"Son, what nonsense are you talking about? How can a person not study?"
"How can one take the imperial examinations without studying? And what future awaits one without taking the imperial examinations?"
"That's right, that's right! How can you become the top scholar if you don't study? And how can I become the top scholar's wife if you don't become the top scholar!"
"Yulang, didn't you realize that they stole our prescription? If they hadn't taken advantage of our Earl's Mansion's lack of power, how dare they have stolen our prescription?"
"We've been bullied so badly, how can you just stand by and do nothing?"
"Even if it's not for anything else, for the sake of this family, you must study hard! Yulang, the old man has become a monk and doesn't care about anything else. You are the only man in the family, and you are the pillar of our family!"
Both Madam Bo and Jiang Yao were shocked by Pei Lingyu's words.
"What do you want to do if you don't study?"
"You don't mean you're thinking of joining the army, do you?"
"My God, that's a deal with a nine-out-of-ten chance of death."
"No, Mother can't bear to."
“Yulang, I can’t bear to see you go to the army either. It’s so hard to join the army, how can I bear to see you go?”
Lady Bo and Jiang Yao were both weeping, which made Pei Lingyu feel ashamed.
What do you mean he wants to join the army? Isn't it good for him to stay in Kyoto? Why would he want to join the army?
"Mother, Yao'er, what are you thinking? Why would I join the army? Those soldiers are illiterate, how can they compare to me?"
"I just don't want to take the imperial examination. You can't see from what happened at our ice shop what kind of people, from the Prefect of the Capital to the ladies in the palace, are. Their economic and career prospects are nothing but glamorous appearances."
"A bunch of traitors and parasites! I have no interest in becoming an official. Pei Yanzhi is a good student, so let him be the one!"
"I, Pei Lingyu, don't care!"
"..."
Madam Bo and Jiang Yao both stared at him in shock.
"No, what are you saying? We can't understand you at all."
“Mother, Yao’er, just listen to me. Isn’t it good for me to stay home and keep you company? Why do I have to squeeze through that narrow bridge and jump into the cesspool of traitors and parasites? I’ve been studying poetry and books since I was a child, not going to that filthy place.”
As Pei Lingyu spoke, she picked up the poems on the table with great care.
He showed it off to his wife and Jiang Yao as if it were a precious treasure.
"Look, this is my latest poem. My classmates all say it has the elegance of a gentle breeze and a bright moon, reminiscent of the ancient sages."
"I find solace in nature and poetry, and my writing is naturally elegant and moving. If I were to fall into the cesspool of traitors and corrupt officials, how would I be any different from those vulgar people like Pei Yanzhi who are obsessed with fame and fortune?"
"..."
Madam Bo and Jiang Yao exchanged a glance, both seeing disbelief in each other's eyes.
Lady Bo, in particular, was always jealous that Lady Wen had given birth to Pei Yanzhi, a capable son, and she kept telling Pei Lingyu to learn from Pei Yanzhi and even catch up with and surpass him.
How come Pei Yanzhi is described as having such a character in Pei Lingyu's words?
"Son, what nonsense are you talking about? How is your cousin a mediocre or vulgar person?"
"He's always been number one at the Imperial Academy, and this time he's even more outstanding on his study tour. So many people are praising him; this is an honor we could only dream of!"
"Mother, isn't chasing after rankings all the time just being a mediocre person? Shouldn't we scholars have lofty aspirations and not care about fame and fortune?"
"..."
Mrs. Bo was dumbfounded, and Jiang Yao couldn't help but break down.
"Yulang, what are you talking about? Without fame and fortune, what will we eat and drink? What will you wear? Your writing brushes, ink, paper, and inkstones all cost money!"
"Besides, we're not asking you to be a corrupt official. Just serve His Majesty well, and His Majesty won't lack our wealth and honor."
"...Wealth and glory? Yao'er, why do you keep talking about wealth and glory now? You weren't like this before. You used to always talk about the beautiful rivers and mountains, and you wanted to go see them with me. You used to be indifferent to fame and fortune. How did you become like this?"
"You look so different from before, I almost didn't recognize you."
"Speaking of which, this disaster at the ice shop was also caused by you. It would have been a good thing if you had the magic to turn water into ice, but you were blinded by wealth and wanted to open a shop to make money. If it weren't for you, how could you have caused such a huge disaster?"
"If you ask me, since you have that magical ability, you should have offered it up long ago. Your sister-in-law has the awareness to 'make sure all the people in the world can eat ice,' so why don't you have that?"
"I used to think you were very enlightened, but I was wrong about you!"
As Pei Lingyu spoke, she also gave Jiang Yao a cold look.
He stared at Jiang Yao and began to accuse her, word by word.
You weren't like this before.
"Have you forgotten the lines, 'The sound of wind and rain last night, how many flowers have fallen?' Only a poem with such a profound meaning could be written by you. Now all you talk about is fame and fortune. Where has your former ethereal and tranquil spirit gone?"
"No wonder you haven't been able to produce poetry of the same caliber since 'Spring Dawn,' it's because your mindset has changed."
"Your eyes have been blinded by the world's splendor, your heart has been clouded, and you are no longer the person you used to be."
“You never let me take the imperial examinations before, but now you’re forcing me just like Mother did.”
You've changed!
"How ridiculous, I was still so naive to think you were still the same person you were before."
"Things have changed, and people are no longer the same. My heart aches!"
Pei Lingyu was on the verge of tears as he recalled his meeting with Jiang Yao at the poetry gathering.
"You used to be so wonderful, like a fairy descended from heaven, ethereal and otherworldly. Your song 'Spring Dawn' made me fall head over heels in love with you. I never imagined that you would change so quickly."
"I didn't expect your Dao heart to be so wavering. It seems I've ruined you. If you hadn't married me, you would still be the same person you were before."
"But it's okay, it's not too late to realize it now. Buddhism is compassionate, and it's never too late to turn back. We just need to find our original intentions."
"As long as you rediscover your original aspirations, you will still be the same person you were before."
As he spoke passionately, he reached out and took Jiang Yao's hand.
"The world is inevitably corrupt, but the back mountain of Xiangguo Temple is very peaceful. We can stay there for a while and let our body and mind be cleansed by the spiritual energy. You will definitely be back to normal."
"Someone, prepare the horses and head to Xiangguo Temple..."
"Help! The young mistress has fainted!"
The maid screamed, and Jiang Yao's body went limp and she fainted.
When I woke up, it was already past midnight.
Jiang Yao opened her eyes. "Where's Yu Lang?"
"I was forced to read by my aunt," the maid replied quickly.
"Good, good, that's great. It's good that Madam Bo is willing to force him. I'm really unlucky. I never thought that in the end, it would be that old witch Madam Bo who understands me."
Jiang Yao sat on the bed and started crying.
“I never expected Yulang to think like this. Good heavens, I married into the Earl’s family to enjoy happiness, not to pursue a life of peace and tranquility.”
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