On the main hall, after Ye Yiming finished speaking, many ministers had complex expressions on their faces. Although Ye Yiming explained the concept of etiquette and how it constrains people in his speech, emphasizing the difference between humans and animals lies in the presence or absence of etiquette, Prime Minister Wu's recent remarks, urging Ye Yiming to stay and then ignoring him, criticizing Duke Wuguo's inadequate discipline, and scolding Ye Yiming as a fatherless child who lacks education, were completely contrary to the spirit of "gentleness, frugality, and yielding to highlight etiquette."

With such lack of restraint and unwillingness to yield, how could Prime Minister Wu bear the title of a gentleman? This posed a dilemma for Prime Minister Wu, who had always claimed to be under the guidance of sages and lived his life as a gentleman. How could he face the world as a gentleman? How could he face the many disciples under his guidance, continue to serve as the Grand Preceptor of the court, and educate the current Crown Prince?

Thinking about this, Prime Minister Wu became even more embarrassed, filled with regret and remorse.

Oh, after all, he's an old man. Was what I did a bit too much?

Seeing this, Ye Yiming felt a bit sorry. He had something else to say, but in the end, Ye Yiming sighed inwardly, shook his head slightly, and said softly, "Your Excellency, the use of etiquette is most important!"

The use of etiquette, the importance of harmony?

Ha! What a clever use of etiquette and the importance of harmony?

Alas! Although I've always taken the behavior of a gentleman as a model since I was young, how is my recent behavior any different from that of a villain? It's a disgrace to have read so many books of sages and wise men, only to act in such a way that tarnishes the reputation of sages!

I, I feel ashamed!

Thinking of this, Prime Minister Wu's complexion became even more difficult to look at, and his regret surged.

Hmm, since he's just a young man, was I a bit too harsh?

Ye Yiming felt angry. He hadn't encountered such a person before. Clearly, he was in the wrong, but in the end, everything was brushed aside just because he was a prime minister? Just because he had three thousand disciples? Were all his actions considered exemplary by everyone?

Alright! Since this old man cares so much about his reputation, I'll let it be known today!

Ye Yiming sneered coldly and asked Prime Minister Wu, "Oh, does Your Excellency mean that I'm not qualified to speak about you?"

Prime Minister Wu snorted and said, "Naturally. You, a useless and pampered child, dare to come and comment on me based on some article you stumbled upon? Ridiculous!"

After Prime Minister Wu finished speaking, General Li immediately chimed in, "Exactly! Ye Yiming, everyone here knows what kind of person you are. How dare you make baseless comments about His Excellency? It's laughable. Do you all agree, gentlemen?" General Li looked around at the civil and military officials.

Many ministers present nodded in agreement with General Li's words. Even those military officials close to Duke Wuguo couldn't help but agree with General Li's statement at this moment, especially considering Ye Yiming's fame in the capital.

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Ye Yiming paid no attention to the opinions of the people present. He stared at Prime Minister Wu and said, "Your Excellency often says 'people cannot be judged by appearances.' Just because I'm a bit spoiled, does that mean you can dismiss me? Is the Grand Preceptor of a country as shallow as that?"

Upon hearing Ye Yiming's words, Prime Minister Wu became furious. Ye Yiming's implication was clear: he was suggesting that Prime Minister Wu lacked etiquette compared to him. Furthermore, it hinted that Prime Minister Wu didn't understand frugality and yielding, going against the behavior expected of a gentleman.

Prime Minister Wu forced himself to ignore this and waved his sleeve forcefully, saying, "Humph, you are right about one thing: where there are three people, there must be someone I can learn from. I am willing to learn, but I wonder, what strengths does the Duke of a small country like you have that would make me willingly learn from you?"

Prime Minister Wu paused here, then chuckled lightly and continued, "If the Duke of a small country wants me to learn his ways of indulgence, then there's no need. I know I can't learn that."

"Hahaha!" As soon as Prime Minister Wu finished speaking, General Li burst into laughter. He mocked Ye Yiming, "Duke of a small country, His Excellency is right. You indeed excel in indulgence. No one here can match you in that regard. But do you really want to criticize His Excellency based on this 'skill'? That's too laughable! Hahaha!"

General Li's laughter grew louder towards the end, and many officials nearby also chuckled lightly.

Ye Yiming ignored General Li's mockery and continued to stare at Prime Minister Wu, saying, "Your Excellency often says 'people cannot be judged by appearances.' Does that mean you deny my worth just because I'm a bit spoiled? Does it mean that the Grand Preceptor of a country is so superficial?"

Upon hearing Ye Yiming's words, Prime Minister Wu pretended to be surprised and said, "Oh, does the Duke of a small country have hidden talents? Are your hidden talents extraordinary, making you a scholar of great learning and talent?"

Ye Yiming chuckled, pretending to be caught off guard, and said shyly, "Oh, have you found me?"

Prime Minister Wu was initially stunned, then he seemed to understand something. Ye Yiming appeared to be teasing him, which made Prime Minister Wu angry. "Nonsense, how dare you mock me?"

Ye Yiming waved his hand repeatedly and said, "How would I dare mock Your Excellency? There's a saying, 'Even a seven-year-old saint has wisdom!' You should be familiar with this story, Your Excellency! Although I'm not a saint, it seems that Your Excellency is not an absolute sage either!"

The story of 'Even a seven-year-old saint has wisdom' is a famous historical anecdote. It tells of the seven-year-old prodigy Qi Jiacheng, who encountered the renowned literary genius Bi Xing. Due to his mischievous nature and ignorance of Bi Xing's identity, Qi Jiacheng played tricks on Bi Xing.

Bi Xing, being a literary figure and a genius, would not stoop to argue with a seven-year-old child. Instead, he taught and enlightened Qi Jiacheng.

However, when Qi Jiacheng, at the young age of seven, grew impatient with Bi Xing's lectures, he said, "We are just strangers who happened to meet by chance. What right do you have to teach me just because you are older? Aren't we all equal from birth? Just because you are older, does that give you the right to educate me?"

These words were just the impulsive remarks of a seven-year-old child. However, when Bi Xing heard them, he stood still for a moment, then suddenly realized the profound truth in Qi Jiacheng's words. He sighed deeply and said, "Alas, I have studied the books of sages in vain. I am not as enlightened as this child, who understands that everyone is born equal. Indeed, even a seven-year-old child can have great wisdom!"

Bi Xing then took Qi Jiacheng as his disciple and made "everyone is born equal" his lifelong principle. In his later years, Bi Xing became a sage, and Qi Jiacheng, under his guidance, also followed the principle of equality throughout his life, eventually becoming a sage as well. Together, they created the famous saying, "Two sages in a century" which became widely known and respected.

The anecdote of 'even a seven-year-old saint has wisdom' was well-known, and Prime Minister Wu naturally understood it. Even someone as blunt as General Li would probably be familiar with this story.