“I’ve managed to gather the information.”
The butler bowed. He hadn’t even opened his mouth to explain, but his face had revealed an expression that was filled with much admiration. Sun Mo, he was indeed not a simple man.
The Old Master’s ability to spot a talent was formidable!
“Tell me.”
Zheng Qingfang yawned. Even though he felt physically tired, his mental state was very energetic, especially his brain. In the past, he always felt dizzy as though he had been hit by a hammer on his head. However, ever since Sun Mo had helped him, he felt so comfortable that he almost moaned.
“As Sun Mo is the fiance of An Xinhui...”
The butler had just started when he got interrupted.
“What did you say?”
Zhang Qingfang was stunned. (What is going on here?)
“It’s an arranged marriage that was decided by the Old Headmaster when they were still kids. Sun Mo’s father was the Old Headmaster’s favorite student!”
The butler explained.
“Oh, I see.”
Zheng Qingfang came to a sudden realization. He knew that the Old Headmaster wasn’t one who regarded family status as important; hence, it wasn’t impossible for him to marry An Xinhui to Sun Mo who was just a penniless dude.
In the past, Zheng Qingfang had helped his grandson to ask for An Xinhui’s hand in marriage but was rejected. Now that he knew of this, Sun Mo was actually his ‘rival’.
“Haha, how interesting!”
Zheng Qingfang felt a mixture of emotions. It would be good if the Old Headmaster were to step into the Saint Realm successfully. Not only would there be an authoritative person within the great teacher circle in Tang Country, but it would also greatly increase the influence of various countries within Nine Provinces.
“Because of Sun Mo’s status as An Xinhui’s fiance, he was ostracized by Zhang Hanfu and thrown into the logistics department. Many people called him a man who’s living off a woman and they were waiting to see him make a fool out of himself. However, he didn’t give up. In fact, he managed to defeat Qin Fen from Jixia Learning Palace with his stunning talent at the student recruitment meet by recruiting 5 new students, becoming an official teacher of Central Province Academy.”
The butler started to introduce a recent experience that Sun Mo had gone through. As an important official in the imperial court, Zheng Qingfang had seen many young talents before. Hence, in the beginning, he didn’t seem to bother much. However, as he listened on, his expression became more and more startled.
Sun Mo possessed a pair of ‘God Hands’ that made the entire school’s students go fanatic about them. He had created an entirely new subject, and from the first session onward, the number of attendees was always at maximum capacity. His students had to go to class two hours earlier to snatch a seat. Judging from this popularity, he wasn’t any inferior to great teachers with star-levels.
Sun Mo got angry for a girl who pulled buckets of swill for a living and beat up the school’s logistics department head. In fact, he already had a plan but acted only after he gained the trust of Yang Cai’s loyal dog and dragged Yang Cai off his position eventually.
Then, he met Gao Ben, who was a graduate of Westshore Military School, one of the Nine Greats, for a battle. In the arena, Sun Mo’s disciples took down the victory for all 3 rounds. Moreover, they won against opponents of higher cultivation bases than them.
This signified that Sun Mo possessed impressive teaching capabilities. Of course, what impressed Zheng Qingfang the most was how Sun Mo chastised Zhou Yong publicly and got him expelled at the Entire School Meeting. He knew that this was an extremely difficult task.
For ordinary people, who would be willing to offend such a millionaire? But Sun Mo had done it against all odds.
“Sun Mo’s fame in the school is extremely high!”
The butler exclaimed with much emotion.
Ding!
Favorable impression points from the butler +30, Friendly (120/1,000).
“Call him Teacher Sun next time!”
Zheng Qingfang reminded his butler.
Ding!
Favorable impression points from Zheng Qingfang +100, Friendly (340/1000).
“Yes, Old Master!”
“He’s indeed young and promising!” Zheng Qingfang felt a myriad of emotions. He thought about his grandchildren who were of appropriate age. Sun Mo was such an outstanding youth that Zheng Qingfang felt embarrassed to marry his granddaughters or grandnieces to him.
(Sigh, they are not fit to be matched with him!)
“Go check on Sun Mo’s hobbies and help me prepare a set of heavy gifts!” Zheng Qingfang instructed. The favor could be returned later, but gifts must be sent immediately. Otherwise, people may think he was abandoning his benefactor after receiving the advantage.
“Old Master, Teacher Sun doesn’t seem to have any hobby. He’s only going for lessons, coaching students, drawing spirit gathering runes, and cultivating every day.”
The butler laughed. “His lifestyle is very disciplined. I asked the gatekeeper at the school. Other than leaving the school to purchase a few bonsai pots, Sun Mo doesn’t go out normally.”
“He doesn’t visit the brothels?”
Zheng Qingfang was in shock.
Sun Mo was only twenty years old, and this age was just right for men to discover the wonderful side of women, but Sun Mo was actually so self-disciplined?
It was no wonder he could attain such high achievements so quickly!
“This can’t be. Regardless of whether it succeeds, I have to let Sun Mo take a look at my granddaughters. Otherwise, if I miss this opportunity of gaining such an outstanding grandson-in-law, my heart will ache.”
Zheng Qingfang made up his mind. “Go pick a few nimble and intelligent girls and present them to Sun Mo. They will help him with some housework and serve his everyday needs so that he can focus on his work.”
“Yes, Old Master!”
The butler nodded. His expression didn’t change, but he felt astonishment in his heart. (Isn’t the Old Master treating Sun Mo a little too well?)
As an influential family for many generations, they had been teaching clever and pretty boys and girls how to read and serve people.
After the boys grew up, they would either stay with the owner or be sent out as a shopkeeper to help manage the family businesses.
For girls, they would become concubines, helping to manage the financial and family affairs. At times, they would also need to guard against female owners from cheating on their husbands.
Such people could be employed forever and they were the most loyal. Normally, they would only be allocated to the younger generation from within the family clan. However, Old Master was giving out 2 of them at one go now.
“Old Master!”
The butler hesitated for a while.
“What’s the matter?”
Zheng Qingfang frowned.
“Those women grew up in our house, to present them as gifts to Teacher Sun, I’m afraid they...”
The butler hadn’t finished speaking, but his meaning was clear.
In the Zheng Clan, once they became a young master’s concubines, they would be like crows that had transformed into phoenixes. However, as a gift to Sun Mo, they needed to serve and do heavy manual work. The difference was so vast, so who would be willing to do so?
The butler was worried that these girls would intentionally not do a good job in serving Sun Mo and would anger him. Then, this gift would in turn spoil things for the Old Master.
“Haha, what are you worried about? Sun Mo is a teacher, how can the 2 girls not surrender to him? Moreover, Sun Mo will definitely become a great teacher in the future. If the 2 girls are smart, they will know that it’s their honor to serve Sun Mo.”
Zheng Qingfang snorted. This place was Middle-Earth Nine Provinces. It was the golden age for a semi-feudal economy and a semi slave-owning society; hence, Zheng Qingfang would never bother
His sentence of instruction would decide the fate of these 2 girls.
“Sorry, I’ve talked too much.”
The butler lowered his head.
“Since you said that, you’ve reminded me. Remember to pick the 2 prettiest girls.”
Since it was a gift, it must be chosen to satisfy the receiving party. An Xinhui was a great beauty on the Devastating Beauty Rankings; hence, it wasn’t sufficient for Sun Mo’s maids to be just pretty.
Zheng Qingfang genuinely didn’t have any other intention. He only wanted to express his sincerity.
“This...”
The butler’s scalp felt numb. (Must he treat Sun Mo like this? Moreover, the young master has already taken a fancy to the 2 prettiest girls. If the Old Master were to present them out as gifts, it would become a problem.)
“What’s the matter again?”
Zheng Qingfang frowned.
“Nothing, I just have something to remind the Old Master about.”
The butler decided not to speak further regarding the maid issue. “Speak!”
Zheng Qingfang pointed to the cabinet with his finger.
The butler understood instantly. The Old Master’s favorite pastime recently was to read (Journey to the West) before mealtime and then admire the Sanzhang’s picture after mealtime. Every day, if he didn’t see these works for at least 2 hours, he would feel uncomfortable.
Hence, while the butler was walking over to take out the valuable picture, he reported, “Her highness has become Sun Mo’s personal student.” “Which highness?”
Zheng Qingfang didn’t understand. Jinling was an ancient capital of Six Dynasties, and it overflowed with magnificence and history. Many relatives of the emperor were staying there; hence, there was an influx of princes and princesses.
Once there was an oversupply of a good, it became invaluable.
“Her highness who came for a vacation from Bianliang!”
The butler’s voice became a lot softer. As this was pertaining to royalty, he had to be as respectful as possible. “What?”
Zheng Qingfang who was originally leaning against the bed frame immediately sat up straight. “Is this confirmed?”
“I’ve asked around many times and even saw it with my own eyes. It’s confirmed!”
As the butler spoke, his heart was filled with admiration. (What kind of luck does Sun Mo have? He could even receive such a personal disciple.)
(In his lifetime, he must have been born with a pair of golden spoons. He’s about to rise to the riches!) “Oh my!”
Zheng Qingfang pulled a long face. For someone to become her highness’ teacher, they had to be at least at the seven or eight-star level to be qualified. Hence, for Sun Mo who had just been employed in the school, he wasn’t even eligible to be her highness’ accompanying tutor. If this piece of news were to spread, Sun Mo would definitely be out of luck.
This was because acknowledging a master was a sacred matter. Moreover, it was related to someone belonging to the royal family; hence, Sun Mo was the only one who could withdraw from this. What was worrying would be if someone were to die suddenly, that would be troublesome.
“Keep the picture, I’m going to look for Sun Mo now!”
Zheng Qingfang was getting anxious. “Old Master, you haven’t recovered!”
The butler tried to dissuade him.
At this time, a servant came to inform that someone called Sun Mo came to visit.
“At such a late time?”
Zheng Qingfang looked at the color of the sky and then got up from the bed to dress. “Hurry, invite him in!”
Zheng Qingfang hosted Sun Mo in the study room. This astonished the servants, and they started to guess who this important guest was.
The Zheng residence was huge and there were a comprehensive variety of facilities.
Usual visitors who came would be asked to present their gifts and leave. They wouldn’t even be able to see Zheng Qingfang at all. For visitors who were a little more important, they would be allowed to enter the living room to enjoy a cup of tea and a few pastries.
Those who were immediately invited into the study room must be Zheng Qingfang’s friends. Hence, the servants didn’t dare to neglect their duties.
Even the person who ushered the way was the butler. A typical servant would never have a chance to serve upfront.
“Uncle Zheng, it’s bold of me to visit at such a late time. However, the matter’s urgent. I can only apologize after this.”
Sun Mo seemed anxious.
“Don’t be so formal.”
Zheng Qingfang interrupted Sun Mo. “I am happy to assist if there’s anything I can help you with.”
“My disciple is missing.”
After Sun Mo finished speaking, Zheng Qingfang was so shocked he jumped up from his seat. (Her highness is missing? Then the entire Jinling City’s officials would go crazy. Who’s so daring to do this!) “My disciple Lu Zhiruo, she has been missing for a day. I suspect that she has been kidnapped by Zhou Yong.”
Sun Mo spoke bluntly.
At such times, things were urgent and Sun Mo didn’t bother much about finding the right phrases anymore.
“Don’t be anxious, I’ll send people to look for her now.” Zheng Qingfang comforted him. “Is there any portrait of her?”
“No.”
Sun Mo shook his head. “But I can draw one now!”
“Get someone to prepare brush and ink!”
Zheng Qingfang became energetic and immediately shouted. Finally, he could see Sun Mo’s skill once again. Even though he shouldn’t be excited when Sun Mo had lost his student, he couldn’t help it!
After all, this was a drawing by a great artist!