Chapter 47: Studying
Academy, side room. Xiao Yanci handed the sesame cake he bought to Jiang Yihui.
Jiang Yihui was racking his brain writing something, not taking the sesame cake Xiao Yanci offered.
Xiao Yanci held that posture for a long time until his arm started trembling uncontrollably, only then did Jiang Yihui put down the brush in his hand and accepted what was offered to him.
"This piece I wrote is too messy, can you rewrite it for me?" Jiang Yihui commanded while munching on the sesame cake. "Why is it cold? How do you handle things?"
Xiao Yanci lowered his eyes and said, "It’s my fault."
"Clumsy." Jiang Yihui commented, looking at the poem Xiao Yanci had copied.
Though copied, the handwriting was identical to his own, except for a few modifications in the content.
Of course, only two or three characters were changed.
Yet it was precisely these two or three characters that completely transformed the entire poem’s mood.
A look of envy and jealousy flickered in Jiang Yihui’s eyes.
Recently, his work often received praise from the teacher, and everyone thought he had a breakthrough, but only he knew it was because of this person.
He was reluctant to let go of those admiring gazes, so he let the mistake slide and kept him around to boost his standing.
However, the more remarkable he behaved, the more displeased he felt inside.
How could a slave possess such remarkable talent? Regardless of how great his talent is, he still has to serve him.
"Brother Jiang..." came a voice from outside, "It’s time for class. We should go."
"Coming."
Jiang Yihui gobbled up the sesame cake in a few bites. He snatched the poem from Xiao Yanci’s hand, squeezed it into his book, and got up to leave.
When he reached the door, seeing Xiao Yanci dawdling, he impatiently urged, "Hurry up."
As they passed by the teacher’s room, they happened to meet Su Yaoguang and her daughter coming out from inside.
Su Yaoguang looked up and saw Xiao Yanci, noting the attendant student attire he wore and the bookcase he carried for Jiang Yihui, a look of sarcasm flashed in her eyes.
Xiao Yanci did not miss the change in Su Yaoguang’s eyes. This rustic girl always bore an inexplicable malice towards him, even though he had no idea where this malice originated.
Why was she here?
This was an academy; it wasn’t likely a place where she’d consider studying, right?
"Hurry now, what are you standing there for?" Jiang Yihui saw Xiao Yanci not keeping up, impatiently hurried him.
Jiang Yihui and Xiao Yanci entered the classroom. Jiang Yihui sat down while Xiao Yanci could only stand in the corner.
As soon as Jiang Yihui sat down, a classmate in front turned to him and asked, "Brother Jiang, yesterday’s topic was really difficult, how did you answer it? Could I borrow a look?"
"I answered it casually," Jiang Yihui said, "Brother Wang’s knowledge is vast; surely, you answered much better."
The teacher entered, everyone straightened up, and silence fell over the entire classroom.
"We have a new classmate today. Everyone should get along well and help each other. Zhou Wangshu, come in!" The teacher looked towards the door.
Zhou Wangshu, dressed in the same blue scholar’s robe as other students, had such striking features that it elevated the garb, looking almost like a celestial being descending to earth.
Everyone stared in amazement.
Such looks, even renowned beauties would pale in comparison.
Previously, they thought that Jiang Yihui’s attendant student’s looks were handsome and outstanding. But today, upon his arrival, those features seemed plain in comparison.
"Zhou Wangshu, you may sit with Zhong Chushan!"
Zhou Wangshu, carrying new textbooks, headed to the last empty seat. Xiao Yanci was standing just behind that spot, able to see Zhou Wangshu’s lowered head obediently from a side glance.
Xiao Yanci clutched his clothing tightly, lowering his eyes to hide his unyielding expression.
Clearly, they were bought back on the same day by people from the same village. Why was he a servant, while this person could rightfully sit and study in the academy?
Wasn’t that rustic girl too poor to make ends meet? In such poverty, how was she willing to spend this money?
"Brother Zhou, I am Chen Buyu. I have an empty bed in my room. Do you want to stay there?"
"I don’t know. The teacher hasn’t arranged anything yet; he said housing will be arranged at noon," Zhou Wangshu bowed, "I have just arrived and am not familiar with anything. I would appreciate Brother Chen’s guidance."
"You want him, someone at the bottom of the class, to guide you? If you study like this, it’s as good as wasted, and so is the tuition," Zhong Chushan lazily remarked nearby.
"What right do you have to talk about me, Zhong Chushan? I’m second to last, and you’re dead last," Chen Buyu said, dissatisfied.
"I never intended to guide anyone, what does being last or not matter?" Zhong Chushan yawned, getting up to walk away.
"The next class is Go strategy, and you’re skipping again?"
"What’s the point of that?" Zhong Chushan said, glancing at Zhou Wangshu beside him, "Want to join me for some fun? I don’t lack money; it’ll be my treat."
Zhou Wangshu exhibited an earnestly sincere expression, shaking his head, "My family worked hard to provide for my education, and getting such an opportunity to study isn’t easy. I can’t let them down."
"Another boring one," Zhong Chushan muttered, striding away.
Chen Buyu commented from the side, "Ignore him. His family runs a Gambling House; follow him, and you’ll be led to gambling. That’s a place you can’t go to; you see those gamblers losing their hands and feet, ruining their lives."
Jiang Yihui scoffed slightly, "Why don’t you mention your family’s businesses? Zhong Chushan’s Gambling House is off-limits, but yours isn’t? Then, why don’t you invite him over?"
Chen Buyu glared angrily at Jiang Yihui, "I wasn’t talking to you."
Zhou Wangshu said, "Brother Chen seems straightforward. I’m not good at socializing, finding it hard to make friends. I’m already pleased that Brother Chen is willing to talk to me."
Chen Buyu couldn’t hide his joy at Zhou Wangshu not distancing himself unlike the others.
What Zhou Wangshu said wasn’t right; the one struggling to find friends should be him. His family’s business wasn’t exactly respectable, leading his classmates in the academy to intentionally distance themselves from him.
Xiao Yanci watched as Zhou Wangshu quickly made a few friends, and it was those who were at the bottom of the class; a look of disdain flashed in his eyes.
When making friends at the academy, one should aim for those useful for future bureaucratic pursuits. Those at the bottom cannot possibly earn a title. This person is incredibly foolish.
Since Zhou Wangshu’s arrival, Xiao Yanci couldn’t help but observe his every move.
Chess strategies, average. Coursework, average. Music skills, below average.
"What are you dazing off about?" Jiang Yihui slammed the desk, displeased. "Since Zhou Wangshu appeared, you’ve been watching him continuously. Do you know him?"
"Master didn’t recognize him?" Xiao Yanci was surprised, "He’s the live-in son-in-law the Su Family bought for ten cents."
Jiang Yihui was surprised too, "It’s him!"
Before long, news that Zhou Wangshu was the live-in son-in-law bought for ten cents by the rustic girl spread throughout the academy. Those initially interested in befriending Zhou Wangshu avoided him from afar. Only Zhong Chushan and Chen Buyu kept interacting with him, casting odd glances his way but still involving him in conversation and inviting him to meals.