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Chapter 576 A bad start

The carriage stopped in front of Bailu Private School, and the two children got out.

Before me stood a simple and ancient courtyard with the four large characters "Bailu Private School" on the gate plaque.

Several older students stood on either side of the gate, talking in hushed tones.

Gu Qingchen looked around curiously, while Qian Zhenyun neatly straightened his clothes.

"Let's go in!" Gu Qingchen grabbed Qian Zhenyun's hand and started to walk inside.

“Wait,” Qian Zhenyun stopped her, “We should wait outside the door and have the doorman announce our arrival.”

Gu Qingchen stopped, somewhat reluctantly: "So troublesome?"

As they were talking, an elderly man with gray hair walked out of the courtyard, followed by several students.

The old man had a kind face, but his brows carried an undeniable air of authority.

"This is Headmaster Zhou," Qian Zhenyun whispered a reminder.

Gu Qingchen immediately put away his casual expression and bowed in the manner of Qian Zhenyun: "Student Gu Qingchen greets Headmaster."

"Student Qian Zhenyun greets Headmaster."

Zhou Shanzhang nodded, his gaze lingering on the two children for a moment: "You are the children of the Duke of Zhenguo's mansion?"

"Yes, Headmaster," the two answered in unison.

“Very good,” Headmaster Zhou turned around, “Come in with me, I’ll show you the school rules.”

The courtyard of Bailu Private School was much smaller than Gu Qingchen had imagined.

There were just a few school buildings lined up in a row!

As Zhou Shanzhang led the two children, he explained, “Our private school has three classrooms, and classes are divided according to age and level of knowledge. You are still young, so you will first study under Mr. Li in the introductory class.”

Gu Qingchen looked around, his gaze drawn to a tall sycamore tree in the courtyard.

Under the tree, there was a stone table and benches, where several older students were discussing their studies.

"Headmaster, what's that over there?" she asked, pointing to the sycamore tree.

“That’s where students discuss their studies during breaks,” Headmaster Zhou replied, then reminded, “Student Gu, you must concentrate on your lessons in the private school and not look around.”

Gu Qingchen stuck out his tongue: "Understood, Headmaster."

Qian Zhenyun whispered a reminder from the side: "Sister, be more respectful."

Soon, they arrived at the gate of the introductory class's schoolhouse. From inside came the clear, uniform sound of children reading aloud.

“Master Li,” Headmaster Zhou pushed open the door and entered, “two new students.”

There were about a dozen children inside, all around seven or eight years old. When the headmaster entered, they all stood up and bowed, saying, "Greetings, Headmaster!"

Master Li was a middle-aged man with a serious face, holding a ruler in his hand.

He nodded: "Two new students, find a seat. We are reciting the Three Character Classic."

Gu Qingchen looked around and found that the window seat had the best view, so he pulled Qian Zhenyun over there.

"At birth, people are inherently good; their natures are similar, but their habits differ." The children's voices rang out again.

Gu Qingchen repeated a few lines, but found it somewhat boring.

Learning this stuff again?

She could recite the Three Character Classic by the age of five!

Gu Qingchen listened for a while, but found it really boring, so he started fiddling with the small wooden carving under the table.

"Student Gu!" Master Li's voice suddenly rang out, his ruler slamming heavily on the podium. "What are you doing?"

Gu Qingchen was startled, and the small wooden carving fell to the ground with a crisp sound.

"I...I'm listening to the lecture." Gu Qingchen stood up, her face slightly flushed.

"Listen to the lesson?" Master Li walked up to her. "Then recite what you just read."

Gu Qingchen opened her mouth. She hadn't been paying attention just now. Although she knew the Three Character Classic by heart, she didn't know where she had left off.

“If not taught, a person’s nature will change. The way to teach is to focus on one thing at a time,” she said tentatively.

"Wrong!" Master Li said sternly, "What you just recited was the passage 'Once, Mencius' mother chose a good neighborhood; when her son did not study, she cut the threads of her loom'!"

Gu Qingchen pouted: "Anyway, I can recite them all, so what difference does it make which part I recite?"

These words caused an uproar in the class.

She's so brave!

Qian Zhenyun was so anxious that he kept giving her meaningful glances.

Master Li's face instantly darkened: "Insolence! Private schools have their own rules. How can you think that just because you know it, you don't need to learn it?"

"I didn't say anything wrong." Gu Qingchen retorted, "I could recite the Three Character Classic from the beginning to the end when I was five, without missing a single word! You can test me if you don't believe me!"

Gu Qingchen then pointed at Qian Zhenyun, "If you don't like it, ask him. He can even recite Gun Gun's name backwards. And he's supposed to be in a private school? He's only learned such a shallow thing. He's not even as good as my father."

"Shut up!" Master Li was so angry that his beard trembled. "Arrogant and disrespectful to her teachers! Guards, take her to the courtyard and make her stand there as punishment!"

Two older students walked in, and Gu Qingchen was dragged out by the arm.

"Let me go! I can walk by myself!" Gu Qingchen struggled. "You people are all bad at studying and can't win arguments, so all you know how to do is bully children!"

In the courtyard, Gu Qingchen was punished by standing under the sycamore tree, holding a thick book in both hands.

The sunlight was a bit too bright, so she squinted, growing angrier the more she thought about it.

"What a lousy private school! It's much better to be free at home," she muttered under her breath. "Master Li is such an old-fashioned, rigid man!"

Several children happened to be passing by and, upon hearing her words, shook their heads and sighed.

"This new girl is really bold."

“She dared to contradict Master Li in public; she’s in for it now.”

Hearing this, Gu Qingchen became even more indignant: "What's so great about him! He's just a teacher, isn't he? He really thinks he's something special!"

"What did you say?" A boy of about ten years old walked over, his face unfriendly. "Master Li is a highly respected figure; how could he allow a mere young girl like you to be so insolent here!"

"Highly respected?" Gu Qingchen sneered. "Someone like him doesn't deserve that title! My father is the real hero, fighting on the battlefield to protect our country! What is he anyway!"

The boy was so angry his face turned red: "You, you're absolutely lawless!"

"So what if I'm lawless? What can you do to me?" Gu Qingchen raised his chin, looking fearless.

These words quickly reached Master Li's ears, and he was so angry that he stomped his feet and immediately ordered his men to lock Gu Qingchen in a small room behind the school.

"Since you are so unruly, you should reflect on your actions inside! You are not allowed to come out without my permission!"

The little house was dark and cramped, with only a small window letting in a faint light.

Gu Qingchen was pushed inside, and the door slammed shut behind him.

She pounded on the door and shouted, "Let me out! You bad people! I'm going to tell my father and have him deal with you!"

"Still dare to talk back!" Master Li's voice came from outside the door. "Go inside and think carefully about what it means to respect your teacher!"