Before noon, Li Wanming returned to the Prince Ning's Mansion. At the dinner table, she reported to Lady Kang the good news that Pei Yanqi, the top scholar, was about to come to the mansion to teach.
"Scholar Pei said that he has to be on duty in the Hanlin Academy every day and will be off work at the You hour. So he can only come to teach Cousin Jingbai for one hour every day."
"However, on his days off, he can take Cousin Jingbai to the martial arts training ground on the outskirts of the capital to learn horseback riding and archery."
Hearing this, Lady Kang was overjoyed. "Really? Did Scholar Pei really agree to be Jingbai's teacher?"
"Of course it's true." Li Wanming nodded with a faint smile. "Mr. Pei said that in education, there should be no discrimination. Even if Cousin Jingbai is a bit naughty, it's just childishness and it doesn't matter. As a teacher, one should impart knowledge and solve doubts. If all students were naturally well - behaved, diligent and motivated, then what would we need teachers for?"
"Wow!不愧 is indeed the top scholar. What he says really makes sense!"
Lady Kang stood up in surprise and personally picked up a piece of sliced chicken with egg white for Li Wanming.
"I've always said that Jingbai is just a child. How could he be so bad? Those old pedants can't teach properly and yet they blame my son... It has to be Scholar Pei. He is broad - minded and most convincing."
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"Pei never judges his students by their background, age or past. Nor does he care about their character, foundation or knowledge. But there is only one thing. My students must be obedient."
In the Jujing Hall, Pei Yanqi was dressed in a stone - blue long gown. With his clear and handsome features, he was sitting upright, reservedly stating his teaching requirements to Lady Kang.
"Of course. It's a blessing that Jingbai has cultivated for three lifetimes to have you as his teacher!"
Lady Kang was both surprised and delighted. She didn't expect that Li Wanming would actually invite the top scholar to the mansion the next day. She quickly said, "I can guarantee that from now on, Jingbai will absolutely follow your orders and will never disobey..."
"No," Pei Yanqi looked at her calmly, his tone noble and aloof. "Madam Kang, the Second Lady, probably doesn't understand what Pei means. I mean that everyone in the Prince Ning's Mansion should cooperate with my teaching."
"This..." Lady Kang didn't understand and stared blankly. "Sir, you mean..."
Pei Yanqi's eyes swept across and his tone became even colder. "In the past, Mother Meng moved three times. She first moved away from the cemetery, then from the market, but still couldn't find the right place. Only after she moved next to the school palace did she finally settle down. Why?"
"In the previous dynasty, Ji Ya resigned from his post in Nankang Commandery and bought a house next to Zeng Zhenzhen's. When Zeng Zhenzhen asked about the price of the house, Ji Ya replied that it cost 11 million. Why was that?"
"For no other reason than that 'when hemp grows among reeds, it grows straight without support'."
"As it is said in 'Yanzi Chunqiu', 'A gentleman must choose his neighbors when he lives and associate with scholars when he travels. Choosing a place to live is to find good scholars, and finding good scholars is to avoid disasters'."
"If the sounds of bells, drums, flutes and strings never stop in the mansion, and the noise of play fills the courtyard, even if Pei is strict with the students, it may all be in vain."
"I only hope that Madam Kang, the Second Lady, can be self - disciplined and upright, and work together with me with one heart and one mind. Only in this way can the young master become a pillar of the state and be worthy of great responsibilities."
His speech was full of allusions and showed great literary talent.
However, it was too obscure for Lady Kang and Li Wanming to fully understand.
Li Wanming lowered her head, frowned and picked at her fingers. She couldn't help but mutter in her heart: I asked you to come here to intimidate Lady Kang so that we can put forward our requirements later, but I didn't ask you to come up with such a high - brow speech right away!
You've had your fun showing off your erudition, but what if you go too far and Lady Kang can't understand anything?
You should know that Lady Kang is just a distant branch of the Kang family. She hasn't received any noble education and her cultural level is about the same as mine...
However, Li Wanming obviously ignored Lady Kang's eagerness for a teacher, especially a top - scholar teacher, who was finally willing to come to the mansion.
"Sir, you mean that the learning environment is very important... so we should cooperate?" Lady Kang frowned tightly and actually managed to understand Pei Yanqi's meaning with great difficulty.
This really surprised Li Wanming. "Not bad, Auntie. You can even understand this!"
Pei Yanqi nodded reservedly. "Indeed."
Li Wanming secretly rolled her eyes at him and cursed in her heart: Indeed your head! If you don't speak properly, our next plan won't work!
"What does sir hope me to do?" The previous thinking had obviously exhausted Lady Kang's energy, making her face turn slightly pale.
"It's very simple," Pei Yanqi glanced at her indifferently. "You leave."
...
Not to mention Lady Kang, even Li Wanming almost spat out her tea after hearing this.
Although she and Pei Yanqi had discussed yesterday that since Lady Kang doted on Xiao Jingbai too much, if Lady Kang was here, she would definitely hinder their iron - handed transformation of Xiao Jingbai. They must find a way to get Lady Kang out of the way for a few days...
But there's no need to be so blunt!
You leave...
What do you mean by "you leave"?
Who is leaving, where to go, and why? You should at least explain it clearly!
Obviously, Lady Kang was also quite confused. "I'm stupid. Please explain it clearly, sir..."
"The Guiyuan Temple in the west of the capital has a quiet environment and the sound of Buddhist scriptures lingers. It's the most suitable place for self - cultivation and praying."
Pei Yanqi still had that cold and noble tone. His words were so unclear that Li Wanming couldn't help but want to hit him.
It was really hard for Lady Kang, for the sake of her youngest son's studies, to still rack her brains to flatter him. "Sir, do you mean that I should go to the Guiyuan Temple to pray for Jingbai?"
"Indeed." Pei Yanqi nodded. "With the Second Lady around, when you see Pei being strict with your son, you will inevitably feel pity. However, in the way of teaching children, the most taboo thing is for someone to protect them. If a child knows that someone dotes on him, he will surely be arrogant because of the favor. It will be much more difficult to discipline him in the future."
"Therefore, the Second Lady might as well go to the Guiyuan Temple for a period of self - cultivation. On the one hand, it will break your son's dependence. On the other hand, you can pray for him, hoping that he will complete his studies soon and bring glory to the family."
Lady Kang was stunned for a long time before she slowly understood the meaning of Pei Yanqi's long speech.
She couldn't help but hesitate. Xiao Jingbai had never left her side since he was born.
She never thought that in order to invite a teacher, she would have to leave her son first.
"It's not that I'm not willing to go, but..." Lady Kang hesitated. "Jingbai has been in poor health since childhood. If I leave and there is no one to take care of him, what if he gets sick again..."
Pei Yanqi's face suddenly turned cold. "Does the Second Lady think that Pei will make things difficult for your son? In that case, it's useless for Pei to say more. I might as well take my leave now."
"I didn't mean that!"
Frightened, Lady Kang quickly stood up and blocked his way. "Sir is the current top scholar, young and promising, and highly regarded by the emperor and the empress dowager. How could I ever doubt you? It's just that as a mother, I can't help but worry. Please forgive me, sir."
"Pei naturally understands the Second Lady's deep love for her son." Pei Yanqi sighed and softened his tone. "But precisely because of this, you should understand that what Pei is doing is exactly for the young master's future."