By rights, when soone finds out who destroyed their family, they should be full of hatred and rage, wanting nothing but revenge regardless of the consequences.
But so people, unexpectedly, still remain rational.
There was no denying that Liu Huaiyuan’s stepmother had broken the law by lending money at interest and deserved punishnt. His father had also failed in his duties and rightly lost his post and was caned.
Liu Huaiyuan was not deeply attached to his parents. After learning that it was the Ninth Prince who had exposed the matter, rather than seek revenge, he viewed it from another perspective and ca to admire the Ninth Prince as soone who cared for the people and had a broad, magnanimous heart.
Reporting the illegal lending to the Emperor was an act of compassion and empathy—he couldn’t bear to see the people suffer. And accepting the son of a disgraced official showed fairness and open-mindedness.
With such a leader, it was hard for Liu Huaiyuan not to accept this opportunity.
—
After listening to Liu Huaiyuan’s self-introduction, Wei Yu’s satisfaction level shot up like “up 1, 1, 1” by the second.
What was this?
This was clearly the literary talent he had been hoping for—a full-fledged language teacher!
If soone like Liu Er’ya ca up again, he could just hand them over to Liu Huaiyuan.
After briefly explaining his background to his future master, Liu Huaiyuan asked, “About what Your Highness ntioned earlier—teaching—does the offer still stand?”
Whether as a proper advisor or a shadow one, Liu Huaiyuan didn’t mind either way. It all depended on the Ninth Prince’s preference.
Wei Yu’s thought was, of course, “It stands.”
Unaware of Liu Huaiyuan’s inner thoughts, he bead and said, “If you don’t mind, Mr. Liu, you may move directly into the prince’s manor. There are plenty of empty courtyards—we’re not short on bowls and chopsticks for one more teacher.”
Liu Huaiyuan was satisfied and rose to give a bow.
“Since it is Your Highness’s kind offer, this humble one will respectfully accept.”
Wei Yu was pleased too and stood up to help him.
“You’re being too courteous, sir. We’ll be living under the sa roof now—no need to be so formal.”
“Your Highness honors the virtuous, showing your open-mindedness. Yuanhua, on the other hand, is old-fashioned and only knows that propriety must not be abandoned.”
“Yuanhua? Is that your courtesy na?”
“It is.”
“Ah, a good na. How old is Brother Yuanhua this year?”
“Replying to Your Highness, I’m twenty-three.”
“Oh…”
The two chatted as they walked off together.
—
The issue of Liu Er’ya’s education was more or less settled.
When Wei Yu t the leader of the Gray Guards squad, he was once again very pleased.
“So, the hundred of you are now under my command? No longer answering to Lord Huo?”
Looking at the burly man before him, clad in black and with indistinct features, Wei Yu was barely able to contain his grin.
His father was really generous!
He’d actually sent over a fully equipped squad—not just lent him an empty shell.
The man’s na was Du Sheng. He replied, “Yes. By the Emperor’s decree, from this day forward, we only take orders from the Ninth Prince.”
Wei Yu’s eyes glead slightly. “Only from ? What if the Emperor and I both give orders at the sa ti—do you still only listen to ?”
Du Sheng fell silent at that.
“Oh—”
Wei Yu wasn’t exactly disappointed. He had expected that answer. “Fine, fine, it’s all my father’s property anyway. Nothing to complain about. So, what can you all do? Killing, spying—are those within your skill set?”
Du Sheng replied calmly, “Whatever Your Highness commands, we shall do our utmost to carry out.”
Excellent—he liked people who didn’t beat around the bush.
Wei Yu said, “In that case, the entire Prince’s Manor is under your protection. Whether it’s the people coming and going or the information being exchanged, unless I give direct orders, I expect no slip-ups. Understood?”
Du Sheng’s expression turned serious. He cupped his fists and knelt. “Your servant obeys.”
“Good. From now on, you’ll stay by my side.”
—
Front Courtyard, Overflowing Fragrance Pavilion.
Liu Er’ya got up early today.
Normally, she would rise at dawn and then spend the whole day learning to read and write under Master Xiao Anzi. She’d done this every single day for a month.
But after hearing yesterday that the Prince had found her a new teacher, and now that she’d been taught basic etiquette, she made a point of getting up early the next day to greet her new teacher.
In the past month under Wei Yu’s care, she had eaten well, dressed warmly, and slept soundly. From the scrawny little girl with a sallow face and dry hair, she’d already improved significantly.
She wasn’t plump yet, but she looked much healthier.
Thinking about going to Joyful Forest Courtyard to et her new teacher, Liu Er’ya nervously clutched the hem of her clothes and asked Xiao Anzi, who was leading the way, “Master Xiao Anzi, what kind of person is the new teacher? What if he doesn’t like and refuses to teach ?”
In the past, Liu Er’ya had been fearless out of ignorance, so she hadn’t been scared of Wei Yu. But now that she knew more—and knew what a good person the Prince was—she really didn’t want to let him down.
She’d been calling him “teacher” for a month now, and Xiao Anzi thought for a mont before answering, “The new teacher’s surna is Liu. His Highness said he’s a learned man. You don’t need to worry about anything—just focus on studying with him. When the ti is right, His Highness will make further arrangents.”
The Prince’s words were like dicine. After hearing them, Liu Er’ya imdiately stopped feeling nervous.
Since the Prince told her to study well, then she must do her best!
And when she had learned enough, she would repay the Prince!
Liu Huaiyuan, having stayed up all night preparing a lesson plan and expecting a young boy as his student, fell silent when he saw the little girl behind Xiao Anzi.
So, the Prince wanted him to teach a girl?
Xiao Anzi couldn’t read his expression—he was only responsible for bringing people over.
“Mr. Liu, this is Liu Er’ya. The Prince said you only need to teach her the basics: benevolence, righteousness, propriety, wisdom, faith, the laws of Great Wei, and all the characters in current use.”
Liu Huaiyuan: …
He felt like he wasn’t teaching her—he was teaching himself.
He hadn’t even finished reading all the laws of Great Wei yet!
Xiao Anzi left after giving the instructions, leaving Liu Huaiyuan and Liu Er’ya staring at each other.
She was just a child—completely clueless.
Liu Huaiyuan let out a light sigh and gave her a small smile. “From today on, I’ll be your teacher.”
No matter what, since he had accepted the Prince’s task, he had to do it well.
So what if the student was a girl?
“Yes, greetings, Teacher. Your student, Liu Er’ya, pays her respects.”
Liu Er’ya solemnly gave her new teacher a formal bow.
For his first student, Liu Huaiyuan’s first question was whether she wanted to change her na.
Liu Er’ya thought for a mont, then nodded seriously. “There used to be five girls nad Er’ya in the village. Every ti soone called ‘Er’ya,’ I didn’t know who they ant. I hope Teacher can give a new na.”
Liu Huaiyuan smiled, looked up at the sky with a distant gaze as if seeing sothing there, and said softly, “Peace and stability, the kite soars, the fish leap—how about ‘Jiuyuan’?”
“Peace and stability, the kite soars, the fish leap…”
Liu Er’ya murmured, then broke into a wide grin and nodded vigorously.
“Yes, from now on, your student will be called Liu Jiuyuan!”
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