The Eldest Daughter of a Rural Family
Chapter 967 - 218: Living at Another’s Mercy

Chapter 967: Chapter 218: Living at Another’s Mercy

Xie Ze had ambition, and Pei Wendong, who was only focused on Happy, quickly sought out a locally renowned teacher for Xie Ze to study under.

When Xie Ze heard that this person was not widely recognized and had not produced any noted disciples, he became even more reluctant in his heart.

Pei Wendong prepared a gift for the teacher and took him there.

Upon meeting the man, a balding old man with slightly crooked eyes, Xie Ze could not help but show his displeasure on his face.

It had come to Pei Wendong’s attention that Master Ouyang was very knowledgeable in this area, and he had also assessed Xie Ze’s learning. He was to study with Master Ouyang for some time, and when people from all over had returned, he would go to Capital Jingcheng to find a teacher.

Master Ouyang looked askew at the polite and cultured Pei Wendong and said he would decide whether to accept Xie Ze after examining his learning.

Pei Wendong was aware that teachers had these rules when taking on disciples, so he signalled to Xie Ze to answer well.

The result was that Xie Ze answered very smoothly, but Master Ouyang still shook his head and had the butler return Pei Wendong’s gift for the teacher.

Pei Wendong frowned slightly, "Master Ouyang, my brother may be somewhat lacking in learning, but I believe that under Master Ouyang’s guidance, he will surely become accomplished in the future!"

"I only take disciples with the right heart, and it’s not about the learning," Master Ouyang shook his head.

Pei Wendong made another request, but the teacher did not pay it any more mind and turned back to his books.

The butler returned the gift for the teacher to Pei Wendong and ushered them out.

Xie Ze was very dissatisfied and indignant, "I answered all the questions, and he rejects me because he looks down on my learning. If someone is already learned and accomplished, why would they need a teacher!"

Pei Wendong scolded him in a deep voice, "Xie Ze!" We haven’t even left Master Ouyang’s door; how could you say such things!

Xie Ze pursed his lips and said nothing more.

Pei Wendong gave the butler a silver ingot, asking him to put in a good word, saying he would come back in a couple of days. He still hoped Xie Ze could become a disciple and study formally. He was young and lacked discipline; without supervision, he would definitely not be able to study well on his own.

The butler did not accept it, glanced sideways at Xie Ze, and before closing the door, said, "Young Master Pei! Our master has his rules for taking disciples. You can ask General Mo about it."

Pei Wendong was puzzled; could his brother-in-law know the rules about Master Ouyang taking on disciples? He took Xie Ze back home and upon seeing that Mo Heng was there, went over to consult him.

"He’s eccentric, and if he doesn’t want to take the disciple, there’s no need to visit again," Mo Heng said directly.

"You know Master Ouyang?" Pei Wendong asked, surprised.

"He taught me once," Mo Heng had studied with him for two years.

When Pei Wendong heard that Master Ouyang had taught Mo Heng, he immediately took it seriously. If he could educate his brother-in-law, there must be other learned men who were his disciples; they were just not publicized. Master Ouyang must be a recluse. He went back and told Xie Yi, asking her to advise Xie Ze to be more respectful and to visit Master Ouyang again. If he visited several times, Master Ouyang, seeing the sincerity, would agree to take Xie Ze on.

When Xie Yi heard that Master Ouyang was a recluse who had taught Mo Heng, she immediately persuaded Xie Ze and asked him to go with Pei Wendong for a second visit.

This time Master Ouyang did not see them.

They had gone twice without seeing him, let alone discussing becoming disciples, and so Xie Yi thought about it and approached Mo Heng for help. Since Mo Heng was his disciple, if Mo Heng made the request, Master Ouyang would surely give face and accept her brother.

"If the teacher has set the rules, then nobody should break these rules. You should find someone else," Mo Heng said coldly.

"General! We will never forget your great kindness, my brother and I; please, General, make this trip for us!" Xie Yi pleaded, falling to her knees with a thud.

Mo Heng gave her a cold look and stood up to leave without a word.

Xie Yi’s eyes reddened, and she stayed kneeling for a good while before getting up. But she had not given up in her heart. A famous teacher brings forth high-achieving disciples; she had to rely on her brother for the future, and he was her only brother. She must have him take on a formidable teacher so he could achieve scholarly success and thus have prospects for the future.

After waiting a while, seeing that Mo Heng had gone in to see Pei Qin and had left the house, she tidied up and went to the inner courtyard to find Pei Qin.

"Which Master Ouyang, and what are all these ridiculous rules?" As soon as Pei Qin heard, she asked Huang Qiu to call for Zhang Gengshan to inquire.

Xie Yi hurried to explain, "I heard he taught the General and was highly knowledgeable; he is a recluse. It’s just that my brother is currently lacking in learning, and Master Ouyang doesn’t wish to accept him. I was thinking of asking the lady to help us."

Pei Qin frowned, "Then when Mo Heng returns, I’ll ask him first."

Xie Yi felt anxious. Over these days, she had noticed that Mo Heng was very attentive to Pei Qin, having meals always with her and never with them, and now she was ill. As long as Pei Qin said a word, Mo Heng would surely agree to do it. If she waited for Pei Qin to ask, and Mo Heng rejected it outright, then her brother would not be able to study under Master Ouyang.

Search the lightnovelworld.cc website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.