Chapter 166: The Little Master Takes Charge

At noon, as the clanking of armored footsteps from the third shift change of the day passed by outside the door, Yin Feng completed her daily study progress.

This was certainly not the scheduled progress. In terms of teaching methodology, the rough operations of the Wood family offered no reference value, so the plan was based on the template of an otherworldly soul, combined with some localized curriculum adjustments, diluting the progress as much as possible according to needs.

Based on long-term observation results, scientifically calculating the duration of focused attention, and considering the combination of work and rest as well as the physical and mental development needs of children, Kraft planned over ten items to be completed in half a day, spreading them out over a two-week period.

In his preset scenario, the learning content should be completed intermittently over half a day, with the remaining half-day dedicated to activities and play, perhaps visiting the workshop, where craftsmen, with the internal affairs officer's tacit approval, would also satisfy some of the children's small requests, helping them make little trinkets.

Theoretically, that was how it should be.

Yin Feng squeezed the excess ink from the quill pen back into the small bottle, let the morning's work dry, and stood on tiptoe to place it on the upper shelf of the cabinet.

This meant that all progress from this afternoon onward would be previewing.

On the sixth day since Kraft left, she had successfully finished the two weeks' worth of homework and was ready to turn the page to continue.

Sometimes she wondered what they were actually doing; would following the doctor make Kup's progress faster, or would he have no time to study? Regardless of which, she needed to catch up urgently, ideally surpassing him.

Stubborn insecurity always pushed people forward, never soothed by improvements in clothing, diet, or living conditions. The more comfortable and easy the environment, the stronger it became; the things gained were like fuel thrown into a furnace, stoking the flames.

Perhaps she herself hadn't realized it, but a very simple logic had been firmly carved into her understanding of this world.

Nothing could be obtained easily, and nothing given came without any cost. She had grasped this truth very early and had it reinforced and verified during days when survival was difficult. Thanks to this, she had avoided many accidents or intentionally created events that, upon later reflection, were terrifying to think about.

In reality, she was far more sensitive and mentally mature than she appeared on the surface or than others imagined, capable of perceiving many things that were never spoken of.

For instance, her status and Kup's were actually unequal. Although both seemed to be in the same learning state and had nominally received a bonus for their contributions, the latter bore other obligations; one could tell who was the "meaningful" one just from the fact that only Kup was taken on this outing.

Moreover, an unspoken consensus existed between the two adults; even though the doctor seemed to try his best to demonstrate equality, or even a slightly biased attitude toward her, some exchanges only occurred among those who knew the inside story, with the underlying content omitted through implication.

It was obvious that Yin Feng did not belong to this circle of knowledge, so she could not participate in it.

As far as she knew, the craftsmen's apprentices also bore a large part of the repetitive labor in their studies; if she could not understand what the doctor discussed and, unlike Kup, possessed no martial ability, what was the meaning of her existence?

This made Yin Feng somewhat unaccustomed to her current life and filled her with a kind of envy toward Kup; the latter, by virtue of possessing the ability to use violence, naturally held a status of being needed, even if that status was not necessarily very stable.

The footsteps in the corridor grew fainter and farther away; she remembered that it was a knight who looked older than the doctor due to his beard but younger than Kup. Among these people in full armor, the younger ones would smile and salute her when they saw her, and the bolder ones would try to start a conversation.

Perhaps it was because there were so few women here, and most of the few were servant women handling miscellaneous female chores, while the women of the Duke's family were ones they would rather avoid entirely.

Internal Affairs Officer Wilbert had indeed fulfilled his promise of providing care well; due to her attire and quiet temperament, Yin Feng was probably mistaken for a young lady from a high-ranking family visiting from abroad, receiving hospitality akin to a peacock displaying its feathers from those with excess energy.

She did not like this kind of treatment, nor could she easily become interested in the topics they should have been using to attract attention. Most of those so-called novel contents she had already heard while checking the progress at the workshop.

She originally thought this could become one of her jobs, but she couldn't understand it at all; instead, she learned that she could help make some things along the way. After handing over the trophy dagger to the craftsmen for processing, she heard a pile of idle chatter with complex ingredients and diverse sources while waiting.

For instance, someone in the kitchen had been stealing food, and no one had yet discovered who; the lettuce produced from a certain plot of manured field hadn't been washed clean; a highly trusted knight often met a secret lover while going out on official business; the overturned delivery cart on the hillside might contain this month's beer quota; and rumors of hauntings in certain secluded corners unique to the castle.

Although she didn't feel it was particularly interesting, these rumors indeed possessed a certain magic that made one want to keep listening; as she watched the craftsmen remove the rust and polish the dagger and replace its hilt, she listened for a long time without realizing it.

Only when the brand-new dagger was sheathed in leather did Yin Feng realize she had been delayed for half an afternoon.

This was also the reason why the scheduled content was only completed on the sixth day; another reason was that the doctor did not allow reading under candlelight for too long at night.

Sitting still in the chair for a while, imagining that she could finally gain a slight advantage in at least one aspect, that insecurity lessened slightly. She was eager to do something, but the only thing currently available for effort was the study of texts that seemed far removed from daily life.

A knock at the door interrupted her wandering thoughts; it was probably someone bringing lunch. No need to pay much attention; after politely knocking to remind, the servant would leave soon, so there was no need to rush to open the door.

She swung her feet on the chair that didn't reach the ground, continuing to imagine their surprise upon their return; this recognition would make Yin Feng feel happy, although she didn't understand why this would lead to recognition.

Today's knocking was different; after two rounds, it persisted relentlessly. Upon discovering no one answered, a strange male voice came from outside.

"Professor Kraft, are you in?"

It seemed not to be the food delivery. Yin Feng jumped off the stool, ran to the door, and opened a crack wide enough to show half her face.

A visitor in a black robe stood at the door; his high forehead with sparse hairline was very conspicuous under the noon sunlight, making him look older than his voice suggested.

Seeing that the one who opened the door was a little girl, he showed a moment of surprise, but quickly adjusted his expression, bending slightly, "Good afternoon, Young Lady, I apologize for the disturbance. Those careless guards actually told me this was the residence of the person I was looking for."

A black robe, the attire the doctor often wore, with a leaf-shaped badge pinned to the chest that had a different color but a very familiar style.

Perhaps a colleague, another doctor of high standing.

"No, you have come to the right place; may I ask what business you have with Mr. Kraft?"

"Brimer, Professor at Rivers University; I met Professor Kraft at a dinner party, and he should still remember me." The visitor introduced himself, handing over a flat, long small box wrapped in satin ribbon, with a scent of incense on the surface, "I came this time regarding the academic gathering."

Yin Feng hesitated for a moment, understanding only that this was someone coming to find Kraft for some matter, and did not reach out to take it.

"A greeting gift prepared for a new colleague, a local visiting tradition," Brimer explained, looking past her into the room, "May I ask if Professor Kraft is in?"

"Mr. Kraft went out a few days ago; perhaps you could come back in a week."

"Ah, that is truly unfortunate." He said this while patting his chest, as if his breathing was somewhat labored from traveling in the hot weather.

Perhaps being more sensitive to emotions and intentions, Yin Feng felt he was not particularly surprised, nor disappointed at having made a wasted trip; he was simply conducting a conversation with no twists and turns.

"We need to know the content of the speakers' speeches to arrange the order, and to customize the venue setup. If there is a need to arrange for patients, preparations must begin now." Wiping a bead of sweat from his forehead, Brimer said seriously, "It concerns Professor Kraft's order of appearance, and even directly affects the effect of the report."

It did sound quite important; Yin Feng nodded to indicate she understood his meaning, preparing to get paper and pen for him to write down the content that needed to be conveyed.

"Time is tight; I must return as soon as possible to prepare. If we can only meet in a week, I'm afraid I will have to ask Professor Kraft to condescend and make some concessions." He still held out that exquisite gift box, "There is no reason to take back a gift; it is suitable for you, Young Lady; we will prepare another one for the professor next time."

"However, if we could borrow some manuscripts, it should help us understand Professor Kraft's needs? Please do not misunderstand; it is only to know the appropriate demonstration patients and the performance of treatment effects. The academic style of Rivers University absolutely does not permit stealing others' academic achievements."