After Rebirth, She Becomes the Revenge Queen
Chapter 141 - 140: Great Heroes Are Hard to Get Along With

Chapter 141: Chapter 140: Great Heroes Are Hard to Get Along With

Ning Jia’s face flushed slightly, and he lowered his head as he said, "Scholar Shen has remarkable knowledge and unique insights. His writings seem simple at first glance but are actually profound, offering new insights with each reading. I can’t fully understand everything, but I find something new each time I read, making it hard to stop."

Despite some nervousness, the young man wasn’t overly timid, and his gaze was calm and unwavering. His responses were well-structured and coherent.

At just eleven or twelve years old, he already exuded a certain calm and gentle demeanor.

He resembled his mother, hence he also bore a seven-point similarity with his sister, although his features were broader, lacking his sister’s charm but possessing a few more masculine qualities.

Pei Zhan didn’t usually have a high opinion of good-looking scholars.

He sat down and said indifferently, "Your parents are separated, and you chose to follow your wealthy mother while abandoning your less affluent father. What was your thinking behind that decision?"

His words were sharp.

Ning Jia looked up in surprise, pursed his lips tightly, and said in a calm voice, "I was raised solely by my mother from a young age. I chose to follow her out of consideration for her hardships, not because I was after her wealth."

Pei Zhan lowered his gaze and sipped his tea: "That may not necessarily be the case. Mr. Ning only has your mother as a daughter, and no other heirs. Now that you have taken on the Ning surname, everything in the Ning family will naturally be yours in the future. In other words, even if you’re not after it, it will still be yours."

Ning Jia’s face turned red with anger, and he took a deep breath and said, "My mother has not only me but also my sister. Even if the family estate needs to be divided in the future, it won’t belong to just me. Am I the only one my mother gave birth to, and my sister is not?

"I, Ning Jia, strive to study hard and achieve accolades, relying on myself to establish a place in the world. Taking on the Ning surname merely expresses my opposition to my father’s character and my resolve not to associate with the Fu Family, not a desire for wealth! I hope the General does not look down on me.

"I am aware that this decision will draw much speculation from the public, but I do not regret it because time will certainly prove the kind of person I am."

After speaking, he pressed his lips together tightly.

On the night that such a major event occurred in the family, Mrs. Ning confronted Fu Yun in the front hall. How could he not know? How could he possibly sleep?

When Fu Zhen called for him, he immediately ran to Yixin Hall.

Fu Zhen didn’t ask him to make any choice; she simply explained the whole situation that night, laid out all the hardships their mother endured over the years, and presented evidence of how Fu Yun indulged Mrs. Liu and her daughter, and predicted how Fu Yun would use his future to coerce him.

Ning Jia remained silent, not because he was foolish. If what Fu Zhen described was only what their mother and sister endured, Fu Yun’s disregard for him and favoritism towards his illegitimate children was something he had personally experienced. Twelve years of disappointment and unattainable fatherly love had long left him unbalanced in heart.

He knew that his sister told him these things in advance because she wanted him to have enough time to think clearly and avoid future regrets.

He also feared he might waver, so he remained silent for a long time while thinking in front of his sister. However, the more he thought, the clearer his mind became.

He clearly knew that he had never chosen Fu Yun, even if it meant losing an easy path to a bright future.

He preferred to walk a difficult path with integrity.

But there was no need to proclaim these words to everyone, even if he had long anticipated facing these misunderstandings.

Pei Zhan didn’t intend to make things difficult for him, but since Fu Zhen asked him to do something, he naturally had to understand the other person’s character. After all, with a father like Fu Yun, who wouldn’t probe for a few sore spots to see what kind of temperament this child has?

Unexpectedly, his test received such a firm response from the young man, prompting him to turn his face, truly looking at him.

"How did you know I am a ’General’?"

Ning Jia was still a bit angry, so he said sullenly, "Earlier, the young general of the Liang Family mentioned that among today’s guests were him, General Liang, and General Pei.

"I heard that General Liang is already around twenty-five or twenty-six years old, yet you look only in your early twenties. Since the ages don’t match, you must be General Pei."

Pei Zhan propped his elbow and said, "I might not be surnamed Pei; what if I were General Cheng instead?"

Ning Jia glared at him sulkily: "All the generals of the Cheng family are the hosts today, so they wouldn’t ask me that kind of question.

"Moreover, your attire and demeanor are like nothing I have seen in my twelve years in the capital city, making it easy to judge that you are a battle-hardened, prestigious noble."

The world says how brave General Pei is in battle and how considerate he is to his soldiers, marking him as a first-rate hero and virtuous minister. Now, sitting face-to-face, Ning Jia didn’t disagree with any of the praises, but nobody told him how difficult it was to interact with this great hero.

No wonder his sister had specifically instructed him to just follow the young general of the Liang Family — indeed, the young general of the Liang Family was genuinely good, approachable, and amiable, and even found him many good books to read.

Pei Zhan began to find this child somewhat agreeable.

At least, if nothing else, the boy had a keen eye.

After taking a sip of his tea, he said, "Since you know who I am, aren’t you interested in learning martial arts and joining the military? If you wish, I can ensure you a glorious future and riches."

Ning Jia was taken aback.

Standing before him was one of the top nobles at the Great Zhou Court, a world apart from himself. Even in the past — considering how difficult it was for Fu Yun to ascend a rank or two — Ning Jia being favored by General Pei was without a doubt a tangible fortune for him now!

If Ning Jia agreed, not to mention Fu Yun would be powerless against them, there wouldn’t be many in the capital who dared to touch them.

Sparks shone in Ning Jia’s eyes, but after a moment he lowered his head and said calmly, "Thank you for the General’s kindness. Ning Jia is the only male in the family, if I join the military, who will care for my mother and sister?

"Furthermore, since childhood, I have studied poetry and books, and I should, after learning, try my luck in the exams in the future to live up to the ambitions set since youth.

"Thank you, General! I hope the General will forgive me!"

He then bowed deeply after speaking.

It didn’t seem like the great hero was lying, but Ning Jia ultimately didn’t want to compromise; he read books because he made it his aspiration, not for riches and prosperity.

Pei Zhan’s gaze deepened.

This boy didn’t just have a keen eye; he had quite a mind of his own. He didn’t easily change his choice in the face of easily attainable prospects, a steadfastness not possessed by everyone.

He said, "You can’t currently enter the Imperial College, and in the future, you will have to take a lot of detours. Are you sure you can continue going forth?"

Ning Jia nodded briskly: "I have already been aware of this, no matter what lies ahead; I will just keep my head down and move forward!"

Pei Zhan nodded, squinting as he looked at the golden-lit doorway: "Wanting to achieve merit and fame, determination alone isn’t enough. Now, recall and write your best past article; can you do it?"

Ning Jia pondered for a moment, nodded, then walked to the desk nearby, laid out the four treasures of the study, picked up the brush, dabbed it with ink, and began writing.

(Everyone says I don’t update enough, but today I had more time, so please give me some monthly votes, rate it higher, interact with me in the comments, and I’ll have more energy to update!)

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