Chapter 146 The Mandate of Heaven is Called Nature
Chen Yi also got up early to wash up and get dressed.
Because she was going to Guiyun Academy, Xiaodie rummaged through her belongings to find a dark blue long gown.
It's made of satin and has a relatively slim and fitted design.
She wore a matching belt around her waist with a jade pendant adorned with two fish, and black boots on her feet.
It wouldn't appear too extravagant, nor too ordinary to make people think he was being bullied in the Xiao family.
At first glance, Chen Yi appears to be a handsome and refined scholar.
Xiaodie smoothed out his rough edges, nodded in satisfaction, and said with a smile:
“Young master, you’ll definitely make them envious if you go to the academy looking like this today.”
Whether he envied them or not, Chen Yi didn't know, but he was certain that most scholars didn't judge people by their appearance.
Even if he wears gold and silver, if he has no knowledge, he will probably be looked down upon.
When comparing literary figures, the comparisons usually come down to their knowledge and talent.
However, Chen Yi naturally wouldn't tell Xiao Die these things, lest she have too many worries in her innocent little head.
"Go and have the carriages from the manor come over and load those practice books onto the carriages first."
Xiaodie nodded in agreement and ran downstairs first.
Chen Yi, however, calmly went to the living room and had breakfast with Xiao Wuge and Pei Guanli.
The three chatted idly.
It was mostly Pei Guanli, that little rascal, chattering away.
Today she didn't need to go out for a stroll. She went to Jiaxing Garden early in the morning to discuss with Shen Huatang and Xie Tingyun about having a match.
Chen Yi raised an eyebrow. "You want to fight them?"
Pei Guanli raised her voice and blinked, saying, "Brother-in-law, my cultivation has broken through! I'm already at the eighth rank!"
In fact, her cultivation had already broken through when she returned to the mountain clan with Xiao Jinghong.
It is said that when the old woman from the mountain learned of this, she praised her for quite a while with great satisfaction.
Even when Xiao Jinghong and the Mountain Clan signed the contract, Granny Shan took the initiative to make concessions, saying it was as a thank-you gift for Tiger Girl's breakthrough in cultivation.
Pei Guanli was naturally delighted, but she never revealed the reason for her breakthrough in cultivation.
This was a secret between her and Chen Yi.
"But I can't beat Sister Tingyun and Sister Huatang."
"Sister Tingyun has now reached the fourth rank, and her swordsmanship has reached perfection. She is already considered a first-class expert in the martial arts world."
"Sister Huatang's cultivation and swordsmanship are a bit weaker than hers, but she has still reached the middle stage of the fifth rank."
"It was supposed to be a competition, but actually I was just getting them to give me pointers."
After finishing his porridge, Chen Yi chuckled and said, "With your hard work, I believe you'll make another breakthrough soon."
Tiger Girl's only problem was that her cultivation breakthroughs were slower and she was a bit lazy, but her progress in techniques was so-so.
If she could be more diligent, breaking through to a higher realm would be a piece of cake.
Pei Guanli smiled broadly, "I think so too."
She paused, glanced at Xiao Wuge who was drinking his porridge with his head down, and made a couple of mysterious gestures.
The general meaning is to ask Chen Yi how his martial arts cultivation is progressing.
Chen Yi didn't want to discourage her, but seeing her head held high and her eyes sparkling like bells, he gestured "seven".
Pei Guanli recognized the gesture and exclaimed in surprise, "Seven?"
Seeing Chen Yi nod, the smile on her face vanished instantly, her mind reeling, clearly having suffered a tremendous shock.
Seventh Rank!
My brother-in-law... he's not human, how can someone cultivate so fast?
Mountain Goddess, come quick! There's a monster!
Perhaps hearing her voice, Xiao Wuge looked at her suspiciously: "Sister Guanli, what seven?"
"No, it's nothing. I... I was just thinking about our dog, Xiaoqi..."
"Really? Then Sister Guanli, you can bring Xiaoqi to the manor. I really like puppies."
"No need, it's already in the manor."
"What? Where?"
Seeing that Hu Yatou was talking nonsense, Chen Yi glared at her, stood up, and said:
"You all stay here quietly. I'm going to the academy."
At this moment, Xiaodie arrived with a soldier. Chen Yi instructed them to move a thick calligraphy practice book from the study and put it in the car.
Just as I was about to sit down, I heard a gentle voice behind me: "Wait a minute."
Chen Yi turned around and saw Xiao Wan'er leading Cui'er towards him.
She wore a bright red cloak, and as she hurried along, one could vaguely see the pure white dress underneath.
Her exquisite face had a slight blush, unlike her previous paleness, which must have come from drinking the medicinal soup.
After a quick glance, a glint of tears flashed in Chen Yi's eyes as he examined Xiao Wan'er's body using his Qi Observation Technique.
After confirming that there were no problems, he said, "Elder sister has just recovered, so she should rest more."
But it would have been better if he hadn't brought it up; once he did, Xiao Wan'er's barely suppressed shyness resurfaced.
After learning about those shameful things yesterday, she originally planned to avoid seeing Chen Yi for the time being.
She was as willful as an ordinary woman, refusing to let him eat wild game and ignoring whether Chen Yi was going to Guiyun Academy.
But in the end, Xiao Wan'er still rushed over.
Just like last night, she ultimately left dinner for Chen Yi.
Ultimately, she knew in her heart that Chen Yi had not truly defiled her.
I only glanced at it a few times...
Xiao Wan'er suppressed her embarrassment, turned her head away from Chen Yi, and instead gestured to Cui'er to put the prepared items into the carriage.
"Brother-in-law, when you go to the academy today, remember to take these to Mr. Yue Ming and Mr. Zhuo Ying."
Seeing that it was some stationery, Chen Yi let her arrange it, smiling and cupping his hands in thanks: "Thank you, elder sister."
Xiao Wan'er glanced at him out of the corner of her eye, a slightly unnatural blush on her face.
"If anyone should be thanking someone, it should be..."
Before she could finish speaking, she realized it was inappropriate and instead reminded him:
"Mr. Yue Ming invited you to the academy because he values you highly, so you should still pay attention to etiquette."
Chen Yi nodded in agreement and bowed in return.
"I'm going to the academy first, and I estimate I'll be back after noon."
Xiao Wan'er nodded, and only dared to look at him straight after seeing him turn around and get into the carriage.
As soon as Chen Yi lifted the carriage curtain, she quickly turned her head away and said:
"Also, remember not to wander around. The city has been unsettled lately. I heard that someone died in the West Market the night before last."
Chen Yi smiled and replied that he understood, then said no more and signaled the guards in front to drive the car away from the backyard via the side road.
With a rumbling sound, the carriage gradually disappeared into the distance.
Xiao Wan'er watched him leave, and even after he disappeared from sight, the blush on her face did not fade.
Cui'er, who was standing to the side, noticed her expression and carefully spoke up:
“Miss, what the young master said is right. You have just recovered and need to rest more.”
"It's still a bit windy here, and you don't look well."
Before she could finish speaking, Xiao Wan'er had already turned and walked towards Jiaxing Garden.
As she walked, she touched her slightly flushed cheeks, and the events of yesterday inevitably came to mind.
She lay on the bed, her body soaked with sweat.
He sat there watching, watching...
Shameful.
As Xiao Wan'er thought about it, she quickened her pace and began to give instructions.
"See if Wu Ge has finished breakfast, and tell him to come and study."
"Notify the pharmacy managers to come here. Jishi Pharmacy will send Liu Quan."
"In addition, after the summer harvest, the land rented for cultivation also needs to be paid some grain. Someone should be sent to inform the village head to come to the government office tomorrow."
"Then there are the account books for other businesses in Shu Prefecture. Organize them and calculate next month's monthly allowance..."
As she gave the instructions one by one, Xiao Wan'er's face became less red.
However, I couldn't help feeling a little shy, and a few inexplicable emotions.
She needs to be kept busy in order to settle down.
...
Chen Yi was unaware of what Xiao Wan'er was thinking.
As the carriage left the Xiao residence and headed towards Kangning Street, he sat in the carriage, looking at the scenery outside the window while thinking about his trip to Guiyun Academy that day.
Although he had his own reasons for accepting Mr. Yue Ming's invitation, now that he had become a teacher at Guiyun Academy, he couldn't be too perfunctory.
Just like yesterday when he was faced with the calligraphy practice book that Ma Guan sent, he spoke casually, but when he actually started annotating, he took it very seriously.
There was nothing he could do; it was just a habit.
The reason why cattle and horses are cattle and horses is that they have too much sense of responsibility and always want to do their best and take things seriously.
Just now, sitting in the car, Chen Yi was thinking about how to teach those students calligraphy.
That's right.
He didn't just want to teach calligraphy; he wanted to try to guide those students onto the path of "calligraphy."
He had no idea of being overly protective of his own knowledge, nor was he worried that his disciples would starve him.
I simply wanted to do everything well and teach the students what I knew as much as possible.
Regardless of the outcome.
"What Heaven ordains is called human nature; to follow one's nature is called the Way; to cultivate the Way is called education."
"After all, everyone's comprehension, temperament, and habits are different, so even if the content they learn is the same, the results will be different."
Chen Yi muttered to himself, naturally understanding that the difficulty was much greater than simply teaching calligraphy.
However, he still made that decision.
"The great path may take many turns, but it leads to the same goal. All require dedication. If they are willing to practice calligraphy, they will achieve something sooner or later."
Not long after.
The carriage stopped outside Guiyun Academy. Chen Yi did not let the driver follow him, but walked into the academy alone, carrying the practice book.
From afar, I saw the student named Ma Guan, whom I had met yesterday, running towards me.
"Please forgive me, Mr. Qingzhou. I was just informed by the dean and arrived a little late."
"Just give me these booklets, and I'll take you to the study."
Chen Yi did not refuse, handed him the two stacks of practice books, thanked him with a smile, and then walked ahead.
Ma Guan struggled to hold the exercise book with both hands, barely managing to follow his lead and get directions.
He had only taken a few steps when he started sweating and couldn't help but feel a little uneasy.
He clearly saw Chen Yi carrying the exercise book so easily, so why was he struggling so much?
Seeing his expression, Chen Yi understood the reason, so he took the stack of practice books and said with a smile:
"Although I am a teacher at the academy, I estimate that I am not as old as you, and I am in the prime of my life."
Ma Guan felt relieved, but also a little embarrassed. "Please forgive me, sir. I am your student..."
Before he could finish speaking, Chen Yi asked, "Besides teaching the Six Arts, does the academy also teach martial arts?"
Ma Guan was taken aback, then shook his head and said, "None of the gentlemen are skilled in martial arts, except for Mr. Qi Chen, who teaches archery and horsemanship, who has martial arts skills."
He knew why Chen Yi asked that question, and felt a slight bitterness in his heart.
Within the academy, many students from prominent families practice martial arts.
Although his cultivation level was not high, it was much stronger than his mortal body.
At least they won't be unable to carry even fifty calligraphy workbooks.
Chen Yi gave an "oh" and glanced at him out of the corner of his eye. With his Qi Observation Technique, he could already see the aura on his body.
It's not that I'm weak, but I'm probably deficient in qi and blood, which means I don't eat very well usually.
Chen Yi understood and didn't ask any more questions.
Soon, the two arrived at the schoolhouse.
Ma Guan first went in and placed the practice book on the table, then quickly took the practice book from Chen Yi and placed it beside him before bowing and returning to his seat.
Chen Yi glanced around and saw that Yue Ming, Zhuo Ying, and the other gentlemen were not there, knowing that the words he had Ma Guan conveyed yesterday had had an effect.
Just as he was about to speak, he saw all forty-five students in the study bow in unison:
"This student has met Mr. Qingzhou and respectfully requests that you begin your lecture."
The voice was loud and clear, echoing in the relatively empty study room.
Chen Yi glanced at them and saw that most of them looked serious and respectful, while a few looked a little strange. Knowing what was going on, he bowed slightly in return.
"Please sit down."
After everyone was seated, Chen Yi sat down at the lectern, turned his head and noticed the shelf next to him, and exclaimed:
"Now, calligraphy teachers no longer use sand trays, but instead use Yunsong paper?"
There were sand tables in front of all those students.
(End of this chapter)
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