Work spread about the Jin heirs and their being punished after insulting and nearly harming Wei Ying. Many were surprised to hear that someone would have the guts to do such a thing. Many have met Wei Ying and found him to be a very nice and polite young man. The disciples soon started to glare at the two Jin's, and even gossip about them.

"The Jin Sect has always been so arrogant and feels they are better than anyone else," A Nie disciple said to his friends beside him.

"They all think their shit doesn't stick," said another disciple, "they are just as bad as the Wen Sect. But even the Wen Sect have standards and don't stoop to such a level."

"That you know of," Said the Nie disciple, "it wouldn't surprise me if the two work together."

Jin Zixuan growled and slammed his hands on the table in front of him, "if you have something to say, say it to my face."

"How could you let your cousin do such a thing?" The Nie disciple asked, "why do you hate Young Master Wei? He is considered an heir here. Who cares if he is adopted or not."

"I tried to get him to stop, he has always been that way. It's not my fault he has a piss pour attitude," Jin Zixuan said.

"Well, get a handle on him before he embarrasses you and your sect any further," another disciple said.

Jin Zixuan was about to say something more when a throat cleared at the front of the lecture hall. Lan Qiren had arrived for morning classes to begin. Wei Ying was sitting beside Wangji as before. Wei Ying acted like nothing happened as he sat patiently. He did pass a smile towards Wangji when he looked Wei Ying's direction.

"Gossip is forbidden," Lan Qiren stated, "any more of that nonsense and I will make you all spend the class period writing."

The class was silent and didn't even try to argue back. It was best anyway, no one would dare to talk back to Lan Qiren and not be punished for it. Lan Qiren was already a strict man as it was, no one wanted to be his target.

"Alright," Lan Qiren said, "now that I have your attention, I want to make an announcement. Though the lectures have just begun not long ago, during the halfway mark there will be a night hunt planned for you all. It is to help get some of your pent up energy out while doing your job as cultivators. It will be after your midterm exams. There will also be one more night hunt towards the end of the lectures to let you have one last time out with your fellow students before you head home. Just know you will be monitored closely and if there is any instructors who say someone is unfit to join the hunt, there will be something for you to do in the meantime."

A Jiang disciple rose their hand, "is there a punishment involved?"

"Aside from not being able to attend the night hunt, you will be spending the day with one of the instructors to monitor you while you write," Lan Qiren told him, "now, until then, be mindful of others around you and do not forget about the rules here. Some of you have either broken them already or have come close."

The class just nodded. Lan Qiren soon continued on with the rest of the lecture. Wei Ying was attentive. His hands rested on his lap as he listened. After some time, Lan Qiren had the class read quietly and write an essay about what they just learned. At that time, Qingheng Jun had entered the room to help watch over the students. The two men walked up and down the rows between desks and watched over the students as they worked.

Some students were a bit devious and tried passing note around. They were caught quickly and quietly scolded for disturbing the rest of the class. The students had to finish the essay before they could leave class. Once it was time to dismiss the students, only two thirds of the students were dismissed as they managed to finish on time. The others were to stay until they were done.

Wei Ying and Wangji were among the first to finish and left as soon as they were able. Wangji took Wei Ying to spend some time together. They would just be at the Jingshi. Wangji had some snacks prepared and hot tea brewed.

"It seems people turned on Jin Zixuan and his cousin very quickly after hearing what they did," Wei Ying said as he sat down at the table with Wangji.

"Many know that they should not insult Shufu's adopted son. It is just a step closer to their demise," Wangji stated, "if I was not busy I would have probably caused harm."

Wei Ying laughed, "I had a feeling that you'd say that," he said, "though their words still hurt, I have learned to ignore it. It's best not to indulge them in any way. Trying to fight back or argue back would be pointless."

"It's still not right to say such things," Wangji said, "you are family, Wei Ying. Not only that, but you have a very powerful relative who would strike down anyone who tried to harm you."

"That is true," Wei Ying said as he nibbled in a moon cake, "as much grievances as I dealt with at her mountain, I do miss her."

"You are allowed to miss her and still be wary of her," Wangji said, "she did cause you some distress."

"I get she was worried but I'm still surprised she never knew about my father's condition. Why do you think my mom kept it from her?" Wei Ying asked.

"I'm not sure," Wangji replied, "perhaps she didn't know how Baoshan would react. Given how she reacted to you, it was understandable to think that."

Wei Ying nodded, "I need to train more but it's hard to do that with all these people around."

"We have private sessions set up each evening," Wangji said.

"I still worry about someone finding out," Wei Ying said, "word would spread that the Lan Sect is protecting a demonic cultivator."

"We have ways of keeping people away while we train, remember," Wangji reminded.

Wei Ying sighed, "yes," he said, "I just worry is all."

"I am here for you, Wei Ying," Wangji told him, "it is a promise and I do not break promises."

"You don't make promises enough for you to even break them," Wei Ying said.

"But when I do, I mean it," Wangji said.

Wei Ying nodded. Wangji had already proven himself to Wei Ying as it is. Wei Ying's doubts about Wangji abandoning him were no longer valid. He trusted Wangji with his life and he wanted to keep it that way.