CMWKSD -Chapter 78 Dark Moon Study

Ji Yiqing really wanted to tell Jiu Yue that even if she did nothing, he would still be her strongest support—and he always had been.

But with Jiu Yue’s demeanor, Ji Yiqing sometimes found himself in a daze, thinking: she doesn’t want me to become a high official…

No, with this attitude, she probably wants me to scheme my way to the throne, doesn’t she?

When exactly had she come up with a plan to run a shop that benefits all the poor students?

It wasn’t until he saw Shao Qing appear in the shop with a stony expression that Ji Yiqing calmed down.

Though Shao Qing was young, Ji Yiqing had to admit: this boy was incredibly clever. With someone like him around, whatever Jiu Yue wanted done would be executed perfectly.

Passersby who looked at the Dark Moon Study quietly thought: another study hall has opened.

There were already several bookstores in the prefectural city. Now there’s a new one—wonder if there are any opening discounts?

Curious students couldn’t resist entering, drawn by the shop’s unique decoration. A few at a time, they went inside.

Seeing the rules posted on the walls, they were ecstatic.

• For all books in the shop: if you copy six, you can get one for free.
• All books can be read in the study for free, with a dedicated reading area.
• If someone doesn’t have time to read there but wants to take a book home, they can get a library card: for one or two silver coins, borrow a book; a daily reading fee of just two wén lets you take it home.

Students who saw the many rare books in the shop were nearly delirious with joy.

Many books were ones they had never seen—or had searched for but couldn’t afford.

Now, with the Dark Moon Study, these problems were solved: no money? Copy books. No time? Borrow for two wén a day. Those who could pay could buy directly—but for rare books, one had to copy it first before purchasing.

Every approach made up for the deficiencies of all scholars.

Jiu Yue had merely borrowed the idea from modern libraries—but this had completely blown the minds of these ancient people.

Furthermore, in front of the shop, a canopy was set up. Under it sat a scholar and an old farmer.

The scholar was a well-known xiucai, praised for his solid knowledge by even the city’s academy teachers.

Yet this scholar had no luck. When he first passed the xiucai exam, his mother died, and his father fell ill, preventing him from taking the exams for three years. He barely survived those three years, only for his father to die afterward…

Year after year, his family fortune dwindled, nearly extinguishing his will to study.

This scholar’s sole purpose under the canopy was to answer questions and solve doubts.

What did that mean?

He would discuss scholarly matters with anyone. If a student had a question, he would answer it. If he couldn’t, he would research the answer and promise to respond next time.

Most importantly: free of charge.

Next to him, someone recorded all discussions, ensuring that this precious knowledge would not be lost.

For wealthy people, the scholar might not matter much, but for poor students, he was a godsend. After all, not everyone could have an exceptional teacher.

The old farmer was the best at farming in the entire city, found by Shao Qing.

Best at farming meant that his fields yielded 20–30 jin more per mu than others. Over tens of mu, that was hundreds of jin.

Now he was there to teach everyone farming techniques. Someone else recorded his teachings.

After all, food is fundamental to the people. Offering this for free was also building a reputation for Ji Yiqing and Ji Chaomian.

Caring for scholars and farmers—this image was solidly established.

Jiu Yue felt immensely clever. With her brain, she could be a top heroine in any political novel, not just a killer.

When the plan was first proposed, Shao Qing had been utterly stunned.

Even Ji Yiqing, upon hearing Jiu Yue explain the purpose of the two people sitting there, couldn’t help himself and hugged her while she was talking animatedly.

As a reflex, Jiu Yue slapped Ji Yiqing hard, sending him flying.

Thud! Ji Yiqing’s rear hit the wall with a loud thump.

Ji Yiqing: …

Jiu Yue: I said I didn’t do it on purpose! Can you believe me?

Seeing Ji Yiqing slide down the wall to the floor, she hurried over to help him up, a bit guilty: “You… you okay?”

She gently placed her hand on his pulse, hoping nothing was seriously wrong. The county exams were coming up soon. If he got hurt… that would be disastrous.

Ji Yiqing’s head was buzzing. He coughed twice: “I… did I just… fly through the air?”

Not the first time being knocked around by Jiu Yue, he had learned to protect his precious brain mid-air.

Jiu Yue, trying to justify herself, said: “You… you shouldn’t make any sudden moves. Sometimes my body reacts faster than my brain.”

A killer’s reflex is hard to suppress.

Ji Yiqing was helped up but hadn’t fully processed the shock. He didn’t think being slapped by Jiu Yue was something that shouldn’t happen. This was domestic violence! He wanted to scold her with his clever brain—but…

Seeing her soft little hand on his wrist, he forgot everything.

“Okay, I won’t do it next time.”

“I was just too excited. Jiu Yue, you don’t know what your study hall means! For poor students, it’s incredibly meaningful!”

After confirming Ji Yiqing was fine aside from a sore rear, Jiu Yue breathed out: “Yes, meaningful. Very meaningful. I did it in your and your brother’s name. Your reputation will be excellent.”

She had given so much away for free—how much could the shop even earn? Balance was enough.

Ji Yiqing, rubbing his sore rear, was overjoyed. Jiu Yue was so wonderful, willing to do so much for him.

All for his reputation, forgetting completely that she did it for both brothers—he only heard it was for him.

He was a scholar, taking the imperial exams; reputation was incredibly important.

Everything Jiu Yue did was for him!

Ji Yiqing was deeply moved, eyes reddened. What had he done to deserve a wife like Jiu Yue?

He grabbed her hand, which was still on his pulse. Jiu Yue nearly reflexively slapped his hand—luckily she restrained herself.

“I’ll definitely treat you better from now on.”

Jiu Yue gasped, looking at Ji Yiqing’s reddened eyes, silent, wondering what he was imagining.

Just focus! Study well! Become a high official! These were debts to repay!

Otherwise… how could she ever act all powerful and impressive? Pfft, flaunting authority!