The First National Preceptor of the Tang Dynasty

Chapter 296

Xie Qing stared wide-eyed at Luo Ling in front of her, never expecting that she would become a teacher at such a young age.

Only now did he understand that his father was right. Success and achievement depended on one's age before seven; after seven, one was destined for a mediocre life. It seemed he was destined for mediocrity.

Xie Qing bowed respectfully and greeted, "Master Luo."

Lorraine glanced at him, quite surprised. The children would surely laugh at him if they heard that he was to be called Master Lorraine. Unexpectedly, this young master from Chen County was an easy-going person who did not look down on him because of his young age. On the contrary, he was so respectful. After glancing at him, he left the library.

As Luo Ling walked to the door, she turned back and said, "There are quite a few people from Bailu Academy here this time, so be very careful during the competition and don't lose too badly."

She walked straight over, and Xie Qing stared at Luo Ling's back for a long time before realizing that a smile was still on his lips.

He had never seen such an arrogant person, yet this girl spoke as simply as eating and drinking water; such composure was something no one else could achieve.

Although it was past noon, there were still many students studying in Jidi Building, and Wang Chuanyu of the Langya Wang Clan was one of them.

He found a classroom by himself and prepared to review the Four Books and Five Classics. Just as he was feeling hungry, he smelled a sweet aroma of pastries, grabbed one, and nodded in satisfaction.

His mouth was filled with a delicate fragrance, with a faint scent of flowers. He had eaten many flower cakes before, but he had never tasted a pastry that left such a lingering fragrance on his lips and teeth.

Just as he felt his throat was extremely dry, a steaming cup of tea was delivered to him.

Wang Chuanyu said "Thank you" and then drank the hot tea directly. Unexpectedly, the hot tea was brewed just to his liking.

Wang Chuanyu immediately looked up and saw a woman with braided pigtails and wearing a green cotton shirt standing in front of him. The woman was looking at him timidly before lowering her head.

Wang Chuanyu could tell from her simple clothes and black skirt that she was a servant here, and then said, "You did a very good job. I've never eaten this pastry before. I wonder what kind of flower it is?"

The woman simply said, "I made these flower cakes haphazardly for my own consumption, but since you like them, I'll make more next time."

Wang Chuanyu immediately felt that he was being utterly unreasonable. He only heard the woman say, "This is rock sugar epiphyllum flower cake, a pastry made from epiphyllum flowers that have just bloomed in summer."

Wang Chuanyu became interested upon hearing this and pulled the girl aside, saying, "What did you say? This epiphyllum flower can really be made into pastries?"

The girl was about to say something when she suddenly spat out a mouthful of blood.

Wang Chuanyu was startled and laid the woman flat on the ground.

"Someone come quick! Call the school doctor!"

The school doctor sighed and said, "This little girl was born with a weak constitution and often coughs up blood. However, she might feel better after taking the medicine. It's best to send her back to rest quietly."

Wang Chuanyu only needed to ask his servants to inquire, and they learned that the girl's name was Jing Sheng, and that she was the daughter of the cook who had accompanied Bailu Academy this time.

Because he was too weak, he was not sent to school for education.

Soon the kitchen lady came looking for them.

"Jing Sheng, where are you?"

Wang Chuanyu immediately bowed and said, "Aunt Zhang, Miss Jingsheng is here."

As she spoke, Aunt Zhang immediately patted her daughter's face and then said, "Jingsheng, can you hear me? How are you?"

Just then, the school doctor walked over. He said softly, "Aunt Wang, don't worry too much. This is an old ailment. I've already stabilized your girl's condition with acupuncture."