Chapter 119: Who Did I Deceive?

Zhou Zhi hurriedly bowed and said respectfully, "Zhou Zhi, a boy from Baiyue Village, pays his respects to Master Qu!"

Qu Renbin did not reply immediately. His aged eyes peered intently at Zhou Zhi, as if trying to pierce through his heart and see everything within. Zhou Zhi, having no choice, remained bowed in silence.

After a long while, Qu Renbin said calmly, "Stand up."

Zhou Zhi straightened his back. Having been bent over for so long, his waist ached, and he could not help but mutter to himself that this old master was indeed a man of eccentric temperament.

Kou Peihan, with a smile on her lips, ignored both Qu Renbin and Zhou Zhi. She found a chair, sat down without ceremony, and began to wave her folding fan slowly, looking around the room with an air of complete detachment, as if the matter had nothing to do with her.

Qu Renbin did not seem to mind Kou Peihan's lack of decorum; in fact, Zhou Zhi noticed a faint smile appear on the old man's lips.

Then, Qu Renbin asked with a blank expression, "Zhou Zhi, tell me, when did you begin your studies?"

Not daring to be negligent, Zhou Zhi quickly replied, "Answering you, Master, I began my studies last September."

"Since last September, what books have you read? Tell me."

"Last year, I finished the Four Books, then moved on to the Five Classics. This year, I have been reading various historical records, philosophical treatises, and their commentaries, as well as studying contemporary essays and learning to write the eight-legged essay." Zhou Zhi dared not hide anything and spoke the truth.

"Who taught you to read and write these eight-legged essays?" Qu Renbin asked, still in a very calm tone.

Apart from the moment he had seemingly tried to make things difficult for Zhou Zhi during the introduction, his tone had been gentle throughout, and Zhou Zhi found him to be quite amiable after all.

Zhou Zhi replied casually, "I mostly study on my own. As for the eight-legged essays, I have received much guidance from Master Wang Ding, and several brothers such as Fan Jin, Lü Xingchuan, and Che Lang."

Qu Renbin nodded slightly, his expression unchanged. He reached out to pick up a few pages of paper from his desk and pointed to them. "Is this eight-legged essay on the 'Master Said' passage written by you?"

"It is, Master," Zhou Zhi replied.

No sooner had the words left his mouth than a loud "Thud!" echoed through the room. Qu Renbin’s fist slammed onto the desk so hard that the teacups rattled and nearly fell off.

Qu Renbin's face twisted instantly, looking quite terrifying. He was clearly in a fit of genuine rage, and he roared at Zhou Zhi, "Get out!"

Zhou Zhi was stunned. What had happened? This old man was truly temperamental; one moment he was amiable, and the next he turned hostile without any warning—a face as fickle as a dog’s. Could it be that aging and learning inevitably lead to such behavior?

Not only was Zhou Zhi shocked, but even Kou Peihan, who had been idly looking around, was startled. She rolled her eyes at Qu Renbin and curled her lip in disdain.

Zhou Zhi looked up at Qu Renbin. He had come with high hopes of receiving guidance, but to be chased away after only a few words left his heart feeling icy cold. The atmosphere in the living room became incredibly awkward.

After a brief moment of hesitation, Zhou Zhi’s stubborn streak flared up, and he turned to leave.

Kou Peihan suddenly spoke, "Zhou Zhi, are you really just going to walk away like that? Don't forget you came here to seek his guidance."

Given Zhou Zhi’s temperament, if Qu Renbin had called him back, he certainly would not have turned around. But it was Kou Peihan who spoke. It was not that Zhou Zhi was lecherous, but she already held a very important place in his heart, and her words made him hesitate.

Indeed, he had come to learn. If he wanted to succeed in the imperial examinations, he needed the guidance of a renowned teacher. While Qu Renbin might not be a master of great fame, he seemed to be the only option in Qingdu County. Furthermore, as the instructor of the county school, Zhou Zhi knew from Che Lang and others that even the County Magistrate, Chen Guangyao, had to show him some respect. He would be instrumental in the first stage of the exams.

*Sigh!* He would endure this moment of anger and see why the old man was so enraged and what he intended to do.

With this thought, Zhou Zhi’s emotions stabilized slightly, and he turned back slowly.

Kou Peihan curled her lip again and said to Qu Renbin, "You eccentric old man, what is the reason for chasing him out for no reason? If you have something to say, just say it clearly. Your temper is truly growing more volatile!"

Kou Peihan sat there in a relaxed manner, scolding Qu Renbin as "old man." Strangely, Qu Renbin did not get angry; instead, he gave her a faint smile and asked, "Girl, why do you associate with such a person? Let me ask you, what is he to you?"

Kou Peihan’s pretty face flushed red. What was Zhou Zhi to her? That was hard to say. They were not relatives or acquaintances; they had merely crossed paths a few times.

"He... he is a friend of mine!" Kou Peihan replied after a moment of hesitation.

Ancient times were different from the modern era; it was rare for men and women to be considered "ordinary friends." The depth of that term was open to interpretation.

Qu Renbin was stunned for a moment, then said sternly, "Girl, you must not be deceived by this country bumpkin. I see him as a man who appears honest but is actually ignorant, a charlatan who seeks fame and reputation by coming here to pester me."

Kou Peihan was puzzled. "Why do you say that, old man? I don't see him as a deceiver!"

Zhou Zhi secretly grumbled to himself, *A charlatan? Who have I deceived? And to say this in front of Kou Peihan is absolutely baseless!*

Just then, an elderly voice came from the inner room. "Master Qu is right. This wild boy is indeed ignorant and a charlatan."

No sooner had the voice spoken than two men emerged. The one in front was about sixty, with a sallow complexion and small, piercing eyes that stared at Zhou Zhi with hostility. Zhou Zhi did not recognize him.

Behind him was a seventeen or eighteen-year-old man in a blue gown and a scholar's cap. He was not very tall, and as soon as he appeared, he glared at Zhou Zhi with a look of extreme schadenfreude.

He was Cheng Dingbang, known as the "Prodigy of Qingdu."

"Girl, did you hear that? Even Cheng Ke, the Juren from Gaochang Town, says he is a fraud. Do you still not believe it?" Qu Renbin said to Kou Peihan with a smile.

Cheng Dingbang, standing beside Cheng Ke, chimed in, "This Zhou Zhi is just a bumpkin who spends his days growing and selling vegetables. A coarse, unrefined peasant—how could he have read so many books in a few months, let alone write such excellent essays? It's laughable. Uncle Qu, for a wild boy like this, why not have him arrested, disciplined, and taught a lesson? It would be a service to the righteousness of our scholarly community!"