"That's good, then." Changsun Jue couldn't help glancing at his impaired right arm, but asked no further questions.
Li Mingqiu finally came in through the door, stood on the dais, and slowly opened his book.
The atmosphere in the classroom gradually returned to normal. Li Mingqiu lectured on Spring and Autumn as usual, and Pei Ye inevitably found himself frowning again. But Fang Jidao wasn't there for him to consult today. After a moment's hesitation, Pei Ye turned and held out his book, whispering, "Classmate Changsun, sorry to bother you. I couldn't find what the teacher just said in the book."
Changsun Jue paused. "Do you mean, 'The Master's words on human nature and the Way of Heaven cannot be heard'?"
"Yes, exactly."
"The teacher was quoting that from The Analects," Changsun Jue explained earnestly in a low voice. "It's from the Gongye Chang chapter: 'Zigong said: The Master's cultural teachings can be heard. His words on human nature and the Way of Heaven cannot be heard.' The teacher was just discussing human nature and the Way of Heaven, but the sage offered no explanation of these matters thousands of years ago, so he quoted that line in lament."
Pei Ye nodded, somewhat bewildered.
Yet the great scholar on the dais seemed a little distracted today as well. After his lament, he rested his hand on the book and fell silent.
Only after a long while did he raise his head and look over the students filling the room. "Let us set aside the lecture for today. How about each of you offering your views on human nature and the Way of Heaven?"
The room fell quiet, with a slight stir of unease. Pei Ye instinctively looked at Changsun Jue again. His youthful classmate whispered, "This is a very profound