Chapter 16: Seeking Knowledge

On the dinner table, a few simple, home-cooked dishes were steaming. Chen Xingmiao, holding a jar of wine, walked to the table with a light step and set it down firmly.

Xiao Ziyu watched her movements, and the memory of her drunken state from a few days ago flooded his mind. The thought of those chaotic scenes made him reflexively raise a hand to his forehead, his face full of helplessness.

Chen Xingmiao, sharp-eyed, caught this subtle gesture instantly.

She pouted, asking with dissatisfaction, "Hey, what kind of expression is that? Are you disgusted by me?"

Xiao Ziyu was honest, nodding as he advised, "How about we skip the drinking?"

As if she hadn't heard him, Chen Xingmiao proceeded to fill two cups from the wine jar. She handed one to him and said with a smile, "It's freezing outside. A little drink will warm you up."

Looking at the cup she offered, Xiao Ziyu sighed in resignation, but took it nonetheless.

"Just this one cup, and never again." He raised the cup and took a small sip. The spicy liquid slid down his throat, instantly spreading a warmth through his stomach.

Seeing him compromise, a brilliant smile bloomed on Chen Xingmiao’s face, and she raised her own cup to drain it in one gulp.

"Husband, can I talk to you about something?" She pulled Xiao Ziyu down to sit.

Xiao Ziyu’s expression shifted slightly; he set down his cup and looked at her. "Speak."

"I want to go to Zhuyu Academy tomorrow to find Lin Yu and ask him to take you on as a student."

Hearing this, Xiao Ziyu’s expression was filled with shock and resistance. "Zhuyu Academy? Lin Yu? Forget it."

He lowered his gaze, a flash of dejection crossing his eyes.

Seeing his immediate refusal, Chen Xingmiao looked at him in confusion. "Why? Chuntao said he is a wonderful teacher."

"Lin Yu hasn't taken on students for a long time. Besides, with all those messy rumors about me in the capital, do you really think he would make an exception for me, my lady?"

To Xiao Ziyu, her idea was nothing short of whimsical. He picked up his chopsticks and began to eat, clearly wanting to end the topic.

"No matter what, I have to try. You don’t need to do anything; just focus on your studies."

Chen Xingmiao picked up her chopsticks, and Xiao Ziyu offered no further response.

Throughout the rest of the meal, their relationship seemed to return to its original state, neither speaking a word.

After clearing the table, Chen Xingmiao laid out the quilt and cautiously tugged at Xiao Ziyu’s sleeve.

"Husband, are you still angry?"

Xiao Ziyu merely glanced at her before lying down on the bed, closing his eyes as he said, "I wouldn't dare. I’m tired; I’m going to sleep."

Chen Xingmiao: ?

This little villain was far too temperamental. She was clearly trying to do what was best for him, yet he was throwing a tantrum.

Fine, she would swallow this frustration!

Chen Xingmiao simply got into bed to sleep. Xiao Ziyu quietly opened his eyes to look at her, then quickly shut them again.

In the few days since their marriage, she had gone out of her way for his sake, even offending the Xiao family and sparking the scandal of a new bride demanding a family separation as soon as she arrived...

He truly could not fathom why a young lady from a family like the Chens would be willing to go to such lengths for him. He didn’t know what her ultimate goal was, but his heart still could not fully trust her.

[Villain’s favorability decreased by one. Keep it up, Host!]

???

How could his favorability drop for no reason? Fine, fine, you’re noble, you’re impressive. She would endure it again!

The two lay in bed, and at some point, they drifted off to sleep. When Xiao Ziyu woke the next day, he found the space beside him empty.

After washing up, he went out into the courtyard.

Seeing him, Chuntao hurried over and said respectfully, "You’re awake, sir. Breakfast is ready."

Xiao Ziyu nodded and asked, "Where is your mistress?"

"Replying to you, sir, the mistress said she had some business and went out early this morning."

Thinking of how she always insisted on sleeping until she woke up naturally after they were married, he was surprised to see she was gone. Could she actually rise this early? Had the sun risen from the west?

Xiao Ziyu didn't ask further and had Chuntao bring the breakfast.

Meanwhile, Chen Xingmiao had spent the morning asking for directions and finally arrived at Zhuyu Academy.

As soon as she stood at the entrance, she was struck by the four golden, shimmering characters, feeling much like an underachieving student standing at the gates of a top university.

Just then, a man walked out. Seeing her pacing at the door, he stepped forward and asked, "Miss, who are you looking for?"

Chen Xingmiao immediately put on a sweet smile and leaned in. "Kind sir, I am looking for Master Lin Yu."

Hearing this, the man looked her up and down, his eyes filled with curiosity.

"What business do you have with Teacher Lin?"

"My husband is taking the imperial examinations next year. I want to beg him to accept my husband as his student. My husband is very clever."

The man looked her over once more, his eyes still filled with scrutiny and doubt. He gave a slight curl of his lip. "Go back. Teacher Lin does not take on students."

Hearing this, Chen Xingmiao’s eyes turned red with anxiety. She stepped forward, blocking his path, and urged, "Kind sir, please introduce me to Teacher Lin. My husband is truly talented."

The man frowned, his face showing impatience. "Miss, I told you that Teacher Lin does not take students. This is a settled matter; do not pester me."

Seeing his firm attitude, Chen Xingmiao calmed herself and looked at him closely.

The man was dressed in a verdant green robe, looking fresh and refined. On his handsome face, beneath two sword-like eyebrows, were bright, piercing eyes that revealed a fearless courage, and his high bridge of the nose added to his refined features.

A man with this presence could not possibly be an apprentice or a gatekeeper. He must be...

"You are Teacher Lin Yu!"

Lin Yu’s hand, in the middle of closing the door, came to an abrupt halt. A look of intrigue crossed his lips; he hadn't expected this young woman to be so clever.

Seeing that he didn't refute it, Chen Xingmiao felt even more certain.

She was just surprised that he was so young. She had assumed that a teacher with such profound knowledge at Zhuyu Academy would be an old man, not someone who looked only a few years older than herself.

"Teacher, I beg you. My husband truly needs a teacher like you," she pleaded once more.

"Go back. Live your lives well, lest you be abandoned later and regret it when it's too late."

Lin Yu used a stern tone to issue his dismissal again.

His voice was cold and decisive, like frigid steel, sending a shiver down one's spine.

He remembered a woman from years ago who had begged for her husband’s education. The two had been deeply in love, but once the man achieved success, he had abandoned her to marry another.

Good and evil are often separated by a single thought; who could guarantee that such a thing wouldn't happen again?

However, Chen Xingmiao showed no intention of leaving. Instead, she bent her knees and fell to the ground with a thud.

"My husband would never do such a thing. Please, Teacher Lin Yu, accept my husband as your student."