He had met Steward Zhao at Master Cao’s shop before.
Steward Zhao was not surprised to see Bai Lixin. He just saluted the two of them politely and said: “County Magistrate Lin, Master Bai Lixin, our lord has prepared food and wine at home. He specifically instructed me to welcome you. Please, come in.”
County Magistrate Lin felt apprehensive and quickly exchanged a few pleasantries before following Steward Zhao inside.
Bai Lixin followed behind Steward Zhao and County Magistrate Lin. County Magistrate Lin seemed familiar with the route; the steward was more like an escort than a guide.
The sun outside hadn’t completely set, casting a dim, reddish glow over the distant bamboo grove.
He vaguely felt a flicker of movement within the bamboo grove.
When he blinked, the figure had vanished.
It all felt like a fleeting illusion.
They soon arrived at the backyard. As the sun lowered, visibility decreased.
The maids who walked in front of the steward held up lamps and silently led them to the dining hall.
Inside the dining hall, a few scattered individuals were already seated. Even before Bai Lixin entered, the prince had noticed them.
The prince stood up enthusiastically and waved at them, “You’ve finally arrived! Come in, have a seat.”
Bai Lixin silently assessed this prince: “…”
This prince really had no airs.
The people at the table stood up when they saw the prince rise. Under his warm reception, Bai Lixin reluctantly sat down beside the prince.
The steward was diligent. As soon as they sat, servants brought water and towels. While washing his hands, Bai Lixin quietly observed the people at the table.
Apart from the prince, there were three others.
One was a young man, roughly in his twenties, with a somewhat pale complexion. He didn’t smile, and his lips were pursed, giving him a gloomy appearance.
The other was a little girl with two lovely hair buns on her head, a round face, and a very well behaved demeanor.
The last person was a woman around the same age as the prince. She had a dignified bearing, elegant and noble, most likely the princess.
County Magistrate Lin’s greeting quickly confirmed Bai Lixin’s assumptions.
Bai Lixin followed County Magistrate Lin’s lead, bowing to each of them in turn.
The prince, the princess, the crown prince, and the little princess.
The little princess of around eight or nine years examined Bai Lixin curiously.
The crown prince was looking at the utensils in front of him with an indifferent expression, completely uninterested in what was happening around him.
As for the prince and the princess, the two of them sitting together seemed like a match made in heaven.
Based on appearances alone, the prince looked majestic, and the princess was elegant and graceful. Together, they made a harmonious couple.
The princess didn’t put on airs either. Throughout the meal, she often responded politely, showing great poise and tact in her replies.
Perhaps due to other engagements, the meal was swiftly consumed, taking less than an hour.
County Magistrate Lin returned home, but Bai Lixin stayed behind.
The prince was a bit drunk and insisted on personally escorting Bai Lixin to the bedroom in person. He was finally persuaded by the princess, and then he was helped by the servants to go back to his room to rest.
In the end, it was the princess who led Bai Lixin back to his room.
“Sir, I’ve heard of your intelligence and wit. I hope you can instruct Shen’er well, so he can become a pillar of our nation,” the princess’s voice was incredibly gentle and soft.
Bai Lixin: “I will do my best.”
He paused before asking, “Your Highness, I am puzzled about one thing. Given the Crown Prince’s noble status, does he still need to participate in the provincial examinations?”
The princess hesitated for a moment and smiled wryly, “Why not? The title of Crown Prince is merely a formality.”
“If we were still in the capital, we could have asked the Emperor to grant Shen’er a position. But now, we are far from the capital. Who would remember us? If he wants to make a name for himself, he has to rely on his own efforts. My poor Shen’er, he shouldn’t have to work so hard,” she sighed.
Bai Lixin’s eyes flickered. He hesitated whether to ask why they had moved here.
But his intuition told him that this might not be a good thing.
“Are you curious about why we moved away from the capital to this place?”
Bai Lixin nodded, “Rumors outside say that the prince is obsessed with cultivating immortality, so he moved here.”
“That’s roughly it,” the princess nodded, “The court is in turmoil. The prince is used to leisure and doesn’t want to get involved. However, trouble always finds him. He moved here partly to seek the Dao and partly to live in seclusion.”
Bai Lixin asked, “If it’s for seclusion, why let the Crown Prince pursue fame and official positions?”
The princess paused, “Ah, well, that’s… avoiding the world is the prince’s decision, not Shen’er’s. Now that Shen’er has grown up and wishes to take the examinations, we allow him. Children grow up and need to experience the world.”
As they walked and talked, they arrived at the west wing.
The princess opened one of the rooms, “Sir, if you wish to stay overnight in the coming days, you can stay here. If you have any needs, just tell the steward or the maids in the mansion. It’s late today, are you planning to rest now, or would you like to see our son?”
Bai Lixin: “It’s still early, and I can’t sleep yet. If the Crown Prince is in the study, I would like to meet him. Although I sat together during dinner, he didn’t seem to like talking very much, and I haven’t had the chance to exchange some words with him.”
“Shen’er is deep-minded. Not just with you, he rarely shares his thoughts with anyone, even us. That’s just his nature. Please bear with him. Also,” the princess paused, “Shen’er is sensitive, he can’t stand harsh words or severe punishment. I hope, when you teach him, you can be patient and not frighten him.”
Bai Lixin nodded, “Certainly, Your Highness.”
The Crown Prince’s study wasn’t far from Bai Lixin’s room. After a short walk, they arrived.
Through the faint light of the lamp behind the paper window, Bai Lixin could vaguely see a figure hunched over a desk, but there was no sound of reading.
The princess lowered her voice, “Shen’er is different from other students. While others enjoy reading aloud, Shen’er prefers silence. Although his grades are good, he still lacks a bit to enter the palace examinations.”
She gently knocked on the Crown Prince’s door, “Shen’er, it’s Mother.”
After a moment, a faint voice came from inside, “Mother, please come in.”
Smiling helplessly at Bai Lixin, the princess gently pushed open the door and led Bai Lixin into the study.
The room was filled with the scent of ink, and the candlelight cast flickering shadows. Shen’er’s face was hidden behind the candlelight, creating a mottled pattern of light and darkness.
He glanced at the princess expressionlessly, then at Bai Lixin before lowering his gaze back into the stack of books.
The princess sighed silently before forcing a smile and said softly, “Shen’er, this is the teacher your father has hired for you. If there’s anything you don’t understand, feel free to ask him.”
She paused and took two steps forward, asking gently, “Shen’er, have you eaten well tonight? Would you like Mother to bring you some pastries?”
The Crown Prince kept his head down, and his voice came out from the deep shadows, “No need, Mother. I’ve eaten enough tonight and can’t eat anything else. I still want to read. Please leave.”
“Alright,” the princess hesitated for a moment, “Don’t tire yourself out too much, and don’t keep your eyes too close to the desk lamp; it might strain your eyes. Is the light in this room dim? I’ll have them bring more candles for you.”
Shen’er lifted his head from the shadows, “Thank you, Mother.”
The nervous expression on the princess’s face finally relaxed into a smile, “No need to thank me. it’s my duty.”
After a while, when the room was much brighter due to the additional candles, the contended princess left with her attendants.
After the brief commotion, the study returned to silence, leaving only Bai Lixin and the Crown Prince in the room.
As soon as they left, Shen’er’s gaze changed, becoming alert as he observed Bai Lixin.
However, Bai Lixin simply sat down, casually picked a book from the bookshelf, and started reading while sipping tea.
Shen’er stared at Bai Lixin for a while, but eventually, he couldn’t hold back his curiosity and asked, “What are you doing?”
Bai Lixin gestured to the book in his hand, “I’m reading.”
Shen’er remained silent for two seconds before speaking again, “Aren’t you the teacher my father hired for me? Aren’t you supposed to teach me?”
Bai Lixin replied, “Do you need me to teach you?”
The Crown Prince said, “No, I don’t.”
“In that case,” Bai Lixin shrugged, “I’ll continue reading.”
The Crown Prince was momentarily speechless. “If you’re not going to teach me, why are you here?”
Bai Lixin replied, “I can keep you company and chat with you. I can also offer advice when you have questions.”
“…” The Crown Prince probably hadn’t encountered such a laid-back teacher before. He pursed his lips, struggling for a while, before saying, “Fine, do as you wish.”
Afterward, he continued reading his book.
After a short while, the Crown Prince’s voice came from behind the desk again, “Hey, are you some kind of scam artist? How can there be a teacher like you? You’re almost the same age as me. What can you teach me? Are you really a teacher?”
“I’m really not a teacher,” Bai Lixin put the book down on the table and lazily leaned back, looking at the gloomy young man on the other side, “I’m a scribe from the yamen. It was your father’s decision to bring me here as your teacher. They said I have a bright mind and exceptional intelligence; I should be able to teach you well. But as you can see, I don’t even know if I can teach well. After all, I lack experience. But they said I could do it.”
“I’m just a humble worker. They told me to come, so I did.”
“Originally, I planned to visit the brothel at night, explore the street food market, stroll by the willows beside the river. But now, everything is gone. I can only stay in this room, staring at you. Sigh.”
“Do you think I’m pitiful?”
The Crown Prince seemed stunned, “No wonder you came with County Magistrate Lin. So, you’re from the yamen.”
“Hearing you say that, it does sound quite pitiful.”
Bai Lixin: “That’s right, so here I am, feeling miserable. I sensed that the Crown Prince doesn’t really like my presence. I won’t provoke you or upset you. Let’s mind our own business. After you finish reading, I’ll go back to my room and sleep.”
The Crown Prince’s face turned slightly red, “I don’t dislike you.”
Bai Lixin: “Based on your expression, it seems like you want to argue with me. Please forgive me, Crown Prince. I’m just a commoner, I can’t argue with you. I’m already quite unhappy right now. If you can find a way to let me leave, I would thank Your Highness for your kindness.”
The Crown Prince blushed in embarrassment, “How did you know I wanted to send you away?”
Bai Lixin waved the book he had grabbed earlier.
“In just this one book, there are six different sets of annotations. This must have been six different teachers sent away. No wonder the prince was so desperate that he came to the yamen and had me brought here. I guess all the teachers In Qingcheng Town have been invited at this point, right?”
“Hehehe,” the Crown Prince felt a bit embarrassed and lowered his head silently.
Bai Lixin continued, “I won’t bother you. You can read your book. I just want to ask something out of curiosity, Crown Prince. How long do you usually read?”
The Crown Prince remained silent for two seconds, then suddenly revealed a displeasing smile to Bai Lixin, “I can read until dawn.”
After he finished speaking, he looked at Bai Lixin expectantly, waiting for a frightened reaction.
But contrary to his expectations, Bai Lixin just uttered a soft “Oh,” without much expression, and continued reading the book.
‘Oh?
Just an “Oh”?
Can you show some reaction?
I have to stay up all night, and I can sleep during the day. But you have to go to the yamen, right?
Can you handle staying awake?’
However, it seemed like the other party couldn’t hear his inner thoughts. Bai Lixin just quietly continued reading, seemingly impervious to the Crown Prince’s concerns.
Soon, he finished one book and grabbed another from the shelf.
The Crown Prince felt a bit stifled. While reading with his head down, he occasionally glanced at Bai Lixin.
He had initially thought Bai Lixin wouldn’t be able to stay awake past midnight. However, he hadn’t expected the young man across from him to read one book after another, maintaining a calm and serene expression throughout.
Throughout the process, Bai Lixin didn’t even yawn once.
In the end, the Crown Prince couldn’t hold on any longer and yawned, his eyelids heavy as he rested his head on the desk and fell asleep.
Seeing the Crown Prince fall asleep, Bai Lixin gently put down the book.
‘Little one, do you think you can compete with me in staying up late?
When your ancestors were still wandering in the cycle of reincarnation, I was already honing my skills like a hawk.’
He took the Crown Prince’s coat from the hanger and covered him with it. Then, he returned to the table and continued reading.
The sound of a rooster crowing in the early morning woke up the Crown Prince. He rubbed his drowsy eyes, not fully awake yet, and heard a somewhat familiar voice, “Are you awake, Your Highness?”
The Crown Prince stiffened and suddenly looked up. He saw the young man sitting casually at the table, maintaining the same posture as last night. Beside him were piles of books.
He had met Steward Zhao at Master Cao’s shop before.
Steward Zhao was not surprised to see Bai Lixin. He just saluted the two of them politely and said: “County Magistrate Lin, Master Bai Lixin, our lord has prepared food and wine at home. He specifically instructed me to welcome you. Please, come in.”
County Magistrate Lin felt apprehensive and quickly exchanged a few pleasantries before following Steward Zhao inside.
Bai Lixin followed behind Steward Zhao and County Magistrate Lin. County Magistrate Lin seemed familiar with the route; the steward was more like an escort than a guide.
The sun outside hadn’t completely set, casting a dim, reddish glow over the distant bamboo grove.
He vaguely felt a flicker of movement within the bamboo grove.
When he blinked, the figure had vanished.
It all felt like a fleeting illusion.
They soon arrived at the backyard. As the sun lowered, visibility decreased.
The maids who walked in front of the steward held up lamps and silently led them to the dining hall.
Inside the dining hall, a few scattered individuals were already seated. Even before Bai Lixin entered, the prince had noticed them.
The prince stood up enthusiastically and waved at them, “You’ve finally arrived! Come in, have a seat.”
Bai Lixin silently assessed this prince: “…”
This prince really had no airs.
The people at the table stood up when they saw the prince rise. Under his warm reception, Bai Lixin reluctantly sat down beside the prince.
The steward was diligent. As soon as they sat, servants brought water and towels. While washing his hands, Bai Lixin quietly observed the people at the table.
Apart from the prince, there were three others.
One was a young man, roughly in his twenties, with a somewhat pale complexion. He didn’t smile, and his lips were pursed, giving him a gloomy appearance.
The other was a little girl with two lovely hair buns on her head, a round face, and a very well behaved demeanor.
The last person was a woman around the same age as the prince. She had a dignified bearing, elegant and noble, most likely the princess.
County Magistrate Lin’s greeting quickly confirmed Bai Lixin’s assumptions.
Bai Lixin followed County Magistrate Lin’s lead, bowing to each of them in turn.
The prince, the princess, the crown prince, and the little princess.
The little princess of around eight or nine years examined Bai Lixin curiously.
The crown prince was looking at the utensils in front of him with an indifferent expression, completely uninterested in what was happening around him.
As for the prince and the princess, the two of them sitting together seemed like a match made in heaven.
Based on appearances alone, the prince looked majestic, and the princess was elegant and graceful. Together, they made a harmonious couple.
The princess didn’t put on airs either. Throughout the meal, she often responded politely, showing great poise and tact in her replies.
Perhaps due to other engagements, the meal was swiftly consumed, taking less than an hour.
County Magistrate Lin returned home, but Bai Lixin stayed behind.
The prince was a bit drunk and insisted on personally escorting Bai Lixin to the bedroom in person. He was finally persuaded by the princess, and then he was helped by the servants to go back to his room to rest.
In the end, it was the princess who led Bai Lixin back to his room.
“Sir, I’ve heard of your intelligence and wit. I hope you can instruct Shen’er well, so he can become a pillar of our nation,” the princess’s voice was incredibly gentle and soft.
Bai Lixin: “I will do my best.”
He paused before asking, “Your Highness, I am puzzled about one thing. Given the Crown Prince’s noble status, does he still need to participate in the provincial examinations?”
The princess hesitated for a moment and smiled wryly, “Why not? The title of Crown Prince is merely a formality.”
“If we were still in the capital, we could have asked the Emperor to grant Shen’er a position. But now, we are far from the capital. Who would remember us? If he wants to make a name for himself, he has to rely on his own efforts. My poor Shen’er, he shouldn’t have to work so hard,” she sighed.
Bai Lixin’s eyes flickered. He hesitated whether to ask why they had moved here.
But his intuition told him that this might not be a good thing.
“Are you curious about why we moved away from the capital to this place?”
Bai Lixin nodded, “Rumors outside say that the prince is obsessed with cultivating immortality, so he moved here.”
“That’s roughly it,” the princess nodded, “The court is in turmoil. The prince is used to leisure and doesn’t want to get involved. However, trouble always finds him. He moved here partly to seek the Dao and partly to live in seclusion.”
Bai Lixin asked, “If it’s for seclusion, why let the Crown Prince pursue fame and official positions?”
The princess paused, “Ah, well, that’s… avoiding the world is the prince’s decision, not Shen’er’s. Now that Shen’er has grown up and wishes to take the examinations, we allow him. Children grow up and need to experience the world.”
As they walked and talked, they arrived at the west wing.
The princess opened one of the rooms, “Sir, if you wish to stay overnight in the coming days, you can stay here. If you have any needs, just tell the steward or the maids in the mansion. It’s late today, are you planning to rest now, or would you like to see our son?”
Bai Lixin: “It’s still early, and I can’t sleep yet. If the Crown Prince is in the study, I would like to meet him. Although I sat together during dinner, he didn’t seem to like talking very much, and I haven’t had the chance to exchange some words with him.”
“Shen’er is deep-minded. Not just with you, he rarely shares his thoughts with anyone, even us. That’s just his nature. Please bear with him. Also,” the princess paused, “Shen’er is sensitive, he can’t stand harsh words or severe punishment. I hope, when you teach him, you can be patient and not frighten him.”
Bai Lixin nodded, “Certainly, Your Highness.”
The Crown Prince’s study wasn’t far from Bai Lixin’s room. After a short walk, they arrived.
Through the faint light of the lamp behind the paper window, Bai Lixin could vaguely see a figure hunched over a desk, but there was no sound of reading.
The princess lowered her voice, “Shen’er is different from other students. While others enjoy reading aloud, Shen’er prefers silence. Although his grades are good, he still lacks a bit to enter the palace examinations.”
She gently knocked on the Crown Prince’s door, “Shen’er, it’s Mother.”
After a moment, a faint voice came from inside, “Mother, please come in.”
Smiling helplessly at Bai Lixin, the princess gently pushed open the door and led Bai Lixin into the study.
The room was filled with the scent of ink, and the candlelight cast flickering shadows. Shen’er’s face was hidden behind the candlelight, creating a mottled pattern of light and darkness.
He glanced at the princess expressionlessly, then at Bai Lixin before lowering his gaze back into the stack of books.
The princess sighed silently before forcing a smile and said softly, “Shen’er, this is the teacher your father has hired for you. If there’s anything you don’t understand, feel free to ask him.”
She paused and took two steps forward, asking gently, “Shen’er, have you eaten well tonight? Would you like Mother to bring you some pastries?”
The Crown Prince kept his head down, and his voice came out from the deep shadows, “No need, Mother. I’ve eaten enough tonight and can’t eat anything else. I still want to read. Please leave.”
“Alright,” the princess hesitated for a moment, “Don’t tire yourself out too much, and don’t keep your eyes too close to the desk lamp; it might strain your eyes. Is the light in this room dim? I’ll have them bring more candles for you.”
Shen’er lifted his head from the shadows, “Thank you, Mother.”
The nervous expression on the princess’s face finally relaxed into a smile, “No need to thank me. it’s my duty.”
After a while, when the room was much brighter due to the additional candles, the contended princess left with her attendants.
After the brief commotion, the study returned to silence, leaving only Bai Lixin and the Crown Prince in the room.
As soon as they left, Shen’er’s gaze changed, becoming alert as he observed Bai Lixin.
However, Bai Lixin simply sat down, casually picked a book from the bookshelf, and started reading while sipping tea.
Shen’er stared at Bai Lixin for a while, but eventually, he couldn’t hold back his curiosity and asked, “What are you doing?”
Bai Lixin gestured to the book in his hand, “I’m reading.”
Shen’er remained silent for two seconds before speaking again, “Aren’t you the teacher my father hired for me? Aren’t you supposed to teach me?”
Bai Lixin replied, “Do you need me to teach you?”
The Crown Prince said, “No, I don’t.”
“In that case,” Bai Lixin shrugged, “I’ll continue reading.”
The Crown Prince was momentarily speechless. “If you’re not going to teach me, why are you here?”
Bai Lixin replied, “I can keep you company and chat with you. I can also offer advice when you have questions.”
“…” The Crown Prince probably hadn’t encountered such a laid-back teacher before. He pursed his lips, struggling for a while, before saying, “Fine, do as you wish.”
Afterward, he continued reading his book.
After a short while, the Crown Prince’s voice came from behind the desk again, “Hey, are you some kind of scam artist? How can there be a teacher like you? You’re almost the same age as me. What can you teach me? Are you really a teacher?”
“I’m really not a teacher,” Bai Lixin put the book down on the table and lazily leaned back, looking at the gloomy young man on the other side, “I’m a scribe from the yamen. It was your father’s decision to bring me here as your teacher. They said I have a bright mind and exceptional intelligence; I should be able to teach you well. But as you can see, I don’t even know if I can teach well. After all, I lack experience. But they said I could do it.”
“I’m just a humble worker. They told me to come, so I did.”
“Originally, I planned to visit the brothel at night, explore the street food market, stroll by the willows beside the river. But now, everything is gone. I can only stay in this room, staring at you. Sigh.”
“Do you think I’m pitiful?”
The Crown Prince seemed stunned, “No wonder you came with County Magistrate Lin. So, you’re from the yamen.”
“Hearing you say that, it does sound quite pitiful.”
Bai Lixin: “That’s right, so here I am, feeling miserable. I sensed that the Crown Prince doesn’t really like my presence. I won’t provoke you or upset you. Let’s mind our own business. After you finish reading, I’ll go back to my room and sleep.”
The Crown Prince’s face turned slightly red, “I don’t dislike you.”
Bai Lixin: “Based on your expression, it seems like you want to argue with me. Please forgive me, Crown Prince. I’m just a commoner, I can’t argue with you. I’m already quite unhappy right now. If you can find a way to let me leave, I would thank Your Highness for your kindness.”
The Crown Prince blushed in embarrassment, “How did you know I wanted to send you away?”
Bai Lixin waved the book he had grabbed earlier.
“In just this one book, there are six different sets of annotations. This must have been six different teachers sent away. No wonder the prince was so desperate that he came to the yamen and had me brought here. I guess all the teachers In Qingcheng Town have been invited at this point, right?”
“Hehehe,” the Crown Prince felt a bit embarrassed and lowered his head silently.
Bai Lixin continued, “I won’t bother you. You can read your book. I just want to ask something out of curiosity, Crown Prince. How long do you usually read?”
The Crown Prince remained silent for two seconds, then suddenly revealed a displeasing smile to Bai Lixin, “I can read until dawn.”
After he finished speaking, he looked at Bai Lixin expectantly, waiting for a frightened reaction.
But contrary to his expectations, Bai Lixin just uttered a soft “Oh,” without much expression, and continued reading the book.
‘Oh?
Just an “Oh”?
Can you show some reaction?
I have to stay up all night, and I can sleep during the day. But you have to go to the yamen, right?
Can you handle staying awake?’
However, it seemed like the other party couldn’t hear his inner thoughts. Bai Lixin just quietly continued reading, seemingly impervious to the Crown Prince’s concerns.
Soon, he finished one book and grabbed another from the shelf.
The Crown Prince felt a bit stifled. While reading with his head down, he occasionally glanced at Bai Lixin.
He had initially thought Bai Lixin wouldn’t be able to stay awake past midnight. However, he hadn’t expected the young man across from him to read one book after another, maintaining a calm and serene expression throughout.
Throughout the process, Bai Lixin didn’t even yawn once.
In the end, the Crown Prince couldn’t hold on any longer and yawned, his eyelids heavy as he rested his head on the desk and fell asleep.
Seeing the Crown Prince fall asleep, Bai Lixin gently put down the book.
‘Little one, do you think you can compete with me in staying up late?
When your ancestors were still wandering in the cycle of reincarnation, I was already honing my skills like a hawk.’
He took the Crown Prince’s coat from the hanger and covered him with it. Then, he returned to the table and continued reading.
The sound of a rooster crowing in the early morning woke up the Crown Prince. He rubbed his drowsy eyes, not fully awake yet, and heard a somewhat familiar voice, “Are you awake, Your Highness?”
The Crown Prince stiffened and suddenly looked up. He saw the young man sitting casually at the table, maintaining the same posture as last night. Beside him were piles of books.
