Chapter 282: Chapter 281: The Leading Scholar Challenges in Public? My Sister-in-law’s Remark Leaves Him Stunned!

Gu Yanshen didn’t move, letting her fingers touch him.

“They are debating your painting.”

“They’re also debating me.”

“Your matters are my battleground.”

Lin Wan Yi’s hand paused.

She withdrew her hand and tidied his straight collar.

“Alright.”

“My commander, let’s set off.”

West Mountain, Bamboo Garden.

There was no grand gatehouse, merely a common courtyard hidden deep in the bamboo grove.

There wasn’t even a gatekeeper at the door.

Gu Yanshen pushed open the half-closed courtyard gate, stepping aside to let Lin Wan Yi enter first.

Inside the yard, it was a whole other world.

A winding path led to quiet seclusion, casting shadows of dancing bamboo.

A few elderly men dressed in cotton robes with scholarly demeanors were sitting on stone benches, fervently arguing over a game of chess.

Seeing Lin Wan Yi and Gu Yanshen, the argument ceased.

All eyes turned towards them.

First landing on Lin Wan Yi, carrying a hint of scrutiny.

Then, they settled on the man in military uniform behind her.

The distinct aura unique to soldiers, born from the mire of battle, clashed starkly with the artistic fragrance and bamboo atmosphere of the courtyard.

An elder wearing glasses whispered to the person next to him, “Isn’t that the one from the Gu Family…?”

He didn’t finish his sentence.

Gu Yanshen merely glanced at him lightly.

The elder’s voice caught in his throat, unable to speak the rest.

He instinctively adjusted his glasses and turned his head away.

The courtyard returned to silence.

A middle-aged man in a Zhongshan suit emerged from the main hall to greet them, the same person who delivered the letter that day.

“Ms. Lin, Mr. Gu, my master has been waiting for you.”

He led the two across the courtyard towards the main hall.

Along the way, every scholar and gentleman they encountered paused their conversation at the sight of Gu Yanshen, silently making way.

He was like an unsheathed sharp sword, silent yet radiantly sharp.

Everyone understood that this sword existed for the woman in front of it.

The main hall was already filled with people.

All of them were prominent figures in the cultural circles of Long Country.

The head of the History Department at Beijing University, an old researcher from The Palace Museum, the famous writer of “Record of the Smoke and Clouds over the Capital”…

Each one of them was a towering figure whose mere presence could shake the academic world.

And that painting, “Animal City,” was hung in the center of the main hall’s wall.

More conspicuous than anyone’s fame.

A group of old scholars surrounded the painting with magnifying glasses, scrutinizing it more attentively than oracle bone script.

“Look at the fox’s claws, the abacus beads are almost sparking, marvelous!”

“This is inappropriate. How can a rabbit be a sentinel? It’s naturally timid and runs at the slightest disturbance!”

“Exactly, the painting is good, but its idea… a bit nonsensical.”

The discussion was neither too loud nor too soft, just audible enough for Lin Wan Yi as she entered.

In the host’s seat, an elderly man, all white hair and beard but of lively spirit, sat solemnly.

He wasn’t wearing a cotton robe but a well-tailored dark long gown, spinning two shiny walnuts in his hand.

He was Chen Jingyuan.

Seeing Lin Wan Yi, he didn’t get up, only raised his hand slightly.

“Please, have a seat.”

His voice wasn’t loud, yet the entire hall fell silent instantly.

Everyone returned to their seats, sitting properly like schoolchildren waiting for the teacher’s lecture.

The middle-aged man brought two chairs for Lin Wan Yi and Gu Yanshen, placing them near Mr. Chen’s side.

When Gu Yanshen sat down, his back was straight, hands on his knees, like an unyielding mountain.

Mr. Chen didn’t look at Gu Yanshen; his gaze stayed on Lin Wan Yi.

It was a pure scrutiny, devoid of any impurities.

He waited until everyone was quiet before he began to speak slowly.

He neither praised nor complimented.

He extended his hand, still holding the walnuts, pointing at the painting on the wall.

“Ms. Lin.”

Lin Wan Yi stood up: “Please, go ahead.”

“I have examined your painting for three days.” Mr. Chen’s voice was slow, but each word sounded like a hammer striking at everyone’s heart.

“Your artistry is extraordinary. Your use of ink is exceptional.”

Then, his tone shifted.

“But there is one aspect I do not understand.”

The entire audience held their breath.

Here it comes.

Everyone knew that the main event had begun.

Mr. Chen’s finger landed precisely on an inconspicuous corner of the painting.

There was a sheep.

It was neither grazing nor fleeing.

It wore a black judge’s robe, a wig, and held a gavel symbolizing justice.

In front of it, a wolf and a chicken were being judged.

“Since ancient times, sheep have been gentle and easily bullied.”

Chen Jingyuan’s voice resonated in the quiet hall.

“They are synonymous with being easy prey.”

“Why, in your world, can such a sheep preside over law and judge the strong?”

This question was piercingly sharp.

It directly challenged the core concept of the entire painting!

A young scholar sitting in the back rows couldn’t help but scoff softly.

“Outlandish, baiting the public.”

Several elders nearby also gently shook their heads, clearly agreeing with this viewpoint.

All eyes focused on Lin Wan Yi.

Some were there for the spectacle, some expected her to make a fool of herself, and some were worried.

Gu Yanshen’s hands on his knees clenched into fists.

The muscles in his back tensed, as if he might stand up the next second and leave with his wife.

Lin Wan Yi, however, remained calm.

Feeling Gu Yanshen’s tension, she reached out a hand gently, placing it on his fist.

The tight fist instantly relaxed.

She turned around, not answering immediately.

Instead, she respectfully bowed slightly to Chen Jingyuan.

This gesture surprised everyone present.

Facing such sharp questioning, she was unhurried and composed.

Just this demeanor was enough to put many to shame.

Then, she spoke.

Her voice wasn’t loud, almost gentle.

Yet in the pin-drop silence of the hall, it reached everyone’s ears clearly.

“Sir.”

“In my forest, origins are irrelevant, and bloodline doesn’t determine status.”

She lifted her head, her gaze sweeping over faces that were scrutinizing, disdainful, or curious.

Finally, her gaze returned to Mr. Chen.

“Positions are based solely on virtue and talent.”

The elders who had been shaking their heads were now frozen, forgetting to lower their tea cups.

The young scholar who had scoffed blushed a deep shade of liver.

Origin irrelevant.

Bloodline doesn’t determine status.

Positions based solely on virtue and talent!

These eighteen words exploded like thunder in everyone’s mind!

What boldness! What vision!

They had spent a lifetime debating origins, fussing over lineage.

Yet a young woman had flipped the table with the simplest, most straightforward words.

“Bang!”

A resounding noise.

Chen Jingyuan slammed the mahogany table before him, standing up abruptly!

His weathered face, due to excitement, turned crimson.

“Good!”

The entire hall quivered.

“Good!”

Mr. Chen pointed at Lin Wan Yi, pacing excitedly on the spot.

“Well said!”

He laughed aloud, his laughter so booming that dust from the rafters shook and fell.

“Hahahaha!”

He laughed thrice before stopping.

Pointing at Lin Wan Yi, he surveyed the audience, his dim yet fiery eyes filled with undisguised admiration and excitement.

“We have spent our lives diligently studying, endlessly debating, yet not as insightful as this young lady’s words!”

“Today, I, Chen Jingyuan, have found a kindred spirit!”

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