Tang Dynasty Little Godfather

Chapter 170 A Surge of Thought
Although Wang Xi said he couldn't understand Bai Siyong's way of thinking, he now understood why Bai Ningsu was so desperate and the strange behavior between the father and daughter.

Wang Xi suddenly glanced at Bai Siyong and teased, "But Lao Bai, you didn't do this very well. They kindly took you as their apprentice, but you went and flirted with their daughter."

Bai Siyong nodded awkwardly, "Young Master is right, Young Master is right."

Wang Xi then said, "How about this, I'll lend you some money so you can bring your wife back first."

Bai Siyong was taken aback, then shook her head violently, even with a hint of panic, and said, "No, no, absolutely not! This is no small amount, and no one can guarantee that they can pay it back."

Wang Xi exclaimed, "I won't rush you to pay it back, and I won't charge you interest, so what are you panicking about?"

Bai Siyong stubbornly shook her head.

Wang Xi looked him over suspiciously. "Are you afraid that I'll use this opportunity to force you to give Xiaobai to me as a concubine?"

Bai Siyong frowned slightly but remained silent, which was tantamount to acquiescing.

Of course, there were such concerns. In ancient times, it was a very frightening thing for ordinary people to borrow money from landlords or nobles.

Once you lend money, it's like putting your entire life and fortune in the other party's hands.

Although Wang Xi has been treating them, father and daughter, you can't judge a book by its cover, and you can't be too careful. The shadow of that hawk has not completely dissipated.

This money absolutely cannot be lent.

"Understandable."

Wang Xi smiled and nodded, realizing he had been a bit too hasty, and said, "Tell me which company it is, and I'll ask someone to inquire for you."

Bai Siyong frowned slightly, seemingly hesitant.

Wang Xi said, "The gentry and commoners are separated by heaven and earth, so in such matters, it is often the nobles who take the lead, which can achieve remarkable results."

Bai Siyong said, "But based on my understanding of my father-in-law's mentor, it might be useless for anyone to step in."

Wang Xi said, "I can't guarantee whether it will work or not, but I know quite a few people, so maybe I can find a solution."

After a slight pause, he continued, "Actually, you know that the million dollars is just them deliberately making things difficult for you, not because they really want to marry their daughter to you. If you can find someone to help you, that would obviously be a better choice."

Bai Siyong remained silent for a long time before saying, "What you say makes a lot of sense, young master, and I am very grateful. But please grant me one request."

Wang Xi asked, "What are the requirements?"

Bai Siyong said, "What you said just now is very true. My master has been kind to me, and I really shouldn't have done that. Therefore, I have never complained about it. Please, young master, do not have any conflict with my master."

Wang Xi rolled her eyes and said, "You're overthinking it. Would I go and offend the Cui family for you? At most, I'll just ask around casually. If it's beyond my ability to help, then I won't get involved. Don't get your hopes up too high."

"Yes, yes, yes, it was my fault for being so ungrateful," Bai Siyong quickly said, bowing.

Wang Xi said, "Tell me quickly, which family is it? I have important business to attend to."

Bai Siyong said, "It is the Cui family of Zhengzhou. My wife's great-grandfather served as prime minister during the Changshou era."

Wang Xi was surprised and said, "You've really climbed high!"

".?"

Bai Siyong was also quite embarrassed.

"Row."

Wang Xi smiled and nodded, "I'll go ask for you, but I don't know if it will work."

"Whether or not I succeed, I will never forget the great kindness and virtue that you have shown me, young master."

"Alright, alright."

Wang Xi stood up. "I'll be going now. No need to see me off."

He walked outside, and as soon as he stepped out of the room, he saw Bai Ningsu standing outside staring blankly at him, her beautiful almond-shaped eyes swollen from crying like two small lanterns.

"Thank you," Bai Ningsu said softly.

Wang Xi said, "I should be thanking you."

Bai Ningsu asked, "Why are you thanking me?"

Wang Xi smiled and said, "Because of your lantern-like eyes, I feel a great sense of accomplishment. Our opera is truly a great success."

Upon hearing this, Bai Ningsu instinctively covered her eyes.

"Ha ha!"

Wang Xi laughed a few times and then went out.

Meanwhile, almost all the restaurants had finished their first performance of Liang Shanbo and Zhu Yingtai.

It can only be described as an unprecedented success.

Everyone finally got to see the long-awaited "The Butterfly Lovers," and it was also the first time they had ever seen this opera.

It's truly eye-opening! No one expected that a military drama could evolve like this. The entire plot is full of twists and turns, gripping and thrilling, making it a very enjoyable watch.

All this anticipation was absolutely worthwhile.

Some people are already asking when the second performance will be. That simple military drama can be performed for so long. Such a wonderful opera, how can one performance be enough!

Of course, there are also some people who scoff at this, but what they scoff at is not the opera itself, but some of its content. These people are often supporters of marriage based on social status.

The popularity of traditional opera has also sparked two major topics.

One of them is marriage based on social class.

Secondly, there is the pursuit of education by women.

Both of these issues are actually social issues.

The topic of marriage based on social status has been popular since the reign of Emperor Taizong and continues to this day.

Although more and more people, including some nobles themselves, consider this a bad custom, there is a saying that goes, "saying one thing but doing another," and marriage based on social status is still common. Even high-ranking officials in the court are still pursuing marriage alliances with Prince Cui Lu Zheng.

People are somewhat immune to this topic and aren't that enthusiastic about it.

The key topic is still the second one.

Compared to other dynasties, Tang Dynasty women certainly had more aspirations and dared to express their demands.

Regarding women's education, there was no problem in the Tang Dynasty. Nowadays, no one says that a woman's virtue lies in her lack of talent. The key issue is attending academies, which was a rare topic before because the Imperial Academy would definitely not accept female students, and private academies were also scarce.

As a result, this demand is baseless.

Because there are so few colleges, you can't possibly apply to study at one.

But this time it's different. Due to the popularity of the drama, Zhu Yingtai's spirit of pursuing knowledge has inspired many women. These women are very emotional, so they want to learn from Zhu Yingtai, which has led to a sudden surge in demand, and the topic has been hyped up all of a sudden.

Imperial College.

Since the singing competition, the Imperial College has been in a slump, and now, with the popularity of Zhu Yingtai and Liang Shanbo, it has only made matters worse.

"Why don't we go and get into that kind of opera? It's just making up stories, right? Do you think we're any worse than them?"

Yang Zhan suddenly said excitedly.

Wu Chongwen frowned and said, "What are you talking about? That's the work of entertainers. If you want to go, you go. I will never go."

Cen Wenzhi also said, "Yes! Yang Er, why did you suddenly say that?"

Yang Zhan said dejectedly, "Isn't this because we were forced to? In the past, Yang Hun was always disliked in my Yang family, but now it's different. My cousins ​​and even my sister-in-law are all trying to please him. They even deliberately distanced themselves from me because they want to go see Liang Shanbo and Zhu Yingtai."

Wu Chongwen asked, "Is it really that exaggerated?"

Xu Daoxuan sighed softly, "That should be true."

Wu Chongwen looked at him again.

Xu Daoxuan said, "My family is in the same situation."

"."

The next day.

An unnamed academy.

When Wang Xi and Ashina Mi arrived at the academy, they saw Xue Jun and the others standing in the open space.

"What are you doing standing here? Are you organizing some kind of game?"

Wang Xi immediately stepped forward and asked curiously.

"Brother Sparrow, you've come at the perfect time! Mmmm!"

Yang Hun stepped forward, but before he could finish speaking, Xue Jun rushed forward and covered his mouth, glancing at Ashina Mi beside him.

Ashina Mi immediately said, "Que'er, I'll go to the teacher's side first." Wang Xi nodded.

After Ashina Mi left, Xue Jun immediately stepped forward and pulled Wang Xi over, saying, "Brother Que, the master has always been fair and just, treating everyone equally."

Wang Xi asked, "What do you mean?"

Xue Jun said, "If the little princess can study here, then my cousin should be able to too, right?"

"And my sister too."

"My sister."

Cui Gu'er and the others immediately surrounded them.

After listening for a while, Wang Xi gradually understood and said, "So, your sisters want to study at our Nameless Academy?"

"Ah."

Everyone nodded.

Wang Xi asked, "Did their parents agree?"

Cui Gu'er scratched his head and said, "We didn't ask about that, but we should have agreed."

Wang Xi pondered for a moment and said, "Adding Ashina is fine, but adding so many more people like this, do you think it's appropriate?"

Xue Jun said, "We don't need a teacher to instruct us, so what's wrong with that?"

Wang Xi rolled her eyes and said, "We only have one teacher now, and we can't teach everyone! Besides, all your sisters are nobles, while Linglong and the others are all palace prostitutes, including the teacher."

"If something goes wrong, it will be very troublesome to deal with. If we anger the master, he might kick us all out."

Everyone looked at each other.

Xue Jun said, "Go and talk to the master first, just in case he has a solution."

Wang Xi nodded and said, "Okay."

He then said to Huangfu Sengnian, Li Jieman, and Wang Shuang, "The three of you come with me. Don't even think about running away. If we make a mistake, we'll all take the blame together."

Li Jie snorted, "When have we ever escaped?"

The four of them went to the back hall.

Wang Xi asked, "What do you think?"

Li Jie said, "If it were all women, I wouldn't mind."

Huangfu Sengnian shook his head and said, "I think it's not advisable to let them come for the time being. The reason is just as you said. Linglong and the others are just palace courtesans. We men can be more accommodating to them, and there aren't as many rules of etiquette to follow when we get along with them. But those noblewomen, firstly, we are unlikely to be accommodating to them. Secondly, there are many taboos when we get along with them."

Although things are currently harmonious at Wuming Academy, in essence, it is these spoiled brats who, based on their own yearning for female classmates, have molded Linglong and the others into female students.

As the saying goes, things are valued for their rarity.

Female classmates are very rare.

Then it will naturally be well protected.

In reality, the difference in their social status is enormous.

But if those noblewomen come, they might shatter everything.

Who would dare let them call Linglong and Qingzhi "Senior Sister"? Who would dare let them eat at the same table?

Even if they are willing to be modest, conflicts are inevitable in the long run. Once they start arguing, they will say anything and might even resort to violence.

In this society with its extremely strict hierarchy, such a hasty arrangement is bound to cause big problems.

Wang Shuang added, "The key is that they might not necessarily listen to us. Take Baodi's sister for example, she's fierce, and I can't afford to mess with her."

Li Jie nodded repeatedly and said, "I take back what I just said. We can't afford to offend them, but we can't afford to offend any of them. It's better not to let them come."

Wang Xi said, "You don't have to be this afraid, do you?"

"You are not afraid?"

Li Jieman and Wang Shuang said in unison.

"Uh."

Wang Xi frowned. "It was a mistake not to have considered this point back then."

Huangfu Sengnian said, "Without these plot points, this play wouldn't have been so popular."

Wang Xi nodded and said, "In that case, let's refuse them first."

After discussing it for a while, the four of them called Tao Mo, who was doing his homework, out and told him the whole story and the results of their discussion, so that he would know about it.

Then, the four of them went to the front yard.

"How about it?"

Xue Jun and the others surrounded them again.

Wang Xi shook her head and said, "The master believes that this will damage the unity of our academy. After all, the difference in status is too great. Unless you are willing to vouch for us, if problems arise, you will leave the academy with your sisters."

Those who look to the sky look to the sky, those who look to the ground look to the ground.

They were just helping out casually; they weren't asking to trade their studies for it.

The main problem is that they can't control their older and younger sisters either.

"Alright, let's leave it at that."

After saying that, Wang Xi suddenly turned to Cui Gu'er and said, "Gu'er, come with me for a moment, I have something to ask you."

"Oh."

Li Jie, filled with curiosity, immediately dragged Huangfu Sengnian and Wang Shuang along.

Wang Xi didn't pay any attention. He came to the mound and asked Cui Gu'er, "Gu'er, is your family very familiar with the Cui family of Zhengzhou?"

Orphan Cui shook his head and said, "We're not very familiar with each other. They are from the Cui family of Qinghe, and my family is from the Cui family of Boling. Actually, I don't know much about them either."

He wouldn't pay attention to such things.

Wang Xi asked, "Then do you know anything about Cui Yuanzong's house?"

Without even thinking, Cui Gu'er shook his head and said, "I don't know."

Wang Xi said speechlessly, "How come you don't know anything?"

Cui Gu'er retorted, "Do you even know how many branches of the Wang family of Taiyuan there are?"

".!"

Wang Xi thought for a moment, then coughed slightly awkwardly, "Could you help me find out?"

Orphan Cui asked, "What is it?"

Wang Xi said, "It's like this, I have a friend who comes from a poor family, but he has a secret affair with the daughter of the Cui family. However, he is afraid that she will not agree to it. Do you think you can help him?"

Cui Gu'er said, "Don't even think about it. Even if His Majesty intervenes, it won't work."

Huangfu Sengnian replied, "That's not necessarily true. Even within the Cui family of Qinghe, some branches are willing to let their daughters marry into humble families."

Cui Gu'er said, "That depends on whether that family is facing difficulties or if they want to climb up to officials in the court. But the family that Que Ge'er mentioned should not have these problems."

Wang Xi said, "Go and find out for me first."

Cui Gu'er said, "Then can you help my cousin get into school?"

Wang Xi said, "If you can help me sort this out, I'll vouch for your cousin. Isn't your cousin pretty?"

Cui Gu'er chuckled and said, "If you dare to let your cousin be your concubine, I dare to call you brother-in-law. I don't care at all."

"Don't dare!"

Wang Xi chuckled and said, "Who would dare to bully your Boling Cui family? Do you think I'm tired of living?"

Cui Gu'er said, "Then it's settled."

"It's a word."

After Cui Gu'er left, Li Jieman said angrily, "Brother Que, when did you have such a friend? How come I didn't know?"

Wang Xi said, "It's Xiaobai's house."

(End of this chapter)