A Clash of Gods - Chapter 186
Chapter 186 Overseas Moon
The Qionglin Residence is the study hall of the Qionglin Academy, where the students of the Qionglin Academy are taught. In addition to Zhuo Qingyang, there were also three other old masters in the academy.
Yang Ning and Jiang Suiyun followed behind Zhuo Qingyang and came to a fine house in the eastern corner of the academy. Before they entered, they heard girls’ laughter inside.
At this moment, outside of the fine house, several old masters of the academy were waiting, and when they saw Zhuo Qingyang coming, they all saluted, and Zhuo Qingyang introduced, “This is Jiang Suiyun. Suiyun, meet several gentlemen.”
Jiang Suiyun bowed to the end and said courteously, “With all due respects to all the seniors.”
The several old masters looked at Jiang Suiyun and smiled. One of them smiled and said, “So this is the dean’s favorite student, Suiyun. The dean is strict in his studies and never easily praises his disciples, but he often mentions you to us, saying that you are gifted, diligent in your studies and have outstanding literary skills. He always praised you.”
Jiang Suiyun still said respectfully, “This is the kindness of my master. I’m not so clever. If it weren’t for the enlightenment of my master back then, I would never be me today.”
Zhuo Qingyang smiled and said, “Suiyun, you don’t have to be too modest. Every time you made someone bring an article, I would show it to these masters. They’re erudite and informed. But they think highly of your articles.”
“Dean, we not only think highly of them. We think best of them.” A master laughed, “Suiyun, I heard that you went overseas for three years and have traveled. Our horizons are nowhere near as broad as yours.”
“You masters are too kind. How dare I take it.” Jiang Suiyun sighed, “If my master hadn’t led me to stand on the beach, pointing to the distance and telling me that there was always someone bigger and there was a world far away from the sea, I would not have had the idea to travel overseas.”
Seeing these several people talking and laughing, actually seeming to have forgotten his existence, Yang Ning didn’t feel so comfortable. As he saw Jiang Suiyun all civilized and extremely modest, he secretly thought that he was the best in trying that hard to make himself look big.
Girls filled in the study hall. Yang Ning even saw that there were already many girls leaving the window a crack, crowded behind the window to look. He knew that those girls certainly were not to see the few old guys, much less to see himself, but this pretty Mr. Jiang from the East Sea.
“Mr. Kong, let’s go in here and start.” Zhuo Qingyang was sympathetic, “Suiyun was cited virtuous. He may be summoned by His Majesty these days at any time. I asked him to take time to come over for a lecture, but I can’t delay much of his time.”
Jiang Suiyun said solemnly, “Master, I was cited virtuous this time for your recommendation and with the help of several lords of the court. I’m really ashamed to accept it, but it’s too disrespectful to decline your recommendation either. In fact, I’m shallow in talent. There are still many areas I need training on. I really don’t deserve the word virtuous.”
“You don’t have to say that. I know your character clearly. your literary skills are not inferior to others,” Zhuo Qingyang said, “Reading poetry and books is bound to serve the country after all. Now it’s also the time for the court to use talents. Though the court has asked me several times to recommend some both virtuous and talented people, I thought you were still young and needed more experience in the first few years. Now is the time to come out to do something for the people.”
Yang Ning then suddenly realized that Jiang Suiyun came to the capital because of Zhuo Qingyang’s recommendation to the imperial court.
Mr. Kong had already gone to the side, where a string of bells hung. Mr. Kong tugged the rope and rang the bells, the sound of which was clear and pleasant. After ringing, the laughter in the Qionglin Residence soon quieted down.
Zhuo Qingyang took the lead and walked into the study hall, followed by several masters, but Jiang Suiyun only walked to the door of the study hall and didn’t enter immediately. He raised his hand to Yang Ning next to him and said with a smile, “Please!”
He didn’t even address him “Marquis”.
If not for the fact that Duan Canghai had reminded that there was no distinction between the rich and the poor in this academy before entering, Yang Ning could not help but even find fault with it.
It seemed that these old guys really didn’t appreciate the title of marquis.
He didn’t nag but followed into the study hall. Qionglin Residence was very quiet at this time. Yang Ning gave it a glance, only to see that the study hall was very spacious and open, with red flowers and green willows in it. There were more than 40 students sitting on the kneeling bushes on the floor, each placed a low case in front. Two in a group.
As Yang Ning came in, the girls all looked over. Yang Ning had a nice mental quality and remained calm. The three old teachers had sat down in the front futons. As he darted around, he saw Su Zixuan sitting behind the three teachers, which was already the most forward row, gazing at him hatefully at this time and then turning her face away.
Seeing Yang Ning looking around, Zhuo Qingyang coughed and said, “Qi Ning, find a place to sit down.”
Yang Ning thought to himself, “Since you asked me over, even if you didn’t receive me as a distinguished guest, you should at least be a little more enthusiastic and arrange me a seat. Now you asked me to find my own seats. The three old teachers already took the three futons in the forefront, at least leave one for me.”
As he searched, a trace of joy suddenly showed in his eyes. It turned out there was a person sitting alone in last side of the study hall where there was an empty seat at the side, and the girl sitting alone happened to be Xiaoyao.
Almost all the people in the study hall were in groups of two, but Xiaoyao was sitting alone in the corner, looking a bit lonely.
Yang Ning didn’t say much. He walked through the crowd, went to the corner, smiled at Xiao Yao, pointed to the empty seat at the side, and asked gently, “Can I sit here?”
Xiaoyao hesitated for a moment, but finally nodded slightly.
Only then did Yang Ning sit down at Xiaoyao’s side. Seeing Xiaoyao leaning to the other side, seemingly not daring to get too close to him. He knew that Xiaoyao must be concerned about other people’s gaze.
Zhuo Qingyang coughed and finally said, “I told you yesterday, I have a disciple with outstanding literary talent. He took three years to travel overseas to study and is quite insightful. Today I asked him over to talk about the feelings of traveling overseas, so that you can get to leant more.” He rushed to the door and said, “Suiyun, come in!”
Jiang Suiyun slowly entered with a smile on his face.
He was very handsome, and came from a wealthy family, raised with fine food and clothes. The nobleness lingered. Coupled with the literary quality, he looked very dashing and suave.
The girls in the study hall all looked at Jiang Suiyun now. Yang Ning glanced at Xiaoyao at the side, only to see Xiaoyao also looking over. He suddenly felt distressed, secretly thought, “Jiang Suiyun, you f**king stayed outside the door just to enjoy this moment of attention.”
Zhuo Qingyang at this time had walked aside with his hands behind his back. After Jiang Suiyun went on stage, he first made a deep bow to Zhuo Qingyang at the side, and then to all, looking modest and polite.
“I am Jiang Suiyun from the East Sea, under the tutelage of Mr. Zhuo, who is my enlightened master.” Jiang Suiyun’s voice was soft and with a smile on his face, “I have the honor to pay a visit to Qionglin Academy today. It’s really a privilege.”
The girls off the stage were staring at Jiang Suiyun and wouldn’t even blink, as if the next moment Jiang Suiyun would disappear.
“I was instructed by my master to come to the academy to talk about my experience of study tours. In fact, I’m shallow in knowledge, not qualified to lecture on stage. But since my master had instructed me, I had no choice but to come up here.” Jiang Suiyun laughed, “All of the students here are students of my master, and that way, you are all my junior sister apprentices, so I have to make a fool of myself in front of you today.”
Yang Ning looked more and more unpleasant, couldn’t help but mutter, “Nonsense.”
Xiaoyao heard it clearly and turned her head to look at Yang Ning to see Yang Ning a look of revulsion. Her beautiful eyes turned slightly, seemed to think of something, covered her mouth and laughed lightly.
“Back in the days, my master once taught me, ‘Read ten thousand volumes of books, travel ten thousand miles.’” Jiang Suiyun looked kindly. Even his standing posture was also very elegant. He slowly said, “We have to read and walk. There are many things that cannot be seen in books. I’ve learned from my master. In the early years, I traveled all over the Central Plains, and I’m not going to hide from you, I’ve had a glimpse of the scenery of not only Chu, but also the mountains and waters of the Northern Han. The rivers and mountains were so beautiful, I can still remember it.”
“Mr. Jiang, you have traveled so many places. Didn’t you start traveling when you were very young?” A girl asked in a sweet voice.
As soon as Yang Ning heard the voice, he knew it was Su Zixuan.
Jiang Suiyun smiled, “This junior sister asked a good question. I went out alone and traveled the world when I was sixteen.”
“Mr. Jiang is really bold.” Su Zixuan’s voice was sweet, “At our age, not to mention traveling the world, we were a little worried about even going out of the house.”
Jiang Suiyun mildly smiled, “You’re not timid but haven’t tried. If you are determined to really go out of the door, perhaps you’re even more bold than me. The most fear of many things is to take the first step. Before the first step, not many people feel that they can succeed.” Turning to Zhuo Qingyang for a slight salute, he said, “Like Qionglin Academy, before this, not many people thought that women could enter the academy to study, but my master has made this true. I shall ask how many men of letters in the world don’t know the existence of Qionglin Academy? Qionglin Academy is a bright pearl of the capital, no, even of our Chu.”
Yang Ning secretly thought to himself, good, Zhuo Qingyang must feel good about the flattery. He glanced at Zhuo Qingyang, only to see him lightly stroking his long beard, looking calm, able to tell his mood.
Su Zixuan lightly smiled and said, “My name is Su Zixuan, Senior Brother Jiang… you can call me Junior Sister Su!”
Yang Ning sneered, cursing that this is f**king in the study hall. Can’t you dignify yourself in full view of the public? Fortunately, the engagement has been broken off, otherwise he’d be unable to accept this kind of woman.
Jiang Suiyun nodded slightly at Su Zixuan and very briefly commented on the mountains and waters of the Central Plains next. He could be considered a very good literary talent, with elegant talk. After a brief review, the conversation turned, and he said, “But what I remember most is these three years of traveling overseas.” With a mysterious smile, he asked, “Do you know what the shape of the moon overseas is?”
The girls looked at each other. It was Su Zixuan who asked, “Senior Brother Jiang, isn’t the moon overseas round? Oh, I see, it’s half-moon shaped?”
Jiang Suiyun waved his hand and laughed, “No, no, actually the moon overseas is square with sharp corners, just like the shape of a square table!”
Yang Ning froze, and almost dropped his jaw.