"Here to see Yan'er?" Liu Huai frowned. "Hadn't I already instructed the gatekeeper to tell them Yan'er was absent? Why are there still people refusing to leave?"
After saying this, he turned to Qiu Yan. "Yan'er, according to what is written in the plays, these people have come bearing gifts. They are trying to ruin your reputation! You must not let down your guard. At your position, there are surely many who envy you and are constantly looking to pick at your faults. The more so, you must be cautious, as though treading on thin ice."
This showed just how greatly Liu Huai valued Qiu Yan's reputation.
However, Qiu Yan also knew that his student would not have come to report this without cause. If they had merely been ordinary gift-givers, they likely would not even have caught his attention. Yet now, one could see certain clues on Zheng Yun's face.
"Rest assured, Uncle. I know what I'm doing." After soothing Liu Huai, Qiu Yan asked Zheng Yun, "Who is it that wishes to discuss the Way with me?"
"This man has some standing. He can be considered a master of the Scholar Forest, named Li Mengqi," Zheng Yun replied. Qiu Yan's words settled his heart, dispelling his anxiety, and he answered calmly. "Li Mengqi is a master of the School of Names north of the Central Passes. He has an academy on Great Boundary Mountain, where he teaches students. People say he keeps himself aloof from worldly struggles, but his teacher is no ordinary man. He is currently teaching the Crown Prince at the East Palace." "I see. You perceived the mystery behind this and feared that this matter might cause friction between your teacher and the Crown Prince." Qiu Yan nodded. This disciple of his was exceptionally clever.