As the son of Prime Minister Yang, Yang Jingrui was always accompanied by several attendants and guards, whether at school or shopping.
Seeing their young master beaten black and blue, the guards were furious, their anger reaching the heavens, wishing they could tear Yun Jinhe and the other two to shreds.
"You two, don't move recklessly. This is the Imperial Academy. Yang Jingrui wouldn't dare do anything to us..." Yun Jinhe reminded them in a low voice.
Yao Jinsheng and Sun Tianxiu were not cowards. Knowing that this beating was unavoidable today, they decided to embrace the chaos and no longer cared.
"Tch, what can the Prime Minister's son do?" Yao Jinsheng said with disdain, pointing at himself with his thumb. "I'm the son of the richest man in the capital. Yang, if you have the guts, try touching me..."
"Jinsheng!" Yun Jinhe tugged at Yao Jinsheng, signaling him to be quiet.
Yang Jingrui wiped the blood from his nose, his dark eyes filled with rage and resentment.
Seeing the three's arrogant attitude, Yang Jingrui clenched his fists and gritted his teeth, saying, "Yun Jinhe, you're just a poor kid from a backwater village. Although you have some talent, your status is lowly, more humble than dirt at the foot of a wall. Even if you become an official in the future, it won't change the fact that you're a country bumpkin..."
"I'm very puzzled. Miss Murong is so intelligent and perceptive, why is she willing to stay by your side to suffer? Now I understand. You just have a glib tongue, are smooth-talking and insincere, and have completely fooled Miss Murong!"
"Yun Jinhe, if I were you, I would have already smashed my head against a wall. How dare you come to the Imperial Academy to embarrass yourself? You not only have thick skin, but your courage is also growing. You actually instigated Yao Jinsheng and Sun Tianxiu to beat me. Good, very good. Today, I will let you know the price of beating me..."
With that, Yang Jingrui ordered his subordinates, "Go, pin those three to the ground and beat them severely until they kneel before me and admit their mistakes!"
The commotion here attracted many students to come and watch.
Most of these Imperial Academy students were sycophantic and usually followed Yang Jingrui around, flattering him.
Seeing Young Master Yang bleeding from the head, they all started to discuss.
"Oh my, Young Master Yang is the son of the Prime Minister. How dare Yun Jinhe punch and kick him? Is he tired of living?"
"Who says not? This Yun Jinhe, he's usually sly and cunning. On the surface, he looks refined and harmless, but he's actually a violent maniac..."
"Young Master Yang, just beat him back as hard as he hit you, and see if he dares to be so arrogant!"
"Yun Jinhe, if I were you, I'd obediently kneel and kowtow to Young Master Yang to apologize, so you don't suffer later!"
"..."
The buzzing discussions sounded like flies, making Yun Jinhe's head ache.
His grandfather and grandmother had taught him not to provoke trouble when out, but not to be a shrinking violet when faced with it.
In a situation like today, it was clear that Yang Jingrui had come looking for trouble. Those blind students accusing him without understanding the situation were clearly trying to make him look foolish in public.
Of course, there were also some righteous students who stood with Yun Jinhe, but due to being outnumbered, the outcome was already obvious.
Upon hearing this, the guards, like agitated rats, charged towards Yun Jinhe.
Any one of these guards, physically, could overpower Yun Jinhe by half.
If he took a solid punch, he'd likely be bedridden for half a month.
Yao Jinsheng and Sun Tianxiu also felt a hint of panic. They realized that Yang Jingrui was only targeting Yun Jinhe, and his hatred for them didn't seem as intense.
"Jinhe, get behind me!" Yao Jinsheng shouted.
Sun Tianxiu also picked up a stone from the ground, preparing for a final struggle.
Just as everyone thought Yun Jinhe would be beaten beyond recognition, an old voice came from behind the crowd.
"Stop everyone!"
The voice carried a deep authority and irrefutable power, like a demonic sound from hell.
The students turned their heads fearfully and saw Dean Qian, accompanied by two instructors and more than ten Imperial Academy guards, approaching.
The Imperial Academy guards were all elite martial artists selected by the court, tasked with maintaining the security and order of the highest learning institution, and were far superior to Yang Jingrui's guards.
"Dean, Dean Qian?" Yang Jingrui cupped his hands symbolically, his expression subtly changing.
This old fellow had come at just the right time.
Who in the Imperial Academy didn't know that Dean Qian was very fond of Yun Jinhe? He had even given him a jade pendant at the beginning of the term.
Such honor was not enjoyed by other students.
Dean Qian frowned deeply and walked directly to the center of the crowd. He glanced coldly at Yun Jinhe, his expression one of great disappointment.
"Your family worked tirelessly to send you to study at the Imperial Academy, and this is how you repay them?" Dean Qian rebuked.
Although he vaguely knew the inside story and wanted to protect Jinhe, he couldn't show too much favoritism in front of so many people.
Yun Jinhe lowered his head, saying nothing.
Yao Jinsheng was about to step forward to explain, but Yun Jinhe stopped him, shaking his head.
Dean Qian then turned to Yang Jingrui, his cold eyes narrowing. "Young Master Yang, you are truly magnificent, bringing more than ten guards and attendants to study at the Imperial Academy. If one didn't know better, they'd think you were a prince or a royal!"
The sarcasm and mockery in his words were undisguised. It was clear that Dean Qian had disliked him for a long time.
Yang Jingrui swallowed, stiffening his neck. "Dean, as you can see, even though I brought attendants to class, Yun Jinhe dared to gather others to assault me. Dean, although you are old, your eyesight should still be good. Can't you see that I've been beaten to this state?"
Hmph, what if he was the Libationer of the Imperial Academy?
In front of his father, wouldn't he still have to behave himself obediently?
He thought these words would subdue Dean Qian, but to his surprise, the dean strode forward and slapped him.
"Slap!"
The crisp sound of the slap suddenly rang out, startling everyone into gaping mouths, staring blankly at Dean Qian.
Had he gone mad?
With this slap, his position as Libationer would likely be lost.
Dean Qian raised his chin and looked askance at Yang Jingrui. "Young Master Yang, today I will teach you how to behave on behalf of your Prime Minister!"
"Presumptuous, presumptuous!" Yang Jingrui's blood boiled, and veins bulged on his forehead.
However, as soon as he finished speaking, Dean Qian raised his hand and delivered two more slaps.
"Slap, slap!"
Everyone: "..."