APSIL -Chapter 42 Pretending to Sleep, Pretending Not to Know

The title “Disciples of the Ge School” carried far more weight than Zhang Shou had imagined.

From the way those arrogant young nobles barely dared breathe in Ge Yong’s presence, and from Zhu Ying’s quiet explanation earlier, he already knew the title was extraordinary.

Even so, he had underestimated just how extraordinary it was.

The moment he acknowledged everyone as disciples of the Ge School on Ge Yong’s behalf, reaffirmed that every promise he had made the previous night still stood, and announced that anyone wishing to continue wasting their lives could leave immediately, Qingfeng Xulai Hall erupted into chaos.

Their grandfathers’ and fathers’ power and prestige were useful enough, but living every day under endless comparisons—to other people’s outstanding children or even to their own gifted siblings—while numbing themselves with wine and idle pleasures wasn’t something everyone accepted willingly.

Who wouldn’t want an identity they could proudly proclaim? Who wouldn’t want to stop bowing and scraping before brilliant brothers or accomplished peers already climbing the official ranks?

Thus, Zhang Shou was showered with countless solemn vows.

Including Zhang Chen, who had initially been reluctant, every single person present declared that they would never give up the title of disciple of the Ge School, even if it meant continuing to study the heavenly scripture known as mathematics.

So when Zhang Shou spoke again, he was rewarded with another wave of heartfelt gratitude.

“As I said yesterday, mathematics requires talent. It can’t be forced. Although Master happened to give everyone a lesson today, he never intended for every one of you to master the Ten Mathematical Classics. People are like fingers on a hand—each has strengths and weaknesses. The conversations I had with each of you last night were based on Master’s guidance, helping me understand your individual aptitudes.”

Lu Sanlang and Zhang Chen instinctively exchanged glances.

So that’s why Zhang Shou sounded us out last night, and Master Ge arrived today… Teacher and disciple were working together all along!

“Once I understand your strengths and weaknesses, I can teach according to your abilities and help each of you find the path best suited to your future. As for the Ge School secret manual Master left behind today, I’ll organize it carefully before teaching it to you. Of course, the Ge School doesn’t discriminate in teaching. If you wish to pass what you’ve learned to others, you may do so—with my permission.”

While speaking, Zhang Shou quietly made plans.

The truly hopeless playboys weren’t particularly useful. There was no need to keep them in Cuiyun Residence forever. After teaching them practical skills, he could send them back to the capital to engage in various businesses.

But since they now bore the name of Ge School disciples, they were the perfect vehicles for spreading geometry and algebra textbooks that would seem like heavenly tomes to people of this era.

Once they swaggered back to the capital boasting of their status as Ge Yong’s disciples, eager to honor their grandmaster, they would almost certainly print these books in large quantities.

Eventually, those mathematics texts would spread throughout scholarly circles and among commoners alike. There would always be admirers of Ge Yong willing to study them.

After all, the old master was one of the greatest mathematical authorities of the age.

Even if Ge Yong eventually discovered that Zhang Shou had borrowed his reputation to promote the books, his attention would surely be drawn to the mathematical theories themselves.

And if Ge Yong came looking for an explanation…

Well, Zhang Shou could simply blame it all on Zu Chongzhi’s lost work, The Method of Interpolation (Zhui Shu).

In the historical Ming Dynasty, although the Yongle Encyclopedia had preserved many classics and practical mathematics still survived through works like General Source of Computational Methods, theoretical mathematics had steadily declined. Even methods like the Tianyuan technique for solving equations or advanced extraction algorithms had fallen into obscurity.

By the Qing Dynasty, mathematical development largely depended on Western learning.

His goal wasn’t to single-handedly revive mathematics overnight. He only wanted to throw the first stone and let others continue the work later.

What concerned him now was how best to teach those playboys who genuinely possessed talents—someone like Lu Sanlang, for example.

A fake teacher had somehow become a real one.

What an absurd twist of fate…

After staying awake an entire night and another full day, Zhang Shou finally settled the excited group of playboys, gave Qi Liang a few brief instructions, and returned toward the Zhang residence.

Now that his disguise had been completely exposed, there was no point continuing to live in Shuibo Buxing Pavilion inside Cuiyun Residence.

He was even considering renovating those elegant bamboo cottages.

When he had built them, he’d only cared about beauty and atmosphere. Practical matters like insulation had never crossed his mind.

Students weren’t the same as unsuspecting wealthy patrons.

If one of them caught a cold because of poor housing, he’d be responsible.

Since Ge Yong had publicly accepted him as his final disciple, Zhang Shou no longer needed to hide his identity.

As he walked home past the panda-shaped screen wall, villagers continuously came forward to congratulate him.

Some celebrated his gaining such an illustrious master.

Others praised him as proof that great masters produced great disciples.

But when he spotted Old Yang in the distance, Zhang Shou, exhausted beyond measure, almost turned around and fled.

If that troublesome old man caught him…

It would be endless.

Unfortunately, despite his age, Old Yang’s eyesight was astonishingly sharp.

Moving with impossible agility for someone so elderly, he hurried over and even reached out to support Zhang Shou.

Before Zhang Shou could speak, the old man whispered into his ear.

“Young Master… the Young Lady is at home right now, furious. She’s whipping people with her riding crop. You’d better go back a little later.”

Zhang Shou froze.

Although Zhu Ying constantly threatened to whip people, he had never actually seen her do it.

After a brief silence, he quietly asked, “Where’s my mother?”

“Madam Wu and Aunt Liu haven’t returned yet.”

Seeing Zhang Shou’s concern, Old Yang hurriedly added, “They’ve got people watching over them. Nothing will happen.”

People watching over them?

Who?

Why?

Three questions flashed through Zhang Shou’s mind instantly.

He shot Old Yang an annoyed glance.

Needless to say, after learning about Zhu Ying’s true identity, this old fox had clearly been pretending not to know far more than he’d admitted.

Knowing the old man wouldn’t answer honestly anyway, Zhang Shou skipped straight to the point.

“Who is Yingying whipping?”

“I don’t know.”

Old Yang chuckled slyly.

“I only heard the commotion from outside the wall. I heard the Young Lady shouting that someone dared leak your affairs, betraying their master’s trust and repaying kindness with treachery… Anyway, she was absolutely furious. Nobody inside even dared stop her.”

Everything immediately became clear.

Without question, Zhu Ying had already discovered who leaked the news and was personally dealing with the traitor.

Old Yang’s advice to return later served two purposes.

First, to keep Zhang Shou from interfering in what was essentially an internal matter of the Duke Zhao’s household.

Second…

Probably to spare him from witnessing the Young Lady in the full fury of her wrath, lest it leave a lasting psychological scar.

Normally, Zhang Shou might have accepted that suggestion.

But now…

He was simply too exhausted.

An idea flashed through his mind.

Leaning his full weight against Old Yang, he weakly murmured, “Uncle Yang… please have someone carry me home. I really can’t stay awake anymore… I’m going to sleep.”

If pretending to sleep means I can also pretend not to know anything… that’s probably for the best.

Old Yang stared in astonishment as Zhang Shou, utterly unconcerned about appearances, rested directly against his shoulder and immediately fell asleep.

It took him quite a while to recover his senses.

He quickly called over his eldest son, Yang Dalang, who hoisted Zhang Shou onto his back, and together they hurried toward the Zhang residence.

Arriving at the gate, Old Yang peeked inside.

In the center of the front courtyard, Zhu Ying stood with a furious expression, whip in hand as she punished someone.

Glancing around again, he spotted A-Liu standing motionless in a corner, quietly watching.

Lowering his voice, Old Yang called, “A-Liu! Come quickly! The Young Master was so exhausted he fell asleep on the way home!”

No sooner had the words left his mouth than a blur flashed before his eyes.

The next instant, A-Liu had already appeared before him, smoothly taking Zhang Shou from Yang Dalang’s back.

Almost simultaneously, Zhu Ying—still holding her whip, her beautiful face blazing with authority—strode rapidly over.

“What happened to A-Shou?!”

The moment she spoke, Zhang Shou cracked one eye open just enough to secretly give her a quick wink.

Instantly, inspiration struck her.

Although she’d flown into a rage to seek justice for Zhang Shou, this was still the Zhang household.

By pretending to be so exhausted that he’d fallen asleep before reaching home, Zhang Shou was clearly telling her one thing—

He had no intention of interfering in this matter.