“小黑, did you steal someone’s girl again?” In the Youxuetang, as long as the teacher wasn’t present, everyone ignored the rules and called each other by their nicknames.

Lucas Wright’s face turned red. “How is it stealing? I paid for it, spent a lot of silver…”

The classmates burst out laughing, though some spoke up for Lucas Wright. “It’s not a big deal. The yamen is full of your family’s old friends. Just get someone to arrest that troublemaker, give him a good beating, and avenge you.”

“A beating isn’t enough for revenge, and getting the officials involved is too much trouble. I want to…”

Edward Reed appeared at the doorway. Although he was just a teacher without any official rank, the old scholar commanded considerable respect among the students. The moment he showed up, everyone immediately fell silent and returned to their seats, even Lucas Wright swallowed the rest of his words.

The servants accompanying the young masters quietly slipped away.

Edward Reed was in his fifties, short in stature, with sparse facial hair, always wearing a dazed expression as if lost in thought or wandering in another world. Today was no different. He sat down in his chair, didn’t even look at the students, and didn’t care if everyone was present. After flipping through a book for a while, he suddenly put it down and asked, “How do you plan to take your revenge?”

“Huh?” Lucas Wright was startled, not expecting his business to attract Edward Reed’s attention. “I… I’ll think of something.”

“Speak up, say it now. Everyone has to say: if you were in this situation, what would you do?” Edward Reed seemed genuinely interested. “There’s nothing to teach today, so let’s discuss how to take revenge.”

Edward Reed’s classes were usually dull, but sometimes he did the unexpected. The students were first surprised, then quickly quieted down, realizing this was another test, and began to seriously consider ways to take “revenge.”

Of course, Lucas Wright spoke first. “To be honest, my plan is simple: spend money. I don’t care how much. Find a few tough guys to teach that troublemaker a lesson—at the very least… at least break an arm or something.”

Edward Reed nodded, neither agreeing nor disagreeing, and turned his gaze to the other students.

With Lucas Wright starting, the others spoke freely as well.

“Reporting to the authorities is safer. For a troublemaker like that, a beating will make him behave. Who knows what kind of people those so-called tough guys are? What if it brings trouble?”

“That’s not right. Xiao Hei… The reason Mr. Wright isn’t reporting to the authorities must be because there’s something he doesn’t want exposed, or he doesn’t want his family to find out. But hiring people for revenge isn’t worth it either. Better to find friends you already have. If you don’t know anyone in the yamen, there must be someone in the army. All it takes is a banquet afterward.” The speaker kept winking at Lucas Wright, clearly hoping to be that “friend.”

“Only when there’s real harm can you talk about revenge. Judging by Mr. Wright’s look, it’s just a little humiliation. Not worth it. The other party is just a troublemaker…”

“You weren’t the one who got beaten!” Lucas Wright interrupted angrily, rubbing the corner of his eye. “The point is, I just can’t swallow this!”

The students took turns sharing their thoughts, while Edward Reed just listened, never interrupting.

When it was Charles Carter’s turn, he thought for a moment—not about how to answer, but whether he should be honest. “I think we might as well discuss this from the perspective of the study of names and realities.”

Lucas Wright looked disdainful, thinking the Young Master Carter was just trying to please the Scholar.

Charles Carter continued on his own, “All of you are from noble families and will one day bear the responsibility of governing the country…”

Lucas Wright couldn’t hold back and snorted, then said, “Young Master Carter, this is the Youxue Hall. Sure, we’re from noble families, but our fathers don’t care, our mothers don’t love us, and we’re just killing time here. That so-called study of names and realities—Edward Reed, I don’t mean you—can it keep me from getting beaten? Can it get me revenge?”

After he finished, Charles Carter went on, “At the very least, our fathers and brothers bear the responsibility of governing the country. That’s what’s called ‘name.’”

Lucas Wright snorted again, saying nothing. A noble youth named Victor Mason interjected, “All our fathers and brothers hold real official positions and wield power. How is that just ‘name’?”

Charles Carter smiled slightly. He and Victor Mason were good friends and often debated. “Having an official post is ‘name.’ To be an official with a good reputation and fulfill your duties is ‘reality.’ If you just hold a position and do nothing, you only have ‘name’ without ‘reality.’”

Victor Mason wanted to argue, but Lucas Wright cut in again, “Hey, hey, we’re talking about getting revenge for me, not you two debating ‘name and reality.’”

Charles Carter looked at Edward Reed. “Coming from a family that governs the country, even if you don’t hold office, you should have the heart and skills to govern. It’s like a wealthy man using money to solve problems, a strong man using his fists, and someone eloquent…”

Lucas Wright said impatiently, “You’re eloquent, but what about me? What am I supposed to use?”

“Mr. Wright was born into a noble family. The law is your greatest asset. Even if you can’t serve the country, you shouldn’t break the law for personal reasons…”

“Oh, I get it. So you’re telling me to give up on revenge. Fine, Young Master Carter, maybe you should just say less. According to you, officials and nobles are the unlucky ones—when insulted, they have to rely on the law, while ordinary folks can just take revenge as they please.”

After a long silence, Edward Reed suddenly spoke. “Big talk is useless. Let someone else speak.”

Charles Carter didn’t get any support, so he sat down and said nothing more.