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墨書 Inktalez
Chengyang Jun had been feeling a bit restless lately, constantly reminded of the Chu State Dancer from that day. She resembled that person so much that for a moment, he thought he had finally forgiven him and that his soul had come to find him. But upon waking, everything was empty, with only the footprints on his face proving that someone had indeed been there, as if it were just a dream.
After returning from the mountains, he ordered someone to summon Yan Ping, but the Chu State envoy had already left Daliang when the Dancer performed, and he couldn't find anyone. As for the Dancer, despite searching all over Daliang City, he couldn't even catch a glimpse of her.
It was better not to see her at all, but once he did, his previously calm days were turned upside down. He became increasingly irritable; this desire gnawed at him like a poison, growing stronger the more unattainable it became, consuming his heart without a moment's peace.
In his anxious state, he wrote a letter to Feng Lingjun that very day, requesting him to present the Dancer.
However, Feng Lingjun's reply was ambiguous—neither confirming nor denying anything—only stating that he would personally visit Daliang in a month to discuss the matter with him.
Whatever ambitions Feng Lingjun had might deceive others, but he knew better. They were essentially on the same path; what he had done in the past was no different from Feng Lingjun's actions.
When he first returned to Wei Kingdom, he acted with restraint, understanding the need to be humble and wait for the right moment; otherwise, how could he have possibly deceived Wei Wang and earned the title of Chengyang Jun?
This Feng Lingjun must have plans for regicide.
With matters weighing on his mind, he lost interest in reading. He tossed the book aside carelessly; it hit the ground with a loud thud, startling several attendants who immediately knelt and said, "Lord, forgive us."
A group of useless people. He snorted and stood up to leave the study, contemplating where to go to clear his mind.
After wandering around the courtyard for a while, he found himself at the Library. In the past, whenever he felt unsettled, he would come here to take a stroll, sit down with some books, and sip tea until his mood calmed.
That person had also loved books immensely; there was a huge library in Proton Manor where all the Bamboo Slips were transported from Yan State.
Thanks to that library, he learned quite a bit. Later on, when he left Chu State, most of those books were given to Ji Xun while half of what remained was kept for him. It was like his heart—he would always leave far more for Ji Xun than for himself.
He felt jealous and dissatisfied; several times he tried to reclaim those books from Ji Xun but was refused each time. Eventually, after searching everywhere, he managed to gather those books together and built the Library. Yet after its completion, he realized that books could never replace people.
Entering the Library, he suddenly remembered having asked someone named San Chun to clean this place. But now it seemed not only was it not clean but even messier than before. Books were scattered everywhere, and the person who should have been working was sitting on the floor surrounded by many open books. She flipped through one while continuously tugging at her hair and muttering to herself.
Zhong Xue found it amusing; half of his gloomy mood vanished instantly.
He walked over, squatted beside her, and gently asked, "What are you doing?"
San Chun was originally deep in thought, and when she couldn't come up with anything, she desperately grabbed her hair, turning her head into a bird's nest. Suddenly, she heard someone speaking beside her, and she hurriedly looked up, colliding her forehead with Zhong Xue's chin. With a "bang," the pain almost brought tears to her eyes.
She gritted her teeth and exclaimed, "How did Lord Jun come here?"
Zhong Xue rubbed the top of his head where she had bumped him and thought to himself that although she looked frail, her head was quite hard.
He asked, "You were told to clean up; what are you doing?"
Glancing at the strands of hair scattered on the ground, he added, "Such a ruthless approach; do you dislike having too much hair?"
San Chun touched her head and indeed found a handful of fallen hair, forcing a bitter smile. "To be honest, I have been reading for several days and have grown puzzled, which is why I am troubled."
Zhong Xue was curious. "What troubles you?"
She shook her head, sighing as if she were about to run out of breath. "People are troubled; I have memorized so many texts, but how did I manage to read them so thoroughly back then?"
Zhong Xue found it increasingly amusing; it was like a child who had just learned to read boasting about their knowledge.
He did not understand how San Chun felt when she realized she could read many books. She was sometimes excited, sometimes worried, and sometimes sentimental. She had seen all these characters before; how on earth did she remember them? With her current forgetfulness and absent-mindedness, could it be that someone had hammered the knowledge into her brain?
Her troubles were beyond Zhong Xue's comprehension. He chuckled and asked her, "Do you really know them all?"
"Yes."
He didn't believe it. Although he had read most of those texts, he couldn't recite them like she could.
Back in the day, Wei Kingdom had no intention of nurturing him or hiring any teachers for him. He longed for knowledge because only knowledge could help him grow stronger. So when that person studied, he mostly listened in secret.
That person had long noticed someone eavesdropping but never stopped him; instead, they opened the window wider so he could hear better. Because of this, most of the knowledge he acquired came from that time.
That person did not enjoy reading; they simply had an exceptional memory and could remember everything at a glance. They could memorize a text in less than half a day, and the rest of the time was spent sleeping while holding the text, completely unaware of drooling all over it.
He could sleep through thunder without waking up. The teacher had tried to stop him many times, but to no avail. Eventually, the teacher let him sleep and continued with the lesson as usual. Over time, it became as if the teacher was specifically teaching only him. However, even though he studied diligently, he still couldn't match that person's ability to memorize.
Years later, that person left the State of Chu, and the teacher followed suit. Before leaving, the teacher said to him, "I have imparted all that I have learned in my life; I hope you will take care of yourself."
Only then did he kneel on the ground and perform a proper bow of respect to his teacher. Afterward, when he became Lord Jun, he sought out this teacher many times but was never able to find him. Regrettably, after following the teacher for several years, he didn't even know the teacher's surname or given name.
Thinking back on these past events now brought a mix of emotions. He had been quite envious of that person's memorization skills; if only that person had applied himself, his achievements would surely have surpassed his own.
With a light sigh, he suddenly noticed the Bamboo Slip in her hand, which seemed to be from the Chuci (Songs of Chu). This scroll was a gift from that person when they first met, and he had always treasured it. He took the scroll from her hand, intending to test her knowledge.
"On an auspicious day and good time, the Eastern Emperor Taiyi will joyfully ascend..."
He recited a couple of lines, and San Chun immediately continued loudly, "Caressing the long sword and jade earrings, the sound of the bells ringing like jade. The jade mat and precious adornments; why not bring forth the fragrant jade? The fragrant dishes steamed on orchid mats; offering osmanthus wine and pepper brew. Raising the drumsticks and beating the drums; leisurely rhythms and peaceful songs; presenting the zither and harp in grand harmony. The spirit is graceful in fine attire; fragrant blooms fill the hall. The five tones are diverse in their gathering; you rejoice in happiness and health."
In recent days, San Chun had almost read through every scroll. She wasn't sure if she remembered what she had read or if it was something she had known before. In any case, she remembered it.
Zhong Xue picked up a copy of the Tao Te Ching. He asked questions, and she answered them all. Although she didn't fully grasp all the meanings, she recited them fluently. The more he listened, the more astonished he became. Closing the scroll, he sighed and said, "With your talent, you should become a Sage."
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