Chapter 71: The Peerless Genius, Song Jingning

Ye Chutang looked at the terrified and pale-faced Ye Anzhi, a playful smile curling at the corners of her lips.

Didn’t Kong Ru say that the legitimate eldest son must be born from her womb?

She was really looking forward to seeing Kong Ru’s expression when she found out that the legitimate eldest son, in order to save his life, had to kill her.

“The antidote only has one pill left. Who will live? You? Or Kong Ru?”

After tossing this life-or-death question at Ye Anzhi, Ye Chutang left the Minister’s Residence and headed for the Poetry Hall.

Strike while the iron is hot.

She intended to climb to the top of the scholarly circle and become someone whose call could mobilize a hundred voices.

From now on, anyone who wanted to harm her would have to weigh the consequences of offending the scholars and intellectuals of the world!

On the road.

Ye Chutang overheard many people discussing the “demonic destruction of the kingdom” and the “eighteen layers of hell.”

“Eighteen layers of hell have descended upon the world. The demoness has bewitched the emperor; she will definitely be torn apart by five horses!” one man exclaimed.

“Immortality is just a baseless tale. Now that miracles have manifested, the emperor will surely come to his senses,” another added.

“I don’t think so…”

As the doubting voices emerged, someone came running from the direction of the royal palace, shouting.

“The morning court has ended! Big news! Not only did the emperor not execute Master Zhang, but he also had the second prince clear his name!”

At this, the crowd erupted in surprise.

“You must be mistaken! Heaven has warned us, how could the emperor protect a demoness?”

“Yeah, this concerns the nation’s survival! Even if the emperor is foolish, he wouldn’t risk the future of Beichen Kingdom, right?”

The man shouting pointed to a place near the city gate.

“The imperial edict has been posted. ‘The Ghost Thief’ not only stole from the imperial kitchen but also framed Master Zhang as a demoness. Whoever captures her will be rewarded with ten thousand taels of gold!”

“Ten… ten thousand taels of gold? Is it real?”

“Of course it’s real, the imperial edict is right there, at the city gate.”

Ye Chutang found this somewhat regrettable.

She had been busy for two hours last night, thinking she could use the dog emperor’s hands to eliminate the demoness, but it turned out to be a wasted effort.

However, it didn’t matter. Since the dog emperor had money, she would go to the imperial treasury tonight!

When she arrived at the Poetry Hall, the young attendant respectfully welcomed Ye Chutang inside.

“Miss Ye, our dean wishes to meet you. I wonder if it’s convenient for you?”

Not everyone could meet the dean of Hua Ting Academy. His initiative to meet Ye Chutang confirmed her talent and showed a desire for further interaction.

Ye Chutang knew this was a quick path to fame and naturally wouldn’t refuse.

“Of course it’s convenient, but I would like to first try today’s topic.”

“Miss Ye, please.”

The topic for today at the Poetry Hall was quite special: write a poem related to the people’s livelihood.

Ye Chutang picked up her brush and wrote: “The red gates stink of wine and meat, while frozen bones lie on the road.”

[Note: From Du Fu’s “Self-Deprecation Upon Leaving the Capital for Fengxian County”]

She had originally wanted to write a poem satirizing the Second Emperor Qin, who was controlled by Zhao Gao, but then she realized it would be too direct and might cause trouble, so she gave up on the idea.

The young attendant did not pass her poem to the teacher but held it in his hand, leading her to the fifth floor of the Poetry Hall.

On the way, many people greeted Ye Chutang, praising her literary talent and calligraphy.

She responded graciously, not showing any bias because of the other person’s identity or attire.

The fifth floor was primarily dedicated to musical instruments.

As soon as Ye Chutang ascended the stairs, she heard the sound of a guqin, reminiscent of the famous “High Mountains and Flowing Water.”

Curiously, she asked, “Are the instruments on the fifth floor playable?”

The young attendant explained, “Only those who have restored ancient musical scores have the qualifications to play. Today, the dean is playing.”

“What kind of person is your dean?” Ye Chutang asked.

“A great scholar of the age, extremely learned and cultured, and enjoys making friends through literature,” the attendant replied.

As they spoke, they arrived at the guqin room.

The door was closed, and many scholars who loved music stood outside, occasionally commenting on the music.

They stepped aside to make room.

Just as the attendant was about to knock on the door, Ye Chutang stopped him.

“Don’t rush, let Dean Song finish playing first.”

As soon as her words fell, the music abruptly stopped. A male voice from inside the room called out, “Miss Ye, please come in.”

The attendant pushed open the door.

Ye Chutang was surprised to see a young man sitting directly opposite the door. She blurted out, “You are the dean of Hua Ting Academy?”

She had thought the dean would be an elderly man with white hair, but instead, he was a handsome young man.

The man stood up and gave a gentleman’s bow to Ye Chutang.

“Song Zhiyan pays respects to Miss Ye.”

The dean of Hua Ting Academy was the eldest son of the Song family, a renowned scholar, named Zhi Yan, courtesy name Jin Yu.

Ye Chutang bowed in return. “I am Ye Chutang, I greet you, Dean Song.”

“There’s no need for formalities, please come in.”

Song Zhiyan’s reputation was high; he was known for his good manners, and even if he and Ye Chutang were in the same room, no one would think ill of it. However, to avoid rumors, there were still maids and servants in the room.

Ye Chutang entered the guqin room confidently. The attendant handed her poem to Song Zhiyan, then turned and left, closing the door behind him.

Those outside, recognizing the situation, wisely moved away.

The maid took the guqin from the table, and the servant placed a cushion on the ground.

Ye Chutang and Song Zhiyan sat across from each other.

“Dean Song, why have you called for me?” Ye Chutang asked.

Song Zhiyan poured her a cup of tea, handed it to her, and scrutinized her carefully.

“You really do resemble someone,” he said.

Ye Chutang didn’t think much of it and accepted the tea. “Dean Song, have you met my mother?”

Song Zhiyan shook his head. “I’ve heard of her, but I’ve never met her in person. I’ve only heard of her virtuous deeds.”

“Then who do you think I resemble?”

“My fifth younger brother, Song Jingning. If you meet him, you will also feel that your features are quite similar.”

It wasn’t just in appearance, but also in spirit and character.

Ye Chutang had indeed heard of Song Jingning’s great name.

He was a genius of the Song family, composing poetry at three, debating great scholars at seven, famous across the land by ten, and traveling and teaching by twelve.

Yesterday, whether it was her poetry, calligraphy, or the painting she did to solve a complex problem, she was often compared to the prodigy Song Jingning, who seemed like a fallen star.

She smiled and said, “There are many people in the world, and many who resemble others. Dean Song, you wouldn’t be trying to matchmake me with your fifth younger brother, would you?”

After all, she and Song Jingning were the same age, both seventeen.

For ancient people, they were already considered to be of marriageable age—essentially, old bachelors and spinsters in need of matching!

Song Zhiyan quickly explained, “If you misunderstood, it’s my fault.”

He finished his tea as an apology.

Ye Chutang breathed a sigh of relief upon realizing that it wasn’t a matchmaking attempt.

She asked directly, “Dean Song, why have you called for me?”

“Miss Ye, you have talent and great knowledge, you are broad-minded and insightful. I wish to seek your guidance.”

“Seek guidance, and then?”

Song Zhiyan was surprised by Ye Chutang’s keen insight.

He said honestly, “I would like to invite Miss Ye to become a female teacher at Hua Ting Academy.”

The Song family had long wanted to establish a women’s academy, but they hadn’t been able to find someone with both talent and the willingness to teach and enlighten others.

Ye Chutang was curious, “Why do you think I would agree?”

Song Zhiyan recited her poem from earlier.

“Miss Ye can write such a poem, which shows you care for the world and wish to change the current state of Beichen Kingdom.”

“You don’t think that by teaching a few scholars, we can uproot the corruption of Beichen and revive the nation, do you?”

“Of course, we cannot do it alone. But if everyone contributes a little, the river will eventually flow into the sea, and one day, that sea will overturn a boat!”

Song Zhiyan spoke gently, but Ye Chutang understood his meaning.

If one day, the Beichen Kingdom were to collapse, the Song family would be willing to be the force pushing for its downfall.

“Do you think too highly of me, Dean Song?”

She only wanted to live her own life and didn’t want to be a savior.

PS: The heroine has a long-term goal, and her great love will gradually reveal itself after her exile.