Chapter 457: No Man Is Without a Way Out—The Confucian Master!

Shi Lan's gaze swept over the stone bench and table beneath the eaves, where two twin phoenix trees stood tall and lush, their intertwined branches casting a dense green shade over the table.

This was the only place in the courtyard suitable for sitting—a mere guest area, truly humble.

Wu Tong swiftly swept the stone bench clean.

The small courtyard had three rooms: one for ancestral tablets, the other two for the master and servant.

There wasn't even a single writing desk.

Shi Lan furrowed her brows slightly, recalling the water pavilion built in her second courtyard's young master's residence—specifically constructed by the lady to aid her son's studies, ingeniously designed with water on three sides and a rock garden accenting the fourth.

She had even invited a master of feng shui from court to layout the study, placing it in the southeast corner, fully equipped with ink, brush, paper, and inkstone; servants meticulously cleaned the desk daily, never allowing any metal objects to be placed upon it, lest they disrupt the literary qi.

In comparison, this place seemed utterly casual—there wasn't even a proper writing desk. Shi Lan suddenly remembered: this Young Master Xie Guan had yet to begin his studies.

"Shi Lan thanks Young Master Guan for his kindness. I've come to deliver a message from Young Master Xie Renfeng: he wishes to request Wu Tong as a trusted maid for the second courtyard."

"Young Master Renfeng also said that should Young Master Guan ever need anything in the future, he will surely remember this favor."

Wu Tong's face showed signs of anxiety.

Shi Lan continued: "The second courtyard can also arrange for a more skilled physician—Bianjing is full of renowned doctors. Moreover, since Young Master Guan began his studies late, the household has already hired several great Confucian scholars who can study alongside Young Master Renfeng; all expenses will be covered without burdening Young Master Guan…"

Before she finished speaking, Shi Lan turned her gaze toward you.

These were reasons you could not refuse: a penniless illegitimate son, offered the hope of learning to read and write, would cling to that bamboo pole like a drowning man—never let go.

Xie Guan had received permission from the Xie family's matriarch to enter the Xie Academy, yet many uncertainties remained.

One misstep—disrespecting teachers or neglecting studies—and he would be expelled.

Remember: the current head of the Xie household was Lady Yuan; her word was absolute authority within the Xie residence.

Upon hearing this, Wu Tong fell silent.

Shi Lan smiled: "What do you think, Young Master Guan?"

Faced with this, you decide…

1. Agree. Send Wu Tong away. (Hint: Gain Xie Renfeng's favor; can study normally, but may invite trouble.)

2. Refuse. (Hint: Gain Xie Renfeng's hatred; studying prospects remain intact, but new complications arise.)

3. Ignore it. (Hint: Gain hatred; invite trouble.)

4. Participate personally. (0/3)

Yu Ke watched the characters slowly stabilize atop the great tripod.

Familiar options.

This was the first choice triggered since the simulation of "Xie Guan" began.

In other words, the nine-year-old Xie Guan had finally gained the right to choose his own path.

Eliminate the final option: participate personally.

Option 3: Ignore it—based on the hint, it offers no benefit and can be discarded outright.

Only the first two options remained.

Option 1 offered clear advantages: normal study and cultivation, yet the hint still warned of risk.

This life of "Xie Guan" unfolded in an era of demonic chaos, as described in the simulation.

It seemed that studying could be a path to cultivation—reading had become indispensable.

In Great Qi, Xie Guan, an illegitimate son, had only one way out of his cage: study.

Otherwise, his mother would never have gone to such lengths for his education.

Yu Ke pondered briefly, weighed all options, and made his decision: choose!

2. Refuse. (Hint: Gain Xie Renfeng's hatred; studying prospects remain intact, but new complications arise.)

Simulation continues.

【You shook your head and said: "This cannot be done."】

【"I regard Wu Tong as family—not a commodity for exchanging favors."】

【An unexpected answer.】

【Shi Lan was taken aback; this neglected young master had made the least favorable choice possible.】

【Yet!】

【Young Master Renfeng had foreseen this outcome—he had instructed Shi Lan to deliver one more message to Xie Guan:】

【"If Xie Guan refuses, tell him not to be ungrateful. Wu Tong's indenture still belongs to the Xie household—I can personally ask Grandmatriarch for her."】

【These words would humiliate the boy!】

Shi Lan stared at the blind boy, his face resolute and calm beneath the black cloth.

【He was merely a neglected illegitimate son, powerless and rootless, a drifting leaf—any small current could drown him in a dark corner.】

【She did not know why, but the words on her tongue never left her lips; she did not tear the facade apart.】

【After polite formalities, you declined the medicinal herbs.】

【Shi Lan took her leave.】

【In her heart, she thought: given Young Master Renfeng's nature, this matter would not end so easily.】

【After seeing Shi Lan off, Wu Tong finally let tears fall.】

【You smiled and said: "Enough crying. Do you want to stay cooped up in this room for months? I'm blind—I can't care for you."】

【Wu Tong stopped crying. She watched you sit on the stone bench, pour yourself a cup of tea, a faint smile on your face.】

【Today you had behaved with grace and propriety, showing not the slightest impropriety. The young master truly seemed different—grown, almost like the head of a household.】

【"Young Master, can you really see?"】

【"I cannot see. But I know this path well."】

【"Young Master, what would you like to eat? I'll prepare it for you."】

【"Anything is fine."】

【"Young Master, are you worried we don't have enough silver? Today's a celebration—your eyes are recovering. Let's make a proper meal."】

【You remembered Wu Tong's hidden "treasure chest" beneath her pillow—she counted it every night.】

【The little maid adored money: besides your monthly stipend entrusted to her care, part came from her daily labor. But after you went blind, she immediately emptied every last coin to hire Master Hua to treat you.】

【Master Hua refused Wu Tong's silver and instead reported to Lady Yuan before returning to treat you.】

【Wu Tong complained slightly: "These past days, Young Master, you haven't eaten properly. If the Lady sees, she'll blame Wu Tong for failing to care for you."】

【At the mention of the Lady, she realized she had spoken carelessly—afraid you'd remember your late mother and grieve.】

【Your expression remained unchanged.】

【Wu Tong stepped closer, eyes reddened, whispering: "Young Master… this matter was my fault…"】

【You smiled: "Don't speak of it."】

【"Actually, Sister Shi Lan is quite kind," Wu Tong said.】

【"And the Fourth Miss of the main courtyard is truly good. When the Lady was alive, she always sent gifts during festivals. After you went blind, she gave me silver. I was afraid we'd run out of money, so I accepted it—Young Master, you won't be angry, will you?"】

【You murmured: "No. We remember kindness. When the time comes, we will repay it."】

【Wu Tong gazed at the courtyard—only the two of them lived here. In contrast, the Fourth Miss's chamber had over twenty maids, not counting drivers, tutors, and guards.】

【Wu Tong wondered: could they truly help the Fourth Miss?】

【"Lately, Manager Wu hasn't been giving us trouble. Before, when I went to the kitchen for meat or vinegar, he'd scold me."】

【"Also, Young Master, my weaving work has gotten easier—I earn more each day. That means we can live more comfortably."】

【"Oh? By the way, Young Master, I asked Manager Wu about your enrollment. Lady Yuan has agreed to let you enter the academy. I wondered if he could get you some old books used by the young masters—so you could prepare ahead. To my surprise, he agreed—he'll bring them tomorrow!"】

【Wu Tong chattered about trivial matters—before, the young master would never have listened so attentively.】

【Today, the young master's face held a calm, gentle smile.】

【"If Young Master can study, everything will be fine. Great Qi selects officials through scholarship—perhaps one day you'll become a magistrate. The Lady in the afterlife would be joyful."】

【Though Wu Tong spoke these words, she couldn't help but worry: most young masters in the academy began studying at four or five. You had yet to even begin.】

【Future exams would require not only scholarship, but horsemanship, archery, martial arts—the Six Arts—and at least one of the Four Accomplishments.】

【You smiled: "Wu Tong, everything will get better."】

【"Heaven never leaves a man without a way out!"】

【Listening to your calm, firm words, Wu Tong suddenly felt strength rise within her.】

【Wu Tong looked up at the phoenix tree in the courtyard—its branches thick and thriving, just like this small home.】

【The next morning, Manager Wu sent servants with the old textbooks used by the young masters and misses. Though called "old," most were nearly new, pages smooth and unwrinkled.】

【That autumn, the phoenix tree's leaves fell, carpeting the courtyard in gold.】

【As autumn deepened and the chill set in, Hua An arrived again, dressed in autumn robes and a fur cap, to reexamine your eyes.】

【After careful examination, your condition had improved noticeably—you could now perceive blurred shapes. It was good news.】

【Wu Tong was overjoyed.】

【As the year drew to a close, Lady Xie approved your enrollment—but since your eyes had not fully healed, she arranged for a tutor to teach you at home.】

【You would enter the academy only after passing the assessment.】

【At year's end, heavy snow fell, blanketing the world in white. Hua An braved the storm, dragging his medical chest to your dwelling, his nose red with cold.】

【After careful inspection, he smiled: "Young Master Guan, be cautious. Wear the eye cloth one more month—but you may replace the black cloth with thin white gauze."】

【"Thank you, Master Hua. These past months have been a great burden on you."】

【Hua An waved his hand, sitting on the heated brick bed and chuckling: "This is my duty. Young Master, don't flatter me—it would make me feel I've taken the Xie family's silver in vain and betrayed Lady Yuan's kindness."】

【You merely smiled slightly.】

【Wu Tong, smiling, brought hot tea: "Master Hua, drink your tea first. You can thank the Lady later."】

Dr. Hua was kind-hearted and excellent in every way, but every time he treated a patient, he would subtly or overtly praise and express gratitude for the kindness of Lady Xie, the mistress of the Xie household.

Yet, how much of this praise was sincere, and how much stemmed from fear, remained unknown.

Hua An looked slightly awkward, so he took off the fur coat he had been wearing over his clothes; the charcoal fire in the room burned fiercely, the doors and windows were sealed shut, and even sitting close made one feel scorched by the heat.

Normally, Wu Tong would never burn the kang fire so fiercely—she was naturally frugal.

But this year, the charcoal allocated for winter in every courtyard of the Xie household was unusually abundant.

The reason was simple: that prodigy of the Xie household, Xie Yu, had passed the imperial examination this year and earned the title of Licentiate.

The status of Licentiate granted exemptions from certain penalties, spared one from bowing before officials, allowed receipt of a portion of the imperial stipend, permitted reporting matters directly to the County Magistrate, and qualified one to study at the official academy.

These privileges meant little to the Xie household, but they were a mark of honor—and Xie Yu was still one year younger than you.

Thus, Lady Yuan was delighted and rewarded every courtyard in the Xie household, including with extra charcoal.

Hua An sighed: "We've all benefited from Young Master Yu's glory. I hear this Young Master Yu is still under ten years old, yet he can lift three hundred jin, draw a bow of two stone, and hit a target with one eye closed from twenty paces—a hundred shots, a hundred hits."

You nodded slightly; the Xie household's sons had been trained since childhood by family martial experts, enduring medicinal baths and dietary supplements, far surpassing ordinary men.

In this world, martial artists could climb mountains to capture tigers and dive into the sea to catch dragons, their blood and qi blazing like smoke from a bonfire, even capable of flying through the air with their bare bodies.

Xie Ling, the Marquis of Dingyuan and your father, was a "Xuandan" martial artist—also called a Martial God—the pinnacle of martial cultivation in the world today.

The Great Qi ruled by Confucianism also had Confucian cultivators, who cultivated their spiritual souls to reach the realm where their Yang Spirit could emerge in broad daylight and wander three thousand li by night.

The current Confucian Master had lived six hundred years, single-handedly dominating the entire world; he had been traveling the Eastern Sea in search of immortals for three hundred years and had not returned.

Even so, his four disciples were all great Confucian scholars of the age—and among the strongest cultivators alive—ensuring the Great Qi's exclusive reverence for Confucianism.

Su Jing, the current Grand Secretary and Minister of War who wielded immense power in court, was the Master's third disciple.

Unfortunately, all of this seemed unrelated to you, the neglected, lowly "illegitimate son" of the Xie household.

Hua An suddenly noticed several books and study notes placed on the small table beside the kang.

Out of curiosity, he picked them up and flipped through them.

Having interacted with the boy over this period, Hua An had come to realize his extraordinary intelligence, and he wanted to see what books the boy had been reading lately.

But you were blindfolded—you couldn't read!

The Great Qi, deeply influenced by Confucian thought, ensured even commoners were familiar with the classics of poetry and scripture; most households kept several books.

Hua An opened the book "Sacred Sayings," compiled and edited by disciples of the Supreme Sage, recording the words and deeds of the Supreme Sage and some of his disciples—one of the Confucian classics.

On the book's flyleaf, several annotated passages caught his eye:

"The sound of wind, the sound of rain, the sound of reading—all enter the ear; family affairs, state affairs, world affairs—all matter."

"To study without thinking leads to confusion!"

(End of Chapter)