One day is worth one guan, and one month is worth thirty guan.
Li Guanyi suddenly felt that the girl in front of him, who was only a year or two older than himself, radiated a golden glow.
However, did a mere reading attendant deserve such treatment?
The girl, who appeared to be around fourteen or fifteen years old, smiled slightly and said, “Please, young sir, be my younger brother’s mathematics tutor. I hope you won’t mind.”
Such a good opportunity, Li Guanyi naturally would not refuse. Although sixty guan was more, and the value itself was extremely high in gold and silver, it was not something he could show off in a short time. Moreover, when he left Chen Kingdom later, having more gold and silver would be better, and even in daily life, it would be beneficial.
He had no reason to refuse.
When he left a moment later, several scholars came to see off Miss Xue. The previously talkative Master Liu Zhuang was among them, his smile much more sincere than before. Unlike when he had made Li Guanyi wait in the courtyard, he personally escorted them out, his smile unceasing, inquiring about their well-being.
Seeing Li Guanyi leave with Miss Xue, Master Liu Zhuang stroked his beard and smiled, “What good fortune! Not willing to work for me, yet you have found a better place to go.”
“Li little brother, shouldn’t you thank me?”
“If you ask me, there’s no need for thanks, no need for thanks.”
Li Guanyi replied, “Thank you for your words, Master.”
He looked at the gentle scholar, took a piece of paper and a brush, wrote a sentence, and handed it to him before leaving with the young lady of the Xue family.
Master Liu Zhuang’s smile gradually faded. Without looking, he casually tossed the piece of paper aside.
“It seems I have indeed annoyed him. Truly, it is difficult to nurture both the small-minded and women.”
Usually, he wouldn’t mind agreeing to the favor from the Rejuvenation Hall, but this time was different. The capital of Chen Kingdom, Jiangzhou, was about to witness a significant event. A mathematics master who had been away from the capital for a long time was hurrying back to plead for that Marshal Yue.
On the way, he would meet with the prominent families and stay at the private school.
At this moment, every position in the Mathematics Hall was of great importance and could not be given away for free.
He had even learned early about a question posed by that mathematics master in his book and had given it to his proud disciple in advance, wanting to showcase his talent. Moments later, he saw his disciple coming over with a beaming smile, and as he watched them solve the problem, he couldn’t help but feel delighted.
Ah! The future looks bright!
Master Liu Zhuang praised repeatedly, “As expected of my disciple, I knew you all had great talent.”
However, these students wore difficult expressions. In this era of competing nations, there were still gentlemen walking about. They were young, the proudest and most spirited age of their lives, unwilling to take advantage of others. They said, “It wasn’t us who solved it.”
Master Liu Zhuang asked, “Who did it then?”
The young student looked puzzled, “Hmm? Didn’t the teacher just call him in?”
Master Liu Zhuang was taken aback, his eyes widening, “You mean… that, that, that…”
The young student replied, “It was that brother dressed simply.”
This statement was quite ordinary.
But for some reason, Master Liu Zhuang’s face turned pale and flushed. Suddenly remembering something, he picked up the white paper he had carelessly tossed aside, realizing he had let slip a great opportunity. He staggered back a step and fell to the ground, the paper fluttering down as he slammed his fist on the ground, filled with regret, he exclaimed:
“You, you, you, you few… unworthy disciples!”
“Why didn’t you tell me this news sooner!”
“How could you mislead me like this!”
The students exchanged glances, unsure why their teacher was angry, and saw the large characters on the white paper.
Written in a flamboyant style.
“Why were you arrogant before and humble afterward?”
………………
Li Guanyi sat in front of the carriage with the driver. For the first time, he looked at the scenery on both sides of the road, thinking about Master Liu Zhuang’s expression after learning he had solved the problem and seen that letter. His mood lightened.
Li Guanyi was not a person with a small heart; if you treat me well, I will treat you even better.
If you bully me, I will not tolerate you.
When hitting someone, aim for the face; when killing someone, strike at the heart.
The driver skillfully wielded the whip, urging the horse forward with remarkable agility. Li Guanyi answered Miss Xue Shuangtao’s questions while contemplating another matter.
One day is worth one guan, and one month is worth thirty guan, which could be converted to over twenty taels of silver.
In Guan Yi City, this could be considered wealthy. Thirty guan was enough to exchange for a place where one could look up at the stars and down at the ants, occasionally even dealing with a few mice, and trade it for a room with brick and stone flooring, a warm stove, and a comfortable bed, furnished with wooden furniture.
He could buy new clothes for himself and his aunt, enjoy some good dishes and fruits.
And also bring back his aunt’s jade pendant.
Li Guanyi spotted the pawn shop not far away, hesitated for a moment, and said, “Miss Xue, I have an unreasonable request…”
Xue Shuangtao smiled and said, “Please, young sir, go ahead.”
Li Guanyi said, “May I advance ten guan?”
Miss Xue was slightly surprised, then noticed Li Guanyi’s clothes, which were washed to a pale white and, although tidy, had frayed edges. She pondered for a moment and gently said, “It was my oversight. You are a hired teacher, and according to the rules, you should have received a month’s salary.”
The maidservant Qing'er in the carriage was stunned, her eyes wide as she looked at her young lady.
Hmm?
Hmm hmm hmm?!!
When did our family have this?
Xue Shuangtao placed a finger against Qing'er’s lips, winked, and made a shushing gesture, then softly said, “I was just delighted to see your remarkable skills earlier and forgot about this matter. Please don’t blame me, young sir.”
“Qing'er, take thirty taels of silver for the young sir.”
Thirty taels of silver was equivalent to thirty-six guan.
Li Guanyi accepted it, softly thanking her, and then said, “Could we stop at the pawn shop ahead? I want to redeem something that belonged to an elder.”
The driver smiled and said, “Being filial to your elders is the right thing to do. Hold on tight, young sir.”
With a flick of the whip, the carriage stopped at the pawn shop. Li Guanyi got out and entered the shop. When he first arrived here, he had pawned something, and as long as it hadn’t been sold, he could redeem it. Li Guanyi worried that if too much time passed, the item would be lost, so he took out thirty taels of silver and walked in to state his purpose.
However, upon seeing Li Guanyi, the shopkeeper’s expression changed slightly.
When he heard that Li Guanyi wanted to redeem something, his eyes shifted to the side.
Li Guanyi’s heart sank.
As expected, the shopkeeper’s face squeezed out a look of regret, and he said apologetically, “I remember your jade pendant, but unfortunately, it has already caught the eye of another customer…”
The curtain of the pawn shop was lifted, and a young man walked out holding a jade pendant, smiling, “Shopkeeper Wang, this jade pendant is indeed nice. I’ll take it, just put it on my account, and you can deliver it to my home at the beginning of next month.”
Li Guanyi recognized this young man as the young master from the Rejuvenation Hall.
He didn’t care about that; he immediately recognized that this was his aunt’s jade pendant. Taking a half step forward, he blocked the young man’s path and said, neither humble nor arrogant:
“Unfortunately, I need to redeem this jade pendant today.”
The young master from the Rejuvenation Hall glanced at Li Guanyi, seeing his simple attire, frowned in disdain, and flicked his clothes, saying, “Yours?”
“Hahaha, unfortunately, this jade pendant is mine now.”
Li Guanyi said solemnly, “According to the pawn shop rules, you haven’t paid yet, so it doesn’t count as purchased; I pawned it, and as long as it hasn’t left the pawn shop, I can redeem it.”
The young man was momentarily speechless but recognized Li Guanyi as the dismissed servant from his family. Confidence surged as he looked Li Guanyi up and down, sneering, “Redeem it? Young servant, you should keep that money for yourself. This thing is mine now.”
He scolded, “Get out of the way, don’t block the path.”
Raising his hand to push Li Guanyi aside, Li Guanyi lowered his gaze, circulating his internal qi.
Light footsteps approached.
With fluttering garments carrying a faint fragrance of orchids, a gentle voice sounded beside him, “Mr. Li, why are you so late? Did something happen at the pawn shop, and you couldn’t retrieve it?”
Xue Shuangtao stood beside Li Guanyi.
The shopkeeper and the young master from the Rejuvenation Hall’s gazes froze for a moment.
This is…
The Xue family?!!
The beautiful girl gently placed her hands in front of her, standing next to the simply dressed young man, her eyes slightly raised, looking at the young master from the Rejuvenation Hall’s right hand, and smiled slightly:
“This young master, what do you intend to do by extending your hand towards my Mr. Li?”
(End of Chapter)