Chapter 277: Chapter 277 Meeting a Benefactor
277 Meeting a Nobleman
He couldn’t figure out what this young girl was up to. If she intended to offer a gift, it was certainly a humble one.
Perhaps her family is too poor, he thought, then said, "There’s no need for that, young lady. Our academy has plenty of these fruits and vegetables in its own gardens."
"Oh." Zhao Zhitong responded, her eyes darting as a plan formed in her mind. "I know the Dean probably doesn’t lack vegetables or food, but this is a token of our sincerity."
As she spoke, she suddenly started coughing, her whole body appearing to weaken. "Young man," she said pitifully, "you may not know this, but I’m actually very ill. Before I... before I pass on, I wish to see the Dean whom I admire so much. It’s this humble girl’s only remaining wish in this life. Can you please help me?"
She then looked sadly at the attendant.
The attendant was startled. "Ah! You’re sick?"
Zhao Zhitong blinked, nodding emphatically. "Yes, yes, I’m terribly ill, practically at death’s door! COUGH, COUGH, COUGH."
Zhao Yue and Qiao Muchen were so surprised they almost couldn’t catch their breath. Both choked on their saliva and started coughing.
The two attendants at the gate looked at them in confusion.
Qiao Muchen reacted quickly, covering his mouth to suppress a cough. He sighed and said mournfully, "Alas, my poor friend. She is terribly ill. Young man, please tell us where the Dean is. This is my friend’s last wish. That’s why we brought her here today."
Zhao Yue’s eye twitched, and he chimed in with the act, "Yes, yes, my friend is truly, truly pitiful."
The attendant sighed. "Alright, alright. The Dean is in his study right now. Go through the school to the backyard; you’ll find the teachers’ living quarters there. The first courtyard belongs to the Dean."
"Thank you, young man."
After thanking him, they collected their room tokens.
Perhaps because they had arrived with Lv Wenhao, the three of them were assigned to the same dormitory room when they received their tokens.
Qiao Muchen and Zhao Yue put down their luggage but, without unpacking, prepared to go with Zhao Zhitong to find the Dean.
Lv Wenhao was very curious and pulled Zhao Yue aside to ask what they wanted with the Dean.
Zhao Yue said, "What else could it be? Didn’t we tell you? We’re helping our friend meet someone she admires."
Lv Wenhao didn’t believe him at all. However, neither Zhao Yue nor Qiao Muchen had any intention of explaining further. They gave him a few perfunctory replies and then hurried off.
When they arrived at the Dean’s door, they saw several people standing there. Judging by the large and small bags they carried, it was clear they were there to offer gifts to the Dean.
However, judging by their ages, they didn’t look like scholars; they seemed to be the parents of some scholars.
Zhao Zhitong was very surprised. "Wow, what’s going on? Is gift-giving so popular now?"
Qiao Muchen and Zhao Yue both shook their heads. "We don’t know."
Just then, an attendant lifted the door curtain and stepped out. Standing at the entrance, he announced loudly to the people outside, "Everyone, please return. The Teacher is tired and resting now. He will not be seeing any guests today."
The people grew anxious.
"Oh, please don’t say that, young man! Could you please announce us one more time and let us see the Dean?"
"Yes, young man, please speak to the Dean for us!"
The attendant was unyielding. "Everyone, please leave."
Seeing that their chances of meeting the Teacher were gone, many shook their heads in disappointment and had no choice but to leave.
"Sigh! What are we to do? Our son won’t be able to get into Taiyi Academy now."
"Taiyi Academy has its own conditions for enrolling scholars. It’s better to go back and have your child study hard. Strive to pass next year."
Before long, all those people had left, one after another.
Only then did Zhao Zhitong and the others realize that these people had come to see the Dean hoping to secure exceptional admission into the academy.
Judging from their attire, many were wealthy and influential. The Dean had sent them all away, apparently unafraid of offending them.
As everyone else departed, only Zhao Zhitong and her two companions remained standing at the door.
The attendant was taken aback. "Why haven’t you left? The Teacher is not seeing anyone."
Zhao Zhitong said, "We’re not like them. We’re here to deliver some vegetables and fruits to the Dean."
Her voice was very pleasant, with a hint of childish sweetness, and it carried clearly into the room.
Just as the attendant was about to tell them to leave, a deep, resonant voice came from within the room, "Bamboo, let them in."
The attendant quickly replied, "Yes, Teacher." Then, turning to Zhao Zhitong and the others, he said, "Please come in. The Teacher has invited you inside."
Zhao Zhitong, Qiao Muchen, and Zhao Yue exchanged glances before following the attendant into the room.
Upon entering, they saw two men sitting by a window, engrossed in a game of chess. Incense smoldered in a censer nearby, its fragrant smoke gently drifting.
After the three entered, they stood quietly, careful not to disturb the two men playing chess.
Just then, one of the men, dressed in dark red robes, let out a hearty laugh. "HAHA, you old rascal! I’m definitely going to win this time!"
The other man, clad in grey robes, his hair and beard streaked with white, merely smiled faintly and placed a piece on the board. "Look again."
The man in the dark red robes paused, then tossed his chess piece into the bowl with a huff.
The game was over.
The three students bowed in unison. "Pupils Zhao Zhitong, Qiao Muchen, and Zhao Yue greet the two Teachers."
Hearing them announce their names, Lord Zhang turned his gaze to the three newcomers and said, "I have often heard Wenchang praise you. Today, I finally have the pleasure of meeting you in person."
The elderly man chuckled, stroking his beard as he looked at the three. "HAHA, Elder Song’s judgment is rarely wrong. Most of his pupils are capable individuals who can share His Majesty’s burdens."
After speaking, he looked at the three silent children and said with a smile, "I imagine you children don’t know who we are, do you?"
He was right. Large question marks seemed to hover over the children’s heads.
The elderly man then introduced himself, "This old man is the Dean of Taiyi Academy. And this is my old friend; you may call him Elder Zhang."
Hearing this, the three quickly bowed again in salutation.
"Enough, enough. There’s no need for such excessive courtesy."
"Thank you, Teacher. Thank you, Elder Zhang." With that, the three straightened up and stood respectfully. Zhao Zhitong then began to discreetly observe the old man.
This must be Dean Yuan of Taiyi Academy, Elder Yuan—Yuan Wenkang. He is an exceptionally learned and talented individual. Taiyi Academy owes much of its current esteemed status to his contributions.
At that moment, Elder Yuan suddenly asked, "Have you observed anything of interest?"
Zhao Zhitong was startled. She saw Yuan Wenkang smiling at her. Although he appeared kind and amiable, the aura of a man in a high position was unmistakably potent.
However, Zhao Zhitong was not intimidated. She blinked and replied confidently, "Replying to Teacher, this pupil has observed that you have been suffering from poor appetite and abdominal pain due to an upset stomach recently. Moreover, you seem to have caught a cold today."
Yuan Wenkang and Lord Zhang were both stunned for a moment, then burst into hearty laughter.
Lord Zhang remarked, "This young girl is truly something special."
No wonder that old fellow Wenchang always lamented that she was exceptionally intelligent, not inferior to any boy, but was unfortunately born the wrong gender. Not many could remain so calm and composed in their powerful presence. Yet, look at this girl—neither servile nor arrogant, handling herself with ease.
After he finished laughing, Yuan Wenkang said to Lord Zhang beside him, "You know, this young lady is quite correct."