Chapter 54: Scholarship is like drinking tea

  As soon as they left the Zhang family's gate and got into the car, Lu Min's face was calm, but her eyes were complex. The excitement she had initially felt had disappeared, replaced by a sense of loss and melancholy. Liu Xiu didn't understand what was going on and couldn't figure out why Lu Min still wasn't satisfied with how things had developed. Did she expect that because of the Zhang family's connections, Li Ding would guarantee that Shi Tai would change his attitude?

  Liu Xiu thought that although Lu Min was a bit foolish, he wasn't foolish to this extent, so he was somewhat perplexed by Lu Min's reaction. Was it because he felt disappointed that these aristocrats only knew how to enjoy themselves and didn't have a sense of responsibility? It seemed like they had expected too much from them. Generally speaking, the more benefits one gets, the less sense of responsibility they have. They would constantly be digging at the foundation of everyone's survival - including their own - until they dragged everyone down with them to the grave.

  Liu Xiu had a lot of questions, but Lu Min didn't say anything, and he couldn't ask either, especially since they were on the road.

  Mao and his wife went out together, with a smile on her face, looking like she was in a good mood. After seeing Lu Min's expression, she also looked surprised, subconsciously casting an inquiring glance at Liu Xiu, then immediately turning away with some disgust. Her gaze swept over Zhang Fei, who was being obsequious and fawning in front of Liu Xiu, like a small dog wagging its tail. She couldn't help but sigh, her eyes becoming complex. In the past, Zhang Fei would only show this flattering attitude to her, but now he had changed his ways to please that beast instead. What made her even more depressed was that this time, there could have been a turning point, but it was precisely because of that beast's instigation.

  This person is so despicable, how can he have such great abilities? Mao Jiang thought for half a day and suddenly muttered to herself: "What's good about it, can't even solve an arithmetic problem, far inferior to A Chu." Her heart suddenly calmed down a lot.

  Back at the relay station, Liu Xiu accompanied Lu Min down from the carriage. Zhang Fei was still reluctant to leave. Seeing that Lu Min was in a bad mood, Liu Xiu gave Zhang Fei an impatient glance. Zhang Fei felt embarrassed and rubbed his head, knowing it wasn't the right time to ask about painting beautiful women. He had no choice but to reluctantly lead his family and horses away.

  Mao Jie hurried over, bowed slightly to Lu Min and asked tentatively: "Sir?"

  "Miss, let's go inside and talk." Lu Minqiang smiled and gestured. Mao Qiang saw this and became even more nervous, so she followed Lu Min into the guest room. Liu Bei quickly brought over a chair and asked Lu Min and Mao Qiang to sit down. He then brewed some tea and sat down on either side of Lu Min with Liu Xiu.

  "Please, miss." Lu Min raised her teacup and nodded towards Mao Jie, taking a sip herself. Her face had already regained its calm: "Miss, Li Zhong has agreed to let us go on an outing to Shanggu. Apart from your family and the Zhangs, we might also be able to bring a few officials from the Steward's Office, so you don't have to worry about safety."

  Mao Jie let out a sigh of relief and finally revealed a smile. She only knew that in order for Zhang Fei to be able to learn painting from Liu Xiuzhi, Zhang Tufu was forced to nod his head, but didn't think that Li Ding also let out a breath.

  "This is great, finally took the first step."

  "Yes." Lu Min raised an eyebrow: "I'm going to Shanggu, my father is not being taken care of at home. I plan to send my mother and younger brother to Taogu tomorrow to accompany him. The round trip may take two or three days, Miss, do you have any plans?"

  Mei Niang thought for a moment: "I'll accompany Mr. too, it's also time to go back and discuss with my father."

  Lu Min didn't object either, and turned to Liu Xiu saying: "Alright, Xuande, since Mao Niang wants to come along with you two, then you don't need to follow me. I'll teach you a text right now, take your time to ponder it, if there's anything unclear wait for my return to explain. Also, Xuande, pay attention and see if you can get in touch with the Zhang family and other few families through connections, try to win over as many households as possible."

  "Yes." Liu Xiu bowed his head in response, his eyes calm and unruffled.

  Mao Qiang sighed silently, rolled her lips, and wanted to speak but stopped.

  After Mo Chou returned to her own room, Lu Min took out a volume of bamboo slips and quickly began teaching Liu Xiu and Liu Bei. This was the first chapter of "Gu Wen Shang Shu", "Yao Dian". He first let Liu Xiu and Liu Bei read it themselves, to see if there were any characters they didn't recognize or allusions they didn't understand, then he began explaining. Wherever Liu Xiu and others raised questions, he focused on explaining those points. His teaching was not fast, nor did he go into details, but only after clarifying the words and phrases and explaining the general meaning, he ended the first lesson.

  "Is there anything else?" Lu Min looked at Liu Xiu and asked with a smile. At the beginning of the class, the worry that had been hidden deep in his eyes disappeared, and he exuded a warm and confident aura.

  "That... sir, won't you tell us what's the profound meaning behind all this?" Liu Bei asked with some puzzlement, scratching his head.

  "How about you?"

  Liu Xiu blinked and said slowly: "Sir... are you letting us realize it ourselves?"

  "Haha, indeed, your comprehension is quite high." Lu Min smiled softly and praised him, rolling up the bamboo slips in his hand and handing them to Liu Xiu. He turned around and looked at Liu Bei: "Xuande, I'll assign you a task. Within these two days, copy this chapter of 'Yao Dian' ten times, then memorize it. Perhaps... by that time, you'll be able to grasp some subtle meaning yourself." He paused for a moment, picked up his tea cup and took a sip, continuing: "Studying is like drinking tea - whether it's cold or hot, fragrant or not, only you know. Others won't understand. If you want to comprehend the subtle meaning, you must figure it out yourself."

  Liu Bei's face turned red and he lowered his head.

  "That doesn't mean the teacher won't teach, does it? Not at all. The teacher's role is to point you in the right direction when you're enlightened, and prevent you from going astray." Lu Min put away her smile and solemnly said to Liu Xiu and the others: "You also know that my father studied ancient texts, and the biggest difference between ancient texts and modern texts is that they don't arbitrarily interpret or distort the meaning of the classics, nor do they like to drag in obscure and mysterious things. The Six Classics are all historical records, understanding history to know past and present events, using history as a mirror. Do you understand?"

  Liu Bei hastily replied: "Thank you, sir, for your teachings. I understand now."

  Liu Xiu remained silent, Lu Min looked at him, her mouth slightly raised: "De Ran?"

  "I... don't quite understand." Liu Xiu said somewhat hesitantly: "I need... to think about it again."

  "Haha...". Lu Min nodded in satisfaction: "De Ran is steady and serious, Xuan De is clever and resourceful. Both of you are good seedlings, work hard and study diligently. Ask questions when you have doubts. I'll be back in two days to see how much you've learned and what questions you can ask."

  "Yes." Liu Xiu and the other replied in unison.

  After the lesson, Liu Bei immediately went out to fetch water with a great mood. Liu Xiu helped Lu Min tidy up her bedding, while Lu Min sat quietly, staring at the flickering candle flame without moving. When Liu Xiu finished cleaning and was about to leave, he suddenly said in a low voice: "De Ran."

  Liu Xiu was taken aback for a moment, then hastily bowed: "Sir?"

  Lu Min narrowed her eyes slightly and said word by word: "The journey does not follow the path, with urgent matters taking precedence, how to explain?"

  Liu Xiu did not answer immediately, but instead furrowed his brow and pondered for a long time before nodding slightly and saying: "Only see where justice is."

  Lu Min gazed at him, Liu Xiu calmly met his gaze without flinching, his eyes not even flickering with the intention of evasion. It wasn't until Liu Bei walked in carrying a basin and stood by in surprise that Lu Min lightly nodded: "You don't have to call me 'sir' anymore, we're both under the same master's tutelage, I'm just one step ahead of you in entering the door, merely your senior fellow disciple."

  Liu Xiu listened and took two steps forward on his knees, moved out of the mat, and made a respectful bow: "Shixiong."

  Lu Min's waist was straight and her back was upright, she calmly accepted a bow.