This son-in-law is wicked in a good way!

Now that he knows he has Prince Chu as his backer, what does Zhang Ping'an have to worry about?

He looked at Zhang Qi with a playful expression: "You want me to forgive you, is that it? Well, it's not impossible."

"But simply returning the banknotes is not enough."

Zhang Qi suppressed his anger: "Then what else do you want?"

Zhang Ping'an beckoned with his finger: "Come here!"

Zhang Qi leaned closer.

Snapped!

Zhang Pingan slapped it on the head.

A bright red handprint appeared on Zhang Qi's face, and blood flowed from the corner of his mouth.

Zhang Qi covered his face and screamed in agony, his eyes filled with hatred as if he wanted to devour Zhang Ping'an alive.

"Come here!" Zhang Ping'an continued to beckon.

Zhang Qi roared, "Zhang Ping'an, you fucking went too far!"

Zhang Ping'an looked at Zhang Xuanling and spread his hands: "I'm sorry, it's not that I don't want to forgive you, it's just that your apology is too insincere."

Zhang Xuanling's lips twitched, and he gritted his teeth and roared, "You unfilial son, even if Ping An beats you to death today, you will still beg for his forgiveness with a smile."

"Otherwise, you wouldn't be a son of the Zhang family!"

Zhang Qi shuddered; this meant he was being expelled from the family!

"Ping An, I was wrong. You can hit me or scold me all you want, as long as you can forgive me..."

Zhang Qi was about to play the victim and gain Zhang Ping'an's sympathy, but before he could finish speaking, Zhang Ping'an had already rushed forward.

Every punch landed squarely, making for a thoroughly enjoyable and satisfying fight.

This punch is the original body taking the blame for you, punishing you for being ungrateful.

This punch is for the humiliation you caused to the original body since childhood.

This punch is for framing me...

Zhang Ping'an only stopped when his hands were sore from hitting Zhang Qi and Zhang Qi was lying on the ground, barely alive.

"Phew, that felt great!"

"Lord Zhang, I forgive you."

Zhang Ping'an rubbed his fists and grinned broadly, looking very happy.

Ever since he transmigrated to this world, the original owner and the resentment he had been holding in finally found an outlet.

Zhang Xuanling glanced at his eldest son's miserable state and could hardly bear to look at him.

He desperately wanted to tear Zhang Ping'an, that rebellious son, to pieces, but he dared not show the slightest dissatisfaction on his face.

"Ping An, I'm glad you're satisfied."

"I'm taking your older brother to see a doctor first. Don't forget to come home and visit when you have time; your mother misses you very much."

"Madam, I must take my leave now."

After uttering a few polite words, Zhang Xuanling and Zhang Qi slunk away.

The rest of the Lu family members all turned their attention to Zhang Ping'an.

Su Xiu'e looked Zhang Ping'an up and down, as if trying to get a clear look at him.

As the mistress of the Prime Minister's residence and the daughter of the prominent Su family in Qingzhou, Su Xiu'e quickly understood Zhang Xuanling's predicament after a little thought.

However, she had no intention of investigating who was behind Zhang Ping'an. As long as it wasn't the current emperor, what did her Prime Minister's residence have to fear?

"Since it's all a misunderstanding, you can keep the money!"

Two thousand taels of silver notes—Su Xiu'e wouldn't embezzle them.

"Madam Xie!"

Zhang Ping'an took it, and immediately felt a deep sense of security.

Money is a man's face, his greatest source of confidence.

"Yes." Su Xiu'e nodded slightly and left with her maid.

The remaining three siblings, Zhang Ping'an and Lu Qingyin, stared at each other blankly.

Lu Qingyin was somewhat afraid to meet Zhang Ping'an's gaze. After all, not long ago, she had angrily denounced Zhang Ping'an as a thief who was unworthy of her, a lady from a prominent family.

I didn't expect to be proven wrong so quickly.

However, ultimately, a statement must be made.

"Um... I'm sorry, I misunderstood you because I believed the rumors."

Zhang Ping'an shook his head: "It's alright, I'm used to it."

"I'll head back now if there's nothing else."

After saying that, he raised an eyebrow at Lu Wenhao, whose face was flushed.

Lu Wenhao's delicate face immediately turned even redder.

After all, his return from the academy this time was specifically aimed at Zhang Ping'an.

And this incriminating evidence of theft was his only leverage.

Now they're suddenly telling him that Zhang Ping'an was framed.

Then his behavior just now seemed extremely childish and ridiculous!

Damn it, it's all that bastard Zhang Qi's fault!

However, it's absolutely impossible for him to apologize to Zhang Ping'an; at most, he'll just avoid causing him trouble.

"Sister, I have things to do at the academy, so I'll head back now."

Before Lu Qingyin could speak, Lu Wenhao preemptively threw out a sentence, turned around, and slipped away without looking back.

After resting for a while, Zhang Ping'an left the Prime Minister's residence, hired a carriage, and headed towards the academy.

The academy is located on Bailu Mountain in the northwest corner of the capital, covering a vast area. It took Zhang Ping'an a quarter of an hour to reach the foot of the mountain.

At first glance, Bailu Mountain is shrouded in mist, and the academy halfway up the mountain looks like a fairyland.

At the foot of the mountain, the surrounding buildings are all ancient, exuding a sense of vicissitude and desolation after the passage of time.

This place has a history spanning thousands of years and has stood the test of time through four kingdoms; it is a sacred place for scholars from all over the world.

Even the most brutal battle to defend the capital between the Great Wu Dynasty and the previous Great Qing Dynasty did not affect the academy in the slightest.

The founding emperor of the Great Wu Dynasty, known as the Blood-Handed Butcher, massacred the entire capital after conquering it, but he spared no attention for the academy.

Many people even survived because they sought refuge in the academy.

Although the academies have gradually declined in recent years due to factional struggles and the loss of the scholars to the Imperial Academy, they remain a sacred place in the hearts of many scholars.

clang!

A bell tolls, echoing through the valley.

Dressed in a long blue robe, Zhang Ping'an, filled with anticipation, slowly stepped onto the stone steps.

After walking for more than ten meters, a five-meter-high boulder stands on the mountainside, with two large characters carved with an ancient feel.

Academy!

These two words seemed to contain the secrets of the universe, and a vast ocean of knowledge rushed towards him.

He seemed to see a giant dressed in a white robe, with a smile on his face, holding a carving knife, carving the two characters into the stone stroke by stroke.

Upon reaching the mountainside, there are numerous buildings on a flat area.

The main hall, pavilions, and sleeping quarters are large enough to accommodate thousands of people.

Zhang Ping'an walked along without any guards.

This was also a rule set by the academy's founder, Wen Sheng.

Books are the carriers of human civilization, and the purpose of the academy is to pass on human civilization from generation to generation.

Whether you are a high-ranking official or a humble laborer, as long as you are not a heinous criminal, you can come to the academy to study.

Rather than saying that academies are a sacred place for scholars, it would be more accurate to say that academies are a sacred place for all humankind.

In front of the main hall, many students dressed in white robes were reading aloud, swaying their heads as they read.

Many people also gazed at the sky in deep thought.

Zhang Ping'an approached two students who were chatting and inquired about Yang Tai and Zhang Xiaoru.

Upon hearing that he had come to see two great scholars, the two students were very enthusiastic and led Zhang Ping'an directly to a quiet courtyard behind the main hall.

"This is where the two great scholars rested."

"Thank you, brother!" Zhang Ping'an bowed.

"Brother, you're too kind. I'll head back to my studies now."

Watching the young man, who was about his age, turn and leave, Zhang Ping'an nodded to himself. The atmosphere was quite good; it was a place where one could focus on scholarship.

"Haha, Young Master Li, we've been waiting for you!"

Yang Tai, dressed in a long black robe, strode out of the room upon hearing the commotion. When he saw Zhang Ping'an, he ran out to greet him, even though he was missing one shoe.

Zhang Ping'an was extremely apprehensive and hurriedly bowed, saying, "Mr. Yang, what merit or ability do I possess to deserve such a warm welcome from you!"