Chapter 90: The First Lesson
The sky was fully bright, and the bell for the National Academy’s Grand Lecture gradually stopped ringing.
All the students had entered the largest lecture hall.
Ling Yu sat on the platform with a somewhat helpless expression.
As Wang Zaitian’s direct disciple, they had to be present when the teacher was lecturing.
So he and the other two disciples were all sitting behind Wang Zaitian at this moment.
Of course, it wasn’t that he didn’t want to come; attending the Grand Lecture wouldn’t affect his reading. He just needed to sandwich the book he wanted to read between the teacher’s lecture materials.
The teacher’s lecturing was different from debating scriptures with others; his voice was calm and unchanged from beginning to end, like a babbling stream… it wouldn’t disturb his reading.
But this time, the teacher didn’t know what was going on; he spoke eloquently, quoting classics extensively, and occasionally examined the students below the platform, stirring up unprecedented liveliness in the entire lecture hall.
Ling Yu felt like he was sitting in front of a raging river… with surging waves occasionally splashing on his face.
“…Ling Yu, you explain how this sentence should be interpreted?”
“…Ling Yu, do you think his answer is correct?”
Of course, whether noisy or being questioned, it wouldn’t affect his reading; what affected him was the teacher’s performance.
There must be something strange about this lecture.
Look at the way he’s teaching!
Because of the princesses?
Ling Yu’s gaze turned to the seats directly facing the platform.
The three princesses sat upright.
Princess Wuyang and Princess Nangong looked very serious, but one had restless eyes, the other timid eyes; their minds weren’t on reading.
Princess Pingcheng was a bit better, but her eyes couldn’t hide her arrogance; reading was just an ornament to her, like the jewels she wore.
Ling Yu’s gaze quickly shifted away, looking toward the dozen or so companion reader young ladies sitting behind the princesses.
He knew the teacher wouldn’t act like this just because of the princesses’ identities; could it be that he had discovered some good prospects for reading?
Ling Yu’s gaze swept over them one by one; the young ladies had various postures, most similar to the three princesses, with occasional serious eyes, but nothing outstanding…
His gaze reached the end of the young ladies’ seats; he glanced past a young lady who was dozing off with eyes open, passed a young lady who wasn’t asleep but had calm eyes lost in thought, slightly examined a young lady with focused eyes murmuring as if reciting silently, and finally looked at a young lady with a smile on her lips, one hand propping her cheek as she watched the platform…
Her skin was slightly dark, with fine curved eyebrows; she didn’t keep staring at Wang Zaitian, but would lower her eyes to glance at the book scroll, and sometimes slightly furrow her brows…
This one was not only listening but also thinking; indeed, she really looked like someone reading.
Moreover, Ling Yu was slightly stunned; it seemed like he had seen her somewhere…
“Ling Yu, you explain, what does this sentence mean?”
Wang Zaitian in front suddenly spoke; with his voice, countless gazes in the lecture hall converged on Ling Yu.
Ling Yu’s gaze was overwhelmed like by a tide; he lowered his eyes and responded affirmatively.
Mo Zheng sat up straight, blending into the countless gazes, looking at the young man on the platform with lowered eyes lecturing, and sighed lightly in her heart.
She hadn’t yet found an opportunity to reveal her identity to Ling Yu.
Wait a bit longer.
Her identity wasn’t a good one anyway; knowing it would just bring extra worries and troubles.
……
…….
After Ling Yu answered the question, the first half of the lecture ended; he didn’t look at the lecture hall again, holding his book with lowered eyes as he left.
Wang Zaitian didn’t leave; the first half was lecturing, the second half was explaining.
The students all gathered forward; those with questions asked, those without listened to others’ inquiries and the teacher’s answers, which was also greatly beneficial.
Moreover, this time there were princesses and companion reader young ladies present.
The young students also wanted to show off their style.
Because Princess Pingcheng was sitting in the position in front of the Libationer, now that movement was allowed, the companion reader young ladies all went to the princesses’ sides, getting closer to the Libationer.
Yang Hui wanted the limelight by the princess’s side, while Liu Chan had a question to ask, so both went forward.
Only Yang Luo and Mo Zheng remained in the last seats of the companion reader young ladies.
“My father’s intention is still to go back and live there; we’ll move out after class today,” Yang Luo said softly to Mo Zheng. “Do you think it’s okay?”
After that night’s incident, the Liu family master and apprentice and Yang Luo had all been taken to Duke Ding’an’s Mansion, but as the event subsided, Father Liu insisted on leaving, refusing to impose on others.
“It’s fine,” Mo Zheng said softly. “The government is investigating strictly; it’s safe outside now. Us being at Duke Ding’an’s Mansion makes it unsafe instead.”
Yang Luo understood her meaning; now A Sheng was replacing her, bearing the danger in her place. There had already been one attack, so there would surely be a second and third; having A Sheng keep her at a distance was safer.
“What can I do to help you…” she murmured softly.
Mo Zheng smiled: “You protect yourself well, and that’s helping me.”
These words were literal.
But Miss Yang felt even more moved and guilty upon hearing them; about to say something, Mo Zheng coughed lightly and pointed to the book: “Did you understand this…”
Yang Luo reacted quickly, shaking her head and pressing her brow with a sigh: “No…”
“Yang Luo!”
With footsteps, a companion reader young lady rushed over. “Hurry over; Princess Wuyang is calling you.”
Princess Wuyang? Mo Zheng looked forward and saw Princess Wuyang standing in the midst of the companion reader young ladies, glaring at her with an annoyed expression and darkened face.
…….
…….
Mo Zheng stood over with her head lowered, hearing Princess Nangong’s voice coming from beside the Libationer.
Princess Nangong held a booklet, her expression serious.
“…The Way that can be spoken is not the eternal Way,” she said. “I don’t quite understand this.”
Wang Zaitian nodded with a smile: “For the princess to understand up to this point is already very good.” Then he carefully explained it to her.
The students around listened attentively, their gazes occasionally turning to Princess Nangong with admiring expressions.
“…The princess is only fourteen or fifteen and can ask such a question; truly impressive.”
“His Majesty truly values reading.”
Low discussions came from around; Princess Nangong’s serious eyes sparkled, her smile almost uncontainable.
Princess Pingcheng’s expression was calm.
Princess Wuyang gripped her hands in front until they were purple, glaring hatefully at Princess Nangong.
She doesn’t understand a damn thing!
No, she doesn’t know shit!
With her dazed look during class, she wouldn’t even know what question to ask.
It was her lady-in-waiting who had just rudely pushed forward; she snatched it and turned it into her own question, stealing the spotlight in front of the Libationer and everyone.
Princess Wuyang felt both angry and envious, glaring once more at her own companion reader with annoyed eyes.
She who had been so reverent and fawning toward her in the lecture hall earlier had no eye for the situation today!
Mo Zheng had already realized, hurriedly whispering a question into Princess Wuyang’s ear.
Princess Wuyang’s brows relaxed; she heard Princess Nangong’s voice from ahead.
“Thank you, Mister; I understand now.”
Wang Zaitian nodded with a smile: “Understanding is good.”
If you have the guts, repeat it again, Princess Wuyang sneered inwardly; if not for being busy stealing the show right now, she would definitely block Princess Nangong!
“Mister.” She raised her voice to call.
But just as she opened her mouth, Princess Pingcheng’s voice rang out first.
“If there’s anything we don’t understand, let’s discuss it among ourselves first; don’t all come ask the Mister.”
She looked at the students around.
“This is the Grand Lecture, not the Mister lecturing just for us.”
Then she coldly glanced at Princess Wuyang and Princess Nangong.
“Here we are all students; don’t act on your identities.”
Princess Wuyang stiffened, cursing Princess Pingcheng bloody in her mind, but she didn’t dare retort.
If Princess Pingcheng reported back that she was pestering the Libationer relying on her princess identity, Father Emperor wouldn’t spare her.
Princess Nangong didn’t mind; in fact, she was even happier—her achievement today was secured, and it was better to have only her boasting to Father Emperor upon return.
“Princess, Princess Wuyang and I were just about to ask everyone to discuss it.”
A slightly timid voice rang out.
Everyone’s gazes turned to Princess Wuyang… beside her.
The young girl looked somewhat nervous but also poised.
“In the notes I made for the princess, I recorded one line of classics from the Libationer’s earlier explanation as using ‘inquire’ for interpretation, but the princess just looked and said it should be ‘consult’.”
She said, looking toward Princess Wuyang.
“Princess, why don’t we let everyone judge who’s right and wrong.”
To debate the Libationer’s right or wrong? All gazes around converged on Princess Wuyang.
Brilliant; debating right or wrong with the Mister was much smarter than admitting ignorance and asking!
Moreover, this wasn’t asking; it was discussing—Princess Pingcheng couldn’t stop it!
Princess Wuyang felt light all over.
“That’s right.” She said loudly. “That’s what I think.”
She looked toward her lady-in-waiting beside her.
“Yang Luo, explain our debate, and let the Mister and everyone correct us.”
The Libationer smiled, his gaze turning to the young lady beside Princess Wuyang.
“Miss Yang.” He gestured with a smile. “Please speak.”
