"Oh my, Mr. Bai, it's such an honor to have you here! I'm truly sorry for not welcoming you sooner!"
Upon learning that Bai Hua had come directly to their door, Shen Qingfeng was so excited that he went to greet him personally, with Shen Yan following behind. Almost all the elders, except those who were busy with other matters, were also present. This display of presence left the Bai Family couple somewhat at a loss.
Looking at the incredibly enthusiastic Old Master Shen, Bai Hua was filled with emotion.
The Bai Family is a renowned family of divination masters, but this reputation is not highly respected among scholars. After all, miscellaneous studies are not the proper path, especially in the capital. When I first came to the capital to make my way in the world, those aristocratic families were arrogant and looked down on me, let alone these families of diviners.
Unexpectedly, with this change in Jiangnan, people like them became highly sought after. He had already received great respect in Jiangnan, and he never expected that even in the capital, such a traditional family of sorcerers would treat him with such respect.
Lord Chen, you are truly remarkable! You are practically changing an era!
"Quickly, everyone come and greet the master!"
The Shen Family had been waiting for three generations of people for a long time. Upon hearing Shen Yan's urging, the group quickly bowed.
"Greetings, Mr. Bai!"
Bai Hua smiled and returned the greeting. The entourage was quite impressive, but he could also tell that these kids, especially the ones standing at the front, weren't particularly fond of him.
However, he could understand that, unlike the elders who could see the situation clearly, it would be difficult for these scions of prominent families to change their mindset in a short period of time.
He didn't care. He was only at the Shen Family's Shen Family temporarily to avoid trouble and had no intention of staying permanently. Although Shen Yuan had asked him for a favor, if the younger generation here didn't respect him, he had every right to seek other opportunities.
Clearly, Bai Hua was very unhappy with Shen Yuan's scheme against him.
Just as I was thinking this, a childish female voice suddenly rang out. "Are you Bai Hua?"
"Huh?" Bai Hua was taken aback. He looked over and saw a girl standing in the very back corner. Judging from her clothes and position, she probably didn't have a high status among the three generations of the Shen Family.
"What do you mean by that, girl?" Bai Hua asked, amused. "Have you heard of me before?"
"I've heard of it." The girl nodded repeatedly. "Your notes are in the latest Nine Palace Mathematics. It contains very new ideas about the Three Origins Mathematical Principles. I've read your latest version and gained a better understanding of the Three Origins Art Principles. Sir, you are very knowledgeable. It is my good fortune to be taught by you!"
Upon hearing this, Shen Yu and the others couldn't help but sneer. They hadn't realized that this bookworm from the Fourth Madam's family, who usually seemed so clueless and silly, was actually a sycophantic little man.
That makes sense, after all, she was born to a concubine, so her personality naturally has the obsequiousness that only concubines possess.
"You understand the Three Origins Art Principles?" Bai Hua was taken aback. In the Nine Palace Mathematics, the Three Origins Art Principles is the content of the last few chapters. Generally, illegitimate children of families will only read the first three chapters, which are basically enough for financial calculations. The later chapters of the Three Origins Art Principles are already advanced calculus.
I myself didn't understand this kind of knowledge until I was over fifteen, yet I was already considered exceptionally gifted in the family history. How old is this girl?
"I can barely understand some of it," the little girl said, trying to be conservative. "I only know the basics; I'll have to ask the teacher for more guidance in the future."
"Then I'll test you!" Bai Hua didn't give the other woman a chance to dodge. If she was just using this to flatter him, he wouldn't bother with such a scheming woman in the future. But if she really had this talent...
And so, with each person offering their own opinion, Bai Hua conducted the assessment for a full half hour.
The other young men in the compound were clearly impatient. If the old master and the head of the family hadn't been there in person, they wouldn't have dared to be rude and would have already voiced their opinions.
"Master, it's so hot today, and the children are all standing. What are you doing?" It was Bai Hua's wife who spoke up, which made Bai Hua stop asking questions.
"Good, good, good!" Bai Hua's face was full of surprise. He originally thought that this girl was using him to show off and that she only knew a little bit of the basics. But even if she only knew a little bit of the Three Origins Art Principles, it was still a sign of extremely high talent at her age.
But the other party completely exceeded his expectations. She had a profound understanding of the Three Origins Art Principles and already possessed a very solid foundation in divination. At her age, even he himself at that age would have been slightly inferior. It was truly remarkable for a girl!
Thinking of this, an idea sprouted in Bai Hua's mind.
" Old Master Shen, your younger generation is truly gifted!"
"Oh, Mr. Bai, you're too kind!" Shen Qingfeng's smile grew wider and wider. Although he knew that Shen Xue had some basic divination skills, he didn't expect her to be this good. It was a pleasant surprise.
"I have some private matters to discuss with you, Old Master Shen. Is that alright?"
"Alright, alright, sir, this way please!"
As Shen Yan and Shen Qingfeng escorted the couple toward the inner hall, the younger generation of the Shen Family finally breathed a sigh of relief.
Shen Yu looked at Shen Xue and sneered repeatedly, "Fifth Sister certainly knows how to find opportunities, but as a member of the family, to curry favor with a miscellaneous teacher, you really know how to make yourself look good!"
Shen Xue lowered her head, offering no rebuttal, and honestly replied, "Brother is right, I was too rash."
"Snort"
Shen Yu felt like he'd punched cotton; a wave of discomfort washed over him. He snorted coldly and stormed off.
A large number of disciples hurriedly followed behind her, leaving only Shen Xue and a few illegitimate children who were usually neglected.
" Xiaoxue, you..." The oldest among those who remained couldn't help but speak up, "Even if you want to gain the master's favor, you don't need to do this. You know, Shen Yu and the others have been... lately..." He lowered his voice, "They've never been good at academics since they were little, and now they're behind us. They're already full of resentment with nowhere to vent it. If you keep provoking them like this, I'm afraid..."
"That's precisely why we must seize every opportunity!" Shen Xue's eyes gleamed with determination. "People like us are destined to spend our lives managing mundane affairs. This is a rare chance to turn our lives around. If we don't seize it, we'll only face even more misery in the future. Either we show weakness from the start, indicating that we dare not compete, or if we do compete, we shouldn't think about a way out. If we fail, they definitely won't let us off the hook!"
The few illegitimate children were taken aback upon hearing this, exchanged glances, and their faces were filled with struggle.
"Think it over carefully," Shen Xue said coldly. " Shen Yu has never been a magnanimous person. This time, he's been forced to study math and physics, and he'll only become more and more irritable in the future. The better we do, the more he'll have a problem with us. If you don't want to compete, you'd better give up now!" Without waiting for the replies from these disciples who were usually on good terms with her, she headed straight for her own courtyard.
The group of disciples were left standing there, looking conflicted.
--
"Sir, is there anything you wish to say?"
Upon entering the inner hall, after tea was served, Shen Qingfeng asked with a smile.
Bai Hua took a sip of the clear tea and immediately recognized it as Longqu from the capital, a very precious tea. Clearly, the other party valued him highly. However...
To be honest, the taste of this tea is now inferior even to those second-rate teas from Jiangnan.
"The child I just spoke with is indeed quite promising." Bai Hua thought for a moment and then asked directly, "May I ask, Old Master Shen, is that child married?"
"Huh?" Shen Yan and Shen Qingfeng were both taken aback, not expecting the other party to have such an idea about a little girl.
"Master?" Bai Hua's wife was also taken aback, clearly not expecting her husband to suddenly bring up marriage.
"What do you mean, sir?"
"Let me be frank," Bai Hua said directly. "My Bai Family has few descendants. Now, in my next generation, I only have two sons. My eldest son is currently Sixth Rank official in the capital. Old Master Shen must know this. When he was young, he was keen on the imperial examinations and focused on the classics, which resulted in him having no foundation in divination. As for my son..." He glanced back at his younger son, who was looking down somewhat embarrassed, and sighed, "His aptitude is not satisfactory."
"Oh?" Shen Qingfeng's eyes flashed, and he roughly understood what the other party was planning.
"So, sir, you want to resolve this matter through marriage?"
"Yes!" Bai Hua said directly, "You are aware of the situation, Old Master Shen. The Jiangnan Academy is extremely profitable, which is probably why you value scholars like us who are well-versed in various fields. But I understand better than you what the Jiangnan Academy represents. If you want me to wholeheartedly teach your Shen Family's children, you must agree to this condition: that girl named Shen Xue will marry my youngest son. We will then be in-laws, and I will do my utmost to tutor the Shen Family. If you do not agree..."
Bai Hua's eyes turned cold. "Your Bai Family has quite a few people outside inviting me!"
Shen Yan: "."