The sun rises, and the mist gradually dissipates.
At the break of dawn, Shen Yuan got up and called for the two little ones to rise.
After a simple meal, Hu Yufen personally helped the two little ones get dressed, and once everything was in order, she instructed, "Don't be naughty at the teacher's house. Do you remember the manners your mother taught you?"
The two nodded, "Don't worry, Mother, we've remembered everything."
Shen Yuan, standing to the side, said, "Alright, it's time to go."
They had arranged to meet Lu Zhiyuan at the end of the hour, and it was about that time now, so they needed to set off.
Carrying the salted meat prepared yesterday as a gift, Shen Yuan took the two little ones and set out.
Hu Yufen personally saw the trio out, watching them disappear down the alleyway.
Lu Zhiyuan preferred quiet, and his small courtyard was built outside Jinliu Village, near a small creek.
Shen Yuan led his two sons along the path between the fields and soon arrived at the courtyard.
The path in front of the door was paved with blue bricks, and at the entrance stood two peach trees loaded with fruit.
When Shen Yuan arrived, Uncle Ya was sweeping the fallen leaves with a broom.
"Uncle Ya."
Shen Yuan cupped his hands in greeting, and the two little ones imitated his gesture with a slight bow.
"Oh..."
Uncle Ya smiled and cupped his hand in return, quickly putting the broom aside, tidying his clothes, and leading the three into the courtyard.
Lu Zhiyuan had settled in Jinliu Village for over five years, and Shen Yuan reckoned he was the first outsider to step into this courtyard.
It was a two-entry courtyard with white walls and black tiles, and a few clusters of Ink Bamboo were planted by the entrance screen, lush and green.
A rounded archway connected to the inner courtyard, and upon entering, the straight path of blue stone flanked by a few orchids on the left, with rockeries and vines covering the yard wall climbing up.
A delicate pavilion stood by the rockery, creating a sense of layers.
On the right, a few organized vegetable plots lay in neat rows.
"Ah~"
Leading Shen Yuan into the yard, Uncle Ya pointed toward the pavilion where Lu Zhiyuan sat holding a book, signaling them to go over.
Shen Yuan bowed, then led Shi Tou and Ah Nu toward the pavilion.
"Sir." Upon arriving at the pavilion, he bowed in greeting, and the two little ones slightly nervous, respectfully did the same.
Lu Zhiyuan put down the book in his hand, got up, bowed, and then looked over the two little ones.
Shen Yuan remained silent, quietly observing his expression.
"I wish to speak with these two children alone,"
After a bit of observation, Lu Zhiyuan spoke with a gentle smile.
Shen Yuan was slightly taken aback, but wisely bowed and left the pavilion.
Inside the pavilion, Lu Zhiyuan looked at the elder, Shen Wenxing, and asked, "Why do you wish to apprentice under me?"
Shen Wenxing hesitated and then humbly bowed, "Mother says the Master is a great scholar at the Imperial Academy..."
When he said this, a hint of disappointment appeared on Lu Zhiyuan's face.
He then turned to Shen Wenyan, "You tell me, why do you wish to become my student?"
The little one raised his head and replied, "The Master is the most knowledgeable person in the world. As his student, I can learn well and know many things."
Lu Zhiyuan was surprised, "What do you wish to know?"
Seeing this, the little one's eyes lit up, but then he lowered his voice, "Mother said not to be disrespectful in front of the Master, I..."
Lu Zhiyuan chuckled, stroking his beard, "Feel free to ask."
"Really?" the little one excitedly straightened up.
Lu Zhiyuan kindly smiled, "Go ahead and ask."
At this, Shen Wenyan immediately forgot his mother's instructions on manners, leaning closer, "Master, is there a river, lake, or sea in the sky?"
Lu Zhiyuan was slightly surprised but shook his head, "No."
"Then where does the rain come from?"
Lu Zhiyuan chuckled, "It comes from the clouds."
"Then where do the clouds come from?"
This question stumped Lu Zhiyuan.
Watching his brother ask the teacher such tricky questions, Shen Wenxing hurriedly bowed, "Forgive him, Master. Ah Nu, he..."
"No need, no need," Lu Zhiyuan laughed, "Are there any more questions?"
Shen Wenyan tilted his head, "When rain falls as water, why does it flow to the lower ground?"
Lu Zhiyuan stroked his beard, "Water flows into rivers, and rivers flow into the sea because the sea is at the lowest point."
Shen Wenyan was curious, "What is the sea?"
Anyang County is in the western part of Great Yu, and the largest river he's seen is the Laishui River, so he has no idea what a sea is.
Lu Zhiyuan chuckled, "The sea is the most vast body of water, boundless and endless."
Shen Wenyan nodded thoughtfully, "So the sea is the smartest body of water."
Lu Zhiyuan was puzzled, "Why do you say that?"
"Because the sea knows to stay at the lowest point, letting all the water flow into it, so it becomes the largest!" Shen Wenyan grinned.
Hearing this response, Lu Zhiyuan was slightly surprised, feeling a ripple in his heart.
"To embrace all waters makes it truly vast" was a realization he reached after half a lifetime of thought; he hadn't expected such profound wisdom to be expressed so simply by a child today.
"Hahaha..."
Lu Zhiyuan laughed, heartily and loudly.
Causing Uncle Ya and Shen Yuan, busy tending to the vegetable plots nearby, to glance curiously towards the pavilion.
The two stood up, curiously watching Lu Zhiyuan laugh heartily in the pavilion.
"Go, call your father over."
Lu Zhiyuan stopped laughing, turned to Shen Wenxing, and said.
Shen Wenxing bowed and quickly went to Shen Yuan, "Ah Die, the Master wants you to come over."
Shen Yuan dusted his hands off of soil, quickly approaching the pavilion.
"Younger Brother Shen, please accept my bow."
Seeing Shen Yuan, Lu Zhiyuan adjusted his sleeve and bowed.
This left Shen Yuan utterly confused, hastily moving aside and returning the gesture, "Why are you doing this, sir?"
Lu Zhiyuan straightened up, looked at Shen Wenyan with a satisfied sigh, "I began my education at three, was well-versed in the classics and histories by six, and at twelve passed the imperial examinations, entering the Imperial Academy as I came of age."
"Thereafter, I traveled the world, visited celebrated scholars, and by my forties, I considered myself well-versed in all earthly knowledge."
"Twenty years passed idly at the County Mansion Imperial Academy, and five years ago I resigned, seeking a wisdom beyond that of the sages, yet found no path."
"In searching deeply, I've realized my own insignificance when reflecting on oneself."
"Alas! Life is finite and unstoppable; all the scholars under heaven are mediocre, no one worthy in my eyes."
Lu Zhiyuan proudly clasped his hands behind his back, his voice unwavering.
At this moment, the image of scholarly pride was vividly displayed.
After expressing his sentiments, he retrieved his vigor, then lovingly ruffled Shen Wenyan's hair, "This child comes seeking knowledge, with a heart that yearns for it, earning my deep admiration."
"I bow to you, because you've brought me a disciple that I am truly proud of."
Shen Yuan, startled at first, quickly realized the implication, hastily looked to Shen Wenyan, "Ah Nu, hurry and kowtow!"
Only then did Shen Wenyan understand, rushing to kneel and profoundly bow, "Student pays respects to the Master."
Lu Zhiyuan accepted the gesture with ease, then laughingly helped him up.
"Good, good, good..."
"From today on, you will be my last student."
"All that I have learned in life will be taught to you. I hope you will surpass me, reaching heights I have never achieved."
"Go back for now; come over directly at the first light tomorrow."
The father and sons bowed in respect, then left the courtyard with Lu Zhiyuan personally seeing them off.
On the way home, Shen Wenxing seemed a bit down.
The Master only mentioned his brother coming over the next day, without mentioning him at all, clearly only accepting his brother as a student, not him.
Noticing this, Shen Yuan rubbed his head, "Everyone has a path suited for them."
"If studying doesn't work, we can learn martial arts. Tomorrow, I'll check at the town."
Shen Wenxing, hearing this, smiled.
In truth, he wasn't very fond of academic learning; earlier when Lu Zhiyuan asked, he didn't know how to respond.
Mentioning martial arts did stir some excitement in him.
"Ah Die, I'll definitely practice hard and one day become a Grand General!" Shen Wenxing's innocent face was full of seriousness.
Shen Yuan smiled, ruffling his hair, and said nothing.