Chapter 378 Passing on the Torch
Baihe Academy has recently been embroiled in considerable controversy.
Many female students were expelled from school by their elders.
Many of the women who were dragged home struggled desperately at the door.
"Father! Why are you making your daughter drop out of school! Your daughter has done nothing wrong!"
"What good can a woman like you, who can say that divorce is a blessing of the world, teach? Go home now! If you want to study, your family will hire a tutor for you!"
"I don't want to! Mr. Lang is exceptionally talented and worthy of respect. I want to stay at Baihe Academy!"
"Take the young lady back immediately!"
"Father! Have you forgotten why you sent me to White Crane Academy in the first place? Aren't you afraid of offending the princess?!"
"You bastard! Get home right now!"
Leng Qingqiu stood at the door, coldly watching the women being picked up one by one.
Some left voluntarily, while others were forced to leave.
In just a few days, Baihe Academy became deserted.
Leng Qingqiu watched as the last female student left Baihe Academy.
He turned around and closed the door of the White Crane Academy.
These days she has been assisting the people sent by the princess in handling all matters related to the White Crane Academy.
A fire was burning fiercely in her heart.
When Leng Qingqiu returned home, she said to the maid beside her, "Go and inform Mother that today is an auspicious day, suitable for taking a master. Please prepare the apprenticeship gifts and come with me to her door."
Wei Lishu came to Leng Qingqiu's courtyard and sat down next to her.
"But in the anger of the capital, these women were all brought back to their homes."
Leng Qingqiu's face was cold. "Mr. Lang only said something about divorce, and those families treat him like a tiger! Do they think they would be indifferent if their daughters were to marry and live a miserable life, even if they were trapped in their own houses and died?"
Wei Lishu patted her head, "Qiu'er, do you still want to participate in the imperial examination?"
Leng Qingqiu looked at Wei Lishu with a puzzled expression.
Wei Lishu said with a smile:
“Every dynasty has some pioneers who see the suffering of the people and break the shackles of the world.”
But these shackles were created by those who benefited from this world, so they are angry and fearful.
If these pioneers are not strong enough, they will join forces to eliminate them; if they cannot resist, they will quickly flee.
The reason why Mother staked our lives on the princess was because she was such a pioneer, but luckily, she was very strong.
But there is only one princess, and the torch needs to be passed on in order to continue to exist. Mr. Lang is the one who passes on the torch.
Now, your mother asks you, are you willing to become one of those who pass on the fire?
Leng Qingqiu's anger gradually subsided, but the fire in her heart burned intensely.
She looked at Wei Lishu firmly and said, "I want to participate in the imperial examination; I want to pass on this torch."
Wei Lishu laughed and said, "Now, we can go to the Lang residence to become his disciples. Someone, prepare the best honor guard!"
When everything was ready, the mother and daughter prepared to leave.
Leng Wendong returned home after court.
Upon hearing that Leng Qingqiu wanted to become an apprentice, he immediately frowned and came to the two of them, saying, "Nonsense!"
Leng Qingqiu was taken aback. Could it be that her father, like those other people, was avoiding the teacher at all costs?
Leng Wendong strode up to Wei Lishu, his voice tinged with a coquettish tone, "Madam!!! Didn't we agree that I'd be in charge outside? Why don't you include me in the household leadership?!"
Wei Lishu looked at Leng Wendong with some disgust and said, "Your tone is disgusting."
Leng Wendong straightened his clothes and cleared his throat. "Let me change into something more formal."
As he spoke, he strode quickly toward the bedroom, leaving the servants behind him struggling to keep up.
"Sir, please slow down! Watch your step!"
Leng Wendong quickened his pace, "Hurry up, what if Madam and Qiu'er don't wait for me!"
Besides the six rites of apprenticeship, there were also some rare and precious items. The most important gift for becoming an apprentice was a thousand books prepared by Wei Lishu.
It has all kinds of rare and unique ancient books.
Behind the White Crane Academy is a dilapidated little building.
Qin Jinzhi ordered it to be rebuilt and converted into a library.
Now that the library is almost complete, it will naturally need to be filled with a large number of books to be considered finished.
The Leng family made a grand entrance, and everyone along the way knew that the daughter of the Right Vice Minister of the Ministry of Personnel was going to the Lang family to become an apprentice.
The one they were worshipping was Lang Mingyue, the former Ming princess who had uttered those rebellious words.
People on the street were talking about it.
"I heard that the Leng family was the first to send their daughter to the White Crane Academy, all in order to get on the good side of that Princess Zhenguo."
"Hmph, the daughter of a sycophantic minister is certainly following in his footsteps."
"I think this young lady from the Leng family has been brainwashed!"
The family of three listened to the sounds of people on the street from inside the carriage.
Leng Wendong looked at Leng Qingqiu and said, "Qiu'er, if you participate in the imperial examination in the future, you will encounter even more criticism than this."
Leng Qingqiu calmly replied, "Mother has already instructed me today."
Leng Wendong nodded in satisfaction.
Soon, the long convoy stopped in front of the Lang Mansion.
The message was delivered to the Lang residence an hour ago.
Although it was a bit rushed, the proper etiquette was still observed.
The servant of the Leng family delivered the visiting card again.
Leng Qingqiu walked to the center of the gate and said, “Mr. Lang is a man of great talent and profound learning. I admire him greatly and have come here today to become his disciple!”
Upon hearing this, Lang's servant immediately went to inform them.
Soon, the gates of the Lang residence were opened wide.
Lang Qingfeng appeared at the door.
He walked up to Leng Wendong and his wife.
"Lord Leng, Madam Leng, my younger sister is ill, so I have come to greet you on her behalf. Please come in."
Leng Wendong said to Lang Qingfeng, "Thank you, Lord Lang."
The group arrived at Lang Mingyue's courtyard.
When Leng Qingqiu saw Lang Mingyue, her face was already deathly pale.
Lang Mingyue looked at Leng Qingqiu weakly and smiled, "Qingqiu wants to become my disciple?"
Leng Qingqiu stepped forward and said, "I admire you, sir, and wish to become your disciple. I am willing to serve you in the future."
Lang Mingyue covered her mouth with a handkerchief and coughed a few times, then looked at Leng Qingqiu.
“I knew back at the White Crane Academy that the Leng family had a distinguished family tradition. Why should Qingqiu become my student? My reputation in Jin is now like mud and filth. As you can see, my days are numbered. Why should you taint my reputation?”
Leng Qingqiu looked into Lang Mingyue's eyes and said, "I am willing to be firewood to pass on the flame, even if my reputation is ruined."
Lang Mingyue coughed violently, her eyes reddening.
She covered her mouth, stopping the maid who was trying to soothe her.
"Go prepare tea."
Leng Qingqiu quickly stepped forward to help Lang Mingyue catch her breath.
Soon, the maid not only brought tea, but also a futon.
Leng Qingqiu stepped back and knelt on the prayer mat.
Lang Mingyue caught his breath for a while, then smiled and said to Leng Qingqiu, "Today, I will take the liberty of accepting Leng Qingqiu as my disciple. I hope my disciple will remember my words today."
Leng Qingqiu picked up the teacup and held it above her head, saying, "Master, please accept my bow."
Lang Mingyue took a sip of tea.
"I have a word for you today."
"Though battered and bruised a thousand times, it remains firm and strong, letting the winds from east, west, north, and south blow as they may."
Leng Qingqiu said loudly, "Disciple will follow your teachings."
"The ceremony is complete!"
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