Sima Qing asked him about it but Zhong Zifeng shook his head and said he couldn’t be on the same rank as Senior Shu because that would just be disrespectful.
Sima Qing failed to understand what Zhong Zifeng was talking about and he even scoffed at the idea.
But now, as he watched Shu Xiaolou alight the carriage and noticed the five-ring beast pattern on her sleeve, Sima Qing finally realized something.
After all this time, he finally understood why his senior had been reluctant to advance to Rank 5.
Because Senior Shu was still at Rank 5.
Not only was Senior Shu still healthy and alive, her appearance hasn’t changed since fifty years ago.
As if he was splashed by a pail of ice-cold water, Sima Qing shuddered.
He may be proud as a peacock, but he was still a sane man. The sight of Shu Xiaolou awakened so many memories he had tucked away at the back of his mind.
Sima Qing wasn’t an ignorant man. His fear aside, his admiration for Shu Xiaolou alone was enough to wipe away that arrogant act he had put on earlier.
After revelation sank in, ignoring everyone else’s scrutiny, he quickly stepped forward and knelt down to perform a ceremonial salute.
“Sima Qing greets Senior Shu. I was foolish enough to take action without knowing it was Senior Shu in the carriage. Please give me your punishment.”
Like how a student would act before his teacher, his behavior was humble and fearful. Amid all that, it was clear how much he admired Shu Xiaolou too.
Right now, he wasn’t a state preceptor. Sima Qing only knew he was a pupil, and Senior Shu was a character that even his teacher had to pay this deep a salute. Hence, it wasn’t too much for him to go this far.
Sima Qing’s one-eighty degree change in attitude struck everyone dumb.
Lin Jin hadn’t expected Sima Qing to change so quickly either. One second earlier, he was seething with rage, ready to lash out, and the next second, he was on his knees seeking forgiveness from Shu Xiaolou.
After his initial shock, Lin Jin mumbled to himself, “As expected of a great state preceptor. I’m impressed!”
And Lin Jin genuinely was impressed. Whether Sima Qing was sincere or only trying to compromise, either choice hadn’t been easy. Lin Jin could learn a thing or two from him.
Of course, upon closer observation, he could tell that Sima Qing’s regard for Shu Xiaolou was genuine.
However, Shu Xiaolou’s expression remained dark. “I remember you, Sima Qing. You used to be quite a humble young man. It had only been a few years, and now you’re out here putting on airs? I was by his side when Pei Yuan died, and he told me that if ever Little Zhong or you, Little Sima, ever makes a mistake, I have complete freedom to decide your punishment. Your mind is disturbed so I will confiscate your Rank 5 sleeve guard for now. Go home and reflect on yourself. The day you realize your mistake is the day you can come to me.”
Having said that, Shu Xiaolou simply reached over and tore off Sima Qing’s Rank 5 beast appraiser sleeve guard.
To their surprise, Sima Qing did not dodge her or even try to stop her. He just stayed there obediently, allowing Shu Xiaolou to remove his sleeve guard.
“I will heed Senior Shu’s teachings!”
Having said that, Sima Qing stood up, bowed, took a step back, and then left.
He left, just like that.
He didn’t even say anything to the people he was traveling with. After all, Shu Xiaolou did instruct him to go home and reflect on his actions, so Sima Qing dared not disobey her order.
Shu Xiaolou had mentioned earlier that someone gave her full authority over his punishments should he ever make a mistake, and this person was Pei Yuan.
Who was Pei Yuan? No one knew, but Sima Qing surely did.
Mr. Pei Yuan was his and Zhong Zifeng’s teacher.
The instant Senior Shu brought up Pei Yuan’s name, Sima Qing did not even dare to make a retort.
He may be prideful but he knew to respect his teacher.
These thoughts and memories only went on inside Sima Qing’s head. From his raging fury to leaving obediently, all changes of mentality happened only in his mind so other people were clearly oblivious to all this.
Those who didn’t have inside information were just shocked by this scene. They simply could not react in any other way.
Even Lin Jin was gaping as an insider, much less everyone else.
Many of the princes’ guards, confidantes, palace guards, and even beast appraisers were rooted to the spot. Sima Qing had changed his attitude so quickly that they all didn’t have time to fully appreciate what happened.
Shu Xiaolou carried on with her act. After coming out of the carriage and chasing the state preceptor, Sima Qing, away, she placed her hands behind her back and stepped forward.
Along the path, no one dared stop her. Everyone subconsciously stepped back to open up a path for her.
They had noticed the five rings on Shu Xiaolou’s sleeve, and those slightly knowledgeable were instantly reminded of the legend about the other mysterious Rank 5 beast appraiser from Heavenly Spiral Academy.
Could this old man be him?
Appraiser Yan’s eyelids were twitching. As one of the academy’s veteran appraisers, he had definitely heard rumors about Senior Shu. In fact, he even saw Shu Xiaolou in her red dress form yesterday. Now that he was witnessing her old man form, Appraiser Yan was too tongue-tied and confused to even react.
When Shu Xiaolou walked past Appraiser Yan, she turned to glance at him and the latter quickly bowed in salutations.
After pausing for several seconds, Shu Xiaolou continued forward, saying to Lin Jin, “Let’s go inside.”
One of the servants snapped out of their reverie and hurried forward at once to lead the way.
Appraiser Yan didn’t know whether to advance or retreat. The second prince’s hired appraisers just arrived but were too late to witness the commotion. Two Rank 4 appraisers descended the carriage and went over smilingly to greet Appraiser Yan.
“Appraiser Yan, why are you standing here?”
Appraiser Yan turned to them and saluted. “Ah, Appraiser Du and Appraiser Wang.”
“Appraiser Yan, I heard it was the first prince who invited you and Master State Preceptor would be joining as well. Where is he? Has he already gone inside?” Appraiser Du asked.
Appraiser Yan flashed them a bitter smile. “It’s a long story. Let’s talk on our way inside.”
Appraiser Yan was still the first prince’s guest no matter what. State Preceptor had been forced to leave due to that incident earlier so Appraiser Yan couldn’t just abandon ship. If he did, he would be humiliating the first prince.
And Appraiser Yan couldn’t possibly do that.
When they arrived at the banquet hall, Appraiser Yan had just finished telling them what happened. Both Appraiser Du and Appraiser Wang were dumbstruck. They prepared themselves mentally for an all-out retreat.
As Rank 4 beast appraisers of the academy, they more or less knew the academy’s secret.
Only a few of the regular assistants and students were aware of Senior Shu’s existence.
However, as official Rank 4 appraisers, they all had their channels for obtaining information. Senior Shu was akin to an academy legend, and today, not only did this legend reveal herself but also admonished the state preceptor, ripping away his Rank 5 sleeve guard. More importantly, the state preceptor showed no signs of discontentment and was still respectful as he left to reflect on his actions at home.
That was too much.
Even the state preceptor was behaving this way so one could imagine their fear of going against Senior Shu.
“Senior Shu was invited by the third prince?” Appraiser Wang finally asked the most important question in their conversation.
Appraiser Yan and Appraiser Du came to realize this as well.
Today’s banquet was actually the emperor’s trial for his three sons, to see who had the potential to succeed the throne. As appraisers, for them to accept the invitation was proof of their support for the respective princes.
