Chapter 185 Extra Four
"Cough...cough cough cough..." Chunsheng coughed so hard his lungs almost came out, constantly reminding him. If it weren't for the fact that everyone was watching, he would have liked to go up and cover Xie Yulin's mouth.
The young master seems to want everyone to know that he covets the young master Zhao.
Xie Yulin looked at Chunsheng with some confusion. Had he said something wrong again?
Wei Li narrowed his eyes slightly, looked at Xie Yulin, and snapped the chopsticks in his hand with a "crack".
They've all come from the same place; how could he not understand what Xie Yulin meant by his words?
He was about to make a sarcastic remark when Zhao Xiheng glanced at him with a deep look, and he obediently switched to a different pair of chopsticks.
Let's eat.
Anyway, Zhao Shiliu didn't think much of Xie Yulin, a sissy man, so she didn't bother to worry about him.
He wasn't saying that although Zhao Shiliu didn't have even a tenth of his abilities when he was young, the person in this world who was worthy of Zhao Shiliu hadn't been born yet.
Zhao Tulin silently placed the head of the sweet and sour carp from his plate onto Xie Yulin's plate: "Eating fish heads is good for the brain."
Her father only broke a pair of chopsticks; it was already quite good that he didn't beat Xie Yulin until her face was covered in bruises.
"Mother~"
That night, Zhizhi clung to the door frame and quietly called out to Zhao Xiheng.
When Wei Li saw her, he snorted again and rolled his eyes.
Zhao Tulin and Wei Li have been at odds since childhood, and the father and daughter always fight whenever they meet.
"Father, have you forgotten how to speak except for humming?" Zhao Tulin handed the small box to Zhao Xiheng: "When I was outside, someone presented me with some pearls. I thought they would look nice as jewelry and clothes for Mother. Please take a look and see if you like them."
Each pearl was as big as a pigeon egg, gleaming in the candlelight.
Wei Li glanced at it secretly, feeling a surge of jealousy welling up inside him.
He rubbed the corner of his clothes.
Hasn't he received his share yet? Hasn't he received his share yet? Zhao Tulin hasn't forgotten about him again, has he?
Zhao Xiheng and Zhizhi were laughing and joking on the side, discussing what kind of beautiful pearl they wanted to make.
Wei Li puffed out his cheeks, indicating that he indeed had no gift for himself.
This daughter was raised in vain; she's only close to her mother.
But then I thought, that's fine too. It's good that Zhao Shiliu likes her mother the most. Anyway, her daughter was born to Zhao Xiheng, so it's enough that she likes Zhao Xiheng.
Zhao Xiheng and Zhizhi quietly observed Wei Li, watching his expression change from wrinkled to relieved.
“Your father misses you terribly, don’t tease him.” Zhao Xiheng quietly tugged at her daughter’s clothes.
Wei Li said he wanted Zhizhi to come back and arrange his wedding, but it was just that he hadn't seen his daughter for a long time and missed her so much that he couldn't eat or sleep. He was just making up an excuse to ask his daughter to come home.
"I know." How could Zhao Tulin not know that her father was all talk and no action?
He said he hated her, but in his heart he cared for her more than anyone else.
Actually, she misses her father too.
She pulled a sugarcane from her belt and handed it to Wei Li: "This sugarcane I brought for you is very sweet."
Wei Li hurriedly took it, but complained, "Is this all you've given me? Are you trying to fetch a beggar?"
He touched the sugarcane; it was thick and sturdy, and looked like it should taste good.
"Take it or leave it." With that, Zhao Tulin tossed the real gift in his arms into Wei Li's arms: "My men have presented me with an even better knife. You can keep this one to play with."
The scabbard was plain and unadorned, but Wei Li noticed the words "Black Scabbard" on the handle. It was the work of a master craftsman from the previous dynasty. That master craftsman made many swords, each of which could be described as a priceless treasure. However, he left behind only a few daggers, which are therefore more expensive and rarer.
Wei Li couldn't help but laugh, but he suppressed the smile on his lips and tossed the dagger aside as if he were disgusted: "You spendthrift! You should have spent so much money on a dagger instead of making more clothes for your mother."
Zhao Tulin knew that her father was being hypocritical again, but she didn't argue with him: "It's yours now, I'm going back to sleep."
After Zhao Tulin left, Wei Li quickly picked up the knife, took it out and examined it closely. The blade was sharp and gleamed with a cold light.
He sheathed the knife and tucked it into his waistband: "Zhao Xiheng, Zhao Xiheng, do you think it looks good?"
Just as Zhao Xiheng was about to say it looked beautiful, Wei Li spun around and said, "It's incredibly expensive, several times more expensive than your Eastern Pearl. Aren't you envious?"
Zhao Xiheng: "Don't force me to slap you."
Wei Li: "..."
"Chunsheng?" Xie Yulin couldn't sleep, so he called out to Chunsheng, who was keeping watch outside.
"Huh?" Chun Sheng wiped the drool from the corner of his mouth and mumbled a reply.
"If you were to choose a prince, what kind of person would you pick?" He turned over, his long, flowing black hair cascading down, his handsome face glowing white, making him look like a beautiful little fairy.
Chunsheng smacked his lips. "Anyway, it's definitely not someone like you."
"By the way, when are we going back to Yongzhou, my lord? We've been eating and drinking for free in Pingzhou for almost half a month, and we haven't brought anyone any gifts."
When Xie Yulin heard him mention this, he buried his head in the blanket like an ostrich, saying, "Don't say it anymore, don't say it anymore."
Chunsheng continued the previous topic: "Anyway, judging from Young Master Zhao's momentum, he might become an empress in the future. So the empress must be both scholarly and martial, dignified and generous, calm and steady, broad-minded, wise and composed. Her appearance must be dignified and majestic, not too beautiful and seductive..."
Xie Yulin counted on his fingers and gasped, "Chunsheng, you're saying the opposite of what I said, aren't you?" Each and every one of these points was exactly the opposite of what he said.
Chunsheng humbly replied, "I dare not, it is merely a fine virtue of men."
Xie Yulin hugged the quilt, looking somewhat sullen: "Forget it, let's go to sleep. We still have to watch the competition between the Girls' Academy and the Imperial Academy tomorrow."
In his dream, he saw Zhao Tulin at her coronation ceremony as empress.
Her royal consort walked alongside her to the highest point.
Just as Chunsheng said, the Emperor's husband has a very upright and dignified appearance; he's not ugly, but he's not particularly handsome either.
The perspective shifts to Zhao Tulin's, and a group of elegantly dressed men stand below the platform. Xie Yulin sees himself standing among them.
Then Zhao Tulin's voice was heard: "The Xie family is of noble birth, kind and virtuous, and shall be made a Noble Consort."
Wait, why is he called a concubine even though he's a man?
Xie Yulin woke up with a start. He looked at his hands and then at the bright daylight outside.
Thank goodness it was just a dream, thank goodness it was just a dream.
He rubbed his eyes and got up heavily.
Originally, Pingzhou only had the Imperial Academy as an official school, which was exclusively for men to study. Later, the system was changed, and a girls' school was established as an official school, exclusively for women to study.
Sun Zhaoxun was the top scorer in the first year of the imperial examination. She was both the Taichang Doctor in charge of education and the head of the women's school. Therefore, the educational resources in Pingzhou did not favor men, and few people dared to question the fact that the women's school was the official school.
The Imperial Academy and the Girls' Academy have cultivated numerous talents over the years, who have shone brightly in the court, making them equally outstanding.
However, the dispute between the Imperial Academy and the Women's Academy has never ceased over the years. The two sides have been locked in a fierce debate and could not tolerate each other. Sun Zhaoxun simply held a "literary competition" every year to let them compete and determine who was better.
This also shut up those who said that women's education should not exist.
Wei Li's aversion to reading hasn't changed; making him watch this kind of competition is worse than killing him.
Zhao Xiheng was afraid that he would fall asleep while watching the competition, which would be embarrassing, so she usually hosted the event herself. Later, after Wei Li handed the responsibility over to Zhao Tulin, the job became Zhao Tulin's responsibility.
Zhao Tulin sat in the main seat, with the officials of Pingzhou sitting below him.
After descending a few steps, five students each from the Imperial Academy and the Women's Academy sat on one side, and the atmosphere was already heated even before the debate began.
To ensure fairness, Sun Zhaoxun did not serve as a referee.
Feeling guilty about his dream last night, Xie Yulin secretly glanced at Zhao Tulin several times, but dared not look at him openly.
He glanced down and saw a student in the Imperial Academy with a full forehead and a square jaw, clear and bright eyes, and an aura of righteousness emanating from him.
Xie Yulin couldn't help but bite her finger. This man looked just like the emperor consort in her dreams.
His heart skipped a beat, and he looked up at Zhao Tulin. Fortunately, her gaze was not on the man, but on her talking to Sun Zhaoxun.
"Chunsheng, do you think I'll be a little smarter starting today?" He whispered to Chunsheng.
Chunsheng knelt down beside him, looking troubled.
After three bugle calls, the two sides exchanged pleasantries.
The headmaster of the Imperial Academy first bowed to Sun Zhaoxun: "The girls' school has been ranked first for many years, and Dr. Sun has made great contributions."
The old pedantic scholar practically pointed his finger at Zhao Lin and accused her of giving preferential treatment to the girls' school. After all, when Zhao Tulin was studying at the girls' school, Wei Li had provided both money and manpower, fearing that his daughter wouldn't eat or study well. After so many years of support, it would be a miracle if things went wrong.
Sun Zhaoxun was equally assertive and retorted, "I must thank Headmaster Liu for his many years of leniency. I was willing to give way once, but the students wouldn't allow it."
Zhao Tulin's expression was indifferent, like an ice sculpture, cold and noble.
She glanced down casually and saw Xie Yulin chattering away with Chunsheng, thinking no one else could hear them.
Xie Yulin covered his mouth and whispered, "It looks like those two are about to fight."
Zhao Tulin looked away, his expression calm and composed, but he almost burst out laughing.
She was actually quite looking forward to Dr. Sun and Headmaster Liu fighting.
After three blasts of horn and three blasts of drums, the first round of the competition officially began.
The debate topic is very interesting: Should we believe in ghosts and gods?
This is a question that has been discussed throughout history, with scholars often holding differing opinions and no one able to convince the others.
Xie Yulin felt that he was right, and she was also right, and was convinced by both sides.
Chunsheng peeled an orange for him: "Does my lord understand?" So many classical Chinese phrases, it really makes my head spin.
"I'm just a little slow to react, not that I'm ignorant."
But when that upright-looking student spoke, Xie Yulin inexplicably felt that the man spoke the worst.
The man quoted extensively from various sources, which he scoffed at as plagiarism.
The man had his own ideas, which he considered arrogant and conceited.
In short, if you don't like someone, nothing about them will seem right.
Xie Yulin felt it was wrong to be so narrow-minded about a dream, but people are all about emotion besides reason, and he was a person whose emotions were more dominant, so his emotional control was not good.
His expressions were so varied that Zhao Tulin glanced at him repeatedly, noticing that his face scrunched up like a bun when one of the students was speaking.
Zhao Tulin rested his chin on his hand and thought, "This person makes a good point. What is Xie Yulin dissatisfied with?"
Second argument: Should men continue to be superior to women?
The moment the question was posed, everyone gasped. They glanced at Zhao Tulin sitting above, but she remained expressionless.
Did the person who set this question genuinely want to see a fight break out?
The Imperial Academy drew the affirmative viewpoint.
"Could you wait a moment?" several students asked.
After the referee questioned Zhao Tulin, Zhao Tulin nodded to indicate that it was okay.
Five students from the Imperial Academy gathered together and, after discussing for a while, knocked down the wooden sign on the table: "We forfeit this round."
It should be noted that the Imperial Academy had lost to the Girls' Academy in the "literary competition" for five consecutive years.
If we've already lost one game and then forfeit, is there any point in playing the third game?
Zhao Tulin tapped the cup in his hand with his fingertip: "Are you sure you want to abstain?"
"Although some of the debate topics in previous years did not reflect our views, the merits of those topics were not definitively established. We simply presented our own views based on the opinions of our predecessors to refute the opposing side. However, this topic has already contradicted moral integrity."
The handsome man bowed and said, “It has been twenty years since the establishment of the girls’ school in Pingzhou. In those twenty years, all my ancestors, peers and nieces have studied, understood the principles and made achievements. There are also many talented female officials in the court. If we want to use the old patriarchal theories to suppress the new women, that is wrong.”
He paused, then said, "We are actually thinking about our own future. There are many women among the officials in the court, and the young master is a woman. Regardless of whether we win or lose this debate today, as long as we open our mouths, we will only be looked down upon when we enter the officialdom in the future."
Zhao Tulin raised an eyebrow: "That's quite honest. This question is invalid. The competition continues."
Sun Zhaoxun glanced at Zhao Tulin, smiled, and nodded silently at her.
This question shouldn't have appeared in the debate in the first place; it was just that someone brought it up.
Xie Yulin suddenly let out a long breath.
"Chunsheng, I think he's pretty good too." I was just being too narrow-minded.
But he was still quite frustrated; the better the other person was, the worse he seemed.
My sister wouldn't treat this person differently just because they speak well or have the right viewpoint, would she?
……Um……
It's actually only right to treat them differently.
The students of the Imperial Academy sat down again, and the female students opposite them bowed to them.
Though silent, it speaks louder than words.
This year's "literature competition" champion is once again a girl's school.
Before leaving, the headmaster of the Imperial Academy made a bold statement: "Next year, next year we will definitely beat you."
"Although the students of the Imperial Academy are not as clever and intelligent as my students, they are all good children."
Sun Zhaoxun's praise was sincere, but Liu Shanzhang ignored it and stormed off in a huff.
On his way home, Xie Yulin was still lost in thought.
Zhao Tulin asked him, "What are you thinking about?"
"I'm thinking, that person really has the demeanor of a righteous ruler." Xie Yulin was lost in thought, spouting nonsense.
Zhao Tulin finally couldn't help but chuckle.
She knew which person Xie Yulin was referring to.
"There's much to be accomplished in officialdom, what's all this talk about being a righteous ruler?" Zhao Tulin put his hands behind his back, shook him off, and walked away.
Xie Yulin hurriedly caught up with him: "Then what kind of person do you think your husband should be, sister?"
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