Chapter 30

Chapter 30: Minister Mochi Receives the Imperial Edict

“Ming-nii~ Ming-nii~~~ Did you get it? The gift that Sister Snowflake sent us~”

At dawn, Qingwan was already running over happily with a Peachwood Sword in hand.

Xu Ming, who was doing push-ups in the courtyard, got up from the ground, dusted off his clothes, and said, “Received.”

“Ming-nii, what does this say? I recognize every character, but when put together, I don’t understand at all~” Qingwan unsheathed the sword handle of her peach blossom sword to reveal a slip of paper inside.

Ming paused for a moment; there was something hidden inside the sword handle?

Ming also took out his own Peachwood Sword, mimicking Qingwan’s actions by forcefully pulling the handle, which indeed came apart.

Ming compared the two slips of paper. They both contained the same content, along with some illustrations.

“Teacher… waaaah… I don’t want Teacher to go!” A little girl burst into tears.

Even Qin Qingwan, who disliked classes the most, tugged on Xu Ming’s shoulder, her eyes red as she struggled to hold back tears.

Because starting today, they wouldn’t have to attend class anymore.

Many students didn’t understand what Mr. Xiao referred to as “the various dirty affairs of the imperial court.”

I just practiced a few moves, yet my Sword Qi and Sword Intent each increased by three attribute points. This ‘Ice Yang Sword Technique’ must not be of low grade.

Until then, some people were standing outside the door.

Mochi ignored them and continued teaching.

A few days ago, Mr. Xiao had mentioned that this month’s end would be their last lesson.

“Today is our final lesson. After this lesson, our Zhi Xing Lecture Hall will disband, and you won’t have to wake up early for class anymore.”

Inside the lecture hall, following the first little girl’s cry, the other children began crying tearfully in reluctance.

Mr. Xiao retracted his gaze, slowly closed the book, and smiled as he looked at the young students he’d been with for a year:

Xu Ming felt a touch of melancholy within him.

After reading, Xu Ming didn’t receive any attribute points.

For one year, Ink Pool has sought ‘a school, some children, to teach books’, and Your Majesty has fulfilled your wish.

“Teacher, can I ask Father to speak to His Majesty so you can continue teaching us?”

Once everyone entered the lecture hall, Mr. Xiao soon walked in, and everyone quickly returned to their seats.

[You have practiced the Ice Yang Sword Technique, increasing your Sword Qi +3 and Sword Intent +3.]

“This should be a sword technique.” Ming said.

It seemed like their young faces carried an unusual small sorrow.

As usual, Mr. Xiao lectured the children as if this last lesson was no different from all the previous ones.

Xu Ming simply memorized a few movements and started practicing with the Peachwood Sword in the courtyard.

With a gentle smile, Mr. Xiao continued: “You were born into privilege, possessing things that most people spend their entire lives unable to obtain.”

“Yes… it’s the last class…”

“Mr. Xiao,” Eunuch Wei called again, looking somewhat troubled, “class is over.”

“…” Xu Ming frowned slightly, “I don’t know either, but since Sister Butterfly said so, you should listen to Sister Butterfly.”

However, many students had tears welling up in their eyes.

The three of them went together to the Zhi Xing Lecture Hall.

“Nii-sama, what is ‘flat chest’?” Qingwan asked curiously. “When I asked Sister Butterfly, she always smiled and said I’d understand when I grew up.”

“Nii-sama~ You look so cool when you practice your swordsmanship~~~”

But during this lesson, Xu Ming noticed that Mr. Xiao covered a lot more material than before, less detailed, and even the dismissal time was much shorter.

Xu Ming felt as though Mr. Xiao wanted to teach the students as much as possible in this final time.

Among you, there are quite a number of talented individuals, and many of you will eventually enter the imperial court,

Once you enter the court, you’ll find yourself constrained, and you may lose sight of your original intentions.

Eunuch Wei finally realized what was happening, picked up the imperial edict, and announced it loudly throughout the lecture hall:

“By decree of the Holy Emperor, scholar Mochi of the White Deer Academy, being studious and earning the title of ‘Gentleman’ at the White Deer Academy, erudite and virtuous, long admired by the emperor.

Perhaps, you will even see me, due to differing political views or conflicts of interest, standing against me.

“But Nii-sama~ Sister Butterfly once said girls practicing swordsmanship would flatten their chests.” Qingwan innocently stated.

Outside the lecture hall, Eunuch Wei held the imperial edict, while two others beside him held wooden trays covered with red cloth.

“Mr. Xiao”

Many children’s faces were filled with joyful expressions.

“Let’s go, let’s go, for our last class at the lecture hall~~~” Qingwan said cheerfully.

But, Master hopes that you will oppose me for the betterment of the common people, to prove—Master, you are wrong.”

“Hmm.” Xu Ming nodded and read the blank sheet of paper.

And within the lecture hall, as time passed, the joyous anticipation on the children’s faces for the last class gradually faded.

Xu Ming: “…”

“Oh~” Qingwan nodded.

“Don’t leave, teacher!”

But Master hopes that you do not become arrogant because of what you possess, but rather exercise caution because of it.

“Today we will study ‘The Book of Rites’. Please take out your textbooks and turn to page fifty.”

Mochi smiled, descended from the podium, and walked toward Eunuch Wei.

“Let’s go, it’s time for school.” Xu Ming placed the sword manual back inside the hilt.

Xu Ming calculated.

Xu Ming and Qingwan left the Xu Mansion, where Little Fatso Xu Pengda was already waiting outside.

Appoint Mochi as the Governor of Jingzhao and concurrently as the Junior Tutor to the Crown Prince, bestow the title of Lord Wenmo, reward with a jade belt, hang the heavenly travel plaque, allowing free access to the Imperial Palace without prior request.

Mochi glanced at Eunuch Wei, who bowed his head lower, becoming even more respectful, not daring to utter a word.

“Sword technique?” Qingwan tilted her head.

This tiny sorrow stems from their tiny reluctance.

At noon, class had actually ended, but no one reminded Mr. Xiao.

Ming smiled and patted her head: “Although you’ll later learn Daoist methods, you can still practice this sword technique. After all, it’s Snowflake’s heartfelt gesture.”

And now the time has come.

When Xu Ming stopped, Qingwan clapped her hands brightly beside him.

Mr. Xiao has been teaching for nearly a year.

“Teacher, we want to keep attending your classes.” Another little boy wiped his tears while speaking.

Edict ends.”

Mochi took a deep breath and bowed:

“Minister Mochi receives the edict.”