Chapter 881 – The Northern Overlord (18)
Tang Yao remained utterly unresponsive, looking as dejected as a defeated rooster, his spirit completely deflated.
Cheng Cheng’s gaze flicked between the two, seemingly curious about what kind of medicine this teacher-student duo was selling in their little gourd.
After a few breaths, Tang Yao spoke dejectedly, “The student meant well.”
True, his words might have sounded a bit harsh, but Tang Yao genuinely had no malicious intent.
Jiang Pengji had been either fighting battles or preparing for them in recent years, rarely participating in gatherings of the noble class, so she naturally remained oblivious to others’ opinions of her. Tang Yao, on the other hand, maintained close ties with the noble families and was especially well-informed about all the juicy gossip.
Liu Xi, being a legitimate daughter of the Liu family from Hejian… no, as a legitimate son, she indeed came from a noble background, but she lacked ambition and spent her days mingling with a crowd of downtrodden individuals lacking virtue. Tang Yao often overheard people gossiping, each one claiming they were too embarrassed to associate with her.
From Tang Yao’s perspective and moral standpoint, there was nothing wrong with such discussions.
The noble families and the commoners were essentially from two different worlds.
Mr. Yuanjing remarked, “What is sweet for one may be poison for another.”
Tang Yao said, “But—”
He moved his lips, as if wanting to say something, but ultimately swallowed the words that danced at the tip of his tongue.
Tang Yao felt quite puzzled. Could it be that Liu Xi still hadn’t realized the crux of the matter?
What crux?
Naturally, it was why so few people were willing to support her!
When it came to fame, status, and prestige, her overall qualifications were not inferior to others. Even as a woman, Dongqing wasn’t like Zhong Zhao, where the influence of the “Four Books for Women” had yet to run too deep. Not to mention, she was the legitimate governor, making quite a splash during meetings.
With such great conditions, why were there so few noble families willing to throw their lot in with her?
On the surface, it seemed because Liu Zhi was at a prime age, and siding with him appeared to offer a more promising future than teaming up with her.
In reality, there lay an even deeper reason.
Counting carefully, how many of Jiang Pengji’s followers were genuinely from proper noble families?
The ratio of scholars was fifty-fifty, with Feng Jin, Wei Ci, and Feng Zhen being from noble lineages, but aside from Feng Jin, the other two families had already fallen from grace.
As for the military generals, the situation was even bleaker; aside from Luo Yue, who still had some merit, the rest were all washed up.
Thus, in terms of power structure, Wanzhou was mostly comprised of individuals from humble beginnings.
In the eyes of those proud noble families, this was simply a ragtag bunch that didn’t deserve the spotlight.
Those who valued bloodlines and insisted on status even objected to being in the same room as common folks. To put it bluntly, they found it disgusting to breathe the same air, let alone work under a leader like her, who was from common roots. How could they possibly endure that?
They absolutely could not endure it!
Not every noble family was like the Feng clan, which maintained a clear-headed awareness of itself and worldly affairs.
That’s why the Feng clan could last a thousand years without faltering, while other families fell one after another, swept aside like waves on the shore.
Tang Yao referred to Xu Ke as a branded criminal, Qi Guanrang as the son of a courtesan, and Yang Si as a mixed-blood mongrel, effectively reflecting how the Wanzhou faction was viewed by the noble families. A lowly birth was seen as original sin; how could someone from humble beginnings mingle with the likes of them?
As for those reckless martial artists, who had little virtue and were difficult to educate, they were held in even lower regard.
Dongqing had always revered the literate over the martial; with such poor backgrounds, the martial leaders of Wanzhou were bound to be looked down upon.
Of course, among the noble families, there were a few clear-headed and morally upright individuals, but they were rare as phoenix feathers.
Having been scolded by Jiang Pengji, Tang Yao felt quite wronged.
To him, he was just giving good advice, suggesting that she get closer to the noble families, so she wouldn’t demean herself by rubbing shoulders with the lowly.
Mr. Yuanjing sighed. Tang Yao was a very filial and respectful student, but he also had that notorious noble attitude.
As a keen observer, how could he not realize Jiang Pengji’s intentions?
To him, whether noble or common, those who were useful were people, while the useless were just garbage.
In times of prosperity, the noble families could cover the sky with one hand.
But in times of chaos, when rituals and music broke down, the one with the biggest fist is the boss, regardless of whether they were noble or common!
Seeing Tang Yao still hanging his head low, Mr. Yuanjing said, “Lan Ting is very sharp, how could she not be aware of her situation?”
This made Tang Yao even more confused.
If Jiang Pengji truly understood her own circumstances, she should better leverage her advantages and forge more connections with the noble powers.
And now?
The noble families had developed a prejudice against her, one by one unwilling to ally with her.
Mr. Yuanjing, however, said, “Zu De need not worry too much; in five years at most, the situation will improve.”
Now was not the time for complete chaos; the noble families were still lost in their dream of controlling everything. Once the northern front was destroyed, hehe—
You ignore me now, but later, you won’t be able to reach me.
Cheng Cheng caught these words and glanced at Mr. Yuanjing out of the corner of his eye.
Cheng Cheng and Jiang Pengji shared a relationship akin to teacher and friend; he had some inkling of her schemes.
Never would he have thought that Mr. Yuanjing, teaching all the way in Langya County, could be so perceptive and insightful.
Mr. Yuanjing addressed Tang Yao, “Zu De, come over and help your teacher organize some things.”
Rather than sending this student out to offend people, it was better to keep him close, helping him compile teaching materials to avoid attracting trouble.
Not to mention how Tang Yao was in other aspects, at least his talent was worth acknowledging.
Little did they know, Mr. Yuanjing’s decision ended up letting Tang Yao dodge a life-threatening crisis.
The conversation between Tang Yao and Jiang Pengji had not been private; its content, unsurprisingly, quickly spread to the ears of several involved parties. Xu Ke wore a cold expression, Qi Guanrang scoffed at the remark, and Yang Si let out a disdainful sound, heading straight over.
Earlier, it was mentioned that Yang Si’s mentor was Mr. Yuanjing.
If one were to trace the roots, he and Tang Yao were technically disciples of the same school.
Mr. Yuanjing had traveled for his studies in his youth, honing himself while picking out good seeds to bring home.
As a baby, Yang Si had been abandoned by his mother near a cheap inn close to the brothel; that place was remote and cold.
Seeing that the baby was about to burst into tears, Mr. Yuanjing happened to be practicing swordsmanship in the inn’s backyard and heard the commotion, thus picking the child up.
Knowing well of the child’s origins, he didn’t actively search for the mother; instead, he found a nearby family to foster the child.
Otherwise, how would someone of Yang Si’s background be able to study and learn to write?
Instead of barging in, Yang Si approached without declaring his identity, introducing himself as Mr. Yuanjing’s student.
Unaware of the backstory, Tang Yao was led into a “friendly spar” by Yang Si, and after a round of competition, Tang Yao found himself losing more than winning.
“May I ask which sect this esteemed senior hails from?”
Tang Yao inquired, realizing too late, with genuine respect and humility.
Yang Si smiled coldly and replied, “A resident of Chenzhou, right by the borders.”
Upon hearing this location, Tang Yao’s heart skipped a beat, sensing an ominous foreboding.
Sure enough, Yang Si rose with a flick of his sleeve, seemingly humble but actually mocking his opponent.
“A mere son of a courtesan, a lowly and amoral wretch; what right do you have to address me in such a manner?”
Saying this, he turned and left.
