Why do I have so many masters?-Chapter 591 - 215: When the Name is Not Correct, Then the Words Will Not Be Smooth (1/1)

After the long poem was recited, both Wang Anfeng and Yuchi Jie fell silent, riding forward as if the verses had prompted them to ponder over something.

Lin Qiaofu silently noted down the verse, yet she felt quite perplexed in her heart.

Why had she never heard such a bold and unrestrained poem before?

Today's world was not solely flourishing with Jianghu; the scholar community was not the slightest bit inferior.

Great Qin united all under heaven, incorporating scholars from the various states into one imperial court. Although there were some scholars from the defeated nations who leapt into lakes or off cliffs to die for their convictions, they were, after all, in the minority.

Even if they wished to maintain their scholarly integrity and abstain from court affairs, famous pieces were often circulated in their writings and poetry, some of which contained veiled criticisms of state affairs—crafted so ingeniously that they could insult the Imperial Family of Great Qin without leaving any handle to be grasped.

The successive emperors of Great Qin found such writings amusing and never took offense, instead rebuking officials for letting such talents wander in Jianghu. They then generously established government-run academies, leaving an excellent impression in the hearts of many heirs and elders of the various states.

After maintaining a reserved contact at the beginning, relationships gradually warmed up. Especially after the dismantlement of the Divine Martial Mansion that had once tormented the Six Kingdoms, the animosity of scholars from these nations towards Great Qin dissipated considerably, with many new nobles entering civil service, elevating the scholar community's prestige even higher than before.

Three hundred years prior, the academies of Qi State were the foremost in the scholar community.

Emperor of Qi was extremely enlightened, and his Academy's disciples were envied by scholars everywhere since they could discuss state affairs and criticize policies without holding office or facing any blame. His sons pursued scholarship and held scholars in high esteem, attracting learned men from all over, almost to the point of possessing the aura of kings.

Nowadays, the world not only had the major academies, but also six institutes and three learning halls in Heaven Capital City of Great Qin, promoting discussions on the doctrines of various schools. Such bold and unrestrained verses, once they emerged, were certain to be sung throughout the land and never remain obscure.

Lin Qiaofu lifted the hanging curtain on one side of the carriage, looking towards Wang Anfeng on his horse, then towards Yuchi Jie who was slightly behind. Even Yuchi Jie, who was accustomed to jests and frivolity, now seemed serious, his demeanor a change that felt unusual.

Wang Anfeng rode on, lost in thought.

Yuchi Jie was familiar with this poem and had even brought it up proactively. Had it been anyone other than Yuchi Jie, Wang Anfeng might have thought it a coincidence.

But from his time spent with Yuchi Jie, he knew that the often frivolous young man's words were mostly untrue—seven out of ten statements were unreliable. So when Yuchi Jie recited the verse, there was likely some other intent behind it.

However, he couldn't escape the stories of the previous generation.

Wang Anfeng was somewhat lost in a trance.

Yuchi Jie knew this poem, but he had heard it from Libo.

So, did that mean Libo also knew Yuchi Jie's grandfather?

What exactly was his father's identity?

To be acquainted with both high-ranking officials of the court and grandmaster martial artists, it seemed too vague to simply call him a destitute scholar—he found it hard to believe.

Then there was the Seven Phoenix Hairpin.

Even if it was a gift from a friend, the Seven Phoenix Hairpin was no ordinary ornament.

Phoenixes, like dragons, are symbols of high value, used in ritual offerings. One must possess a certain status to use them; otherwise, it would be an overstepping of bounds, a serious breach of etiquette. If a court official were involved, the Imperial Censorate would inevitably submit many petitions, and even if one were a celebrated figure among the capital officials, it would bring endless vexations.

Rituals are hard to differentiate—if taken seriously, an overstepping of ceremonial bounds could lead to imprisonment.

Such a breach is a matter of impropriety—one's name and words fall out of alignment.

Wang Anfeng chuckled softly to himself.

Lin Qiaofu had been observing the preoccupied Wang Anfeng and Yuchi Jie when she saw Wang Anfeng transition from contemplation to laughter, briefly taken aback before asking,

"Big Brother Wang...?"

Wang Anfeng's smile slightly faded as he looked towards Lin Qiaofu, shaking his head,

"I just remembered something amusing."

"Something amusing?"

Yuchi Jie hastened his horse to catch up and, hearing this, laughed,

"What could it be that you find so amusing, Brother Wang?"

Wang Anfeng did not hide his thoughts but glanced at Yuchi Jie and said,

"I was thinking about the hairpin my mother left behind."

Yuchi Jie's expression stiffened slightly.

The hairpin?

It seemed that Wang Anfeng did not notice at all as he held the reins, speaking calmly,

"Yan Bo said that the Seven Phoenix Hairpin was a gift from a friend on the occasion of my parents' big wedding..."

"It suddenly occurred to me, I don't know what they were thinking at that time, one daring to give and the other daring to accept."

"The Master from the Confucian Sect says in his writings that such matters are of great significance that are not proper if the names are not correct. If the words do not accord with propriety, then the affairs cannot be carried out; if the affairs are not carried out, then rituals and music will not flourish; if rituals and music do not flourish, then punishments will not be just; if punishments are not just, then the people will be at a loss what to do."

Yuchi Jie scratched his head and laughed:

"It seems they were all people from Jianghu, right?"

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"Being far removed in Jianghu, how can even the fierce dragon chants of the government halls touch me? Free from the constraints of worldly rituals, no matter how powerful their means in the Imperial Court, Jianghu's vastness is beyond their control."

Wang Anfeng seemed to agree, nodded, and laughed:

"Although my father taught me many things since I was young, I can tell that he actually didn't care much about any rituals. Since the hairpin was a gift from a friend, he was bold to accept it."

"It's just that I have no idea about the identity of the friend who sent this hairpin, the Seven Phoenix Hairpin..."

Yuchi Jie laughed:

"Perhaps he was also a hero or madman who was not constrained by worldly ritual teachings."

Wang Anfeng thought for a moment and then nodded:

"Perhaps."

"After all, there are only two kinds of people in this world who are not bound by rituals, and one of them is indeed such a madman."

He stopped speaking here, and Lv Baiping, with her curiosity piqued, pressed on:

"And who is the other kind?"

Wang Anfeng laughed:

"The other kind, I can't seem to recall at the moment."

"Right, Yuchi, do you know?"

He looked towards Yuchi Jie at his side.

Yuchi Jie shrugged his shoulders and said:

"If you don't know, how would I know? I've always disliked reading."

"On the contrary, if you were to ask me about how many flower houses there are in the city, which beauties are worth playing with, or about the famous beauty rankings on Jianghu in recent years, you and I indeed have many matters we could talk about all night long."

He said this and then chuckled.

As Lv Baiping was listening intently, she didn't expect this fellow to revert to his incorrigible ways; he began with some self-mockery but soon shifted to unsavory matters. At once, her anger flared, her teeth clenched, and she leaned out of the carriage, ready to strike.

Yuchi Jie yelped and dodged on his horse; the old Lu observed with calm detachment, unmoving as a mountain.

Wang Anfeng smiled lightly and looked away.

Fooled again.

His palm brushed over the wooden box at his waist. In fact, the Phoenix Hairpin was no longer inside; he had carefully put it away in his own little wooden hut at Shaolin Temple, lost in thought.

In today's world, there aren't many who could disregard rituals and casually give away a Seven Phoenix Hairpin, let alone possess one.

Could it be that person?

Then Father…

With his hands raised to shield his face, Yuchi Jie still took a couple of hits from the sword scabbard. Lv Baiping didn't use much force, but the blows still hurt.

He peered at the upright Wang Anfeng through the gaps between his fingers and recalled the words of the old Taoist before they set off, grinning to himself.

This guy...

Apparently, this journey won't be an easy one.

Unaware, Yuchi Jie felt another smack of the sword scabbard on his forehead. Caught off guard, he couldn't help but cry out.

PS: Today's update is presented... as I mentioned yesterday, the update is a bit late and the word count is insufficient due to pondering over the outline and details. Uh, given the lengthy chapters updated in the past days, I hope everyone can forgive this (bows).