"… Sorry, Teacher, I've caused you trouble again …"
The noon sun shone through the leaves onto the ground. Even though the forest was lush and green, it was still somewhat hot. In contrast to the commotion and chaos in the courtyard, what was happening under the shade of the trees was just an ordinary exchange between teacher and student.
Zhou Pei told Ning Yi everything that had happened recently and then apologised to Ning Yi with some shame. "If I had not spoken carelessly, they would not have incited these people to make things difficult for Teacher, they would not …"
"What does it matter, they are so weak."
Ning Yi shook his head and smiled at Zhou Pei's guilty expression, indicating that it was fine. Then, he said, "Jealousy stirred up in just a few words. Originally, it wasn't that serious, but with their family background and influence, they casually stirred up such a commotion. Little Pei, you don't have to think too badly of them. If you look at their true intentions, they might not want to shed all pretense of cordiality with you. At most, they are just jealous of someone of the same age. These matters will soon disappear like smoke in the wind. As for me and those scholars, that is another battle. Like I said, they are so weak, there is no need to pay too much attention to them. "
Zhou Pei stilled, not quite understanding what Ning Yi was saying. "But …"
Ning Yi smiled and waved his hand. "Among the young people who came today, there should be many who have a good impression of Xiao Pei?"
Zhou Pei lowered her head. "I … don't know …"
"They are interested in you, so they came to watch the show. I am telling you this because I do not want you to take this matter too seriously. Of course, you grew up in the Wang fu, so you should understand these things better than me. In the future, you will still have to interact with the majority of people. Don't be like today, looking like you want to flip the table with them. One person against a group, the best way is always to separate, isolate, and attack the group that is least affected. Victory and defeat that are decided under the table should never be brought up to the table. You're going to have a family in the future, and these are very important. "He smiled and patted Zhou Pei's head." You're actually a little aloof. This isn't very good. "
Zhou Pei had been nodding with her head lowered, but now she raised her head. She was a little confused, not knowing why the teacher suddenly said this to her.
In fact, as she followed Ning Yi out of the courtyard, Zhou Pei's heart had been in a daze. Although she had been talking, describing what had happened, listening to her teacher's words and replying, Zhou Pei's heart had been in a daze. In fact, there was only the sound of her heart pounding.
She hadn't even read the poem in detail, so she didn't know what her teacher had written.
If it was in the past, it wouldn't be like this.
On the way here, her heart was pounding. She didn't know what kind of situation she would encounter and how her teacher would deal with it. When she had just arrived, she stood there to observe the situation. Although she didn't understand why, she could tell that her teacher wasn't willing to write a poem to "prove" to this group of people. She felt this way until Ning Yi said, "So that's how it is." Her teacher called her over and then said, "Didn't you say that you were living well here …?"
When she saw Ning Yi pick up the brush in her speechless state, the young girl suddenly understood. Her teacher had written this poem because of this matter.
He had decided to write a poem to show that group of people because of this matter. When she thought of this matter, her heart pounded like a drum. Her emotions were a little dazed. As for what her teacher had written, she didn't look at it. Even if she did, it might not have entered her mind. After that, on the way out, most of her emotions were simple pounding, pounding, pounding, pounding, pounding. It was only now that she raised her head hesitantly. Sunlight shone through the gaps between the trees, shining into her eyes. She heard Ning Yi's somewhat gentle voice.
"There's nothing bad about being recognized by others for being talented and knowledgeable. But when it comes to poetry and literature, it's just a way to spice up life. Little Pei, you've been smart since you were young. You're good at everything you learn. You're also willing to interact with this kind of people. But the circle you'll live in in the future won't be filled with this kind of people. Or perhaps, their intelligence might be different from what you think … "
As Ning Yi walked, he said, "You'll understand these things when I say them. But in the past, perhaps no one has told you formally. Originally, it should have been your royal father … or Kang Mingyun who told you. I shouldn't have been the one to say it, but Kang Mingyun himself is also a virtuous person … Little girl, you really grow up too fast. Perhaps everyone isn't prepared for it … "
Ning Yi looked at her and smiled. He stretched out his hand and measured in the air a few times. It was roughly Zhou Pei's height in the past. "You're going to have a family soon. After that, your interactions with them and the royal family won't be as simple as a poetry meeting. There will definitely be no interactions. Scholars can be virtuous, but in your circle, you don't have much freedom to choose your own friends. I'll be more pragmatic. I just hope that after you get married, your life will be happier and easier. Before that, someone will have to formally mention it to you. You're very smart. Once it's mentioned, you'll understand. It's still the same words. Never bring the victory and defeat under the table to the surface. This is the game rule of your royal family … Of course, I'm very grateful that you rushed over like this today. "
Zhou Pei was very smart. Once Ning Yi said this, she also understood. Her heart, which was originally pounding, now felt as if a basin of warm water had been poured over it. It was very warm, but she still couldn't help but feel embarrassed.
She suddenly understood why her teacher said all this. Of course, it wasn't because her virtuous attitude had brought trouble to him. It was because her teacher had also brought the matter of her marriage to the surface. Thus, with the attitude of a teacher, he gave her one last reminder.
Of course, she understood the rules of the royal family, but she also understood that she was aloof and virtuous. On such occasions, when others praised her for being knowledgeable and talented, she would naturally feel happy in her heart. When choosing friends, she would also look up to or look down on others because of this standard.
Even though she usually restrained herself, for example, when she came to the capital and was in the limelight among her relatives and sisters, as an outsider, she would involuntarily feel elated. She maintained good manners and attitude towards everyone, but this didn't mean that the virtuous attitude in her bones wouldn't show. If it wasn't so, presumably, others wouldn't have been jealous and brought trouble to her teacher today.
Of course, her teacher didn't mention this because it was troublesome. Instead, it was because she truly realized that she was about to get married and was about to enter a different kind of life. That was why she suddenly mentioned this matter. Grandpa Prince Consort wouldn't say such a thing, and teacher, he was going to Shandong next. After he came back, he might have to live in the capital for a long time, and he might go back to Jiangning to get married. It was also because of this that, in what might be the last few times they met, he gave this disciple, who might not even be an official disciple, some advice regarding the future of his life.
Realizing this, her nose turned sour, and she suddenly felt like crying. The sun was dazzling, and tears fell.
The wind blew through the forest, and the leaves rustled like flowing water.
Before he could truly taste the sweetness of youth, the evening bell had already rung in the mountains …
At the same time, another small episode was happening in the garden over there.
*****
In front of Ji Xianqing, he praised Ning Yi, and even used Zhou Bangyan as a foil, laughing softly. However, when Chen Sifeng and Yu Ho-chung came over to ask about Ning Yi, Shishi still shook her head.
Her impression of Ning Yi had also been changing, and she was unable to figure it out.
When they first met, they felt that he was brimming with talent. When they met at the Bian River and went north together, they had more or less expected that Ning Yi had a talent for scheming. However, it was only later that they realized that she had underestimated this old friend from her childhood. After she returned to the capital, she focused on inquiring about the situation in Ning Yi and Jiangning. Fan Lou was well-informed, and when she wanted to inquire about it, many trivial matters would be reflected, correcting her impression of Ning Yi step by step.
When the Liangshan bandits entered Jiangning to break into the prison, they had killed their way into the cloth merchant's Su family and slaughtered nearly half of the two hundred members of the Su family. In the end, it was a son-in-law of the Su family who fought with all his might and forced the vicious Liangshan bandits to retreat. She was unable to find out the details of this matter. Even if there was, it would most likely be exaggerated and untrue. But this kind of information was enough for her to know what had happened.
When they went north on the boat, Ning Yi had casually mentioned that he would go to Shandong after going north. Her guess at that time was too mild. She only thought that he was going to do business or some small thing and asked someone about Shandong. That person... was probably the prodigal Yan Qing. He told her some of the benefits of the Liangshan people, and she still didn't understand what was going on. She didn't know how he felt at that time.
But feelings aside, he had already made arrangements at that time. Later that night, Miss Jin'er seemed to be very angry in front of her. Perhaps it was also because she talked about the Liangshan Chivalry. He was able to force the Liangshan bandits to retreat in the situation in Jiangning, and then almost annihilate the bandits on the journey to Bian River. Shishi was very clear about how powerful he was. In particular, she directly asked Deputy General Chen Jingui, who accompanied them on the way, and confirmed that Ning Yi was actually the mastermind of the operation at that time. She knew that her original speculation about him was a little naive.
From this pieced together, the situation became very clear. If an ordinary family was robbed by bandits, they would at most report it to the government. But on Liheng's side, it seemed that he was going to chase them all the way. After arriving in the capital, he turned to Shandong and killed his way to the bandits' home to take revenge! Chen Jingui couldn't say what was Ning Yi's current background, but Shishi still understood that Ning Yi still had his background behind him. This time, he went to the capital to unify the power and use it to take revenge in the east.
She could only form a general outline of the matter. There was no way she could go further than that. Of course, Shishi did not insist on getting to the bottom of it. During this meeting, she only casually asked a few questions and warned Ning Yi to be careful on his journey to the east. The other party obviously didn't find it strange that he could guess these things and casually replied.
Shishi had been in the brothel for so many years, and her mind was very clever and clear. Speaking of which, when interacting with people like Yu Ho-chung and Chen Sifeng, she still had to hold back. However, Ning Yi, her old friend, clearly had the same or even higher level of cultivation as her. It had to be said that sometimes, with just a casual sentence, the other party would know what was behind his back. Careful thoughts, sense of humor, and being able to accurately grasp the intentions behind his back, this kind of feeling, and because of his identity as a childhood friend, did not need to be too defensive, in fact, it was quite good.
But she still underestimated something.
When she suddenly realized that Ji Xianqing and the others had actually set their sights on Ning Yi, she was astonished in her heart. At the same time, it was very funny, and she also had great expectations. During the entire process, she was curious about the ins and outs of the matter, so the few words she said were all meant to probe. It was obvious that Liheng also had the same goal. After confirming this matter, throughout the entire process, she was filled with anticipation while mocking Ji Xianqing and the others for their stupidity. They had picked an opponent that they shouldn't have picked.
She had already prepared for the scene of Liheng battling with the Confucian scholars in the end, or breaking through their difficulties one by one, and competing with all the scholars present with one excellent work after another. What he was considering in his heart was whether or not he should tell everyone about the "Huan Xi Sha" and add flowers to the brocade. However, even she didn't expect that things would end up like this. He smashed the entire audience with a poem and left. To think that he would casually write … Such a poem.
In her heart, she had actually underestimated Liheng. Thinking of this, her feelings were somewhat complicated.
If it was said that after seeing the relationship between Ning Yi and Yunzhu at the poetry competition in Jiangning, she felt that this friend of hers was indeed a romantic genius, brimming with talent, then this time, when she saw Ning Yi in her eyes, she truly felt that there was an astonishing aura and pressure of a great scholar. It was even more powerful and shocking than she had ever imagined, the kind of feeling that came crashing down in front of everyone's eyes.
In this regard, he might really be … He could look down on everyone …
In addition, she had chewed on the words' carrying a prostitute 'several times. However, in reality, this sentence did not give off a sense of intimacy, but rather a sense of alienation. She also didn't know whether this sentence was referring to herself, but no matter what, if one really looked into the depth of the word prostitute, it had a somewhat derogatory meaning. Perhaps it was not much at this time, and it also had a certain sense of elegance, but ultimately, it had a derogatory or slightly lower meaning.
Shishi didn't mind that friends like Yu Ho-chung and Chen Sifeng became famous because of her, but at the moment, this sentence had slightly widened the distance between her and Ning Yi. This friend that she might have accommodated and belittled at the beginning had suddenly become a little higher than her in this sentence, and vaguely, she even felt that he was above her. She didn't feel angry, but in her heart, she still felt extremely complicated, and even she couldn't sort out her own feelings.
It was a little novel, but it didn't seem to be annoying …
While she was sorting out her own feelings, some people in the gathering had already reacted. After all, because they were ultimately not convinced, they were looking for all kinds of reasons to say this or that about Ning Yi. Not many people said that the poem was not good, but after a while, someone said that Ning Yi was not willing to write a poem at first, and now that he was willing to, this poem might have been taken from somewhere by the Little Princess. This speculation was echoed by a few people, but the few elders did not say anything.
Shishi didn't care about all of this. No matter how fierce the quarrel was, when the matter spread out tonight, everyone would be able to clearly see who was the clown and who had lost face. They might be able to find some far-fetched excuses, but could it be that the speed at which they spread the news in the Fan Lou was fake? Ji Xianqing wanted to publicly lose face on such an occasion. If her mother found out, she didn't know how angry she would be. Tang Yue and Fu Qiushuang, who were called over, obviously didn't know about this, but they would definitely be scolded by their mother afterwards.
Just as he was thinking about this, he suddenly noticed a figure walking over to him. Just as she was hesitating to stand up and greet him, the hale and hearty old man with a graceful bearing had already walked over and cupped his hands. Before the middle-aged man could react and get up, the other party's words had already spread throughout the entire audience.
"In regards to this matter, this old man can vouch for Liheng."
It was obvious that it was aimed at those who said that the poem might not have been written by Ning Yi. As soon as he said this, the people who were still discussing turned around and were stunned.
Uh, so that's how it is …
Shishi thought to herself. Only then did she put together a small piece of the puzzle related to Ning Yi.
Liheng came to the capital, and the background behind him was this old man?
Or could it be … Behind him, there was another person with a higher status?
*****
Haha, nineteen. Thank you, everyone. In the normal dungeon, the NB Healer and the Wretched Hunter were already in place. ^_^
Recently, there have been many people posting about Li Bai. Originally, there was nothing much to say about this, but there were a few similar posts, so I decided to PS: Can you all please respect history! Regarding the relationship between Li Bai and the Wu dynasty, I have already discussed it from a commanding position in the first chapter. I know that not many people like to see this setting, but this is very important, students.
Alright, this is a cold joke, but if no one pays attention to the setting of the first chapter, I will be in a very difficult position. Also, why didn't anyone find it strange when the watermelon copied the "Way of the Gallant" …
Also: I really want to investigate if what I said at the end of the chapter will dilute the impression of the chapter, such as diluting the aftertaste of the chapter's plot. If it does, then this kind of explanation will only be released as a single chapter in the future.
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