Chapter 8, The Four Mansions of Taiqing

When will we leave

Ziyu, your arrival today is quite timely; I have some good news to share with you

The teacher smiled and patted the student's shoulder, saying: "When spring arrives next year, do not be one who has not returned."

Are you the only one?

Saying this, he took out a letter from his bosom

He let out a soft laugh and slowly said

Zhao Rong did not find Mr. Fang in the six halls of the Taixue, so he guessed that he was probably playing chess under the Ink Washing Pavilion

However, there were two people playing chess in the ink-washing pavilion

Soon he lost interest and turned his head to admire the scenery of the lake outside the pavilion

This lake and pavilion serve as a lively venue for the students of the Imperial Academy to recite poetry and compose verses during their leisure time

Mr. Fang pondered for a moment and put away the letter.

By the lakeside stands an ancient pavilion, with a plaque inscribed "Washing Ink". It is said to be the brush and ink of the current national master

The lakeside is sparsely populated with visitors

You can understand it as an organization established to gather resources from various ethnic groups across the continents, and it does not belong to any particular group or faction

Mr. Fang places his pieces very quickly, while the elderly man in traditional attire takes a moment to ponder before making his move

The student is preparing to head south in a few days to visit family and will not be back for a short period of time

It solely belongs to the entire Xuanhuang human race

He wants to buy a few sets of calligraphy practice books to take back and practice

The person beside them, yet the two inside the pavilion did not turn their heads to pay attention, continuing their game.

The elderly man in traditional attire tossed the white stone back into the go jar, his expression remaining calm.

However, he recalled the purpose of his visit today and inquired, "Where is the location of the academy?"

Zhao Rong had left the Imperial Academy and was preparing to return home; however, considering that it was still early, he decided to stroll around the Confucius Temple.

He began to tidy up the chessboard

Only one student

Zhao Rong solemnly accepted it and bowed deeply

"Seventeen years have passed, what exactly is the gentleman waiting for?" the elderly man in traditional attire asked again.

The one holding the white pieces is an elderly man in traditional Chinese attire, quite portly, with a focused expression. At this moment, he is gazing down at the chessboard, hesitating over his next move

In my memory, Mr. Fang was very eager to teach himself Go, but his former self, like him, had no interest in this game, so he only learned it to a superficial extent

Mr. Fang nodded and did not ask further

The Confucius Temple was originally established around the Imperial Academy and became lively; apart from food, the most sold items were naturally paper, ink, brushes, inkstones, and calligraphy books.

Then what about your wife

Within the Imperial Academy, there lies a crescent-shaped lake, as smooth as a silver mirror

The Ta Qing Four Houses are not a sect of immortals

During these years at the Imperial Academy, although the original self had a fondness for Confucianism, he lacked talent and was slow-witted. His studies were solid, yet he stood out not at all among his peers. However, perhaps because Mr. Fang had watched him grow up, he always treated him as his closest disciple

The elderly man in traditional attire seemed to have perceived something, yet he did not immediately concede defeat; instead, he continued to place pieces on the board, his expression becoming even more focused

Suddenly, the sound of returning echoed in my mind

Each continent has its own institution, which only enrolls the most outstanding talents with the highest qualifications for cultivation from their respective continents. Achieving the Fulfillment of the Ascendant Realm by the age of sixteen is one of the minimum standards. Not to mention the graduation criteria from the institution. In almost every session, there is a significant number of students who are unable to graduate successfully and can only become 'abandoned students'.

Get lost

Feeling bored, Zhao Rong quietly called out for Gui a few times in his heart

He knows that there are two Confucian academies in Wangquezhou, Linlu and Siqi, which are renowned throughout the region and are the dream destinations for scholars in the foothills, yet he is unaware of their exact locations

She has her own destination and does not require the students to worry about it

Zhao Rong did not take it seriously, clearly having become accustomed to it.

The player of the black pieces is a middle-aged Confucian scholar, with a gaunt face and bright, piercing eyes, gently flipping a black stone between his fingertips

Mr. Fang chuckled. After speaking, he turned his head to look at Zhao Rong beside him, examining him carefully.

After walking a considerable distance, he suddenly turned back.

"The gentleman is joking," Zhao Rong hurriedly replied, trying to immerse himself in the role of a student.

Zhao Rong leaned the umbrella against the beam and stepped into the pavilion

He stood up and took out a jade seal that he had prepared for a long time, handing it to Zhao Rong

The elderly man in splendid attire, who had been sitting quietly to the side, reviewing the chess game with his head bowed, glanced up at Zhao Rong before returning his gaze and continuing to focus on the game.

Zhao Rong smiled gently, dispelling some of the melancholy that had lingered after bidding farewell to the teacher

He wanted to ask this question yesterday

It will be in just a few days, once I finish handling some miscellaneous matters

Before long, within the pavilion, as Mr. Fang placed the final piece that sealed the outcome on the chessboard, the victory and defeat were already determined

At this moment, seeing Mr. Fang indeed engaged in a game of chess with someone at the Ink Washing Pavilion, Zhao Rong smiled knowingly

The teacher remained standing in place, watching the students depart.

This is the personal seal I carved. I had intended to present it to you after your coronation, but it seems that I may not be able to wait until that time.

Named after its resemblance to an inkstone, it is called Inkstone Lake

Zhao Rong took the seal, which was exquisitely crafted, with a rigorous style and graceful strokes. At first glance, the strokes appeared square and straight, yet there was no sense of rigidity. The surface of the seal was engraved with the character 'Yu' in seal script.

A few days ago, the national master entrusted the ritual wine to send a letter to his junior brother at Linlu Academy. Knowing that you have always admired the Seventy-Two Academies, I thus requested this task from the ritual wine.

Oh, the mute has finally spoken

Why are you acting like a child? Zhao Rong complained

The Linlu Academy is located in the Great Li Dynasty. Mr. Fang paused and added: "The Great Li is in the northernmost part of the continent"

Linlu Academy

The Four Courts of Taiqing is the highest cultivation academy in the Xuanhuang Realm, as recorded by Jiang Taiqing in the supreme legal code of the human race, the "Xuan Emperor's Code"

Zhao Rong noticed a rather large bookstore ahead, which was doing good business, so he walked in that direction

What is the reason for this

... ...

Upon hearing the name Lin Lu, Zhao Rong's eyes brightened.

Zhao Rong's face showed disappointment as he clasped his hands together

Mr. Fang smiled, sat down again, and did not answer the question posed by the Grand Master of the Great Chu beside him

You asked me to write a letter for you, specifically to help your student... pursue a woman

Waiting for an old acquaintance

Because the students have come this time to bid farewell to the teacher

Are you really going to leave

It is unclear whether he is in a deep sleep or simply ignoring him

... ...

The middle-aged Confucian scholar smiled slightly, redirecting his gaze to the chessboard. The outcome was already determined, and the white pieces were powerless to turn the tide.

Indeed, after getting married, one has matured a lot. Mr. Fang chuckled lightly

Brother Gongming, I am honored.

Where are you going

Since the last time it got angry, it has not spoken to him until now

The middle-aged scholar tossed the last black piece from the chessboard into the chess jar and said slowly

He is very strict with Zhao Rong in academic matters, but is extremely amiable in private, and the two share a close relationship

Zhao Rong nodded and took his leave

He is not interested in Go, only has a slight understanding of it, and is quite poor at the game

The student is afraid that they will not be able to go

A person in a blue robe approached, holding an oiled paper umbrella, with a jade pendant hanging from their waist. Their features were well-defined, appearing youthful, yet their expression was calm and composed, exuding an ethereal quality.

After muttering a few times and seeing that it did not respond, Zhao Rong had no choice but to give up

Mr. Fang has several friends who often play chess, and this elderly gentleman in splendid attire is one of them. However, Zhao Rong has never spoken to him, and even with Mr. Fang, he rarely engages in conversation

He does not know why he feels very relaxed every time he chats with Gui

It is currently the time for lectures at the Imperial Academy.

He stood behind Mr. Fang and glanced at the chessboard

Return, do you know about the Four Houses of Taiqing? Is this celestial sect very powerful?

Perhaps it is because it shares a common fate with oneself, allowing one to be unrestrained and speak freely in its presence

The middle-aged scholar suddenly cast a glance outside the pavilion and saw a figure striding towards him from a short distance away

In his memory, the gentleman has a lifelong affection for three things: fishing, Go, and the writings of sages.