Chapter 8: Mockery

  Shu Yao said the most today, first, Shu Yao didn't want her mother to always worry about her because of small things, although Shu Yao didn't like people competing with each other, she wasn't a pushover either. Second, it was because Li Zhengyang gave up his scholarly integrity for his wife that she would help him.

  "Your wife and children are supporting you in your studies, without complaint or regret. You abandoned your studies because of her, selling herself into slavery. She will feel guilty, besides, our household is not lacking in slaves."

  Shu Yao made his attitude clear, like Li Zhengyang's slave, Shu Mu Lu's family can't afford it, don't know the details, Gua'erjia taught him that slaves are not afraid of incompetence and mediocrity, what they fear most is deceiving their superiors and fooling around, ruining the reputation of their master's family.

  "Thank you for reminding me, young lady. I bow to thank you."

  Xiu Yao curled her lip and said, "I don't think much of you bookworms."

  Shu Xuan heard this and raised his head, "Little sister, the way of Confucius is a great way."

  "This brother is right, as the Master said..."

  Shu Yao gave her brother face, but what was Li Zhengyang to her? She retorted: "Apart from 'zi yue' (a phrase she often used), do you know anything else?" It seemed like it wasn't enough, Shu Yao raised an eyebrow: "Zi yue, don't use my phrases for every sentence."

  As soon as the words came out, the wine house was quiet for a moment, and then burst into laughter. A businessman patted the table and said: "Wonderful words, wonderful words, absolutely wonderful words! From now on, when we meet scholars again, we can say that they have said it all, so that they won't get headaches from saying 'the master says' this and that."

  "You must not be rude to Confucius." Shu Yao was lightly scolded by Ama Zhiyuan, "As your brother said, learning the teachings of Confucius and Mencius will make you understand that rites and music can govern a country. After being on the golden list and becoming an official, you will be loyal to the emperor and bring benefits to the people, reading books can enlighten wisdom."

  Shu Yao was scolded by Zhiyuan and didn't make a sound, sitting back beside Gua Erjia. Shu Yao wasn't unaware of the benefits of reading books, but having received modern elite education with extremely severe bias, she wasn't enthusiastic about Confucius' teachings.

  "Yao'er didn't say that Confucius and Mencius were bad, she just looked down on those boastful scholars who weren't even successful in the imperial examination. Li Xiucai had taken the exam twice but never passed, he was always lacking in himself, his wife had exhausted herself taking care of him without any money for medicine, he could only beg passersby for sympathy. What use were these bookworms? It was Yao'er's kindness that helped him out this time, if she hadn't, wouldn't his wife and children have perished? Every day they talked about the Tao of Confucius and Mencius, but did it have any practical use?"

  Li Zhengyang was ashamed by Gualjia's words, and Gualjia continued: "When reading books normally, one should also think about the circumstances. If there is no silver at home, can he still read on? Writing letters for others can also make a living, it's better than when disaster strikes, only thinking of selling oneself into slavery."

  "Miss, I borrowed fifty taels of silver from you, and I will definitely return it. Please leave your address."

  Li Zhengyang covered his face with his sleeve, and Guajia was heavily slapped in the face. Li Zhengyang had been studying hard for the re-examination, and when he finally had some free time, he complained that the examiners from the previous two times were blind and did not appreciate his exquisite essays. He neglected his wife, who was getting thinner and weaker from taking care of the household chores every day, until she and their son fell seriously ill. Only then did Li Zhengyang become flustered and try to borrow money, but there was no way out. Except for the books on history, poetry, and philosophy, everything valuable in the house had already been pawned. As Guajia said, he could only think of selling himself into slavery, and even then, he worried that he wouldn't be able to find a master's household. He knelt in the bustling streets for half a day, but except for Shu Yao being willing to help, no one was willing to lend him a few taels of silver.

  Guarjia didn't plan to let Shuyao show up again, Guarjia was good at physiognomy, Li Zhengyang could sell himself for his wife and wasn't a bad person, just a bit stubborn and inflexible. After this incident, he might have made some progress.

  "We met by chance, we are people from the capital city. It's not convenient to tell you where I live, but I'll help you out and form a good relationship with you. When you become useful in the future, your name will be on the golden list, and it won't be in vain that my daughter helped you. My son is a scholar who reads books, and my daughter doesn't look down on scholars, she just resents those pedantic scholars who don't know how to adapt."

  "Mr. Li will never forget Miss's kindness even if he has a high school education for one day."

  Li Zhengyang bowed deeply, with great sincerity. As he stood up, a beautiful maid emerged from the inner chamber, wearing a blue cheongsam with a white collar and a flag emblem on her sleeve. Her eyebrows and eyes were clear and elegant, no less refined than those of a young lady from a wealthy family. Yet, she was serving as a maid in front of the master, which suggested that this household must be of noble birth and high social standing. The maid's attire indicated that they were likely members of the aristocracy. The little girl who had spoken earlier with a sweet and soft Jiangnan accent claimed to be from Beijing. Li Zhengyang wondered if she might be the daughter of an official who had been promoted and returned to Beijing, and he recalled that the imperial examination was approaching. If he could obtain the recommendation of the Eight Banners nobility, his efforts would be greatly rewarded.

  Li Zhengyang often heard his fellow students say that for ordinary Han people like them to participate in the imperial examination, unless they were extremely talented and outstanding, they would not be able to surpass the sons of noble families. Li Zhengyang had regrets, if only he had taken the exam under his patronage earlier, even if he didn't pass, he could still get a comfortable position as a staff member or something similar, not only would he receive a monthly stipend, but also have the opportunity to meet with powerful ministers through his patron's connections, and getting their attention was worth more than studying hard for a hundred times.

  Li Zhengyang was really poor and could no longer bear the useless bookish righteousness, from the time he knelt down for his wife, he had given up his previous persistence.

  "Li Xiuciai, this hundred taels of silver is given to you by the mistress, so that you can study with a peaceful mind. Next autumn, when the imperial examination takes place, the mistress hopes you will pass with high honors."

  One hundred taels is enough for ordinary people to live comfortably for a few years. Li Zhengyang himself was a scholar, and the court dispatched grain rations, barely enough for Li Zhengyang's family to make ends meet. The fifty taels of silver that Shu Yao gave him to treat his illness had left about twenty taels after deducting medical expenses, and with this additional hundred taels, it would be enough to support him until next autumn. Li Zhengyang had an idea - silver was not as important as a promising future; he had suffered many cold treatments, wasn't it because he had no power or influence? No strong backing? The opportunity was right in front of him, and Li Zhengyang bowed his head. "Madam has always considered everything for me, I have nothing to repay you with, I am willing to listen to your orders."

  Shu Yao puckered up and couldn't shake off the lingering taste, using the excuse of repaying kindness, it was really laughable. Shu Yao said: "Peach, come back."

  "Yes."

  Shu Yao saw that Taozi had not given the silver ticket to Li Zhengyang, and said seriously: "The Master says, 'Help those who help themselves, but kick away those who cling to the powerful.'"

  "Hmph." Zhiyuan couldn't help but sneer, Shuyao didn't like reading books, Leng Dedong suddenly came up with this sentence, it sounded quite rhythmic, but when did Confucius ever say that? Someone like Li Zhengyang was looked down upon by Zhiyuan.

  Shu Mu Lu's current official position is all due to his own efforts. He was weak and frail since childhood, unable to practice martial arts, and did not win the favor of his father. His birth mother was a taboo that could not be mentioned. He relied on diligent study of classics and history, passed the imperial examination, and became an official through external appointment. During this period, he did not help with any chores in the duke's mansion. Zhiyuan was born in the late Shunzhi era. The eight banners' aristocracy took pride in their equestrian skills, and few people like Zhiyuan who excelled in reading and imperial examinations were looked down upon by the banner people. It wasn't until Kangxi came to power and valued Han learning that more sons of the Eight Banners began to study and develop their talents. The talented Nalan Rongruo was the pride of the Manchu Eight Banners, and he was the person Zhiyuan most admired.