Picking Up a General to Plow the Fields

Chapter 394: Mentor

Lian Fang Zhou nodded.
“Well, in that case, you two come back in a few days.
I need to say a few words to Ah Jian, so go on ahead.”

Lian Ze and Qin Feng would not think too much about this.
Nodding, Lian Ze went to supervise the work and Qin Feng accompanied him.

The other two continued walked to a white magnolia tree that had been planted in front of the warehouse in the backyard.
Ah Jian followed with a smile and asked: “Did everything go well with Master Ding?”

“Yes, it was smoother than expected!” Lian Fang Zhou smiled, her mouth curling upwards.

Since somethings had not been confirmed yet, she would not disclose them to anyone else but she still shared them with Ah Jian.

After hearing the entire conversation with Master Ding, Ah Jian smiled: “Che’er is very good, he is smart and talented.
Although he is still a little young, as long as he works hard there will be no problems with the entrance examination next year.
However, if you want to gain Master Ding’s favor, you will have to get the top grades and excel in the exam.
I think you should talk to him in detail about this after you go back.
You should ask him to speak with Sun Ming during the week.
Let Sun Ming guide him!”

Lian Fang Zhou laughed: “You are still the best! I asked for this favor but still didn’t think so much! Alright, you are right.
We should let Big Brother Sun point Che’er.
I will tell Che’er to stop by every day and not rush home.
He should go and study with Big Brother Sun for an hour.”

Anyways, it was just leaving school a little earlier, it wouldn’t delay his return home.

When speaking of someone guiding Lian Che, even though Lian Hai was also a shengyuan and was closer and more conveniently placed to their home, neither of them even considered him as an option.

This was not just because his father and mother were difficult to deal with.

Perhaps subconsciously, they knew that their family and Lian Hai were not the same, even though Lian Hai was not like his parents.

Ah Jian glanced at her and said a little sourly: “Alright, let Che’er go every day! If it’s late, I’ll pick him up and bring him home.
You don’t need to worry about it.
That Sun Ming, you don’t want to see him again?”

Lian Fang Zhou was started and couldn’t help but let out a puff of laughter.
Picking up the corners of her eyes, she lightly teased him, saying: “You acting like this, are you jealous?”

“Otherwise, what can it be?” Ah Jian admitted bluntly.
He hummed dissatisfiedly at her question: “Don’t think I don’t know what that kid has in his heart! Good, a scholar is a scholar! He not only doesn’t prepare for the exam whole-heartedly but actually goes to the fields to toss around in the ground! If he says he has no thoughts, I wouldn’t believe him even if he was dead!”

Lian Fang Zhou was both angry and amused.
She was really learning a lot about this man! She hadn’t even married him yet, but he was getting bolder and bolder!

“It’s called a combination of work and rest!” Lian Fang Zhou said finally, “It won’t hinder him as long as he studies hard!”

“Don’t help him make excuses!” Ah Jian huffed.
“I have never heard of a combination of work and rest.
I only know that it takes ten years hard work and cold nights to preserve.
I’ve only heard of hanging beams* and piecing walls for light.
Work hard, work hard, where do you need to rest?”

“…” Sure enough, the generation gap was too big to ignore.
Lian Fang Zhou didn’t bother to keep arguing with him and smiled: “Forget it.
Anyways, did I say that you couldn’t do it? Che’er will be picked up by you.
I don’t care if I can’t do it! Master Ding said he will come visit us in person tomorrow!”

“Really?” Ah Jian said with a smile.
“Then we can be more assured.
Qin Feng and Su Zi Ji should arrange everything properly so there are no mistakes.”

Lian Fang Zhou nodded.
She hesitated for a moment and then said: “You say, should I let Che’er meet Master Ding tomorrow?”

He glanced at her and smiled.
“I don’t think it’s necessary.
Since Master Ding said to wait until the youth exam next year, let Che’er feel at ease to prepare for the test.
He doesn’t need to worry about other things.
Even if he met him now, what would it accomplish?”

His thoughts immediately relieved Lian Fang Zhou’s worries.
She smiled: “I also had this concern.
Since you’ve said this, we should do it as you say.
Che’er will go to school tomorrow as usual.”

They shared a smile.

After speaking of a few little things, the couple reluctantly said goodbye.

At this time, neither of them knew that if Ah Jian had been present when Master Ding arrived, his identity would have been revealed much sooner, leading to much less complications later.

But if this had happened, Lian Fang Zhou would likely not have married him so easily, bringing all new problems!

However, no matter what humans wish, things will always happen according to their original trajectory.
No one can go back and ‘what if’ the past.

~

When they returned home, Qin Feng, Su Zi Ji, and Lian Fang Zhou immediately made arrangements for Master Ding’s visit.
They worked hard until nightfall and then went back to their homes.

After dinner, Lian Fang Zhou pulled Lian Che aside and told him everything about Master Ding’s instructions.

Lian Che was extremely flustered, his big eyes smart and clear.
Even his small face was red with excitement!

Looking up at his sister with bright eyes, he asked in disbelief: “Sister, is this true!? Master Ding really said that!?”

What was Master Ding except like a god? He had taught princes! He was naturally the most powerful teacher in the world, otherwise why would the emperor choose him?

Lian Che had never thought that such a heavyweight figure living high above him would actually agree to give him some guidance!

“Idiot!” Lian Fang Zhou said affectionately, rubbing his little head lightly: “When did you sister learn to tell such jokes? Of course it’s true!”

Seeing the wide smile on his face, Lian Fang Zhou sighed: “Che’er, this is a very good opportunity but whether you can grasp it, is up to you!”

Lian Che nodded vigorously, feeling proud: “Yes, Big Sister! I will definitely seize this opportunity! This is what my sister has won for me with her hard work! I won’t let my sister down, I will definitely work hard!”

Hearing this, Lian Fang Zhou was both delighted and a little uneasy.
Quickly, she said: “Che’er, it’s good that you are so considerate of Sister’s heart, Sister is very happy! But this kind of thing also depends on fate.
Sometimes, even when we work hard, we don’t always get what we want.
There is nothing wrong with this, even if you are not successful.
Relying on your own efforts, it may be that you can still achieve good things in the future.
Also, Sister hopes that you will hope fast to your dignity at all times.
Don’t bow your knees and curry favor with nobles.
There is nothing in this world that is worth discarding your dignity and gaining by flattery, do you understand?”

Lian Che seemed to understand but not fully.
He thought for a while and then nodded.
“I understand, Big Sister! I will work hard but if I still can’t catch Master Ding’s eyes, I will work harder! What I want is to rely on my own efforts and not, um, not on other’s charity, right, Big Sister?”

“Good!” Lian Fang Zhou said, smiling.
“Remember what your sister said.
After a few years, you will understand when you grow up!”

Lian Che nodded obediently.
“Big Sister’s words, I will always remember!”

TN: *I believe this is referring to the story about some scholars tying their hair to the ceiling beams so that it would force them to remain upright and not fall asleep.