The Immortal Seeker: Legend of Bronze Mirror
Chapter 122 - 81 Yin Yang Coordination_3

Chapter 122: Chapter 81 Yin Yang Coordination_3

She called out while muttering to herself, "How can you four not even enter the young master’s courtyard?"

The four servant-girls, Qiu Xiang, felt somewhat embarrassed as they were responsible for cleaning the eastern courtyard but resided in the wing rooms outside of it at night.

In fact, having sold themselves into servitude, they had long been prepared for the loss of chastity, and the young master was a robust and handsome man; the four servant-girls had felt a touch of spring emotions, but the young master had no such intentions toward them.

The four maids all felt a bit melancholic.

Being a maid, after all, is not as good as being a concubine.

Especially when the young master, bound to become an official in the future, is like someone from the heavens.

Xu Qing came out wearing a light blue robe.

In the winter, the outfit seemed quite thin.

Madame Zhou didn’t say anything; after all, she also knew that Brother Qing’s martial arts training was far superior to Old Li, truly unaffected by the cold or heat.

Xu Qing summoned Qiu Xiang to come over, haphazardly combed his hair, put on a cap, and asked, "What does Teacher Li want with me so early in the morning?"

Teacher Li referred to the teacher Li Feng, who Academician Zhou recommended for Xu Qing. Previously, Xu Qing had organized Guo Zhuang and others to raid the gambling dens, incidentally schooling Li You, Teacher Li’s gambling-addicted grandson, and taking him to visit Li Feng. This facilitated their acquaintance, and presenting Academician Zhou’s letter of recommendation, Teacher Li then accepted Xu Qing as his student.

However, at that time, Teacher Li was on a temper, educating his grandson and did not entertain Xu Qing seriously, nor did he specify when to start attending classes.

Unexpectedly, despite the cold wind, Teacher Li personally paid a visit.

In this era, people revered their teachers and valued the Dao.

Hearing that Teacher Li was Xu Qing’s new teacher, Madame Zhou became flustered and rushingly looked for Xu Qing.

After quickly straightening himself out, Xu Qing went to the front courtyard to greet Teacher Li, inviting him into his own study, and carried out all proper courtesies.

Li Feng did not put on airs and asked, "After the court examination, how are your studies in the classics going?"

Xu Qing honestly replied, "I’ve only been studying superficially, revisiting the eight-legged essays from time to time."

Li Feng: "With an endorsement from Academician Zhou, who is a Great Grandmaster, and me being just one old scholar under him, I ought to accept you. If you want to learn my Yi Jing insights, I’ll teach you all I know. But these past few days I’ve made inquiries about you, and as someone active in practical affairs, academic pursuits must not be too rigid, and so, my insights cannot be simply stuffed onto you."

Xu Qing bowed with hands clasped: "Then I am thankful for Teacher’s consideration."

Li Feng looked at Xu Qing and sighed slightly, "Our teacher-student relationship seems to have come together haphazardly. The day you brought Li You over, I pondered all night whether you feared that I wasn’t sincere, so you prepared this event deliberately."

Xu Qing couldn’t help feeling embarrassed and said, "I was also inquiring about Teacher on the way."

Seeing that Li Feng was straightforward, he didn’t beat around the bush either.

Li Feng looked at Xu Qing with a smile: "I thought you would offer some cunning excuse, but it turns out you are also an honest person."

Xu Qing explained: "Teacher is a person who understands the ways of the world, so why should I add unnecessary complications and make a fool of myself?"

Li Feng: "It’s not like that. Precisely because you engage in such affairs, I respect you even more. Academic study can be straightforward, but people who handle practical affairs have to be more cautious. You have such considerations, which shows that you can walk a more stable path than others in the future. I am not worried about being implicated by you."

Xu Qing curiously said: "I originally thought Teacher was prideful and aloof, but now it seems you are not such a person?"

Li Feng: "Do you also want to say that I am so insightful, yet my own grandson is so incompetent? Ah, you will understand when you have children of your own. I want to teach him, but he feels constrained; I don’t teach, and he neglects himself. Now I’ve come to understand that due to different talents and natures of individuals, my earlier insistent demands only harmed the child. The current laissez-faire approach is a repentance for the past. But overindulgence is also a harm. Therefore, if you think an old man like me is still of any use, let Li You work with you."

Xu Qing: "What does Teacher expect him to do?"

Li Feng: "As long as he does not become a wicked person, whatever he does in the future is up to him. At this rate, I don’t have many years left to live. I really have no great expectations for him. If you can look after him for my sake and provide him with sustenance, I would be eternally grateful."

Xu Qing: "Teacher is too serious. Even without a student like me, Teacher’s legacy is more than enough for him to benefit for a lifetime."

Li Feng sighed: "It seems you already know about Shen Yan’s plan to come to South Zhili?"

Xu Qing remained silent.

Li Feng knew that this matter involved major court affairs and truly could not be acknowledged, so he added, "I’ve read your essays from the prefectural and court examinations, and in terms of writing the eight-legged essay, not to mention Jiangning Prefecture, even in South Zhili, you hardly have any rivals. Here, I have his handwritten Yi Jing insights from when he studied with me, take them and explore on your own. As for consulting me on scholarly knowledge, I really can’t teach you much."

At that moment, Li Feng took a box out from his sleeve and placed it on the desk, looked at Xu Qing, shook his head, and then left.

Xu Qing silently escorted him to the door, only returning to the study when he could no longer see the figure of the old teacher disappearing into the cold wind.

This gift of the handwritten insights of the chief examiner of the provincial examination was more useful than any teaching.

What is this called now?

A teacher-student relationship in name, but without the true bond of mentorship.

Yet, entrusting his only grandson to Xu Qing without doubt shows his attitude.

Indeed, with age comes wisdom.

In this way, Xu Qing had nothing to be conflicted about.

In essence, it was still a transaction.

Xu Qing opened the box. Inside, the manuscripts were well-preserved; although slightly yellowed, the handwriting was clear and intact, with no omissions.