Insufficient balance

  The next day, Xiao Ting got up early to cook and served his mother breakfast. After that, he took two steamed buns with him and left the house. He had classes at the county school in the morning!

  All the way, he ate two miscellaneous pancakes. When he arrived at the county school, it was just in time. He rushed into the classroom ahead of Fuzi and didn't have to suffer a punishment. In this era without watches or mobile phones, his biological clock had become incredibly accurate after several years of hard living.

  After school in the morning, he packed up a few books and was about to hurry back home to cook for his mother, as he had been doing for years. He didn't feel tired of it at all. However, just as he walked out of the classroom, he saw Chen Xuezheng, the academician of the county school, standing at the door. He hastily paid respects to Chen Xuezheng like other students did, and then was about to turn around and leave when Chen Xuezheng suddenly called him back.

  "Come with me!" He called out to Xiao Ting, then turned around and walked back to his own study in the school, obviously he was standing at the door waiting for Xiao Ting.

  Xiao Ting hurriedly followed, this learned Chen gentleman was indeed fond of talent. Three years ago, Xiao Ting had become so poor that he couldn't afford to pay the tuition fees for school, it was this learned gentleman who insisted that Xiao Ting continue his studies and then helped him pay the autumn tuition fees owed to the county school, which allowed him to stay on at the school. Although last year after Xiao Ting got some money, he repaid the debt and thanked him properly, but this favor he had never dared or forgotten.

  Arriving at Chen Xuezheng's study, Xiao Ting was waiting for him to speak, but he stood up again and carefully checked the closed door before walking in front of Xiao Ting. Although speaking in a low voice, he was furious: "I heard you went to Pingkangfang to be a teacher for a famous courtesan? Is this true?"

  Xiao Ting was shocked, just as he was about to speak, Chen Xue Zheng lowered his voice again and angrily said: "You're muddled, do you still want to attend school? Do you still want to take the imperial examination? Do you know how big a stain this is for you?"

  He saw him get angry and his body trembled with rage, Xiao Ting hastily said: "Yes, teacher, the student was wrong!" In front of everyone, he always addressed Chen Xuezheng as sir, but when there were only two people, he would address him as teacher. As the most outstanding student in Chang'an County School, he called Chen Xuezheng this way not only without getting angry, but also felt more intimate with him.

  Chen Xuezheng paced back and forth in front of him, "If you were a young master from a noble family, if you were a renowned talent, if you had already passed the imperial examination, then going to Pingkang Fang would not only be no shame, but also a tale of a talented scholar's romantic escapades. However, now, as a student from a county school, going there... or doing what kind of teacher... Ah!"

  He paused for a moment and then said: "Go and fire him for me. Don't worry about Shu Chu's affairs, I'm here!"

  Xiao Ting let out a sigh of relief and whispered: "Teacher, I already quit yesterday!"

  "Oh? Resigned?" Chen Xuezheng was stunned for a moment, "Good, resigned well! Hmm, this matter is not yet known to anyone, you don't go out and talk nonsense, just cover it up like this. Don't wait until you're famous and successful, don't let it out, do you remember?"

  "Yes, teacher, student remembers!"

  Chen Xuezheng finally let out a sigh of relief, walked to the back of the bookcase and sat down, but seemed to still be shaken. "It's good that it's over, this kind of thing must not happen again in the future. For you, money is a small matter, reputation is the most important thing!"

  Xiao Ting bowed his head and replied with a "yes", Chen Xuezheng stroked his beard, "Hmm, actually, let me tell you, with your current foundation, it's almost enough. If I had to say what's lacking, it's fame. I think you should go out more and visit those officials' homes, spend some thought writing a few poems to present to them, once someone takes notice of you and starts promoting you, then your reputation will come out. At that time, I can also help you move things around, after all, our county school doesn't have a quota for recommending scholars to take the exam, if you want to pass the imperial examination, it's better to go to the prefectural school to get that quota!"

  Xiao Ting hesitated for a moment, then said: "I'll report back to the teacher. I think I'm still young and not in a hurry. Those court officials and nobles... my humble writing skills are probably not even worthy of their attention!"

  Chen Xuezheng nodded, "As for your studies, I'm not worried. I don't believe that with your abilities you can't impress them. What I'm worried about is that you're always unwilling to go out and make friends with the other scholars, always staying at home. This won't do! If you're short of money, just tell me, I can still afford to pay for these gatherings and social events. Don't ruin your own future because of money!"

  Xiao Ting nodded silently, and after a while, he nodded heavily again, "Yes, thank you, teacher!"

  Chen Xuezheng sighed, "I've always been puzzled as to why you dislike socializing with those powerful people. You should know that their mouths are your only way out!"

  Xiao Ting nodded again, "Yes, students take note!"

  Chen Xuezheng sighed again, "You're in a hurry to go back and cook for your mother, right? Go quickly! Don't forget what I just told you, especially about the matter at Pingkangfang. Absolutely do not mention it to anyone!"

  Xiao Ting replied again and saw that Chen Xuezheng had no other instructions, so he turned around and left his study.

  Although his mind was preoccupied all the way, he kept thinking about what Chen Xuezheng had said earlier, about delivering scrolls to the doors of high-ranking officials and nobles to seek recommendations and fame, and competing for a spot in the Chang'an Imperial Academy to become a scholar. However, his walking speed remained fast, having become a habit over the years. It wasn't until he reached halfway that he suddenly came back to himself, thinking, "Today... there's no need to rush."

  No need to go to Pingkangfang in the afternoon, can stay at home with mom.

  He sighed, that kind of thing, it's better not to get involved, flattering and fawning on those in power, who knows how many troubles you'll get into! Besides, others may not know, but he does, the current emperor's name is Li Zhi, and it's said his health isn't what it used to be. Who knows, maybe in a few years that woman surnamed Wu will take over, and once she's in power, these so-called noble families will be in for a world of trouble... going along with them now will only lead to being implicated later... how foolish!

  He stopped in his tracks, shook his head and quickly walked back home.

  He walked home and pushed open the door, but suddenly saw someone standing at the entrance of the main room. Xiao Ting was stunned for a moment before he clearly saw that the person standing with his sword was actually the young man he had seen in Feng Huan's nest yesterday afternoon!

  "Huh, how did you know my home? How are you here?" He walked a few steps to the front of the hall, asking uncontrollably as he went. Before he had even finished speaking, he heard the sound of conversation coming from inside.

  "We've known each other for many years, uh, we're fellow writers, fellow writers!" a crisp voice said.

  Old friend? Still recognize after all these years?

  Judging by the voice, the person inside really sounds like that Ping Gongzi from Feng Hua's Nest yesterday. "But how did these two people end up in my house?" Xiao Ting couldn't help but wonder.

  The old lady's ears were very sharp, she counted the time was almost up, Xiao Tiao should be back home to cook, so although she was talking to someone, her ears still paid attention to the sound of the gate. At this moment, she heard Xiao Tiao speaking in the courtyard and said: "Tiao'er, is that you? Come in quickly, a friend has come to visit our house!"

  Friend? Xiao Teng furrowed his brow and looked at the guy standing at the door with a treasured sword in his arms, reluctantly answering his mother.

  This guy is really arrogant, he just entered the gate without his master's permission and stood at the door of his own hall, asking him questions but he didn't even look at himself, his gaze always 30 degrees upwards.

  For this kind of person, Xiao Teng really has no way to deal with him.

  As soon as he entered the main hall, Ping Gongzi, who had just been chatting with his mother, Zhou Shi, in the house, came out to greet him. Seeing Xiao Ting, he wore a mischievous smile on his face and gave a hearty chest-bumping fist bump, saying: "Brother Zi Mei, long time no see! I've come to pay my respects!"

  "Uh..." Xiao Ting lowered his voice, "How did you know my name? What's with the impersonation of being my friend? What are you doing coming to my house?"

  He also lowered his voice and chuckled: "Hey, Brother Zi Mei, this isn't the way to treat a guest, is it?"

  Xiao Teng wrinkled his brow, just about to speak, when the old lady inside suddenly asked: "Teng-er, since friends have come, hurry up and invite them to sit down. How can you let them stand and talk?"

  Xiao Ting touched his nose, but the other person was silently laughing. Xiao Ting coughed and said, "Ah... please sit down!"

  He quickly stepped into the inner room, wanting to ask his mother what was going on. Unexpectedly, as soon as he entered, the old lady beckoned him over with a playful smile still on her face. Xiao Ting was taken aback and hurried over to quietly ask: "Mother, what's going on? When did they arrive?"

  Zhou smiled and pulled Xiao Ting's hand closer, then whispered in his ear: "Ting'er, you really have good eyesight, this miss is not bad!"

  Xiao Ting first subconsciously furrowed his brow, then reacted, "What did you say? Female... he is..." He quickly lowered his voice, "You're saying, he's a girl?"

  The old lady slapped him on the shoulder, then suddenly burst into violent coughing. Xiao Ting hurriedly patted her back, and after a while, the coughing finally stopped. The old lady glared at him again, "What are you shouting about? Miss is dressed as a man, isn't it just to avoid being seen by me? You shouted like this, she would be so embarrassed that she would run away... Eh... What did you say? You didn't know she was a girl?"