In the morning, as dawn breaks in the east, all things begin to awaken.
When Shen Chen sat with the Ye Family for breakfast, it felt as if he were in a mist, vaguely unreal.
On the dining table were laid appetizers like quail crystal sashimi, lily pastries, iced sugar water chestnut soup, goji berry jasmine porridge, vermicelli cabbage buns, crystal shrimp dumplings, each visually appealing, aromatic, and flavorful.
They made one’s mouth water.
He didn’t know what Ye Zhi had told her parents yesterday.
His grandfather had been transferred to Shangluo, and his contract was returned without compensation. From then on, he would dine with Ye Family and others each day, and remain at the Ye Mansion as a "child of an old friend."
"Shen Chen, what are you daydreaming about? Eat up, eat plenty."
Otherwise, you’ll end up with stomach issues in the future.
Ye Zhi, with her small hand holding dark wooden chopsticks, placed a crystal dumpling in his bowl, then picked a vermicelli cabbage bun, followed by a quail crystal sashimi.
In no time, his bowl was filled to the brim.
Feeling guilty for receiving favor without merit, he suppressed his fluttering heart, stood up, made a gesture of respect with both hands towards Ye Family couple, and slightly bowed: "Master Ye, Madam, Shen Chen can’t accept this without earning it."
Hmm, what a good child. The more I look at him, the more pleasing he is, Ye Family smiled with squinted eyes, saying, "Just consider Ye Mansion as your home, and Ah Zhi as your sister. In a few days, when the teacher arrives, you will study together. You must strive hard and aim to be admitted to the Upper Imperial College, and later embark on a career path. Remember to lend Ah Zhi a hand when you can, this girl is quite naive. We only wish for you to do well. Our Ye Mansion can afford to support one diner."
A diner, also known as a retainer, can be considered a profession.
Nobles and dignitaries raise retainers to elevate their social status and ensure lasting prosperity for their families. They need not serve the court nor hold official positions.
They are simply responsible for offering their hosts’ advice and planning.
Father Ye chimed in with support: "Indeed, follow the teacher’s guidance meticulously."
Ye Zhi pulled him back to his seat.
"Alright, alright, come on and eat. If you truly want to thank our Ye Mansion, you’ll study well and become the highest official, and when someone bullies me in the future, you can protect me, and remember to share the money you earn later with me for spending."
"Shen Chen, quickly eat, you must finish everything in your bowl. Otherwise, it’s wasting food, and every grain is hard-earned."
"Hmm."
This time, he felt as if he wasn’t all alone.
Meanwhile, Ye Zhi thought, maybe she wouldn’t have to die now, right??
The days passed, with the sun setting and rooster crowing at dawn, in such cycles for several days.
Three teachers, arranged by Father Ye, arrived on the same day.
Naming them as Xun Yin, Gu Yan, and Feng Liuli.
The three teachers had notable backgrounds.
Xun Yin was at the age of realization, which is fifty years old; an ancient saying goes: by fifty, one knows the will of Heaven.
With a face that had weathered many storms, his eyes sank deep, his temples sparse with a few white hairs, and a goatee to boot. Back then, he was a second-ranked Cabinet Scholar, but due to being framed by colleagues, he aged several years overnight and resigned, returning to Jiangnan to make a living with a small business.
Not long ago, his junior sibling wrote him a letter, asking him to come to the Capital City to teach his daughter calligraphy...
To have a dignified Cabinet Scholar teach a child calligraphy?? Simply a waste of talent.
Gu Yan was a bit younger than Xun Yin, at forty-eight, with thick brows, big eyes, a nose like a peak, square face, not many wrinkles, cleanly shaven, tall, with many callouses at the tiger’s mouth due to years of swordplay.
He was a martial artist, once participated in the Martial Arts Tournament and ranked fifteenth.
Therefore, he earned the nickname "Gu Shiwu."
Years ago, he was ambushed but was saved by Father Ye. People of the martial arts world value credit highly and owed him a favor.