Jun Yelan went to the academy early the next morning, holding a food box with a faint smile on his lips. It was specially prepared for him by Lan Yan as a reward for his first-place achievement this time.
He found everything in the academy much more pleasing now.
However, an unfamiliar tutor stopped him. "Jun Yelan, come to the front hall for a moment. We tutors have questions about your exam paper from yesterday."
Jun Yelan frowned and asked, "Tutor, what exactly is it about?"
"Just come, why ask so many questions!" the tutor called out coldly, tinged with anger, showing no respect as he walked ahead.
Jun Yelan's eyes turned cold. He followed the tutor to the front hall.
Three tutors from the academy were seated here, including Tutor Du. They were all staring coldly at Jun Yelan, with only Tutor Du showing concern in his eyes.
Jun Yelan stood before them, his expression calm. He hadn't done anything wrong, so he wasn't afraid of trouble.
Tutor Du admired Jun Yelan. In just a few months, he had already managed to write such excellent essays. He did not believe that Jun Yelan would have cheated. He said to the other three tutors, "Please, ask your questions."
He then looked at Jun Yelan, "Just answer truthfully."
"Yes, Tutor," Jun Yelan bowed, his back straight as he looked at the tutors before him.
The tutors took out an exam paper and unfolded it. "Is this the paper you submitted yesterday?"
"Yes."
The tutors nodded, put down the paper, and said, "A student reported this morning that they saw you copying your exam paper in class yesterday. Is this true?"
Jun Yelan clenched his fist and said coldly, "Nonsense." He had never done such a thing. No wonder there was such a large commotion this morning; they were waiting for him here.
"I can confront the person."
The tutors exchanged glances, full of hesitation. "Jun Yelan, you are Tutor Du's disciple. You had no prior foundation, and it was Tutor Du who set the questions yesterday."
They did not continue, but their meaning was clear.
Jun Yelan suppressed the anger in his eyes and argued, "Esteemed tutors, you are suspecting Tutor Du of leaking the questions to me! By doing this, you not only underestimate me but also underestimate Tutor Du."
Tutor Du snorted coldly, showing his displeasure towards the other tutors. These people did not study academics every day and spent their time doing such things.
The tutors looked at each other. Jun Yelan's presence seemed even more commanding than theirs. They were at a loss for words and began to think.
Seeing this, Jun Yelan said, "Since you are unwilling to call the student who reported me, and unwilling to believe me and Tutor Du, you can set a question on the spot, and I will answer it."
This incident was a premeditated attack on him. If he wanted to continue staying in this academy, he had to seize this opportunity to prove himself and cut off certain people's escape routes.
Tutor Du exclaimed, "I also agree. I believe in my disciple."
Thus, the three tutors jointly formulated a question and handed it to Jun Yelan.
In less than the time it takes for an incense stick to burn, Jun Yelan had written the answer and submitted it.
Looking at the neatly written characters on the paper, coupled with his unique insights, the tutors nodded.
But one of the tutors said, "Jun Yelan, even though you answered it, it doesn't mean what happened yesterday was innocent."
"According to our academy's rules, you will have to go home and reflect for a few days. You can only return after we have thoroughly investigated the matter."
Jun Yelan couldn't help but let out a cold laugh. "The best academy treats innocent students like this. Esteemed tutors, you can think about how to explain this. If you don't, I, Jun Yelan, will not compromise."
With that, he bid farewell to Tutor Du and walked towards the door. This academy was nothing special!
Tutor Du looked at the other tutors with displeasure. "You are simply wasting talent!" He then left.
The other tutors sat in their seats and sighed, "It's unfortunate that Jun Yelan offended the Ming family, causing trouble for all of us." As tutors, they didn't have much money, and it was thanks to the Ming family's gifts that they managed.
Jun Yelan did not hold Tutor Du responsible and stopped him. "Tutor Du, please don't worry. I will not neglect my studies when I return. I study not for these people, but for something more important."
"It's best that you think this way," Tutor Du patted Jun Yelan's shoulder, his face full of disappointment. "I have a few more books here. Take them with you, and come ask me if you don't understand anything."
Jun Yelan bowed. "Thank you, Tutor." He took the books and left, heading towards Lan Yan's pastry shop.
Lan Yan was packing pastries when she realized she was short of string. "Lin Yun, hand me the string from the counter."
The string was handed over, and she saw a pair of long, fair hands. She paused and looked up in surprise. "Jun Yelan, why are you back?"
Looking at Lan Yan's smiling face, Jun Yelan's melancholy immediately dissipated. He walked to her side, picked up a gift box from the table, and packed it while saying, "The academy needs to clarify some matters, so I have a few days off."
Lan Yan found it strange that the academy would suddenly have a holiday, and Jun Yelan's expression was not good either. She stopped what she was doing and asked, "Jun Yelan, tell me the truth, what happened?"
"I am your fiancée. No matter what happens, I will bear it with you."
Jun Yelan let go of the box in his hand and looked at Lan Yan. Just this alone calmed his heart, and he recounted the events in an orderly manner.
He only mentioned the student's report and the tutors' investigation, not the questioning.
"What? That's outrageous!" Lan Yan clasped her hands together and exclaimed in anger, "They are just jealous of you. If they can't surpass you openly, they resort to underhanded tactics."
She wished she could rush over and teach those students a lesson, but that would not prove Jun Yelan's innocence. "Jun Yelan, we need to think of a way to find that student who reported you."
Jun Yelan already had a plan. Seeing Lan Yan like this, he smiled and nodded. "Okay, I have a guess. I'll take you there tonight."
"Alright, let's give that person a hard time tonight," Lan Yan clenched her fist, vowing not to let this person get away with it. She waited for the shop to close, not even eating dinner, and then dragged Jun Yelan to find the culprit.
Jun Yelan smiled helplessly, his eyes filled with indulgence. He led Lan Yan to a restaurant, where a few students were seated in a corner. "They come from poor families, yet they can frequently come here."
"There's something fishy." Lan Yan rolled up her sleeves. Seeing Jun Yelan about to follow her in, she said, "Jun Yelan, you stand guard at the door for me." What if something happened to the frail Jun Yelan?
Jun Yelan was speechless and amused. He watched as Lan Yan walked to the table, then followed her.
Lan Yan slammed the table abruptly and shouted, "Which one of you framed my man! Stand up for me!"
The students, startled by her aura: What's happening?