Chapter 44: Volume 1, Chapter 44 – The Qingning Treasure Seal

The Imperial Academy was originally outside the city, but later Emperor Zhao Wu moved it into the inner city, so the vast school now occupies a prime, golden location.

Houses around the Imperial Academy are even harder to obtain; those who can live here are mostly doctoral teaching assistants and lecturers of the Academy, and, besides them, the many students who rent rooms there.

Because the residences near the Imperial Academy may only be rented to students unless the owner has already bought the house; renting to anyone else will bring trouble from the authorities.

This is considered a protection the court provides for the Academy's students.

Consequently, the living environment around the Imperial Academy is excellent, safe, and uplifting; a short walk lets you see scholars in long robes hurrying by, and a few steps further you may meet a teacher lecturing at the Academy.

Rong Luoge walked around once, then struck up conversation with the old vendor at the street corner; she bought a huge basket of assorted snacks, and the old man was especially friendly, making it much easier to gather information.

"If you ask who is the most learned here, it would be Chief Instructor Lord Ding, but Lord Ding is busy with official duties and hard to find normally," the old man said slowly, pointing to the innermost house in the lane, "that is Lord Ding's home."

Rong Luoge looked up, surprised, and asked, "Lord Ding actually lives here?"

The houses here are modest; the most spacious are three‑hall residences, and for a third‑rank official like the Chief Instructor, such a dwelling is indeed a bit small.

"Chief Instructor Ding is nostalgic; years ago he lived in this lane while studying. After passing the imperial exam and becoming an official, he couldn't bear to leave those study days, so he bought this house and has lived here ever since," the old man said proudly. "Lord Ding comes and goes daily and even buys my snacks for his children."

"That shows your craftsmanship is excellent," Rong Luoge said with a smile.

"Not at all; I've been here many years, and everyone loves what I cook," the old man replied happily. "Besides Lord Ding, if you want to find someone else, go to Teaching Assistant Wang; his knowledge is praised by all, truly excellent."

"Do you know where Teaching Assistant Wang lives?" Rong Luoge asked again.

"I know, I know, there's nothing in this area I don't know. Walk forward, turn right at the second intersection, and the third house in the lane is it."

Rong Luoge memorized the address; she wouldn't just barge in, but instead circled around to probe Teaching Assistant Wang Shi's household, learning that Mrs. Wang Shi is also a talented woman who especially loves ancient books, which gave her an idea.

Rong Luoge thanked the old man, bought another basket of food, and then left.

She turned around and handed the food to the street‑corner beggars, then went to the antiquities shop in the market, spent a fortune on a set of rare volumes, and carried them to the Wang residence.

For this visit, Rong Luoge changed into female attire—a light‑green, white‑backed ruqun with a young married woman's hair bun—since she had been married and divorced, she couldn't afford to disguise herself when making a formal visit.

Moreover, Rong Luoge intended to see not Wang Shi but his wife; interactions between women require extra sincerity, lest the truth be exposed later and truly offend someone.

Mrs. Wang Shi, Luo, is a tall, slender, especially graceful lady; her family lives in a two‑hall house, a simple household, with a young grandson Wang Xiang by her side. Her son Wang Jie is stationed elsewhere, and daughter‑in‑law He has followed him to his post.

Mrs. Luo, upon seeing the visiting Rong Luoge, was unfamiliar and didn't recognize her; after Rong Luoge introduced herself, Mrs. Luo immediately understood.

After all, the separation of the Qi Prince and his wife had been brought before His Majesty, and everyone knew about it; she never expected that the delicate‑eyed woman before her was actually the Former Consort of the Qi Prince.

Mrs. Luo had indeed heard some stories about the former Qi Prince consort, but uncertain of her intentions, she cautiously asked, "May I ask what brings you here, Miss Rong?"

Her family has never dealt with such noble houses; Mrs. Luo is always cautious, especially given the sensitivity of the woman's identity, so she is even more guarded.

Rong Luoge placed the books she held on the table, then looked at Mrs. Luo and said, "I apologize for the forward visit, and hope you will forgive me. I am a young woman who loves reading and have many questions; having heard of your great learning, I shamelessly came to seek your instruction."

Mrs. Luo was startled—was it because of this?

Mrs. Luo, seeing Rong Luoge's sincere expression, recalled that this girl had grown up in Zhuangzi, was set up by her family to marry the Qi Prince, then endured a divorce; the poor girl had it rough, and her heart softened.

Adding that she has always liked people who love reading, she softened her voice and asked, "What don't you understand?"

Rong Luoge admitted she couldn't claim mastery of all ages, but her former profession required her to learn as much as possible, so a simple exchange with Mrs. Luo was still feasible.

Especially since Rong Luoge possesses a golden fingertip; although this era never existed in history, the knowledge she previously studied still impresses greatly.

Mrs. Luo quickly developed a sense of valuing talent, and her attitude toward Rong Luoge grew increasingly kind. "This child is so clever, with unique insights; spending so many years in the countryside has truly delayed her—had she stayed in the capital, she would be even better," she thought.

Rong Luoge felt uneasy, fearing that Mrs. Luo might probe her too deeply.

After building goodwill, she finally asked about the seal script, pulling out a previously copied character and placing it on the table. "I happened upon it in a book; I've never seen this script before, and my curiosity drove me to seek someone knowledgeable. Hearing of your erudition, I came to ask you," she said.

Mrs. Luo took the paper, examined it closely, and, surprised, said, "These are not Owl Kingdom characters."

Rong Luoge nodded, "I see. I had just looked at it without recognizing it, thought it was an ancient script, feared making a fool of myself, and didn't dare ask anyone casually."

Mrs. Luo, pleased with Rong Luoge's humble attitude, told her, "These are Qingxuan Kingdom characters; it's no wonder a youngster hasn't seen them before."

Qingxuan Kingdom?

Rong Luoge was startled; how could Di Yue Nu be connected to the Qingxuan Kingdom?

"Do you know how to read this character? It looks oddly interesting, more like a painting than a letter," she asked.

"The Qingxuan Kingdom was originally founded by steppe tribes; their script naturally inherited ancestral traditions, and later they altered it based on Owl Kingdom characters, resulting in this form," Mrs. Luo said with a smile.

"Madam, you know so much; your gentle explanation instantly cleared my doubt," Rong Luoge exclaimed.

Mrs. Luo's smile deepened as she looked at Rong Luoge and said, "This character is pronounced 'qing'; it comes from 'heaven obtains one to be clear.'"

Rong Luoge's insight sparked, and she added, "Earth obtains one to be tranquil."

So that's how the Qingning Treasure Seal originated!