Chapter 95: Perhaps Dean Wei Found Me to His Liking

Li Su forced himself to swallow a few mouthfuls of rice. It was still a little brittle and hard on the teeth when chewed, but at least it was easier to stomach than the dishes. Were the academy students really meant to survive on this gritty rice alone?

Once Li Su was no longer so hungry, he gave up on eating any more. Anyone who made it out of this place would find that even the plainest food outside tasted wonderful.

He had thought that coming to the academy meant he would no longer have to live on dry provisions, but now it seemed those would have been better after all. The trouble was that he did not even have any provisions with him; aside from books, he had brought nothing at all.

Li Su asked again, "Does Dean Wei know about this?"

Dean Wei did not seem like the kind of man who would make life difficult for students over meals.

Song Sheng shook his head.

Li Su lowered his voice of his own accord and asked softly, "Is there some hidden story behind this?"

Song Sheng’s voice dropped even further. "The cook is one of Master Qian’s men. Dean Wei is very busy and has no time to deal with such matters. Most of the academy’s affairs are handled by Master Qian."

"Many of us students have never even met Dean Wei in person. A great many of the books used by the academy were compiled by Dean Wei himself, so he is always occupied."

Li Su roughly understood what was going on, and he was already considering inviting Dean Wei here for a meal.

On one hand, the students of the academy had very few chances to see Dean Wei. Even when they did, they treated him with the utmost respect and would never bother him with something like this.

Since they had the opportunity, it would be better to ask about things they did not understand instead. Dean Wei would usually explain them to the students.

On the other hand, some students had reported this matter to Master Qian, and Master Qian had said it was meant to temper them...

The students, thinking that it was better to avoid trouble when possible, decided that at worst they would prepare their own food. That way, they could save time and read a few more books instead.

When Li Su heard Song Sheng say that they could save meal time and use it for reading, he could not help admiring them. The academy students really were intense.

In truth, the students of Brightmoon Academy simply had no choice but to comfort themselves that way.

After Li Su and Song Sheng returned to their room, Li Su wondered whether he could find some place to beg a meal before the academy’s food improved.

There was no helping it. A person needed food the way iron needed metal; skipping a meal left one hungry and anxious.

For anyone, a good meal was of the utmost importance.

"Brother Li, bring your books and let us go to Yellow Hall. It is almost time. Or do you have other plans for today?" Song Sheng asked.

Li Su replied, "What is being taught in Yellow Hall later?"

"Today’s lesson is on the qin."

Li Su thought about it for a moment. "Let us go together."

One of the reasons his master had sent him to Brightmoon Academy was to improve his skills in the Six Arts of the gentleman.

His master was always scolding him, yes, but he had truly been thinking about Li Su’s future all along.

In truth, Li Su knew a little of all six arts: rites, music, archery, charioteering, calligraphy, and arithmetic.

As for rites, he would need to adapt to the standards of this era, which might differ from what he had learned from books before.

With music, he could play the more common instruments, though there were some obscure ones he could not manage.

As for archery, the targets he had practiced on before were shot with a gun rather than an arrow, so he would need to train in that as well.

He had no problems with riding. His writing was always under practice. As for arithmetic, that was his strong suit.

The moment Li Su stepped into Yellow Hall, he realized that many people were looking at him.

Could it be that they had all seen him turn green from eating meat until he nearly vomited? To become famous in such a way would be far too embarrassing...

But after a closer look, Li Su understood that it was not so. The gazes were not mocking; they were merely curious.

At that, Li Su relaxed. So long as it was only curiosity, that was fine. His dignity mattered very much to him.

To the scholars of Brightmoon Academy, Dean Wei was someone lofty and untouchable, a man of immense learning whom they admired without limit. So whenever Dean Wei appeared, it was bound to cause a stir.

And the fact that Li Su had been brought here personally by Dean Wei had spread through the academy at remarkable speed.

That was why everyone was so curious about Li Su.

By rights, someone brought in person by Dean Wei should be a genius at the very least, someone worthy of attention, and certainly not someone assigned to Yellow Hall. Yet here he was, indeed in Yellow Hall.

For a time, the students could not quite make sense of what sort of situation Li Su was in.

Song Sheng, staying beside Li Su, also received many curious looks. He began wondering whether he ought to keep a little farther away from Li Su. So many eyes were on him that he felt rather nervous.

But Brother Li had only just arrived at the academy today. If Song Sheng distanced himself now, Li Su would not even have anyone to speak with.

Thinking of this, Song Sheng could only steel himself and sit down beside Li Su.

After the lessons in the qin and the practice session ended, Li Su left behind a fairly good impression in the hearts of the Yellow Hall students. He played the qin quite well and received praise from Master Zhou.

Some students came over to strike up conversation and ask whether he knew Dean Wei.

"Brother, you came here today with Dean Wei. Do you know him from before?"

Song Sheng turned to look at Li Su in surprise. Brother Li had come today with Dean Wei?

"Not before," Li Su answered honestly. "I only met Dean Wei today."

"Then why did you come with Dean Wei? Many students saw it today."

Li Su was silent for a moment. He had not realized they were all so gossipy. As expected, when people were shut up in one place for too long, even the slightest disturbance would draw everyone’s attention.

"Perhaps Dean Wei found me pleasing to the eye," Li Su said on the spur of the moment.

Just as he stepped past the entrance to Yellow Hall, Wei Shian froze.

He truly did not know what Xi Sheng was thinking, taking in such a disciple. Slick-tongued, and not a single honest word to be found.

Xi Sheng had even written to boast about him. There was nothing he could see worth boasting about.

"Li Su," came Wei Shian’s cool, eerie voice from the doorway as he fixed Li Su with a hard stare.

The students in Yellow Hall were startled. When had Dean Wei appeared at the door?

Li Su greeted him without the slightest panic. "Dean Wei, what brings you here, old sir?"

"If I had not come, I would not have known how you were speaking of me behind my back," Wei Shian said flatly.

The other students in Yellow Hall all lowered their heads. They had been the ones to drag Brother Li into this. But in the face of Dean Wei, they did not dare make a sound.

Li Su said with a smile, "How would I dare speak ill of you? Unless I do not suit your eye?"

Wei Shian snorted. "Knowing that is enough."

Could Xi Sheng’s disciple actually suit his eye?

Li Su nodded. "Then it seems I misunderstood." He even lowered his head in an exaggerated show of hurt.

Wei Shian: "?"

The other students became even more certain that Li Su and Dean Wei knew each other. If not, how could he speak to Dean Wei like that?

And Dean Wei’s manner toward him was plainly different from the way he treated them.

Of course, they themselves still would never dare speak to Dean Wei like that.

Wei Shian said irritably, "Come out with me."

A little earlier, he had received a letter from Xi Sheng, and in it Xi Sheng had gone to great lengths to show off this disciple of his, looking thoroughly smug.

The letter itself was written normally enough, but to Wei Shian, it read like nothing but bragging.

He wanted very much to see just how much real ability this disciple Xi Sheng praised so highly actually possessed.