Who Was Treating Whom?

Sure enough, the next moment, Lu Xian saw Poetry, Politics, and Military Strategy move in midair.

"Ah—" Mo Ran, who was standing at the very front, grunted as the hefty book slammed into him and knocked him aside.

Three or four people were caught by Mo Ran's instinctive grab at the same time, and they all tumbled to the ground. Several desks nearby were knocked askew as well.

He had a lot of strength. He really did look like he'd trained in martial arts; otherwise, he wouldn't have been able to drag four people down with him.

Chu Ming turned around and glanced back. "The book's heavy. Sorry about that."

Then he walked over to Ning Hao. "Senior Brother Ning, where is Political Records Class held?"

Ning Hao stared at Poetry, Politics, and Military Strategy, which was pressing against him, and stood frozen in place.

Poetry, Politics, and Military Strategy was certainly heavy, but surely not heavy enough to knock over five people and three or four desks?

"Senior Brother?" Chu Ming prompted him again.

"Oh, well, I happen to be going there too." Ning Hao came to his senses.

Just then, Liang Yuan's voice drifted over from behind them. "Senior Brother Ning chose History and Rites, didn't he? What, are you switching to Politics now?"

"I've always been interested in Political Records." Ning Hao's expression was solemn.

Liang Yuan looked at his senior brother, who changed his tune as easily as turning a page, and curled his lip. "Senior Brother didn't used to say that."

"The past is the past, and the present is the present. Junior Brother Liang, don't cling to old ways and stand still."

Liang Yuan immediately felt annoyed.

You're the one trying to get close to Junior Brother Chu. Don't step on me while you're at it.

He walked a few steps forward, then turned around. "So taking Junior Brother Chu to Political Records Class is Senior Brother Ning's big step forward?"

"...Junior Brother Chu, it's getting late. Let's hurry."

Political Records Class ended.

"Um, Senior Brother Ning, I'd like to return Poetry, Politics, and Military Strategy first. It'll be inconvenient to carry it to the dining hall. Sorry for the trouble, but could you tell Master Shen?"

Chu Ming held the hefty book in his arms as he walked shoulder to shoulder with Ning Hao.

"No problem, Brother Chu. Walk slowly... carefully. I'll go tell Master Shen."

Ning Hao was overjoyed. This was a genuine chance to ask Master Shen for guidance face-to-face, alone.

The dining hall.

"May I ask if Master Shen has arrived?" Ning Hao held a bag in his hand. He had looked around outside but hadn't seen Shen Yu, so he went to ask one of the dining hall staff.

"He's here, in private room number one." The staff member looked Ning Hao up and down. "Are you the one who invited Master Shen?"

Quite a few people turned to look.

"Huh?" Ning Hao blushed slightly. He didn't explain, merely lowered his head and walked toward private room number one.

"Why are you only arriving now?" Before he'd even reached the door, Master Shen's voice came from inside.

"Master Shen, I'm Ning Hao. Junior Brother Chu went back to Cloud-Perch Academy to return the book. He'll be here shortly." Ning Hao stood outside the door and spoke softly.

"Oh, Ning Hao. Come in."

"Yes."

Ning Hao excitedly pushed the door open. Shen Yu sat at one side, and the table was already laden with dishes.

"Master Shen." Ning Hao quickly bowed in greeting.

"Mm. Sit down."

"Yes."

Shen Yu shifted his gaze to Ning Hao and asked, "Do you live in the same courtyard as Chu Ming?"

"To answer Lord Shen, yes."

"How much do you know about him?" Shen Yu asked again.

"..." Embarrassment flickered in Ning Hao's eyes. He didn't seem to know much about Junior Brother Chu at all; they'd only spent one day together. "To answer you, my lord, Junior Brother Chu only arrived at the academy yesterday."

"He arrived at the academy yesterday and already moved into Cloud-Perch Academy. Does that boy have connections?" Shen Yu asked.

"Well..." Ning Hao hesitated, but answered honestly in the end. "Senior Brother Xu He arranged for Junior Brother Chu to join."

"Xu He?" A hint of surprise appeared on Shen Yu's face. "Then it was Feng Yuan."

Ning Hao fell silent.

Shen Yu lifted his teacup and took a few sips. Looking outside, he asked impatiently, "Why hasn't he arrived yet?"

"Junior Brother Chu is frail, so he walks slowly," Ning Hao replied.

"You're certainly looking out for him." Shen Yu set down his teacup and looked calmly at Ning Hao. "I know you've always wanted me to guide you."

At that, Ning Hao's heart began to race. He'd been wondering how to bring it up. "I've always admired Master Shen greatly."

"Enough. I won't waste words." Shen Yu suddenly stood and walked to the window, clasping his hands behind his back. "It's not impossible for you to receive my guidance, but let me tell you this: what I teach you will leave you at the bottom of the monthly exam rankings, cause you to fail to advance to the next academy, and leave you with no hope of placing well in the County Exam. Do you still want my guidance?"

"Lord Shen..." Listening to him, Ning Hao could only think that the instructor didn't want to teach him.

Was he not talented enough to catch Master Shen's eye?

"What do you think is the difference between elaborate script and simplified script?" Seeing that Ning Hao still hadn't given up, Shen Yu continued.

The difference between elaborate script and simplified script?

Ning Hao's face reddened slightly.

He'd always studied elaborate script, but knew little about simplified script. How could he possibly explain the supposed difference?

"Heh. At least you're honest enough to know not to parrot something in front of me." Shen Yu chuckled softly. "In fact, many years ago, there was no such thing as elaborate script and simplified script. I was the one who came up with those terms."

"Elaborate script is everything you study now."

"And simplified script is the simplified characters and vernacular writing I created—the sort of thing you consider to lack much literary refinement."

"Master Shen, I don't..."

"Are you saying you don't think that way, or do you truly not think that way?" Shen Yu's expression grew even calmer. "If you don't, why did you copy out my seven lines of poetry in traditional characters?"

Ning Hao fell silent.

"Since we've come this far, Ning Hao, I'll say a little more, since you're so sincere. There's nothing wrong with elaborate script, but if every poem, song, work of literature, and means of spreading knowledge is done in elaborate script, then you're putting the cart before the horse."

"When you understand what that means, I won't just guide you. I'll pass on everything I've learned over the years."

"But you may end up like me: unable to advance for your entire life, stuck here in little Baiyuan County."

At that, Shen Yu checked the time, shook his head, and sighed. "That boy's clever. Looks like he isn't coming after all."

He looked at Ning Hao again. "If I'm not mistaken, Chu Ming left the opportunity for you. Too bad you didn't seize it."

"Master Shen, I..." Ning Hao couldn't understand why using elaborate script was putting the cart before the horse. Hadn't the Great Qin Dynasty always done things this way?

"Sit down and have something to eat."

Shen Yu helped himself to a few bites, wiped the grease from his lips, then clasped his hands behind his back and said gravely, "I have things to do. I'll be leaving first."

"Lord Shen..."

Ning Hao watched him leave, then looked at the delicious dishes on the table. He had no appetite at all.

His mind kept turning over those words. Why was it putting the cart before the horse?

But the more he thought about it, the less he understood.

"Maybe Master Shen just doesn't want to guide me?"

Looking utterly dazed, Ning Hao walked out of the private room and out of the dining hall.

But the moment he stepped outside, a large hand grabbed at him from behind. "You haven't paid for the food yet."

"What money?" Ning Hao asked blankly.

"The food." The man glared at him.

"What food... Huh? Master Shen didn't pay?" Ning Hao suddenly realized what was going on.

"Are you treating Lord Shen to a meal, or is Lord Shen treating you?"

"..." Ning Hao turned around and went back into the dining hall.

"What are you doing?" the man asked.

"I haven't finished eating." Ning Hao headed toward the private room.