C18 The Illegitimate Child

Once the two students left, the room fell silent again. Lee Junxian emerged from behind the screen, thoughtfully observing Gu Changping.

“You put those two in the same room, and it’s not just to give Gao Chao some experience, is it?”

“Why don’t you take a guess at my intentions?”

“I heard that the youngest son of Ministry Shea made some threats at the college gates. Are you using Gao Chao’s status to protect someone with the surname Jing?”

Gu Changping smiled faintly, “Mr. Twelve, you really know me well. But that’s just part of it. The real reason involves Gao Chao himself.”

“Him?” Lee Junxian was surprised.

Gu Changping continued, “I want to win him over for you.”

Lee Junxian pondered for a moment and said, “It’s a good move, but this person…”

He left the sentence unfinished, but Gu Changping knew what he was worried about. Gao Chao had been spoiled from a young age, indulging in pleasures and keeping a group of beautiful maids around him, making it hard to see him as someone of potential.

Yet, this seemingly useless person would one day stir up chaos in the court, becoming a sharp sword honed by the Crown Prince, ultimately bringing down the Chief Minister. In this lifetime, that sharp sword must be in my hands!

Jing Bao returned to the room to find Yuanji had already organized her belongings and made the bed.

Wong Qinsheng was leaning against the bed, reading a book. When he saw her return, he quickly set the book aside. "How did it go?"

Jing Bao shook her head. "No luck. They wouldn’t exchange it, and I got a penalty. I have to copy some texts later."

Wong Qinsheng asked, "What about Young Master Gao?"

"Why is everyone so concerned about me?" Gao Chao strolled in, lazily flopping onto the bed, and pointed at the few servants in the room. "Get out, all of you. Don’t disturb my sleep."

Jing Bao didn’t want to start a conflict, so she pulled Yan and Yuanji along as they left.

Once outside, she thought for a moment and said, "Yan, go back home and let my mother know I’m safe. Yuanji, head to your dorm and tidy up your bed and belongings."

Yan replied, "I also need to visit the eldest miss. She specifically asked me to yesterday."

Jing Bao instructed, "Then pass on a few messages for me. Tell her to hurry up with the restaurant plans. It’d be great if it could open by the Dragon Boat Festival. Also, ask her to write a letter to our second sister about the Gao family, and mention Qinsheng’s situation."

Yan nodded and was about to leave when something crossed his mind. He instructed, "Yuanji, find out which room Shea Shun is staying in and how many servants he brought."

Yuanji responded, "Got it, Yan!"

Jing Bao rubbed her temples, realizing she had forgotten about Shea Shun, the ticking time bomb.

She returned to her room.

Gao Chao was asleep, and Wong Qinsheng was reading, making the room very quiet. Jing Bao tiptoed to his desk, sat down, and took out "The Analects" to start copying.

Wong Qinsheng pulled up a chair, sat beside Jing Bao, and looked at his writing with a smile. "Your handwriting is nice, but it's a bit too delicate—not quite what you'd expect from a guy."

Jing Bao argued, "I'm just hungry, so my hand's a bit weak."

"You'll be able to eat soon. Just hang in there," Wong Qinsheng said, patting his shoulder.

Jing Bao paused and asked, "Qinsheng, how long have you been studying here?"

This question hit a sore spot for Wong Qinsheng. "I've been here for over a year. I failed the Spring Quarter Exam last year, didn't even make it to the second tier. Am I useless?"

Jing Bao immediately understood. In this room, there was a failed student, someone who came last in exams, and someone who got in through connections. Three underachievers!

"Being useful isn't just about grades," Jing Bao said.

Wong Qinsheng looked at him incredulously. "If grades don't matter at the Imperial College, what does?"

"Character, integrity, how you treat others. I think you're a great person, Qinsheng."

Suddenly, the sound of the evening bell came from outside the window. Wong Qinsheng beamed, "It's time for dinner, Wenruo. Let's go eat and continue copying when we get back."

Jing Bao asked, "Is it far?"

Wong Qinsheng replied, "Just about a ten-minute walk."

Jing Bao's face fell, but his growling stomach won out. He put down his pen, stood up, and straightened his clothes.

Wong Qinsheng pointed at Gao Chao, who was asleep, and signaled to Jing Bao with his eyes, asking if they should wake him up.

Jing Bao thought about the days ahead and realized they couldn't keep ignoring each other. So, he stepped forward and gently called, "Young Master Gao, it's dinner time. Would you like to join us for a meal?"

Gao Chao lay still, not moving an inch.

With patience, Jing Bao asked again, "Well... would you like us to bring something back for you? Just in case you get hungry later tonight."

Gao Chao remained motionless.

Jing Bao straightened up and winked at Wong Qinsheng, who found his exaggerated expressions quite amusing. The two quietly closed the door and left.

Once the sound of their footsteps faded, Gao Chao suddenly sat up, exhaling sharply through his nose. He was used to being called three times before agreeing to join for meals. Why couldn't that Jing fellow ask a third time?

When Jing Bao reached the dining hall, it was already half full. The two of them grabbed some food and found an empty spot to sit.

Jing Bao whispered, "Qinsheng, where do the teachers eat?"

Wong Qinsheng replied, "Here as well."

Jing Bao asked, "What about the Libationer?"

Wong Qinsheng chuckled, "He doesn't live or eat here. Besides teaching, he's rarely seen."

Jing Bao, full of curiosity, asked, "Is he married?"

Wong Qinsheng shook his head. "I don't know. The Libationer at the entire college is a mysterious figure. No one knows who his parents are, where he lives, or if he has a wife or concubines."

Jing Bao: "That mysterious?"

Wong Qinsheng nodded. "Exactly that mysterious. It's best not to ask too much about him. His status is unusual, but his knowledge is truly exceptional."

Jing Bao paused with his chopsticks in hand. "Come on, tell me, just how exceptional is it?"