On the tenth day of the New Year, Jiang Kangchen hugged his son for a long time before he confidently handed him over to Shao Yunan and Wang Shijing. After bidding farewell to his family and friends, he got on a carriage that would take him to a ship that would carry him to the capital. Wang Shijing and Jiang Kangning saw him off, accompanied by three large carriages of gifts and the 3,500 taels of gold and 35,000 taels of silver that Shao Yunan donated to General Dai, as well as the ‘treasures’ obtained by Shao Yunan.

When Jiang Kangchen left, Jiang Moxi was in Shao Yunan’s arms, still holding the cube in his hands. His wooden eyes looked at the distant carriage and not until the carriage disappeared without a trace, he lowered his head to continue to study the eighth-level Rubik’s cube. Shao Yunan who noticed this scene was shocked. Could it be that the spiritual milk and spiritual spring water were really effective for Jiang Moxi’s autism?

In order to treat Jiang Moxi, Shao Yunan secretly added more spirit milk and spirit spring water to Jiang Moxi every day, by taking the opportunity to pour water or serve rice to him. Jiang Moxi was an autistic child, so there was no need to worry about him noticing anything unusual. If the spiritual milk and spiritual spring water could really cure Jiang Moxi, Shao Yunan could see brother Jiang’s reaction (happiness) at that time.

Once Jiang Kangchen left, Shao Yunan also felt that the house became a little colder. However, Kang Rui has been living there and every day he found some time to teach Wang Qing, Wang Yan, and Zhao Congbo. To say that Wang Shuping and Zhao Yuande were grateful to Shao Yunan and Wang Shijing, it would not be enough. If it weren’t for their relationship, how could their sons have a chance to be instructed by Elder Cen and Vice Dean Kang?

In contrast to his initial coldness towards Shao Yunan and Wang Shijing, Kang Rui was not pedantic, although he still looked like a very reserved and self-disciplined scholar. After discovering Shao Yunan’s uncommonness, he especially enjoyed debating with Shao Yunan and listening to Shao Yunan’s views on current state affairs, which often brought him different perceptions and new inspirations. After each day spent with Shao Yunan, he became more and more sure that Shao Yunan should become a scholar and go to the capital’s imperial academy to become one.

After Jiang Kangchen left, Wang Nizi took Jiang Moxi with her to practice the zither, while Wang Qing went to Wang Yan and Zhao Congbo’s to do his homework… the art homework assigned by Shao Yunan. The literati of this era, especially people like Elder Cen and Kang Rui, were definitely proficient in all things like chess, calligraphy, and painting. At this point, Shao Yunan was relieved that Kang Rui took the initiative to take up the duties of the three children’s art teacher, so Shao Yunan also let the three children learn more art today and paint.

Elder Cen and Kang Rui studied the essays and poems recorded from Shao Yunan’s study that Shao Yunan especially arranged for Elder Cen. Every time they looked at them, they felt emotional again. Both of them had also recently become fascinated with lyric writing, so Shao Yunan had given both of them a lecture on wordplay, opening a new door for them that was full of seductive charm.

“Kang Rui, I have something to ask as a teacher.” Kang Rui recovered from his thoughts and raised his head. Elder Cen looked at him with a serious expression. “Kang Rui, as a teacher, I want to study these ‘words’ with great concentration. The position of the Dean of the White Moon Academy, I will leave it to you.”

Kang Rui said, “Master, you are the foundation of the academy. I am afraid I will not be able to convince the public.” Elder Cen shook his head. “You must not be modest. Your name of ‘Scholar of the Academy’ is not just in vain. As a teacher, you are now preoccupied with these poems and essays. To me, these are the big things. Don’t worry, I will not ignore the academy, but you will need to sit in the academy in the future.”

 Kang Rui was not pretentious and got up to salute. “Student will obey his teacher’s wishes.” Elder Cen stroked his beard, his mood becoming much more relaxed. Kang Rui sat down, hesitant to speak as Elder Cen said, “You can ask whatever you want.” Kang Rui said, “I feel that Yunan still has a lot of private knowledge.”

“Hehe,” Elder Cen stroked his beard again, smiled and said, “The little fox must have it. Don’t worry, he will definitely show it in the future. You and I can wait for a while as we understand these thoroughly first. I plan to go to the capital after the new year to meet Senior Brother. Other things aside, this alone can cause an uproar.”

Kang Rui agreed, “Yes, we should take it to Master. If the teacher needs anything from the student, the student is obliged to do so.”

Elder Cen sighed. “The little fox is still beyond my expectations. Kang Rui, the past has passed, but we still need to look forward. I have also lost the heart for the court, but as you can see, Yunan is willing to hand over these things because he trusts you and me, so we should also keep it in mind. If he wants to hide these things wholeheartedly, these things would never appear until many years or even a hundred years later. It is impossible for you and me to ever see it.”

“Yunan might also not be aware of the dangers he will encounter in the future. Since I want to recognize him as a son, we have to do more planning for him. This time, I also want to meet my old friends and your brothers in the capital.”

Kang Rui took a deep breath and nodded heavily. “Student understands what the teacher means. What Yunan did is also beyond this students’ expectation. If other people had these things, they would have used them to enter the court and seek power and gain, but he handed them over so selflessly. Based on this alone, Student can’t just sit idly by. Teacher, don’t worry, I know what to do.”

“It’s best if you understand…”

“Knock, knock, knock,” there was a knock on the door and Elder Cen spoke. “Come in.” The door was pushed open and Shao Yunan came in with a wooden box in his arms, smiling. As soon as they saw him, a smile appeared on both Elder Cen’s and Kang Rui’s faces. Elder Cen asked, “What are you busy with again Yunan? I haven’t seen you since the early morning.”

“I was busy with something for you and Dean Kang.”

“For us?” Elder Cen and Kang Rui looked at each other, both curious. “What is it?” Elder Cen stared at the box in Shao Yunan’s hand. Shao Yunan walked to the desk, put down the box, and said with a mysterious expression, “It’s something that you and Dean Kang would really, really like. Do you want to guess what it is?” He spoke, pointing at the box.

Elder Cen stroked his beard. “Well, could it be something fresh to eat?” The little fox said that the new tea would not be available until after the new year, so it shouldn’t be tea. Shao Yunan shook his head and looked at Kang Rui, who also thought fervently and guessed, “Yes, a new and strange novelty?” Such as the Rubik’s Cube kind of thing? Shao Yunan still shook his head.

Elder Cen shook his head with a smile. “This old man can’t guess it. You little fox, don’t be so mysterious and quickly tell us what it is.” Shao Yunan put both hands on the box and said in a serious manner, “Before I reveal the mystery, you have to promise me one thing first.”

“Just say it.” Elder Cen agreed quickly. Kang Rui nodded, “It’s easy to promise.” Shao Yunan grinned. “You can’t forget to eat and sleep.” Both of them instantly lit up. Elder Cen reached out to get the box, but Shao Yunan urged, “You promise me first.”

“I promise, I promise.” Elder Cen had already guessed what it might be. At a time like this, he would promise and agree to any conditions. Shao Yunan looked at Kang Rui, making him immediately nod. “I promise!”

“Okay, you promised, so you can’t break it later.”

“Promise, promise!” At this time Elder Cen was like an old father in front of Shao Yunan, who was coaxing his child without any principles.

Shao Yunan let go and Elder Cen immediately hugged (snatched) the box like a baby, then he immediately opened the lid of the box. The box was filled with books. The cover of the top book had the word [Shi Jing] written on it. Elder Cen suddenly choked on his breath while Kang Rui reached out and picked up the thread-bound book, immediately revealing the title of the book below [Zhou Yi].

These two books had never been seen by Elder Cen and Kang Rui, not to mention that there were also several other books below. Elder Cen looked up, his eyes shining, his hands were shaking.

“Yunan, these, these are…” Shao Yunan held Elder Cen’s trembling hands. “Master, this is my treasure, but it’s not mine. When I was ten years old, I met an injured old man outside the village who gave me this box with these books inside. He asked me to hide these books, saying that if he did not come to pick them up after a month, they are mine to keep.”

“I was literate as a child, so although I couldn’t understand these books, I still knew these books were valuable. But the strange thing is that I hid these books and forgot about it, only after I committed suicide did I remember about them. This is perhaps my strange encounter. Master, I didn’t dare to take out these books before, but now, with you here, I dare to take them out. Only if I hand them over to you can I rest assured.”

Elder Cen’s lips were trembling. If it was as Yunan said, then these books must be of great origin! Shao Yunan said, “I have looked through these books and many of the essays and poems I recited to you were from these books. But because there were other people present, I acted cheekily and said I thought of it myself.”

Elder Cen’s breath became heavy, as he gripped Shao Yunan’s hand. This was not just the word ‘trust.’ With these books, Shao Yunan could get supreme glory and wealth if he gave them to any powerful person, but he gave these books to him, an old man who has no power and no wealth.

Shao Yunan laughed. “You are my father. This is a gift from your son, so please accept it.” Elder Cen’s eyes suddenly turned red and he squeezed Shao Yunan’s face with a smile. “This kid is just so good at flattering his father!”

“Hehehe. You better still remember what you promised me just now. You can’t forget about sleeping and meals.”

“You little fox!” After knocking on Shao Yunan’s forehead, Elder Cen couldn’t care about anything else anymore. While Kang Rui next to him, was already deaf to the things around him.

Edited by: Jaisland

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