My Wife Is A Sword Immortal
Chapter 447 - 309 Big Gift, Small Gift (Please Subscribe, Brothers!)_2

Chapter 447: Chapter 309 Big Gift, Small Gift (Please Subscribe, Brothers!)_2

Zhao Rong nodded.

"Grand actions need not fuss over minute details, and great ceremonies need not eschew minor concessions. Being a live-in son-in-law, what harm is there? How have I debased myself? My actions are right, my posture is upright, and my conscience is clear. I’m not debased at all. It is Meng Xuezhen who is mistaken."

Meng Zhengjun waved his sleeve grandly.

"Boy, do not act shamelessly or utter words lacking in propriety, righteousness, integrity, and honor. Now let me ask you, in the ’Linlu Academy Declaration,’ what are the five teachings?"

The students watching nearby were slightly startled upon hearing this.

This ’Linlu Academy Declaration’ is the academy’s code of conduct, given to each student upon enrollment, a thick booklet.

But who, on normal days, wishes to waste time reading it?

At first, indeed, some would flip through it, especially memorizing the first few and the last few lines.

After all, who knows if some capricious academy elder might suddenly quiz them? Then they could pretend to be informed and gain favor.

Having been at the academy for so long, the promised academy elders had yet to be seen.

The only ones who seemed like hidden experts were the ever-smiling old Sacrificial Officer.

Yet, the most frequent question he asked the Mochi Academy students was still, ’Have you eaten?’

The old Sacrificial Officer was like a... ’Sea King,’ yes, that was Zhao Rong’s description.

The old man, encountering any student on the road, would pat their shoulder and proclaim them as a pillar of talent.

Thus, the originally brand-new, ink-scented ’Linlu Academy Declaration’ was long lost—perhaps under a table or a bed—likely covered in dust by now.

At this moment, Meng Zhengjun suddenly bringing up something about the ’five teachings’ in the code of conduct left the Shuaixing Hall students initially at a loss for words. Who could withstand this?

Yet, someone did withstand it.

As soon as Meng Zhengjun finished speaking, Zhao Rong, without thinking, softly recited:

"Parents and children share kinship, rulers and subjects owe loyalty, husbands and wives know distinction, elders and youths observe order, friends maintain trust. These are the five teachings."

After speaking, he paused slightly. "Is Teacher Xuezhen suggesting that a student has violated the ’husbands and wives know distinction’?"

The so-called distinction between husband and wife means that while there is profound love, there should also be a distinct internal and external role, with the husband as the authority and the wife as compliant.

Meng Zhengjun coldly said, "Is that even in question? You have violated the academy’s rules, and yet you dare to argue?"

Zhao Rong thought for a moment, then shook his head.

"There’s no need to argue about this point, or even to argue at all. Teacher Xuezhen will see for himself that Qing Jun and I respect each other as equals and live in harmony. She is virtuous, not someone with a domineering nature."

Meng Zhengjun was relentless, listing the points one by one.

"You seem to understand the rules well, heh, yet it’s unclear who really digest them. Let me ask you."

"The rules state: ’Suppress rage, control desires, encourage goodness, correct faults.’ Have you restrained your greed and lust, and do you have the intention to correct such mistakes?"

"The rules also state: ’The essence of self-cultivation is to uphold justice and not seek personal benefits.’ Have you refined your conduct and manners, not indulging in the pursuit of material benefits? And furthermore..."

Then, she snorted coldly, her expression stern.

"Merely a live-in son-in-law, blinded by wealth and beauty, yet you dare to argue confidently."

Zhao Rong gently shook his head; Meng Zhengjun was still fixated on belittling him for being financially dependent.

Zhao Rong felt, at heart, besides her disdain for the live-in son-in-law status, there was also disbelief in Zhao Ziyu’s motives.

Probable assumption of him being merely avaricious and lascivious.

Zhao Rong was aware of the source of Meng Zhengjun’s statements and knew how to refute them, but he no longer wasted his words.

Dirty water thrown at him; being passive, it can never really be washed away.

Suddenly, he stated earnestly:

"Teacher Xuezhen respects and observes decorum, this, I deeply understand, but, in terms of propriety, there are major and minor aspects."

Zhao Rong pursed his lips, boldly scanning Meng Zhengjun up and down, then turning his head, he earnestly scrutinized Yu Huaijin as well.

Because these two women were similar, upholding decorum to the utmost extent.

Not to mention the grand ceremonies, they wouldn’t overlook even the minor rites, adhering rigidly to each one.

Zhao Rong earnestly said, "Minor rites are indeed important, involving everyday interactions that subtly influence us. However, in comparison, the grand ceremonies and virtues that enlighten the world are what we Confucian scholars should pursue throughout our lives."

The place fell silent, everyone’s gaze involuntarily fell on him.

Zhao Rong, clad in a tailored Confucian robe, stood with a posture as upright as a sword, clutching his fists near his chest, his eyes focused, his voice clear.

"I believe, concerning grand ceremonies, we Confucian scholars should strive for even the slightest details. But as for everyday minor rites..."

He stared at Meng Zhengjun, shaking his head.

"Why does Teacher insist on nitpicking minor matters, ultimately confining oneself and others within drawn boundaries?"

As his voice weakened, the place quieted down for a time.

Although Zhao Rong still appeared calm, the next moment, he felt a significant reduction in the oppressive force that had been suffocating him just moments before.

The previously imposing Meng Zhengjun suddenly ’quieted’ down.

The imposing and oppressive atmosphere seemed to recede.

She watched the slightly taller young student in front of her, who boldly spoke with certainty, challenging her authority with his gaze.

Who had dared to defy her in the Academy before?

Meng Zhengjun thought that this son-in-law had some guts.

However.

"Son-in-law, you dare discuss propriety and principles with me?" she said softly.

"I dare not, I have no intention of offending," Zhao Rong replied, standing with his hands clasped in salute.

Meng Zhengjun waved her sleeve, "You’re not yet qualified to ’inquire about the Way’ with me. Grand ceremonies and minor civilities are not as simple as you think. When you are qualified, then come and challenge me. For now, as a student of Mochi Academy, you are under my jurisdiction."

Zhao Rong remained silent.

She suddenly said, "I have one final question, do your parents know of your decision to become a son-in-law?"

Upon hearing this, Zhao Rong narrowed his eyes slightly, as if drifting into a bit of reminiscence.

Shortly after, he nodded gently, his gaze lowered.

"Qing Jun and I have been childhood sweethearts, and the marriage arrangement was indeed orchestrated by my mother," he said.

A burst of sounds erupted within the Academy.

Surprise and confusion arose.

Most students looked puzzled, wondering why a mother would push her own son into the fire pit as such.

Li Xueyou bit her lip, her eyes on Zhao Rong, showing a hint of sympathy.

Yu Huaijin maintained her usual calm demeanor as she looked at Zhao Rong, but at a certain moment, she shifted her gaze away to glance at her own hand, which held a pen as translucent as jade.

Jia Tengying watched this roommate who honestly faced everything, slightly stunned.

Fan Yushu looked at Zhao Rong and couldn’t help but chuckle, muttering something under his breath.

At that moment, Meng Zhengjun frowned.

Seeing this, Zhao Rong smiled lightly, "In the grand scheme, minor meticulousness is negligible. Being a son-in-law is but a trivial matter for a man of my stature, hardly worth mentioning."

He turned and looked directly into Meng Zhengjun’s eyes.

The people in the hall, seeing his sincere and carefree tone, couldn’t help but take a few more glances at this ’Teacher Zhao’ who taught them Calligraphy.

It seemed that in his heart, this ’son-in-law’ status, potentially staining a Confucian Scholar’s reputation, truly wasn’t a significant concern to him.

Wu Peiliang couldn’t help but scoff, how could he truly not care?

A Confucian Scholar’s ultimate dreams involve the "three immortalities."

To establish character, to express thoughts, to achieve deeds.

These are all for reputation, to leave a legacy forever, yet you, Zhao Ziyu, just took the role of a son-in-law.

Do you truly not care?

Anyway, Wu Peiliang didn’t believe it.

And even if Zhao Ziyu didn’t care about the stigma of being a son-in-law, many people cared about the reputation of Mochi Academy and Linlu Academy.

Among them, without a doubt, was Meng Xuezhen.

Facing various different gazes, Zhao Rong’s expression remained unchanged, and he didn’t explain further.

Meng Zhengjun watched Zhao Rong for a while with a stern face, her thoughts unknown.

Suddenly, she raised her hand and took out a book from her sleeve.

Meng Zhengjun casually picked up a brush belonging to Yu Huaijin, glanced at Zhao Rong, then lowered her head and began writing something on the book.

Zhao Rong glanced downward. Although he couldn’t see the content of the book she was holding, he was familiar with the brushstrokes.

Soon Zhao Rong realized that the first few characters written by the sudden visitor Meng Xuezhen seemed to be... Zhao Ziyu.

As for the remaining characters, due to Meng Zhengjun’s careless handwriting and his unfamiliarity with her style,

Zhao Rong had some difficulty making them out.

Writing his name for what?

A complaint?

A key observation subject, um, commonly known as a blacklist?

Or... the list of disgraces of the Academy?

Zhao Rong blinked, guessing if it were the latter, he would probably rank quite high. How embarrassing.

Before long, Meng Zhengjun put away her pen and closed the book.

She shook her head slightly, not looking at anyone in particular, then nodded to Yu Huaijin and turned around, leaving Shuaixing Hall.

Zhao Rong, seeing this, didn’t mind and shrugged slightly.