Chapter 62 Admiring lotus blossoms in the courtyard, the visitor is hostile...

Xun Han was still somewhat confused when he heard Zong Suyi's shout. Who was his great-aunt?

A sharp pain shot through her shoulder, and the teacup shattered on the floor. Only then did she snap back to reality, clutching her injured shoulder. She looked up in astonishment at her highly respected teacher and exclaimed incredulously, "Teacher, you actually hit me because of this lowly servant?"

A lowly servant?

Zong Suyi's grandmother, her old friend, came from a distinguished family, but she was frugal and pitied poor children who had no chance of passing the imperial examinations. She valued education, promoted schools and supported scholars, cracked down on corruption in prefectural and county schools, solved the difficult situation of students seeking education, and founded Chang Geng Bookstore, benefiting scholars all over the world.

If we consider family background and reputation, Zong Suyi is considered lowly, then no one in the world can be called noble!

The dark clouds dispersed, and the blazing sun shone brightly on the earth once more.

Zhang Shu couldn't help but recall his old friend's lonely and tragic death. He glanced at Xun Han with disappointment, looked at the sunlight shining in from outside the door, and finally sighed deeply before closing his eyes heavily.

What on earth is going on with this world?

Yang Fuchen's eyes were filled with anger, and his words turned cold: "Second Junior Sister, Fourth Sister's husband is the teacher's grand-nephew and the direct grandson of a prominent family. Don't spout such nonsense and embarrass all the students in the world!"

Xun Han's pupils contracted, and she took several steps back, utterly shocked. She had only asked someone to check Zong Suyi's contract and learned that he had been promoted to a servant after being born a slave, but she had not investigated his background in detail.

A pang of regret rose in her heart, and she hated herself for being careless. She pressed her tongue against her palate, wanting to apologize to Zong Suyi, but when she looked up and saw the unusually indifferent expressions of the people in front of her, she bit her lip, turned her head away, and ultimately remained silent.

Yang Fuchen, not wanting the rift between his fellow disciples to escalate, glared at Xun Han with exasperation, "Why aren't you apologizing to Xiao Si and your brother-in-law yet?"

Xun Han immediately turned around, her eyes blazing with anger. "Yang Fuchen, what's it to you?" She stared directly into her eyes, a mocking smile playing on her lips. "Don't try to intimidate me with your senior sister title. Who do you think you are!"

Sisters fighting amongst themselves, a misfortune for the sect. Zhang Shu suddenly opened his eyes, his tone filled with anger: "Yang Fuchen isn't qualified to reprimand you, but surely I am?!"

Xun Han's anger abruptly stopped, and he froze, "Teacher..."

"You unfilial disciple! Disrespectful to your teachers, unable to distinguish right from wrong, and still unrepentant even when faced with the consequences. Is this what your teacher taught you?" Zhang Shu coldly rebuked her.

Xun Han was indignant, but he still knelt down before Zhang Shu, bowed his head and said, "This disciple is foolish and has failed to live up to the teacher's teachings." The fingertips in his sleeves turned white from clenching his fists.

“How could you have failed my teachings? You have failed the kindness of the Prime Minister!” Zhang Shu laughed angrily. “If it weren’t for…” She suddenly stopped speaking and sternly ordered Xun Han: “Get up and go apologize to Xiao Yi.”

Zhang Shu turned to Zong Suyi and said gently, "Xiaoyi, don't cry. Your unfilial disciple has been disobedient. Your aunt has already made him apologize to you."

"Young Master Zong, I was utterly inarticulate and have offended you. I hope you will forgive me." Xun Han remained kneeling upright, not moving an inch, his eyes fixed on the ground, never wavering for a moment.

Zhang Ting pondered to herself: Xun Han apologized to Zong Suyi because Zong Suyi was connected to Prime Minister Zong. If Zong Suyi's origins were truly lowly, she wouldn't have apologized willingly. Because her attacks would always be directed at her, and she would relentlessly attack everything around her.

What could possibly cause this complete stranger, the second senior sister, to harbor such malice towards me?

Seeing his stubborn second disciple, Zhang Shu was so angry that he slapped her on the back of the head.

Zong Suyi leaned against Zhang Ting's chest, thinking resentfully, "This stinky bookworm is always going against Zhang Ting, so annoying!" He still didn't want to let her go, sobbing and trying to continue crying, but someone gently poked his waist. He instantly understood what Zhang Ting meant, pouted, and decided to give in to her wishes.

He stepped out of Zhang Ting's arms, took out a handkerchief to wipe his tears, and said, "It's not your fault, Your Majesty, it's just that I'm too sensitive."

Zhang Ting knew that Zong Suyi was clever and mischievous, so she wouldn't be upset by this. She had just met with her two fellow disciples and didn't want to cause any major rifts or make a fool of herself in front of outsiders.

Seeing this, Zhang Shu felt a pang of sadness. Not long ago, Xiao Yi had been arrogant and domineering, but in just a few months she had become so sensible. He wondered how much suffering she had endured in between. He couldn't help but scold his second apprentice again: "You unfilial disciple! Stubborn mule!"

Wu Pingliu stared at Xun Han's stubborn and angry face, then quietly lowered her head, a hint of realization flashing in her eyes.

Zhang Ting glanced at her third senior sister indifferently, calmly looked away, and smiled as she stepped in to smooth things over: "We are all fellow disciples from the same sect, so now that things have been clarified, this matter is considered settled."

She turned to the teacher and said, "This morning I saw the lotus pond outside the courtyard, which looked like a glass cup, very elegant. Teacher, why don't you invite everyone to enjoy the scenery together?"

Zhang Shu's eyes were gentle, filled with admiration. He smiled and pointed at her, saying, "You are like this." This little apprentice is kind, generous, and knows how to conduct herself appropriately, which is extremely rare.

She turned and slapped Xun Han hard on the shoulder. Only this unfilial disciple was a blockhead. "Get up now, don't let your junior sister's good intentions go to waste!" Then she led everyone to the backyard to admire the lotus flowers.

Xun Han stood up and staggered slightly, then followed the teacher's steps, scoffing as she passed Zhang Ting, "Fake kindness."

Zhang Tingzhui was whispering to Zong Suyi behind him, and didn't even glance at her when she heard this. She continued to ask him, "You said your embroidery skills are excellent?" She thought of the fat chicken handkerchief that came undone the next day, so how could she not believe it?

Zong Suyi wanted to make a bet with her, saying that if she thought his embroidery skills were superb, he would grant her one request.

Zhang Ting had no idea what mischievous idea he had come up with this time, but she was happy to play along with him, so she nodded happily.

Seeing that she was being ignored, Xun Han became angry and her breathing became heavier. She gritted her teeth, glared at Zhang Ting, and then angrily stepped forward.

After everyone had gone, Zong Suyi glanced at Zhang Ting and asked her, "Why did you let her go so easily?"

Zhang Ting was still guessing what tricks Zong Suyi was up to when he heard him ask. He yawned and said, "It's best not to make a fool of myself in Huzhou Prefecture since I'm new here."

"If she doesn't change her ways, it's not too late to deal with her properly later."

Zong Suyi snorted and poked her, saying, "I knew it." Then she poked her again.

"What do you know?" Zhang Ting grabbed his fidgety hand and gave him a warning glance. She didn't want to drag him back into the house in broad daylight.

Zong Suyi shrank his neck, but couldn't help but go forward and pinch her arm. With a slight smile, he whispered maliciously in her ear, "I know you're no good!" He was especially petty. This morning, he had only teased her, but she had pulled him to a corner, making him feel both pain and discomfort.

Zhang Ting turned his head, his warm, moist lips brushing against her cheek. She raised an eyebrow and narrowed her eyes, her hot breath spraying against his ear, deliberately trying to scare him: "Then you know how I'll deal with you, right?"

Alarm bells rang in Zong Suyi's mind. Like a cat with its fur standing on end, he suddenly shrank back a few steps, creating a large distance between himself and Zhang Ting, staring intently into her eyes. "What do you want to do?"

“I think…” Zhang Ting smiled and walked directly toward him.

This startled him so much that he ran more than 30 feet away, but when he looked back, he could only see Zhang Ting's departing figure.

He gritted his teeth in anger. Damn it! He'd been tricked again!

......

The six men and their disciples were enjoying admiring the lotus flowers when a servant suddenly came to announce that Liu Xianshi had come to visit.

"They've finally arrived. Let's go! Follow me to see an old friend." Zhang Shu broke open a lotus pod, took out a lotus seed, and put it in his mouth. Lotus seeds at this time of year are the sweetest and most delicious.

Zhang Ting handed a small handful of lotus pods to Zong Suyi. Just now, the teacher said that he hadn't eaten lotus seeds for many years, so the senior sister went to pick a large handful and brought some back, and even shared some with her.

She ruffled Zong Suyi's smooth black hair. "Aren't you tired from playing? Go back and rest later."

"Mmm," Zong Suyi responded softly, her eyelids drooping as if they were about to burst.

After helping him to the courtyard where they lived, Zhang Ting parted ways with him and went to her teacher's study.

When she arrived, everyone was seated and chatting happily.

Teacher Zhang Ting bowed to Zhang Shu, who said with a smile, "You've arrived? Please have a seat."

Zhang Ting nodded, quickly glancing at the two visitors inside. One was older, dressed in purple, presumably Liu Yu; the other was dressed in blue, looking young and beautiful, likely Liu Yu's disciple. She withdrew her gaze and, according to the order of entry, sat down in the seat below her third senior sister, Wu Pingliu.

Liu Yu scrutinized the newcomer, observing his demeanor and bearing, and couldn't help but nod in approval. He was quite impressive. She turned her head and asked, "Is this the disciple that Sister Xian just took in?" But she had heard that he came from a remote county and had no notable achievements. How could he compare to her newly taken-in disciple?

Zhang Shu, quite pleased with himself, raised his chin and said, "Exactly."

Seeing her like this, Liu Yu thought to himself: What is this old woman Zhang so smug about? Could it be that she's getting old and likes to take on apprentices who are good-looking?

Today she's going to expose this old man's empty facade!

Liu Yu glanced at his youngest disciple, He Ying, with satisfaction, and cleared his throat: "I've heard that Sister Xian's youngest disciple is outstanding. This unfilial disciple greatly admires her and has come here to ask for some guidance."

He Ying stood up and coldly looked at Zhang Ting. Then she turned her face and bowed to Zhang Shu: "This student begs for guidance from Master Zhang!" Two months ago, she had brought books and paintings to see Zhang Shu. Her eldest disciple was only a sub-student, while she was still a top scholar. She thought that becoming her disciple was a sure thing, but she never expected that she would not even get to see her face. The other party claimed that she was not feeling well, but then she took in a new disciple.

The reason I wasn't feeling well that day was because I didn't take her excuse seriously!

The newly accepted apprentice was merely a scholar with some reputation.

He Ying was indignant, her eyes filled with malice. Her family was a prominent clan in Zhangzhou Prefecture, a powerful family for generations. She herself was quite talented, having shown her talent at a young age. How could she be inferior to this scholar? Today, she was determined to wash away this humiliation and ruin the reputation of this master and disciple!

Zhang Shu had never met He Ying before, and Zhang Sheng, the only person who knew her, was not by his side. Upon hearing this, he assumed it was just a routine competition, a game between students, and didn't take it seriously, simply letting his beloved student step forward. Zhang Ting's strength was no less than Yang Fuchen's, so Zhang Shu felt comfortable letting her compete.

He also instructed, "Xiao Ting, since they are sincerely asking for your advice, you young people should play along and not ruin the harmony."

"yes."