Chapter 6: The teacher's first lesson: seeing the worthy and aspiring to be like them

Ye Xiuxiu lifted the teacup,

tilting her head back, she gulped the tea down with a slurping sound,

"Xiuxiu!"

Bai Qingxia beside her, seeing this, felt anxious as if on fire,

instinctively reached out to snatch the teacup from Ye Xiuxiu's hand.

But just then,

a strong, powerful hand firmly pressed down on her arm,

it turned out to be Bai Qingxia's husband intervening.

And at this moment,

the venerable He Pingsheng, who had taught for several hundred years and was highly respected,

widened his eyes, his face full of shock.

His neatly groomed white beard trembled slightly from shock; this old teacher, who had taught for many years and weathered many storms, had never encountered such a scene before.

After a few "glug-glug" sounds, the tea in the cup was quickly drained.

Ye Xiuxiu set the cup down satisfied, slowly lifting her head,

some fine tea leaves stuck to her delicate, petal-like lips.

As soon as Ye Xiuxiu raised her head, she saw everyone looking at her,

she wore a bewildered expression, her mind filled with doubt:

"Why is everyone looking at me like this?"

"What on earth happened?"

Her large eyes, clear as lake water, curiously scanned the surroundings,

After a while,

she finally realized the problem—this cup of tea wasn't meant for her to drink! Thinking this,

she couldn't help feeling embarrassed, her face flushing red up to her ears.

Ye Xiuxiu tilted her head sheepishly,

directing her gaze at He Pingsheng, who was in a dazed state.

She silently groaned:

"Oh dear, this tea seems like it should be for the teacher!"

But,

no one had ever told her beforehand that she needed to offer tea to the teacher before drinking it herself!

Next, Ye Xiuxiu turned her gaze to her second younger sister Ye Ruyan, who stood beside He Pingsheng.

She noticed that although this younger sister was younger than her,

she seemed to know many rules and etiquette,

whereas she herself seemed as clueless as a raw recruit just out of training.

I'm actually supposed to be somewhat precocious!

Just then, an abrupt voice sounded in Ye Xiuxiu's mind:

"Your teacher He Pingsheng has already noticed your second difference."

Hearing this voice, Ye Xiuxiu first froze, then began to wonder:

"Already seeing the second difference so quickly?"

"Is it really that easy?"

"Should I try drinking another sip to test it?"

With a second difference,

the formerly calm surface of Ye Xiuxiu's face

instantly blossomed like spring flowers, a radiant and pure smile spreading across it.

Her clear, see-through eyes sparkled like twinkling stars in the night sky, shining brightly.

Seeing this scene, several adults present couldn't help but be infected,

they all broke into knowing smiles.

The girl before them, full of childlike innocence and fun,

really made it hard for anyone to feel blame toward her,

even the usually strict He Pingsheng was no exception.

On the contrary, his affection for Ye Xiuxiu grew deeper and deeper.

Only heard Ye Xiuxiu ask in her sweet, soft, childish voice: "Master, should this cup of tea be offered for you to drink?"

He Pingsheng smiled faintly and replied softly: "Actually, as long as someone can enjoy this tea, that's enough; it doesn't have to be for the teacher to drink."

"Now, you two sisters have both become my disciples!"

Having said that, he turned his head toward Ye Qingping beside him,

only to see Ye Qingping give a slight nod, indicating his agreement and approval.

Not long after,

He Pingsheng then brought Ye Xiuxiu and Ye Ruyan together to appear at a place belonging to the Ye Family specially used for teaching.

This place looked rather like a small, exquisite schoolhouse,

the interior was simply and elegantly arranged, yet retained a sense of solemn elegance.

He Pingsheng lightly coughed twice, cleared his throat, and said:

Generally speaking, if another teacher were to give lessons and dispel doubts, their teaching would certainly begin by first guiding the students to recognize characters and learn writing.

After all, characters are the foundation of all learning and knowledge.

However, I, as a teacher, have a teaching method that differs from the norm.

I have always believed that cultivating one's conduct and character is the fundamental cornerstone of pursuing learning and the Dao.

So, I intend to first teach you how to cultivate good moral conduct.

Do you two sisters happen to know what profound meaning the phrase 'seeing the worthy and aspiring to be like them' actually contains?

Ye Ruyan gazed at the scene before her, which was extremely familiar,

the corners of her mouth involuntarily turned up, revealing a faint smile.

Recalling her previous life, it was also when Teacher He Pingsheng raised this question,

she herself had been at a loss, completely unable to answer,

while Ye Xiuxiu beside her had simply sat down and started snoring loudly.

But at this moment,

she had long known the answer to this question in her heart.

Only seeing Ye Ruyan speak without hesitation:

"The meaning of 'seeing the worthy and aspiring to be like them' is that when we see people who possess talent and noble virtue, we should feel admiration and strive to make ourselves equal to them."

After saying that, she looked confidently at Teacher He Pingsheng.

After hearing Ye Ruyan's answer, Teacher He Pingsheng,

did not immediately respond, but turned his gaze to Ye Xiuxiu,

and gently asked, 'Classmate Xiuxiu, what do you think the meaning of "seeing the worthy and aspiring to be like them" is?'

Ye Xiuxiu blinked her big eyes, tilting her little head,

and repeated that sentence once more:

"Seeing leisure, thinking of riding?"

Obviously, her understanding of this phrase was still in a state of ignorance.

Seeing this, Teacher He Pingsheng smiled and encouraged her, saying, 'Think about it carefully.'

Hearing the teacher's words, Ye Xiuxiu began to ponder hard in her mind,

Just as Ye Xiuxiu was deeply thinking,

suddenly her eyes lit up,

she decided to interpret it literally.

Thus,

she excitedly shouted, 'I know now!'

Teacher He Pingsheng looked at Ye Xiuxiu with some anticipation,

'Go on.'

Even if Ye Xiuxiu merely repeated Ye Ruyan's words, he would be pleased.

"The meaning of 'seeing leisure, thinking of riding' is,

'if we see someone especially leisurely and carefree, we must find a way to ride up onto their heads!'

(End of chapter)