Chapter 285: Academic assessment, what is a person of virtue and ambition?

【You collect your thoughts, follow the steward's footsteps, and step into this solemn main hall.】

【The steward walks in front, following his past experience, thinking that a concubine's son in the courtyard coming to Xie Hong's courtyard for the first time is often anxious, or silent, appearing unusually cautious; or his eyes wander, unable to hide his excitement.】

【Furthermore, he knows that this Young Master Guan is born of a concubine and seems not to have received the clan's favor, perhaps not even having stepped into the Grand View Garden, let alone meeting the ladies of the mansion and those noble figures with high positions and great power.】

【He must be timid in his heart.】

【The steward has some calculations in his heart... after walking for a while, he seems to notice something different.】

【The young man follows behind, his robe hem swaying lightly with his steps, and the amplitude of each step is exactly the same.】

【His pace is steady, neither hurried nor dragging, each step as if precisely measured, without the slightest difference, completely lacking the tension and unease of a newcomer.】

【The steward sees this and cannot help but secretly put away his previous contempt.】

【"Young Master Guan, the entrance to the main hall is ahead, I cannot send you any further."】

【"Inside are all noble figures of the mansion, Young Master Guan, you still need to be more cautious in your words and actions."】

【You bow and say softly: "Thank you."】

【The main entrance is pushed open by the servants on both sides and closed gently, as if separating two worlds.】

【You walk slowly into the main hall.】

【The ladies and young masters on one side all look over, and the few people from other families also raise their heads to look with curiosity.】

【The Old Matriarch Xie sits in the main seat, her expression indifferent.】

【The young man walks to the main hall neither fast nor slow.】

【Xie Yu stands behind his mother, looking at this older brother he has never met with some surprise.】

【Xie Yuan has a look of joy.】

【You walk into the hall, standing tall and straight, with bright eyes and sparse brows, in a plain robe yet looking elegant and outstanding.】

【Your demeanor is neither timid nor cowardly.】

【The young man bows slowly: "Xie Guan pays respects to Grandmother, pays respects to Mother."】

【Empress Zhuge Jian looks at the young man walking in and cannot help but show a smile.】

【Lady Zhao frowns; she didn't speak during the argument about Xie Guan just now.】

【Xie Xie Renfeng has a look of disgust in the depths of his eyes.】

【Lady Yuan is surprised; she hasn't seen Xie Guan for several years and cannot recognize him for a moment.】

【That woman's son has actually grown up so well, and she feels an indescribable complexity in her heart.】

【General Sima Ting looks at the young man in the hall, facing such a scene and still being so calm.】

【He cannot help but think of his teacher who came from a humble alley, now the Minister of Rites in the imperial court, with great power, and also a confidant of the current Su Xiang.】

【He was able to serve as the Military Governor of Jiannan Dao because his teacher mediated in the middle.】

【General Sima Ting respects this teacher from the bottom of his heart, and looking at Xie Guan in front of him, he has a moment of trance.】

【His teacher, who came from humble beginnings, should have had such a bearing when he entered Above Bianjing to see nobles as a young man.】

【The Old Matriarch Xie's expression remains the same, still not saying a word.】

【Lady Yuan says: "This is Second Uncle."】

【You immediately step forward and respectfully pay respects to Xie Hong.】

【Xie Hong just nods slightly, his expression indifferent.】

【Lu Hua looks at Xie Guan thoughtfully.】

【You pay respects to everyone afterward.】

【Sister Wu Tong wipes away her tears, the excitement in her eyes hard to hide; seeing the young master safe and sound, the heavy stone in her heart finally falls.】

【Originally, the matter of blaming Xie Guan had just been settled with the pleading of Empress Zhuge Jian and General Sima Ting.】

【The main courtyard had also discussed the matter of Xie Ling properly.】

【The mansion is preparing to start the banquet.】

【Lady Yuan turns her gaze to the Old Matriarch, not wanting to delay any longer for the sake of a concubine's son.】

【The Old Matriarch stares tightly at the young man standing respectfully in the hall, examining him for a moment, then waves her hand impatiently.】

【Lady Yuan understands and immediately says: "Xie Guan, you may withdraw." After saying this, she adds a sentence.】

【"The matter of privately entering the Grand View Garden, considering it is your first offense, will not be pursued, but do not do it again in the future."】

【You bow and are about to turn and leave.】

【A voice sounds at the right time.】

【"Eldest Sister, since Old Nine of the main courtyard is here today, and we have just heard the praise of him from Mr. Jingyue and General General Sima."】

【Xie Guan is ranked ninth in the main courtyard.】

【Lady Zhao smiles: "It's been many years, and it's rumored in the courtyard that he can play blind chess and has the talent of not forgetting what he hears; why not take this opportunity to test our Young Master Guan's learning?"】

【As soon as these words come out, everyone in the hall is stunned, their gazes cast toward you, and a subtle atmosphere seems to permeate the air.】

【Test a concubine's son here?】

【Xie Xie Renfeng gives a light laugh, his eyes full of contempt; Xie Guan only studies alone in the small courtyard and has never had the luck to be guided by a famous teacher.】

【You must know!】

【The Dao of Confucianism is vast and profound, with generations of famous masters emerging one after another. With generations of people painstakingly studying it, if one relies solely on one's own strength and works behind closed doors, what kind of profound knowledge can one truly comprehend?】

【Lady Yuan's eyes suddenly become sharp, and she recalls that Xie Guan seems not to have been enlightened yet.】

【Once this matter surfaces, it will surely cause a big disturbance.】

【In Above Bianjing, a place where the literary style is prosperous and the academy is located, the mistress obstructing a child from seeking knowledge is undoubtedly a big deal.】

【Moreover, this matter happened in the Xie family, one of the nine major surnames known as the model of the world, which will undoubtedly become a scandal that shocks Above Bianjing and makes the Xie family lose face.】

【But this matter should be kept secret in the mansion, and few people know about it; could it be that this Xie Guan has privately colluded with the second courtyard to bully the mistress!】

【Could it be that this damned disaster dares to collude with the second courtyard and bully the mistress!】

【"There are many affairs in the mansion today, let's put this matter aside for now." Lady Yuan says slowly: "The Old Matriarch is also feeling tired, let's stop this matter."】

【Lady Zhao has already stood up, her smile bright, "It's just a small matter, it won't be delayed."】

【Someone from the Zhao family echoes: "That's right, we can see the young talent praised by Mr. Jingyue and Military Governor General Sima with our own eyes, how could we miss such an opportunity."】

【As the Zhao family is Lady Zhao's maiden family, naturally someone supports her.】

【Empress Zhuge Jian also wants to see Xie Guan's talent; was the war against demons in Jiannan Dao in the west his accidental prediction, or does he really have talent?】

【Empress Zhuge Jian nods slightly and says: "It's just testing learning, no harm."】

【For a time, the atmosphere in the hall becomes subtle and complex, with everyone having their own thoughts.】

【Lady Yuan turns to look at the Old Matriarch, her tone carrying a trace of urgency: "Old Matriarch, what do you think..."】

【Now that Xie Hong has returned to the mansion, the Old Matriarch Xie unexpectedly does not raise an objection, taking care of the face of the second courtyard.】

【Lady Yuan says helplessly: "Xie Guan is just a young man who hasn't reached adulthood, and you are all famous masters of the world; he is afraid he cannot cope, this move is afraid of 'a child arguing about the sun'."】

【Lady Zhao returns to her seat, her gaze turning to Xie Hong, asking softly: "Master, what do you think of this?"】

【Xie Hong has been silent since entering the main hall today; at this moment, after looking around, he sees the expression on Empress Zhuge Jian's face and actually nods slowly.】

【A look of joy blooms on Lady Zhao's face.】

【Lady Yuan secretly calls it bad, but is powerless to stop this matter from happening.】

【Only able to instruct: "Xie Guan, you need to answer seriously; if you are not sure in your heart, it is better not to answer than to let the noble guests present make a joke and lose the face of the Xie mansion."】

【You ponder for a moment and answer: "Mother, don't worry, Xie Guan understands."】

【Xie Yuan is quite interested in his seat, curious to know what kind of questions will be asked to Brother Guan.】

【Empress Zhuge Jian stands up and says: "Lady Yuan, why don't I set the question."】

【Lady Yuan glimpses the proud look on Lady Zhao's face, and is already impatient in her heart.】

【The matter of the main courtyard today is a foregone conclusion, and it doesn't matter if the second courtyard shows off a bit.】

【Just hope Xie Guan won't be too incompetent; if he stammers for a while, if he implicates her as the mistress, it will be difficult to clean up, and it will be necessary to punish him for "lack of learning."】

【After Xie Guan's mother passed away, she didn't go to deal with this remaining disaster, fearing that she would get the reputation of a "fierce woman," so she might as well be this villain today.】

【Lady Yuan sees that there is no other way, so she has to sit in the chair with one hand supporting her forehead, looking helpless.】

【"Then I will trouble Mr. Jingyue."】

【Empress Zhuge Jian walks to the hall, his gaze falling on the young man, saying slowly: "I don't intend to make things difficult for you, but real gold in this world is not afraid of being tempered by fire."】

【"You have studied hard for many years, and the Great Qi governs the country with Confucianism; I think you must have a deep realization of Confucian classics, and I want to test you today."】

【"Xie Guan, do you have the confidence to cope?"】

【Sister Wu Tong is a bit nervous; although she knows Young Master Guan studies hard, there are so many big figures present, and she doesn't know if the young master's answer can satisfy them.】

【This Mr. Jingyue is also a great Confucian of the world, and she cannot help but sweat for him.】

【General Sima Ting is ready and waiting, full of expectations.】

【The young man who could say in the pavilion, "Since the opening of heaven and earth, the voices of the sages of the hundred schools have echoed in my ears for a full eight thousand years. Whether it is a general, a prince, a peddler, or a king of a country. Xie Guan, please sit them all down!", how will he respond.】

【Xie Xie Qiyue stands behind her father Xie Hong, but she admires Xie Guan; if she were to mention testing learning in public, she is afraid her legs would go soft and she would only have the way of "fleeing for her life," this Xie Guan is truly a "tough man."】

【Xie Xie Renfeng smiles; if Xie Guan cannot answer, I am afraid the punishment that was finally exempted today will only be increased.】

【His gaze sweeps over Sister Wu Tong behind Xie Yuan, recalling his previous sincere liking for Sister Wu Tong, but now... he curls his lips into a cold sneer; for things he cannot get, he will only choose to destroy them.】

【Empress Zhuge Jian says slowly: "The sentence 'a person of virtue and ambition' comes from 'Sacred Words: Duke Ling of Wei', which says: 'A person of virtue and ambition will not seek to live by harming virtue, but will sacrifice his life to achieve virtue.'"】

【"How do you interpret a person of virtue and ambition?"】

【Xie Yuan hears this question and cannot help but fall into deep thought. He secretly ponders in his heart: a person of ambition is a person with ambition, referring to those who have the ambition to pacify the country and govern the world; a person of virtue refers to a person with virtue, who cares about the suffering of the world and worries before the world worries.】

【How to interpret a person of virtue and ambition, this question is not a cliché question, and is rarely used for questions.】

【The Master once said, "Sacrifice life to achieve virtue, give up life to achieve righteousness."】

【What Empress Zhuge Jian asks at this moment obviously requires a more in-depth and unique insight.】

【General Sima Ting also silently recalls in his heart that this sentence is recorded in the "Sacred Words" among the Four Books and Five Classics of Confucianism, and Confucian masters of all generations have had many translations and annotations. But if you just copy the explanations of predecessors, I am afraid it is difficult to get the praise of this Mr. Jingyue who is rigorous in learning and has high requirements.】

【In fact, this question tests not only learning but also heart and traces.】

【Everyone present, even the Old Matriarch Xie, is a person who has read many books, and they cannot help but be immersed in it.】

【Xie Hong's eyes also surprisingly have some light.】

【Lu Hua smiles under her white gauze bamboo hat.】

【The black donkey tied to the big pillar in the main hall gives a solid snort.】

【Pairs of eyes fall on the thin young man in the hall, waiting for your answer.】

【Facing such a situation... you decide】

1. Remain silent. (Hint: This will invite the hatred of Lady Yuan, burdening you with the charges of defying your legal mother and rebelling against the clan, which may ruin your studies and endanger your future and Sister Wu Tong.)

2. Speak casually. (Hint: Provoke the clan's disgust, lose the help of noble people, studies might be cut off, the future and Sister Wu Tong will be in danger, and there is a possibility of danger to life.)

3. Hide talent in the chest, only say half. (Hint: Lady Yuan might change her attitude toward you, and Sister Wu Tong might be in danger.)

4. Express your thoughts fully. (Hint: There might be unexpected gains, and it might develop in a favorable direction.)

5. Participate personally. (0/3)

The great cauldron rings, and the dark blue characters on it begin to appear.

Yu Ke stares at the five options above, secretly pondering in his heart.

His original intention was "the tree that stands out in the forest will be destroyed by the wind."

However, judging from the hints, if you just hide your talent, it will only lead to disaster.

There is even danger to life.

It must be said that Xie Guan's "surviving" is not easy at all.

Entering this "Grand View Garden" has already had several hints of danger to life.

You must start practicing, otherwise your life will not be in your own hands.

In this Great Qi, there are Confucian etiquette rules everywhere, and the Master set up the Confucian "drawing a circle as a prison" in the world, which is both a shackle on the body and a heavy protection.

Otherwise, with the power of the "martial artists" and "primordial spirit cultivators" in this world far exceeding ordinary people, ordinary people would have long been reduced to pigs, dogs, and slaves.

Yu Ke does not hesitate and chooses directly.

4. Express your thoughts fully. (Hint: There might be unexpected gains, and it might develop in a favorable direction.)

【Xie Yu sees you lowering your head in thought and cannot help but shake his head; he had already thought of the answer.】

【This "older brother" who came from nowhere is still thinking for a long time; it seems he is just a person who is "gold on the outside but rotten on the inside."】

【Lady Zhao smiles, sipping tea.】

【Sister Wu Tong's face is very anxious.】

【Xie Xie Renfeng's eyes are disdainful, not believing you can say any "shocking words."】

【Other people from outside clans are sitting steadily, looking like they are watching a drama.】

【Lady Yuan sees that you haven't spoken for a long time, her face is already gloomy, and she is preparing to stand up and scold.】

【At this time!】

【The young man has already slowly raised his head, and a clear voice sounds in the main hall.】

【"The sage has a master in his heart, and decides the perfection of his heart's virtue."】

【This is the opening statement of "a person of virtue and ambition."】

【Xie Hong, who has always had a lonely expression at the head of the table, lights up his eyes for the first time, looking at the young man in the hall.】

【Following the utterance of these words, the people in the hall cannot help but listen attentively.】

(End of chapter) ===== CHAPTER 286 =====