Di Ming

Chapter 125 The alcohol is too strong!
After seeing Ning Caiwei off, Zhu Yin took Ning Qingchen to the Imperial Academy.

With the Wang family as a ticking time bomb, and with Hongying and others escorting Caiwei away, leaving the family vulnerable, how could he dare to leave Ning Qingchen at home?
Of course, I'll bring the little one to school with me.

That way, they could both be protected by Lancha. He could only feel at ease with Ning Qingchen by his side.

Otherwise, if something happens to Qingchen, how will he explain it to Caiwei?
When the carriage arrived at the Imperial Academy in the north of the city, Lan Chazi rested and slept in the carriage outside, while Zhu Yin carried Ning Caiwei into the Southern Imperial Academy.

The classroom was abuzz when Zhu Yin brought his one-year-old baby to class.

Today's class is a lecture, and the teaching assistant has changed to Assistant Huang. Although Assistant Huang is not familiar with Zhu Yin, who has only been in school for a few days, he knows about this newly emerged prodigy.

“Childhood Tiger…” Assistant Instructor Huang’s eyes widened, his beard trembling. “Why did you bring a baby girl? This is outrageous!”

Even Zhu Yin's close classmates, such as Mo Shao and Han Shang, didn't know what to say and couldn't speak up for him.

Where is the Imperial College?
That's the Imperial Academy of the Imperial Dynasty! Zhihu, you've brought a baby to class; it's really difficult for us to speak up for you.

"Haha!" Wang Ruifang, Dong Shi, and their group of opponents couldn't help but burst into laughter.

He had never been away from the Imperial Academy before.

Wang Ruifang laughed and said, "Junior Brother Zhihu, who is this baby girl to you? Could she also be a student of my Nanyong? Such a young student must be a child prodigy."

Dong Shi immediately chimed in with a laugh, "Zhihu, are you taking her with you to breastfeed? You really are a prodigy, acting without any regard for propriety."

Another follower shouted even more sternly:
"Zhu Yin! What kind of place is this! You brought a baby to class? Have you lost your mind! Do you even respect the Imperial Academy? This is outrageous!"

Ning Qingchen had already been instructed by Zhu Yin, so she didn't say anything when she heard this. She just lowered her head and looked adorably dazed.

She wasn't angry. These insects were nothing to her.

The little tiger will handle them; she's just here to watch.

Mo Shao angrily said, "Your words are far too uncivilized! How do you know that Junior Brother Zhihu has his own difficulties?"

Han Shang also retorted angrily, "Have you not heard that hurtful words can cause the pain of swords and spears? Is it the conduct of a gentleman to hurl insults without even asking what happened? Have you all forgotten the sage's principle of benevolence and forgiveness?"

Zhu Yin placed Ning Qingchen on the table, ignoring Wang Ruifang and the others, and only bowed to Assistant Instructor Huang, solemnly saying:
“Teacher Huang, I lost my mother when I was one year old and my father when I was two. I was utterly alone and heartbroken. Fortunately, my father-in-law did not abandon me because of our pre-natal marriage. He treated me like his own son and educated me for many years, which is why I am where I am today.”

"As the ancients said, if one is born but not raised, one can repay the debt by cutting off a finger; if one is born and raised, one can repay the debt by cutting off one's head; if one is neither born nor raised, one can not repay the debt. I can never repay the kindness of my father-in-law."

"But fate is cruel; my father-in-law also passed away this spring. The sorrow of losing a tree is truly heartbreaking."

Zhu Yin pointed to Ning Qingchen as he spoke, “Although she is not my sister, she is my father-in-law’s youngest daughter and my student’s fiancée’s younger sister. She has no father or mother and only an older sister, who is not here now.”

"Although the students dare not neglect their studies or disregard the classroom, they are still worried and dare not easily entrust others with their affairs. However, now the students and she are practically inseparable, and they cannot have both, so they can only bring her to class."

"I have heard that the ancients, for the sake of loyalty, righteousness, filial piety and brotherly love, did not adhere to prejudices, but only sought to have a clear conscience. I admire the gentlemen of the past and dare not be bound by public opinion and abandon my own principles."

Assistant Instructor Huang, who was initially dissatisfied and about to reprimand the baby and order it to be taken out of the classroom, was moved by Zhu Yin's words and said:

"Although you are young, you are truly a virtuous gentleman! The words 'filial piety and righteousness' alone are enough to make you worthy of being called a child prodigy of Nanyong. I have misunderstood you, and I am ashamed."

"In ancient times, Jiang Ge carried his elderly mother on his back and wandered the world. Today, Zhu Yin brought his wife and younger sister to study at Nanjing University. It is truly not easy to raise a one-year-old baby with a ten-year-old child."

"Even crows know to feed their parents, and lambs kneel to suckle. If I were to criticize you further for raising your father-in-law's young daughter, where would your conscience lie?"

"I will not pursue this matter further. As long as she doesn't make a fuss, let her be. She can stay in the classroom."

Wang Ruifang was only thirteen years old and had a very strong sense of self-esteem. When she heard the words "prodigy of Nanyong", she couldn't help but grit her teeth and felt extremely annoyed.

Previously, he was the child prodigy of Nanyong!

But Zhu Yin was even younger than him, and after only a few days, he had already stolen the limelight from him as a child prodigy.

Assistant Instructor Huang also said that Zhu Zhihu was supposed to be a virtuous gentleman, but he was really pedantic, ridiculous, old and senile.

Zhu Zhihu clearly did this on purpose, using this seemingly insignificant act to attract attention, curry favor with the public, and seek fame and fortune!

This little baby girl was merely a pawn for Zhu Zhihu to portray as loyal, righteous, benevolent, and filial.

Zhu Zhihu is only ten years old, yet he is so cunning and shameless; he is truly not worthy of being called a son.

A dog pokes a short coffin!

Dong Shi and the others were very frustrated to see that Zhu Yin not only managed to escape blame but also received praise from Assistant Instructor Huang.

The classroom is a solemn and dignified place for imparting knowledge and skills. Zhu Yin actually brought a baby girl to class, which was like child's play, yet he still received a prize!

That's utterly unreasonable.

Zhu Yin said to Assistant Instructor Huang with a grateful expression:
“Thank you, Master Huang! I have heard that the virtue of a gentleman is like the wind, while the virtue of a petty person is like grass. When the wind blows over the grass, it must bend. It is precisely because I know that Nanyong is full of gentlemen of noble character and high ideals like Master Huang that I dare to bring my wife and sister to study here.”

The implication is that Wang Ruifang and others are petty people who use subtle, sarcastic insults.

Assistant Professor Huang smiled and nodded: "You're using this to deceive me, it's a double-edged sword. You, the prodigy of Nanyong, are about to have another legendary tale told."

Despite this, he grew to like Zhu Yin even more.

Assistant Instructor Li is right, this boy is truly a gem from Mount Jing.

Wang Ruifang could no longer contain herself and said, clasping her hands, "Teacher Huang, this is, after all, the Nanyong Dojo, a place of great importance for classes. Zhu Yin bringing a baby girl to class is really... really..."

Teaching Assistant Huang frowned. "Really what?"

Wang Ruifang feigned respect and said, "This is truly a cheap trick to attract attention, an insult to culture, and a deliberate act of treachery. Its intentions are questionable."

As soon as she finished speaking, Wang Ruifang regretted it.

It wasn't that she felt ashamed, but rather that she felt these words should be spoken by Dong Shi, and that it was inappropriate for her to step forward herself, as it would be beneath her dignity.

But since he had personally stepped into the arena to fight, he couldn't back down. He could only put on airs, adopt a high-handed attitude, and first and foremost, put a label on someone.

Teaching Assistant Huang shook his head: "How can you determine the truth or falsehood of a ten-year-old child based on such a thing? Don't resort to such harsh judgments. As classmates, we should be harmonious yet different, respect the virtuous and be tolerant of the masses. A gentleman does not speak ill of others, and should take it as a warning to speak ill of others. Be strict with yourself and lenient with others. Do you understand?"

He didn't like Wang Ruifang very much. Relying on her family background, she was arrogant and disdainful of others at a young age, and even disregarded her teachers.

Wang Sheng was indeed a precocious talent, and was once known as a child prodigy in Nanyong. But only half of that was true; the other half was fabricated by sycophants.

Now that a true child prodigy, Zhu Yin, has arrived, Wang Sheng has lost his limelight and naturally harbors resentment.

To be so narrow-minded and jealous is to be considered lowly.

As a teacher, he naturally had to give Wang Sheng a good talking-to and a serious reminder, hoping that Wang Sheng could reflect on himself and improve his character.

This also implies polishing.

To everyone's surprise, Wang Ruifang not only disregarded Huang's words but also became even more defiant, and couldn't help but speak out loudly:

“Master Huang, I am foolish and do not understand your teachings. I cannot understand how a baby girl can be brought to class. There are no rules without order. Does Nanyong mean that anyone can come and go as they please?”

"The student dares not impose the three-word punishment, but Zhu Yin's actions, to put it mildly, are contempt for the school, and to put it more seriously, are utterly insane! The student dares to ask, my teacher, if this matter were to spread, how would the world view Nanyong?"

Huang, the teaching assistant, never expected that Wang Sheng would disregard his painstaking efforts, treat his teachings as worthless, openly defy his superiors, question him, and show contempt for the dignity of teachers!
Just as he was about to get angry, Zhu Yin spoke first.

"Senior Brother Wang," Zhu Yin sneered, "In the more than two hundred years of our dynasty, what rule prohibits students from bringing their children to school?"

Wang Rui snorted coldly, "Indeed, no. But do you think you can get away with this sophistry? The law doesn't prohibit relieving oneself in the classroom, so how can you expect to do so? Ridiculous."

"You are... using crooked means to flatter the times, and engaging in deceitful acts to seek fame!"

Zhu Yin said with a stern face, "As the ancients said, a gentleman praises the good in others, while a petty person praises the evil in others."

Xunzi also said, "A gentleman does not stop his actions because of the clamor of petty people. I walk upright and act properly, so why should I fear the words of petty people?"

“I brought my wife’s younger sister to class because I was worried about her having no one to take care of her. I had no choice but to do this. Whether you believe it or not, it doesn’t bother me at all. As the saying goes, ‘Humble oneself and virtuous character are the foundation of integrity.’ As for my heart, public opinion will judge.”

"The so-called virtuous man reaches the highest level. If you are not satisfied, you can file a complaint and make my name known."

"If the Imperial Academy does not allow me to bring my father-in-law's young daughter to class, I will have no choice but to leave the Imperial Academy and go home to take care of her."

“I have always been steadfast in my conduct and dealings with others, never engaging in any contention. Since you, Senior Brother Wang, love to compete so much, I will return the title of prodigy to you.”

"Let me give you a piece of advice: He who insults others insults himself."

"You..." Wang Ruifang was speechless with anger, his handsome face flushed red. "What a sharp tongue you have!" "Enough!" Assistant Teacher Huang snapped. "Stop talking! Let's begin!"

Wang Ruifang's face was gloomy, but she didn't dare to openly fall out with the teaching assistant. She could only sit down resentfully, not forgetting to glare fiercely at Zhu Yin.

Next year is the autumn imperial examination. I'm sure I'll qualify for the provincial examination. Zhu Yin, wait until I pass the examination, then I'll have my way with you, you short-coffin dog.

We'll see who the child prodigy is then.

Zhu Yin smiled slightly, sat down calmly, and looked like a victor.

But I also felt a little depressed.

He really didn't want to get entangled with a competitive little rooster like Wang Ruifang; it was pointless.

Pediatrics.

However, he didn't want to fight, but Wang Ruifang was very enthusiastic.

Ning Qingchen couldn't help but chuckle as she watched this scene.

This brother-in-law is really something else. He's quite the verbal sparring partner, leaving the other person red-faced and visibly annoyed.

It was all for my sake.

"Don't laugh," Zhu Yin said in a low voice. "We're in class, be serious."

Ning Qingchen was standing right next to him, watching her brother-in-law write, and only then did she realize that her brother-in-law's handwriting was actually quite beautiful.

After half a day of classes, Ning Qingchen listened with great interest and learned a lot about traditional Chinese culture.

She also discovered that her brother-in-law was not only liked by the teachers, but also popular with many classmates.

It's only been a few days, and he already has a group of friends.

.........

After school in the afternoon, Zhu Yin invited several close classmates to dinner at a restaurant.

Mo Shao and the others readily agreed.

The group arrived at the restaurant and ordered a table full of food and wine. Seeing Zhu Yin's generosity, Mo Shao smiled and said:

"Young Tiger, you're deliberately letting us have a feast today. You're so young, yet you have such a compassionate heart."

Eighteen-year-old He Bi smiled somewhat embarrassedly and said, "Junior Brother Zhihu, you come from a wealthy family, while we are all poor scholars. Today we are going to eat the food of the rich. I am ashamed."

Han Shang, who was over thirty years old, said: "Haha, Tang Bohu said: People don't need to be rich or noble, the sound of reading is the best."

"A gentleman who shares the same principles becomes a friend; a petty person who shares the same interests becomes a friend. Brother He, the young tiger is willing to part with you, what are you embarrassed about?"

Zhu Yin bowed with the air of a grown man: "It is said that friends should share wealth, let alone wine and meat."

"Studying is hard work, but the food at the Imperial Academy is really delicious. If I don't come to the restaurant often, I really can't stand it."

"However, I am only ten years old and cannot hold my liquor. Please drink as much as you like. This Autumn Dew White wine is perfect for this season."

As Zhu Yin spoke, he fed Ning Qingchen a steamed egg.

She is almost one year old. Although she is still mainly breastfed, she can now eat some easily digestible foods.

Mo Shao and the other three were all down-on-their-luck men from poor families. They hadn't had such a sumptuous meal in a long time, so they didn't stand on ceremony and drank heartily.

Zhu Yin was certainly not a pushover; the four people he befriended were carefully selected talents after careful observation.

He's reliable in both ability and character. He's worth befriending.

After a few drinks, and feeling a little tipsy, He Bi, the youngest of the four, suddenly looked at Mo Shao with concern and said:
"Senior Brother Mo, you like mathematics, but it's not your main profession after all."

"It's never too late to mend a broken fence after the sheep are lost. Senior Brother Mo, you're only thirty. If you can turn over a new leaf, work hard, and focus on the imperial examinations, it's still not too late. You've finally entered Nanyong Academy, how can you neglect your studies and give up on yourself?"

Mo Shao put down his wine glass and said seriously:

"Everything has a beginning, but few things have an end. Brother He, a gentleman worries about the Way, not about poverty. How can one know that even in old age, one's ambition to reach the clouds will not be abandoned? As your elder brother, I have been diligently pursuing the Way, and my desire for the imperial examinations has long since faded."

"My only regret is that I have failed my wife. It is my fault that she and our child have to eat coarse food and simple meals."

At this point, his expression turned somewhat somber.

Shang Yang, who was nearly fifty years old, suddenly burst into laughter.

"Haha! Moved by the times, I thought of serving my country, and drew my sword to rise from the wilderness! I started studying at the age of five, and at the age of twenty, I abandoned my pen to join the army. I followed Xu Wenchang into the camp of Duke Xiangmao, where I served as an advisor in the fight against the Japanese pirates. I was busy with military affairs, but I did not fail to live up to my manhood."

"But fate is cruel. Hu Xiangmao was dismissed from his post and committed suicide in grievance. I was ultimately unable to serve my country. At the age of thirty, I picked up my books again and studied the eight-legged essay. Ten years of studying under the lamp in the rain and wind of the rivers and lakes, and suddenly I am fifty years old. How sad and lamentable, how sad and lamentable!"

As he said this, he couldn't help but burst into tears, which dripped into his wine glass.

Zhu Yin was deeply moved by his sadness.

Han Shang also sighed, "In my youth, I too wore fine furs and rode a fat horse, wielding a long sword and wearing a tall hat, raising my eyebrows and speaking boldly. I also rode through brothels, regarding fame and fortune as worthless, and looking down on powerful families. I thought to myself, 'A mirror will not lose its light even when it dies, and an orchid will not lose its fragrance even when it dies.'"

"It's laughable that now I'm over thirty, facing setbacks on all sides, having wasted half my life and achieved nothing. In the end, I still have to reluctantly enter the imperial examinations."

He picked up his wine glass and drank it all in one gulp. "What else can I do if I don't take the imperial examinations? There's only one path up Mount Hua since ancient times, there's no other way, no other way!"

"But, with thousands of soldiers crossing a single-plank bridge, how difficult is it to study for ten years? I'm afraid that even if I study until my hair turns white, I will never pass the imperial examination."

The wine had taken its toll on his heart, and he was already three-tenths drunk. He smiled bitterly and said, "This wine is too strong. Alas, this wine is too strong."

Mo Shao sighed, "You're probably drunk. Wine can't relieve your sorrows. Don't overindulge."

Zhu Yin looked around at the group and said resolutely, "Fellow senior brothers, do not worry about having no friends in the future. There will always be a time when the world recognizes you. Ten years of drinking ice cannot cool your burning passion. Only in turbulent times can the true nature of a hero be revealed."

“Su Ziyun, those who achieve great things in ancient times not only possessed extraordinary talent, but also unwavering determination. After the clouds disperse, the moon will shine. My fellow disciples are loyal and devoted; why should we worry that our time will come?”

"How can a great man remain subservient to others for long? If he can one day realize his lofty ambitions, then he will not have wasted his life's learning."

"Zhihu is right!" Han Shang slammed his hand on the table. "Although you are young, your character and ambition are exemplary for us all."

Mo Shao also laughed loudly, "Hahaha! A gentleman is inclusive without being partisan, while a petty person is partisan without being inclusive. Are we inclusive without being partisan, or partisan without being inclusive?"

Why clap your hands? "Naturally, it is all-encompassing and without comparison."

Zhu Yin asked Shang Yang, "Senior Brother Shang, you just said that you followed Xu Wenchang into Hu Zongxian's camp thirty years ago. You must have been very familiar with Xu Wenchang."

Shang Yang laughed and said, "Xu Wenchang is truly a man of extraordinary talent and unconventional character! Such a man of unparalleled talent has fallen into such a state of poverty, not employed by the court, not tolerated by those in power, and still unable to pass the imperial examination. How pitiful! How lamentable! How laughable!"

Ning Qingchen sat next to Zhu Yin, staring blankly at the four down-on-their-luck classmates, and couldn't help but feel sorry for them.

These scholars who failed the imperial examinations were truly filled with bitterness and resentment.

That's fine. This way, it'll be easier for my brother-in-law to win me over.

If they follow their brother-in-law, they'll likely have a stroke of good luck in the future, perhaps even better than passing the imperial examination.

Seeing Ning Qingchen's adorable appearance, Shang Yang couldn't help but laugh:
"Qingchen, you can't understand what we're saying, yet you seem to understand it. Are you only one year old, yet you're already the Flower of Joy?"

Zhu Yin chuckled and said, "Brother Zhouming, my sister-in-law is quite clever. She might actually understand. Who knows? If she does understand, she might even be commenting on you in her mind."

"Haha!" Shang Yang's pent-up frustration vanished instantly. "Child Tiger is really joking. Qing Chen is only one year old. Even if he is extremely intelligent, how could he possibly understand what we are saying?"

Upon hearing this, the group laughed together.

As the group, their wine flowing freely and their conversation flowing freely, suddenly overheard someone talking next door:
"The imperial edict arrived at the Censorate not long ago, saying that Hai Qingtian is going to be promoted!"

"Really?"

"Nonsense, would I joke about something this important? They say he's being transferred to the capital to be the Left Censor-in-Chief of the Censorate!"

"Hai Qingtian will leave Nanjing no later than the day after tomorrow!"

P.S.: That's all for today, too busy. Thank you!
(End of this chapter)