When Lianshan Xin heard He Miaojun say this, his first reaction was not curiosity about his father's relationship with He Hongye, nor about just how many books his mother had read. Instead, he instinctively asked, "Who on earth took first place that year?"
Anyone who could beat both those women must have been worth their weight in gold.
He Miaojun gave Lianshan Xin a strange look and frowned. "Haven't I told you to read more? Look at you. You pulled out every stop to get into White Deer Grotto Academy, but have you spent even a single day there studying properly?"
"No," Lianshan Xin said, perfectly unabashed.
He Miaojun said, "...Is that something to be proud of?"
"Mother, your thinking is too narrow." Lianshan Xin explained, "I entered White Deer Grotto Academy for its credentials, not to study. Now that I have those credentials, staying there to read would be a waste of time. When my classmates finish their studies, won't they just be selling their literary and martial accomplishments to the imperial house? I sold mine ahead of time. I've already reached the shore, at least five years ahead of them."
His argument was well reasoned and well supported. He Miaojun could not refute it.
She could only criticize him instead. "A-Xin, reading is meant to teach you reason. You're too calculating. All you see is rank, fame, wealth, and privilege."
Lianshan Xin laughed. "Mother, once my power overshadows the realm or I'm invincible under heaven, we can discuss ideals. For now, let's discuss benefits. A child from a poor family has to deal with the daily grind first. Poetry and distant horizons aren't for me."
He paused, glanced at He Miaojun, then at Lianshan Jingcheng, who was still practicing his sword, and sighed up at the sky. "Then