I Became the Eye Candy: Four Bigshots Claimed to be My Dad?-Chapter 120: Never Underestimate a Military General

What surprised him even more was that a six-year-old child could possess such insight. It was the military officials who guarded the nation and expanded its borders; their efforts had brought about this era of peace and prosperity.

’A six-year-old is more astute than a prince who has received the highest education. If word of this gets out, it will be a slap in the face to the imperial family.’

Furthermore, he had heard that Xiang Minghou doted on this daughter of his. If the man were to find out that the Seventh Prince had nearly killed his precious girl at the academy, things would not end well.

Xiang Minghou had been in the army for fourteen years, rising from a common soldier to the rank of General. His military achievements were illustrious, and the soldiers under his command were all brave and skilled fighters, unmatched throughout all of Beili.

’Even I, with my volatile temper, show some restraint when dealing with Xiang Minghou. And yet, Sang Rui threatened to annihilate the General’s entire clan over a trivial matter. The height of foolishness.’

"Your Majesty, Teacher Zhang has personally escorted the Seventh Prince to the palace," Eunuch Jiang reported, hurrying in.

"Where are they?" the Beili Emperor asked.

"They are just outside the hall."

"Send them in."

The Beili Emperor had guessed that the academy would not let this matter rest.

Eunuch Jiang withdrew, and a moment later, Teacher Zhang entered with Sang Rui.

"Greetings, Your Majesty." Teacher Zhang bowed.

"Imperial Father," Sang Rui called out.

"You may both rise."

"Yes." Teacher Zhang rose to his feet.

"Today is not a day of rest. Teacher, what matter brings you and Rui to the palace?" Although the Beili Emperor already knew what had happened at the academy, he felt it was not his place to bring it up first.

"Your Majesty, it is..."

"Imperial Father, you must see justice done for me!" Before Teacher Zhang could finish, Sang Rui stepped forward and interrupted him.

Teacher Zhang glanced sideways and shook his head repeatedly. ’His years at Lou Mountain Academy were a complete waste. He hasn’t even remembered the first page of the student conduct manual.’

The Beili Emperor frowned. "I recall that the seventh rule on the first page of the Lou Mountain Academy code states: One must not interrupt one’s teacher."

Sang Rui’s expression faltered for a second before he retorted angrily, "It was the teacher who broke the academy’s rules first! It’s not my fault."

"Oh?"

"Back then, Imperial Grandfather established a rule for the academy: regardless of status, once enrolled in Lou Mountain Academy, one is merely a student. No one is an exception, and no one may break the rules! Not only did the academy make an exception to admit General Xiang’s daughter, but that fatty broke several rules in a single day, and the teacher never punished her! That damn fatty even dared to slander the imperial family. Her crimes are heinous!" Sang Rui preemptively launched into his accusations.

The Beili Emperor fell silent for a moment.

Teacher Zhang sighed to himself. ’How did I never realize before that the Seventh Prince was a lost cause?’

"Imperial Father?" Sang Rui asked, puzzled by the Beili Emperor’s silence.

"Teacher Zhang, do you have anything to say?" the Beili Emperor finally asked after a long pause.

"Your Majesty," Teacher Zhang began, kneeling to the floor, "the Seventh Prince is far too proud and arrogant. Lou Mountain Academy can no longer teach him. I have come to the palace today to accept punishment for this failure."

"Imperial Father, that damn fatty and Eighth Brother repeatedly broke the academy’s rules and the teacher did nothing! I refuse to accept this! The teacher is clearly biased toward them!" Hearing Teacher Zhang’s words, Sang Rui’s cheeks flushed red with anger.

"Seventh, do you know what you have done wrong?!" the Beili Emperor said, his voice sinking.

Sang Rui paused, stunned. "Imperial Father, I’ve done nothing wrong! The ones at fault are that damn fatty and the teacher!"

"Seventh, do you know that I, too, was once known for my martial prowess? Your father knows full well the hardships of marching and waging war. You were born in an era of peace and prosperity, so it’s not surprising that you have a certain arrogance. But your greatest mistake, the one thing you should never have done, was to disparage military officials."

In his youth, the Beili Emperor had lived through an era of chaos. He had practiced martial arts since childhood, and at the age of fifteen, he followed the old general of that time into the army barracks. He was intimately familiar with the hardships involved.