Shocking! The entire court was drooling with envy because of me.

The more he rushed, the more chaotic things became; the sound of his running footsteps made quite a commotion.

He ran back to his residence, quickly took off his coat, changed into clean clothes, and finally breathed a sigh of relief.

It's finally done.

He looked down again at his coat, which was covered in oil stains.

No, I have to hide it first and wash it another day. I'm afraid I don't have time today.

Li Shun rolled the clothes into a ball and hurriedly tried to stuff them into the closet.

But he didn't notice at all that there was a person standing at the door, staring at him coldly with a stern expression on his face.

The academy seemed to grow even quieter.

"What are you hiding?" It was Master Zheng's voice.

Li Shun instinctively flinched.

Snapped--

The clumps of clothes in his hand fell to the ground.

"Master...I...I..."

Li Shun's forehead was covered in cold sweat, his hands trembled, and he was terrified.

He couldn't even imagine what the consequences would be if the teacher found out he was eating outside.

Whatever the consequences, they will certainly be very serious.

What to do? What to do?

"I...I..." He forced himself to calm down, wanting to say something, but he stammered and couldn't say anything to cover it up.

That's how obedient and timid people are; when faced with someone like Master Zheng, who is a level above them, their minds always suddenly go blank.

Master Zheng looked down on Li Shun quite a bit. He walked up to Li Shun in a few steps and his gaze fell on the clothes on the ground.

It has a faint oily aroma.

Master Zheng's face darkened, and he squatted down to pick up the garment.

But Li Shun was faster. He didn't know where he got the courage, but he snatched the clothes first and hid them behind his back.

This courage may have stemmed from being too afraid.

"Give it to me!" Master Zheng's gaze turned cold.

He had already guessed what it was, but he still needed evidence.

"Master...it's nothing..."

I said give it to me.

The voice wasn't loud, but it carried a strong sense of intimidation.

Li Shun was trembling all over; he never expected things to escalate to this point.

"Master..."

"Give me!"

Under the watchful eye of Master Zheng, Li Shun finally took out the garment piece by piece.

Master Zheng snorted coldly, lifted his clothes by the collar and shook them open, revealing large patches of oil stains.

The aroma of soy sauce wafted straight into people's noses.

"You really did go eat braised pork ribs!" he said with certainty.

"I...I...I didn't..."

"Still trying to deny it? Tell me what this is without me?!"

Master Zheng threw the clothes in his hand at Li Shun.

Large patches of oil smeared onto Li Shun's face, and the aroma of soy sauce was still very strong.

He was in as much pain as he had been in just moments before.

"Master, I really didn't. I just went to ask for a bowl of sauce. I used the sauce to soak the steamed buns and ate them. As for the bones, I swear, I didn't eat a single one."

"Hmph, didn't eat? You're kidding me! There's such a big oil stain, and you're saying you didn't eat it??" Old Master Zheng sneered.

"You can leave now, you don't need to come to the academy anymore."

"Master, I really didn't eat anything! Please believe me and don't send me away! I beg you, I genuinely love reading! Please, Master!"

Li Shun instinctively grabbed Master Zheng's sleeve and pleaded repeatedly.

He loves reading, and his family supports him. He even dreams of passing the imperial examination with flying colors one day.

If I really go back in such a sorry state, how will I explain it to my family?

His future was ruined. Not only were his neighbors scorning him, but he would never have a chance to make a name for himself in this lifetime.

"I can't teach you anymore. There's no need to say more. You can leave. My academy can't accommodate you." Master Zheng's attitude was firm.

If Li Shun is let off easily this time, where will his authority as a teacher be?

They completely ignored his words.

"Master!" Li Shun immediately knelt down, hoping the master would show leniency.

But Master Zheng didn't care at all. He snorted coldly and walked away with a flick of his sleeve.

The other students didn't dare to speak. Although they were listening intently to the sounds outside, they were terrified.

No one wanted to leave the academy.

No one wanted to displease the Master.

They dared not, and could not, stand up and speak for Li Shun.

The consequences are too severe for them to bear.

The lecture hall was silent, and Master Zheng sat up at the head of the room again.

"Listen up, anyone who goes to the door to buy those braised pork ribs again will suffer the same fate as Li Shun—no leniency!"

The entire room fell silent; fear gripped everyone.

This is a warning to others, and they all understand.

But Li Shun was truly wronged; he was the only one who didn't get to eat the braised pork ribs.

As soon as Zhou Wentong entered the academy, he saw Li Shun kneeling in the courtyard, looking pained.

He paused, then couldn't help but ask, "What happened?"

Li Shun raised his eyes, his lips moved, but in the end he said nothing.

Since the Master has made up his mind, what can anyone else do?

He lowered his head silently again.

Upon entering the lecture hall, it was eerily quiet and the atmosphere was strange.

He found it even more outrageous.

Master Zheng looked up at Zhou Wentong and said in a cold voice, "Now that you're back, sit down and study hard. Don't let your father's efforts go to waste."

"Everyone, get ready, we're about to begin the lesson."

Seeing that Master Zheng was not holding a grudge about what had happened before, Zhou Wentong decided to accept the situation and sat down in a few steps.

Master Zheng restrained his temper and began to lecture, swaying his head back and forth.

Zhou Wentong sat on the ground, looking around, trying to find out what was wrong with Li Shun, but today was particularly strange.

Students would occasionally whisper to each other and exchange a few words.

But today, not a single person spoke.

Nobody paid any attention to him.

Is this some kind of ghost sighting?

......

Shen Qing pushed the cart home as usual.

Compared to the previous two tasks, completing the braised pork rib task was not very smooth.

As soon as she got home, she exchanged a few pleasantries with Shen's mother, then returned to her own courtyard and opened the system.

[Ding—Congratulations, host, for completing today's stall-setting task. Task completion progress (211/2000)]

[Ding—The maximum amount of ingredients that can be purchased has been increased to 400 servings]

[Ding—Congratulations, host, you have successfully unlocked a new flavor for braised pork ribs—Spicy!]

[Please keep up the good work, host!]

Shen Qing raised an eyebrow. Sure enough, the upper limit for purchasing ingredients would only increase if all the food for the day was sold at the designated location.

Only in this way can we unlock new flavors.

No wonder, no wonder she didn't try any new flavors yesterday.

Shen Qing casually bought the ingredients needed for tomorrow, then washed up and went to bed.

A good night's sleep.

A new day has begun~