Chapter 17: Situation, Mentor!

About half an hour later, Suo Ningbing returned to the carriage, her expression solemn.

"Sister, is the situation very serious?" Lanling asked.

"It's Vice Dean Luo Ge, he's adamant about expelling you," Suo Ningbing said. "He is Tutor Niya's mentor."

In this world, only direct disciples could address someone as mentor; others were usually referred to as tutors.

"It's that bitch Zhi Ning again," Lanling said coldly. After coming to this other world, the person he hated the most was this Commandery Princess Zhi Ning.

Hearing Lanling curse, Suo Ningbing wasn't displeased. On the contrary, she felt that if Suo Lun had been as wise as Lanling, he wouldn't have died a violent death.

"Has the academy committee already passed the resolution to expel me?" Lanling asked.

Suo Ningbing said, "Luo Ge is the academy's first vice dean, and also the principal of the nobles' branch. He has the power to expel you without going through the academy committee."

At any other time, being expelled would have been no big deal; it wouldn't have mattered whether he attended the Royal City Academy. But now, it was a matter that affected the succession of noble titles. Once expelled from the Royal City Academy, Lanling's chance of inheriting the title would be absolutely nil.

One could draw a conclusion from this: Duke Zhi Ting had indeed been diligently working after receiving the money. Zhi Li and Zhi Ning must have felt the pressure to resort to such a despicable scheme.

Historically, the Royal City Academy had never expelled a noble student. Vice Dean Luo Ge was breaking the norm this time, and that would come at a certain cost.

Therefore, the expulsion of Suo Lun was definitely Princess Zhi Ning's doing, with the goal of preventing Lanling from smoothly inheriting the title.

"Who can change this decision and make the academy rescind its order?" Lanling asked.

"Marquis Jian Yong, the principal," Suo Ningbing said.

Lanling asked, "What is our relationship with him, as the Suo Family?"

"Not good," Suo Ningbing said. "He has given up his family territory and immersed himself deeply in academia, holding himself with high esteem and harboring a strong dislike for students like Suo Lun."

Jingyu was silent for a moment, then said, "It's definitely impossible to persuade the principal. He and Suo Lun have a deep grudge."

Lanling was startled. Suo Lun was a minor character; Principal Jian Yong was a major figure. They were worlds apart in status; it didn't seem likely they would have such a deep grudge.

Jingyu said, "According to rumors, the tutor Niya Suo Lun was involved with was actually Principal Jian Yong's daughter-in-law, and they were caught in the act. Due to the shame it brought to the family and the inability to take personal revenge, Principal Jian Yong would love to tear Suo Lun apart."

Lanling nearly spat out a mouthful of blood in shock. Suo Lun really knew how to court death, not only having an affair with a tutor but also with the principal's daughter-in-law.

In this situation, the principal not killing you would already be considered noble and open-minded, and yet you expect him to help? That's completely delusional; drowning oneself in the sea would be simpler.

Lanling asked, "Can Duke Zhi Ting step in?"

Suo Ningbing shook her head and said, "The Royal City Academy is quite detached. The royal family doesn't easily interfere. Asking Duke Zhi Ting to step in would only backfire. The academy despises nothing more than a leech like Duke Zhi Ting."

In that case, were they completely out of options?

Could he only watch as he was expelled, then be unable to inherit the title, and then witness the Suo Family permanently lose their noble title and the Tianshui City Territory?

The terrible situation Suo Ningbing would face if they lost the land and title was obvious.

This couldn't be allowed to happen; he had to make the academy rescind its order.

Taking a deep breath, Lanling said, "Sister, given the circumstances, we can only survive by acting as if we're at the brink of death. We must make Principal Jian Yong rescind his order."

Suo Ningbing asked, "Do you have a plan?"

Lanling said, "Didn't Suo Lun previously have an illicit affair with the principal's daughter-in-law, Tutor Niya? Now I'll go see her as Suo Lun and ask for her help. She is Principal Jian Yong's daughter-in-law; perhaps she can persuade him to rescind his order."

At these words, Suo Ningbing and Jingyu were stunned.

Was this a suicide mission?

After the previous scandalous capture, the matter had barely been suppressed. No one saw each other, and now he was planning to approach that woman again? Principal Jian Yong would probably tear Lanling apart and feed him to the griffins.

"You're going to meet Suo Lun's former lover, Tutor Niya?" Jingyu said. "You must realize that Tutor Niya and Suo Lun were supposed to be dead to each other after the affair was exposed. At the time, Suo Lun barely escaped with his life, and now you are Suo Lun. Are you planning to reignite the affair with her? You're courting death!"

Lanling said, "That's why I say we must act as if we're at the brink of death; this should be the only way."

Jingyu and Suo Ningbing fell silent, unsure of what decision to make or path to take.

Lanling said, "I am the only man in the family; let's go with this plan. Is this female tutor still at the academy?"

Jingyu shook her head and said, "Not anymore. After being caught with Suo Lun, she was transferred away from the Royal City Academy to Lingfeng Province in the northern governorate."

Lingfeng Province in the northern governorate was one thousand two hundred miles from Wangcheng Zidu.

Suddenly Suo Ningbing said, "Why was I not aware of all these things?"

Jingyu replied, "My lady has too much to worry about. We handled some of the troubles caused by Young Master Suo Lun privately, without letting you know."

Suo Ningbing glared fiercely at Jingyu but was completely at a loss for what to do. Moreover, being so stunningly beautiful and gentle as water, even her stern glare held no intimidating power and only made her seem more tender and lovely.

Heading home, Lanling said, "We're going back immediately. I will carefully imitate every move of Suo Lun and fully understand Tutor Niya. Tomorrow morning, I'll go to Lingfeng Province in the northern governorate to find her."

Lanling's words were resolute. She was originally an imposter, playing the role of a puppet. But her decision, filled with a sense of self-will and responsibility, gave Suo Ningbing an inexplicable sense of security.

Ever since Earl Suo Long fell ill, Suo Ningbing had been in charge of everything in the Suo Family, and her heart was worn down. She longed for a shoulder to lean on. Now, that shoulder seemed to have appeared, even if it was still immature.

"Alright, sister will listen to you; you call the shots," Suo Ningbing said. "Tomorrow, I'll have Jingyu accompany you to find Tutor Niya."