Qin Zhao didn't answer for a while. Jing Li frowned and continued to recognize the characters: "Is this the "mi" in "secret"? Then what is this character..."

"It's the Wei." Qin Zhao pulled the book from his hand and lied without changing his expression. "This is a reference book for the Spring Wei Imperial Examination. It mostly records some rules and methods of conduct. You don't need to read this."

"So this is how the word '闱' is written. I won't read this anymore. It sounds so boring."

Jing Li had no doubts at all. Without even glancing at the book in Qin Zhao's hand, he turned his head away and said, "How about I read the Analects? I still remember a few sentences..."

As he spoke, he began to search on the bookshelf.

Qin Zhao breathed a sigh of relief silently.

After buying this book, he didn't have the time or opportunity to read it, so he just put it down somewhere on the bookshelf. Unexpectedly, Xiaoyu found it.

Fortunately, there is neither the word "boudoir" nor the word "闱" in "Thousand Character Classic".

The difference of one word can make a huge difference in meaning.

Jing Li's Thousand Character Classic was not in vain, as he quickly found a copy of the Analects from the pile. Qin Zhao tucked the nearly fatal book into the innermost shelf and led him back to the table.

As usual, Qin Zhao would read it through to Jing Li first, and then teach him word by word.

Along with the sound of rain outside, Qin Zhao's voice drifted in, reading. His voice was slightly deep: "...Governing with virtue is like the North Star, which stays in its place, and all the other stars revolve around it."

After reading this, his voice paused slightly.

"Governing with virtue is like the North Star, which stays in its place, and all the other stars revolve around it. This is the foundation of a country."

"...you must remember that a ruler should treat his subjects with courtesy, govern diligently and love his people, and that court officials should serve their ruler with loyalty. This is the principle taught by Confucius."

——"Ah Xuan..."

Qin Zhao suddenly came back to his senses and noticed Jing Li calling him: "Qin Zhao, what's wrong?"

"No, nothing." Qin Zhao's face was terribly pale, and a thin layer of sweat appeared on his forehead. He closed his eyes and said softly, "I seem to... remember something."

Jing Li was startled: "What did you remember?"

Qin Zhao did not answer.

He stared at the words on the scroll for a long time before he slowly said, "It's very vague. I can't remember it clearly."

"If you can't remember clearly, don't think about it. It'll give you a headache if you keep thinking about it." Jing Li poured him a glass of water, took the book from his hand and put it on the table. "Read here first. I'll help you lie down for a while?"

Qin Zhao glanced at him, smiled and shook his head: "You just want to be lazy."

"No way..." Jing Li muttered softly and helped Qin Zhao to the bed.

Qin Zhao had just laid down when there was a knock on the door, a faint sound amidst the patter of rain. Jing Li didn't let Qin Zhao get up, but went to open the door himself, holding an umbrella.

He is the village chief.

Jing Li said, "Qin Zhao is feeling unwell and has gone to bed. What does the village chief want to see him about?"

"It's nothing important. Since he's feeling unwell, just tell him later. There's no need to wake him up." The village chief waved his hand and said, "I have to leave for the county town early tomorrow morning, so I came here specifically to tell him."

Jing Li asked, "Has the proposal for building the embankment been signed?"

"Yes," said the village chief. "Last night's rain brought the water level to the point of nearly reaching the bank. Seeing this, the last few farmers who had refused to budge finally agreed this morning. But the rain is too heavy today, and it's getting late, so we'll have to wait until tomorrow morning to leave."

"Thank you, village chief." Jing Li said.

He is actually very old, and has been busy these days, looking more haggard than before.

The village chief smiled and said, "I'll do my best and leave the rest to fate. This is what I should do."

The village chief did not stay long and left in the rain.

Jing Li kept watching his slightly hunched back until it disappeared in the rain, then he withdrew his gaze and closed the gate.