Chapter Thirty-Four: Trouble Arrives All at Once

On this side, Jiang Wangshu’s world was peaceful and harmonious.

In the principal’s office, however, tension crackled in the air.

"Why? On what grounds are you expelling me?" Jiang Ningguang slammed her palm on the desk, eyes blazing with fury. She could not comprehend why the once-indulgent arrogance of the principal had so drastically changed. Jiang Ningguang had never suffered such humiliation in her life; if word of her expulsion reached her family, her relatives would never let her live it down.

Zhang Linyin, her chest heaving with barely contained rage, spoke stiffly, "Principal, even if you want to punish me, you must give a clear explanation. Otherwise, the Zhang family is not so easily bullied."

Yu Hanyi’s eyes were glacial as he nodded to Director Ji Mingliang. Ji Mingliang played the video that had been circulating online, enlarging the comment that had received the most likes for them to see.

"Teacher Jiang, Student Zhang, we didn’t want to take things this far. But this morning, higher-ups already called to ask about the situation. We must cut through the mess swiftly."

"To quell the spreading rumors."

As Zhang Linyin watched the video, her hands clenched tightly, nails digging into her palms, lips pressed into a thin line. Her whole body trembled; rage surged to her head—how dare that wretch record the video and post it online!

If the higher-ups knew, had her grandfather seen it too?

It felt as if a bucket of ice water had been dumped over her head. In a panic, she fumbled out her communication jade slip.

The chilling message consisted of four curt words: Return home immediately.

She bit her lip until it nearly bled, terror flickering in her eyes as scenes of others being punished for their mistakes at home flashed through her mind. Cold sweat broke out on her palms and back.

Jiang Ningguang gritted her teeth and refused to admit guilt. "What does this video have to do with me? I’m not even in it!"

Yu Hanyi sighed, "You won’t shed tears until you see the coffin, will you?"

Ji Mingliang pulled up surveillance footage. "Here it shows that you blocked Teacher Dai for half an hour. If you hadn’t obstructed her, she would have arrived earlier and this incident wouldn’t have happened. Are you saying you didn’t do it on purpose? Swear an oath of heart-demon, and we’ll believe you."

Jiang Ningguang, guilty as she was, would never risk her cultivation future with such a vow, no matter how lacking in integrity she might be.

She slammed the table. "You’re going too far. I will report this to the main family. From now on, any array maintenance or construction at your school—find someone else. The Jiang family will not provide it."

She waited, watching for Yu Hanyi’s response.

The Jiang family’s formations were the best in the country; she didn’t believe they would risk losing that.

No one spoke for a long time. Jiang Ningguang finally lost her patience. "You—"

Yu Hanyi interrupted, "Teacher Jiang—no, Miss Jiang, you are no longer a teacher here. Please return your teacher’s jade token and complete your departure procedures."

Jiang Ningguang’s brow furrowed, disbelief plastered across her face. "Even if we concede everything, did Dai Anrong do nothing wrong? Why am I the only one being dismissed?"

Ji Mingliang interjected, "Teacher Dai has already been penalized with two months’ salary deduction."

Jiang Ningguang nodded. "I accept the same punishment."

She acted as if her staying was the highest honor for the school, as though her presence bestowed glory upon them.

Yu Hanyi couldn’t help but laugh in exasperation at her inability to read the situation. It was the first time he realized just how shameless the Jiang family could be.

He turned to Zhang Linyin, voice grave. "Student Zhang, did you act of your own will, or were you led astray? Tell the truth, and we will clarify everything in an official statement."

Zhang Linyin seized the lifeline, nodding eagerly. "Yes, I was led on by Teacher Jiang. I did not act on my own."

Jiang Ningguang’s expression darkened instantly. "Zhang Linyin, think carefully before you speak."

Zhang Linyin’s mind cleared as if a fog had lifted. She stood, stepping closer to Jiang Ningguang. "Isn’t that the truth? If you hadn’t been whispering your grievances to me, if you hadn’t hinted we should teach someone a lesson, would I have done any of this?"

"I see it clearly now—you were using me as your weapon."

For the first time, Zhang Linyin’s mind was sharp and lucid. She turned to the principal. "Principal, I want to report that over the years, Teacher Jiang has abused her position for many things—"

Jiang Ningguang’s face turned ashen as she lunged forward, trying to cover Zhang Linyin’s mouth.

Ji Mingliang cast a spell, holding her back with a smile. "No rush, Miss Jiang. The principal will deal with you after he hears her out."

Before long, the school issued an official statement:

Essentially, it explained that due to the instigation of a certain teacher, Student Zhang had been subjected to two years of psychological manipulation, leading her to make mistakes. The teacher had been dismissed, and Student Zhang had been disciplined.

The statement sparked heated discussion online. Even students at the school joined in, spreading more stories about the teacher in question.

Yu Hanyi thought he could finally rest, but another visitor arrived almost immediately.

"I am Jiang Wangshu’s father."

Yu Hanyi’s smile grew even warmer.

"I wish to transfer her to another school."

At these words, Yu Hanyi’s smile froze. "Sir, we at Osprey Academy would never let Jiang suffer injustice—"

He assumed the man had come because of the incident with Jiang Ningguang and Zhang Linyin and hurried to explain. He was deeply grateful now that he hadn’t covered for the utterly useless Jiang Ningguang.

Jiang Mingqian listened quietly, unmoved. "Transfer."

A place as conspicuous as Osprey Academy was not suitable for him to keep Jiang Wangshu under his watch. The less attention she received, the easier it would be to proceed with the secret realm’s opening in a year and a half.

He had hidden his treasure for so many years; he had no intention of letting anyone else share in it now.

Yu Hanyi blinked. "Uh… Perhaps we should call Jiang in. After all, we should respect the child’s wishes."

He remembered Jiang’s demeanor the previous day—she didn’t seem eager to transfer.

Jiang Mingqian shook his head. "No need. I am her father; I have the right to decide everything for her."

Yu Hanyi laughed awkwardly. "I’ll call her over for you to discuss face to face. If she’s willing, we won’t stand in the way."

He took out his communication jade, but Jiang Mingqian raised a hand to stop him. "Never mind, I’ll find her myself and return later."

"All right, but please wait a bit. Classes haven’t ended yet."

After sending Jiang Mingqian off, Yu Hanyi wiped the sweat from his brow and hurried to message Jiang Wangshu for her opinion.

Just then, a paper crane fluttered in, carrying Ji Mingliang’s voice.

"Principal, the Ministry of Education is here. Please come and greet them."

At that moment, two unexpected visitors appeared at the school gates.

The handsome, youthful Shen Qingzhi gazed at the entrance to Osprey Academy. "Uncle, this is where Jiang Wangshu studies, isn’t it?"

Shen Lihan cast his nephew a sidelong glance. "You already know that. You insisted on coming just for her. Don’t tell me you still haven’t let go."