"Sorry to trouble you, sir. I wouldn't dare be discourteous."
Gan Yu set down the bamboo basket, stood to one side, and saluted him as a disciple should. Only after a long while did he ask, "Sir, what book are you reading?"
"Oh, it's merely a folk tale. It's called Guanglin Strange Tales... just a collection of miscellany. You're studying for the Imperial Examination, so you can't let yourself be distracted. You'd be better off reading only Dao Scriptures."
Fang Xi picked up the teacup beside him, took a sip of the coarse tea, and lectured him.
The coarse tea was nothing special, made casually by the common folk, but it possessed a rustic charm of its own.
"You're right to reprimand me, sir."
Gan Yu bowed and accepted the lesson.
"Those who bow to others must have something to ask... I already know exactly why you've come."
Fang Xi turned and walked into the house. Before long, he came back carrying several thread-bound books. "The Dao Scripture has thirty-six volumes, but I only have eighteen here. You may borrow three volumes each time... Remember to return them immediately after reading them. After all, I still need these few Dao Scriptures to teach the landlord's children!"
"Many thanks for your great kindness, sir..."
Gan Yu's voice even carried a faint sob. For Mr. Fang to lend him the books without the slightest hesitation was an enormous favor to him...
"A scholar... Heh..."
After Gan Yu left, carefully cradling the three Dao Scriptures in his arms, Fang Xi smiled and continued reading his miscellany.
From these miscellaneous books, he could learn more about this world.
Though most of their contents were speculation and hearsay, after peeling away the layers, he could still catch glimpses of the truth...
For example, Guanglin