TATSD Chapter 116

Since he ate a lot the night of his birthday, even after a good night’s sleep, he didn’t feel hungry the next day. Moreover, the shopkeeper was efficient and experienced, so Ji Wei rested at ease against the bedhead, chatting idly with Liu Yimian.

When Wen Xuan and Lin Tai walked in carrying a stack of papers, Ji Wei’s hand was still resting on Liu Yimian’s cheek.

Caught being intimate in front of others, Liu Yimian’s face flushed red. He turned his head aside in an attempt to cover it up and said, “I wrote two pages of essays, but they don’t feel right. Come take a look.”

Though he hadn’t written much, Liu Yimian had a solid grasp of the framework and had memorized many commonly used references. As a result, drafting an essay wasn’t too challenging. However, his essays often fell short in terms of thematic focus and depth of analysis compared to his peers.

Bringing it up now was merely an attempt to ease the awkwardness.

Lin Tai saw through it but didn’t expose him. Instead, he chuckled lightly, rubbing his nose, and spread his own completed essays on the table. Then he glanced at Ji Wei with a hint of sarcasm and said coolly, “Young Master Ji, as a businessman, your time must be precious. Do you even understand any of this?”

Well, that was a polite way of telling him to leave.

Ji Wei shook his head helplessly. He wasn’t about to argue with Lin Tai, a kid. He got up from the bed, tied the purse from the shelf to his waistband, and said, “I’ll go buy you all some sweet drinks so I won’t disturb your studies.”

Walking alone, Ji Wei moved quickly. As he was about to exit the academy after passing through the bamboo grove, someone caught up with him, waving and calling out, “Young Master Ji! Please wait!”

Ji Wei slowed down and turned to see who it was. The person looked somewhat familiar, though Ji Wei couldn’t recall his name.

After thinking for a moment, he realized they must have crossed paths briefly at the academy dormitory but had never spoken. He nodded politely and asked, “What can I do for you?”

“It’s not me, it’s the headmaster,” the man replied. He explained that he had just been to see the headmaster on some business. Before leaving, the headmaster had instructed him to find Ji Wei. Seeing Ji Wei from a distance, he didn’t dare to confirm at first, but when Ji Wei was about to leave, he rushed to call out.

Ji Wei was puzzled. “Why is the headmaster looking for me?”

“That, I don’t know. I’m sure the headmaster has his reasons,” the man said.

“Thank you.” Ji Wei cupped his hands in a polite gesture and parted ways. He remembered the route from delivering his letter of introduction on his first day.

The headmaster enjoyed tranquility and lived in a bamboo house on the back hill. Behind the house, a small mountain stream cascaded down, surrounded by an array of chrysanthemums. It was early autumn, and the flowers were budding, giving the area an otherworldly charm.

The bamboo house’s door was ajar as if awaiting his arrival.

Ji Wei instinctively knocked lightly, and a clear voice called out from inside, “Come in.”

The headmaster was nearly fifty, yet his back was straight, his frame lean, and his long hair flowed freely, exuding a relaxed and unrestrained aura.

Ji Wei bowed slightly to show respect. The headmaster, holding a writing brush, was bent over a long sheet of paper, engrossed in his work. Only after completing the final stroke with practiced precision did he set the brush down, wipe his hands with a cloth, and gesture for Ji Wei to sit.

“I wonder if the headmaster summoned me regarding Liu Yimian?” Ji Wei asked.

The headmaster nodded, poured a cup of tea, placed it in front of Ji Wei, and motioned for him to taste it. He said leisurely, “Much has happened recently. Though I don’t personally teach, I’ve heard about it. Yimian is not an ordinary child—he’s diligent and eager to learn, with a friendly disposition. The academy would never neglect him because of his background. As headmaster, I must apologize for failing to teach others well enough to prevent their disrespect.”

Ji Wei was taken aback. He hadn’t expected someone of the headmaster’s stature to apologize to him. Still, the one wronged was Liu Yimian, not himself. The headmaster’s invitation puzzled Ji Wei even more.

Seeing Ji Wei’s confusion, the headmaster explained, “You entrusted him to the academy, demonstrating your faith in us. We’ve failed that trust, and for that, I apologize to you.”

“There’s no need, Headmaster. As long as Yimian is doing well, I have no complaints. My only worry is that he might not be treated fairly or might fall behind.” Ji Wei expressed his concerns, noting that the instructors wouldn’t pause for one student, and the varying levels of classmates meant Liu Yimian had to catch up on his own.

“He told me he wants to take the county-level exam next spring. If he passes and becomes a scholar, he could join the autumn provincial exams.” Ji Wei’s face showed worry. That morning, he had tried to reassure Liu Yimian to boost his confidence, but deep down, he feared Yimian was setting his hopes too high and risking disappointment.

“Few pass on their first attempt,” the headmaster noted. “Many take the exam several times before succeeding. Experiencing the process firsthand is valuable and should not be overemphasized.”

Sensing Ji Wei’s apprehension, the headmaster said, “I asked only you here to discuss Yimian.”

Ji Wei straightened up, leaning slightly forward. “Please, go on.”

“The academy’s lessons are excellent but too advanced for him right now. His foundation is still weak. He needs more rote learning, critical thinking, and practice. If he pushes too hard to keep up, it will be like building a house on sand—unstable and impractical.”

Ji Wei, unfamiliar with education, had never considered this. He had asked Yimian about his progress, and when Yimian said there were no major issues, Ji Wei let it go. Now, hearing the headmaster’s perspective, he realized the problem was serious and grew anxious.

“What should we do?” he asked.

“Because I’ve failed to maintain discipline, I’ve decided to bring him to live with me for three months and personally guide him to make up for my mistakes,” the headmaster said.

This delighted Ji Wei.

Though the headmaster had not achieved the highest rank of jinshi, he was a seasoned juren skilled in music, chess, calligraphy, and painting. He had chosen not to pursue an official career and instead returned to Daxi Town to lead the academy.

Over his decade in charge, he had mentored hundreds of scholars, nine juren, and even one jinshi, now serving in the capital.

Even if the headmaster could spare just one hour a day to teach Liu Yimian, it would be a tremendous boon.

Ji Wei stood to express his gratitude on Yimian’s behalf, about to bow deeply, but the headmaster raised his hand to stop him.

“There’s no need for such formalities. I live here alone, and having someone around for company is no trouble at all,” the headmaster said with a light laugh, stroking his short beard leisurely.

After finishing his conversation with the headmaster, Ji Wei descended from the rear mountain. Empty-handed, he left the academy intending to buy breakfast at Fuxing Tower.

In this era, the concept of three meals a day wasn’t widely practiced. Most people had two meals daily, combining breakfast and lunch into one. Only the wealthiest families, with their refined dining habits, observed distinct meal times and enjoyed morning snacks.

Since Lin Tai and Wen Xuan likely hadn’t eaten yet either, and studying drained energy, Ji Wei figured he’d get them some food. It’d help them focus better on their studies.

As he approached the narrow alley leading out of the academy, he came across an old acquaintance. The man glanced at Ji Wei but quickly lowered his head and moved to brush past him along the wall.

Ji Wei recognized the man immediately. There was no way he’d let him slip away so easily. He took two steps back and blocked Chen Peizhi’s path.

“What do you want?” Chen Peizhi asked sharply, clearly frazzled.

The past few days had been rough for him. First, someone exposed his involvement in a theft. Then, the headmaster learned of his escapades at a brothel, a blatant violation of academy rules.

Either offense alone warranted serious punishment under the rules.

Chen Peizhi’s life at the academy had become miserable. Aside from a handful of loyal friends, most avoided him. Worse, students like Lu Yushu openly ostracized and humiliated him at every turn.

Unused to such humiliation, Chen Peizhi was forced to keep his head down after the headmaster’s warning. He didn’t want to meet the same fate as Liu Chengyin, who had been expelled.

Seeing Ji Wei now, Chen Peizhi feared he’d come to settle scores over Liu Yimian and tried to dodge him.

But Ji Wei wouldn’t let him off so easily.

“Just wanted to ask how you’ve been, Chen Peizhi,” Ji Wei said with a smirk, circling him. “Not enjoying being shunned, are you?”

Chen Peizhi froze, then stared at Ji Wei with a mix of disbelief and fury.

“You! It was you who reported me to the headmaster! It had to be you!”

He had been invincible at the academy for so long that he couldn’t imagine anyone daring to act against him. Though he’d considered Liu Yimian a possibility, he’d dismissed the idea, thinking him too timid. Ji Wei hadn’t even crossed his mind.

Now that the truth was out, Chen Peizhi snapped.

“So what if it was me? And what if it wasn’t?” Ji Wei said, stepping back with a mocking smile. “Take my advice, Chen Peizhi—don’t act rashly, or you’ll regret it.”

But Chen Peizhi was beyond reasoning. Blinded by rage, he lunged at Ji Wei, throwing a wild punch.

Ji Wei sidestepped, avoiding the blow, but to onlookers, it looked as if the punch landed squarely on him.

Ji Wei didn’t hold back.

While Chen Peizhi was taller, he was still just a bookish scholar. He was no match for Ji Wei, who quickly overpowered him. Soon enough, Ji Wei dragged him into the alley, away from prying eyes.

There, Ji Wei delivered a sound beating.

He avoided critical areas and visible spots, ensuring Chen Peizhi wouldn’t bear obvious injuries. But beneath his clothes, his body was already blossoming with bruises, every touch a sharp reminder of his defeat.

Curled up on the ground, Chen Peizhi groaned in pain.

Ji Wei nudged him lightly with his foot. “Enough pretending. I went easy on you. Some medicinal wine and a few days’ rest, and you’ll be fine.”

Chen Peizhi shot him a venomous glare.

“This is just a warning. If you dare touch my people again, it won’t end here,” Ji Wei said coldly. Then, as if struck by a sudden thought, he added mockingly, “Oh, by the way, your little outburst on the street just now? Plenty of people saw it. I wonder if the word will reach the headmaster. If it does…”

Ji Wei let the sentence trail off, his tone playful but laced with menace.

Chen Peizhi paled, scrambling to his feet despite the pain, his fear overcoming everything else.

With a pitiful expression, he pleaded, “Ji Gongzi, please… Please forgive me this time. I was blind, and I shouldn’t have harmed Liu Yimian. I swear if it happens again…”

“You’ll what?” Ji Wei asked, his gaze icy.

“I’ll… I’ll leave it to you to deal with me however you see fit!” Chen Peizhi stammered, trembling.

Ji Wei chuckled. “Deal with you? I’m not your master, nor do I care to be. Just remember, the academy’s rules are strict. Break them again, and it won’t be me you’ll have to face.”