After the imperial court adjourned, Bai Yi returned to the study of Jingqian Palace to grind ink for Xiao Shiyun. He could not help but wonder how he could get Xiao Shiyun to willingly travel back with him.
Xiao Shiyun’s reluctance to leave boiled down to two simple reasons. First, he wanted to develop his empire, leaving him far too occupied with endless political affairs to step away. Second, the bond between them had not matured to the point where they could return home together.
Perhaps he should help Xiao Shiyun with his career. However, Bai Yi barely recognized any ancient characters. Aside from being physically fit, having spent his university days constantly running proxy tracks for others, his skills were severely limited. He figured he might as well join the military.
Then again, he had read The Art of War before, but he had not actually understood it. Damn it, it turned out his university years were a complete waste, leaving him completely skill-less.
How could Xiao Shiyun have the heart to make him grind ink? He was a university student, after all. Damn it!
Unable to sit still any longer, Bai Yi indignantly threw down the ink stick in his hand.
“I want to practice archery,” Bai Yi stated calmly.
“What? You want to practice archery?” Guo Fu asked unsteadily.
“Yes. I! Want! To! Practice! Archery!”
Guo Fu wiped the sweat from his forehead and said, “Then you should go ask His Majesty.”
“I want to practice archery,” Bai Yi lowered his head, crossing his hands in front of himself as he proposed for the third time.
“Why practice archery?” Xiao Shiyun’s hand did not halt as he reviewed the imperial memorials, taking a brief moment to lift his head and glance at him.
“It can defend the country, and I can also go to the battlefield to kill enemies, charging forward to bring glory to the empire. I stay by your side every day. If someone tries to assassinate you, I can eliminate the opponent directly. What do you think?” Bai Yi said, his voice brimming with anticipation.
“Not allowed.”
Xiao Shiyun frowned as he read a certain memorial. Bai Yi was struck squarely by the memorial flying toward him. Clutching his head, he cursed, “What are you doing? What happened now?”
“See for yourself. Look at the good deed you did yesterday, you caused a massive blunder in the imperial court.”
Bai Yi picked up the memorial from the floor and opened it hesitantly. Xiao Shiyun waited for a long while without hearing Bai Yi speak, forcing him to lift his head and look at him.
“Um, I don’t understand it. What does it say?” Bai Yi’s voice grew lower and lower. Ancient characters were truly convoluted, and he was not exactly a Chinese Language and Literature major.
Xiao Shiyun massaged his temples. “Bai Yi, how on earth did you manage to grow this big? Don’t you get hit by carriages when you go out? Even if someone runs you over and hands you a liability waiver, you wouldn’t even be able to read the words.”
Bai Yi handed the memorial back to Xiao Shiyun. “I am illiterate, so it is enough that you are educated. We didn’t really do anything yesterday, it counts as ridding the people of an evil.”
“The memorial states that the Prime Minister has suffered a stroke from the fright. Tomorrow, you will bring some items on my behalf to visit him and see if he is close to death.”
“Oh, alright, wait, what?” Bai Yi mourned for the Prime Minister in his heart for a single second. Of all the people to provoke, the official just had to provoke Xiao Shiyun.
If he could master a set of martial arts from ancient times, wouldn’t he be able to open a martial arts school to earn money when he returned? Or he could become a free-combat coach. At the very least, he could show off in front of his university classmates.
Bai Yi grabbed Xiao Shiyun’s arm, pleading with him, “You are the most handsome, Xiao Shiyun. Your sword dancing and archery must be incredibly majestic and ridiculously handsome. Can you demonstrate it for me? Please.”
“Do you truly want to learn?” Xiao Shiyun asked.
“Yes, I want to learn!”
“There is a fee.”
Bai Yi released his arm. “Get lost.”
He was sent to the Imperial Academy by Xiao Shiyun, right on this very day.
Xiao Shiyun stated that he must first learn how to write, studying ancient texts, astronomy, geography, and literature from beginning to end. The remaining martial arts would be considered as appropriate. Bai Yi’s position as the imperial cleaning guard was temporarily suspended, and he would attend the lectures as the study boy for the top scorer of the capital’s imperial examination.
Xiao Shiyun did not micromanage the rest of the matters. He had endless political duties to handle every day, and Bai Yi was not that important of a person.
“Is the ink ready yet? Slowpoke,” Xiao Shiyun asked out of habit while reviewing the memorials.
Guo Fu hurriedly carried the prepared ink over. “In response to the Emperor, the ink is fully ground.”
The brush dipped in ink halted in Xiao Shiyun’s hand, his tone turning cold as he said, “Leave.”
“Yes.” Guo Fu put down the inkstone and prepared to withdraw, only to be called back.
“Bai Yi, what is he doing right now?” Xiao Shiyun’s eyes and hands never left the memorials, appearing highly occupied as he asked casually.
Guo Fu tried his best to suppress the corners of his mouth. “Young Master Bai should have already met the top scorer, and they are allocating dormitories in the academy.”
“Tell him to come to Jingqian Palace tonight to grind ink. He will reside in my side hall.”
“Then this servant will inform the top scorer, and dispatch another person to organize the scholar’s books tonight.”
Xiao Shiyun lifted his eyes. “I haven’t met this top scorer yet.”
Guo Fu immediately retrieved the top scorer’s portrait, handing it to Xiao Shiyun with both hands. “Please look over it, Your Majesty.”
The scroll unrolled, revealing a portrait of a man with regular features, appearing as warm as jade. Just from the depiction on the paper, he possessed an indescribable air of elegance.
Xiao Shiyun stared at that face, his expression turning dark and unreadable. This was the exact person who had led Bai Yi away at the night market yesterday.
Two memorials flew onto the floor. “Is the imperial court sustaining them just so they can eat for free? If they aren’t using their brains, they can feed them to the dogs. Tell them to get lost on their own.”
“Where is Bai Yi?” Xiao Shiyun placed the brush back onto the rack.
“This servant will take you to see him.”
“Tell the Minister of Personnel to quickly compile the evaluation list for the officials. Those who entered through the imperial examinations must be trained extensively at the grassroots level. If they allocate them incorrectly, I will execute his entire clan.” Xiao Shiyun threw an overcoat over his shoulders and walked out of Jingqian Palace.
Bai Yi had no idea that Xiao Shiyun was already on his way. He was currently driving the lecturing master half-dead with anger.
The master lectured in class, saying, “Studying is about learning ritual, music, benevolence, and righteousness. Only with ritual can there be regulations.”
“No, no, no,” Bai Yi stood up and countered. “Studying is actually about language, mathematics, English, history, geography, politics, physics, chemistry, and biology. This is much more scientific. Ritual and music can be relegated to music class. Can our language class teach us how to write characters instead?”
Everyone who came to attend the lecture in the academy, including the youngest prince left behind by the late emperor, the young marquis, and the top scorer of the capital’s imperial examination, all turned around to stare at this nonsensical little study boy.
It was the first time the master had faced someone openly challenging his authority. His fingers shook with rage as he pointed at Bai Yi and yelled, “Utterly preposterous! I have taught for so many years, yet it is the first time I have encountered an untamed monkey like you. Learning how to write is something you should have mastered at three years old.”
Bai Yi failed to understand. “Then if you aren’t teaching anything, how is it that you haven’t been replaced yet? A teacher is one who propagates the doctrine, imparts professional knowledge, and resolves doubts. When a student has a question, why isn’t it resolved?”
Someone stealthily gave Bai Yi a thumbs-up, admiring his commendable courage, while even the top scorer of the capital’s examination covered his face and smiled helplessly.
“Go stand outside.”
Bai Yi shook his head. “No way, standing is far too tiring.”
Furious, the master threw a volume of books toward Bai Yi. “If you don’t wish to learn, there are plenty of others who do. Even if you are replaced, I will never leave.”
Outside the window, Xiao Shiyun’s eyes darkened as he murmured thoughtfully, “Is that so?”
Bai Yi felt there was no point in staying any longer. He complied with the master’s wish, pulled open the door, and walked out.
He ran straight into Xiao Shiyun. “Holy crap!” Bai Yi hurriedly shut the door. “Why are you here?”
Xiao Shiyun grabbed Bai Yi by the wrist. “Come back with me.”
“Didn’t you tell me to come here to study?”
Xiao Shiyun let out a furious laugh. “Are you even capable of studying? No matter where you are placed, you are never restful.”
“How am I not restful? He simply isn’t explaining anything. You sent me here to learn characters, but I haven’t learned a single thing, yet I’m not even allowed to say a few words.” Bai Yi didn’t know why a surge of anger rose within him, accompanied by a slight sense of grievance.
“I know.”
“What do you know? Damn it, I’ve had enough of going to school!”
“Are you leaving or not?” Xiao Shiyun asked expressionlessly.
“What, do you regret letting me come? Did I come here just to embarrass you, being completely skill-less and unable to recognize a single character? Do I need to go inside and kneel to beg for forgiveness?”
Xiao Shiyun hoisted Bai Yi onto his shoulder and walked toward the carriage. Bai Yi struggled a couple of times against his shoulder before going still, burying his face against Xiao Shiyun’s back.
The students passing by on both sides hid themselves one after another, whispering frantically among themselves, while even Guo Fu lowered his head.
The disciples who left the lecture hall to have their meal only spotted the distant Emperor seemingly hoisting a person on his shoulder as he boarded the carriage.
Xiao Shiyun lifted his hand and delivered a swat to Bai Yi’s backside. “I am very busy every day, stop causing trouble for me all the time.”