The Crown Princess Is Jealous Again - Chapter 39
“Ms. Song, there’s no need to waste any more time.” Mr. Li turned to the headmaster and said, “Headmaster, this matter requires your judgment.”
“This matter…”
Song Qingqian interrupted firmly, “Headmaster, since Sun Cheng flatly denies the accusation, and my student cannot serve as a witness, then surely Mr. Li’s own students’ testimonies should count? They’re already here—please, let’s go hear what they have to say.”
“Very well, let’s go take a look,” the headmaster replied, casting a glance at her and sighing.
Xiao Beitang and the others were in the Zhiyuan Hall, while Mr. Li’s students were housed next door in the Zhizhen Hall.
Leading the group to Zhiyuan Hall, Song Qingqian walked ahead. Xiao Beitang had been waiting anxiously, and when she finally caught sight of her approaching the courtyard gate, she stood up to look.
Once inside, Song Qingqian instructed someone to summon Mr. Li’s students from next door.
Sun Cheng hobbled along at the front, still wearing a smug expression.
A sizable group of people entered the courtyard.
“I’ll ask the questions. When I call your name, only you may respond—no one else is to interrupt or debate,” Song Qingqian said calmly.
She turned first to Sun Cheng and asked, “Sun Cheng, did you or did you not claim that I gained admission to the Imperial Academy by colluding with others behind the scenes?”
His face still bruised and swollen, Sun Cheng replied righteously, “I did not say such a thing.”
Xiao Lin leapt up, furious. “Coward! You dare not admit what you’ve done!”
Song Qingqian frowned. “Xiao Lin, I haven’t called on you. Remain silent.”
Xiao Lin sat down angrily.
She then paced toward Yang Zixi, standing just behind Sun Cheng. “Is what he said true?”
Yang Zixi glanced at Sun Cheng and stammered, “Y-yes… it’s true.”
Mr. Li, seeing their firm stance, challenged Song Qingqian, “Ms. Song, what are you trying to do? Are you intimidating students into false confessions?”
Ignoring him, Song Qingqian called out, “Wu Sanqi, bring the others forward.”
“They’re all here, Ms.”
Mr. Li recognized the students—they were his, though from humble backgrounds. He often ignored them, relegating them to the back rows. Two of them, in particular, were frequently bullied by Sun Cheng and forced to do chores for him.
Feigning outrage, Mr. Li scolded, “What is the meaning of this? These are my students! Are you coercing them?”
“I ask you,” Song Qingqian said, “did Sun Cheng insult me that day? Did he speak arrogantly and slander others?”
Zuo Ling, unafraid, stepped forward and bowed. “Ms. Song, he did. Over the past few days, Sun Cheng has been deliberately telling Yang Zixi and the others to throw garbage into our courtyard. Every time Xiao
Lin came to clean, he would mock her, and what he said behind his back was even more vile—unbearable to repeat.”
Another student said timidly, “Yes… he even said… said that Ms. Song and the Headmaster…”
Sun Cheng, furious, pointed at them. “Lies! You’re all lying!”
“You have no right to speak,” Song Qingqian said coldly.
The headmaster trembled with anger. “Is it true? Did Sun Cheng say such disgraceful things about me and Ms. Song… being improper?”
Zuo Ling answered with conviction, “We wouldn’t dare lie, sir!”
Mr. Li, flustered, stammered, “This must be some kind of misunderstanding! Sun Cheng would never say something so insolent!”
“Mr. Li, I believe there’s no need for me to elaborate on your relationship with Sun Cheng, is there?” Song Qingqian said sharply, her gaze cold and cutting.
Mr. Li looked around helplessly, all composure lost, his hand trembling as he pointed at her. “Ms. Song, you—you’re slandering me!”
“Xiao Lin,” Song Qingqian said calmly.
“Present,” Xiao Lin stood and looked at her solemnly.
“How many days did you clean at Zhizhen Hall?”
“Six days total.”
“Did Sun Cheng repeatedly insult you? And you only lost your temper on the final day?”
“Yes. At first, I ignored him despite being disturbed. But that day, he crossed the line and insulted you—I couldn’t stay silent.”
She turned to Zuo Ling and the others. “Is his account accurate?”
“It is,” Zuo Ling confirmed.
Song Qingqian’s tone turned steely. “Sun Cheng, do you have anything to say?”
From a calm start to a frosty interrogation, Sun Cheng stared at her in disbelief. This couldn’t be happening—his parents had told him not to be afraid! Right, he must not fear. He shouted, “They’re lying! They’ve always disliked me and now they’re ganging up to slander me!”
“And you?” Song Qingqian scanned the dozen students behind him. “This is your last chance—who’s telling the truth?”
The students exchanged uneasy glances, afraid to speak.
Sun Cheng whirled around, furious. “Are you all mute? Say something! I’ve treated you well—how dare you…”
Zuo Ling could no longer hold back and shouted, “Enough, Sun Cheng! You’ve treated us like dogs, using Mr. Li’s favoritism to work us like slaves. We got into the academy through hard work too! You constantly threatened to have us expelled! Treated us well? Do you know our families rely on us for their futures?”
“That’s right! You—you shameless bully!”
Sun Cheng staggered back, stunned.
The headmaster asked gravely, “Mr. Li, is what they said true?”
“Headmaster, please let me explain—”
“There’s no need,” the headmaster said coldly, brushing his sleeve.
He stepped forward and cleared his throat. “Since the truth is clear, I hereby declare—”
“Headmaster, wait!” A plump woman came rushing in. “You must consider carefully! My cousin is none other than Consort Jing. If I report this to her, none of them will be spared.”
She was broad and stout, her lips painted thickly—repulsive to behold.
Song Qingqian smiled coldly. “Madam Sun, the Imperial Academy is the highest institution in the land, founded by the court itself. Do you think you can act so brazenly here?”
The woman flew into a rage. “It’s you! You want to ruin my son! You wretched woman, just wait—Consort Jing will deal with you. I’ll see you sold to a brothel, let’s see if you can still act so high and mighty then!”
“Insolence!” Wu Sanqi stepped forward to block her, glaring.
Xiao Beitang clenched her fists, nearly rushing out again, only to be stopped just in time by Xiao Wanqi.
“Calm down, A-Tang.”
“No wonder Sun Cheng turned out the way he did, with such a venomous mother,” Lu Wuyou said sarcastically. “Let’s just hope it doesn’t backfire on her.”
“Wu Sanqi, escort her out,” Song Qingqian said icily.
Wu Sanqi signaled two others to drag her away.
The headmaster sighed deeply. “Sun Cheng, I will not expel you from the academy—for now. But as punishment, you will sweep the Zhizhen Hall for a year. Mr. Li, you are relieved of your duties. The Imperial
Academy upholds fairness, yet you showed bias and failed your duty—you are unfit to teach.”
Mr. Li stared at him in shock. “Headmaster… how could you treat me this way?”
“Leave. I’ve said all I need to say.” The headmaster turned his back and refused further conversation.
Once Mr. Li was removed, the headmaster said, “Ms. Song, come with me. The rest of you, return to your studies.”
Inside, he sat down heavily, sighing and shaking his head.
After a pause, he asked, “Ms. Song, do you feel my handling of the matter today was inappropriate?”
Song Qingqian bowed. “Headmaster’s judgment was fair. I have no objections.”
He smiled wryly. “Ah… Sun Cheng ought to have been expelled. But his family does wield some influence—I’m only concerned he may target you in retaliation.”
Song Qingqian remained calm. After a moment’s thought, she replied, “Thank you for your concern, Headmaster. I’m not worried about his slander. But since he’s bullied other students, I do hope you’ll assign them a just and upright teacher.”
The headmaster nodded. “I already have someone in mind. How do you feel about Mr. Ren? He is known for his fairness.”
Song Qingqian smiled. “I trust your judgment, Headmaster.”
The headmaster smiled as well. “No wonder the Chancellor recommended you. I owe you an apology for my earlier misjudgment.”
“You’re too kind, Headmaster.”
He waved his hand gently. “Go on now. I’ll reflect further on this matter.”