Chapter 9

Chapter 9

That night, Father summoned me to his study.

The results of the assessment and the accompanying remarks lay on his desk. There was a faint hint of pleasure on Father’s face.

“Since Mingli Study was founded, no girl has ever taken first place in the grand assessment. You are the first.”

I dipped into a graceful bow. “It is all thanks to Father’s guidance over the years.”

Father walked behind the desk and sat down, then gestured for me to sit as well.

“On the third day, during the mounted archery and formation diagrams, you did not use your full strength.”

“I remember that the fierce horse from the Western Regions in Xianyang Prefecture was tamed by your own hand.”

“Yes.” I knew I could not hide it from him, nor did I intend to.

“Ah He needed that chance to stand out. She is quick-witted and perceptive. What she lacks is confidence.”

Father nodded. “Too sharp a display invites suspicion and fear. It is good that you can think this way.”

When I rose to take my leave, I bowed solemnly to Father.

“Father, Lan-di is nearly six now. He can begin his studies at Father’s side.”

“Your daughter also wishes, as she did in Xianyang, to listen to Father’s teachings.”

Father fixed his gaze on me for a long while, then let out a sigh so faint it was almost inaudible.

“Even I no longer know whether teaching you these things back then was for better or for worse.”

I straightened and smiled calmly.

“Whether it is better or worse is my fate. Whether to teach or not was Father’s choice.”

Father’s eyes were complicated, but in the end, he waved a hand.

“Go. Starting the day after tomorrow, come to the study for one hour every other day.”

From then on, I had another subject added to my lessons.

What Father taught me was no longer the classics and histories, but more often an analysis of the greater currents under heaven.

Ah He displayed an astonishing gift for mathematics and continued to receive Mother’s guidance in household management.

The two of us grew busier and busier, our days almost completely filled with lessons.

The rare days when we were allowed to breathe were the days each month when Master Du led the students out to work together.

We tilled the fields and pulled weeds, experiencing farm labor for ourselves.

As the emperor passed away, the situation under heaven became even more chaotic.

Warlords rose one after another, imperial authority grew weak, and military governors across the land began acting as powers unto themselves.

During these years of retirement at home, the main branch’s doorstep became even livelier than it had been in Xianyang.

Visitors came in an endless stream, and carriages and horses often filled the mountain road.

There were lobbyists sent by ambitious powers from every side, and wealthy merchants with fortunes to spend.

There were even quite a few greenwood heroes who came because of Father’s reputation.

Father never grew arrogant.

No matter whether a visitor’s status was high or low, no matter whether their intentions were open or hidden, so long as they sincerely sought an audience, Father welcomed them with tea and wine.

After several years, though Father never promised to leave seclusion and enter service, he had formed considerable ties with the various factions.

The world was in turmoil, yet this corner of Qishan remained untouched. If anything, it had grown a little more prosperous than before.

Spring passed into autumn. For three consecutive years, I held firmly to first place on Mingli Study’s assessment rankings.

Unknowingly, I became the standard many of the younger generation secretly strove to catch.

Yin Rui and Ah He also ranked among the best.

Gradually, the impression that “the Yin Clan has daughters of breathtaking talent” spread from Qishan.

On this day, the sun shone bright and glaring, making everyone feel a little lazy.

The gatekeeper came to report that a visitor from afar had presented a calling card, and the matter required Father’s personal decision.

I looked at the distinctive crest on the corner of the card and recognized it as the Luo Family emblem, so I went to find Father myself.