As the sun set in the west, the horizon was painted in shades of orange-red, casting its lingering glow over the bluestone steps and the lintel of the academy.
Shen Yu and the others instinctively adjusted their robes and caps, their eyes closely following the celestial carriage as it slowly approached from the horizon.
Before long, the celestial carriage landed soundlessly. As if a gentle breeze had swept past, the silver bells hanging from its four corners chimed softly, their lingering echoes drifting through the air.
Jolted back to reality, the crowd bowed in unison. The rustle of their shifting robes was perfectly synchronized, sounding like wind sweeping across a field of wheat.
“We respectfully welcome the Divine Lady.”
Countless voices rang out in unison, devout and orderly, echoing through the spacious courtyard of the academy.
No one looked up.
Everyone remained bowed, their eyes fixed on the bluestone slabs beneath their feet. They held their breath, waiting in absolute silence for the Divine Lady inside the carriage to descend.
Not long ago, the spirit fox had arrived at the academy to deliver a decree, stating that the Divine Lady intended to preach the Dao here for three days. Excitedly, they had skipped lunch and gathered early at the academy gates to wait respectfully.
Fang Shuo carefully hopped down from the celestial carriage. Seeing the massive crowd gathered at the gates, he muttered in a low voice, “That's a lot of people...”
Although his voice was quiet, it was exceptionally clear in the dead silence. While the scholars at the back were too far to hear, Shen Yu, Cheng Ji, and the others at the front heard him loud and clear.
Shen Yu instinctively raised his eyes toward the source of the voice.
What he saw left him slightly dazed.
Standing beside the glowing celestial carriage was a stranger in tattered clothes, with messy hair and several streaks of black soot on his face.
He looked like a textbook little beggar.
Yet, of all people, this little beggar had just stepped off the Divine Lady's celestial carriage.
Though astonished, Shen Yu showed none of it on his face.
He lowered his gaze back to the bluestone slabs, silently keeping mental note of this little beggar.
After a brief silence, the tasseled gauze curtains of the celestial carriage suddenly parted of their own accord, slowly sliding to both sides.
A subtle, elegant, and otherworldly fragrance quietly spread through the air. It did not smell like any earthly flower, but rather like the first snow of winter, carrying a refreshing coolness into everyone's breath.
Everyone stood frozen in anticipation.
In the next second, the Divine Lady stepped slowly out of the carriage.
Her snow-white dress trailed on the ground, resembling frost condensed from moonlight. The hem was densely studded with tiny crystals that shimmered with every step, as if the entire starry sky had been embroidered onto her skirt.
A plain white silk shawl draped over her shoulders, as light and thin as mist, fluttering gently with her elegant steps.
In her hand, she held a sprig of white jade lily of the valley, which made her hands appear as flawless and white as freshly peeled scallion shoots.
Even with a veil concealing her face, her beauty remained breathtaking to all.
【Fang Shuo Shock Value +100】
【Cheng Ji Shock Value +100】
【Ye Qingqing Shock Value +100】
【...】
【Current Shock Value: 3,111,000】
Once the shock wore off, a trace of confusion flickered in Fang Shuo's eyes.
He could not help but think to himself, Wait, the dress the Divine Lady wore when she descended upon the mine didn't look like this one, did it? When did she change? How do I have absolutely no memory of it? Did I kowtow so hard earlier that I gave myself amnesia?
Yun Shu was once again forced to hear Fang Shuo's inner thoughts.
Having learned her lesson, she swore she would never use the Echo Drop again unless absolutely necessary; she had zero interest in listening to other people's inner thoughts.
It was pure torture.
She glanced at the little beggar and said, “This child is named Fang Shuo. Though he possesses some innate wisdom, his aptitude is dull. I have brought him to Yecheng Academy merely to teach him reason and propriety.”
Normally, she wouldn't have needed to give such explicit instructions. A subtle hint would have been enough for Shen Yu to catch her drift.
However, considering Fang Shuo's empty head, she had to give him a preemptive warning to prevent Shen Yu from throwing his hands up and quitting.
“Shen Yu, are you willing to teach him?”
Upon hearing this, Shen Yu did not hesitate in the slightest. He replied, “Since it is the Divine Lady's command, I shall do my utmost.”
As he spoke, his gaze followed the Divine Lady's to the little beggar who had stepped off the celestial carriage.
His name is Fang Shuo? It was an unfamiliar name. He was not among any of the virtuous and talented scholars Shen Yu knew, nor was he one of the child prodigies who had made a name for themselves at a young age.
Yet, he had received the Divine Lady's favor. This was the first time Shen Yu had witnessed her showing such blatant care for a mortal.
Could he be a scion of some hidden clan?
As for the Divine Lady calling Fang Shuo dull-witted, he did not take it too seriously. After all, when mortal elders introduced their juniors, they would always speak with a touch of humility. He assumed the Divine Lady was merely doing the same.
At this moment, Shen Yu had absolutely no idea what a terrible mess he had just agreed to take on.
On the other hand, Cheng Ji's expression shifted slightly beside him.
A few days ago, he had received a letter from his old classmate, the Governor of Chaoyang, entrusting his son to his care. Calculating the time, Fang Shuo should have arrived in Yecheng recently, yet Cheng Ji had waited and waited without any sign of him.
He had originally planned to send people to search for him, but because the Divine Lady was coming to the academy to preach, he had no choice but to put it on hold.
Who would have thought that his nephew-by-friendship had the dumb luck of a fool, actually catching the Divine Lady's eye and arriving at Yecheng Academy in her company?
Dumping the trouble onto Shen Yu with a clear conscience, Yun Shu followed Ye Qingqing and the others as they led her into the hall that the academy had specially prepared for her lectures.
Shen Yu wanted to follow and listen to the Divine Lady's teachings.
However, since the Divine Lady had personally entrusted Fang Shuo to him, he could not simply abandon the boy at the academy gates. Doing so would surely leave her with a bad impression, making him look like he was only offering lip service.
Seeing this, Cheng Ji quickly stepped in and said, “Young Master Shen, this nephew's father and I were classmates, so let me look after him. The opportunity to hear the Divine Lady preach is rare; you must not miss it.”
Shen Yu cupped his hands to Cheng Ji in gratitude and turned to leave.
“Uncle Cheng! I've finally found you! You have no idea how miserable my journey to Yecheng was!”
Tears began to well up in Fang Shuo's eyes as he spoke. “If the Divine Lady hadn't been kind enough to rescue me, I might still be mining coal!”
Remembering that his old friend had passed away and that Fang Shuo had not yet had his capping ceremony, Cheng Ji patted his shoulder. “My boy, how did you end up like this? Did someone mistreat you?”
Fang Shuo ground his teeth as he complained, “Uncle, you must look into this for me! A few days ago, when I was entering the city, a bandit not only stole my carriage but also stripped me of my clothes and dumped me in the wilderness! I was left shivering in the freezing wind all night!”
“Outrageous!”
Cheng Ji assured him, “Rest easy, my boy. I will definitely get to the bottom of this and bring you justice!”
Suddenly, Fang Shuo's stomach let out a loud growl.
He scratched his head in embarrassment.
“Uncle, I'm a bit hungry.”
Without another word, Cheng Ji ordered his servants to prepare food and had someone lead Fang Shuo away to wash up.
A short while later, seated at the table, a clean Fang Shuo looked every bit the pampered young master of a wealthy family. His features were delicate and exceptionally handsome, but any elegance was utterly ruined by the way he ignored all manners, stuffing his face as if he were a starved ghost reincarnated.
He wept in his heart as he ate.
Oh, thank heavens... This is what real food tastes like!
Once Fang Shuo was full, Cheng Ji hesitated for a moment before finally pulling out the letter the Governor of Chaoyang had written to entrust his son.
“My boy, there is something I believe I must tell you. I cannot keep it from you... Your father...”
Rate on N.U.
