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

"Master, I was wrong. I shouldn't have been so blinded by greed and bought braised pork ribs. You can punish me however you want, I just hope you won't expel me from the academy!"

Zhao Gou was terrified when he met the disappointed look in Master Zheng's eyes. He was the master's most outstanding student, and seeing the master's disappointment made his heart feel as if it were being torn apart.

The other students were equally terrified, fearing they would suffer the same fate as Li Shun.

Although Master Zheng was rigid and serious, he was definitely a good teacher. He was knowledgeable, conscientious and responsible, so they didn't want to leave the academy at all.

"Master, we were wrong. From now on, we will definitely follow your teachings, put aside distractions, and focus on our studies."

"Please, give us another chance. We promise we won't let you down again."

"We value studying more than eating braised pork ribs. We want to become pillars of society, pass the imperial examinations, and bring glory to our family."

"..."

Pleading voices rang out one after another, but Master Zheng only sighed slightly. He waved his hand and spoke with a dejected expression:

"Since the Instructor has agreed to let you eat braised pork ribs, what else can I say? Although I am in charge of this academy, it is still under the Instructor's jurisdiction. Eat as you like."

Master Zheng's voice was filled with helplessness, as if he had exhausted all his strength. He never expected that all the students except Li Shun would go and eat braised pork ribs.

What's so good about those bones that made all his students betray him?

"And Li Shun, since I wronged him, let him return to the academy."

After saying this, Master Zheng's expression showed even deeper desolation.

He bowed slightly to Zhou Boyuan, then left the academy without looking back, his figure solitary.

Others may indulge in their appetites, but he cannot.

He has his principles.

Study hard, study hard, hardship comes first.

Since these students are so unable to endure hardship, then he might as well not be a teacher.

"Master!"

"Master Zheng!"

"Master! We will definitely listen to you from now on!"

The students sensed something was wrong and immediately called out, at which point they became even more frightened.

Master Zheng is leaving the academy!

Zhou Boyuan never expected things to develop to this point. Master Zheng was knowledgeable and upright, a rare and excellent teacher. How could he just watch him leave the academy?

"Master Zheng, please don't act rashly! These students still need you!"

The calls reached Master Zheng's ears, and he only paused slightly without hesitation.

Shen Qing followed behind Master Zheng and quickly chased after him out of the academy gate.

"Master Zheng, are you really going to admit defeat so easily?"

"What?" Master Zheng stopped abruptly, frowning as he asked.

"Have you given up? Are you scared? Or have you been defeated by something you've never experienced before?"

Master Zheng snorted coldly: "Nonsense! What do you mean by admitting defeat or being afraid? I simply disdain to associate with you!"

"If there's no sign of defeat or fear, then why did Master Zheng run away?" Shen Qing chuckled. "Anyone who didn't know better would think Master Zheng was afraid of my braised pork ribs!"

"Afraid?" Old Master Zheng squinted. "Why would I be afraid? That's utter nonsense!"

"Since Master Zheng isn't afraid, why not try my braised pork bone?" Shen Qing said, taking a braised pork bone from the steaming pot and handing it to Master Zheng.

The thick sauce coated the bones, making them glisten and look incredibly appealing.

The trembling bone marrow steamed with heat, radiating an alluring glow.

Some scattered peppercorns and Sichuan peppercorns were found among the gaps in the meat.

This is a spicy braised pork bone.

Master Zheng looked at the bones and couldn't help but swallow.

He could smell that the scent was different from usual today; it was stronger and more pungent, like the beacon fires at the border, domineering and sharp.

But it has a wonderful aroma of soy sauce and meat, making it both fragrant and pungent.

"Don't try to trick me into eating your braised pork ribs! Let me tell you, I will never be controlled by my appetite!"

Shen Qing smiled gently: "Of course, the Master is not controlled by his appetite, nor are your students."

Even though they enjoy my braised pork ribs, even though they have already eaten them, they have not forgotten to study, have not forgotten their aspirations, and have not forgotten to respect their teachers.

"They were just too curious and wanted to taste what braised pork ribs tasted like. The teacher got angry just now, and these students all declared that they would never eat braised pork ribs again."

Upon hearing this, Master Zheng remained silent for a while.

For a moment, he actually felt that Shen Qing's words made some sense.

Putting aside the recent incident involving braised pork ribs, his students are all extremely diligent in their studies.

"Why don't you try it yourself, Master? See what it tastes like—the very thing you've been resisting and fearing all this time?"

Shen Qing's voice rang out again.

The pungent smell hit his nasal cavity, and Master Zheng couldn't help but swallow again.

The taste is both unique and fragrant.

He couldn't help but lean forward, trying to inhale more of the aroma.

But as it got closer, it seemed to realize something and suddenly took two steps back.

"When have I ever been afraid of this thing?"

"Then it's alright for you to try it, Master. Consider this bone a gift from me to you."

Having said all that, it would seem cowardly of Master Zheng not to try it.

He was unwilling to admit his fear and resistance.

"Give it a try...get...get the chopsticks..." he said, sounding slightly awkward.

Another person wants chopsticks.

Shen Qing smiled slightly: "No need for chopsticks when gnawing on bones."

"But... it's really indecent to use your hands directly..."

"Chopsticks are just tools, and so are hands. But gnawing on bones is best done with the tool of hands." Shen Qing's smile was very sincere.

"Can……"

"Didn't Confucius' disciple Yan Hui also eat with his hands? Confucius didn't reprimand him; instead, it became a beautiful story. How could the Master not know this?"

Master Zheng gritted his teeth.

Okay, he was convinced.

Yan Hui once ate with his hands? Then wouldn't it have been acceptable for him to hold his hands and gnaw on bones?

Indeed, the aroma of braised pork ribs kept wafting into his nose while he was talking to Shen Qing.

He really couldn't control himself anymore.

"Master—" Shen Qing handed the plate of braised pork ribs to Master Zheng again.

Master Zheng bit his lower lip, and finally, with trembling hands, he reached out his hand.

My hands were covered in hot, greasy sauce.

He eventually picked up the braised pork bone with both hands.

It's just a taste, nothing special.

He couldn't possibly admit defeat in front of a young woman, could he?

Master Zheng brought the bone to his mouth.