The Good Grandson of the Red Chamber

Chapter 37: Giving You a Chance to Prove It

Before the carriage of Prince Zhongzheng entered the Confucian Temple, a eunuch announced in public:

"His Majesty is aware of your gathering and petition, and has specially ordered Xia Chengzong, the third son of the Prince of Zhongzheng, to come and confront you face to face, to clarify right and wrong, and to set the record straight."

boom!

This news was like a boulder thrown into a calm lake, instantly creating a huge wave.

The students and passersby at the scene were all shocked by the news.

None of them expected that the Emperor would actually send his third grandson to personally defend the matter.

Is the Emperor going to abandon this grandson in order to quell public anger?

The local people were discussing it animatedly.

Even the hundreds of students began to whisper among themselves.

Amidst the uproar at the scene, Prince Chungjang's carriage drove into the open space.

The noise at the scene gradually subsided, and everyone craned their necks, wanting to see just how unruly this arrogant and domineering third prince really was.

Dr. Song got off the carriage first, and then helped Xia Chengzong down from the carriage.

Hundreds of students and passersby in the front row were all taken aback when they first saw Xia Chengzong.

This third grandson of the emperor was born with a fair complexion and was extremely handsome.

How could such a person commit such an evil deed?

Is there some misunderstanding here?

Whether in ancient or modern times, we live in an era that values ​​appearance.

People who are good-looking tend to receive more leniency.

After getting off the carriage, Xia Chengzong led the way, followed by Dr. Song. The two stopped when they were about ten feet away from the hundreds of students.

Xia Chengzong was only a seven-year-old child, while Dr. Song was already very old.

Two figures, one old and one young, faced hundreds of young students, a vast disparity in numbers.

However, Xia Chengzong remained calm and composed, showing no fear whatsoever.

In terms of sheer presence, he was in no way inferior.

He asked, "Who is the leader among you? Please come forward and answer me."

When Lu Ren saw Dr. Song, he shrank into the crowd, afraid of being seen by him.

As soon as Xia Chengzong spoke, the students all turned around, exposing him.

Lu Ren had no choice but to awkwardly stand in front.

Dr. Song only knew that someone was causing trouble, but he didn't know that Lu Ren was the leader.

Now that he knew the truth, he was furious. He shouted, "Lu Ren, didn't I tell you that the theory of derivatives was developed by Young Master Zong?"

"You're still my disciple, and now you don't even listen to your master? I'm truly furious! Why aren't you coming back with me at this moment?"

Lu Ren's face turned pale, then red, then purple. He avoided Dr. Song's gaze, not daring to meet his eyes.

However, he did not give in. Now, there was no turning back for him.

Lu Ren said, "You may tolerate this, sir, but I cannot! I am not doing this for myself, but for the sake of justice and righteousness!"

"The students want to expose this academic darkness and create a bright future for those who come after. Therefore, the students cannot follow the professor, and we beg the professor's forgiveness!"

"you!"

Dr. Song was furious. He had a volatile temper and was about to attack.

Xia Chengzong pulled him back, patted his arm, and said, "Sir, let me do it."

Dr. Song took a deep breath and said, "I'm sorry to have troubled you, Young Master Zong. I'll be there to cover for you."

After saying that, Dr. Song stepped back behind Xia Chengzong.

Xia Chengzong inquired about Lu Ren's name and then asked:

"You said that I stole Dr. Song's work on the book 'Theory of Derivatives,' but Dr. Song publicly denied this. Do you still believe that I plagiarized Dr. Song's work?"

Lu Ren felt immense pressure facing a seven-year-old child who only reached his waist.

He took a deep breath and said, "Yes, it was you who plagiarized my husband's work."

"Even princes are subject to the same laws as commoners. Even if you are a prince, you cannot tarnish scholarship or steal others' work without cause!"

Xia Chengzong asked, "Do you have any evidence?"

Lu Ren: "What evidence is needed? The young master is only seven years old, how could he possibly have figured out derivatives?"

Xia Chengzong laughed and said, "So you didn't have any evidence and just concluded that I plagiarized Dr. Song's work based on mere speculation?"

"Xiang Tuo stumped Confucius at seven, Gan Luo became prime minister at twelve, and Luo Binwang could compose poetry at seven. Why can't I do the same?"

Lu Ren said, "How can mathematics and poetry be compared? Mathematics requires a lot of time to study, and at your age, it's impossible for you to figure out derivatives."

Xia Chengzong sneered, "I see you as a foreign spy, framing my Great Qian Emperor's grandson and attempting to undermine the foundation of my Great Qian nation. I'm going to order your imprisonment. Do you accept that?"

Hearing these words, Lu Ren was both shocked and furious.

Hundreds of students and passersby in the front row all turned pale.

This grandson of the emperor, who looks handsome, is unexpectedly so arrogant. He even tried to frame someone in front of everyone, showing no leniency whatsoever.

Lu Ren exclaimed in shock and anger, "You, you're framing me! I won't accept this!"

"You have no evidence whatsoever, so why do you accuse me of being a foreign spy? You're making baseless accusations!"

Xia Chengzong sneered, "Oh, so now you know it's all baseless evidence? You're angry and resentful too?"

"You have no evidence whatsoever, so how can you openly accuse me of plagiarizing Dr. Song's work?"

Upon hearing this, the people around realized that the Third Young Master did not actually intend to frame someone and have them imprisoned.

Instead, we should use their own spear to attack their own shield.

Yes, he, a poor man, was able to frame the imperial grandson without any evidence.

Why can't the imperial grandson falsely accuse him without any evidence?

Why can't others do what you do?

For a moment, Lu Ren was speechless.

After a long pause, he finally said, "This is different. You are only seven years old; it's impossible for you to study derivatives. This is not difficult to deduce and requires no proof!"

Xia Chengzong sneered, "What I can't stand the most is your attitude—framing people without any evidence and then claiming that no proof is needed!"

"If you were to enter the court as an official in the future, wouldn't you become like Qin Hui, able to frame and kill loyal ministers and generals with fabricated charges?"

"I could have given them a taste of their own medicine, but I doubt you'd accept that!"

"So you're saying that at my age, I can't derive the derivative! But if you give me three problems, I can solve them all."

"Can it be proven that the derivative was derived by me?"

"I didn't need to do this to prove my innocence, but I'm giving you a chance now. It's up to you whether you want to seize it."

Upon hearing this, Lu Ren was overjoyed.

He hurriedly said loudly, "Okay, I'll give you three problems. If you can solve them all, it will prove that this book on derivative theory is indeed your work."

Xia Chengzong nodded and said, "Remember your words, and everyone present will be a witness!"

After saying this, Xia Chengzong waved his hand, and immediately several eunuchs brought over a wooden board and a few charcoal pencils.

Xia Chengzong said, "You set the question. In broad daylight, under the clear sky, with everyone watching, I can't cheat!"

"good!"

Lu Ren pondered for a moment, then picked up his charcoal pencil and began to formulate a question.

He had never used charcoal pencils before, so he was a little unaccustomed to them, and his handwriting was somewhat messy, but still legible.