Young Master Gao? Call me Little Grand Secretary!

Gao Zhao was chased until he was panting heavily. He barely made it to the end of get out of class and managed to escape by blending into the crowd!

But upon closer reflection, something didn't seem right. Why would I run away? At worst, I'd just drop out of school!

You have unjustly humiliated me!

"Hey, young master! What are you doing here?"

Just as Gao Zhao was feeling indignant, a cry of surprise suddenly came from beside him. Gao Zhao looked up and saw that it was Chen Dong. He was slightly stunned before he realized that Chen Dong had told him that he was also a tribute student who had just entered the Imperial Academy this year!

They actually became classmates!

"So it was you!" Gao Zhao didn't show much surprise. He was annoyed by this guy. Last time, he had lectured him relentlessly. If he wasn't afraid of causing trouble, he would have punched him a couple of times already.

Chen Dong also lacked this kind of discernment. After greeting Gao Zhao, he introduced him to the people around him: "This is the young master of the Palace Guard's Office whom I told you about before. He is a man with a strong sense of righteous indignation. He dares to stand up when he sees children being harmed, and he will not hesitate to stand up when he sees officials harassing the people..."

"Alright, alright... Everyone has a sense of compassion. The only reason I dared to step forward was because of my father's influence! I don't deserve any praise!"

Gao Zhao quickly waved his hand to interrupt Chen Dong. If he were to continue praising him, wouldn't that be the same as creating a persona for himself?

If he succeeds, I will be burdened by my reputation in the future, and how can I continue to be licentious and immoral?

These scholars are all cunning and treacherous; not one of them is good!

Unexpectedly, his words drew the attention of those around him, who looked at him with increasing approval.

Originally, when these students heard Chen Dong say that he was the son of a high-ranking official in the court, they couldn't help but look down on him. But now, seeing him so calm and composed, they couldn't help but look at him with new respect.

"The young master is so straightforward; he is indeed an upright person!"

"To possess power and influence yet remain humble, and instead use that power to perform great acts of charity, is truly commendable!"

"To have both a kind heart and good deeds is the greatest virtue, so why be overly modest?"

……

The students all chimed in with their praise, which filled Gao Zhao with shock and anger.

These pedantic scholars are going too far!

I already said I didn't want this good reputation, so why are you all doing this? You're just trying to pin it on me!

This is ruining my future!

Although he was furious, he couldn't retaliate against someone who was smiling, so he could only curse inwardly while forcing a smile, thinking that he would find an opportunity to teach Chen Dong a lesson!

Seeing that others had also noticed them, Gao Zhao became anxious. He looked around and suddenly spotted Su Mian and Qin Hui. He quickly bowed to everyone and said, "Excuse me, everyone, my roommates and I are still waiting for me. I'll take my leave now!"

After saying that, he turned around and disappeared into the crowd, running towards the two of them.

Seeing this, Chen Zhong and the other students did not feel anything was wrong. Instead, they laughed. Although they were all students of Biyong, Gao Zhao was still just a boy and it was normal for him to be unable to withstand praise!

He must have been blushing from the compliments!

As soon as Gao Zhao arrived beside the two, he patted Qin Hui on the shoulder and said with a smile, "Brother Huizhi, it's been a long time. How have you been?"

Qin Hui couldn't help but recall the scene of Gao Zhao rescuing him under the bridge that day, and immediately cupped his hands and said, "Thank you very much, Brother Gao, for what happened that day!"

Gao Zhao waved his hand and said, "Ah, we're brothers, there's no need for such formalities. I haven't been to Biyong these past few days and haven't been able to see you, so I was a little worried. Seeing that you're safe and sound today, I'm relieved!"

Qin Hui smiled and cupped his hands in greeting again.

[Gratitude points from Qin Hui +1]

A pop-up window suddenly appeared, and Gao Zhao was overjoyed. He never expected that he could gain gratitude points just by exchanging a few mushy words with Qin Hui.

He tried so hard before, but didn't get anything. Could it be that Qin Hui now really considers him a friend?

Wow! I knew I was popular; I can get along well with everyone, whether they're loyal or treacherous.

Like Gao Qiu, Wang Fu, Qin Hui... sigh, why are they all treacherous officials?

Something's definitely wrong here!

Why are all the people around me treacherous officials?!

This is definitely not my fault... Yes, it's because the Song Dynasty produced treacherous officials!

Throughout the entire Song Dynasty, there were incompetent emperors above and treacherous officials below, but I alone remained utterly loyal!

"Brother Gao!" Su Mian, seeing that the two had finished speaking, quickly leaned forward and asked, "You know Chen Shaoyang?"

Gao Zhao paused for a moment before realizing that he was asking about Chen Dong. He nodded subconsciously, then asked curiously, "What? Is he that amazing?"

Su Mian nodded emphatically, his face full of admiration, "Of course! He got first place in both of the private exams! I reckon he'll be promoted to the inner dormitory in this year's public exam!"

"So what if you're in the inner dormitory? You might still get in!" Gao Zhao thought back to the time when Chen Dong was a student at the Imperial Academy during the Jingkang era, indicating that his subsequent studies had not been smooth. He then comforted him.

"The path of learning is not about who starts first, but about who reaches the finish line first. Without the potential to become an official, one is merely wasting their years! It's better to weave a net than to stand by the pond and envy the fish!"

The two men were filled with respect upon hearing this and nodded repeatedly.

Gao Zhao laughed heartily, enjoying playing the role of a teacher once again!

He immediately grabbed Qin Hui's neck and laughed, "Come on, let's hurry to the kitchen, or we'll run out of food!"

Upon hearing this, Qin Hui waved his hands repeatedly and said hastily, "I...I'm not hungry, I'll eat when we get back..."

"Then you should eat with me, it's on me!" Gao Zhao said without further ado, dragging Qin Hui away.

Upon arriving at the public kitchen, Gao Zhao added dishes as usual. Qin Hui was moved when he saw the meat and vegetables laid out in front of him. He knew that Gao Zhao must have known about his difficult life and cared about his dignity, which was why she had dragged him here.

This person may seem unreasonable and domineering, but he is actually the most righteous!

At this moment, Qin Hui thought of many things. He had come from a poor family and had a difficult life, but he had also met many benefactors.

When he lived in Jiangning, he had no money at home and went to borrow money from a local wealthy family, but was refused. The tutor in the wealthy family took pity on him and gave him two bolts of silk as a gift.

While traveling for his studies, he encountered rain and had nowhere to take shelter. Feeling lost and helpless, the village schoolteacher took pity on him and invited him to his home to take shelter from the rain.

While studying at Biyong, he was ridiculed and bullied, and he became determined to die. He was rescued by Gao Zhao, who saved him from danger.

How could he not be moved to tears by the kindness of these benefactors!

[Gratitude points from Qin Hui +1]

Gao Zhao was a little confused. Why was he suddenly given a little more? Did he get carried away with his food?

This treacherous minister's thoughts are hard to fathom; he's unpredictable and capricious!

After the meal, Gao Zhao invited Qin Hui to sit in the dormitory. Qin Hui hesitated, but Su Mian smiled and said, "Just go ahead. He invited you, and the dormitory head won't dare stop you!"

The three of them returned to their dormitory chatting and laughing. When Fan Tong saw Qin Hui enter, he was about to make a sarcastic remark, but when he saw Gao Zhao, he quickly shut his mouth.

Hearing the three chatting, Fan Tong couldn't resist joining in, but he didn't know how to start. Just then, a scholar entered from outside, his face serious and his brows furrowed. Chen said in a deep voice, "Who is Fan Tong? Come out here for a moment. A woman named Feng San Niang is looking for you!"