Chapter 022
Author: Feast of Masks
Raws: https://www.jjwxc.net/onebook.php?novelid=3185016
Translated by Pillbug
Edited by Gumihou
In the second branch room, Zhao’er poured some hot water into a basin. After they washed their feet, the two of them climbed onto the kang bed to rest. There were two large quilts on the kang bed, one for each person.
That night, however, Zhao’er had trouble falling asleep. Ever since they left the main branch room, her emotions had been all over the place.
She flipped over once, then once again.
“Aren’t you going to sleep?”
It was unusual for them to go to bed this early. However, they had been busy all day, so Zhao’er had extinguished the light in their room almost immediately after they had gotten onto the kang bed, but with the moon shining brightly outside, everything was still quite visible.
Zhao’er got onto her elbows and scooted closer to Xue Tingxiang.
“Gou’er, tell Elder Sis what you meant when you scolded that Old Lackwit earlier?”
Zhao’er was no stranger to insulting people. She had done so before to many people in a variety of ways. However, she had never seen this method before. It made a scholar like Yang Zhong furious with shame and somehow blocked the Xue family from retaliating despite the fury in their eyes. To Zhao’er’s eyes, this method of insulting people was top-tier. How grand is it to insult others without speaking a single foul word?
She really wanted to learn this way of cursing people. Surely it would come in handy one day?
Xue Tingxiang flipped over, showing her his back.
Zhao’er poked his shoulder, “What is it? Why are you upset again?”
He did not move, so she scooted closer.
The bed was small enough that they were only one person’s width apart. Their sleeping clothes were also very thin. When Zhao’er leaned closer, Xue Tingxiang thought he could feel her warmth. There was even a faint, almost inexplicable, fragrance in the air.
Then, he felt a strange softness pressing against his shoulder. Xue Tingxiang stiffened as her voice spoke from above his head, “Don’t take that Old Lackwit’s word to heart. I don’t wish to say it, but Elder Uncle and Elder Aunty have too many schemes. Do they really think they can sway Grandpa by making all that fuss? Even if the family don’t say anything, there are many outsiders looking in, watching our every move. So, don’t you worry. You will definitely get to go to school.”
She was very close to him, close enough that her every word carried her hot breath to his ear, making him shiver uncontrollably. A warm, tingling sensation spread from his ear to his neck, summoning waves of unconscious tremors.
His breathing grew tense and, finally, he could not bear it and flipped over to face her.
Zhao’er was still talking, not expecting him to suddenly turn to face her, causing his face to smoosh into her chest.
Xue Tingxiang’s mind went blank for a moment, and he instinctively leaned back. It was just a brief touch, but he clearly felt a suffocating softness. There was even something faintly protruding there.
He recalled certain scenes from his dreams and suddenly felt lightheaded. His nose felt stuffy, as though he had a cold, but-
“Are you alright?” Zhao’er felt a sudden heaviness in her arms. She shook him lightly, and when he did not move, she started to panic and leaned over to check his face.
“What has gotten into you? Here, let me clean your nose.”
He covered his nose with one hand, pushing her away with the other. “I’m fine, I’m not hurt.” He quickly turned away and muttered, “It’s late, just go to sleep.”
“You still haven’t told me what you said to that Old Lackwit!”
“Nothing much, I just told him to take a piss and look at his reflection!”
“Ah?!” Zhao’er was shocked. After a while, she said, “I see, so that’s what you mean, ah. Why don’t you just tell him to piss and look at his reflection? Why waste so many words?”
When he did not respond, Zhao’er finally laid down as well after dithering for a while. “Alright, sleep well. I won’t bother you anymore.”
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Yang Zhong stayed at the Xue family residence for one night and left the next day.
Since it was still the busiest farming season, the Xue family returned to their usual work. No one mentioned the incident. It was as though nothing of importance had happened at all.
Things were incredibly busy yet peaceful.
On one such day, Xue Tingxiang and Zhao’er left the house early for the town.
That day was unlike the usual days. On that day, Xue Tingxiang had new clothes on.
Zhao’er had rushed all night to make these clothes because Boss Chen suddenly mentioned that he would be taking Xue Tingxiang to Qingyuan Academy the very next day. Naturally, he could not dress casually on such a significant day.
Zhao’er made the grey-blue cotton changpao modelled after the students she had seen walking about town. Although the style was simple, after washing and starching it, the changpao looked exceptionally neat and form-fitting. Although Xue Tingxiang was on the skinny side, once he put on the scholar’s changpao, he gave off a striking and elegant appearance, like a slender jade tree.
Once they arrived at the bookshop, Boss Chen took Xue Tingxiang with him while Zhao’er stayed back to work on her bundle of clothes.
The two of them headed towards the east side of the town. The further in they went, the quieter it became. After walking for about a time to brew a cup of tea, they came across a building with whitewashed walls and black tiles.
Noticing Xue Tingxiang ‘s attention on the building, Boss Chen said, “That’s the Qinghe Academy.” After a short pause, he raised his hand and pointed to a small cluster of buildings behind it. “That’s the Qingyuan Academy courtyard.”
They had to walk past the Qinghe Academy to get to Qingyuan Academy.
It was clear from the front gate alone how grand and extraordinary the Qinghe Academy was.
The white building they had spotted earlier and what bits they could see from beyond the walls, exuded a magnificent aura. The entrance alone was very grand with an impressive black plaque bearing huge golden characters declaring this place to be the ‘’QINGHE ACADEMY’. Two huge black-painted doors were tightly shut, giving off an aura of exclusivity that kept people at a distance.
“You still have time to regret your decision,” said Boss Chen.
As he spoke, they stepped past Qinghe Academy’s impressive gates, around the tall walls towards a more worn-out-looking courtyard. The buildings inside were clearly much older but still well-kept.
The small courtyard had an austere and simple air. The walls were whitewashed and the roof tiles were grey-black. The plaque was much smaller and simpler too, with the characters – Qingyuan Academy – written on them.
Visually speaking, it looked clearly inferior to Qinghe Academy in every aspect. Even so, when he stood beneath the plaque and stared up at the letters on it, Xue Tingxiang felt a sense of tranquillity and harmony in the air.
“Since this junior has come, this junior had no intention of regretting anything.”
Boss Chen gave him an approving look, before stepping forward to announce his presence.
Not long after, an elderly manservant opened the door from the inside.
He seemed to recognise Boss Chen on sight and, without many questions, led the two of them into the school.
This academy looked small but well-equipped, like most other ordinary private schools. After passing the spirit wall, a lecture hall stood in the middle of the yard flanked by two other buildings. The left-wing housed a shrine for the Great Sage Confucius, whereas the right wing housed the teacher’s quarters and library. [a]
Past the lecture hall was an archery range, the dormitories and a kitchen. Xue Tingxiang knew the layout of the building even without exploring the place. That’s because he studied at Qinghe Academy in that dream, and knew that nearly all private schools were built in the same way. The main difference was that Qinghe Academy was much grander and more spacious than Qingyuan Academy.
Boss Chen led Xue Tingxiang familiarly towards the right wing and stopped at one of the many side rooms. He straightened his clothes and sleeves before leading Xue Tingxiang inside.
The side room was simply and elegantly furnished. There was a large calligraphic piece facing the central hall, bearing the characters ‘Tranquillity Goes a Long Way’. A slender, middle-aged man in a dark blue scholar’s robe stood before these characters. He also had a square scholar’s cap on his head.
Upon noticing their entry, he turned around. The scholar had long, willow-like eyebrows, a gaunt face, and a scraggly beard. He looked very serious and stern with deep calm eyes that suggested great wisdom. This man was Lin Miao, the headmaster of Qingyuan Academy.
“Brother Anqi, I am here to trouble you again,” said Boss with a cheerful smile as he cupped his hands in a salute.
“Worthy Junior Brother of Mo.”
The corners of Lin Miao’s lips curved into a smile. He clearly has a good relationship with Boss Chen. After exchanging some pleasantries, Boss Chen pointed to Xue Tingxiang and said, “This is the young lad I mentioned before.”
Lin Miao turned his gaze at Xue Tingxiang.
Xue Tingxiang, the dream Xue Tingxiang at least, could be considered to have experienced much, having encountered all sorts of people including several emperors. Even so, he felt he felt an inexplicable sense of respect towards this person.
“Youngster Xue Tingxiang greets Teacher.” He clasped his hands together and bowed deeply.
Lin Miao nodded, “Since you have come, you may stay on. The academy opens in 10 days. Just come then.”
“Thank you, teacher.”
Boss Chen glanced at Lin Miao. He looked like he had something he wanted to speak with the headmaster, so Xue Tingxiang tactfully asked if he could take a look around the school and left.
After Xue Tingxiang had left, Boss Chen said, “Elder Brother Anqi, do you not trust this junior brother’s judgement? I have observed that youngster for some time now. This lad has a composed character, is diligent in his studies and has quite the talent for scholarly pursuits. All he lacked is a good teacher to guide him. With a good teacher, there should be no limits to his future achievements.”
Because Lin Miao’s response was a little cool, Boss Chen felt compelled to say something. He believed Lin Miao should react more positively to meeting Xue Tingxiang after seeing the young man’s calligraphy. Surely, as someone who loved calligraphy, he should be more enthusiastic about accepting Xue Tingxiang as a student, right? Especially more so since Boss Chen was the one who recommended him.
Such a student would be different from regular academy students and be considered something like a personal disciple. As the saying goes, ‘A teacher once, a father for life’. A student ought to encounter many teachers from his elementary education years until the day he passed the imperial examination.
In elementary education, the teacher is called a ‘First Teacher’, also known as the teacher who imparts enlightenment. The ‘Occupational Teacher’ is the teacher who imparts knowledge, also known as a Classics Teacher. The one who imparts the knowledge must pass on the Classics, and the one who passes on the Classics must cultivate the person, so the ‘Occupational Teacher’ is extremely important for a student. There are also the ‘Humanities Teacher’ and the ‘Chair Teacher’, but they will not be discussed here. [1]
When Boss Chen said ‘take in a student’, he meant that the teacher would be taking the roles of an ‘Occupational Teacher’ and a ’Humanities Teacher’, to impart both knowledge and life principles to his personal student.
Unlike ordinary students, a personal teacher would carefully cultivate their students with the aim to eventually pass on their legacy. Naturally, the student also had to make the necessary sacrifices and abide by the principle of ‘A teacher once, and father for life’.
In the present, it was popular for two individuals who were not in a father-son relationship but decided to engage in a father-son-like relationship among scholarly circles. This kind of relationship would gradually develop like intricate, interlocking circles of network that would eventually develop into a great web of connections.
Lin Miao chuckled, “You think very highly of him.”
Boss Chen sneered a little, “If not out of concern for you, do you think I would have the leisure to meddle in your business? Do not forget about the coming October competition. If Qingyuan Academy loses again this year…”
Boss Chen did not complete his sentence, but Lin Miao already knew what he was going to say. He sighed lightly and said, “These matters are determined by the heavens. If this is how it should be, then, it cannot be avoided.”
Boss Chen shook his head repeatedly and stomped his foot, “Aiya, don’t accuse me of criticising you, but that character of yours is too annoying. You keep talking about the gentleman’s way, but there are too many who do not follow the way of the gentleman. Year after year, we keep losing to those unscrupulous people, and now, no good seedling would even want to learn from this school. What do you think would happen to this school if you keep letting this matter go?”
“Worthy Junior Brother of Mo, you don’t understand.”
“Yes, yes, yes, I conceded that I do not understand. I only know that if this continues, Qingyuan Academy’s reputation will collapse under your hand!”
The two of them fell silent after that.
Lin Miao looked exhausted and Boss Chen realised that he had misspoke. He softened his tone and said, “I do not know what I should say to convince you anymore. Anyway, I have brought that person here. I have great hopes for that child. As for the rest, you may do as you see fit.”
Lin Miao nodded, “Worthy Junior Brother of Mo, this elder brother thanks you in advance. The matter of discipleship shall be discussed in the future. However, please rest assured that once he enters Qingyuan Academy, I shall educate him with utmost diligence.”
Boss Chen also understood Lin Miao’s concerns and did not press further. After the two of them chatted for a while longer, Boss Chen took his leave.
When Boss Chen came out of the side room, Xue Tingxiang had just returned from his tour of the school grounds.
A manservant had escorted him to all four corners of the courtyard. The academy was quite old, with many of the buildings showing signs of peeling paint. Even so, a certain elegant charm could be seen from the care put into every blade of grass, flower and tree.
Unlike the Qinghe Academy, which reeked of money, this place felt like a bastion of education and study.
The two left Qingyuan Academy together. On the way back to the bookstore, Xue Tingxiang asked Boss Chen about the tuition fees.
It was only then, that Xue Tingxiang learned that the tuition fees at Qingyuan Academy were very affordable. Aside from the customary Six Rites’ gifts, each student only needed to pay one silver tael per year. [b]
As for other kinds of gifts of respect, it depends on the family’s financial situation and personal intentions. Such gifts were not obligatory and students may choose not to give these gifts. As for the boarding situation, students could choose to stay at the school dormitory as they please. The only requirement was that they had to arrive in time for the daily morning studying session.
Students could also choose to save money by bringing their own packed lunch or paying a monthly fee for the academy to provide their meals. Both options were negotiable. It was completely different from Qinghe Academy which required all their students to board no matter what, and charged hefty fees for food and lodging.
According to Boss Chen, Qingyuan Academy used not to charge the annual single silver tael fee back when it received imperial subsidies. It was only after they had lost this subsidy that they started charging this annual fee. After all, the teachers and servants taking care of the school needed to support themselves and their families.
Boss Chen sighed many times as he explained all this to Xue Tingxiang. Xue Tingxiang himself also felt a sense of regret in his heart.
If dream!Xue Tingxiang had entered Qinghe Academy back then, Zhao’er would not have had to toil so hard to pay for his tuition fees and the ‘him’ back then would not have felt so hopeless when his family abandoned him. He would not have wasted three fruitless years at Qinghe Academy either.
Fortunately, reality had finally diverged from the dream, and inexplicably, Xue Tingxiang felt a sense of relief.
[Gumihou: I’m really relieved too…]
[a] spirit wall/screen wall is the wall used to shield an entrance inside a traditional Chinese courtyard. This is most likely to prevent random people from looking in or charging into a resident. [b] Six Rites gifts – This is an ancient rite where students gave gifts to their teachers. Usually for an apprenticeship. Gifts generally included:
Meat jerky – thank the teacher for their favour
Celery – to master their subject of study
Dried longan fruit – to gain wisdom
Lotus seed – To study with painstaking effort (above and beyond diligent)
Red dates – To pass with excellent results as early as possible (dude…)
Red beans – To deliver great results (Like, cutting-edge scientific discovery, not passing an exam with great results…)
https://baike.baidu.com/item/%E6%9D%9F%E8%84%A9%E5%85%AD%E7%A4%BC/18504463
This is waaaay fancier than an apple, lol
Pill Bug TL Notes:
[1] Different teachers at different levels of education:蒙学 Elementary Education
蒙师 First Teacher. See the same starting 蒙 Chinese Character for Elementary?
启蒙之师 Teacher Who Starts The Enlightenment
业师 Occupational Teacher
授业之师 授 means “teach”, 业 means “job”, AKA teaching the tricks of the trade.
经师 Scripture Teacher. Chinese consider the Classics as their scriptures.
人师 “Humanities Teacher”, a role model for others in terms of virtue, knowledge, etc.
座师 “Chair teacher”, like a chairman. A respectful title given to the chief examiner by the Ju Ren (people who passed the provincial exam) and Jin Shi (people who passed the Imperial Exam) in the Ming and Qing dynasties.
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