Su Mingpei was confused. In his previous life, Yuanpei had been so generous and understanding that whenever he took things from his shop, Yuanpei never said a word, and sometimes even took the initiative to give him good items.
What was different in this life?
How had Yuanpei become so stingy?!
For the sake of becoming a disciple, Su Mingpei had no choice but to return to the Marquis Residence to withdraw money from the accounts office. When the accountant heard he wanted 5,000 taels, he kept shaking his head. “Heir, there isn’t that much silver in the account.”
“How can there not be?!”
In his previous life, when Su Shuyao was in charge, he had easily withdrawn seven or eight thousand taels.
He grabbed the accountant and almost hit him. “Tell me, did you embezzle it?!”
“Heir, truly, there isn’t any. The account book is right here. If you don’t believe me, take a look.”
He took the ledger and saw there was only a little over 1,000 taels left.
With no other option, he went to Madam Wan. She had lent 20,000 taels to Su Mingzhu already and was also tight on money, but when she learned he needed it to take the Great Scholar Li as his teacher, she gritted her teeth and handed out the money.
After all, Su Mingpei was the future successor of the Marquis title. Her entire future and honor depended on him. She had to invest in his future.
With silver in hand, Su Mingpei returned to the shop. “Here is 5,000 taels. Keep the change.”
“Of course, sir! I’ll wrap it up for you immediately!”
The moment he saw the money, the shopkeeper’s attitude flipped completely.
Su Mingpei sneered coldly. A bunch of shallow money-worshippers! When he soared to success one day, he would return and slap that smile right off the shopkeeper’s face!
With the jade chess set in his hands, he returned to the Great Scholar Li’s residence.
The gatekeeper spotted him from afar and immediately shut the main gate. Through the door, he spoke mockingly, “Oh my, isn’t this the brilliant Heir Su? After finishing ‘Autumn Chrysanthemum Essay’, are you preparing ‘Winter Snow Essay’? Don’t forget ‘Spring Rain Essay’ and ‘Summer Lotus Essay’ too!”
Fury surged through Su Mingpei, but he forced himself to endure it and handed over the chess set. “Please give this to the Great Scholar Li as an apology gift.”
The gatekeeper said, “the Great Scholar Li does not accept gifts. Please leave.”
Su Mingpei exploded. “You didn’t even show him! How do you know he won’t accept it?!”
Truly, the King of Hell was easy to meet, but the little demons were impossible to deal with.
He threatened and argued endlessly, but the gatekeeper wouldn’t budge. “If you keep making a scene, I’ll report you to the authorities! If you get thrown out again, it will only disgrace the Marquis of Weiyuan.”
With no other option, he finally bribed the gatekeeper with ten taels of silver. Only then did the gatekeeper agree to send the chess set inside.
Watching the gift finally being taken in, Su Mingpei felt relieved. In his heart, he vowed that once he took the Great Scholar Li as his master, he would sell this hateful gatekeeper off to the mines.
“Be careful. This chess set is made of the finest mutton-fat jade and black jade. It’s priceless!”
However, before half a cup of tea’s time had passed, the chess set was returned.
“My master says take it away. He does not accept the gift.”
the Great Scholar Li did indeed love chess, and this chess set was truly exquisite. He liked it at first glance. But he genuinely disliked Su Mingpei and did not wish to be tied to him in any way. No matter how precious the gift, he refused. Read the latest chapters at novelping dot com.
Holding the chess set, Su Mingpei nearly lost his balance.
He doesn’t want it… how could he not want it…
In his previous life, Su Shuyao had gifted this exact chess set, and the Great Scholar Li accepted it! Why did he accept hers but not his?
His world collapsed.
Was his path to becoming a disciple truly cut off here?!
He sat on the ground in defeat, desperately trying to recall the past.
In his previous life, Su Shuyao hadn’t just gifted the chess set. She had also saved the Great Scholar Li’s daughter.
Yes, Su Shuyao saved his daughter.
He remembered!
In this life, he could save her too!
But where did it happen? How did it happen? He had no idea!
That sly woman had hidden the details perfectly in their past life!
At that thought, Su Mingpei’s spirit reignited.
He had to save her!
With determination carved into his bones, he waited around the Li residence every day for an opportunity.
After a few days, he finally saw the Great Scholar Li returning with his daughter. Upon inquiry, he learned she had given birth on the road and was rescued by a kind stranger, allowing both mother and child to survive safely.
He grabbed the gatekeeper excitedly. “Who was the kind person who saved her?!”
The gatekeeper glanced at him lazily.
He impatiently tossed out two taels of silver.
Only then did the gatekeeper smile. “I heard her surname is Su. I don’t know her full name.”
He asked again, “And how did the Great Scholar thank her?”
The gatekeeper scratched his head. “I heard Miss Su has an older brother who will take the imperial examination next year. She asked the Great Scholar to guide him.”
Su Mingpei burst out laughing.
The gatekeeper frowned. “What are you laughing at?”
He sneered. “What do you think? My surname is also Su. Next time you see me, show some respect.”
Or I’ll sell you to the mines! Enjoying the story? Read on at g.com.
He felt invigorated, every pore refreshed.
Returning to the Marquis Residence, he did not go to find Su Shuyao.
He would never lower himself to seek her out. If he approached her first, she would only feel smug. If he begged, she would act overwhelmingly superior.
He firmly believed that even if he didn’t go looking for Su Shuyao, she would come to him on her own, begging him to become the Great Scholar Li’s disciple. After all, he was the only brother about to take the imperial exam.
He waited several days.
Nothing happened.
He grew anxious. Everything he’d learned in his previous life was gone. He needed a teacher. Ordinary private tutors were unworthy to teach him. He was destined to be a high-ranking Minister. Only the Great Scholar Li was worthy of teaching him.
Finally, lowering his pride, he went to Yilan Residence.
The moment he arrived, Su Shuyao knew it was about the apprenticeship matter.
She pretended not to know. “What brings the Heir here?”
He froze. “Heir? You won’t even call me Brother anymore?”
He laughed coldly. “Su Shuyao, don’t think we’ll be sad over this!”
“You’re not that great! Even if you don’t call me Brother, Mingzhu and Mingzhi will!”
Su Shuyao sighed softly.
If he didn’t care, why was he so agitated?
She repeated calmly, “Why are you here?”
Thinking of his purpose, he steadied himself. “I heard you saved the Great Scholar Li’s daughter?”
She lifted her gaze slightly, completely calm. “Who did the Heir hear that from?”
“So you’re going to play coy? Do you want me to beg you?!”
“Don’t think that just because you can get the Great Scholar Li to take me as a student, you’re anything special!”
“Mingzhu said she’ll help me. I don’t need your fake kindness!”
He said that, but in his heart, he was certain of one thing.
No matter how much he insulted her, Su Shuyao would still help him. She’d always been like that. Since she had lost control of the Inner Household Affairs, she would definitely try to make up for it elsewhere. And besides, who else could she help if not him? Where would she find another brother taking the exam?
“Even if you throw the opportunity in front of me, I won’t go!”
Su Shuyao smiled gently, eyes calm. “Then wait for your good sister Su Mingzhu to help you.”
In his previous life, Su Mingpei’s talent had only been average. With the Great Scholar Li’s mentorship, he barely managed to pass as a Tong Jinshi.
In this life, without the Great Scholar Li’s guidance… the only thing he’d roast was sweet potatoes.