Transmigrated into a Grandpa, Embracing the Laid-Back Life

Chapter 107: Who is the prey is still uncertain.

Director Liu's study had a strong smell of ink, mixed with a scent of medicinal herbs, and a hint of the musty odor emitted by damp paper.

This study was smaller than Teacher Zhou's, but the sense of oppression it gave off was ten times stronger.

There were no calligraphy scrolls, no potted plants.

All four walls were bookshelves, crammed full of books. Those books weren't haphazardly placed; they were neatly arranged and categorized according to the classics, histories, philosophers, and literary collections.

Behind the desk sat a man.

The man appeared to be around fifty, with a lean figure, wearing a somewhat old dark blue robe. His face resembled mountain rock that had been hacked by axes and knives—the lines were rigid, and his nasolabial folds were deep.

The most striking feature was his eyes. They were like the eyes of a hawk, deeply set, yet the pupils shone with a startling brightness.

He was the Vice Director of the Imperial College, Liu Wenyuan.

Su Ming dared not be negligent. He stepped forward three paces, took out the wax-sealed secret letter from Zhou Wenhai from his bosom, and respectfully presented it with both hands.

"Student Su Ming, following the orders of my teacher Zhou Wenhai, has come specially to pay respects to Lord Liu. This is a personal letter from my teacher."Director Liu's gaze fell upon the letter, especially on the dark red, intricately patterned wax seal. His eyes seemed to freeze for an instant.

Then, he reached out and took the letter.

He did not tell Su Ming to rise, nor did he offer any pleasantries.

He simply sat there quietly, using a small paper knife to carefully pry open the wax seal.

He unfolded the letter paper, his eyes sweeping over the handwriting on it.

Throughout the entire process, the only sound in the study was the faint rustling of the letter paper being unfolded.

Su Ming maintained his bowing posture, motionless, his breathing steady.

Director Liu read the letter at a measured pace, his face devoid of any expression.

Finally, he finished reading the last word. Slowly, he refolded the letter paper along its original creases, but instead of putting it back into the envelope, he simply placed it by his hand.

Only then did he lift his eyes and direct his gaze back at Su Ming, who was still standing bowed.

Su Ming dared not be negligent, stepped forward three paces, and bowed.

"Student Su Ming, paying respects to Lord Liu."

Director Liu grunted in acknowledgment, but did not tell him to rise, nor did he offer any pleasantries.

He simply sat there quietly, using those sharp eyes of his to scrutinize Su Ming inch by inch.

The air seemed to solidify.

Su Ming maintained his bowing posture, motionless, his breathing steady.

He could feel that gaze dissecting everything about him.

His attire, his demeanor, the rhythm of his breathing, every subtle twitch of his muscles.

"Rise." Director Liu's voice, like the man himself, was dry, cold, and devoid of any emotion.

"Thank you, Lord." Su Ming straightened up, still keeping his eyes lowered, not daring to meet his gaze.

Director Liu pointed to a wooden stool in front of the desk. "Sit."

Su Ming complied, sitting only on the edge of the stool, his back ramrod straight.

"I've read Wenhai's letter." Director Liu got straight to the point, his voice betraying neither joy nor anger. "In his letter, he holds very high expectations for you."

He paused, and those hawk-like eyes fell upon Su Ming once more.

"Now that you've entered the Hanlin Academy, how does it feel?"

Su Ming quickly organized his thoughts in his mind, while his face showed just the right amount of a young man's apprehension and restraint upon first entering the officialdom.

"Replying to Lord Liu, this student... this student is doing well in all respects."

He didn't directly answer "how does it feel," but first set a tone.

"The Hanlin Academy is a place of pure prestige. The seniors within the academy are all great scholars. This student feels only the shallowness of his own knowledge while being there daily, and dares not slack off, adhering only to the words 'diligence and earnestness'."

this student to copy the 'Da Xing Compendium' as a

paused, as if

most of my colleagues in the academy come from prominent families. This student, from a humble background... cannot converse with them. But this student keeps in mind the teachings

speech contained a huge

punished to copy books, mentioned being isolated, but his tone was calm, without a trace

it as well, pointing

own situation and demonstrated a level of forbearance and steadiness beyond his

"Hmph."

came from Director

books? Guo Huan is left with only

made Su Ming's

Guo Huan—Reader Guo's name.

directly, clearly not placing him

you out in the cold not to destroy you." Director Liu picked up a cup of tea on the table that had long gone cold and took a sip. The tea must have been extremely bitter, yet his expression didn't

put down the teacup, his gaze

arc, "the person behind him is the Transmission Commissioner, Li Wen. Li Wen isn't particularly

Transmission Commissioner, Li Wen!

of lightning,

understood that the harassment he faced from the Hanlin Academy Reader was not a personal grudge, but came

obtuse." Su Ming lowered

not obtuse; you're just in the middle of the game and can't see clearly." Director Liu stood up and walked to the

he looked at the

your Second Class, tenth-place

heart constricted

I only

Director Liu slowly turned around. A bone-chilling coldness flashed in those hawk-like eyes. "In this world, there aren't that many chances. That wasn't solely the intention of Minister Wang. It was someone adding another subtle stroke

The old case!

case triggered years ago by Teacher Zhou

see everyone's reaction," Director Liu walked step by step back

in the past, or those who shared his ideals, would make

the Yongchang Marquis Manor would deal with you, the 'disciple

hands on the desk, his

even more whether Zhou Wenhai's disciple will become a second Zhou Wenhai trying

being honed,

study fell into dead

it difficult to breathe. The bitter taste of the medicinal

the capital were deeper and

wasn't a

He was bait!

many unwilling fish were still hiding beneath this

Lord Liu for your guidance." Su Ming's

returning to its previous cold hardness, as if the earth-shattering words he had just spoken were merely about some

the teacup and blew on the nonexistent

Before you have the ability to overturn the chessboard, be a good chess piece and stay

hide is not only your edge,

capital, sometimes they are a protective talisman, but more often, they are

warning

bowed deeply to Director

has been

came from genuine

more, merely waving his hand

knew that today's meeting had

wrapped in blue cloth from his bosom and respectfully placed it on a

has prepared a humble gift. It is nothing much, but I hope you will

over the

Ming performed a bow and

Liu residence, Su

Blowing against

the mouth of the alley, looking back at the mansion that appeared even more desolate in the

Bait.

two red-hot iron nails,

he understood that he didn't even have the qualification to be on the chessboard. He was merely bait thrown into murky waters, his purpose to stir up the

Su Ming spoke in his heart,

mock him. He remained silent for

His voice was very calm. "Fear solves nothing. What you need

soul body paced within the

are all dirty! One careless

because you appear weak, tempting, and without any poisonous sting." Lin Yu's analysis

completely non-threatening, even a bit