“Ye Zhao, over here!”
Early in the morning, Jiang Ziqi could be seen waving from a distance by the gates of Zhiyuan Academy.
Ye Zhao trotted over. “Are you waiting for me?”
Jiang Ziqi rolled his eyes. “Nonsense! Who else would I be waiting for? You’re my closest brother!”
Ye Zhao felt a bit of a chill at the sentimentality, but then he heard Jiang Ziqi say gleefully, “Starting today, you and I are in the same class. Aren’t you happy?”
Ye Zhao was somewhat pleased, but more so confused. “Huh? I remember you’re in Class A, while I’m in Class D.”
It had taken a great deal of effort from Jiang Ziqi’s father to squeeze him into that top tier.
Jiang Ziqi said excitedly, “No, no, no. From today onward, you are also a member of Class A! Isn't that a surprise?”
“...”
There was plenty of surprise, but not much joy.
Then again, how was it that he didn't even know he had been transferred?
At Zhiyuan Academy, classes for each academic year were ranked as A, B, C, and D. There were six years in total; completing the full curriculum earned one a certificate of graduation, which gave the holder a significant advantage in many pursuits over those without one.
The academy was teeming with exceptional youths and was staffed by famous scholars of the literary world and numerous talented academics.
The best teachers taught the most outstanding students—that was the essence of Class A.
At the same time, it had another nickname: the "Reserve for Court Officials."
Everyone inside was striving for a career in officialdom. It was a gathering of the "second generation" of officials, with statuses ranging from high to low.
In short, no matter what metric was used, the person at the very bottom of the class was currently... Jiang Ziqi.
Ye Zhao: “...Are you happy because I’m joining you in this pit of fire?”
Jiang Ziqi said with a beaming smile, “How could that be? I’m happy because I can finally spend every moment with you!”
“Heh... hehe...” Ye Zhao forced a hollow smile.
Jiang Ziqi happily threw an arm around his shoulder, his expression stirred. “Come! Let us go to class!”
Ye Zhao remembered how this same person used to complain to him day and night about how agonizing it was to stay in Class A. Now, he seemed perfectly content.
Ye Zhao wanted to sneer.
The appearance of a new face in the classroom could hardly fail to attract attention.
Someone whispered, “Who is this gentleman?”
“Which family is he from? He looks a bit unfamiliar.”
More than half of them did not recognize Ye Zhao, but there were always those who did.
“Him? The capital’s number one dandy, number one fool, and number one waste. Now do you know who he is?”
Upon hearing these three "number ones," the others understood immediately. “Oh, it’s him. Ye Zhao!”
“So it’s him! No wonder he looked unfamiliar!”
“But why is he sitting in our classroom?” one person asked, puzzled.
“Did he go to the wrong place? Otherwise, what is he doing here?”
“He couldn't be attending class with us, could he?” someone said, looking startled.
The others were also shocked to hear this.
At that moment, someone recalled a certain rumor and lowered their voice, speaking mysteriously. “Do you think that rumor could be true?”
“What rumor?”
Instantly, several people turned to look at the speaker, their expressions varying from surprise to skepticism.
“You actually don't know?”
“You haven't heard?”
Then, someone took the trouble to explain: “A few days ago, during the Mid-Autumn Festival banquet at the palace, several Ministers of the court were stunned the moment they saw Ye Zhao. Later, Minister Song even excitedly claimed he was the son of Lord Tianshu! The others didn't contradict him; it seems they thought so too!”
Some were incredulous, while others were doubtful. “It might have been a slip of the tongue. How can one reach such a conclusion just by a single look?”
“Exactly. Just because they look alike doesn't mean one can assert he is Lord Tianshu’s son,” someone said dismissively.
The person who first revealed the secret sneered, “Do you know who was accompanying Ye Zhao that day?”
Some had heard a bit about it. “I know, the old Prime Minister Pei.”
“That still doesn't prove he’s the real deal!”
“Indeed. Everything requires evidence. Have the Ministers ever officially acknowledged those remarks?”
“It’s not as if there aren't people in this world who look alike. In my view, he just happened to be born with a good face.”
“The matter isn't settled yet. It’s too early to say anything.”
Everyone chimed in, and the last person’s words finally hit the mark.
Ye Zhao, who had been ignored and was acting as an invisible eavesdropper, felt a row of black lines slide down his forehead. He was practically powerless to even rub his temples.
Beside him, Jiang Ziqi had also overheard. He whispered an assurance: “It’s fine. Even if others don't believe you, I do!”
“We grew up together. You are definitely Uncle Ye’s precious biological darling!”
Ye Zhao was touched, but for a fleeting moment, Jiang Ziqi’s last three words gave him a strange sensation. It passed too quickly for him to dwell on it.
Only later would he realize that no one was more deeply "poisoned" by these ideas than Jiang Ziqi.
Jiang Ziqi was always on the front lines of believing every rumor about Ye Zhao; nine oxen couldn't pull him back.
Upon entering, Ye Zhao had the self-awareness to pick a seat at the very back. He took out his book and began reading at his own pace.
In the eyes of some outsiders, it looked like...
“Has Ye Zhao changed his nature? An unlearned dandy is actually reading?”
Most people felt this way, but once the teaching master arrived and assessed his level of knowledge, only one thought remained: *As expected, he is still that same Ye Zhao—rotten mud that can't be plastered onto a wall, utterly beyond hope.*
Jiang Ziqi struggled to listen to the lecture. It was clear he was trying to be serious, but what he didn't understand, he simply didn't understand.
The presence or absence of one person in the classroom made no difference. However, Ye Zhao hadn't even sat peacefully for two days before he was kicked out to stand in the corridor as punishment. The reason: his homework was worse than if he hadn't done it at all. The policy essay he submitted nearly made the teacher cough up blood in rage.
In truth, Ye Zhao felt he hadn't written anything wrong; he simply wrote exactly what he thought.
But since his thoughts were wrong in the eyes of the teacher, there was nothing for it but to accept the punishment.
Under the wooden gallery, sunlight slanted through the eaves and into the corridor, casting broad patches of warm glow. It felt cozy on the skin. Ye Zhao leaned against the wooden wall with one leg bent, his eyes closed as he dozed. He looked lazy and content, like a cat sleeping in the afternoon sun. Throughout the academy, the rhythmic sounds of students reading aloud drifted by on the breeze.
At the end of the corridor, a figure slowly walked up to Ye Zhao and sat down on the floor, gazing out at the vast sunlight beyond the gallery.
At that moment, time seemed quiet and beautiful...
After an unknown amount of time, Ye Zhao was startled awake by a gasp. Seeing the person in front of him, Ye Zhao was shocked. In the next second, he scrambled up and stood perfectly straight.
The teacher caught his movement out of the corner of his eye and thought: *What’s the use of pretending now? It’s not like I didn't see you.*
His attention was focused on the person before him, who had caused him immense surprise.
“You... why have you come here?”
Pei Shian glanced at Ye Zhao, signaling him not to make a fuss. He said calmly, “I am Pei An, the academy’s new instructor.”
Hearing this, the teacher understood. But he hadn't heard the Headmaster mention that this person would be entering the academy as a teacher with a hidden identity?
As if sensing his doubt, Pei Shian said, “If you do not believe me, you are welcome to ask the Headmaster.”
“I wouldn't dare, I wouldn't dare.”
After saying this, the two exchanged a few more pleasantries. Just then, students began emerging from the classroom, so the teacher took his leave.
Ye Zhao relaxed, his eyes bright with joy as he looked at Pei Shian. “Why did you suddenly come here to be a teacher?”
With outsiders around, it wasn't appropriate for Ye Zhao to call him by his full name.
Pei Shian smiled. “I had nothing to do at home, so I thought I might as well find something to occupy myself. Being able to see my young friend often seemed like a very good idea.”
Ye Zhao hadn't expected that he was a factor in this decision. He was touched and even more delighted. He had to admit, the more he interacted with Pei Shian, the more he believed those four words: *friends at first sight.*
“Then what are you here to teach?”
“Music. The zither.” Pei Shian’s voice was very tranquil.
Hearing this, Ye Zhao suddenly recalled various stories he had heard in the past. There was indeed a detail that the old Prime Minister Pei of the State of Wei was exceptionally skilled at the zither and had even composed a famous piece that was known throughout the world.
Thus, he smiled and said, “Then I’m in for a treat. I’ll get to hear Shi—you play the zither.”
He almost let the name slip and caught himself just in time.
“What treat?” Jiang Ziqi walked out of the classroom and draped an arm over Ye Zhao’s shoulder. He happened to hear him speaking to the person in front of them and asked.
As he spoke, Jiang Ziqi’s eyes sized up Pei Shian. “This is...?”
Ye Zhao hurried to introduce him. “This is the academy’s new music teacher, Master Pei.”
“Oh...” Jiang Ziqi nodded at first, then paused.
Wait, the surname Pei?
In the Celestial Capital, there was one family with that surname that was incredibly famous: the Manor of the Duke of Anguo, the Pei family, the old Prime Minister Pei.
Jiang Ziqi’s heart skipped a beat, but then he composed himself, thinking he was overthinking things. The Celestial Capital was so large; the Pei family wasn't the only one with that name. Looking at the age, only one person in that family fit the description, but how could the old Prime Minister Pei possibly come to Zhiyuan Academy to be a mere music teacher?
Thinking this, Jiang Ziqi politely greeted the new teacher, flashing a wide, toothy grin. “Greetings, Master Pei.”
Pei Shian looked Jiang Ziqi over. Ye Zhao intended to introduce his best friend to his new friend. “This is my friend, Jiang Ziqi.”
Pei Shian saw that the two had a good relationship and made a mental note of it. He nodded in return.
From then on, Ye Zhao, who found staying in Class A increasingly boring, had his only consolation. Although he didn't know how to play the zither himself, listening to Pei Shian play made him feel it was one of life’s rare enjoyments.
The best teachers taught the best students, so the curriculum was naturally extraordinary. It was designed with the goal of cultivating everyone into "dragons and phoenixes among men," proficient in both the civil and military arts. Consequently, Ye Zhao, who resembled a mere worm, stood out exceptionally—and of course, Jiang Ziqi was not far behind.
The two of them truly became brothers in misfortune, especially after a few more people joined the class, making the contrast even more pathetic.
Fortunately, Ye Zhao didn't feel pathetic himself; it was only how he appeared to outsiders.
“Shian, that’s your son, isn't it? He truly is a paragon among men, just like you,” Ye Zhao whispered, leaning closer to Pei Shian during a music lesson.
He was sitting to Pei Shian’s left.
Many of the students below knew that the new music teacher favored Ye Zhao, that "lump of dog-shit," which was quite a curiosity.
Upon hearing this, Pei Shian’s face showed no joy. He merely cast a calm glance at Pei Yunting sitting below. Beside him was Xie Yusong, and sitting elsewhere was Su Jinzhou. The Three Young Gentlemen of the Capital were all present.
“Mm.” A brief sound was all he offered, with no further comment.
Ye Zhao thought for a moment and added, “If I could be even half as capable as your son, my mother would probably wake up laughing from her dreams.”
As he spoke, he was the first to laugh.
Pei Shian turned to look at him. “You are more capable than anyone.”
Ye Zhao paused. It was an extremely calm sentence, yet it sounded like an emphasis. His voice wasn't lowered enough, and the students in the front row heard it. They couldn't help but burst out laughing on the spot.
“Hahaha! Master, you mustn't misjudge Ye Zhao. You’ve just arrived, so you might not know yet—even when Ye Zhao was in Class D, he was ranked dead last. You’d better not pin those words on his head.”
The other two also smiled without speaking, their meaning clearly the same.
Ye Zhao rubbed his nose, feeling a bit embarrassed.
He had heard such words many times and didn't think much of them, but in front of Pei Shian—a friend who held expectations for him—he couldn't help but feel guilty.
Pei Shian sat without speaking or moving, but the frost on his face grew heavier. Though he looked elegant and peaceful, he began to exude an increasing sense of pressure. The chaotic sounds of instruments in the classroom gradually died down, and the students in the front sat quietly.
Even if Pei Shian was no longer the Prime Minister, he had once been the Chancellor of a nation. “I choose to think so. What of it?”
Uh... indeed, nothing of it. Even if Ye Zhao was contemptible in the eyes of outsiders, his father still doted on him like a treasure. Now that another person insisted on believing Ye Zhao was the most capable person under heaven, what could they say?
The students gave a few perfunctory responses and didn't argue further with Pei Shian. Primarily, some of them found that the more they looked at Pei Shian, the more familiar he became. He faintly resembled... the old Prime Minister Pei?
The old Prime Minister usually lived in seclusion. His most recent appearance had been at the Mid-Autumn banquet not long ago. Among those present were the sons of several high-ranking officials who had been there that day and had seen Pei Shian from a distance. Now that they saw him more often, the suspicion was becoming more and more real.
If so, the purpose of the old Prime Minister hiding his identity to come here was very intriguing. Most guessed it was for Ye Zhao’s sake.
One could tell just by the familiar way the two interacted.
Thus, a certain rumor in private received a new update.
***
| Chinese | English | Notes/Explanation |
| :--- | :--- | :--- |
| 致远学院 | Zhiyuan Academy | The prestigious academy where the characters study. |
| 甲班 | Class A | The top-tier, elite class at the academy. |
| 丁班 | Class D | The lowest-tier class at the academy. |
| 朝臣预备役 | Reserve for Court Officials | A nickname for Class A, indicating its students are destined for government. |
| 天枢大人 | Lord Tianshu | A mysterious, legendary figure; Ye Zhao is rumored to be his son. |
| 策论 | Policy essay | A formal essay on statecraft or policy, common in imperial education. |
| 烂泥扶不上墙 | Rotten mud that can't be plastered onto a wall | A common idiom for someone who is a hopeless case or lacks ambition. |
| 裴安 | Pei An | The alias used by Pei Shian while teaching at the academy. |
| 声乐 | Music | Specifically refers to the study of music/instruments in this context. |
| 琴 | Zither | Refers to the guqin, a traditional Chinese stringed instrument. |
| 人中龙凤 | Dragons and phoenixes among men | An idiom for exceptionally talented or outstanding individuals. |
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