Chapter 47: Genius is always so eye-catching

Talent, definitely a talent!

Lao Fuzi is one of the Earl's trusted confidants, and in his eyes, those who can pass the imperial examinations are not considered as great talents.

Being a little smarter, working a little harder, and having a bit of luck can lead to success in the exams.

Real talent requires great wisdom, the ability to see through the essence of complicated matters at a glance, just like Shen Guye.

Only in this way can one avoid making mistakes and prevent a family from falling into an abyss.

It's unexpected that he was given a handsome face and such a clever brain by heaven.

Lao Fuzi decided he must tell the Earl about this matter, and must not let this young master's brilliance be overshadowed.

The class was over, and Lao Fuzi felt reluctant to leave.

In the past, he couldn't wait to leave after class because teaching a bunch of fools was a complete waste of time.

But there was no choice, as the crown prince was there, and he couldn't just casually find someone to teach.

But the crown prince was especially foolish, teaching him such profound wisdom was like playing a lute to a cow.

Only a beauty like Shen Lang could make every teacher enjoy the pleasure of teaching and educating.

...

After class, the crown prince Jin Mucun looked at Shen Lang with some jealousy and asked, "Shen Lang, do you have any friends?"

"No," Shen Lang replied.

"Why do you think you don't have any friends?" Jin Mucun asked.

"Because I'm too handsome and talented, I outshine everyone else, and people are always jealous of me. How could I possibly have any friends?" Shen Lang said.

Jin Mucun couldn't help but clench his fists.

Why do I feel like hitting someone?

But remembering the list of enemies Shen Lang had written on the wall yesterday, Jin Mucun backed down and said with a sullen face, "I won't sit with you."

Jin Mucun sat at the back, leaving Shen Lang alone at the front.

The surrounding group of young people whispered and pointed at him.

"Humph, what's he showing off for? If he's really that capable, why doesn't he take the imperial examinations himself?"

"Just a figurehead living off a woman's wealth, what's so great about him?"

Shen Lang listened to these words and couldn't help but feel helpless.

It seems that my reputation for magnanimity hasn't spread; it's not enough to make these nameless green leaves fear me.

This won't do!

...

The next class was arithmetic, a subject that was not included in the imperial examinations and was often not taught in many schools. However, in the noble family's school, practical subjects were emphasized, and arithmetic was very important.

As one of the Earl's confidants responsible for managing the finances and resources of the Earl's mansion, Xv Wenzhao was a person of great power.

Usually, those who excelled in arithmetic were not good at getting along with others and had rather eccentric personalities.

Xv Wenzhao was no exception.

As the most outstanding arithmetic scholar in Xuanwu City, he naturally became the arithmetic teacher in the Earl's mansion.

Upon entering the classroom, his first sight was of Shen Lang.

There was no way around it; standing out wherever he went.

Then, a trace of hostility flashed in Xv Wenzhao's eyes.

The astute Shen Lang immediately noticed it. Xv Wenzhao held deep animosity towards him, and it was very strong.

Why?

Out of jealousy?

No, Xv Wenzhao was over fifty years old, it was impossible for him to have any illusions about Jin Mucun. For someone like him, being able to get up in the morning at this age was a problem.

Also, Shen Lang had never had any dealings with him, nor were there any direct conflicts of interest.

Shen Lang decided to continue observing.

...

After Xv Wenzhao entered, he looked at Shen Lang with hidden hostility, but then did not say anything or take any actions against him.

He began teaching the class.

Shen Lang was almost falling asleep because the content Xv Wenzhao was teaching was too simple, more suited to the level of fifth-grade arithmetic.

It was all about multiplication and division.

So Shen Lang naturally drifted away.

"Shen Lang, stand up!" Suddenly, Xv Wenzhao, who was teaching, shouted loudly.

The voice was sudden, loud, and piercing.

Shen Lang was okay, but the other students who were half-asleep were startled and fell to the ground.

Shen Lang stood up from his seat.

Xv Wenzhao took a ruler and went to Shen Lang's side, coldly saying, "Hold out your hand and receive ten strokes."

Shen Lang has realized that Xu Wenzhao was not intentionally scheming against him; it was purely due to resentment and hostility in his heart.

Having been in power in the Earl's Mansion for a long time, Xu Wenzhao became increasingly arrogant, direct, and unambiguous in his actions.

If his deduction was correct, could it be that he had stood in Xu Wenzhao's way?

Shen Lang continued to analyze and deduce quickly.

Is it possible that Xu Wenzhao is a relative of Wang Lian, Mo Ye, or Jin Shiying among the three individuals?

Shen Lang emerged as the winner among the five people, becoming the son-in-law of the Earl's Mansion, which ruined Xu Wenzhao's good intentions, hence making himself a thorn in Xu Wenzhao's side.

Yesterday, inciting the eldest son of the mansion, Jin Mucong, to attack Shen Lang, could he also be acting under Xu Wenzhao's order?

If so, his methods of revenge are too simple and crude.

In fact, Xu Wenzhao is indeed a narrow-minded person. He was nurtured by the previous Earl and has a very senior position.

Added to that, his talent in accounting is exceptional. For over twenty years, he has kept the accounts of the Earl's Mansion in perfect order. The Earl and his wife are not good at financial matters, so they increasingly rely on Xu Wenzhao, and they can only tolerate his eccentric behavior.

This has made Xu Wenzhao increasingly arrogant.

Not to mention Shen Lang, even the eldest son, Jin Mucong, would like to punish him if he wanted to.

"What are you staring at? Put your hand out!" Xu Wenzhao sternly ordered Shen Lang, "Rotten wood cannot be carved, even if I beat you ten feet long, I will still make you awake."

These words were uttered with righteousness, and it was justifiable for a teacher to discipline a student.

However, in the classroom just now, almost none of the dozen students were paying attention, and half of them even fell asleep directly.

You did not discipline them, but specifically came to discipline me. Is this not an act of revenge?

Shen Lang said, "Teacher, I did not sleep in class, nor did I disturb the order by talking in whispers, so why are you punishing me?"

Xu Wenzhao sternly said, "If you don't concentrate in class and daydream, shouldn't you be punished?"

Shen Lang said, "But I have learned everything you taught, so I don't need to pay attention carefully, do I?"

This statement left Xu Wenzhao speechless.

After lecturing in the Earl's Mansion for many years, even if a student did not pay attention, they still showed utmost respect for him.

Xu Wenzhao was determined to punish whenever he wished, and to scold whenever he pleased.

Not to mention ordinary students, even the Earl's son, Jin Mucong, had been beaten three or five times by him.

The Earl only had one word to say if he knew about it: "Well beaten, continue!"

Respecting the teacher is more than just lip service.

Now, Shen Lang, a mere son-in-law, dared to argue back?

"You still dare to argue back?" Xu Wenzhao's face had turned ferocious, his voice cold, "It's not just ten strokes, it's thirty, and then kneel in front of Confucius for three hours!"

Shen Lang said, "I regret I cannot comply."

Immediately, more than ten worshipful and complicated gazes were directed towards him.

Xu Wenzhao was the most severe teacher, and no one expected Shen Lang to defy him.

"Haha..." Xu Wenzhao laughed in anger and said furiously, "Indeed, you are obstinate and incompetent, so arrogant and lawless. I want to see how the Earl punishes you. Just wait for it!"

"Smack!"

Xu Wenzhao fiercely smashed his ruler on the table, breaking it in half, and then left the classroom to report to the Earl.

The face of the Earl's eldest son, Jin Mucong, turned somewhat pale as he approached Shen Lang, "Shen Lang, you're in trouble now. Your butt is going to be lashed at least thirty times."

Shen Lang asked, "Is Teacher Xu Wenzhao always like this?"

Jin Mucong nodded helplessly, admitting that he himself had been beaten seven or eight times by Xu Wenzhao.

"He is the living account book of our Earl's Mansion, and many financial accounts are stored in his mind, so my father highly values him," Jin Mucong explained. "He has a very quick-tempered personality, and many people in the mansion are afraid of him."

This is not surprising; people proficient in mathematics often have low emotional intelligence.

Shen Lang inquired, "Did he instigate you to attack me yesterday?"

Jin Mucong hurriedly shook his head, "I can't say. If I do, it wouldn't be honorable."

Dumbass, you don't have to say.

Shen Lang asked, "What is his relationship with Wang Lian, Mo Ye, and Jin Shiying?"

Jin Mucong replied, "He is Wang Lian's uncle and a distant relative of my mother."

Wang Lian is the young Imperial Scholar, in charge of the prisons in Xuanwu City.

Now the truth is revealed.

Sure enough, Shen Lang had obstructed Xu Wenzhao's path. Originally, his nephew Wang Lian was supposed to become the son-in-law of the Earl's Mansion, but Shen Lang had taken his place. No wonder Xu Wenzhao saw Shen Lang as a thorn in his side.

Shen Lang said, "This person is so narrow-minded, always seeking retribution for even the smallest grievance."

Immediately, the chubby Jin Mucong glanced at Shen Lang.

"Do you have the right to say this?" he asked. "Which one of you has a narrower mind? Don't you have any sense of shame?"

However, the chubby guy was quite loyal, quickly giving advice to Shen Lang.

"Shen Lang, quickly go to beg my mother for mercy. My father is so old-fashioned and can't stand anyone disrespecting teachers and principles. As long as Mr. Xu goes to plead your case, he will definitely give you a thrashing. Otherwise, you can stay away from home for a while, maybe hide inside my sister's military camp." Jin Mucong said with lingering fear, "Thirty lashes, enough to keep you lying in bed for half a month."

Joking aside, there's no need to ask your mother-in-law for help in such a small matter. It will only make her look down on you.

Being looked down upon by your mother-in-law is a small matter, but being looked down upon by your own daughter-in-law is a big deal. If a woman looks down on you, you really won't be able to hold your head up.

If even a wild accountant with character flaws can't be defeated, then there's no need for me, Shen Lang, to stay at the Earl's mansion.