Chapter 190

Although she is a village woman, she is not a foolish person, and moreover she once studied poetry and books with Wang Ruhai; in the past, when Wang Ruhai was studying away, she would, during her idle farming time at home, flip through some books in Wang Ruhai's study.

She is quite knowledgeable!

Since Shu Mu addressed her as "Madam Liu", how could she not see that the other party came with ill intent, at least siding with Wang Ruhai?

Those around her, anyone who knows her, only call her "Madam Wang", even if they know she was divorced by Wang Ruhai, they still call her "Madam Wang".

According to her parents, Wang Ruhai lost his life on the way to the capital to take the exam.

The so-called "third-place winner" is merely a namesake; the divorce papers were sent back from the capital.

Obviously it's fake!

She doesn't know Shu Mu, yet he came to her house; it's very likely he is a friend of Wang Ruhai.

He might even be acting on Wang Ruhai's orders!

It's very likely he came to harm her family's Ping'an.

No wonder she thinks so extremely; who let this happen, it's not the first time.

There was a previous example.

Shu Mu lifted his head and glanced at the cradle not far away; his eyesight is excellent, so he could easily make out Ping'an's appearance.

Although he was only just born and his features are not yet discernible, one can still see that Ping'an is very healthy.

He shows no sign of having caught a chill!

Shu Mu smiled, disregarding Liu Dongzhu's lie, and continued: "Madam Liu, I came this time at a friend's request; besides looking at your child, I intend to take him as a disciple to teach him reading, and perhaps he may even succeed in the imperial examinations!"

"No need!"

Liu Dongzhu refused.

Shu Mu smiled lightly and said: "Madam Liu, do you think I'm young and fear I'll misguide the child?"

"If that's the case, Madam Liu, rest assured; although I cannot compare to this child's father, I at least hold the rank of a recommended candidate!"

"If I let you teach my Ping'an, isn't that throwing him into the tiger's den?"

Liu Dongzhu gave a cold snort inwardly; she knew Shu Mu was acting on Wang Ruhai's behest, taking her Ping'an as a disciple was a pretense, harming Ping'an's life was the real intent; she said expressionlessly:

"Sir Recommended Candidate, I appreciate your goodwill, but I have no intention of letting our Ping'an study, nor of letting him take the examinations, lest he follow the old path of some beast; as long as he stays by my side and grows up safe and sound, I will be content."

"Madam Liu, by doing this you are harming your own child!"

Shu Mu snorted dissatisfiedly; however, if one looks closely, satisfaction and contempt can still be seen flashing in his eyes, and he said:

"If your child doesn't study, what future could he have!"

This time he came to the Wang household at someone's request, but he is not truly preparing to take Wang Ping'an as a disciple to teach him reading and writing.

Although young, he is already a recommended candidate, even though this imperial examination can be said to have been a complete failure.

Yet he can still try again; it's not that he has no chance to become a presented scholar.

How could someone so young possibly take on disciples and teach them to read and write?

This time he came to probe whether Liu Dongzhu has the intention of letting her child study and take the examinations.

If she doesn't have that intention, it's fine; if she does, we'll look for an opportunity to dispel her idea.

Although.

Wang Ping'an is still young, posing little threat, but it's better to be prepared.

What pleases him is that the Wang family members actually have no intention of letting Wang Ping'an study and take the examinations.

Of course.

What he despises is that Liu Dongzhu, after suffering just one injury, has given up the heavenly path of the examinations, utterly ruining Ping'an's future; although he is pleased that she would have such an idea, that does not mean he won't feel contempt for her idea.

Before Liu Dongzhu could speak, Xuanqing Daozhang beside her flared up in indignation: "Sir Recommended Candidate, I know you are a scholar, but don't go too far—what do you mean by saying that not studying leads to no future?"

"Who are you?"

Shu Mu countered.

"I am Ping'an's teacher..."

Before Xuanqing Daozhang could finish his words, Shu Mu impatiently interrupted: "You're that reckless wild Daoist who went to cause trouble at the premier's residence, aren't you? Only because the premier is merciful would you survive; otherwise, even with ten lives you wouldn't live!"

Regarding Xuanqing Daozhang's affair, when he came to the Wang household, Wang Ruhai had already informed him of a thing or two through letters.

He knew Xuanqing Daozhang had gone to the capital to cause trouble, and also knew that on his return journey he was ambushed, losing twenty years of his yang lifespan.

He also knew that, had the premier's mansion not been unwilling to clash with Ziyang Palace, and had Xuanqing Daozhang not still been useful, he could not have been allowed to return alive.

He would have long become food for stray dogs by the roadside!

The premier's mansion allowed Xuanqing Daozhang to return, merely making him lose twenty years of yang lifespan, hoping he would return to mislead the youth, so as to prevent Wang Ping'an from taking the path of study.

Dragons beget dragons, phoenixes beget phoenixes; rats' offspring will dig holes!

This saying still has a market in Daxia.

This novel you have arrived at

Studying relies not only on talent but also on diligence; diligence can compensate for clumsiness is possible.

Although one cannot guarantee success in the examinations, after all, every year those who rush to the capital to take the exams—who among them is not a heaven‑favored prodigy?

Just.

Those who manage to leave their name on the list are exceedingly few!

Wang Ping'an cannot necessarily become a third-place winner just because his father was one.

But as long as he makes a name for himself in his studies, it will affect his father Wang Ruhai, and the news of his strong opposition will surface again.

Not to mention the premier's mansion, even Wang Ruhai himself is unwilling to let Wang Ping'an study and take the exams; otherwise he wouldn't have sent such a letter.

As for the Dao of cultivation...

Although there are also celestial examinations for selecting Immortal Officials, they are no worse than the civil exams, and in fact bring greater fame; if Wang Ping'an can make a name for himself on the Daoist path, it will to some extent still affect Wang Ruhai.

Unfortunately.

Cultivating the Dao isn't about hard work; it's entirely about talent. If you lack talent, even if you waste your whole life, you might not even cross the threshold of Dao cultivation.

Don't look at the fact that Xuanqing Daozhang previously studied in Ziyang Palace, and was even a Ziyang Gong Disciple; but from the fact that he ran to Hutou Gou, this kind of mountain valley, to build a Daoist temple and become its abbot, you can tell his talent and ability in Dao cultivation.

How could he possibly teach any outstanding disciples?

"Examinee, you're right; it's because the Chancellor is kind-hearted and doesn't share the same narrow-mindedness as this old Daoist!"

Xuanqing Daozhang let out a cold snort, his eyes full of anger that could not be concealed.

If the Chancellor were truly kind-hearted, how could he possibly have caused him to lose twenty years of his yang lifespan?

Just that.

Now is not the time to talk about these things, and besides, saying them to an outsider is useless.

Xuanqing Daozhang changed his tone and said: "I don't know your true purpose in coming here; I can only tell you that Ping'an will not study or learn characters with you, let alone take the imperial examinations, because I have already taken Ping'an as my disciple."

As for whether Ping'an will amount to anything, that's not something you can just talk about; you just need to widen your eyes, and you'll see whether Ping'an will amount to anything!

(End of chapter)