Kunning Chapter 62: The Devil Is A Step Ahead

Xie Wei entered the side hall.

Jiang Xuening’s zither was still hanging on the wall alongside his Emei.

Seeing it, he remembered and wanted Jiang Xuening to take the zither with her. But when he turned around, he saw Jiang Xuening looking at him with slightly red eyes. She stomped her foot and, in a fit of pique, went down the steps, leaving him with her back as she walked straight out of the Fengchen Hall.

He couldn’t say a word.

The side hall was quiet.

The incense burned yesterday had already cooled, leaving only a furnace of cold ashes.

Xie Wei sat down.

After a while, the anger gradually subsided, and he realized he shouldn’t have been angry. She was young, though a bit mischievous and unruly, she still had the temperament of a little girl, and her behavior was just a momentary tantrum.

And he had lost his composure.

Was it because of the many chaotic events recently that disturbed his mind?

He slowly furrowed his brows, raised his fingers, and pressed them against his brow.

*

Jiang Xuening felt a surge of unresolved anger as she walked back.

When Xie Wei said those words to her, she felt she might have unintentionally hurt him, touching a sore spot, and felt a moment of guilt. But then Xie Wei told her to leave, that she didn’t need to learn the qin anymore!

All her grievances surged up at once.

She threw away that moment of guilt and stubbornly felt she was not wrong.

“If I don’t learn, then I don’t learn. Does he think I care?”

Stomping on the tightly paved stone slabs of the palace path, Jiang Xuening walked towards Yangzhi Zhai, gritting her teeth.

But despite her words, she felt deeply aggrieved.

She indeed wanted to stay away from Xie Wei and was apprehensive about learning the qin, but not wanting to learn and being told not to learn were two completely different things. No matter what, a sense of anger built up inside her, the more she suppressed it, the deeper it grew.

Back in her room, she looked at the newly placed branches in the vase, which seemed crooked, and the newly hung painting behind the desk, which seemed ugly. She wanted to smash something to vent her anger, but all the furnishings in the room were arranged by Shen Zhiyi for her, and she couldn’t bring herself to do it.

In the end, she could only grab a box of chess pieces from the chessboard.

The black and white pieces were all made of stone.

Jiang Xuening picked them up and threw them at the wall one by one, each throw harder than the last, making the wall thud loudly.

“Who does that Xie think he is, just like those pedantic scholars!”

She had her own reasons for not wanting to go to school. In all fairness, Jiang Xuening felt she was quite tolerant. Even when Zhao Yanhong, who taught the Book of Songs, was biased, and Wang Jiu, who taught calligraphy, looked down on her for wanting to write cursive, she didn’t lose her temper and stop learning. Instead, she ignored these trivial matters and listened to their lectures.

But Zhang Zhong was different.

She couldn’t stand listening to him spout nonsense in the hall, saying nauseating things.

Jiang Xuening had thought Xie Wei was extraordinary.

Despite the fact that in her previous life, he had committed shocking and bloody acts such as rebellion and slaughter, it precisely proved that he was not a conventional person and should understand her reasons for not wanting to attend Zhang Zhong’s classes.

But as soon as she said she didn’t want to go to school, Xie Wei didn’t even ask for the reason and just said she was stubborn and unrepentant.

Such arbitrary and obstinate behavior, how was it different from those detestable teachers?

Even though her death in her previous life was inextricably linked to his rebellion, she had never thought of Xie Wei as a petty or mediocre person. On the contrary, from another perspective, she greatly admired his abilities and talents.

However, today’s events shattered all those impressions.

Just because of his presumptions and arbitrariness upon hearing that she didn’t want to go to school.

In her mind, he suddenly fell from grace, plunging into the vulgar mud of the marketplace, no different from those old, pedantic scholars, no longer deserving the title of “half-saint.”

“Snap!”

Another chess piece was thrown forcefully against the wall, bouncing off and rolling on the ground.

Jiang Xuening coldly ignored it.

Her eyes were fixed on the wall, as if piercing through someone, exuding a sharpness.

When the others returned from school, the two boxes of chess pieces had been thrown empty.

Black and white pieces were scattered all over the floor.

Someone gently knocked on her door.

She was sitting on a lounge chair reading a storybook. Hearing the sound, she asked, “Who is it?”

Outside, Shen Zhiyi’s voice sounded, “Ning Ning, it’s me.”

Jiang Xuening was startled, quickly put down the storybook, got up, and opened the door. Looking up, she saw Shen Zhiyi standing at her door, with no one else behind her, looking at her with some concern, “Are you okay?”

Jiang Xuening said, “I just found an excuse to skip class, nothing serious.”

Shen Zhiyi breathed a sigh of relief and said, “I guessed as much. That Teacher Zhang, I can’t stand listening to him either!”

Jiang Xuening also thought he was a scourge and remembered her previous thoughts of reporting him. She took Shen Zhiyi’s hand, led her into her room to sit, and said, “Does Your Highness also find him intolerable?”

Shen Zhiyi felt nauseated, “I’ve always heard that daughters in the outer chambers have to learn ‘The Admonitions for Women,’ but I never paid it much mind. Hearing it today made me sick. How can they treat daughters as less than human? The most detestable thing is bringing such unworthy content into the palace and teaching it in the school!”

Jiang Xuening probed, “What does Your Highness plan to do about it?”

Shen Zhiyi had only been complaining and hadn’t thought about taking action. But Jiang Xuening’s words made her think, and her eyes lit up. She clapped her hands and said, “Yes, when has this princess ever endured such treatment? It’s one thing for ordinary families to follow ‘The Admonitions for Women,’ but how can a dignified princess be subjected to it? I’ll report this to my brother and mother, and give that stubborn teacher a good scolding, and have this subject canceled.”

Jiang Xuening was delighted, “That would be wonderful.”

Shen Zhiyi was also pleased.

However, her joy was short-lived, and her expression soon fell again. She said in a low voice, “But there have been many issues in the palace these past few days. My brother and mother are not in a good mood. Normally, they would indulge me, but now they might not have the time to deal with me.”

Jiang Xuening was momentarily speechless. Shen Zhiyi sighed and said, “But it’s okay. This will pass soon. I’ll still mention it to my mother when I pay my respects later. Let’s not think about it. Today’s teacher was annoying, but it’s fine. Tomorrow, Master Xie will be teaching us his newly compiled anthology!”

“……”

If she hadn’t mentioned it, Jiang Xuening would have almost forgotten about it.

Yes.

Xie Wei taught two subjects. Although she wouldn’t be learning the qin anymore, he still had two classes in three days, so there would still be plenty of frustrating days ahead.

But there was no need to tell Shen Zhiyi about her conflicts with Xie Wei.

Jiang Xuening smiled faintly and said, “Yes, Master Xie is different from others. Tomorrow will be better.”

*

No matter how deep her prejudice against Xie Wei had grown, she still had to get up, wash, and prepare for class the next day.

Jiang Xuening had thought it through before going to bed last night.

If Xie Wei was so angry about this matter that he expelled her from the palace and she didn’t have to attend school anymore, it would be great news. She could return home and ask her easygoing father to travel the world with her. But if Xie Wei only stopped her from learning the qin privately, she would still have to attend classes, and she would greet Xie Wei respectfully, pretending not to know him and acting as if nothing had happened.

As for Xie Wei bearing a grudge and wanting to harm her…

Jiang Xuening felt that if he wanted to get rid of her, he would have done so already. Moreover, he had made it clear when she first entered the palace that he wouldn’t harm someone over such trivial matters, as it would be beneath his dignity.

Thinking about how Xie Wei had arbitrarily accused her without understanding the situation, and how she had scared him with the cat, she felt they were even.

So, she put aside her indignation from the previous day and calmly went to Fengchen Hall.

Since the first class today was Xie Wei’s, everyone arrived early.

To avoid boredom between classes, Fang Miao brought a chess set.

Before the class started, she set up the chessboard. Zhou Baoying, rarely interested, immediately pulled up a chair and sat opposite her, boasting, “Well, you brought a chess set and didn’t take it out earlier. You all think I only know how to eat, but I’ll show you my skills today.”

Everyone knew she was a joker and didn’t take her seriously, but who doesn’t enjoy some entertainment?

So, they all gathered around to watch them play chess.

Jiang Xuening, however, sat in her seat, her gaze falling on the small book neatly placed on the corner of the table: when she left Fengchen Hall yesterday, she had pushed the desk, causing everything on it to fall. She didn’t expect that the palace attendants had already tidied everything up, even placing the previously fallen “Admonitions for Women” neatly on the corner.

Shen Zhiyi arrived a bit late, pouting and looking dejected. Seeing Jiang Xuening, she called out sadly, “Ning Ning.”

Jiang Xuening immediately knew that things hadn’t gone well.

She smiled and comforted her, “Your Highness already said that the Empress Dowager and His Majesty are busy. This outcome was expected. You can bring it up again another day, and they might agree. Why be so disheartened?”

Shen Zhiyi said, “You’re right.”

Failing to report Zhang Zhong was expected, and she could try again another day. It wasn’t a big deal, so she brightened up and pulled Jiang Xuening to watch Zhou Baoying and Fang Miao play chess.

Fang Miao had brought the chess set just to pass the time and relieve boredom. She thought Zhou Baoying, usually clueless, was just boasting to entertain everyone, so she didn’t take the game seriously at first.

But unexpectedly, once Zhou Baoying sat at the chessboard, she seemed like a different person.

Her usually chipmunk-like cheeks were tightly clenched, her young face serious, and her delicate brows furrowed with concentration. She played methodically, and soon Fang Miao was stunned!

Fang Miao could hardly believe it. In a moment of distraction, she lost a “scholar” piece. She waved her hands repeatedly, even reaching out to take back her last move, “It doesn’t count, it doesn’t count! I wasn’t ready. I won’t play here, I’ll play here instead!”

“Once a piece is placed, it can’t be taken back!”

Zhou Baoying was shocked, “How can you do that?”

When she said this, her eyes widened, looking as if Fang Miao had stolen a pastry from her, full of indignation.

The scene should have been serious.

However, her face still had baby fat, which made her look not scary but rather adorable, causing everyone to burst into laughter, teasing, “This is a good chess player meeting a bad one, and it’s a mess!”

Fang Miao continued to defend herself, saying that Zhou Baoying’s chess skills were so intimidating that it was clearly bullying her, and taking back a move was no big deal.

Everyone laughed so hard they almost fell over.

Even Jiang Xuening, who was standing on the side watching, couldn’t help but smile. But when she glanced at the entrance of the hall, she saw a figure walking in, and her bright smile faded. She lowered her eyes and bowed, saying, “Good day, Master Xie.”

Only then did everyone realize that Xie Wei had arrived.

The chess players stood up, and the spectators also stopped laughing and turned around, following Jiang Xuening’s lead in greeting him.

Xie Wei’s steps paused at the entrance of the hall.

He hadn’t slept last night, partly because of many affairs and partly because of a troubled mind. A complex situation hadn’t been resolved, and he had a headache in the middle of the night, suffering from a cold. This morning, when he left his residence, his face was somewhat pale.

He didn’t wear his usual light robe.

Jian Shu, fearing that the cold winter wind would worsen his condition, had draped a deep green cloak lined with fur over him, making him look as imposing as a mountain range.

When Jiang Xuening saw him, she restrained her smile and adopted a respectful demeanor, which Xie Wei noticed clearly, feeling even more stifled for some reason.

He said lightly, “No need for formalities.”

He withdrew his gaze from Jiang Xuening and walked into the hall with a book in hand.

Everyone knew it was time for class, so they quickly helped Fang Miao put away the chessboard and returned to their seats.

Jiang Xuening also walked to her desk.

Xie Wei always walked down the right aisle, passing by her desk. His gaze inadvertently fell and suddenly stopped, causing him to halt his steps again.

Following his gaze, Jiang Xuening saw that he was looking at the “Admonitions for Women” placed on the corner of her desk, and a mocking smile appeared on her lips.

Xie Wei’s long eyebrows furrowed tightly.

Everyone had this book on their desks.

He reached out and picked up the book from the corner of Jiang Xuening’s desk, flipped through two pages, and his long fingers stopped at the edge of the paper. He asked, “This book is not part of the Fengchen Hall curriculum. Who placed it here?”

Jiang Xuening sneered inwardly and did not answer.

Everyone looked at each other.

Shen Zhiyi hesitated for a moment and said, “Master Xie, yesterday, Master Zhang, who teaches the ‘Book of Rites,’ said that the students did not understand the hierarchy and order, so he decided to teach ‘Admonitions for Women’ before the ‘Book of Rites’ and had this book distributed.”

“……”

Zhang Zhong?

This chief compiler of the National History Museum was not like the other teachers at the Hanlin Academy. Xie Wei had little contact with him and did not expect Shen Zhiyi to give such an answer, nor did he expect Zhang Zhong to have the audacity to defy his prescribed curriculum.

His gaze fell back on the pages, filled with outdated and rigid rules.

His mind involuntarily recalled the heated argument with Jiang Xuening yesterday—

“Master Zhang is still teaching at this hour. How can you sit here and not attend his class?”

“I don’t want to attend Master Zhang’s class…”

“Shouldn’t I discipline you?”

“Respecting teachers and valuing their teachings, naturally, whatever the teacher teaches, the student learns; whatever the teacher says, the student is. If Master Xie suppresses, scolds, and misunderstands me, it is all as it should be.”

……

Xie Wei, understanding human nature, realized after hearing Shen Zhiyi’s words that he had been prejudiced and unjustly scolded Jiang Xuening yesterday, causing her to retaliate in anger. This realization brought a sense of inexplicable frustration.

Seeing this book again, he disliked it even more.

Although he was generally kind to others, he was not someone to be trifled with. Without a word, he lowered his eyelids and threw the “Admonitions for Women” out of the hall.

The book flew with a “whoosh,” its white pages fluttering, and landed on the steps outside.

Everyone was startled.

Jiang Xuening couldn’t help but look up at Xie Wei.

Xie Wei’s somewhat pale face remained impassive. Holding the book he had compiled, he walked up to the hall, stood still, glanced at everyone, and pointed outside the hall, “Throw them all away.”

Shen Zhiyi was overjoyed and threw her copy of “Admonitions for Women” out.

The others, however, looked at each other, hesitant and afraid.

Chen Shuyi, having already suffered a loss from Xie Wei, was dissatisfied but did not dare to speak.

Yao Rongrong’s voice was weak, “But, what about Master Zhang…”

Xie Wei lowered his eyes and ignored her.

Everyone could see that his mood was much worse than when he taught the qin the other day.

Seeing that only a few people had thrown their books, he didn’t bother to say more.

He simply placed his book down and said calmly, “Class begins.”

*

Xie Wei had originally planned to teach “On the Teacher” today, not to emphasize respecting teachers, but to explain the importance of learning and the principle of “the teacher’s way is not to oppress people.” However, upon seeing the “Admonitions for Women” in the hall and understanding the reason behind yesterday’s events, he feared that Ning’er might misunderstand him as using the teacher’s authority to oppress. So, he decided to skip that lesson and instead chose to teach the “Biography of Lian Po and Lin Xiangru” from the “Records of the Grand Historian.”

He started from “Returning the Jade to Zhao” and went on to “Bearing the Rod and Asking for Punishment.”

Because the story was legendary, everyone listened as if it were a tale, quickly becoming fully absorbed.

When he talked about Lian Po misunderstanding Lin Xiangru, he couldn’t help but glance at Jiang Xuening, but she seemed oblivious, sitting in the corner. Although she wasn’t distracted, she didn’t appear very attentive either.

His brows furrowed again.

But scolding her now would only add fuel to the fire, so he suppressed his thoughts and stopped looking at her.

After an hour, when the class ended, Xie Wei walked towards her.

But before he could speak, Jiang Xuening saw him and coldly bowed, saying, “Farewell, Master Xie.”

“……”

The words Xie Wei had prepared were choked back by her. He realized she was still resentful and unwilling to engage. Knowing that Sun Shu from the Imperial Academy would soon arrive to teach arithmetic, it was not the right time to talk. He stood there looking at her for a moment, then left.

All the way back to his residence, he couldn’t shake off the feeling of frustration.

Lu Xian calculated the time and came to visit. As soon as he entered the Bidu Hall, he saw Xie Wei standing in front of a blank wall, holding a cup of tea that had been there for so long that no steam was coming out in the cold weather. Lu Xian couldn’t help but be puzzled.

The Bidu Hall was Xie Wei’s study.

He only stood facing the wall when he encountered difficult problems, leaving the wall blank to clear his mind. What was it today? Was it because of the Ruyi case in the palace that was about to escalate?

Lu Xian adjusted his scholar’s robe and sat down behind Xie Wei, saying, “Why did you go to the palace to teach those girls for no reason? You can hardly find time for the daily lectures, and now you’ve taken on a group of students, making it even harder to see you. You’re in the palace for five or six hours a day. I came today to talk to you about You Fangyin, but what’s going on with you?”

Xie Wei found him noisy.

Only then did he move his hand, coming back to his senses to drink the tea he was holding, only to find it had already cooled. He placed it on the corner of the table and said, “Just a small matter.”

“A small matter?” Lu Xian couldn’t help but look him up and down with a strange expression, “You, Xie Wei, have always worried about great undertakings. I didn’t know you would clear your mind over small matters.”

Xie Wei thought, isn’t that the truth?

He found it amusing.

He couldn’t tell Lu Xian that he had been irritated yesterday, arguing with a little girl and feeling guilty about it. He could only shake his head and sigh helplessly, “The higher the virtue, the greater the devil. Even I, Xie Wei, have times when I’m bested by others.”