David Smith was full of shock, raising his hand to point at Edward Clark, but couldn't say a word for a long time.

　　Duke Reed gently shook his head, looked at Edward Clark, and assumed the posture of an elder:

　　"Buleng, do you know the meaning of the two characters 'Buleng'?"

　　Edward Clark replied softly, "If one's conduct is upright, others will follow without being ordered; if not, even with orders, they will not obey."

　　Duke Reed nodded, "Since you know, I won't ask about the reason you hurt someone just now. As long as your conscience is clear... Last night, you acted righteously to help others and punish evil, you did well, and you lived up to the saying 'If one's conduct is upright, others will follow without being ordered.' Keep up the good work in the future."

　　Edward Clark frowned, "I was drunk last night, who knows what rumors are spreading outside."

　　Duke Reed looked at him with admiration, "So young, yet you already understand humility and do not seek contention. This is the demeanor of a gentleman, very good."

　　Edward Clark was speechless, spreading his hands, but had nothing to say, so he could only put on a look of impatience.

　　Duke Reed was always clear in rewards and punishments, and did not continue to lavish praise, but instead said:

　　"Your character is commendable, but merits and faults do not cancel each other out. You broke the rules by hurting someone in the Imperial Academy. Go stay in the Bell and Drum Tower for seven days and copy the 'Xue Ji' ten times."

　　Edward Clark breathed a sigh of relief. Hiding in the Imperial Academy for seven days was fine; if Mrs. Brooks caught him, she could really wear him down. He immediately left the study hall.

　　David Smith, having been inexplicably beaten, was so angry his face turned ashen and the corners of his mouth twitched. Seeing the sons of nobles inside the study hall all snickering, he snorted coldly, "Just you wait for me..." Then he flung his sleeve and strode quickly out of the Imperial Academy...

Chapter Six: Hibiscus Like Jade

　　Dong dong——

　　The sound of drums thundered, echoing through Chang'an. The setting sun sank behind the mountains, awakening the lights of ten thousand households in the city.

　　Edward Clark finished striking the last evening drum, then sat cross-legged by the desk in the Bell and Drum Tower, his left hand holding the hem of his robe, slowly grinding ink.

　　The small desk was covered with xuan paper, the Qingtian jade paperweight reflected the sea of lights in Chang'an, and a green lantern was placed on the desk.

　　Tap tap——

　　Soft footsteps sounded from within the Bell and Drum Tower.

　　Edward Clark's ears twitched slightly. He put down the ink stick and tilted his head:

　　"Who is it?"

　　"...Your Highness, it's me..."

　　The lantern at the eaves swayed gently in the wind. Inside the bell tower, Grace Johnson, dressed in a padded skirt, carefully lifted her skirt as she walked out, holding a ruler in her hand. Her expression was deliberately serious, but the slight panic in her eyes betrayed her nervousness.

　　Edward Clark resumed grinding ink:

　　"No time."

　　Upon hearing this, Grace Johnson's eyes flashed with annoyance. She pursed her lips, walked to the desk, and said seriously with the ruler in hand:

　　"...How can you speak like that... I... I am your teacher..."

　　Edward Clark's eyes narrowed slightly as he turned to look at Grace Johnson.

　　Grace Johnson was startled, clutching the ruler to her chest, and spoke a bit nervously, "My father is the Grand Preceptor of the Imperial Academy. If you dare hit me... you won't get away with it..."

　　Edward Clark narrowed his eyes, "Are you threatening me?"

　　Grace Johnson shook her head, her hair ornaments trembling, "No, I just came to talk to you about the rules..." As she spoke, she walked to the desk, like a teacher looking at her student.

　　Edward Clark gently shook his head, continued grinding ink, and said calmly:

　　"No one who can lecture me about rules has been born yet."

　　"Rules are not made by people, they have always existed... The Dayue dynasty has stood for two hundred years. Sixty years ago, after pacifying Baiyue and Daqi, the Imperial Academy was established in Chang'an, and the rules were set then..."

　　Edward Clark frowned slightly, "Do you know how Daqi became Northern Qi? How did Baiyue become Southern Yue?"

　　Grace Johnson, well-read since childhood, naturally knew this by heart: "Emperor Wenzong valued the military and promoted generals from humble backgrounds, greatly encouraging the military examination, which led to a surge in national strength. During Emperor Xiaozong's reign, Grand General William Clark rose from scout to achieve many feats, and at forty became the Grand General of the Nation, leading 1.2 million troops to conquer Baiyue in the south and defeat Daqi in the north, thus unifying the Central Plains..."

　　"And who is William Clark?"

　　"He is your grandfather."

　　"Then why are you lecturing me about rules?"

　　Edward Clark lifted his gaze and looked at Grace Johnson.

　　Grace Johnson hesitated for a moment, then said softly, "Precisely because the ancestors of the Prince of Su achieved immortal feats and laid the vast territory of Dayue, you, as the heir, must abide by the rules set by your forebears, and cannot rely on power to act arrogantly...

　　...This 'Never Forget Bell' was cast by order of General Clark when he conquered Chang'an, so that the people of Dayue and all the officials would never forget the century of humiliation and hardship endured by their ancestors. Punishing you by making you strike the bell is for this reason."

　　Edward Clark took a breath, too lazy to respond.

　　Seeing he didn't speak, Grace Johnson pressed her advantage, holding the ruler and saying seriously:

　　"Morning reading for half an hour at the hour of Chen is the rule. Whether a prince or a student from a humble family, all are treated equally. It's one thing if you were a little late, but why did you hurt someone?

　　The academy is a solemn place. Even General Clark would dismount and remove his sword before entering to show respect. You... you are ignorant of etiquette, unruly, and defiant..."

　　Nagging on and on, a string of negative words.

　　Edward Clark was quite satisfied with this assessment, thinking that Aunt Brooks would be pleased to hear it too.

　　Edward Clark looked coldly at the earnest female teacher:

　　"I need a reason to hit someone?"

　　"Of course you do... No, you can't hit people."

　　Grace Johnson lightly tapped her palm with the ruler, pacing back and forth in front of the desk: