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

Ever since Zhou Boyuan ate braised pork ribs yesterday, he has been thinking about them.

Remembering that his son had mentioned the braised pork rib stall was right at the entrance of the academy, he decided to come and buy a few ribs.

However, upon arriving at the academy's entrance, they saw a group of diners holding bones gathered there, constantly peering inside, their ears even perked up, as if listening to some gossip.

Beside the road, a small stall had a pot set up, steaming and emitting an irresistible aroma.

The aroma is slightly pungent and quite overpowering.

There was no one in front of the stall, clearly the stall owner was not there.

"What are you all doing here? Why are you all gathered at the academy gate? And in such a manner..."

"Shh—" a diner quickly interrupted Zhou Boyuan.

Another customer lowered his voice and said, "You're also one of Madam Shen's customers, right? Wait a moment, Madam Shen went into the academy to settle a score. She's arguing with Master Zheng. You'll have to wait a bit if you want to eat the bones."

Zhou Boyuan instantly understood that this Madam Shen must be the stall owner.

But why do we stand up for the wronged and reason with them?

"What exactly happened?" He also lowered his voice, like a bystander watching a melon.

Other diners quickly shared what they had heard and seen: "It's all because of Mr. Zheng's old-fashioned and stubborn ways."

"That's right. Master Zheng wanted to drive Madam Shen away from the academy gate and also ordered that students not be allowed to come out to buy braised pork ribs."

"But how can anyone resist braised pork ribs? So the students could only buy them secretly. One student named Li Shun was unlucky and didn't get to eat the braised pork ribs, but only got a bowl of sauce. However, because the sauce was on his clothes, the teacher noticed it and assumed that he had eaten the braised pork ribs, so he kicked him out of the academy."

"What bad luck! Come to think of it, Li Shun is the only student in the entire academy who didn't eat the braised pork ribs; everyone else did."

The diners each recounted the events in detail, one sentence at a time.

Zhou Boyuan's heart was already in turmoil.

Good heavens, that kid Wentong only told him there was braised pork ribs at the entrance of the academy, but he didn't tell him about all the conflicts between Master Zheng and those braised pork ribs.

One student was even expelled from the academy.

Wen Tong didn't bring him braised pork ribs for no reason.

Zhou Boyuan's mind raced for a moment, and then, under the astonished gazes of the crowd, he stepped into the academy gate on his own.

Master Zheng and others were still in the kitchen, and the students were kneeling on the ground, seemingly pleading for mercy.

A capable-looking woman stood beside him, her expression aloof.

Master Zheng's face was full of anger, and his expression was dark and unreadable.

"Master Zheng—" As soon as Zhou Boyuan stepped into this place, he first bowed to Master Zheng.

Upon seeing Zhou Boyuan, Master Zheng's expression immediately softened, and he bowed respectfully, saying, "Your Excellency, what brings you here? Is there some instruction? Or is it because of that child, Wentong?"

Zhou Boyuan bowed to Master Zheng because Master Zheng was older, and it was a sign of his respect for elders.

Master Zheng bowed to Zhou Boyuan because Zhou Boyuan held the position of instructor.

In modern terms, Master Zheng was equivalent to a school principal, while Zhou Boyuan was equivalent to the director of the education bureau of Ping'an County.

"No, I came here just to buy a few braised pork ribs," Zhou Boyuan said truthfully.

Master Zheng's lips twitched, and his expression instantly turned sour.

Braised pork ribs, braised pork ribs again!

"The stall is right outside, and the stall owner is here. Your Excellency can simply follow the stall owner to buy something. The students still have to study, so I must decline to accompany them!"

Master Zheng's anger grew even stronger.

In his mind, the instructor was originally on his side; they were both scholars, and they should boycott braised pork ribs together.

Unexpectedly, Zhou Boyuan came specifically for the braised pork ribs.

This is utterly disgraceful of a scholar.

Master Zheng was seeing off the guests, and everyone could tell.

However, Zhou Boyuan did not leave. Instead, he said, "Buying braised pork bones is not urgent. Such a big thing has happened at the academy. As an instructor, it is my duty to inquire about it."

"Master Zheng, eating is a basic human instinct. No matter how many books one reads, one still needs to eat. The stalls outside the academy simply provide students with another option."

"Moreover, Li Shun has studied diligently for many years. Isn't it too harsh to expel him from the academy just because of a little bit of sauce?"

Master Zheng gritted his teeth. He knew that Zhou Boyuan was inquiring about these matters in his capacity as an instructor.

No matter how unwilling he was, he had no choice but to answer.

"The academy is a place for learning and understanding principles, and students should naturally focus all their attention on their studies. However, because of that braised pork bone stall, everyone is distracted. The students' minds have long since flown outside with the smell of the braised pork bones. Very few students are paying attention in class. Your Excellency, tell me, shouldn't I prohibit this?"

"As for Li Shun, he knowingly violated the rules and completely ignored my words. Whether it was the sauce or the braised pork ribs, he ate them, which is a violation of the rules of my academy!"

Master Zheng remained defiant. Having taught his entire life, he possessed the pride of a scholar and was unwilling to bow his head easily.

Upon hearing this, Zhou Boyuan immediately understood Master Zheng's good intentions.

Ultimately, it's all for the students' benefit, hoping they can focus all their energy on their studies.

Master Zheng attempted to shield the students from all distractions, allowing them to focus solely on their studies.

But that's completely impossible.

"Master, have you ever considered that some thoughts become stronger the more they are suppressed, but if you loosen your grip a little and offer some guidance, it can have a surprisingly good effect?"

"Besides, humans are born to eat and are born to crave food; it's human nature. Going against nature can't last. Surely you understand the principle that it's better to guide than to suppress?"

"Perhaps you don't know, all the students in the academy have eaten braised pork ribs, except for Li Shun, who only ate some sauce. Li Shun is truly wronged, and we hope you can be lenient with him."

After saying this, Master Zheng trembled slightly.

His eyes widened in disbelief.

Looking around, he saw that everyone was a student he had personally taught.

Did they all go and buy braised pork ribs?

Even Zhao Gou went?

Master Zheng couldn't help but take a few steps back, looking at the students kneeling on the ground, a hint of loneliness appearing in his eyes.

Oh, so they all went.

So they all secretly went to eat braised pork ribs behind his back.

"In that case... I have indeed wronged Li Shun..." Master Zheng gave a self-deprecating laugh, his aged face revealing his disappointment.