Chapter 191

I actually look forward to this child having a future; best if he slaps my face!

Although he said that, Shu Mu's face showed undisguised mockery.

Having a mother like Liu Dongzhu, merely because she was abandoned by Wang Ruhai, she arbitrarily decided not to let her own child study—a foolish mother.

Ignoring a broad highway, she runs to make her child walk a narrow bridge-like path of cultivation.

Plus, having Xuanqing Daozhang, who has some ability but not much, is willing to speak up for others but lacks brains, as a teacher.

He doesn't think Wang Ping'an will have any future!

What's more, don't even mention it.

When he learned that Wang Ping'an wanted to take Xuanqing Daozhang as a teacher and learn skills from him, Wang Ruhai once consulted a high Daoist and found that he himself had little cultivation aptitude.

Unlike literary talent, cultivation depends on both talent and root bone; talent cannot be inherited, but root bone can be inherited, although there may be accidents, they are rare.

Wang Ruhai has little cultivation root bone; Wang Ping'an, without even thinking, certainly won't have any either. Moreover, taking Xuanqing Daozhang, a wild Daoist, as a teacher—what future could there be on the path of cultivation?

"Rest assured, Ping'an's performance will surely make you, the honorary graduate, greatly surprised!"

Xuanqing Daozhang snorted coldly.

"Hah! If others said this, I might believe it, but you?"

Shu Mu gave a cold laugh, not hiding the contempt on his face; it was not just genuine feeling, but deliberate, deliberately provoking Xuanqing Daozhang, he mocked:

"You, a mere wild Daoist, what kind of formidable disciple could you teach? If this child learns from you, don't be led astray by you!"

He deliberately provoked Xuanqing Daozhang, not hoping that Xuanqing Daozhang would get angry and strike him, then he could exploit the situation; he has righteous qi for self-defense, but who knows whether Xuanqing Daozhang has other means.

Don't look at Xuanqing Daozhang just being a wild Daoist; he at least studied in Ziyang Palace and was once a disciple there; although now down-and-out, lacking even a minor official post, he is merely the abbot of a wild Daoist temple.

But at least he learned some skills in Ziyang Palace!

He will provoke Xuanqing Daozhang in order to strengthen Xuanqing Daozhang's resolve to teach Wang Ping'an skills.

He does not want Xuanqing Daozhang or the Wang family members to change their minds.

Let Wang Ping'an take the path of studying, literacy, and the imperial examinations!

"This scholar, don't talk nonsense; the Daoist has ability and will not mislead youngsters; Ping'an learning from him will surely have a future!"

Just as Xuanqing Daozhang opened his mouth to retort, a dissatisfied voice sounded from behind; everyone turned to see Luo Taiqing walking in from outside.

Shu Mu's brows furrowed slightly; looking at this middle-aged man, one could tell he was either rich or noble, obviously not of the same ilk as the Wang family, and he said: "Who are you? Unaware of what urgent business you have coming to the Wang family?"

"I'm merely a neighbor of the Wang family; you ask what urgent business I have at the Wang family—scholar, did you drink on your way here?"

Luo Taiqing looked at Shu Mu with scorn; an outsider coming to the Wang family, whether to visit or cause trouble, actually had the nerve to ask such a thing to his face; he said bluntly: "Do you think you're qualified to ask such a thing?"

"You..."

Shu Mu instantly flew into a rage; since he achieved some success in his studies, few have dared to speak to him so rudely to his face; he was very angry.

Yet his remaining reason forced him to suppress the provocative words on the tip of his tongue.

Shu Mu's face darkened, and he said: "I am Shu Mu!"

"Shu Mu?"

Luo Taiqing thought for a moment; a flash of insight crossed his mind, and he said: "Could it be the Shu Mu, the senior graduate from the Shu family of the prefectural city?"

"It's me!"

Shu Mu said expressionlessly.

But if one looks closely, a hint of pride can still be seen flashing in his eyes. He greatly anticipates Luo Taiqing's reaction upon learning his exact identity, hoping he will still act as boldly as before in his presence.

Unfortunately.

Such a possibility is very small.

He doesn't know Luo Taiqing, but he roughly knows that he should be a wealthy and influential family from the county town, perhaps with some power, but even with power, it's only county-level power; before him, what does it amount to?

After learning his identity, without a doubt he will surely grovel and deliberately flatter him.

Arrogant before, deferential after!

Such things are not the first time he has seen, nor the first time he has encountered.

"I heard that Scholar Shu, you failed this imperial examination; instead of staying home to study hard, what are you doing running to these poor mountains and remote places?"

Luo Taiqing said mockingly.

He would instantly recognize Shu Mu, not because Shu Mu's fame is known to all, but because he knows that Wang Ruhai has a friend named Shu Mu.

He intended to form a marriage alliance with the Wang family, so naturally he needed to learn Wang Ruhai's specific situation, even though the Wang family and Wang Ruhai have severed ties.

But no matter what, Wang Ping'an is ultimately his son.

In this novel you have arrived.

It is also under such circumstances that he will come to know Shu Mu.

Just now.

While he was working in the mansion, he saw that the soldiers stationed at Hutou Gou sent an urgent report: a stranger scholar had arrived at Hutou Gou, likely heading for the Wang family, whereupon he rushed over from the county town.

He never expected the visitor to be Wang Ruhai's friend!

Obviously.

This time Shu Mu's visit will bring nothing good; fortunately he arrived in time, not because he worries that Shu Mu will be harmful to the Wang family members.

Don't think that because the Wang family and Wang Ruhai have severed ties, if Shu Mu dares to be harmful to the Wang family, he will certainly not get away with it.

Whether it's Wang Ruhai or the prime minister's mansion, neither will let Shu Mu off the hook.

Shu Mu being able to become a senior graduate, he is not a fool; he should know what he can and cannot do.

Shu Mu looked at Luo Taiqing in surprise; he never expected this person to know his identity and still dare to say such things to his face; suppressing his inner anger, he said:

"This time I came, entrusted by someone, to take this child as a disciple and prepare to teach him literacy; unfortunately some people don't know good from bad, leaving a broad highway untraveled and making their child study with a wild Daoist!"

He doesn't even fear that his words will offend Liu Dongzhu; from the moment he addressed Liu Dongzhu as 'Lady Liu,' he had already deeply offended her.

From the divorce letter Wang Ruhai sent back from the capital, it shows he doesn't care about Liu Dongzhu.

As long as you don't do to Liu Dongzhu something a man cannot bear.

If it's merely a verbal offense, Wang Ruhai won't care.

"Heh, the Way to Heaven?"

Luo Taiqing let out a cold laugh; he too is a fox of a thousand years—how could he fail to see through Shumu's scheming? From his tone one could guess a thing or two, he sneered:

"The imperial examinations are indeed the road to heaven, but one also needs to encounter a good teacher; what I fear is that some misguided instructors not only waste the children's studies, but more seriously affect their entire lives."

Moreover.

"Who told you that learning skills from Daoist Xuanqing leads nowhere? With such narrow-minded vision, how can I believe you can educate this child well?"

(End of chapter)