"Think about it. Xiao Jingbai is such a scoundrel, yet he's the second young master of the Prince Ning's Mansion! With such a noble status, he's bound to enter the court in the future."
"But he's already so unruly when he's young. When he grows up, won't he bully men and women and bring disaster to the country and its people? By then, will the common people across the land still be able to live in peace?"
"He threw a toad at the teacher's face today. Who knows, he might even stuff gunpowder into the Golden Palace in the future!"
Hearing these words, Pei Yanqi's pupils suddenly constricted. It was obvious that he was shaken.
Li Wanming snickered inwardly, but her expression grew even more solemn, looking like someone earnestly advising for the country and its people.
"By then, the history books will surely record that 'in a certain year and month, the traitor Xiao Jingbai destroyed the Golden Palace, and the Great Sheng Dynasty perished. The root cause was that Pei Yanqi, the prime minister of the current dynasty, refused to take him as a student back then'..."
"What!" Pei Yanqi slammed his wine cup onto the table. The tips of his ears turned bright red. "This... How can this be blamed on me!"
"Why not?"
Li Wanming snapped open her bamboo fan, covering the corners of her upturned lips.
"You're the top scholar of the current dynasty, a student of the Son of Heaven, and an example for all the scholars in the world! But now you're being timid and shirking your responsibility..."
A soft sigh came from behind the delicate bamboo - carved fan. "If that kid really causes trouble in the future and damages the country and its people, Mr. Pei will surely be a sinner through the ages!"
"Is it really that serious?" Pei Yanqi jumped up from his chair as if he'd been burned.
"Of course!" Li Wanming seized the opportunity and her tone grew even more solemn. "Sir, you're well - informed and extremely talented. You must have heard the saying 'a long dike may collapse because of an ant hole'. You surely also know how much harm a dissolute aristocrat like this can bring to the country and its people!"
"Imagine that twenty years from now, the capital will be in chaos and the common people will be living in misery. The root cause will be that Mr. Pei didn't properly educate this little devil when he was young and prevent future disasters!"
She gently tapped the corner of the table with the handle of her fan and said earnestly, "So if you're willing to teach him, it's truly a heroic act of risking your life and future to ensure the stability of the Great Sheng Dynasty for a hundred years!"
"This great deed that benefits the country and its people will have immediate results and long - term benefits. Maybe one day your name will also be recorded in the history books!"
"Such a heroic act that will be remembered for eternity and shine through the ages. How can you still refuse, sir?"
Pei Yanqi was so overwhelmed by her words that his head was spinning. He also felt a bit excited in his heart.
Yes, if he could eliminate this threat to the Great Sheng Dynasty when Xiao Jingbai was still young, wouldn't it be a great deed that benefits the country and its people?
This achievement might even be comparable to that of a great general or a prime minister...
"Really... Is it really like this?" Pei Yanqi was so excited that he stammered.
"Of course!" Li Wanming said sincerely. "Looking around the entire capital, I find that only Mr. Pei can subdue this little devil."
She looked directly into Pei Yanqi's eyes and nodded very seriously.
"Sir, you're extremely talented and have noble character. You'd rather break than bend and look down on wealth. I sincerely hope that you won't refuse any longer. Please guide that little scoundrel onto the right path and save the people from the depths of misery!"
After saying that, she stood up and bowed deeply to Pei Yanqi. "Wanming here thanks you on behalf of all the people in the world for your great righteousness!"
"No... I'm not worthy." Pei Yanqi was stunned for a moment and quickly stood up to return the greeting.
Bombarded with so many high - sounding praises, he felt a bit dizzy.
However, at this critical moment, he still managed to retain a shred of reason.
"If it's just about teaching and imparting knowledge, I'm naturally duty - bound. But," Pei Yanqi frowned and said hesitantly, "Xiao Jingbai is extremely naughty. I'm just a weak scholar with no strength to even bind a chicken. If he refuses to cooperate, I'm afraid I won't be able to discipline him well..."
"Don't worry about this!" Li Wanming slapped her chest and said confidently, "As long as you agree to enter the Prince Ning's Mansion, I can guarantee that I'll solve the problem of Xiao Jingbai within seven days!"
"You... Do you really have this ability?" Pei Yanqi was a bit skeptical.
If Li Wanming had this ability, why would she have gone to so much trouble to find him?
However, Li Wanming gave a mysterious smile and lowered her voice. "I have my own tricks. As long as you cooperate."
Then she lowered her voice and told him all her plans.
After listening, Pei Yanqi blinked his eyes and asked hesitantly, "... Will this work?"
"Of course it will. It must work!" Li Wanming made a fist with her right hand and looked determined. "A young tree won't grow straight without pruning. Especially a young tree with a bad nature like this should be pruned from a young age! Not only should it be pruned, but it should be pruned severely. Only in this way can it become a useful timber!"
"Is it really that harsh...?"
Pei Yanqi touched his nose, feeling that he had underestimated the woman in front of him.
Li Wanming waved her hand boldly and said, "What's harsh about it? We're saving the future of the Great Sheng Dynasty! Think about it. The little devil that six previous teachers failed to subdue finally turns into a polite and self - disciplined gentleman under your guidance. If this gets out, who in the world won't praise you for your great talent?"
These words completely dispelled Pei Yanqi's doubts.
The promise of "being remembered for eternity and shining through the ages" was attractive, but it was something that would happen in the distant future and no one could be sure. However, the transformation of Xiao Jingbai could be clearly seen in the current dynasty.
If this little devil really changed his ways under his guidance, he would surely become famous in the capital.
"Okay, I agree." Pei Yanqi finally made up his mind.
Li Wanming clasped her fists and said with a smile, "Sir, you're truly righteous!"
"Let's put the righteousness aside for now..." Pei Yanqi paused and then frowned. "Tell me the detailed plan first. I'll see if there are any loopholes."
By now, he had calmed down from his initial excitement and faintly sensed the great risks hidden behind this matter.
If it was done well, he would gain both fame and fortune. But if it went wrong, the two teachers who were thrown into the fishpond and had mustard smeared on their butts would be his前车之鉴.
"Come on, explain it to me in detail." Pei Yanqi sat down with a serious expression. "We must succeed in this matter."
"Yes, if we don't succeed, we'll perish." Li Wanming nodded in agreement.
This matter was also crucial for her start in the Prince Ning's Mansion and she couldn't afford to fail.