My Wife Is A Sword Immortal
Chapter 247 - 202: The Humble Maiden

Chapter 247: Chapter 202: The Humble Maiden

Taiching Four Mansions, the southwestern corner.

A maple forest was hidden in one corner, where an elegant hut resided.

Inside the yard of the hut, in front of a stone table, a man and a woman were brewing spring water for tea.

The man was an elder in a green robe, his face weathered but adorned with meticulously combed black hair.

He lifted the kettle of boiling water and filled a teacup to seventy percent, not a drop more or less, perfectly measuring the tea within the cup.

Yan Jidao gently pushed the steaming cup of tea towards the guest across the table and looked up directly at the woman, whose arrival had surprised him greatly.

Yan Jidao cut directly to the chase, "Why have you come?"

As he spoke, he glanced at the woman across the table who wore her hair tied up in a man’s style and was dressed in a Confucian robe.

In the air lingered a subtly enchanting fragrance of orchids.

This, Yan Jidao knew a bit about; although he had little interaction with her, he had long heard that this female Teacher, who had recently joined the Academy and possessed a special identity, was extremely fond of orchids and calligraphy.

Seeing Zhu Weirui’s hesitant expression, he frowned and asked,

"Has something happened at the Academy, or do you have some pedagogical issue that you wish to discuss with this old man? I have heard you are lecturing the new students, serving as the Teacher of Art Studies. Although I haven’t taken on new students in recent years, I do have some experience as a Teacher of Art Studies that I could share with you."

Zhu Weirui, who was staring at her teacup, shook her head, glanced at the cup Yan Jidao had offered, and looked up apologetically, "I am sorry, Senior Yan, please wait a moment."

With that, Zhu Weirui flicked her finger against a jade pendant at her waist, drawing out a white porcelain teacup from the Sumeru Object, and placed it on the table.

She gave Yan Jidao an apologetic smile, waved her sleeve, remotely drew a stream of clear water from a nearby spring, and washed the cup she had taken out before reaching for the teapot to pour herself a clear tea.

Zhu Weirui elegantly lifted her tea cup, sipped, then set it down without drinking further.

The host’s tea was fine, but as a guest, she did not appreciate it.

Yan Jidao, seeing this, relaxed his brow and maintained a natural expression, showing no particular reaction, thinking that next time he hosted this female Teacher, he need not prepare these utensils.

Zhu Weirui sat upright at the table, her eyes clear as she began, "I have come today unannounced, and I hope Senior Yan will forgive the intrusion."

Yan Jidao shook his head, "No harm done. It is my pleasure to finally meet in person the much-discussed Lady of the Solitary Orchid from our Academy."

"Senior Yan, please stop teasing me," Zhu Weirui gave a light smile, not taking it to heart, and then her expression turned serious, "Weirui has come to boldly inquire why, since Senior Yan’s teaching period in Taiching Prefecture has finished, you have not yet rotated back to the Academy?"

Yan Jidao looked slightly startled, then said truthfully:

"The Brother Cheng who was to replace me encountered some issues. He took the students on an academic trip and has not returned. Thus, I am staying here a few more days. According to his letter, he should be back at the Academy in three days, and at that time, he will replace me."

"Three days..." Zhu Weirui visibly relaxed, "I understand, thank you, Senior Yan."

Yan Jidao’s brow slightly furrowed as he observed Zhu Weirui’s expression and hesitated for a moment before asking curiously, "Why do you ask about this matter?"

Zhu Weirui slightly lowered her head, her gaze fixated on the steaming teacup, and after a moment, she lightly opened her red lips, countering, "Senior Yan, have you recently taken a new student named... Zhao Ziyu?"

"Zhao Ziyu..." Yan Jidao murmured the name, and then recalled that this was indeed the scholar recently recommended to him by a brother in Great Chu. He had glanced at the boy briefly, seen no apparent issues, and let Li Jinsu handle his admission procedures, then hadn’t paid much attention afterward.

However, Yan Jidao had a slight impression that he came together with him to Taiching Prefecture for the lecture. He had seen him during classes...

Yan Jidao’s gaze sharpened, and without betraying his thoughts, he said, "There are quite a few disciples under me, please allow me a moment to recall... Oh, what business do you have with this Zhao Ziyu? Has he... behaved improperly toward you?"

As he spoke, Yan Jidao suddenly remembered something his eldest disciple, Li Jinsu, had mentioned to him not long ago: the youngest disciple had a dispute with Zhu Teacher’s young attendant Jingzi, who claimed the young disciple was a rake, although it seemed to be a misunderstanding according to the young disciple’s own explanation.

Yan Jidao’s brows instantly knitted together, as he had already instructed Li Jinsu to keep a strict watch on these younger disciples, ensuring they didn’t cause trouble in Taiching Four Mansions and embarrass the Academy.

Now it seemed that while they had managed to avoid trouble outside, they had stirred up a significant issue within Linlu Academy.

Had this Zhao Ziyu written some nonsensical letters to Zhu Weirui, like the attendant Jingzi suggested, with flirtatious and improper behavior?

In just a moment, Yan Jidao’s thoughts raced a thousand miles.

He looked up to see Zhu Weirui still staring at her teacup, her gaze seemingly hesitant and flickering.

Yan Jidao pursed his lips.

How audacious!

Not to mention her Cultivation Realm, this Ms. Zhu is a top-tier Confucian Scholar and your superior!

You write her amorous letters?

Now, waiting for us to return to the Academy, no doubt to take the matter to the Mountain Master, how am I supposed to protect you on behalf of my fellow Teacher?

With that thought, the elder’s gaze turned razor-sharp.

It was not surprising that Yan Jidao thought this way, given the situation. A student who had only recently entered the Academy, having accessed it through the back door, was suddenly sought out by a female teacher with a special status in the Academy, asking by name when he would return to the Academy.

It was like Zhao Rong in his previous life, a rural underachiever who entered a university through connections, was personally singled out by a young, beautiful, female professor who had returned from abroad.

This situation... could it be that they were hoping you would return to consult you on scholarly matters?

Seeing Zhu Weirui hesitate and not speak, Yan Jidao set down his teacup, prepared to inquire more thoroughly to see if there was still room for discussion.

However, just at that moment, Zhu Weirui suddenly looked up and spoke.

"No, that’s not it... Zhao Ziyu... Mr. Zhao has not been disrespectful."

That day, after learning that those characters were written by Zhao Ziyu, Zhu Weirui initially wanted to go directly to Taiching Four Mansions to find him, but after careful thought, she didn’t immediately go, not just because of a woman’s reserve.

She had recently arrived at Linlu Academy and was currently serving as the calligraphy teacher for new students. These days, her schedule was packed, and since Zhao Ziyu was also a new student who would inevitably return to attend her calligraphy classes in a month, she thought it was a good opportunity to deeply study his magnificent and extraordinary calligraphy, and then to properly consult him upon his return.

However, Zhu Weirui had been eagerly waiting yet had not seen Zhao Ziyu return with Yan Jidao within the assigned time.

So she gradually became anxious, worrying something unforeseen had occurred to him, hence she requested a day off and could not help coming to Taiching Prefecture to inquire personally.

At this moment, seeing that Yan Jidao looked somewhat displeased, and recalling his recent words which seemed to be a misunderstanding, she quickly opened her mouth to clarify.

She continued, "And on the contrary, it was we who were disrespectful to Mr. Zhao. Jingzi’s disposition is stubborn, and it is my failing in discipline. That day, it was wrong to cause Mr. Zhao such difficulty in entering the academy... It is also my fault, if I had realized earlier, wouldn’t have let these subsequent events occur."

Zhu Weirui furrowed her brows, with a surge of self-reproach in her eyes.

Yan Jidao was momentarily taken aback, digesting these unexpected words for a while, then with an inquiring tone, he said, "So, are you thinking that we should return earlier, and you want to apologize to Zhao Ziyu?"

Not waiting for Zhu Weirui to respond, he shook his head and smiled, continuing, "No need for such trouble, I will summon Ziyu right now. There’s no need to blame yourself so much; just clear it up with him."

Having said this, he was about to shout for someone to convey the message.

Zhu Weirui waved her hand to stop him, "Wait, Senior Yan, please, there’s no need to bother Mr. Zhao specifically for this. You will be coming back in a few days, and I will then formally apologize to him with Jingzi. Today it’s a bit inconvenient, let’s forget it, however, um, there is one more thing."

Yan Jidao was curious, "What is it?"

Zhu Weirui reached out, took out a note from her bosom that she had kept close, and handed it to Yan Jidao.

"Please trouble Senior Yan to give this note to Mr. Zhao."

Yan Jidao nodded and took it.

Zhu Weirui’s eyes still fixed on the note in his hand, she recalled the calligraphy of Zhao Rong that she herself had copied, and sighed lightly, her tone heartfelt.

"His writing, it’s truly exquisite. To think that there is someone in the world who can write characters like this... I feel even more so that the path I’ve chosen is not wrong, it truly can be navigated..."

Yan Jidao, who had initially thought this matter simple, upon hearing this, opened his eyes wide, looked up at Zhu Weirui, and was greatly surprised inside.

No wonder he always felt she was acting somewhat unusually; it turns out it has to do with the characters... Provoking some of his former uncertainties to instantly clear up.

"Characters? What about Ziyu’s characters?"

Yan Jidao asked with a grave tone.

Zhu Weirui’s eyes gleamed brightly, spirited as if with light, she said earnestly, "Mr. Zhao’s characters are beyond the mortal grade, superior to Weirui’s. In my personal opinion, they have the potential to reach the Dao."

Yan Jidao shivered inside, blurting out, "Ms. Zhu, the art of calligraphy, can it truly reach the Dao?"

Zhu Weirui sat up straight, earnest in expression, raised her fist, and held it in front of her stomach.

"The Dao is distant and long, but by walking, we shall arrive."

Zhao Rong’s characters faintly revealed to Zhu Weirui a possibility that made her heart tremble.

That was about the possibility of the Dao.

Why did she give up the bright future of studying the Classic Confucianism that she had researched all along?

Wasn’t it to create the Seventh Art of Confucian Scholars?

To carve a path for her beloved calligraphy, even if it was a narrow, winding path, at least to elevate it to the height of the "Dao", allowing future generations to see the possibilities that could be navigated.

To make it the new Great Dao that all cultivators from various schools could walk.

Jixia Academy, various families, gentlemen, and virtuous people, thousands of cultivators.

Don’t you all disbelieve that text itself could reach the Dao? Always saying that not even the saints who created characters in the ancient times could achieve it, and that calligraphy only serves to accompany the saints’ words on their way to the Dao.

Then this humble girl dares to be the first under heaven, boldly carving out a path!