Zhao Rong was often just one of "the majority of members," but he feared that he or someone he cared about would become one of "a few members," so he opposed.
Just like now, Zhao Rong had already noticed signs of this attitude from the students of Shuaixing Hall towards him.
Zhao Rong slightly shook his head.
However, after glancing at the earnest expression on Yu Huaijin’s face, his spirits rose slightly. It seemed that she was not as dull and insensitive as he had previously thought.
He thought to himself.
It was just that her constant stern face made it no wonder people found her uninteresting. Who knew what Yu Huaijin would look like if she smiled...
Seeing that Yu Huaijin was unusually amenable, Fan Yushu cleared his throat lightly and glanced at her, "Senior Yu, I have another matter."
"What is it?" Yu Huaijin’s gaze sharpened, "You may tell me."
Fan Yushu furrowed his brow and looked somber, "I returned to my family estate a few days ago and felt unwell, so I consulted the family doctor. The doctor told me that I have a physical ailment."
Zhao Rong’s eyelids slightly lifted as he looked at the serious Fan Yushu.
Yu Huaijin said, "What ailment? If it’s serious, I can help you ask the Sacrificial Officer for leave, but we would also need to inform your family."
Fan Yushu exhaled deeply and shook his head, "It is nothing serious, no need for leave. However," he sighed, "Well..."
Without a word, Yu Huaijin kept her eyes on the sorrowful Fan Yushu.
Fan Yushu raised his head and said earnestly, "I have this strange ailment where I feel dizzy at the sight of dense text. Senior Yu, I do want to work hard, but this affliction is just too strong, and it has beaten me. Now, when I look at books, I feel dizzy. Maybe, could you give me a couple of days off? Once I’ve regained some strength, I’ll see if I can try to overcome it."
Zhao Rong’s mouth twitched, thinking to himself that it sounded more like laziness.
Fan Yushu was still watched over silently by Yu Huaijin at the stone table, continuing his assignments diligently under the rule of the ruler and was not allowed to leave until he finished.
After seeing Fan Yushu settle down, Yu Huaijin turned to Zhao Rong.
She extended a finger and gently pushed the "ordinary guqin" forward.
Zhao Rong heaved a sigh and looked down at the guqin.
It was entirely lacquered in purple, with multiple spots patched and repaired, of ordinary design.
He plucked its strings lightly, and the sound was warm and clear.
Zhao Rong suddenly asked, "Does this guqin have a name?"
Yu Huaijin was silent for only a moment before answering directly, "Nine Heavens Cloud Pendant."
Zhao Rong nodded, "Good name."
Then he cut straight to the point,
"I won’t hold back Shuaixing Hall in the upcoming mid-monthly exam, so you don’t need to give me extra lessons. It wastes both my time and your energy. With that effort... you might as well supervise Brother Yushu to copy a few more pieces of Poetry and Classics."
Zhao Rong had previously learned about some of the scoring rules for the mid-monthly exams from Jia Tengying. As a Confucian Scholar proficient in the Seven Liberal Arts, he had weaknesses in a few areas, but in major disciplines like Poetry and Classics, he still had some confidence.
Zhao Rong did a conservative estimate in private, and not dragging down the overall score of Shuaixing Hall was not a difficult task.
Fan Yushu, who was once again lost in the textual maze, heard his friend inserting another knife and widened his eyes, "Ziyu, you!"
Zhao Rong ignored him, his eyes fixed directly on Yu Huaijin.
However, after a moment of silence, the latter slowly shook her head.
At that moment, near the stone table, having hesitated for a long time, Jia Tengying finally mustered his courage. He walked over, carrying a bamboo basket, intending to pass behind Yu Huaijin.
Jia Tengying looked at Yu Huaijin and then lowered his head to reach for the cucumber in the basket that had been washed who-knows-how-many times. As he was formulating his words, he bit his lip, ready to speak.
Suddenly, a large hand nonchalantly reached into the basket, swiftly passing over Jia Tengying’s hand, seizing the vegetable.
"Thanks, Tengying brother."
Zhao Rong, seeing Jia Tengying passing by, glanced over and casually grabbed.
He chewed with puffed cheeks and casually voiced his thanks.
Jia Tengying: "......"