Chapter 109: Seeking a Mentor

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“I heard that last night, sir caused quite a stir—”

I had thought last night’s matter was handled discreetly, but when I ran back, everyone at home already knew. After all, his actions at the time might have escaped the notice of others, but certainly not the Su family and Li Pin nearby. It became a source of amusement and light ridicule. Presumably, Su Wendin and the others mentioned it this morning, and now Su Tan’er brought it up again.

“Five hundred taels at once! Our son-in-law is quite generous.” Holding a bowl of rice porridge, Xiao Chan said with a smile. Juan’er glanced back and whispered softly to Xing’er, “Such extravagance.” Since they were familiar with Ning Yi, it was all in jest. Their voices carried, and when Ning Yi raised his spoon with mock irritation to strike, they giggled and ran away.

“Alright, alright, our gentleman hasn’t been out much before, so stop teasing him about it.”

Though five hundred taels was indeed a large sum, Su Tan’er found the incident amusing rather than troublesome. Once everyone was seated, she casually asked, “Sir, do you know that Yuan Jin’er?”

Ning Yi pondered: “Not very well, but I do know another.”

Xiao Chan’s eyes lit up. “The one in white who sang ‘Shuidiao Getou’? When Master Wendin came this morning, he said she sang beautifully, using a new style. I thought it was the same method as sir’s, but when I tried, Master Wendin said it wasn’t.” She laughed, humming a few lines, clearly enjoying herself. “Is it as good as what sir teaches?”

“She’s quite extraordinary.” Ning Yi picked up a sour bean, shook his head, and smiled. “Xiao Chan, you’re an amateur; you can’t compare.”

Xiao Chan pursed her lips and lowered her head to sip the porridge. Xing’er then asked, “Who is she?”

“Probably a girl who admires sir’s talent,” Su Tan’er said with a smile.

“She’s called Nie Yunzhu, very capable. I once saved her.” Ning Yi replied, then sipped his porridge, recounting the morning when Nie Yunzhu chased a hen into the river—how clumsy her pursuit was, and later when even he was caught up and slapped across the face. The expressions of those in the room grew rather peculiar.

“Is she the one who sells pine flower eggs and has some entanglement with Gu Yanzhen?”

“Gu Yanzhen… tsk.” Ning Yi shrugged ambiguously.

Breakfast was now finished, and after some more trivial talk about Nie Yunzhu, Su Tan’er occasionally glanced at Ning Yi, then lightly laughed. “Sir speaks so highly of her; if given the chance, I’d like to meet this Miss Yunzhu.”

“Last night, hardly anyone knew her. Best not to spread it around.”

“I understand.”

There was much more to say, but for Su Tan’er, it was time to go out and handle some matters. She pressed some thoughts down, observing Ning Yi as usual. These days, things were piling up. She took Xiao Chan, Juan’er, and Xing’er out in the morning, while Ning Yi intended to tidy up the small laboratory beside the academy.

As noon approached, when he came out from the courtyard and headed toward the academy, he saw two carriages stopped at the already closed academy gate. They belonged to the Kang Prince’s mansion. Zhou Pei and Zhou Junwu, siblings, along with several guards, seemed to have just knocked but found no one, preparing to turn away. Among the guards was Lu Agui, who greeted Ning Yi with delight.

“We came over just now, didn’t expect the academy to be closed. We were about to head to the Su residence but ran into you here—what a coincidence.”

“Heh, things have been tense these days. The city gates might close anytime. So, the academy held a meeting yesterday and temporarily shut down.”

The two families exchanged a few words. Ning Yi looked at Zhou Pei and Zhou Junwu, then smiled and asked, “Brother Lu, what brings you here? Heh… it’s not another challenge, is it?” He teased the siblings.

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“Not at all.” Lu Agui quickly shook his head. “We came over because…”

“My sister and I came to apprentice under you!” Before Lu Agui finished, Zhou Junwu interrupted earnestly. Zhou Pei looked startled and a little embarrassed. She glanced at her brother, then at Ning Yi. “I… I still have questions to ask…”

Ning Yi looked at her and couldn’t help but laugh. Lu Agui coughed awkwardly, probably sensing Ning Yi’s character and trying to smooth things over. Ning Yi thought for a moment and looked at Zhou Pei: “I heard you’re good at arithmetic?”

Zhou Pei blinked, thought for a moment, and finally hummed softly, “Yes.”

“I’ll ask you a few simple questions. If you answer them, you can ask me your questions. How about that?”

Hesitating briefly, Zhou Pei nodded and turned around. “I’ll get paper and pen.”

“No need, these are really simple.” Ning Yi smiled. When Zhou Pei turned back, still doubtful, he extended a finger and said, “Tell me, what number is this?”

The young girl looked at the finger, then Ning Yi, then the finger again, her gaze flickering twice as if contemplating whether Ning Yi was trying some trickery. After a long moment, she cautiously answered:

“Master Chen once said, one is one, two is two, right is right, wrong is wrong. Anyone who confuses these basic things is engaging in sophistry…”

She spoke slowly, solemnly watching Ning Yi’s reaction. Ning Yi wiggled his finger slightly in the air. “Uh, did someone really say that? Who is Master Chen?”

“Chen Qiulan, Master Chen, is a guest scholar at the Kang Prince’s mansion, a great Confucian of our time, and often in contact with my family’s master.” Lu Agui explained.

Ning Yi nodded, still holding up his finger. “Makes sense. But after all that, what number is this?”

After a moment, she gave a brief, firm reply.

“Oh.”

Ning Yi nodded and held up two fingers. “And this?”

Without hesitation, the girl tilted her head, as if daring Ning Yi to try some trick.

Then three fingers: “What is one plus one?”

“Three!” Her answer was still loud and clear.

Ning Yi withdrew his hand and laughed. Zhou Pei in front, and Zhou Junwu and Lu Agui beside her, instinctively awaited Ning Yi’s fourth question. Seeing Ning Yi’s expression, Zhou Junwu exclaimed, “Ah!” Zhou Pei blinked, “Why don’t you continue, uh… ask more?”

Zhou Junwu and Lu Agui began laughing quietly. The young girl finally realized what was happening, her face flushing red. “Y-you’re cheating… How could you…”

“Heh, you’re overthinking. One must be polite. Otherwise… do you want to renege on your debt?”

“I… I’m not reneging! What do you want me to do?”

“What? Just joking. But now I don’t have to answer your questions, right?” Ning Yi shrugged to Lu Agui. “Must be hard, so it’s good not to answer.” Lu Agui chuckled.

Zhou Junwu raised his hand, eyes shining. “I, I, I don’t want to ask questions. Mr. Ning, may I apprentice under you?”

“The academy is there. Anyone who wants to join can, but it’s closed now. If you’re interested, wait for it to open, pay the tuition, and attend classes.”

Ning Yi said casually.

Lu Agui whispered, “Actually, if possible, the Kang Prince hopes that Liheng can teach at the prince’s mansion, ideally holding a guest scholar title. I know Liheng doesn’t like official positions, but this guest scholar role isn’t demanding—just a monthly stipend. What do you think?”

“How does the Kang Prince know me?”

“That’s a long story.” Actually, the Kang Prince has only heard of Liheng’s talent. “This is what my master has arranged. If possible, my two young princes and princess hope to learn useful things. Of course, the guest scholar position is up to Liheng.”

Ning Yi thought for a moment. “Well… thanks for the offer, but I don’t know much. Having a couple more students is fine. They can come to class and learn what I teach. But going to the prince’s mansion? No thanks. My temperament is peculiar. When there are many people, telling stories is fine, but teaching privately, I honestly don’t know what I’d teach.”

Zhou Junwu tugged at Lu Agui’s sleeve happily. “I also think the academy is great, and my sister… sister?”

He looked back at his sister, who was sulking silently. Still, Zhou Junwu was excited and turned back: “It’ll be fun when my sister and I come to the academy.” He usually found studying at home or attending the great scholars’ schools dull and now longed for a new place to play.

Lu Agui thought a moment. “Since Liheng said so, I’ll report back accordingly. I think the issue isn’t too big. Usually, one or two will accompany us, but it won’t disturb Liheng’s classes.”

“I understand.” Ning Yi nodded. The group rode on with the carriages, guards following. After a while, Ning Yi asked, “So, Brother Lu, what’s the long story you mentioned?”

Lu Agui considered and then spoke softly, “Actually… a few days ago, Liheng spoke in the classroom with Li Pin and Li Dexin, and the young princes and princess happened to overhear. I don’t know exactly what Liheng said, but…”

He explained everything in detail, and Ning Yi finally understood what had happened.

“My master has been thinking about what Liheng said these past days. It’s clear he values those words greatly. Sometimes he says Liheng is rebellious, which is absurd, but overall, Liheng must have hit the mark. If not for other matters, he would have accompanied the young princes and princess today. Heh, I know my master’s temper; he’ll debate with Liheng for sure. But having the young princes and princess apprentice under Liheng was my master’s own suggestion. We came today to seek Liheng’s opinion. My master said, given Liheng’s character, the young princes and princess must personally visit to show respect. When the formal apprenticeship happens, it won’t be so simple; the Kang Prince himself will have to attend. Such are the formalities, and Liheng should prepare.”

Lu Agui laughed as he spoke, then brought up another matter.

“Oh, about Liheng’s comment earlier on closing the city gates—that will happen in the next day or two. Today is the thirteenth, tomorrow the fourteenth. On the fifteenth, the Zhongyuan Festival, every household will honor their ancestors. Many outside the city have lost family members, so trouble is expected…”

Before he finished, the urgent sound of bells and gongs came from the east side of Jiangning City. The carriage paused briefly, and everyone turned to look. Though separated by many buildings, the city seemed suddenly quieter. A sense of pressure came from the east, followed by growing sounds of commotion and chaos.

“Something’s happened…”

As noon approached, on the streets, Ning Yi heard Lu Agui murmuring…