Xie Wei entered the side hall.

Jiang Xuening’s banana-leaf qin still hung on the wall alongside his Emei qin.

Seeing it reminded him to have Jiang Xuening take the instrument with her when she left. But when he turned his head, he unexpectedly saw Jiang Xuening staring at him with slightly reddened eyes. She stamped her foot, as if in a fit of spite, descended the steps, leaving him with only her back as she headed straight out of Fengchen Hall.

The words never left his mouth.

The side hall was utterly silent.

The incense burned yesterday had already gone cold, leaving only a brazier of ash without any lingering warmth.

Xie Wei sat down.

After a while, that surge of anger gradually subsided, and he realized he shouldn’t have gotten angry. She wasn’t very old, and though she had some clever and willful tendencies, she still possessed a young girl’s temperament. That behavior was merely her throwing a momentary tantrum at him.

Yet he himself had also lost his usual composure.

Was it because too many chaotic events had occurred recently, leaving his mind unsettled?

He slowly furrowed his brow and raised his fingers to press hard against the space between his eyebrows.

All the way back, Jiang Xuening felt an indignant anger that couldn’t be calmed in her heart.

When Xie Wei said those words to her, she had thought perhaps she had inadvertently hurt him, touched his sore spot, and felt a moment of guilt. But Xie Wei’s next sentence—telling her to leave, telling her she didn’t need to learn the qin anymore!

All her grievances came flooding up at once.

So she cast aside that bit of guilt entirely and stubbornly believed herself in the right.

“If I don’t learn, then I don’t learn! As if I care!”

Forcefully stamping on the tightly laid stone slabs of the palace pathway, Jiang Xuening walked toward Yangzhi Studio, unable to stop herself from grinding her teeth.

But though she said this, she actually felt deeply stifled.

She certainly wanted to keep her distance from Xie Wei and was also apprehensive about this matter of the qin, but her not wanting to learn and Xie Wei no longer allowing her to learn were two completely different things. No matter what, anger had built up in her heart, and the more she tried to suppress it, the deeper the resentment grew.

Returning to her own room, she looked left and saw the tree branches just placed in the vase were crooked, looked right and saw the famous painting just hung behind the desk was ugly. She wanted to smash something to vent her anger, but everything in this room had been arranged by people sent by Shen Zhiyi, and she couldn’t bear to lay a hand on any of it.

In the end, she could only grab a box of game pieces from the chess board.

Both black and white pieces were made of polished stone.

Jiang Xuening picked them up and threw them one by one at the wall, each one harder than the last, hitting the wall with thudding sounds.

“And here I thought you, surnamed Xie, were something special—turns out you’re just birds of a feather with those sour scholars!”

She had her own reasons for not wanting to attend class. To be fair, Jiang Xuening felt she was quite tolerant. Even when Zhao Yanhong, who taught the Book of Songs, showed favoritism, or when Wang Jiu, who taught calligraphy, looked down on her desire to write cursive script, she hadn’t turned her back on their classes. Instead, she set aside these minor details and listened to their lectures.

But Zhang Zhong was different.

She couldn’t bear to hear this man stand in the hall spouting nonsense, speaking words that made one sick.

Jiang Xuening had thought Xie Wei was different from ordinary people.

Although in her previous life this person had indeed committed shocking and bloody acts like treason and slaughter, it was precisely because of this that it proved he was not someone who rigidly followed rules. He should have been able to understand her reasons for not wanting to attend Zhang Zhong’s class.

But the moment she said she didn’t want to go to class, Xie Wei didn’t even ask for her reasons before saying she was obstinate and unrepentant.

So arbitrary and stubborn—what difference was there between him and those annoying teachers?

Even though in her previous life her own death was inextricably linked to this person’s rebellion, she had never considered Xie Wei a petty person or a mediocre one. On the contrary, from another perspective, she greatly recognized this person’s abilities and talents.

Yet today, all those impressions were shattered.

Simply because of his assumptions and arbitrary judgment after hearing she didn’t want to attend class.

This person suddenly plummeted in her estimation, falling into that vulgar mudpit of marketplace mediocrity, no different from those decrepit, sour pedants, no longer worthy of being called a “semi-sage.”

“Smack!”

Another game piece was forcefully thrown by her, hitting the wall before bouncing down and rolling on the floor.

Jiang Xuening didn’t even glance at it, her face cold.

Her gaze fixed on that wall as if nailed to someone’s body, as if piercing right through them, revealing a trace of severity.

By the time the others returned from class, both boxes of game pieces had been thrown.

Dots of black and white scattered all over the floor.

Someone outside gently knocked on her door.

She had taken a storybook and was sitting in a reclining chair reading. Hearing the sound, she asked: “Who is it?”

Shen Zhiyi’s voice actually responded from outside: “Ningning, it’s me.”

Jiang Xuening was startled and quickly put down the storybook, got up, walked over, and opened the latched door. Looking up, she saw Shen Zhiyi standing at her doorway with no one following her, looking at her with some concern: “Are you alright?”

Jiang Xuening said: “I just made an excuse to skip class, I’m fine.”

Shen Zhiyi breathed a sigh of relief and said: “I thought as much. That Teacher Zhang—even I couldn’t stand listening to him!”

Jiang Xuening also felt this person was truly a tumor, and remembering her previous intention to tattle, she took Shen Zhiyi’s hand, invited her into her room to sit, and said: “Does Your Highness also feel this person is intolerable?”

Shen Zhiyi felt nauseated: “I’ve always heard that daughters in boudoirs outside have to study the Admonitions for Women, but never took it to heart. Hearing it today completely ruined my appetite. Where does it treat daughters as human beings? What’s detestable is that such things that can’t even be brought to the table are actually brought into the palace and into the classroom to be taught!”

Jiang Xuening probed indirectly: “Then what does Your Highness plan to do about it?”

Shen Zhiyi had originally only been complaining and hadn’t thought about doing anything about it. When Jiang Xuening said this, she actually did think about it, and her eyes immediately brightened. She clapped her hands and said: “That’s right, when has this princess ever suffered such indignity? For this Admonitions for Women, it’s one thing if ordinary families carry on with such nonsense, but must this princess—a dignified princess—also be subjected to this? I’ll go report to Imperial Brother and Mother Empress, and give that foolish teacher a good talking-to, make him cancel this course.”

Jiang Xuening felt somewhat pleased: “That would be excellent.”

Shen Zhiyi was also happy.

However, her brow had only just relaxed when it suddenly fell again, her voice becoming low: “But there have been many matters in the palace these past two days. Imperial Brother and Mother Empress are both rather unhappy. In the past they would certainly indulge me in everything, but now they may not have the leisure to pay attention to me.”

Jiang Xuening was momentarily speechless.

Shen Zhiyi sighed and said: “But it’s alright. At most we’ll wait for this period to pass. Later when paying respects, I still need to mention it to Mother Empress. Let’s not think about these things. Today’s teacher was vexing, but it doesn’t matter—tomorrow Teacher Xie will come to teach, and he’ll be teaching us from the anthology he newly selected and compiled!”

“…”

If she hadn’t mentioned it, Jiang Xuening would have almost forgotten about this matter.

That’s right.

Xie Wei taught two subjects by himself. Though she would no longer go to learn the qin in the future, out of every three days, Xie Wei taught two. The vexing days were probably still numerous.

But she didn’t need to share the friction between herself and Xie Wei with Shen Zhiyi.

Jiang Xuening smiled faintly and said: “Yes, Teacher Xie is different from others. Tomorrow will be happier.”

No matter how deep the prejudice against Xie Wei had grown in her heart, the next day she still had to get up, wash, and prepare herself to attend class.

Jiang Xuening had thought things through last night while sleeping.

If Xie Wei became angry over this matter and drove her out of the palace so she never had to attend class again, that would naturally be the best news. She would return home and beg her muddle-headed father to let her wander the world. But if Xie Wei only refused to let her learn the qin privately, then she still had to continue attending class, and when she saw Xie Wei she would be respectful and proper, just act as if they weren’t familiar, and as if all those previous events had never happened.

As for whether Xie Wei would harbor a grudge and harm her…

Jiang Xuening felt that if he wanted to eliminate her, he would have done so long ago. Moreover, he had made things clear when she last entered the palace—he wouldn’t secretly plot to harm someone over such trivial matters, as that would be beneath his dignity.

Thinking about how Xie Wei had arbitrarily scolded her without distinguishing right from wrong, but she had also frightened him with a cat, they were roughly even.

So casting aside yesterday’s righteous indignation, she calmly went to Fengchen Hall.

Because today’s first class was Xie Wei’s, everyone arrived quite early.

Fearing boredom during breaks, Fang Miao had brought a set of xiangqi.

Taking advantage of the time before the hour of mao, she set up the board. Zhou Baoying’s eyes rarely lit up, and without a word she pulled over a chair to sit opposite her, boldly declaring: “Well well, so you brought a chess set but didn’t take it out earlier. You all think I only know how to eat, but I’m telling you, that’s not the case at all! Today I’ll show you my skills and let you all see.”

Everyone knew she was a living treasure and didn’t take her words seriously at all, but who wouldn’t want to watch the excitement?

So they all gathered around to watch them play chess.

But Jiang Xuening sat in her own seat, her lowered gaze falling on the small booklet neatly placed at the corner of her desk: when she had left Fengchen Hall yesterday, she had pushed the desk and everything on it had fallen. She hadn’t expected that by today, the attending palace servants would have tidied everything up properly, even placing that copy of Admonitions for Women that had fallen down, now closed and neatly positioned at the desk corner.

Shen Zhiyi arrived a bit later, pouting, her brows drooping. Seeing Jiang Xuening, she dejectedly called out: “Ningning.”

With one look, Jiang Xuening knew the matter hadn’t succeeded.

She smiled and consoled her: “Your Highness said before that the Empress Dowager and His Majesty are busy. This result was within expectations. If you wait a while and bring this matter up on another day, they might just agree. Why be so discouraged?”

Shen Zhiyi said: “You’re right.”

Yesterday’s attempt to report Zhang Zhong hadn’t succeeded, but that was expected. She could just bring it up another day—it wasn’t such a big deal. So she brightened up again and pulled Jiang Xuening to go watch Zhou Baoying and Fang Miao play chess.

Fang Miao had brought the chess just wanting to play casually, to relieve boredom. She also thought that Zhou Baoying was usually confused and clueless, so she must be deliberately talking big to amuse everyone. Therefore, at first she didn’t take the chess game itself seriously.

But unexpectedly, once seated at the chess board, Zhou Baoying seemed to transform into a different person.

Those cheeks that usually puffed constantly like a squirrel’s were tightly drawn, her childish face completely solemn, her delicate brows carrying a trace of gravity. She played chess methodically, and before long had killed until Fang Miao was dumbfounded!

She simply couldn’t believe it. In a moment of distraction, one of her “advisors” had been captured. She immediately waved her hands repeatedly and actually reached forward to take back the piece she had just placed: “That doesn’t count, that doesn’t count! That one doesn’t count! I hadn’t even thought it through yet. I’m not playing there, I’m changing to play here!”

“Once a piece is placed, no taking it back!”

Zhou Baoying was stunned: “How can you do this?”

When she said this, her eyes widened as if Fang Miao had stolen a pastry from her, looking indignant.

The scene should have been serious.

But her face still had that baby fat that couldn’t be shed. Not only was it not intimidating, it was actually quite adorable, causing everyone to laugh uncontrollably, teasing: “This is a good chess player caught up with a terrible player!”

Fang Miao was still defending herself, saying that Zhou Baoying’s chess playing was so frightening, she was clearly bullying her, so taking back a move wasn’t a big deal.

Everyone laughed until they were doubled over.

Even Jiang Xuening, standing at the far edge watching, couldn’t help but show a bit of a smile. But with a turn of her eyes, she glimpsed a figure walking through the hall entrance. The bright smile that had been on her face vanished, and she first lowered her eyes, bowed, and said: “Good day, Teacher Xie.”

Only then did everyone realize Xie Wei had arrived.

Those playing chess stood up, and those watching also suppressed their laughter and turned around, following Jiang Xuening in bowing in greeting.

Xie Wei’s footsteps paused at the hall entrance.

He hadn’t slept last night—half because of many matters, half because of the frustration in his heart. A tangle of complex situations hadn’t been sorted out, and he’d had a headache in the middle of the night, suffering from his cold condition. When he left the manor this morning, his complexion was somewhat pale.

He wasn’t wearing his usual lighter Daoist robe either.

Jianshu, fearing that with winter’s arrival the cold wind would worsen his condition, had draped over him a deep blue cloak lined with fur. When he stood still, he carried a heavy presence like continuous mountain ranges.

When Jiang Xuening saw him, she suppressed her smile and assumed an impeccably respectful posture. Xie Wei naturally took this in clearly, and for some unknown reason felt even more stifled.

He said flatly: “No need for excessive formality.”

He also withdrew the gaze that had fallen on Jiang Xuening and walked into the hall from outside, carrying a scroll of books.

Everyone knew class was about to start. They quickly helped Fang Miao put away the chess board and returned to their respective seats.

Jiang Xuening also walked toward her desk.

Xie Wei customarily walked along the right-side passage, passing right by her desk. However, his gaze inadvertently fell and suddenly froze motionless, and even his footsteps stopped once more.

Following his gaze, Jiang Xuening discovered he was actually looking at that copy of Admonitions for Women placed at the corner of her desk. She couldn’t help but curl her lips into a mocking smile.

But Xie Wei’s long brows furrowed tightly.

Everyone had this book at their desks.

He reached out and picked up the copy at the corner of Jiang Xuening’s desk, flipped through two pages, and his long fingers resting on the edge of the paper pages stopped. He only asked: “There was no such book in the Fengchen Hall curriculum. Who had it placed here?”

Jiang Xuening sneered inwardly and didn’t answer.

Everyone also looked at each other in confusion.

Shen Zhiyi hesitated for a moment and said: “In response to Teacher, yesterday Teacher Zhang, who was supposed to teach the Book of Rites, said we students didn’t understand hierarchy and proper relationships. Therefore he postponed the Book of Rites to first teach Admonitions for Women, and had people distribute this book.”

“…”

Zhang Zhong?

This Chief Compiler of the National History Bureau wasn’t like the other teachers from the Hanlin Academy. Xie Wei hadn’t had much contact with him and truly hadn’t expected Shen Zhiyi to give him such an answer. He hadn’t expected Zhang Zhong would have the audacity to overtly comply but covertly defy, changing the curriculum he had set.

His gaze fell heavily back on the book pages, where line after line consisted of outdated rules and regulations.

Involuntarily, his mind replayed yesterday’s heated argument with Jiang Xuening—

“Teacher Zhang is still lecturing at this hour. What kind of behavior is it for you to sit here instead of listening to the lesson?”

“I don’t want to listen to Teacher Zhang’s class…”

“Should I not discipline you?”

“Respecting teachers and valuing learning means naturally that students learn what teachers teach, students are what teachers say they are. Whatever Teacher Xie suppresses me with, scolds me for, or misjudges me about—all of it is proper.”

…

Xie Wei, who was so perceptive about people’s hearts, heard Shen Zhiyi’s words and immediately understood upon reflection that yesterday he had been presumptuous, scolding her without distinguishing right from wrong. This had driven her to retaliate in extreme anger. For a moment, he felt an inexplicable irritability arise.

Seeing this book again, he felt even more displeased.

Though he had always been amiable with others, his inner nature was not so easy to get along with. Without saying a word, he lowered his eyelids and with a sweep of his hand flung the Admonitions for Women out of the hall.

The book made a rustling sound as its white pages fluttered open and it fell on the steps outside.

Everyone was startled.

Jiang Xuening also couldn’t help but look up at Xie Wei.

Xie Wei’s somewhat pale face showed no ripples. He simply carried the scroll he had compiled, walked up into the hall, and after standing in place, glanced at everyone and raised a finger to point outside the hall entrance: “Throw them all out.”

Shen Zhiyi was utterly delighted and threw her own copy of Admonitions for Women outside.

But the others looked at each other, appearing timid and hesitant.

Chen Shuyi had already suffered once at Xie Wei’s hands, so although she felt dissatisfied, she didn’t dare speak up.

Yao Rongrong’s voice thus seemed particularly weak: “But—but what about Teacher Zhang…”

Xie Wei lowered his eyes and simply didn’t respond.

Anyone could see that compared to when he taught the qin the other day, his mood was considerably worse today.

Seeing that few people were throwing their books away, he was too lazy to say more.

He simply laid down the scroll he carried and said flatly: “Class begins.”

Originally today Xie Wei had planned to lecture on “On Teachers,” not to emphasize respecting teachers and valuing learning, but to explain to everyone the importance of the word “learning” and the principle of “the Way of the teacher, not the person of the teacher.” But when entering the hall he’d seen that copy of Admonitions for Women and understood yesterday’s reason. Fearing that Ning Er, after hearing this piece, would misunderstand him as using his authority as a teacher to oppress her, he turned past this text. After thinking for a while, he selected from the Records of the Grand Historian the chapter “Biographies of Lian Po and Lin Xiangru” to lecture on.

From “Returning the Jade to Zhao Intact” to “Bearing Thorns and Requesting Punishment.”

Because the events were legendary, everyone listened as if to a story and quickly became completely absorbed.

When he lectured about Lian Po misunderstanding Lin Xiangru, he couldn’t help but glance toward Jiang Xuening, only to see her sitting in the corner seemingly oblivious. Though she wasn’t distracted, she didn’t appear particularly attentive either.

His brow furrowed again.

But scolding her at this time would be like adding fuel to fire, so he suppressed his thoughts and stopped looking at her.

After class ended one hour later, Xie Wei walked toward her.

But before he could open his mouth, Jiang Xuening had already seen him and coldly bowed to him perfunctorily, saying: “Respectfully seeing off Teacher Xie.”

“…”

All the words Xie Wei was about to say were choked back by her. He finally perceived that she harbored resentment and was unwilling to engage with him. Remembering that at the second quarter of the chen hour, Sun Shu from the Imperial Academy would come to teach mathematics, this truly wasn’t a good time to talk. After standing and watching her for a long while, he could only leave.

But all the way out of the palace and back to his manor, the knot of frustration in his heart ultimately couldn’t be expelled.

Lu Xian had calculated the time to visit. Upon entering the Bidu Hall, he saw Xie Wei standing facing that blank wall with nothing hanging on it, no words written on it, holding a cup of tea. He didn’t know how long he’d been holding it—on such a cold day, it wasn’t even giving off any steam. Lu Xian couldn’t help feeling puzzled.

This Bidu Hall was Xie Ju’an’s study.

He would always stand facing the wall when encountering difficult matters to resolve. The empty wall held nothing so he could clear his mind and think quietly. What was it today? The Ruyi case in the palace that was clearly about to blow up?

He straightened his scholar’s robe and sat down behind Xie Wei, only saying: “Why go to the palace to teach those girls for no reason? Normally you can’t even spare time from the court lectures. Now you’ve taken on a group of students, making it even harder to see you—spending five or six hours a day in the palace. I came today originally wanting to talk to you about that You Fangyin. With this posture of yours, what other matter has come up?”

Xie Wei found him noisy.

Only then did his hand move, coming to his senses to drink from the cup he’d been holding, only to discover it had gone cold. He could only set it aside on the corner of the desk and said: “A trivial matter.”

“A trivial matter?” Lu Xian couldn’t help but look him up and down, his gaze strange. “You, Xie Ju’an, have always only worried about great undertakings. I didn’t know when you’d started clearing your mind over small matters.”

Xie Wei thought about it—wasn’t that exactly right?

For a moment he found it rather amusing.

He couldn’t very well tell Lu Xian that yesterday his mind had been disturbed and he’d gotten into an argument with a young girl, and that he was in the wrong. He could only shake his head and sigh helplessly: “The Way rises one foot, the devil rises ten. Even I, Xie Wei, have my day of being bested by someone.”