Chapter 271 – Jiguan Hot Spring (Six)
“That’s utter nonsense!”
The young man was fuming at Jiang Pengji’s words, struggling to maintain his gentlemanly demeanor.
Jiang Pengji scoffed, glanced at Mr. Yuanjing, then back at the young man named Zu De, mocking, “You claim my words are nonsense, but have you looked at what’s rattling around in that head of yours? The sage said, ‘People are precious, and rulers should be humble.’ If that’s true for rulers, how could the gentry be more precious than the common folk? You accuse me of relying on my ancestors’ backing, yet here you are bickering with me, also because of a good ancestor, aren’t you?”
Jiang Pengji had no fondness for this young man named Zu De; she found him not only self-righteous but also a bit dim-witted.
The young man fell silent, and Jiang Pengji continued, this time addressing Mr. Yuanjing instead.
“I thought Mr. Yuanjing was renowned for his discerning character in teaching. How could you, with such aged eyes, accept such an obstinate, pedantic fool as a student?” Her disdain for the young man was unapologetically clear.
This made the young man even more furious, unable to utter a single word as his face turned beet red.
He didn’t mind Jiang Pengji’s insults aimed at him, but dragging his respected teacher into it was quite another matter.
Mr. Yuanjing, however, did not get angry; instead, he gave Jiang Pengji a thoughtful look.
“No one is perfect, not even the sages. How much less so for ordinary people? As a teacher, one must know to educate all, and only then can they enlighten, impart knowledge, and solve doubts. Zu De may have his faults, but he also possesses strengths. How can the young master dismiss him entirely based on one side of him? If we were to follow your logic, Langya Academy would be left empty, and I, as an imperfect teacher, would be even less worthy to stand here.”
It is because of imperfections that one needs learning; correction is not accomplished in just a day or two, especially not for a deeply ingrained character.
Mr. Yuanjing calmly stated this, a hint of a smile on his face that made Jiang Pengji feel subtly uncomfortable.
If one were to describe that smile with a word, it would probably be—old fox!
Mr. Yuanjing was respected by both the public and his students, not merely for having contested three cities for the Northern Border Royal Court in his youth, or for his vast knowledge, but more importantly, for how he treated his students—truly equal!
Whether the child of a noble or the descendant of a commoner, to him, a student was simply a student. He wouldn’t favor a student for brilliance or noble lineage, nor disdain another for bad temper or humble beginnings.
As long as one’s nature wasn’t bad and the roots weren’t rotten, there was always room for improvement, and that warranted his careful guidance.
Jiang Pengji remarked, “You’re quite protective.”
Mr. Yuanjing replied calmly, “Zu De’s fundamental nature isn’t bad; he’s just a bit stubborn. That can still be corrected.”
Jiang Pengji narrowed her eyes and suddenly pointed at the two still too timid to emerge from the hot spring, asking Mr. Yuanjing.
“Then, according to you, what about those two?”
With that question, many onlookers perked up their ears, and the two involved felt their hearts leap into their throats.
Since being noted by Liu Zhi, the path to the officialdom seemed closed for them. But if they could receive a few praises from Mr. Yuanjing, there might still be hope!
Mr. Yuanjing chuckled, stroking his graying beard, his eyes glinting with some clever light.
It’s said that the eyes truly reflect a person’s age; Mr. Yuanjing had aged well, looking to be in his thirties or forties. Yet his eyes were clear and bright, filled with profound wisdom. Just by looking into his eyes, one couldn’t guess his true age.
Mr. Yuanjing had seen people who held grudges and others who were aggressive, but someone like Jiang Pengji was rare. He spoke, “Looking at their actions, they seem elegant and well-dressed, but beneath that exterior, they’re filled with flaws and impurities. Does that answer please the young master?”
With just Liu Zhi alone, their paths wouldn’t be smooth, and now Jiang Pengji had dragged herself down too.
This was clearly a recipe for mischief.
Did Mr. Yuanjing not realize that he was being used as a pawn by Jiang Pengji?
But he disliked bickering with the younger generation, so he didn’t expose her.
Mr. Yuanjing’s evaluation hit the two young men like a thunderclap!
Although they were in the warmth of the hot spring, they felt as if they had plummeted into an ice cave, a chilling sensation creeping from their toes to the top of their heads.
Liu Zhi had severed their path to glory, and Mr. Yuanjing’s assessment was enough to make it impossible for them to stand in Dongqing.
Jiang Pengji smiled in satisfaction, her eyes curving slightly, resembling a bright crescent moon, bearing a hint of similarity to Mr. Yuanjing.
“The boy just drank too much and spoke out of turn; please forgive him, sir.”
Mr. Yuanjing shook his head, clearly helpless.
This was clearly taking advantage of an old man’s age, but his eyes were still sharp. He could see clearly whether Jiang Pengji was genuinely drunk or putting on an act.
“It’s alright; just that excessive drinking harms the liver. Young people should be more careful. Zu De, let’s go.”
“I’m sorry, teacher. Today, I acted rudely, making my teacher face difficulties at the hands of a mere child…”
Leaving the water pavilion, the young man named Zu De hung his head, looking like a defeated rooster, sullen and unhappy.
Mr. Yuanjing’s hands were folded in his wide sleeves as he walked leisurely, as if strolling through a garden.
“Zu De, what did you think of that young master just now?”
The young man turned his face away, his anger still simmering. “Silver-tongued and full of nonsense.”
Mr. Yuanjing remained noncommittal, raising an eyebrow to ask, “What else?”
The young man fell silent, struggling to find another word.
Mr. Yuanjing sighed. “You are blinded by anger and resentment, clouding your judgment; this is a major pitfall for strategists. One cannot judge a person solely from the surface; one must closely observe their words and actions, delve into the underlying reasons… otherwise, even if that young master is a rarity among men, you would miss it… How regrettable!”
He spoke calmly, as if discussing daily matters rather than lecturing a student.
The young man protested, “Are you saying that half-grown boy is a rarity among men?”
Such a high evaluation?
Mr. Yuanjing paused his steps, turned to the young man, and smiled.
“One in ten thousand.”
The young man: “…”
“However, he is too rigid and flamboyant, making him prone to trouble.” Mr. Yuanjing pondered, sighed, and added, “Like an unpolished gem; though naturally beautiful, without careful carving, others only see him as a rough stone and underestimate his worth…”
More importantly, he bore the mandate of the Emperor, yet was in the guise of a girl.
With that thought, Mr. Yuanjing subtly raised his eyebrows.
The old man’s eyes weren’t blind; he could tell easily whether Jiang Pengji was a boy or a girl.
With such certainty about Jiang Pengji, the young man felt his earlier indignation soften, allowing him to view her with a more objective perspective.
Muttering, slightly aggrieved, “I’m just a poor judge, only seeing their arrogance…”
Mr. Yuanjing chuckled, teasing,
“So then, I’m the teacher, and you’re the student.”
The young man: “…”
Oh, you’re the teacher, so you have the final say.
