Chapter 263: Chapter 206: Sincerity Is the Killer Move

"Is that woman with Mr. Qingzhou his wife?"

"...That’s Old Marquis Xiao’s eldest granddaughter, Xiao Wan’er. She’s not Mr. Qingzhou’s wife."

"She’s just as the rumors say—a beauty that could topple nations. What a pity..."

"A pity about what, my friend?"

"A pity that beauty is so often ill-fated. I heard Xiao Wan’er has suffered from a serious illness since childhood, one that no medicine can cure."

"How could that be? She... she..."

"If not for that, why would she still be unmarried at her age? Alas, it’s truly lamentable."

Most of the students at Guiyun Academy were from Shu State, so they were naturally familiar with the Xiao Family.

They had all heard stories about Old Marquis Xiao, Xiao Wan’er, and Xiao Jinghong.

In contrast, Chen Yi, the Xiao Family’s live-in son-in-law, was someone the Guiyun Academy students had only recently become acquainted with.

Amidst the faint murmurs of discussion, Chen Yi led Xiao Wan’er and Shen Huatang to Mr. Yue Ming’s residence, only to find it empty.

After asking a couple of passing students, he learned that Mr. Yue Ming and the others were outside the academy’s library, reportedly preparing a new study.

Chen Yi raised an eyebrow slightly, thinking to himself, ’They sure are fast.’

’It’s only been three days since I discussed the exhibition hall with Mr. Yue Ming and the others. It’s ready already?’

But on second thought, he figured they probably just repurposed an existing building, so he didn’t dwell on it.

He then changed course and headed for the library with Xiao Wan’er and Shen Huatang, all of them carrying copybooks.

Perhaps because she rarely had the chance to visit places like an academy, Xiao Wan’er found everything new and fascinating.

Looking around, she said with great interest, "All those talented scholars are bowing to you."

Chen Yi smiled and nodded. "Well, I am an Instructor at the academy now, so I’m considered their senior."

"Mm, the scholarly atmosphere here is so strong. If Wuge could study here, it would surely be good for him."

"Perhaps..."

He figured if Xiao Wuge heard that, he’d be so happy he’d jump from his room straight into the pond.

In truth, Xiao Wan’er’s reaction was understandable.

Because of her health, she had rarely left the Xiao Mansion throughout her entire life.

It was only after she went to the Daoist Temple on Wumeng Mountain to use the Heaven and Earth’s Ultimate Yang Qi to alleviate her Extreme Yin Deficiency Meridian that she was able to go out.

The number of times she left the mansion each year could be counted on one hand.

And most of those outings were just to buy a few things or visit the Medicine Hall and other such places.

As for Guiyun Academy... this was Xiao Wan’er’s first time here.

It wasn’t long before the three of them found Mr. Yue Ming and the others.

Just as Chen Yi had guessed, the study—a room roughly fifty feet square—had been freshly painted. The interior was completely empty, supported only by four pillars.

The group exchanged greetings, and Mr. Yue Ming gestured around the study, asking, "Qingzhou, take a look. What do you think of this place?"

Chen Yi surveyed the area and nodded. "It’ll do."

He didn’t have any special requirements for the exhibition hall. As long as it was spacious and well-lit, it was fine.

After all, it was a place specifically for displaying Calligraphy Dao copybooks. If it were too cramped, it would inevitably make Guiyun Academy seem petty.

"In that case, I’ll have someone furnish this place shortly."

As Mr. Yue Ming spoke, his eyes kept darting toward the brocade boxes in the hands of Chen Yi and his companions.

Chen Yi understood, of course. He distributed the dozen or so brocade boxes he was holding among Mr. Yue Ming, Mr. Zhuo Ying, and the others.

"The copybooks I promised to leave for this exhibition hall are all here."

A delighted expression spread across Mr. Yue Ming’s face. He immediately opened one of the brocade boxes in his hands, ignoring the present company.

Instantly, a hazy, brilliant light illuminated the study.

A line of shimmering golden characters in Wei Qing’s Style faintly emerged from the copybook.

Mr. Yue Ming’s eyes lit up as he scanned it. He exclaimed in admiration,

"Diligence is the path up the mountain of books; hard work is the boat across the endless sea of learning..."

"Excellent! Excellent! The characters are well-written, and the words are wonderfully composed. This will surely encourage the students of our academy."

Mr. Zhuo Ying, without taking a second look, also opened the copybook in his hands and showed it to the others.

"A sword’s sharp edge is born from grinding; a plum blossom’s fragrance comes from winter’s bitter cold."

"Qingzhou’s Wei Qing’s Style is so natural and perfect. The students who come to visit the academy will surely gain something from it."

The other instructors present were mostly acquainted with Chen Yi, and they all had high praise for the copybooks.

But there were also two others, an old man and a young one, both dressed in long robes, who stood to the side watching quietly.

After seeing several copybooks pass by, all in Wei Qing’s Style and all at the Great Success in Calligraphy Dao Realm, the handsome young man couldn’t help but mutter,

"What’s so special about calligraphy at this level? It’s not that much better than my grandfather’s."

As he spoke, he looked at the old man beside him. "Uncle Han, if this is all there is, there was no need for me to travel so far from home to Shu State, was there?"

Hearing this, the old man gave a wry smile and gestured for him to stop. "Zhaoye, don’t speak nonsense. We can discuss this later." 𝒇𝙧𝙚𝓮𝙬𝙚𝓫𝒏𝓸𝓿𝓮𝒍.𝓬𝙤𝓶

However, their conversation had already drawn the attention of Mr. Yue Ming and the others.

Chen Yi and Xiao Wan’er also noticed the pair, clearly not knowing who they were.

Mr. Yue Ming recognized the two, paused for a moment, and stepped forward to make introductions. "Qingzhou, Miss Wan’er."

"These two are guests who have come a long way from Yan State. This is Han Zhangping. You can simply call him Mr. Zhangping."

"He is an Instructor at Yuelu Academy and has dedicated many years to the study of Confucianism."

Chen Yi bowed. After the old man, Han Zhangping, returned the bow, the two considered themselves introduced.

Mr. Yue Ming then continued the introduction, "And this is..."

Before he could finish, the young man stepped forward on his own and bowed. "I am the student Pei Zhaoye. Greetings, Instructors."

Mr. Yue Ming paused, glanced at Han Zhangping, and then turned to Chen Yi. "The Pei Family of Yan State. I imagine you’ve heard of them, Qingzhou."

It was clear that the dean was not pleased with Pei Zhaoye’s behavior of interrupting at will.

Chen Yi, however, didn’t seem to mind. He thought for a moment and asked, "Is that the ’Pei’ of Mr. Pei Qiaosong from Yuelu Academy?"

Before Mr. Yue Ming could speak, the young Pei Zhaoye lifted his chin and said, "The very same."

Everyone fell silent, though most of them didn’t pay it much mind.

They were all learned people, after all, not the type to act high and mighty just because of their age or status.

The only one who was displeased was Mr. Yue Ming. Having been interrupted twice, he was already rather annoyed.

The old man, Mr. Han Zhangping, was well aware of this. He pulled the youth behind him and made a deep bow.

"Zhaoye is young. I hope Dean Yue Ming and the other instructors will not take offense."

Pei Zhaoye, however, just pursed his lips and muttered something about not having done anything wrong.

Seeing this, even the good-tempered Mr. Yue Ming started to get angry. He said bluntly,

"Zhangping, did you two just say that Qingzhou’s calligraphy lacks originality?"

"In that case, why don’t you take a look at this one I’m holding? What do you think?"