Chapter 146: What Heaven Confers Is Called Nature

Chapter 146: The Mandate of Heaven as Human Nature

Chen Yì awoke at the crack of dawn, washing up and dressing himself with care.

For he was to visit the prestigious Guìyún Academy, and Xiao Di had rummaged through trunks and drawers to find a dark blue long robe for him.

The silk fabric was fine, and the cut was tailored to fit his frame snugly. A matching belt cinched at his waist, from which dangled a jade pendant in the shape of the twins, while his feet wore a pair of black boots.

Neither ostentatious nor too common, it would not make him seem like a victim of the Xiao family’s oppression.

At first glance, Chen Yì looked the part of a handsome, refined scholar.

Xiao Di smoothed the sharp angles of his attire, nodded approvingly, and smiled: “Master, if you go to the academy like this today, you’ll surely make them envious.”

Whether they would be envious or not, Chen Yì could not know. Yet he understood that scholars did not judge one another by appearance.

Even if he wore golden armor and had no ink in his belly, he might still be looked down upon.

The comparisons among writers, after all, tended to hinge on their knowledge and talents.

Of course, Chen Yì would not tell Xiao Di these things, lest her simple-minded brain be burdened with unnecessary worries.

“Go have the carriage brought, and move those practice manuals onto it.”

Xiao Di nodded and promptly ran downstairs.

Chen Yì, however, calmly made his way to the living room, where he ate breakfast with Xiao Wúgōu and Pí Wénróu.

The three of them chattered idly about matters of the day.

Most of the talk came from Pí Wénróu, the little tiger cub, who chattered and chirped continuously.

Today she had no plans to wander about; instead, she had gone early to Jiāxíng Yard to discuss strategy with Shen Huántóu and Xiē Tǐngyún.

Chen Yì arched an eyebrow. “You’re going to spar with them?”

Pí Wénróu lifted her chin, blinked her eyes, and said: “Brother, I’ve broken through my cultivation today—I’ve reached the eighth grade.”

In truth, she had already attained that breakthrough when she returned to Xiao Wúgōu’s side after the encounter with the mountain maiden.

It was said that the elderly mountain woman, upon hearing of this, was greatly pleased and praised her for quite a while.

When Xiao Wúgōu and the mountain woman had sealed their pact, the latter had even stepped aside, citing it as a token of respect for the little tiger cub’s advancement.

Pí Wénróu was delighted, yet she never spoke of the reason for her breakthrough.

It was a secret she shared with Chen Yì alone.

“But I can’t defeat Sister Tíngyún and Sister Huántóu.”

“Sister Tíngyún has now reached the fourth grade in swordplay, and is considered a top-tier martial artist in the world.”

“Sister Huántóu’s cultivation and sword skills are slightly weaker, but she’s at the middle of the fifth grade.”

“Saying we’ll compete, in practice it’s more like I’m letting them guide me.”

After finishing her porridge, Chen Yì smiled lightly: “With your diligence, I’m sure you’ll soon achieve another breakthrough.”

The little tiger cub, who had broken through cultivation more slowly before, had been a bit idle, and her progress into a new grade had been rather haphazard.

If she worked harder, breaking through the barrier would not be beyond reach.

Pí Wénróu opened her eyes and smiled: “I think the same.”

After a pause, she glanced at Xiao Wúgōu, who was hunched over his bowl, and then made two mysterious gestures.

In essence, she was asking how Chen Yì’s martial cultivation had progressed.

Chen Yì had no intention of discouraging her, but seeing her head held high and her little bells jingling with pride, he made a “seven” gesture with his hand.

Pí Wénróu recognized the sign and paused: “Seven?”

When Chen Yì nodded, her smile faded instantly, and a thunderous echo seemed to reverberate in her mind.

The seventh grade!

Her brother—he wasn’t human, how could someone cultivate so quickly?

Sister, come see—there’s a demon here!

She must have heard her outburst, for Xiao Wúgōu looked at her with suspicion: “Sister Róu, what’s this ‘seven’?”

“N-nothing, nothing—I was just thinking of our dog named Xiao Seven back home…”

“Really? Then could you bring Xiao Seven to the manor? I quite like dogs.”

“No need, he’s already here.”

“What? Where?”

Chen Yì glanced at the little tiger cub, who was babbling nonsense, and glared at her before rising.

“Stay indoors. I’m going to the academy.”

At that moment, Xiao Di had already brought a gentleman in armor. Chen Yì instructed them to move the thick practice manuals from the study to the carriage.

Just as he was about to climb in, a gentle voice called from behind: “Wait a moment.”

Turning around, he saw Xiao Wán'ěr arriving with her attendants.

She wore a bright red overcoat, her steps quick, and beneath it, a pure white dress could be glimpsed.

Her beautiful face bore a slight flush, no longer as pale as before—likely having just consumed a medicinal soup.

Taking a quick look, Chen Yì’s eyes flickered with a glint, having already divined her condition through the art of qi sensing.

Confirming she was in good health, he spoke: “You’ve just recovered, sister. It would be best to rest more.”

Unaware of this, Xiao Wán'ěr struggled to suppress her shy embarrassment, which rose again with vengeance.

She had originally intended to avoid meeting Chen Yì for a while, after learning of the humiliating events that had occurred.

Like an ordinary woman, she had been petulant, giving him the cold shoulder, not caring whether he went to the academy or not.

Yet at the last moment, she rushed here, just as she had left dinner for him the night before.

In her heart, she knew Chen Yì had not truly defiled her—only glanced at her a few times.

She bit her tongue, turned her head away from Chen Yì, and signaled her maid to place the prepared items on the carriage.

“My husband is going to the academy today. Be sure to take these to Masters Yuè Míng and Zhuó Yīng.”

Seeing that they were writing implements, Chen Yì let her arrange it as she wished, smiling and bowing his hand: “Thank you, sister.”

Xiao Wán'ěr cast a glance at his eyes, her face tinged with an awkward redness.

“The thanks should come from me…”

She stopped mid-sentence, realizing it was inappropriate, and reminded him:

“Master Yuè invited you to the academy, which means he holds you in high regard. You must observe proper etiquette.”

Chen Yi nodded, as expected, and bowed in return.

"I'll head to the academy first. I reckon I'll be back after noon."

Xiao Wan'er hummed a soft acknowledgment, watching him turn and climb into the carriage. Only then did she dare to look directly at him. When he lifted the curtain, she quickly averted her gaze, saying,

"Mind you don't run off recklessly. Things have been unsettled in the city lately. They say another person died at the western market last night."

Chen Yi smiled and replied, "Understood," saying no more. He signaled the attendant to take the carriage down a side road, away from the courtyard.

The carriage rattled onward, growing fainter with each step. Xiao Wan'er watched until he vanished from sight, her cheeks still flushed.

Nearby, Ci Er noticed her flushed face and ventured,

"My lady, your betrothed was right—your injury has just healed. You should rest more."

"The breeze here has picked up. Your complexion looks unwell."

Before she could finish, Xiao Wan'er had already turned toward the garden path. As she walked, she pressed a hand to her slightly feverish cheek, her thoughts drifting back to yesterday’s events.

She had lain on her bed, drenched in sweat.

He sat beside her, watching…

It was humiliating.

Xiao Wan'er thought of this, quickening her pace, her voice murmuring instructions.

"Check if Xiao Ge has eaten his morning meal and send him to study."

"Notify the apothecary to come—let Liu Quan from the Bureau of Medicine attend to him."

"Also, after the harvest, the taxes from the tenant fields need to be adjusted. Send word to Li Zheng to come to the capital."

"And the ledgers for the industries in Shu Zhou—organize those too, tally up next month’s regular payments…"

With each command, her cheeks cooled. Yet a lingering shyness and unspoken emotions remained. She needed to keep busy, to steady herself.

Chen Yi, unaware of Xiao Wan'er’s inner turmoil, sat in the carriage as it rolled toward Kangning Street, gazing at the scenery outside while mulling over his visit to Guiyun Academy.

Though he’d accepted Master Yue Ming’s invitation for a purpose of his own, once he’d become the academy’s instructor, he couldn’t afford to be perfunctory. Just as he’d treated the calligraphy exercises sent by Ma Guan with care, annotating them thoroughly despite casual words, he did things properly.

It was simply his nature.

Cows and horses became cows and horses because of their heavy sense of responsibility, always striving to give their all. Similarly, Chen Yi sat in the carriage, pondering how to teach his students the classics.

Indeed, he wasn’t just thinking about calligraphy. He sought to guide these students toward the Way of Books. He had no fear of poverty or hunger—he simply wished to pass on what he knew. Whatever the outcome, he’d do his best.

"The Way of Heaven is called the nature; guiding one’s nature is called the Way; cultivating the Way is called teaching."

"After all, each person’s capacity, disposition, and habits differ, so even if they study the same subjects, their gains will vary."

Chen Yi murmured these thoughts, understanding the task far more complex than merely teaching calligraphy. Yet he remained steadfast.

"The Great Way has many paths, but all converge. Each must give their heart, if they’re determined to practice the Way, they’ll eventually achieve something."

Not long after, the carriage halted outside Guiyun Academy. Chen Yi left the coachmen behind and walked alone into the academy, clutching the exercises.

He spotted Ma Guan, the student he’d met the day before, running ahead.

"Master Qiao, forgive the delay. The abbot summoned us early, so we came late."

"Here are the exercises. Let me show you to the dining hall."

Chen Yi declined to protest, handing over two stacks of exercises and bowing slightly before leading the way.

Ma Guan struggled to balance the heavy exercises in his arms, following closely. After a few steps, he began to perspire, thinking,

"How is it that he carries these so easily, when I strain under them?"

Chen Yi noticed his labored steps and, understanding, took back a bundle of exercises.

"I’m the academy’s instructor, and though I’m younger, I’m still in my prime—full of energy."

Ma Guan straightened, a bit embarrassed. "Master Qiao, forgive me—I’m just a student…"

Before he could finish, Chen Yi asked,

"Does the academy teach martial arts besides the Six Arts?"

Ma Guan paused, then shook his head. "None of the masters excel in martial arts. Only Master Qi Chen, who teaches archery and horseback riding, has some martial skill."

He knew why Chen Yi had asked, feeling a bitter edge to his thoughts.

Many students here come from noble families and practice martial arts. Though their skills aren’t high, they’re far stronger than his frail frame. At least they can manage fifty volumes of calligraphy exercises.

Chen Yi nodded, noticing the qi in Ma Guan’s body already faintly visible through his gaze. Not strong, but weakened—likely from poor eating habits.

Chen Yi understood, saying nothing further.

Soon, they reached the dining hall. Ma Guan entered first, placing the exercises on the table, then taking the others Chen Yi had handed him. Only then did he bow to the students.

Chen Yi scanned the hall, noting that Yue Ming and Zhuo Ying and others weren’t there—confirming that Ma Guan had delivered the notice.

As he opened his mouth to speak, forty-five students rose in unison, bowing.

"Student Qiao, we humbly ask you to begin instruction."

Their voices rang clear and resonant in the spacious hall. Chen Yi glanced around, seeing their respectful, serious faces, some with strange expressions. He nodded, bowing slightly in return.

"Take your seats."

As everyone settled into their seats in turn, Chen Yi followed suit and took his place at the front of the lectern, turning his head to notice the shelf nearby, and muttered, "Now the professor doesn't use sand tables anymore, but cypress paper instead?"

After all, the sand tables were right in front of those students!

(End of chapter)