Chapter 22: The Enlightenment Teacher   

Today, Xu Qingyi’s outing had a clear purpose—finding a teacher for Heng. 

If Heng wasn’t planning to take the imperial examination route, finding a teacher would be easy. 

Any xiucai or juren could provide a solid foundation in basic knowledge. 

But Xu Qingyi believed in preparing for the worst. She felt it was important to help the boys expand their connections. 

Since she knew exactly who, in this world, was good and who was bad, she could always sift through the options and pick out the ones worth cultivating. 

The person she had in mind was named Shen Zhijie—his name alone marked him as a scholar. 

Shen Zhijie was extraordinarily talented, having passed the juren examination at just twenty years old. 

Had it not been for his impoverished family and a sickly mother who required constant care, he would have already taken the huishi (metropolitan exam). 

Five or six years passed, and with another triennial spring examination approaching, his mother—unwilling to be a burden on him any longer—threw herself into a lake, ending her own life.

Shen Zhijie was overwhelmed with grief after his mother’s death. He spent three years in mourning, and after that, he passed the jinshi examination, ranking first in the empire. 

He later wrote a ten-thousand-character eulogy, each word soaked with tears, which stirred the entire country. 

This Top Scholar Shen had a noble and upright character, perfectly suited to becoming an Imperial Censor. 

However, when the old Emperor passed and the new one ascended the throne, he made the mistake of offending the new ruler, leading to his family being confiscated and his exile to a remote region. 

On his way into exile, he was rescued by Du Jinyun, the female lead, and eventually became a key member of the rebel faction, aiding in the rise of the future Emperor. 

Xu Qingyi couldn’t quite remember the exact timeline, and she wasn’t sure if Shen Zhijie’s mother was still alive at this point. 

So, without delay, she decided to seek out the Top Scholar Shen whenever she had free time. 

He lived in Tongluo Alley, a poor area of the capital, and with a bit of inquiry, they could easily find his whereabouts. 

“Scholar Shen, hehe, looks like another noble master has come to look for you!” 

Shen Zhijie, carrying a bundle of plain cakes and two packages of medicine, overheard his neighbor, Wang Mazi, making these mocking remarks. 

He spat on the ground and retorted, “Go look for your own mother!”

He was a striking young man with fair skin and delicate features, so much so that it was hard to tell whether he was male or female. 

But his temper was sharp and fiery, which had caused him to offend numerous noble patrons who had wished to sponsor his studies. 

Normally, Shen Zhijie would have fired back with more than just a curse. 

However, since the beginning of spring, his mother’s health had been deteriorating rapidly, and his heart was consumed with worry. He had no energy or time to argue with the neighbors. 

Noble patrons? 

He would chase them all away, one by one! 

They weren’t interested in his talents; they were just hungry ghosts preying on his looks, with ulterior motives. 

As he was lost in these thoughts, he noticed an elderly woman, dressed modestly yet elegantly, walking directly toward him. 

She smiled and greeted him warmly, “Excuse me, are you Scholar Shen? I’m an old maidservant from the Pingyang Marquisate. I serve in General Xie Yunzhi’s household…” 

Shen Zhijie’s mind went blank. 

General Xie Yunzhi?

In the past, many people who came to seek him out were officials, but they were mostly minor ones—few truly influential figures. 

But Xie Yunzhi had long surpassed the title of a mere noble patron in Shen Zhijie’s eyes; he saw him as a role model. 

The old maidservant smiled, and it was clear from her expression that Scholar Shen held the Eldest Young Master in high esteem. His entire demeanor became tense and restrained. 

“I come on behalf of the Young Madam, with her request for Scholar Shen to meet at the end of this alley. The Young Madam and the little master are waiting in the carriage,” the maidservant said, her gaze subtly scanning him. 

She couldn’t help but marvel at how astute her young lady’s judgment was. 

Whether or not Scholar Shen had true talent was unclear, but he certainly had outstanding looks. 

Shen Zhijie was momentarily taken aback. 

When he heard it was the Young Madam and little master, he had a faint idea of what was happening. 

He was suddenly a bit excited and quickly nodded, “Of course, I am free.”

He took a step toward the end of the alley but then remembered he still had the medicine and breakfast in his hands. 

Realizing his elderly mother was waiting for him at home, he quickly turned back and said to the maidservant, “Please wait a moment, I’ll be back soon. I just need to go home first!” 

Shen Zhijie hurriedly ran back to his house. 

He saw his mother coughing by the stove, and his heart ached with sympathy. 

He immediately handed her the plain cakes and medicine. 

Then, he excitedly added, “Mother, I’m going to meet an important person. She might be willing to sponsor my exam.” 

Shen’s mother paused her coughing for a moment, only for it to become even more intense. 

With tears in her eyes, she looked at her son and weakly gasped, “What important person, Zhijie? You shouldn’t humiliate yourself…” 

But Shen Zhijie was undeterred. With a bright smile, he reassured her, “It’s the wife of General Xie Yunzhi. She’s likely going to ask me to teach the little master. Don’t worry, mother, everything will be fine!” 

When Shen’s mother heard Xie Yunzhi’s name, she fell silent in shock.

When she snapped back to her senses, Shen Zhijie had already rushed out.

Xu Qingyi was fanning herself in the carriage, with a small, chubby bundle sticking closely to her despite the scorching heat outside.

She had no choice but to fan harder, hoping to cool both herself and the little one down before they overheated.

“Young Madam, Scholar Shen has arrived,” the old maid reported.

Xu Qingyi turned her gaze toward the window, and a slender figure came into view.

He was fair-skinned and handsome, dressed in the attire of a scholar.

With some hesitation, he gave her a respectful bow, performing the gesture of a student.

“I am Shen Zhijie. May I ask… are you General Xie Yunzhi’s wife?”

Shen Zhijie’s throat felt dry.

He had never felt so out of place before.

Xu Qingyi couldn’t help but feel impressed. No wonder he was destined to be the future top scholar; he really did appear like a dragon among men.

As she mulled over this, her thoughts drifted for a moment, and she couldn’t help but wonder—when the Emperor chose the top scholar, did he also consider their appearance?

She then laughed softly in the carriage, “Indeed, thank you, Scholar Shen, for coming at my invitation.”

Upon receiving the confirmation, Shen Zhijie did not hide his admiration for Xie Yunzhi in the slightest.

He replied, his voice full of excitement, “Young Madam Xie, you are too kind. I hold General Xie Yunzhi in the highest regard.”

Xu Qingyi was taken aback.

Well, it seemed like yet another loyal fan of Xie Yunzhi.

This was a good thing, though.

It meant she didn’t have to worry about him rejecting her attempt to win him over.

To her surprise, it seemed that the title of “the Heir” was unexpectedly useful—what a pleasant surprise.

She then thought, if in the future, Scholar Shen could be swayed onto the path of rebellion, perhaps Xie Yunzhi’s influence played a part in it.

In that case, Xie Huaian truly deserved to be damned.

He used Xie Yunzhi’s name to win over Shen Zhijie, only to turn around and ruthlessly deal with Xie Yunzhi’s three adopted sons.

This time, Xu Qingyi was determined not to let Shen Zhijie join forces with Xie Huaian and the others in rebellion.

If she could weaken Xie Huaian’s influence, she would be more than happy to do so.

At the same time, she genuinely wanted to help Shen Zhijie and his mother.

“Since that’s the case, Scholar Shen, I will speak frankly,” Xu Qingyi said.

She gestured to Heng to go over to the nursemaid.

Once the child was lifted and settled down, she introduced, “This is Yunzhi’s youngest son, Heng. He is four years old, and I intend to find a tutor to begin his education.”

Heng, though still young, was quite well-behaved and immediately flashed a polite smile at his potential future teacher.

Shen Zhijie, on the other hand, was a bit taken aback. Young Madam Xie’s intentions were just as he had guessed.

But he was puzzled.

He licked his dry lips and asked, “I am but an unknown scholar, I wonder how Young Madam Xie…”

“You’re underestimating yourself, Scholar Shen,” Xu Qingyi interrupted with a smile. “Your essays and poems are widely circulated among the scholars.”

Xu Qingyi’s words were meant to be complimentary, but in truth, she hadn’t read Shen Zhijie’s work herself.

But it should be true, right?

After all, he was a future top scholar, so saying it like this couldn’t be wrong.

Her words, though, seemed to confuse Shen Zhijie himself. Was it true?

He didn’t remember being that well-known, did he?

The capital was full of prominent officials, and one could easily hit several successful scholars by dropping a plaque.

At the age of twenty, being a juren (second-degree scholar) was nothing extraordinary. Shen Zhijie was well aware of this.

“Young Madam Xie, you flatter me. My learning is shallow, and I certainly don’t deserve such praise,” he said, feeling somewhat embarrassed.

Xu Qingyi also realized she had gone a bit overboard with the flattery. She coughed lightly and said, “In any case, the fact that I found you means I truly recognize your talent.”

Who doesn’t like being complimented, especially when praised by the wife of one’s idol?

Shen Zhijie tightly pressed his lips, trying to keep his smile in check, and calmly replied, “Thank you for your recognition. I am deeply honored.”

“Then, would you be willing to be Heng’s tutor?” Xu Qingyi asked sincerely.

“Of course! To be able to tutor General Xie’s son, it’s an opportunity I could only dream of,” Shen Zhijie quickly answered, glancing at the young son of Xie Yunzhi, still in a daze. It felt like he had just been struck by a windfall.

Xu Qingyi let out a relieved sigh. “Thank you, Scholar Shen.”

She then instructed Heng, “Heng, Scholar Shen has agreed to be your teacher. Quickly greet your teacher.”

Heng was excited—he was finally going to have a teacher. He was also very obedient.

He immediately performed a proper bow to Shen Zhijie. “Heng greets Teacher.”

“Good,” Shen Zhijie suppressed his excitement and nodded in satisfaction.

Both teacher and student were happy with each other, and Xu Qingyi was also pleased. The next thing to settle was their living arrangements.

“Scholar Shen, Tongluo Alley is a bit far from the Pingyang Marquis’ residence. How about you and your family move to the Marquis’ residence?”

Xu Qingyi was still able to make decisions on this matter. The previous tutor for Lin had also lived in the Marquis’ residence, staying until Lin had completed his early education and was ready to attend the academy.

At the mention of this, Shen Zhijie’s expression changed slightly. “My mother… has been ill…”

In wealthy families, such matters were often considered a sensitive topic. He didn’t believe his mother could move into the Pingyang Marquis’ residence, so he was planning to ask if they could find a place nearby.

Xu Qingyi had been waiting for this response and quickly asked, “Oh, what’s the situation? Has a physician been called?”

Shen Zhijie’s face showed guilt. “A few days ago, she caught a cold, and she’s been coughing nonstop since then.”

It was his fault for being financially strapped and not being able to afford better medicine. Otherwise, his mother’s illness wouldn’t have dragged on for so long.

“I see,” Xu Qingyi said. “In that case, Scholar Shen should move as soon as possible. There are excellent physicians at the Marquis’ residence, and it’s urgent. I’ll have a physician take a look at your mother.”

Upon hearing this, Shen Zhijie stood stunned for a moment, unable to believe his ears. “My mother… can also live in the Marquis’ residence?”

“Of course,” Xu Qingyi nodded, as though it were the most natural thing in the world.

Shen Zhijie fell silent for a moment, then bowed deeply to Xu Qingyi. “Thank you, Young Madam. I will be sure to teach the Young Master well.”

Xu Qingyi nodded and signaled for the nursemaid to bring over the prepared gift of six rites and the stipend, which were handed to Shen Zhijie.

“Scholar Shen can come by anytime. Just inform the gatekeeper when you arrive.”

“Thank you.” Shen Zhijie took the gift, expressing his gratitude once more.