If you were cold and aloof in your past life, why are you crying in this one?

Punishment by copying ancient maxims?

Xi Lingxian's lips twitched slightly, and she felt a mouthful of blood stuck in her throat.

What is he doing here? Is he here to get revenge on her?

"Let's begin the lesson."

A scroll of the Book of Rites lay open on the desk, but Wang Jue never opened it from beginning to end.

Those scriptures seemed to be engraved in his mind; he could pick them up and recite them effortlessly.

The Book of Rites says: “Be respectful in all things, appear solemn and thoughtful, and speak with composure.” These nine characters are the outline of the entire book. Respect is the focus of the heart; solemnity is the outward appearance; thoughtfulness is the source of reason; composure is the basis of speech. Only when thoughtfulness is complete can one speak of propriety.

Xi Lingxian looked at the familiar figure on the podium and took a deep breath.

"Since I'm here, I might as well make the best of it," she told herself.

He lectured, she listened to her books, and they kept to themselves.

Wang Jue spoke in a calm and unhurried manner, from "do not be disrespectful" to "stable words" and then to "one should not speak ill of others in a reckless manner."

He explained things in great detail and depth, catering to students of almost all levels.

Those with high academic knowledge can speak in depth, citing a wide range of sources and drawing inferences from one instance to another;

Even for someone like Xi Lingxian with a weak foundation, he can explain things in a simple and straightforward way, breaking down the most complex concepts clearly in the most straightforward language.

Shen Qingdai lowered her voice and said, "I have to admit, this guy is really something else."

Xi Lingxian was unwilling to admit it, but her ears had already betrayed her.

Many people who used to find history classes difficult and boring are now able to listen with great interest.

He is indeed capable.

At lunchtime, the noble ladies packed their books and walked in groups of three or five towards the dining hall.

The disciples have half an hour to eat.

Shen Qingdai linked arms with Xi Lingxian. Both sisters were punished with copying today, and everyone could say it was a cause for celebration.

"Brother Wang Er!"

A familiar voice came from behind her, and Xi Lingxian frowned and turned around.

Xi Song was seen fluttering around Wang Jue like a little bee.

"Second brother is indeed worthy of his reputation. I didn't understand anything else today, but I understood everything you said clearly."

Xi Song had never liked reading before, but after listening to two lectures by Wang Jue explaining the classics in a simple and easy-to-understand way, he found it quite interesting. Now he kept pestering Wang Jue with questions.

A young man in green beside him chuckled, "Youning, shut up a bit, don't disturb the Master."

Wang Jue was known for his aloofness. The young man in green was a new friend of Xi Song, named Wen Jingyuan, and he meant well when he said those words.

Xi Song was a sweet-talking, cheerful, and handsome young man who was very popular at school.

Immediately, other disciples stepped in to smooth things over, saying, "Before listening to the Master's lecture today, Youning kept saying that he wasn't cut out for studying and that he would pack his bags and go home tomorrow. But as soon as the Master arrived, this guy perked up. Master, please don't be offended. Youning is young and got a little carried away with his excitement and lost his composure."

Wang Jue's expression was unusually gentle. "It's alright."

To Xi Song: "You enjoy studying classical texts?"

"I found it interesting to listen to my second brother talk about it; I couldn't understand or like what those old scholars used to say."

"Reading a book a hundred times will reveal its meaning. You didn't lay a good foundation when you were young, so it's natural that you have to work harder now. But if you can persevere, you will eventually succeed."

Xi Song nodded in agreement, but suddenly felt a chill from behind. She subconsciously looked up and saw her older sister's cold gaze.

Xi Lingxian couldn't stand seeing her younger brother acting all naive and clinging to this man, so she stepped forward and grabbed Xi Song's sleeve, "Stop nagging, we won't have enough time to eat if we don't go now."

Xi Song slapped her forehead. "I almost forgot, sister, you were punished to copy this today and you need to hurry back to copy it, right?"

These words were undoubtedly sarcastic and ironic, yet they came from Xi Song's mouth, spoken with utmost sincerity and honesty...

Xi Lingxian narrowed her eyes, and Xi Song's mind belatedly returned to normal.

Wang Jue: "Then let's go eat quickly, it's really not good to delay any longer."

Xi Lingxian: "..."

……

Wheat rice, cabbage soup, mustard greens.

Even though she was mentally prepared, Xi Lingxian was still at a loss when faced with such simple food.

There were four tables in the dining hall. Shen Qingdai and Xi Lingxian sat next to each other, while the two tables opposite them were occupied by Xi Song and Wang Jue.

The Wang and Xi families had a long-standing ancestral relationship, and in this generation, they were inclined to marry each other again, which was no secret in Jiankang City.

The other disciples were not surprised by this.

Xi Lingxian ate half a bowl of wheat rice with cabbage soup.

Just then, Gu Yong arrived for his meal. His eyes swept over them like sharp, piercing gazes, and he snapped, "No leftovers!"

"In these chaotic times, starvation is rampant, and food is of utmost preciousness. If I see anyone wasting food, I will punish them severely!"

Xi Lingxian rubbed her forehead.

She didn't want to waste the food, but she really couldn't eat any more.

She was about to ask her younger brother, Xi Song, for help, since he often ate her leftovers at home anyway.

Before she could speak, a pair of hands reached out from the opposite side, took the porcelain bowl in front of her, and scooped the remaining half bowl of wheat rice into their own bowl.

Shen Qingdai and Xi Song's eyes almost popped out of their sockets!

Wang Jue scooped the last grain of rice into the bowl, but her fingertips froze as soon as they touched the rim.

He seemed to break free from some kind of inertia, looking down at the rice grains mixed together in the bowl, his pupils slightly contracting.

Just a moment ago, it was as if something deep within my bones and blood had awakened.

It seems there were times like this before, when he would naturally take the food she couldn't finish.

There's no superfluous meaning here; in times of chaos, food is more precious than gold, and it must not be wasted.

He suddenly looked up, his gaze meeting Xi Lingxian's surprised and somewhat indignant eyes, and a flush rose uncontrollably to his cheeks.

But it only lasted a short while.

The next moment, the man had returned to normal, picked up the bowl, and calmly finished the remaining half bowl.

After lunch, there is an hour for lessons in qin (a seven-stringed zither) and calligraphy.

Influenced by the Langya Wang clan, calligraphy was a basic skill for scholars, and the guqin (a seven-stringed zither) was a standard accessory for famous scholars.

Without these two skills, one would be embarrassed to call oneself a member of an aristocratic family.

Xi Lingxian had only run a few steps out of the dining hall when Shen Qingdai grabbed her.

"Are you... sure you're not secretly having an affair with someone behind my back?"

"Of course not, what are you thinking?"

"Then why would he eat it..." Shen Qingdai still feels like she's dreaming when she thinks about it now.

"Maybe he's hungry," Xi Lingxian said listlessly.

"???"

On the first day of the assessment at the academy, students were graded for both their musical skills and calligraphy; based on these grades, it was determined whether a student needed further improvement.

Thanks to her past life, Xi Lingxian passed the calligraphy test; she also studied the guqin for a while when she was young, but later gave it up because she only studied it sporadically.

Now, in order to maintain the dignity of a noblewoman, she has no choice but to pick it up again.

After leaving the school, she parted ways with Shen Qingdai. Shen Qingdai went to practice calligraphy, while she took her guqin to the music room.

The sun gradually sets in the west, and the courtyard is deep and secluded.

On the stone arch bridge, Wang Jue stood languidly, his light satin robe fluttering in the wind, his black hair and cold eyes like a banished immortal from the moon.

Hearing familiar footsteps, he opened his eyes and looked at her. "Come here."

Xi Lingxian didn't want to say anything more to him and ignored him.

In the instant we brushed past each other, my wrist was grabbed.

Xi Lingxian's anger flared instantly. "What are you doing? This is a private residence, not a place where you can act recklessly."

Wang Jue looked at her calmly without saying a word. Seeing her moving hurriedly while carrying something in her hands, he reached out and took the guqin from her. He glanced at it casually, but was instantly stunned. "The Jiao Wei Qin?"

His usually calm tone was suddenly tinged with surprise.

Xi Lingxian felt inexplicably ashamed.

His musical skills were mediocre, yet he possessed an exceptionally fine instrument.

It seems like a waste of resources.