Chapter 19

Rong Xi sensed that something was wrong and felt a slight chill in his heart.

"Starting tomorrow, go to the school in town and receive instruction every day. It will benefit you in the end."

Rong Xi: "..."

No, he did not want to!

He had meant to pretend to be foolish and clumsy so that Gao Bai would give up on his own.

Who would have thought that Gao Bai would be so resolute, determined to cultivate him into a talented young man?

If he had to attend school every day, how could he still enjoy his leisurely days? Besides, he had all manner of matters tying him down. Going to school was simply impossible.

Seeing him remain silent, Gao Bai glared. "You are unwilling?"

Could he have misjudged him?

Rong Xi suddenly sighed, rose to his feet, and said, "Master, may I borrow some paper and a brush?"

Once Gao Bai nodded in agreement, he walked behind the desk, calmed his mind, dipped his brush in ink, and began to write.

Gao Bai moved closer curiously. Then his eyes abruptly widened, his beautiful beard trembling slightly as though his tongue had been seized, leaving him unable to utter a sound.

His brush danced like dragons and serpents, producing magnificent essays and exquisite verse; his strokes were forceful as iron and elegant as silver hooks, expounding upon the classics and histories.

The young gentleman wrote as though aided by the gods. His expression was solemn and composed, wholly immersed in his work as he laid down unrestrained elegance upon the pale yellow paper and discoursed broadly on past and present.

He was utterly unlike the clumsy person from before. The difference was as vast as heaven and earth.

When he finished writing, Rong Xi let out a long breath and set down his brush. Raising his head, he saw Gao Bai's stunned expression and smiled apologetically. "Please do not blame me, Master. Xi had neglected his studies before, so I deceived you."

Gao Bai snapped back to his senses and hurriedly took up the paper to inspect it. The handwriting possessed a style all its own, with distinctive strength and character. Though its arguments borrowed the words of the ancients, merely from the calligraphy and the essay on this rare text, one could see that his talent and learning far surpassed those of ordinary people!

"With such talent, why hide it?"

Gao Bai was no fool. With such knowledge and ability, who would believe that he had merely neglected his studies?

Thinking of his family background, Gao Bai's thoughts turned, and sympathy suddenly welled up within him. Before Rong Xi could answer, he said, "Talent must not be wasted. If you are willing to devote yourself to your studies, this old man can help conceal things for you."

Hearing this, Rong Xi realized that Gao Bai had misunderstood. He could only smile and say, "Thank you for your kindness, Master. What Xi said was true; I was not hiding my abilities. Reading and writing are meant to cultivate one's temperament. Xi does not wish to take the imperial examinations and enter officialdom. What is taught at school would be of no use to me."

"As a man, you do not wish to accomplish great deeds and establish a career?" Gao Bai asked, stroking his beard.

Seeing that he no longer insisted, Rong Xi's expression relaxed somewhat. "Xi alone loves pastoral scenery and dislikes the storms of court. Besides, accomplishing great deeds does not only mean high office and noble rank. One may also benefit the common people amid peaceful mountains and waters."

He spoke sincerely, but Gao Bai did not wholly believe him.

He let out an impassioned sigh. "What a pity. What a terrible pity!"

A person of such talent had languished in Shengjing yet lived at ease in Linxi. He must have been disheartened and, for the time being, unwilling to face things.

As an elder and teacher, Gao Bai felt both regret and a growing desire to protect him. He was angered that Minister Rong had failed to recognize his legitimate son's talent, blinded by slanderous words and rashly passing judgment.

"Go back first. With your learning, there is no need for you to attend school anymore." He turned to retrieve several books on the classics from the shelf and handed them to Rong Xi with a kindly smile. "Take these back and read them first. If there is anything you do not understand, ask this old man."

The old man's heartfelt concern moved Rong Xi deeply. He bowed deeply, nearly to the ground, his smile bright. "Thank you, Master, for teaching and protecting me!"

Gao Bai was still troubled, so he waved his sleeve and sent him away.

After Rong Xi departed, Gao Bai pondered for a long while before finally taking up his brush to write a letter.

Several days later, the letter arrived at the Rong residence in Shengjing.

Minister Rong opened the letter and read it. At once, he puffed up in fury like a pufferfish, slammed the letter onto the desk, and roared, "Rebellious son! Rebellious son!"

Rong Lian happened to be there, so he picked up the letter and read it. There was only one lament written upon it.

"What a pity! What a tragedy! Forgive this old man for being unable to teach him!"

Author's note:

There are more words today. Shouldn't you praise this hardworking author? Hahaha.

Chapter 19

Those words ought to have carried a double meaning.

Yet in Minister Rong's mind, Gao Bai must have meant that Rong Xi was so exceedingly unruly and refused to heed him that he was unwilling to teach him any longer.

It had simply caused the Rong Clan to lose all face!

Rong Lian frowned slightly. For some reason, he always felt that Master Gao's words seemed to hold another meaning.

But when he thought of what his elder brother had done before, his father's reaction seemed perfectly normal.

"Father, Elder Brother is alone. He must be lonely and depressed," Rong Lian pleaded on Rong Xi's behalf, though he secretly sighed to himself.

Linxi was remote. With Elder Brother's temperament, he naturally could not endure it. Yet to Rong Lian, it was a place of beautiful scenery, peace, and tranquility.

"That is precisely why his temper needs to be curbed!" Minister Rong fumed, his beard trembling as a fierce light filled his eyes.

After offering a few words of comfort, Rong Lian said slowly, "Father, I wish to take the provincial examination next year, but there are too many social obligations in the capital, and banquets are frequent. My mind cannot settle, so I wish to find a secluded place to study in peace."

As it concerned the imperial examinations, Minister Rong took it extremely seriously. Hearing this, he immediately replied, "You are right. The small courtyard on the outskirts of the capital is secluded and peaceful. Go there yourself."

Rong Lian shook his head. "Compared to the outskirts of the capital, Linxi is naturally more elegant and quiet. If I move to the outskirts, others can easily find me. If I go to Linxi, no one will disturb me."

Seeing refusal appear on Minister Rong's face, he continued, "Moreover, the Rong Clan line originated in Linxi. If I go there now, then at the winter solstice, I can worship our ancestors with Elder Brother and pray for their blessing that I may pass next year."

After hearing this, Minister Rong was slightly swayed.

"Your elder brother is unruly. I fear he will disrupt your studies."

Rong Lian shook his head and replied with a smile, "Elder Brother has never disturbed anyone studying. Besides, if I study with a settled mind, perhaps I can lead Elder Brother to join me."

Those close to vermilion turn red.

After his reasoning, Minister Rong no longer had the heart to refuse. He merely sighed. "The journey is long. As your father, I worry."

Rong Lian's talent no longer required him to attend school and listen to a teacher's tedious lectures. Minister Rong only worried that he would travel a thousand miles and encounter some mishap along the way.

"Elder Brother went to Linxi alone. I will have a page accompanying me, so I am already less brave than Elder Brother. Read ten thousand books, travel ten thousand miles. If I remain confined to the tiny bounds of Shengjing, then even if I enter officialdom in the future, I will fade into obscurity among the masses."

Your elder brother was driven away. How could he not be brave?

Minister Rong retorted inwardly, but in the end, he agreed outwardly.

"If you wish to go, then go. Have your mother prepare all your necessities. The ancestral residence cannot compare to home, so do not make things too hard on yourself."