Chapter 3

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When Ye Chunqiu said he would recite the text, the few children standing nearby couldn't hold back their laughter.

One of the younger ones muttered under his breath, "Why is this cousin so silly?" As soon as he finished speaking, an aunt behind him gave him a hard pinch on the back, and he immediately fell silent like a cicada in winter, not daring to make a sound.

Looking at their reactions, it was clear they thought he was wasting his breath.

Sigh...

Ye Chunqiu sighed inwardly but still shook his head and recited, word by word: "In ancient times, those who established a state would certainly fortify the mountains and valleys to ensure their security, or they would back the Mang Mountains and face the Luo River..."

Ye Chunqiu spoke clearly, each word either rising or falling in tone.

But at this moment, no one in the hall could laugh anymore.

Ye Taigong's face showed surprise, and he looked at Ye Chunqiu with disbelief.

The second uncle was even more shocked, as if he had seen a ghost.

Ye Chunqiu continued, "Or they would be surrounded by rivers and lakes, all to enhance their strategic advantages..."

Ye Taigong's expression softened, and he closed his eyes, sighing lightly.

This text wasn't particularly high-level; it was just a common local record.

Ye Chunqiu had found it in his optical brain, and the author was none other than Ye Taigong. Ye Taigong was a notable figure in Fenghua County, and his works often appeared in local records. One such article was recorded in the county annals: "The county magistrate praised it highly and had it inscribed on a stone by the riverbank, to be passed down to future generations."

To put it simply... Ye Taigong was a local gentry, and the county often needed to repair the river embankments. Once the embankments were built, it was traditional to erect a stele and record the event. Ye Chunqiu speculated that the county magistrate, seeing the Ye family's generous donations, had asked Ye Taigong to write the article, and then praised it highly, having it inscribed on the stele.

Ye Chunqiu was certain that this article was one of the few brilliant works of the old man's life. Writing it was the proudest moment of his life. Now, hearing it recited by Ye Chunqiu, it resonated with him.

How did this grandson, who had never returned to Fenghua County, know this article?

Of course, it was his father, Ye Jing, who taught him.

His father, the unfilial son, had run away with a woman, but the grandson could recite his article by heart, showing that... the unfilial son still had his father in his heart.

Ye Chunqiu finished reciting the article and, with a pitiful look, said to Ye Taigong, whose expression had softened, "In the past, whenever my father wanted to beat me, I would recite this article, and he wouldn't have the heart to hit me. Now that I've recited it again, Grandfather, will you not beat Father?"

Ye Taigong's old face trembled, and he only sighed.

The implication was that this article must be very important to Ye Jing. If it weren't, it wouldn't be Ye Chunqiu's talisman. This son... had run away for a woman, but... he still had his father in his heart.

Ye Taigong's mood was complex, and he looked weary, with no intention of using the family law. He glanced coldly at Ye Jing and said, "From today, you are confined to the house. You may not leave for a year. If you do it again, I will beat you to death. Ye Song..."

The second uncle, who had recovered from his shock, looked coldly at Ye Chunqiu and obediently replied, "What do you want, Father?"

Ye Taigong said coolly, "Prepare a courtyard for them to live in, and have Ye San serve them."

The old man's word was law, and everyone understood that the head of the Ye family was back.

Ye Song dared not refuse and said, "Yes, I will take care of it."

The old man's eyes finally fell on Ye Chunqiu, deliberately showing distance and coldness, "You made a mistake in one part. The correct line is 'as if made by heaven and earth,' followed by 'but the advantage of location is not as important as the harmony of people.' However... for a young age, remembering this much is acceptable. Do your best."

He flicked his sleeve and left, looking dejected.

The second uncle arranged for Ye Jing and his son to live in a small courtyard in the southeast corner of the estate. It wasn't luxurious, but even the second uncle wouldn't dare to be too obvious. Since it was the old man's order, the courtyard was decent, with a small hall, two side rooms, and a servant named Ye San to take care of their daily needs.

The Ye family was unfamiliar to Ye Chunqiu, and he needed time to adapt to life here.

Soon, the matter of Ye Chunqiu's studies was on the agenda. Ye Jing repeatedly requested it, and the second uncle, who managed the household, finally relented and contacted the clan school, allowing Ye Chunqiu to attend.

The snow in the south was always stingy, lasting only a day or two before melting away, leaving only a trace on the rooftiles. After a few days, the bare branches in the small courtyard turned green, and the weather gradually warmed. Ye Chunqiu had been in school for half a month, and he got up very early each day, before the fog had cleared, to dress and wash.

Well... he had no choice, as his father got up even earlier.

After the hour of the Rabbit, Ye Chunqiu pushed open the window, and the morning light filtered through the thick fog into his room.

After getting up for an hour, his small room was already cluttered with calligraphy practice sheets.

The small regular script was already taking shape, but Ye Chunqiu was not satisfied. He knew that in this era, cursive script represented a scholar's face, and one's level of learning could be seen in their writing.

His father supervised his studies daily, but Ye Chunqiu's focus was always on calligraphy practice.

It wasn't that he wanted to be lazy or had a particular love for calligraphy. The knowledge in his optical brain was vast and varied, including poetry, essays, and even the eight-part essay, which he could write effortlessly. Spending time on this would be a waste.

Ye Chunqiu wasn't a righteous man; with ready-made knowledge, there was no need to go to extremes to learn the eight-part essay.

However, cursive script required practical skills and couldn't be faked.

He put down his brush and blew on his white breath. Ye San brought in tea and snacks, "Young Master, eat quickly. The old master said you should go to the clan school early and not be late."

Ye Chunqiu enjoyed the 'steamed buns' brought by Ye San. These buns were large and hard, and during his time with the Ye family, he often complained about the food. Most of it was leftovers, clearly meant for the laborers in the estate. Ye San was also helpless, shrugging his shoulders and saying that he got these from the kitchen, which was managed by the second lady.

The second lady was the wife of the second uncle and Ye Chunqiu's second aunt. Not that Ye Chunqiu wanted to curse, but he silently thought, that second uncle... is no good.

Ye Chunqiu had mentioned the food to his father a few times, but his father only cared about his studies and was indifferent to material matters. Whenever Ye Chunqiu criticized the second uncle, his father would frown and lecture him on the principles of not speaking ill of one's elders.

His father was clueless.

Since that was the case, Ye Chunqiu didn't bring it up again.

After breakfast, it was already late, and Ye Chunqiu hurriedly packed his book box and headed to the clan school.

The Ye family's clan school was next to the ancestral hall, and in the Jiangnan region, large families placed great importance on the education of their children, so the school was quite grand.

At this time, a few direct and collateral descendants were already coming to school. They looked at Ye Chunqiu with various expressions, but no one greeted him.

Children are like that, always forming cliques, and Ye Chunqiu was a 'transfer student.'

"The eldest son has arrived," someone muttered.

But the tone was tinged with mockery.

"He's not really a young master; his mother is... a village girl with big feet..."

Ye Chunqiu ignored it and boldly entered the school. Behind him, he heard someone say, "Chunqiu..."

Ye Chunqiu turned and saw his cousin, Ye Liangchen.

[The 515 Fan Festival is coming soon, and I hope to continue to climb the 515 Red Packet List. On May 15th, the red packet rain will reward readers and promote the work. Even a small donation is love, and I will definitely update well!]

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