly at her shoes. She calculated that she'd been in this world for almost a month, spending roughly half the month in bed and the other half gathering information. Hey, no one openly expressed suspicion, which meant no one suspected anything. Looks like she did have a bit of acting talent…

"Master, what brings you here?"

Suddenly, He Jinbao's voice came from outside the door, startling Mu Shaoying. She looked up and saw He Jinbao and Zhang Mo and the others stepping in. She saw that He Jinbao was wearing a blue academy uniform and a gold necklace around his neck. Mu Shaoying clicked her tongue in her heart, thinking, "Nouveau riche!"

Master Cheng frowned: "What kind of behavior is He Jinbao? Not only does he not bow to the Master, but he also shouts loudly."

Zhang Mo bowed and said, "Greetings, Master."

He Jinbao pursed his lips and remained silent. After a while, he bowed and said, "Master, what brings you here?"

Seeing He Jinbao like this, Master Cheng's face darkened further, and his brows furrowed even more deeply: "Lin Ziping said that you and Zhang Mo pushed him into the water, which must be a misunderstanding. You should apologize to him."

After hearing this, He Jinbao turned around and glared fiercely at Mu Shaoying, then shouted, "Lin Ziping, you dog..."

“He Jinbao!” Master Cheng interrupted He Jinbao’s loud shout, “Apologize.”

"Hmph," He Jinbao turned his head to the side and ignored Master Cheng. Zhang Mo gently tugged at his clothes.

“He Jinbao, do you want your father to come? Apologize!” Master Cheng said again.

He Jinbao turned and glared at Mu Shaoying, pursing his lips without saying a word.

Suddenly, Zhang Mo said to Mu Shaoying, "Ziping, I accidentally pushed you into the water that day. I'm sorry, please forgive me."

Before Mu Shaoying could react, He Jinbao turned to look at Zhang Mo and then slapped Zhang Mo hard across the face.

Master Cheng shouted, "Stop!"

The air suddenly became quiet, and the group fell silent.

Master Cheng said to Mu Shaoying, "Lin Ziping and Zhang Mo have already admitted that he pushed you into the water. This matter ends here. Go back to class."

Mu Shaoying suppressed the urge to chuckle. This was quite a show. It was clear that Master Cheng was protecting He Jinbao. There was no point in pursuing He Jinbao's responsibility any further. Mu Shaoying bowed in agreement and turned to leave.