Translator: Nyoi-Bo Studio Editor: Nyoi-Bo Studio
Jiang Pengji thought for a while and then answered mysteriously, “That is a chronic brain disease that is almost impossible to cure.”
After a moment of confusion, Feng Jin remembered what was previously said, and he realized that she was joking.
In that period, the court’s influence was weakening because the power of the eminent houses was expanding. But she should not have spoken of the king in that manner.
Feng Jin lectured her solemnly, even though he wasn’t that much older than her. “You are still young, so no one will criticize you for what you just said. But you must hold your tongue from now on because your words could be used against you in court.”
Liu Heng shared the same opinion. His cousin’s imprudence worried him terribly. Since Feng Jin had already lectured Liu Lanting, however, he could save his own rebuke that he had planned to give Lanting when they arrived home.
Jiang Pengji simply smiled. She did not care because she never thought about becoming an official.
Later, Feng Jin tested her learning progress with some questions. Since the questions were not too difficult, she could answer most of them with Liu Lanting’s knowledge.
Feng Jin then changed the subject and turned to Liu Heng. “No offense... But the family school, despite its fair education, is not good enough for Lanting. He must further his learning elsewhere.”
Though a huge amount of resources had been allocated to the family school, the fruit of the long-term investment would not ripen until years later. The school had been set up primarily to relieve the burdens of the poorer family members, and it was only adequate in providing elementary education. Those who aspired to receive higher educations had to seek other masters.
Jiang Pengji said, “I do not usually come here. I have lessons at home with another learned master. Unfortunately, I have not absorbed much of what he taught me. You must have spotted my slow progress.”
After listening to their conversation, Liu Heng agreed with Feng Jin. He had always thought his cousin was clever, even if he was shy. It was a pity that he did not like interacting with others. Even though Lanting’s current performance was not sharp, that had nothing to do with his intelligence; it was because of his early experiences at family school and the incompetence of his present master at home.
Feng Jin asked, “And who is teaching you at home?”
Before Jiang Pengji could respond, Liu Heng replied, “It is Wei Yuan, also known as Wei Gongcao.”
According to Liu Lanting’s memories, Master Wei Yuan was very demanding and would scold her for the smallest mistakes. Therefore, the girl was quite intimidated by him.
“I see. No wonder.” Feng Jin seemed to understand.
A teenager like him was not unfamiliar with the famous scholars of the time, especially someone like Wei Yuan. Wei Yuan had fired his boss and left the court simply because he had refused to make compromises in certain matters. It had been very peculiar.
Shaking his head, Feng Jin spoke his mind. “I do not doubt the competence of Master Wei Yuan, but Lanting is not an ideal pupil for him. I would suggest finding another teacher.”
After spending a night with Jiang Pengji, he could tell that she would not be not satisfied with what she had and would definitely strive for more. Learning with the stubborn, harsh Wei Yuan could lead to future conflicts if neither of them were willing to compromise, and this was very likely, given both of their tempers. If Wei Yuan could fire his superior without hesitation, then he could definitely dismiss Liu Lanting, who was merely his pupil.
“Seek another teacher?” Liu Heng found his friend’s advice impractical. There was a popular saying that said “A teacher for a day is no different from a father for a lifetime.”
Jiang Pengji, on the other hand, showed neither agreement nor disagreement.
Feng Jin smiled and added, “Since Master Yuanjing is teaching in Langye, Lanting may go if he wants to.”
“Master Yuanjing!” Liu Heng’s expression changed from surprise to excitement. “Huaiyu, is that true?”
Jiang Pengji listened as she scanned through everything she knew about the master.
Master Yuanjing was a respected scholar in Dongqing, who was gifted in every aspect, and he was a dream lover for girls throughout the five kingdoms. It was said that strange phenomenons in nature accompanied his birth, which was a sign that he was extraordinary. It was also rumored that he later he met an immortal who gave him intelligence and strengthened his body.
Before the age of 20, he was already well-versed in the study in the sky and the earth, and he was also knowledgeable in divination, music, chess, calligraphy, and drawing. Composing poems and proses was a piece of cake to him. Additionally, he was an expert in agriculture, business, and the military. No one was more accomplished than him.
His victory of persuading the northern tribes to return three cities to Dongqing eight years ago was what brought him worldwide fame. He had a sharp tongue that had inflicted serious mental torture on the foreign delegate, and the victim died a few days after returning home.
Jiang Pengji made no response, and Liu Heng felt anxious for his cousin.
“I know Lanting is smart, but he is so young! Besides, his education is lagging behind others because of the four years he wasted in family school. Even though he is learning from Master Wei Yuan, he is still behind his peers. I am afraid his performance is not outstanding enough to become Master Yuanjing’s pupil.”
There was only one Master Yuanjing, but the line of people who wanted to be his followers could extend from eastern Dongqing to western Xichang. The competition must be so fierce! How could his weak, little cousin outshine the other mad fans?
Although Liu Heng liked Liu Lanting very much, he knew he should not put high expectations on him. Yet he could not help envisioning how Lanting could benefit from the great master if he was able to stand out from the rest of the candidates.
Feng Jin, who knew more than Liu Lanting or Liu Heng, turned his gaze to Jiang Pengji. “Others may not succeed, but Lanting will no doubt be admitted as soon as the master learns of his family background. Even if he is not accepted as a pupil, he will be allowed to join the lessons.”
“Is he a friend of my parents?” Liu Lanting had never heard about that.
Feng Jin had learned it by chance from his father. “He and your mother met before.”
The rumor was that Master Yuanjing had been destitute when he was young. He had been born into an impoverished family of commoners, and he almost had to quit his studies because his family could not afford to pay for his schooling. One day during a snowy winter, however, he met Liu She’s wife, and she offered him financial assistance.
No one could explain why the master accepted her money after he had rejected other people’s assistance. They knew that it was not out of romantic feelings because Master Yuanjing was a 22-year-old young man at the time, and Liu Lanting’s mother was just a six-year-old girl.
“I must say your mother was visionary. She had one condition in exchange for her help: that Master Yuanjing must teach her own children when he became famous someday.”
How strange it was that a six-year-old child would speak to a man in that way!