I Became the Eye Candy: Four Bigshots Claimed to be My Dad?-Chapter 143: Bringing Up Seniority

"Speaking of which, most of you here are graduates of Lou Mountain Academy. According to the academy’s hierarchy, none of you can match this girl’s seniority. I trust you will all look after her in the future," Dean Chen added, his gaze sweeping over the crowd.

...

Hah!

The crowd was stunned for a few seconds, and a kaleidoscope of expressions flashed across their faces.

’Dean Chen has some real nerve, bringing up seniority just like that.’

’It was true. When it came to academy seniority, no one outranked the Dean’s personal disciple. But surely he didn’t expect them to address a six-year-old child with a title befitting her rank?’

Zhan Yi blinked. ’He and his little rascal of a son were both graduates of Lou Mountain Academy. By that logic, this girl was a full generation senior to his son.’

’This was just absurd.’

Prince Changyang and Prince Helian were also in attendance. Upon hearing this, they both felt something was amiss. Most of the imperial princes and princesses of successive generations had studied at the academy.

’Sigh...’

’They couldn’t possibly go by seniority. If they did, the little girl’s rank would be far too high.’

Xiang Minghou rubbed his nose. ’As her father, he was surely exempt from this, right?’

"Heh heh."

Old Gu, however, chuckled, his face beaming like a spring morning. ’He and Dean Chen were peers, so it would work out just fine if the little girl took him as her godfather.’

Gu Shuo knew his grandfather well. Hearing the chuckle, he turned his head and shot the old man a glare. ’The old master was definitely thinking about seniority. With this move, Dean Chen had effectively demoted all of them a generation.’

Even Qian Fanji’s placid expression stiffened for a moment.

Although Ye Qianning didn’t have social anxiety, she felt incredibly awkward. ’Most importantly, her father was also an alumnus of the academy. Wouldn’t that make things a complete mess?’

"Respect for one’s teachers and their teachings is the first lesson the academy imparts to all its students. In the future, I expect all of you to look out for my personal disciple and keep her safe. The Capital City is only so large, and Lou Mountain Academy alumni account for more than half its prominent figures. If all of you can’t even protect one little girl, wouldn’t you become a laughingstock if word got out? Am I wrong?"

Before the crowd could even recover, Dean Chen spoke again.

Uhm...

The crowd lowered their eyes. ’Those words from Dean Chen...’

’So everyone who graduated from Lou Mountain Academy had to protect this little girl?’

’Of course, many of them wouldn’t take it seriously!’

After a moment of thought, Xiang Minghou understood Dean Chen’s true intentions.

Ye Qianning’s heart stirred.

"If anything happens to this child on anyone’s watch, I, Chen Rentian, will pursue the matter to the very end." Dean Chen’s voice was loud, clear, and carried a formidable weight. 𝗳𝐫𝚎𝗲𝚠𝚎𝗯𝕟𝐨𝘃𝚎𝗹.𝗰𝗼𝗺

Those who knew Dean Chen understood that his words were not just for show.

Dean Chen was incredibly knowledgeable, with an influence that could not be underestimated. Nothing that happened in any of the great households of the Capital City escaped his notice.

He knew the temperament of every member of those families like the back of his hand. Being noticed by Dean Chen was never a good thing.

"Dean, you can rest assured. If anyone in the Capital City dares to touch her, the Song family will be the first to object," someone from the crowd below called out as they stood up.

"Exactly! Dean Chen has spoken. We must protect her."

"By seniority, she’s my martial aunt! Don’t worry, Dean, we will be sure to protect our young martial aunt."

Once one person spoke up, a second followed. After all, no one dared to openly defy Dean Chen.

There were, of course, exceptions. Prime Minister Gao and his faction merely watched, their expressions utterly disrespectful. ’Granting seniority to a child who’s barely been weaned? Ridiculous!’

’If it weren’t for the principle of the Two Polarities, he never would have gone to Lou Mountain in the first place.’

"The Dean has said more than enough. Shouldn’t it be time to start the feast?" Prime Minister Gao said coldly.

"Patience, Prime Minister Gao. We’re not quite ready," Dean Chen replied, looking his way.

"You’ve finished introducing your precious little disciple. What else could you possibly be waiting for, Dean? Surely you don’t intend to make every graduate of the academy here kowtow to this child?" Prime Minister Gao sneered.