Chapter 367 - 361_1
Jiang Wenshu refused to admit anything, and without evidence, even though they were certain of his guilt, accusations without proof were meaningless. The headmaster, after observing the reactions of Liang Wei and the others, had made his judgement. Yet, even as headmaster, he could not punish Jiang Wenshu without evidence, and had no choice but to let him leave.
"Headmaster, why did you let Jiang Wenshu go? It was clearly him who instigated everything behind the scenes." Liang Wei and the others were fuming with anger as they watched Jiang Wenshu walk away arrogantly. They were so upset that even though they were the ones in the wrong, they started questioning the headmaster.
"Why are you so foolish to get provoked so easily and be used by others?" The headmaster felt a rush of anxiety on behalf of his old friend, wondering how he could have raised such a thoughtless grandson. Remembering his friend’s frustration, he could now somewhat relate to that feeling.
"But..." Liang Wei was both anxious and angry, yet unable to come up with a retort. The others with him felt the same.
"What’s the use of ’but’? I haven’t even started with you yet. Whether Jiang Wenshu instigated you or not, it was you who injured Lin Qing, and that’s undeniable. I should hand you over to the government right now and let the Magistrate deal with you. A little suffering might teach you to restrain yourself in the future." Seeing that Liang Wei showed some remorse, and that Lin Qing didn’t press too hard on the matter, the headmaster’s words were merely a scare tactic to admonish Liang Wei, ensuring he wouldn’t dare to commit such acts again.
Such was the headmaster’s reputation that Liang Wei and the others believed him without a second thought. They gave up on Jiang Wenshu and began to beg the headmaster for mercy, "Headmaster, I was foolish this time to have listened to the villainous Jiang Wenshu. Please spare us this once, we won’t dare to do it again, we beg you, headmaster."
"Yes, headmaster, it’s not entirely Liang Wei and the others’ fault; it was Jiang Wenshu who gave the idea. Maybe we can let it slide this time and if they err again, you can harshly punish them then," Lin Qing, who already intended to quell the matter, saw that Liang Wei and his group were repentant and wouldn’t be swayed by Jiang Wenshu anymore. Since there was no reason to pursue troubles further and rather than having the headmaster punish them and create resentment, reconciliation was preferable.
"Headmaster, my brother is right, it was Jiang Wenshu’s fault. They were just instigated. As long as it doesn’t happen again, we won’t hold today’s events against them," Lin Yue noticed the headmaster’s intention to forgive Liang Wei and the others and the tone of tough love in his speech. It was clear there was some connection between Liang Wei and the headmaster. Since the matter was settled, why not give them a favor? It would earn Liang Wei’s gratitude and leave a good impression of leniency on the headmaster. This would be beneficial, not only for Lin Qing who was studying at the academy but also for Dalang and the others who would attend the academy in the future. It was like paving a way for them in advance.
Liang Wei, seeing that Lin Qing and his sister spoke on his behalf despite the past, gave them a grateful look, "Headmaster, even Lin Qing, the victim, is saying so. Please let me off this time. I truly won’t dare to do it again."
"Hmph, how many times have I heard that from you? And when have you ever kept your word? Even if Lin Qing is magnanimous enough to forgive you, the rules of the Songshan Academy are not for show. If I don’t punish you today, and everyone else follows suit, the reputation of Songshan Academy that we’ve built over hundreds of years could be ruined in an instant. We cannot condone such behavior."