Xu Yue was contemplating whether to recite a passage to prove she wasn’t lying.
Since childhood, she had never dared to slack off. Even though the notion of being the Reincarnated Star of Literature had fooled Landlord Xu, the imperial examinations would ultimately require genuine talent and learning.
As the saying goes, heaven rewards the diligent. Xu Yue acknowledged she wasn’t exceptionally gifted. To astonish the world and build her reputation, she needed to stay one step ahead of others.
The elementary initiation courses provided by the system—Three Hundred Thousand Characters, Pearls of Wisdom for Youthful Learning, Li Weng’s Poetic Couplets, and others—had long been mastered through Xu Yue’s day and night diligent study.
Suddenly, a pair of hands reached over, and she was lifted into the air—a familiar sensation.
She was being carried again.
Feng Yi held Xu Yue, feeling the child’s warmth, lightness, softness, and the faint scent of milk. He thought he could hold her a little longer—after all, this was his disciple.
As the saying goes, a teacher for a day is a father for life. By that logic, this was practically his son.
Feng Yi bounced the child in his arms and exclaimed excitedly:
“Hahahahaha! Never did I expect to find such a prodigy here! This is truly fate’s design. Others could search far and wide without finding such a disciple.”
His joy was palpable.
After speaking, Feng Yi strode inside with Xu Yue in his arms, while Landlord Xu hurriedly followed.
Uncle Wang snorted and slammed shut the black-lacquered gate.
The crowd left standing dumbfounded outside felt a tumult of emotions, eventually covering their faces and departing in dismay.
Simultaneously, a translucent screen appeared before Xu Yue’s eyes:
“Main Quest 1: The Scholar’s Master (An excellent teacher can better assist the host in swiftly embarking on the path to becoming a renowned statesman)”
“Detected that the host has completed the quest… Evaluating now.”
“Teacher: Feng Yi. Rich in knowledge and insight, well-connected, broad-minded, open-minded, and blessed with longevity—truly a rare and excellent mentor.”
“Grade: A-.”
“Congratulations to the host for completing the quest. Unlocked: Biographies of Past Hosts (Not yet activated). Acquired skill: Discern Calamity and Fortune—usable once per month.”
Beside the skill, the word “Details” appeared. Xu Yue tapped it, and the screen brightened, displaying:
[Discern Calamity and Fortune]: Select a person or event in your mind and use the skill to predict auspicious or ominous outcomes.
Xu Yue’s eyes lit up. Though limited to once a month, this skill was remarkably powerful.
As the saying goes, foresight is priceless. With this ability, she could avoid misfortunes in advance, steering toward good fortune and away from harm.
It would be useful in her current life and studies, and even more so in the unpredictable tides of officialdom in the future!
Aside from the skill, Xu Yue noted the system’s evaluation of Teacher Feng and breathed a sigh of relief. In ancient times, the bond between teacher and disciple was profoundly significant.
Had she not heard of the hierarchy: Heaven, Earth, Sovereign, Parents, Teacher? A good master could greatly influence a disciple. Throughout history, countless individuals had been dragged down by their mentors, leading to lifelong frustration.
As for the A- grade, Xu Yue guessed it likely pertained to status. Though excellent, Teacher Feng was neither a great Confucian master nor a leader in official circles.
It seemed the system had its biases too!
Thinking this, Xu Yue turned and cast a sympathetic glance at Teacher Feng.
Feng Yi, cheerfully carrying his prodigy disciple, suddenly felt a chill run up his spine. He glanced around and frowned.
Strange, summer was approaching, and the weather was growing warmer.
Being inherently optimistic, he quickly dismissed the thought and chatted with Xu Yue as they walked.
“Yue Ge’er, you’re so young. How did you begin your initiation so early? Do you already recognize all the characters?”
Landlord Xu, following behind, felt so overjoyed that his heart bubbled like a mountain spring. His steps lightened, and his previously lowered head unconsciously lifted.
Ah, the Feng residence truly befits a Jinshi’s home—look how lush the flowers and plants grow, how exceptionally smooth the cobblestone path is. Landlord Xu found everything pleasing to the eye.
A Feng family servant remarked: “The rented residence hasn’t been fully tidied yet, so we must apologize for the inconvenience to the master and madam. These wild weeds and flowers keep sprouting no matter how often we pull them. Tomorrow, we’ll hire some laborers to uproot them completely!”
“I love reading. Grandpa has many books in his study that he never reads, so I go there to play. Grandpa teaches me, and then I learn.” The child in his arms answered fluently, though somewhat confused—what did it mean to be taught and then simply understand? But he was only three years old. Hearing this childish remark, Feng Yi raised an eyebrow without comment and turned to look at Landlord Xu.
Landlord Xu felt slightly embarrassed. In the Jiangnan region, literary pursuits were highly valued, and scholars were admired. Any profession associated with literature gained an air of refinement. Hoping to absorb some of this scholarly aura, he had bought many books to fill his study, though he never actually opened them—they were merely for display. Still, these books could later be used for his precious grandson, so it wasn’t a waste. Glancing at his Yue Ge’er, who gazed back at him with clever obedience, Landlord Xu spoke with what he believed was modesty:
“When Yue Ge’er was just a year and a half old, he somehow wandered into my study and started flipping through a book. I casually taught him a few lines without thinking much of it…” His tone gradually swelled with pride. “Who would have thought Yue Ge’er had such a memory? After hearing it once, he remembered it firmly and never forgot. Finding it remarkable, I began teaching him for an hour each day. In just three months, he had mastered the Three Hundred Thousand Characters.”
This further solidified Landlord Xu’s belief that Yue Ge’er was the Reincarnated Star of Literature.
Everyone was astonished!
The Feng residence was not large, and by then they had reached the reception hall, where those inside clearly heard the latter part of Landlord Xu’s statement—”In just three months, he had mastered the Three Hundred Thousand Characters.”
What kind of genius was this? Even Feng Yi was momentarily incredulous. Having grown up in Hangzhou, a hub of literary talent, he had encountered countless child prodigies and geniuses since childhood. Even he himself was considered a genius in others’ eyes.
“So, according to you, Yue Ge’er mastered the Three Hundred Thousand Characters before he was two?” Feng Yi’s question to Landlord Xu carried a tone of certainty. Without waiting for a reply or bothering with other disciples and parents, he gently began testing Xu Yue.
Xu Yue answered fluently without the slightest hesitation, clearly demonstrating complete mastery. Landlord Xu even added that Xu Yue had memorized many other elementary texts, and when Feng Yi tested him, it proved true. No matter the question, it was as effortless as plucking fruit from a branch—nothing could stump Xu Yue.
The examination lasted a quarter of an hour. By the end, not only was Feng Yi’s eyes shining as he gazed at Xu Yue like a rare treasure, but everyone else felt the same.
Feng Yi’s heart surged with emotion, as if he had bought a random stone from a market stall only to discover it was the peerless Heshi Jade! He could hardly believe his immense luck, yet he wavered between wanting to present this treasure to the world and fearing his own inadequacy might tarnish the flawless jade.
After a long while, Feng Yi finally collected himself and apologized to the others for his neglect.
For this apprenticeship ceremony, Magistrate Wen could not attend in person, so his biological younger brother, Third Master Wen, brought Wen Qi to pay respects to the master.
“Like fragrant orchids and jade trees, one wishes to see them grow in one’s own courtyard.”
Third Master Wen gazed at Xu Yue in Feng Yi’s arms and sighed with deep emotion:
“Only today have I come to understand the sentiment of Xie Xuan of the Xie family during the Jin Dynasty. Scholar Feng, if word of your fortune spreads, countless people will be so envious they won’t be able to eat.”
Others, such as the Head of the He family, also expressed their astonishment, showering Landlord Xu with endless congratulations and sweet words.
The Xia family sent a middle-aged man dressed as a farmer. Though he couldn’t understand these refined and literary remarks, he knew that his own Xia Yu’s junior apprentice brother seemed exceptionally talented—a true genius. Outwardly, he showed no sign of it, but inwardly, he was deeply concerned.
Xia Yu’s acceptance as Feng Yi’s disciple was largely due to his innate talent, yet now he was far surpassed by his junior apprentice brother…
Feng Yi laughed heartily, and Xu Yue could feel the vibrations in his chest.