APSIL -Chapter 70 Bearing Thorns to Beg Forgiveness

That night, Deng Xiaodai had it relatively easy.

Although the various charts and graphs Zhang Shou had introduced felt like opening the door to an entirely new world, they weren’t particularly difficult for him to understand.

He had always known that he lacked Qi Liang’s literary talent. He had never dreamed of taking the imperial examinations or earning an official degree. Yet spending his entire life as a petty clerk had never seemed like the proper end to his journey.

Now, although Zhang Shou hadn’t shown him a clear path forward, he had at least revealed a new possibility.

Qi Liang, however, had a far rougher time.

Zhang Shou dictated at an astonishing pace. Some passages were almost impossible to record perfectly just by listening, but Qi Liang had no choice except to give it everything he had.

Each essay was only five to seven hundred characters long, yet painstakingly writing them down left him utterly exhausted. Worse still, after casually telling him to ponder the wording on his own, Zhang Shou simply walked away, leaving Qi Liang’s eyes bloodshot with fatigue.

After finishing his multitasking lesson for the two boys, Zhang Shou went off to bed.

Qi Liang and Deng Xiaodai cleaned up before climbing into bed themselves, exchanging horrified glances.

Hadn’t Little Master said that the Eight-Legged Essay and mathematics had nothing to do with each other?

Hadn’t he claimed he knew nothing about model essays?

Then what were those essays just now?

Grand Tutor Ge had praised Little Master’s mathematical genius without reserve…

But those incredibly intuitive charts and graphs—how had he even come up with them?

Zhang Shou slept soundly through the night.

Qi Liang and Deng Xiaodai, on the other hand, barely slept at all, tossing and turning endlessly.

What made them laugh and cry at the same time happened deep in the night.

The room was completely dark.

The two of them lay awake on the same bed with their eyes wide open.

Then…

Someone silently appeared beside their bed.

The figure moved so quietly it resembled a ghost.

Accompanying that eerie appearance was an utterly inappropriate remark.

“If you really can’t sleep…”

“I can knock you unconscious.”

“N-No need!”

Both boys refused immediately.

They watched A-Liu return to the temporary couch he’d been sleeping on.

He curled into a ball.

Within moments, his breathing had become perfectly steady.

Only then did Deng Xiaodai finally let out a long breath before whispering, “Qi Liang, if you ask me, Little Master must be some heavenly star descended to earth.”

“As for A-Liu…”

“That kid is definitely an incarnation of a baleful star.”

Qi Liang was just about to answer…when a soft snort came from the couch.

He instantly froze.

Deng Xiaodai might remain in the Shuntian Prefecture Office from now on.

But Qi Liang would be spending far more time around that terrifying youth.

Absolutely don’t offend A-Liu!

Thinking back, he couldn’t understand how he’d never realized before just how frightening the boy truly was.

The next morning, although he had slept a little later than usual back home, Zhang Shou still woke up right on schedule.

His biological clock had always been remarkably accurate.

Almost simultaneously, Qi Liang and Deng Xiaodai climbed out of bed as well.

One was accustomed to farm work and household chores.

The other had to report punctually every day at the Shuntian Prefecture Office.

When the sounds from the eastern wing reached the main hall, the Grand Madam—who naturally rose early because of her age—couldn’t help smiling.

“The young really are full of energy.”

Whether it was praise or wistful nostalgia, no one could quite tell.

After speaking, she instructed, “Send someone to find out whether anything interesting happens at this morning’s court session.”

Having served the Grand Madam for many years, Nanny Li naturally understood the hidden meaning behind those words.

She immediately acknowledged the order and withdrew.

After washing and dressing, the Grand Madam stepped onto the veranda.

From the eastern wing came the synchronized recitation of two young voices.

Thinking of her eldest grandson—diligent, accomplished in both literature and martial arts…and then her second grandson—lazy and hopeless…she couldn’t help sighing deeply once more.

Zhang Shou didn’t supervise Qi Liang’s and Deng Xiaodai’s morning lessons.

Even back in Rongshui Village, they had largely supervised themselves.

As for him, whenever he lived in the village he usually spent the mornings jogging and exercising.

But ever since Zhu Ying and those noble young masters had begun arriving one after another, he’d switched to practicing Tai Chi indoors.

Now, in the spacious eastern wing, he leisurely completed the full forty-eight forms of Yang-style Tai Chi.

Afterward, he checked the essays Qi Liang had transcribed the previous night.

Finding not a single sentence missing or mistaken, he nodded.

“Memorize everything as quickly as possible.”

“Then burn every sheet.”

“Xiaodai too.”

“Don’t keep those charts.”

With that single instruction, by the time A-Liu personally carried breakfast into the room…

Deng Xiaodai remained fairly calm.

Qi Liang, however, was muttering constantly under his breath, reciting from memory, completely unable to enjoy his meal.

Only after the four of them finally finished breakfast did Nanny Li’s voice sound from outside.

“Young Master Shou, the Grand Madam has asked me to deliver a message.”

“Please come in.”

The curtain lifted.

Nanny Li entered.

“News has just arrived.”

“Before this morning’s court session, someone mocked Prefect Wang, claiming the Shuntian Prefectural Examination rankings were unfair and demanding that the Censorate conduct a re-examination.”

“Prefect Wang immediately retorted.”

“He said, ‘Has a mere prefectural examination really become important enough to throw the entire capital into turmoil?

“Isn’t this simply because I’ve offended too many clerks since taking office?

“Because I seriously investigated land registers?

“Because Grand Tutor Ge’s disciple’s disciple made the list?'”

“‘Should all the ministers and grand secretaries join in too?

“Better yet, I’ll raise the matter before His Majesty during court today and ask the Emperor himself to decide.

“That’ll make for proper entertainment.

“Let’s settle it openly!'”

No wonder Prefect Wang got along so well with my teacher, Ge Yong.

Their straightforward tempers are remarkably alike.

Thinking that, Zhang Shou laughed.

“I always assumed court officials would carry themselves with impeccable dignity.”

“I never expected them to argue before court like ordinary people quarreling in a marketplace.”

“So what happened afterward?”

Nanny Li noticed that Qi Liang had initially been shocked by the news but had immediately resumed silently memorizing his essays.

Meanwhile, Zhang Shou behaved as though the matter had nothing to do with him.

He listened with genuine interest and even found time to joke.

Her opinion of him rose another notch.

“There wasn’t any conclusion.”

“Court began shortly afterward.”

“Whether the argument continues during the audience remains to be seen.”

“His Majesty fell ill from anger over the Linhai Camp affair.”

“Court was suspended for two days.”

“Today’s session will certainly address that matter first before anything else.”

She smiled.

“As for officials arguing like peddlers and laborers—that’s nothing unusual.”

“Grand Secretaries and Ministers have even come to blows.”

“When scholars throw tantrums, all pretensions of refinement disappear.”

“The Grand Madam specifically had me tell you this so you’d be prepared.”

“Thank her for her thoughtfulness.”

“I’ll personally express my gratitude later.”

Seeing Zhang Shou remain perfectly courteous, Nanny Li turned to Deng Xiaodai with a smile.

“One more thing.”

“The villagers from Rongshui sold all their grain last night and hurried home.”

“Since Young Master Shou isn’t returning yet, it won’t do for only A-Liu to attend him.”

“The manor has already sent someone to the Shuntian Prefecture Office to request leave on Young Master Deng’s behalf.”

“The Grand Madam said that while Young Master Shou is staying in the capital, Young Master Deng should accompany him so there’ll be someone to help.”

Deng Xiaodai had just been wondering whether he should excuse himself and report back to work.

He hadn’t expected the Zhu family to act before he even asked.

Only then did he realize he had forgotten to notify his uncle that he wouldn’t be returning the previous night.

Unable to help himself, he lightly slapped his forehead.

Hopefully Uncle won’t get carried away after hearing someone from the Duke’s Manor came to request leave for me…

If he goes around bragging about it, it’ll be unbearably embarrassing.

Nanny Li curtsied and seemed ready to leave.

Just as Zhang Shou was about to call after her…

The curtain suddenly lifted.

Zhu Ying swept inside like a whirlwind.

Compared to when she had stayed in the countryside, the Zhu Ying who had returned home possessed the same stunning beauty—but now carried an even greater air of confidence and freedom.

Lifting her chin proudly, she smiled.

“A-Shou.”

“My second brother has come to apologize to you.”

Zhang Shou blinked in surprise.

Nanny Li instinctively looked behind Zhu Ying.

There stood the dejected Second Young Master, head hanging low.

Across his back lay a bundle of thorny branches.

Some of the thorns were very real indeed.

For a moment, Nanny Li genuinely wondered if the sun had risen in the west.

Compared with the eldest young master and the eldest young lady, the second young master was nothing but an unpolished stone.

Neither beatings nor scoldings ever did him any good.

Yesterday, the Grand Madam had looked ready to kill him with her sword…

Yet when the Duke himself had been home, such sword-wielding chases had happened more than once.

The second young master had long treated admitting fault as routine.

He would bow his head today…and forget everything tomorrow.

After this apology…

Would he finally learn his lesson this time?