Chapter 45 Becoming Polite

Eventually, the matter concluded with Master Lin paying five taels of silver and a copy of the Commentary on the Code of Qian.

He left in a fury, his expression extremely displeased.

With these matters settled, Master Zhou turned a stern face toward the six young men standing in the hall.

"A gentleman should act with dignity and self-restraint. The moment a disagreement arose, you all fell into a brawl. You have already passed the preliminary examinations; there is a much longer path ahead of you. What does this behavior look like now!"

Wang Xuezhuorighteously replied, "Next time someone speaks ill of our master, I'll hit them again!"

Lu Dasheng muttered softly, "I... I would too."

The remaining few glanced at the master’s expression and ultimately dared not speak further.

Master Zhou was almost amused to anger by the two of them. "Lu Dasheng, this time all the other fellow students passed the county examination, yet you failed. Instead of reflecting on yourself, you still have the energy to fight? I will have Master Lu outside bring you back right now for a thorough discipline!"

He called out to Xiao Wu, who immediately hoisted Lu Dasheng up and hauled him outside. "Master... I spoke wrongly... I was wrong..."

Lu Dasheng's voice gradually faded into the distance. Master Zhou stared at the others in silence for a long time.

After a while, he sighed. "Today, Landlord Lu invited us to the teahouse to view the name lists. I already know your examination results."

"I will have Xiao Wu go out and buy some medicine to promote blood circulation and remove blood stasis. Apply it, and then go home to rest. Rest for three days, and then we set off for the prefecture city."

Hearing that Master Zhou was not going to pursue the matter further, the atmosphere in the classroom instantly relaxed.

Wang Xuezhuo winced as he supported his lower back. "That fellow hit really hard. If I hadn't ducked quickly, the consequences would have been unimaginable, but I didn't let him off easily either, hehe..."

Zheng Guangyuan rubbed his buttocks. "At least they had some sense and avoided hitting vital areas, otherwise this matter might have blown up."

Xia Qianli curled his lips. "No one here is a fool. A fight is a fight, but we still knew where to draw the line."

As they spoke, several of them burst into laughter.

Although they had fought today, everyone was in exceptionally high spirits.

Listening to their chuckles and chatter, Zhou Mingli shook his head helplessly.

"Young Master, the students you have taken in possess fine character. The one called Wang Xuezhuo also has the highest talent. Why not simply take him on as your formal disciple? That way, even if you choose not to follow the path of the imperial examinations, as long as he achieves success in the future, you too will share in the worldwide renown and can thus revitalize the Zhou family, fulfilling the old master's expectations."

As Xiao Wu returned with the medicine and saw the smile lingering on his face, he could no longer hold back the words he had kept bottled up inside for so long.

Zhou Mingli’s expression收敛 (withdrew), and he said with a hint of self-mockery, "I had better not mislead other people's children."

"So much time has passed, you should learn to let go. There is still a long road ahead of you; you cannot simply remain like this forever. You must pull yourself together..."

Xiao Wu's earnest persuasion failed to change Zhou Mingli's mind. He waved his hand, unwilling to listen any further.

Wu Huai sighed inwardly at the sight. Silently, he took the medicine to give to the boys, then returned to his post guarding the gate, lost in thought.

...

After applying the medicine, Wang Xuezhuo and the others came to bid farewell to Master Zhou, but they could not find a trace of him. Only Xiao Wu came out to send them off.

Left with no choice, the group turned and walked toward the gate.

Noticing Xiao Wu's hesitating expression, Wang Xuezhuo lagged behind at the very end.

Wu Huai thought to himself, truly a clever child.

He cupped his hands in a bow toward Wang Xuezhuo. "Thank you, Young Master Wang, for defending my young master today."

Wang Xuezhuo opened his mouth in slight surprise.

In his impression, Xiao Wu had always been a stern and solemn person, and he had never expected such a formal expression of gratitude.

Besides, did he just refer to the master as "Young Master"?

Could it be... that their master actually came from a wealthy and influential family?

"Brother Wu, you flatter me. Master Zhou is my revered teacher, I merely did what a student ought to do. It is hardly worth such gratitude from you."

Xiao Wu smiled faintly. "Principle is principle, but not everyone would risk their lives for the young master like that."

When applying the medicine earlier, he had secretly noticed that Wang Xuezhuo's injuries were the most shocking of all.

Covered in bruises and with slightly swollen hands, it was clear he had put his all into hitting the others.

He was also the first to charge forward to defend the master, and in the end, it was he who stopped that fellow and forced an apology...

All of this was more than enough for him to take to heart and feel genuinely grateful.

On the way home, Wang Xuezhuo pondered for a long time without figuring out what he had done to touch Xiao Wu and make him so courteous. Failing to find an answer, he temporarily put it aside.

The moment Wang Xuezhuo arrived at the Wang household, he saw Old Man Wang brandishing a broomstick, chasing Wang Xuewen all over the courtyard.

"Grandfather, just send me to the city to study! Look at Chou Dan—he's only been studying for a few years and has made leaps and bounds. Let me go too! By then, the two of us can both earn a scholar's degree for you. How glorious would that be when you walk outside? Even Village Chief Grandfather would have to treat you with respect!"

"Look at that toad-like face of yours! Are you made of that kind of material? Sending you would just be a waste of money. Having your father is already enough, and you want this old man to take another tumble? Keep dreaming!"

Old Man Wang spat out a mouthful, completely immune to his grand promises.

Madam Gao was displeased upon hearing this. "Father, what kind of talk is that? Look at how smart my Niudan is! Ever since he was little, whenever you beat him, he knew how to run away! Chou Dan can go study in the city, so why can't my Niudan?"

"Listen to yourself! Is that human talk? Anyone who isn't a fool knows to run away! Do you have any idea why Chou Dan was able to go? If Niudan can earn silver himself, I'll pack him off to the city to study overnight."

Wang Xuewen was about to retort when the corner of his eye caught sight of Wang Xuezhuo. Overjoyed, he rushed over. "Chou Dan, quickly tell grandfather about the benefits of studying in the city!"

Old Madam Liu had been sitting composedly on her stool, but upon turning her head and seeing Wang Xuezhuo's battered appearance, her eyes widened. With a *tsun* sound, she sprang to her feet and grabbed him to inspect him closely. "Which bastard did this? Don't be afraid, tell grandmother, and I'll make them pay until their family is completely ruined!"

Madam Ma hurriedly put down the child in her arms and ran over with a worried expression. "Chou Dan, how did you get bullied like this? What happened? Did someone envy you?"

The news that he had passed the county examination had excited the entire family to no end. Old Man Wang and Old Madam Liu had been pacing the courtyard in agitation, just about to discuss with the second son whether to set up a few tables for a celebration, when the second son and his wife turned around and went to notify her maiden family.

Only then had the two elders managed to restrain themselves and remain in the courtyard.

Seeing their nervous expressions, Wang Xuezhuo hurriedly waved his hands. "It's nothing like that. It's just that someone insulted our master, and a few of my classmates and I couldn't stand it, so we got into a scuffle and got a bit banged up."

Old Man Wang hurried over to inspect him, and upon seeing that the medicine had already been applied, he finally let out a sigh of relief.

Old Madam Liu stood in the courtyard with her hands on her hips, cursing, "What a bunch of good-for-nothings! Daring to insult a master, do they think they're flying up to heaven? Asking for a beating for no good reason! They should have been thrashed soundly. But you took a loss by fighting like this; how can a scholar use his hands to hit people for nothing? After a fight, you at least have to make them pay compensation to settle the matter!"

"Next time you run into something like this, come back and tell me. Grandmother's hands have done farm work all these years and are stronger than yours! I guarantee I'll beat that fellow so hard he won't dare try it again for the rest of his life."