Golden Branch

"Ha ha!"

Shen Du laughed, feeling very happy.

He extended a finger and pointed at Wang Heng through the air: "You girl, why are you such a scoundrel?"

"Little rascal, this is not your apprenticeship—"

It has to be said that Wang Heng's rogue behavior greatly pleased Shen Du.

He softened his tone, no longer sounding unattainable and irreversible.

Wang Heng immediately took advantage of the situation, licking her fair, round face and asking hurriedly, "Sir, how should I become your disciple? Will you give me a test like you did with me?"

At this point, Wang Heng deliberately frowned, her large, distinct black and white eyes gleaming with pity: "Sir, the test questions can't be too difficult!"

Wang Heng rubbed her chubby little fingers, a little embarrassed. "I'm not as smart as my brother, and I'm still young. If the teacher asks too difficult a question, I won't be able to answer it!"

Shen Du's smile became brighter. This little girl was really interesting.

She seemed to be acting coquettishly, but in fact she was still "reminding" me: Sir, I am just an ordinary mortal with ordinary qualifications. Even if I become your disciple, you cannot be too harsh on me.

She was clearly seeking to be a disciple, but she was still able to put forward conditions in a tactful way. It was obvious that the little girl knew her own value.

Has she guessed the "truth" behind why I accepted her as my disciple?

Did she come up with it herself?

Or was it Lou Yu who told her?

Shen Du's gaze passed over Lou Yu inconspicuously.

However, he didn't care too much.

Shen Du is extremely talented, and the people around him are also geniuses. He hates dealing with idiots the most.

Especially those who are stupid but unaware of it and think they are smart, Shen Du doesn't want to be in the same room with them, for fear of being unlucky.

Shen Du was not very satisfied with Wang Heng's performance just now.

In order to cure his illness, he did not care about Wang Heng's mediocrity and took the initiative to accept her as his disciple. If she had any brains, she would have happily agreed.

Unexpectedly, Wang Heng kept refusing.

This made Shen Du suspect that Wang Heng was not only of average talent, but also did not understand the most basic principles.

Shen Du was very disappointed.

Treating illnesses is important, but he can't really accept a fool as his disciple.

This will not only affect his reputation, but may also make him depressed and aggrieved. Shen Du doesn't want to be angry to death before he starves to death!

Of course, if the person is too stupid, Shen Du can tolerate it if there is a smart person around who can persuade her.

...Wang Heng's current appearance made Shen Du somewhat satisfied: whether Wang Heng figured it out herself or Lou Yu persuaded her, it had reached the point that Shen Du could tolerate.

Well, just treat it as a mascot.

As long as Wang Heng is not too stupid, Shen Du will not be too harsh on her!

Shen Du weighed the pros and cons quickly and finally made a decision.

However, he did not show any sign of "concession" on his face, and continued to act like a cold and arrogant celebrity.

After a moment's silence, Shen Du said, "Little girl, what do you mean? Are you trying to negotiate terms with me?"

Wang Heng quickly shook her head and said coquettishly, "Ajiu wouldn't dare! I just, I just hope that the master can show mercy!"

"……snort!"

Shen Du snorted coldly and said slowly: "How about this, I'll give you three questions."

"First, write a calligraphy that satisfies me!"

"Second, there are pheasants and rabbits in a cage. There are thirty-five heads on top and ninety-four legs below. How many pheasants and rabbits are there?"

Shen Du thought as he spoke out the test questions.

After saying these two words, he stopped talking for a while.

Wang Heng blinked.

She didn't remind him foolishly: What about the third one?

The number "three" was most likely just something Shen Du said casually. In fact, he might have only thought of two -

Ahem, after all, the aptitude that Wang Heng showed was really average.

Shen Du was also afraid that the questions he had asked would stump Wang Heng.

The test questions should not be too difficult, nor too many.

Shen Du just wanted to regain his pride and dignity as a celebrity, not to really make things difficult for Wang Heng.

He also needs Wang Heng's "blessing".

Only after the teacher-student relationship was established and they had a formal status, could Shen Du legitimately have meals with Wang Heng regularly and then "cure her illness"!

Shen Du only gave two test questions, still afraid that Wang Heng would be stumped.

After thinking for a moment, he pretended to be stern and said, "I'll give you three days! If you can't give me an answer that satisfies me within three days, even if you cheat, I won't accept you!"

The three test questions were reduced to two, giving her time to think (cheat?). Shen Du not only showed mercy, but also directly opened a back door.

Wang Heng secretly felt relieved, but her chubby little face still showed an embarrassment.

She looked at Shen Du cautiously, her eyes filled with pity and helplessness.

Shen Du: ...This little girl is really a foul! She is so cute and soft, so popular with everyone (especially the elderly)!

However, Shen Du did not forget his status as a celebrity.

He raised his chin slightly and asked arrogantly, "Why? Do you want me to give you a few more test questions?"

Wang Heng quickly shook her head, "No! That's enough! That's enough!"

She raised her chubby little fist and said firmly, "Don't worry, sir, I will definitely try my best to answer the questions and satisfy you!"

This, face, really gives Shen Du enough.

Shen Du was indeed satisfied, and the lines on his cold face softened.

He looked at Lou Yu, "Ayu, don't answer for Ajiu!"

Tsk, listen, he even called me "Ajiu" directly, and with a cold face.

Gu Zhe & Wang Yan: ...looking up at the sky in silence!

……

The picnic by the river came to an end.

Wang Heng had a bitter look on her face, just like a poor student who had been given a pile of homework by the teacher.

She muttered to herself and pulled Wang Mian back to Wang's farm.

Lou Yu invited Shen Du and his group to settle in Lou's fortress.

Shen Du has already agreed to accept Lou Yu, and Lou Yu also knelt down to pay homage to the teacher.

The two of them already have the status of master and disciple, and as the disciple, it is my responsibility to take care of my master.

Therefore, when Shen Du was in Hedong, Lou Yu was responsible for all his matters including food, clothing, housing, transportation, etc.

Gu Zhe and Wang Yan are brothers in the same school, and are the closest relatives to him after blood, so Lou Yu should take good care of them.

It was reasonable and logical for Shen Du and his group to live in the Lou family's fortress, and it definitely could not be considered as living under someone else's roof.

Lou Yu ordered people to go back and pack up in advance, and when everyone arrived at the fort, the huge guest house had already been cleaned up.

Master Shen Du, his two disciples, and the guards who accompanied them all had their own rooms.

Lou Yu also allocated a housekeeper, slaves, strong women, servants, etc.

As soon as Shen Du and others entered the guest house, they were surrounded by a group of people.

The hot water is ready, and the master and his disciples can take a bath directly.

Brand new clothes, shoes, socks, etc. were also delivered. After taking a shower, I changed clothes directly.

After washing off the dust and fatigue and changing into a comfortable wide-sleeved robe, Shen Du had another hearty meal and suddenly felt as if he had been "revived".

Sitting cross-legged in the main hall, the screens, high tables, candlesticks and other decorations around him are all luxurious in a low-key manner.

“…Lou’s, that’s not bad!”

It is not as crude, barbaric and uncivilized as imagined.

The furnishings and furniture are all of the low-legged style commonly used by aristocratic families, rather than the high-legged furniture such as the Hu beds commonly used by the Hu people.

Shen Du became more and more satisfied.

Wang Yan and Gu Zhe were silent. The northern border was powerful and was now gradually encroaching on the southern border.

Perhaps within two or three years, the southern border will no longer exist.

These noble families in the southern border will also have to rely on the imperial court in the northern border, and even "merge" with the noble families in the northern border!

The barbarians in their eyes will become their fellow disciples, colleagues, or even relatives in the future. This is not just a loss, but a humiliation!

Unfortunately, they were powerless to resist the trend of the times and could only be forced to submit.

"After some time, I will pick a date and invite Prince Yang to come and formally hold the apprenticeship ceremony."

Shen Du seemed not to notice the confusion in the eyes of the two disciples. He slowly said, "Then you two can become my disciples together."

The strange disease is expected to be cured, and Shen Du no longer has the despair and decadence of a dying man.

While I still have a few more years to live, I will take Wang and Gu as my disciples, which will fulfill the friendship we have maintained over the years.

Shen Du no longer seeks to raise a brilliant disciple, he only wants to be able to do his best, follow his heart and enjoy his old age.

"Thank you sir!"

Wang Yan and Gu Zhe hurriedly knelt down and expressed their gratitude solemnly.

Having followed the Master for several years and even traveled thousands of miles with him to the unfamiliar northern border, they were naturally delighted to finally achieve their goal.

……

"Jiu Niang, can you solve the problem about the pheasant and rabbit in the same cage?"

In the carriage, Wang Mian asked with concern.

"……meeting!"

Wang Heng did not continue to hide her incompetence in front of her friends.

She had read Sun Zi's Mathematical Classic, and Lou Yu had also explained it to her in detail.

She had done this problem before, so she naturally knew how to solve it.

Wang Mian: ...It turns out that the story of pheasants and rabbits in the same cage comes from Sun Zi’s Mathematical Classic.

This is one of the "disadvantages" of being a time traveler. For many things, she knows how to do them, but may not know where they come from.

"That's good!"

Wang Mian smiled awkwardly, but she was really relieved.

One of the two test questions raised by Shen Du has been solved.

The remaining "calligraphy" is even less difficult for Jiu Niang.

As a daughter of the Wang family, Jiu Niang started holding a brush when she was still unable to hold chopsticks.

I practiced calligraphy every day, even during the hottest days of summer and the coldest days of winter, and even during the Chinese New Year.

Moreover, Shen Du’s topic is “to satisfy him”, which is quite subjective.

Even if the writing is not good, as long as you can please Mr. Shen, you can still pass!

Well, Mr. Shen Du has anorexia, but he still approves of Wang Mian's cooking skills.

Wang Mian immediately had an idea. She took Wang Heng's chubby little hand and said, "Nine Mother, don't worry. I will make lots of delicious food in the next two days!"

A man who eats someone's food must be grateful!

She first shut Mr. Shen's mouth with delicious food, and then Jiu Niang's apprenticeship would be a natural outcome!

"Okay! Thank you for your hard work, Amian!"

Wang Heng felt Wang Mian's kindness and felt very comforted.

She knew that Amian was sincere to her.

Wang Mian is good to her and considers her in everything, so she should also help Wang Mian.

But what Lou Yu said makes a lot of sense.

In Dayu, identity and family background are really insurmountable barriers.

In fact, it has been better in recent years. If it were one or two hundred years ago, when the clan was at its peak, not to mention commoners like Amian, even the royal family members who came from humble backgrounds would be looked down upon by the clan members.

They don't marry each other, don't sit at the same table, and even if they do get together, they are still looked down upon and despised.

Nowadays, the clan is declining, but a famous scholar like Shen Du, who comes from a noble family in the southern border, will still not "lower himself" and accept a peasant girl as his disciple.

Even if this peasant girl was useful to him, or even "saved his life".

A life-saving grace?

Haha, in the eyes of nobles who are used to being high and mighty, being saved by a lowly person is not a favor, but an "honor"!

The nobleman at most gave her a servant as alms, which was already considered kind and generous.

After all, in Dayu, not everyone can become a noble servant of a noble family!

This kind of thinking is not only common among noble people, but also among ordinary people.

If Wang Mian saved Shen Du, Shen Du would have been magnanimous and forgiving enough to take her in as a servant, and Wang Mian would have been a lucky person who had gotten lucky!

Wang Heng must be thankful that things are different now and Shen Du is suffering from illness, so there is a chance for "leniency".

Otherwise, even she, Wang Heng, might not be able to catch Mr. Shen's eye.

Wang Heng did not forget that in Mr. Shen's opinion, only the Langya Wang family in the southern border was orthodox.

And they, the Wang family of Yizhou, are just counterfeiters who impersonate others and steal their reputation!

"Now that times have changed and the world's trends are shifting, many things should change!"

"If saving my life isn't enough, what about adding 'talent'?"

"A Mian is quite talented in the study of nature."

Wang Heng thought carefully and decided to make good plans for her little friend.

Wang Heng thought of the time when Shen Du tested Lou Yu and mentioned the Zhoubi Suanjing.

The test question I set for myself was a pheasant and a rabbit in the same cage.

"Sir, you are quite knowledgeable in the art of martial arts!"

Wang Heng's eyes lit up, and she said to Wang Mian, "A Mian, come to the farm in three days and bring your little gadgets with you!"

"what?"

Wang Mian was stunned for a moment, and then the tacit understanding between the two best friends made her understand what Wang Heng meant.

She nodded quickly, "Okay! I understand!"

……

The carriage arrived at Wangjiamiao Village as it knew the way. Wang Mian got off the carriage and watched it leave.

Wang Heng took a carriage and returned to Wangjiazhuangzi.

"Jiuniang!"

Zheng Yi had received the message and hurried out to meet him.

Wang Heng looked normal, with no sign of about to confront Zheng Ai.

"Auntie!"

Wang Heng called out sweetly, and as usual, after saying hello, she walked towards the main hall.

Soon, the group arrived at the main hall.

Wang Heng sat down cross-legged and glanced at Zheng Yi, who was kneeling below her. She said slowly, "Auntie, I have something to tell you!"

Upon hearing this, maids such as Baizhi and Baishao knew that Jiuniang wanted to talk to Zheng Ai alone, so they all retreated obediently.

In the huge main hall, only Wang Heng and Zheng Yi were left.

Zheng Yi wasn't surprised. She had already heard some news: "Shen Du and Shen Junhe have come to Hedong. Did Jiu Niang encounter him by the river?"

The sentence structure is a question, but the tone is very firm.

"Ok!"

Wang Heng responded, but did not continue Shen Du's topic.

She was not looking for Zheng Yi to discuss the matter of "apprenticeship with Shen Du", but to confront her -

"Auntie, do you know when I became this plump?"