Tang Dynasty Little Godfather

Chapter 189 Ten Years of Hard Study Finally Pay Off

For Madam Zixia, this was not a difficult choice, because her purpose in donating was to see Mr. Wuming. The reason she donated so much was simply because the charity could also help Wang Shouyi and the others. They were all family, so a little more wouldn't matter.

Although the process was somewhat embarrassing, she still achieved her goal: the nameless gentleman was willing to see her after all.

Wang Xi also told her that Mr. Ming would meet her at Wuming Academy the next day.

After leaving Madam Zixia's courtyard, Wang Xi hurried back to Wuming Academy. This time, he went through the side gate, since the main gate was too dangerous, with a bunch of kids causing trouble there.

The courtyard was very quiet. Although the four senior brothers seemed to be doing nothing all day, the Wuming Academy was actually very busy. Xue Jun and the others had been performing outside recently, including both Dream of the Red Chamber and Liang Shanbo.

It just means that they can handle things themselves now and don't need Wang Xi to make arrangements.

As Wang Xi passed by the abandoned massage area, he saw a young swordsman in white lying on the couch, his face covered by a bamboo hat.

Who else could it be but Li Bai?

"I've never seen a bodyguard lying so flat like this before," Wang Xi muttered to himself, then immediately went over. "Brother Li Bai, where did you go just now?"

Li Bai removed his straw hat, his eyes still sleepy, and said, "I've been here the whole time." He added, "I haven't even had lunch yet."

With your work ethic, you expect to get lunch? Wang Xi's lips twitched, ignoring Li Bai's complaints, and asked, "By the way, what did you talk to the teacher about earlier?"

Li Bai frankly asked, "I just want to verify the relationship between Hong Niangzi and you?"

Wang Xi said speechlessly, "What does this have to do with you? What are you asking for proof of?"

Li Bai said, "Since it has nothing to do with me, why did you bring it up to me, young master? I thought you were an open and honest gentleman, with nothing to hide from others, so I asked you. But I never expected that you are not a gentleman."

"What do you know?!"

Wang Xi immediately launched into a tirade.

Li Bai was not annoyed, and said with a smile, "Since I don't understand, then I'll trouble you, young master, to explain it clearly."

Wang Xi let out a long sigh and slumped down on the couch.

Upon seeing this, Li Bai sat up abruptly. "Could there be another reason behind this?"

Wang Xi said, "Brother Li Bai may indeed be uneducated and ignorant of etiquette, so it is not his fault."

Li Bai said, "I have read quite a lot and know proper etiquette."

Wang Xi said irritably, "Then you should know that teacher-student relationships are not tolerated by the world, so the teacher can only bury her love for me in her heart. But I am very unwilling. Why can't teachers and students love each other? What kind of bullshit etiquette is this? So, I want the teacher to be my teacher and also to be my wife."

He silently added to himself, "Please call me Wang Guo." Hehe.

Li Bai frowned slightly. As for his attitude towards teacher-student relationships, he naturally supported Wang Xi because he was a romantic and didn't care much about worldly etiquette. This was very much to his liking. However, he still had reservations about Wang Xi and said with suspicion, "But in my opinion, it doesn't seem like what you said, young master."

Wang Xi said dejectedly, "If others thought this way, it would be fine, but since Brother Li Bai thinks so too, I am truly disappointed."

Li Bai asked, "What do you mean by that?"

Wang Xi said, "Brother Li Bai, why don't you think carefully about how I risked my life to save our teacher that day? Isn't that clear enough? Do I need to explain it to you?"

Li Bai frowned and recalled for a while. Indeed, as Wang Xi said, it seemed to have gone beyond the teacher-student relationship. He glanced at Wang Xi again and asked, "The young lady next to your young master now..."

Wang Xi said, "Who says a man can only love one woman? Could Brother Li Bai do that?"

Li Bai remained silent for a moment, then asked, "If that's the case, why did you bring it up to me first, young master?"

Wang Xi said, "If it were anyone else, I certainly wouldn't say it. It's just that I'm afraid you might fall for my teacher because you are so dashing, talented in both literature and martial arts, and so handsome. Moreover, you are my teacher's savior."

"I see!"

Li Bai immediately became very understanding and fully comprehended Wang Xi's concerns, saying, "Please rest assured, young master, I will never be tempted by Lady Hongxiu."

Wang Xi immediately said, "Brother Li Bai, you must keep your word. I'm not worried about anyone else, but I really don't have much confidence in you, Brother Li Bai."

Li Bai quickly replied, "Young master, you can rest assured about that. In fact, I am already..."

He suddenly stopped talking halfway through his sentence.

Wang Xi immediately asked with a gossipy look, "What is it anyway!"

"nothing."

Li Bai shook his head and said, "In short, young master, rest assured, although Lady Hongxiu is beautiful, Li Bai will never be moved by her."

"That's good!"

Wang Xi nodded and added, "Also, in the future, Brother Li Bai, please don't mention our matter in front of the teacher. After all, the teacher is shy and is only thinking of me."

Li Bai nodded and said, "Now that the misunderstanding has been cleared up, Li Bai will not say anything more, and will not even talk to him much."

Wang Xi said with emotion, "Thank you for your understanding, Brother Li Bai."

"Where! Where!"

"Just now, Brother Li Bai said that he hadn't had lunch yet?"

"Yes, it is."

"Let's go, let's go, I'll take Brother Li Bai to lunch."

"Is drinking prohibited in this academy?"

"No. Our college serves alcohol with every meal; the cafeteria always has alcohol on hand."

"As expected of the Nameless Academy, seeing is believing."

Li Bai was overjoyed.

He loves it here.

After settling Li Bai in, Wang Xi immediately went to the back hall to discuss with Huangfu Sengnian and the others how to deal with Madam Zixia the next day.

The next day.

Lady Zixia arrived at the Nameless Academy in a very low-key manner, with only Guang Sheng by her side.

Through Wang Xi's introduction, Lady Zixia finally met the legendary Mr. Nameless.

Of course, Huangfu Sengnian, Li Jieman, and Wang Shuang finally met the legendary Lady Zixia.

Li Jieman stared wide-eyed, thinking to himself, "Brother Que really wasn't lying; this woman's looks are truly no less than my teacher's."

Madam Zixia glanced at the three of them, seemingly surprised, but not suspicious. She quickly looked Tao Mo over and respectfully bowed, saying, "Zixia greets Mr. Wuming."

Tao Mo returned the greeting with a cupped hand, "Please sit down, Madam."

"Thank you!"

After taking their seats, Madam Zixia said, "Yesterday Zixia was indeed presumptuous, and I apologize to you in advance, but this matter was really just a misunderstanding."

Tao Mo asked, "What do you mean by that, Madam?"

Madam Zixia gestured to Wang Xi, "Are you aware of the relationship between Zixia and the Wang family, sir?" Tao Mo nodded and said, "Wang Xiaoque has already told me."

Madam Zixia said, "Zixia and Duke Qi have always addressed each other as brother and sister. Knowing that your esteemed institution has close ties with my brother's Anye Bureau, I wish to donate one million coins to help my brother. It is not that I hope to use this money to meet you, sir. However, the servant did not make it clear."

She glanced at Guang Sheng and continued, "It is truly inexcusable that you have caused such a misunderstanding, sir. In fact, I have already discussed this matter with Que'er's mother, so please be sure to accept this money."

Tao Mo stroked his beard, turned to look at Wang Xi, as if asking, "Is this true?" But in reality, he was asking, "What should we do now?"
They never expected that Madam Zixia would be so determined to donate this sum of money.

Wang Xi had not learned of this matter from Princess Xue, but he knew Lady Zixia's intentions, so he pretended to glance at Lady Zixia and then nodded, saying, "Yes, yes."

At the same time, he signaled to Tao Mo with his eyes that he should accept the money.

Tao Mo understood immediately and nodded, saying, "I really didn't know there was such a connection. In that case, Wang Xiaoque, you can accept the money on behalf of the charity."

"Yes, sir." Wang Xi nodded respectfully, but thought to himself, "This woman is really arrogant; she insisted on donating the money again."

Tao Mo then said to Madam Zixia, "Since Madam's donation is out of brotherly and sisterly affection, then this old man will not thank you."

A hint of surprise flashed in Madam Zixia's eyes, but she nodded and said, "Of course."

Little did they know that this was something they had planned yesterday.

Although this sentence wasn't taught, the underlying message was agreed upon beforehand: the other party's intentions were not good, so Wang Xi and the others hoped that Tao Mo could prevail over them.

Similarly, this is why Madam Zixia insisted on donating the money; she didn't want to come to Mr. Wuming with a humble and awkward feeling.

Lady Zixia added, "I've heard that you have countless students. Coincidentally, I know someone in Luoyang who is one of your students."

Upon hearing this, the four senior disciples immediately held their breath.

This was truly unexpected for them!

Li Jie was sweating profusely, thinking, "It's all over, it's all over, she knows, he knows, what should I do now?"

Tao Mo's hand trembled slightly, but he smiled and said, "Is that so? May I ask which of my students is this?"

Lady Zixia said, "This man's surname is Chen and his given name is Hui."

Tao Mo pondered for a while, then suddenly laughed and said, "Madam may have been deceived."

Madam Zixia hurriedly asked, "What makes you say that, sir?"

The old man shook his head and said, "I do not recall teaching a student named Chen Hui. It is possible that I am mistaken or that he has changed his name, but it is more likely that he is using my name to seek personal gain."

Lady Zixia shook her head and said, "No, that's not the case."

“If there isn’t one, then it doesn’t matter whether it is or isn’t,” Tao Mo said, stroking his beard.

"Sir, you are so magnanimous, I admire you greatly." Madam Zixia added, "Sir, your demeanor reminds me of someone."

Tao Mo asked, "Who is it?"

Lady Zixia said, "It is Baiyunzi."

Upon hearing this name, Huangfu Sengnian's pupils dilated suddenly.

Tao Mo was slightly taken aback.

Madam Zixia immediately asked, "Sir, you don't recognize this person?"

Tao Mo shook his head, "This old man has never heard of such a person."

Lady Zixia asked with slight surprise, "Sir, you don't know Baiyunzi?"

Tao Mo countered, "Should this old man know him?"

Lady Zixia hesitated for a moment before saying, "This Baiyunzi is named Sima Chengzhen, with the Buddhist name Daoyin. He is the great-grandson of Sima Yi of Langya County in the Northern Zhou Dynasty and the twelfth generation patriarch of the Shangqing School. Just over a year ago, His Majesty summoned him to the palace and bestowed upon him the Dharma seal, thus making His Majesty the Taoist Emperor."

In addition, his ideas on governing the country were very similar to those of his teacher. He once advised the late emperor that in governing the country, one should follow the natural development of all things in the world and eliminate selfish thoughts and distractions, so that the country could move towards great order.

"Are you unaware of this, sir?"

Tao Mo shook his head.

Huangfu Sengnian thought to himself, "This is terrible!" Because generally speaking, since you are a Taoist, you should know that a Taoist master of Baiyunzi's level should at least have been heard of.

However, Tao Mo was a fake, so naturally he knew nothing about it.

Wang Xi bit his lip hard, using the pain to ease the tension in his heart. He never expected that Madam Zixia would launch a fierce attack on Tao Mo's identity right from the start.

Lady Zixia frowned deeply: "That's impossible."

Tao Mo stroked his beard and suddenly chuckled.

The four senior disciples glanced at Mr. Tao simultaneously, their eyes filled with tension. Now, they could only rely on Tao Mo's on-the-spot reaction.

This was exactly the situation Wang Xi had been most worried about; if it exceeded their expectations, it would be difficult for them to salvage the situation.

This is why they have always avoided having Tao Mo deal directly with people.

Many times, we can't anticipate what the other person is thinking.

Lady Zixia asked, "Why are you laughing, sir?"

Tao Mo asked, "Does Madam recognize Bai Yunzi?"

Lady Zixia said, "I have had the honor of meeting you a few times."

Tao Mo then asked, "Have you heard him mention me?"

Lady Zixia was slightly taken aback, then shook her head and said, "No."

Tao Mo laughed and said, "He doesn't know me, so why should I know him?"

A look of surprise flashed in Wang Xi's eyes. That was a fantastic answer! Old Tao, I absolutely adore you!

Huangfu Sengnian also let out a soft breath.

Too nervous.

Lady Zixia paused slightly, pondered for a moment, and nodded, saying, "I apologize for my rudeness, sir."

Tao Mo laughed and said, "That's alright. It's just that Madam and I have never met before and do not know me well. So please, Madam, don't keep saying who shares my thoughts."

Madam Zixia hurriedly said, "Although Zixia and you have never met, Zixia has heard a great deal about your thoughts, even though you are in Luoyang."

Did Zixia say something wrong earlier?

Tao Mo said, "Although I do not know Bai Yunzi, his thoughts are not similar to mine, and may even be the exact opposite."

Lady Zixia asked in surprise, "Really?"

Tao Mo nodded and said, "I would never tell the emperor about the way to govern the country, let alone talk about the great prosperity of the country, because I believe that if we follow the Taoist thought, we must follow the cycle of birth, aging, sickness and death. The rise and fall of the country is also like this, and it cannot be forced."

(End of this chapter)