Chapter 94: Teaching Dogmas a Thousand Times

Chapter 94: The Thousandfold Precepts

The first bow to Heaven and Earth.

The second bow to the ancestral hall.

The third bow as husband and wife.

Li Huáng, dressed in a blue official robe and wearing a black cap, smiled as he and Yun Xiāng, who was wearing a red cap, respectfully completed the three bows.

They were then escorted by a few attendants and maidservants to the bridal chamber. There, additional rituals awaited—lifting the headgear, joining the cups in a ceremonial toast, and the vow of hair binding—none of which the other guests were permitted to witness.

Chen Yì and Xiao Duo stood outside the main hall, watching them disappear down the corridor, and couldn’t help but feel a swell of satisfaction. After all, Li Huáng and Yun Xiāng’s marriage had required considerable effort on his part.

“May those who are meant to be together end up as husband and wife. I hope they’ll grow old together.”

Though if they failed to stay by each other’s side, he’d bear no blame.

Chen Yì glanced around, noting the three elders seated in the hall, chatting warmly. His assessment of Li Huáng’s character had grown deeper. Though Yang Ye had once seemed dismissive of Li’s parents, here, no one dared to look down upon the elder, nor did anyone dare to criticize Yun Xiāng’s background. It was clear Yang Ye had gone to great lengths to accept this daughter.

Chen Yì mused on this, while beside him, Xiao Duo was already tear-streaked, her sobs fluttering like petals in the rain.

Thankfully, she’d never worn makeup or painted her lips; her plain face had avoided the scandal of a tearful, made-up visage.

“My lord, the scholar of the blossoming flowers and Miss Yun have finally reached their happy union… how fortunate.”

Xiao Duo wiped her tears, her voice trembling as memories of their farewell that day surfaced, making the wedding feast feel even more precious.

Chen Yì chuckled softly, taking the handkerchief from her to dab at her cheeks. “On such a joyous day, there’s no need to weep so.”

Xiao Duo quickly stilled her sobs, sniffling, “My lord, I’m just… so happy…”

Chen Yì understood her heart, offering a gentle reminder before letting her be. Yet others nearby could not look away. One whispered to a maid, “That girl’s mood is quite unseemly,” while another muttered, “The son-in-law from the Xiao family—what a scandal.”

Some nodded in agreement, recalling past events: “That one who forcibly took Miss Yun as his bride.”

Soon, murmurs and pointed fingers filled the hall. Chen Yì, hearing these things, noticed a group of scholars in fine robes, their smiles now tinged with disapproval.

He gave it little thought, however, and motioned Xiao Duo to leave the hall, seeking a quieter place.

Just then, a voice boomed from the hall: “Xin Nian, return to Yun—do you two know what you’re saying?”

The voice was familiar. Chen Yì glanced over and smiled.

Yue Ming, a respected scholar from Fei Cloud Academy, emerged from a side chamber, his expression grave. Likely having overheard the students’ idle gossip, he stood with stern authority. The two students, caught red-handed, turned as pale as paper, bowing frantically: “Master Yue, forgive us—we—”

Before they could finish, Yue Ming waved them away. “I don’t want to hear your excuses. Go apologize to Qing Zhou!”

“But—”

“Do I need to say it again?”

The students, faces drained of color, hurried to Chen Yì’s side, bowing deeply: “Brother Qing Zhou, forgive us. We spoke thoughtlessly and ask your forgiveness.”

Chen Yì glanced at them, then at Yue Ming, smiling. “Your kindness, Master, is a burden to us students.”

What had begun as a simple departure with Xiao Duo had now drawn attention. Yet Yue Ming’s intervention had shifted the focus, drawing every eye in the room.

Yue Ming fixed his gaze on Chen Yì. “As students of Fei Cloud Academy, some may lag in learning, but character must never falter. To speak ill of others behind their backs is one fault. To lack the judgment to discern right from wrong is another. If one fault breeds another, it is not merely their error—it is ours as well. We share this blame.”

His words struck fear into the students. Had the moment been different, they might already have knelt before him, pleading for mercy. Still, they stood before Chen Yì, bowing repeatedly, begging forgiveness. Without it, they feared they’d never rise above their peers in Shu Zhou.

Chen Yì, seeing Yue Ming’s stance, felt even more troubled. To forgive would feel hollow. To refuse would reveal his own pettiness.

After a pause, he turned to the bewildered Xiao Duo and said, “This matter troubles me. These two spoke improperly. Should I forgive them?”

Xiao Duo blinked, then glanced around, her voice steady: “My lord, you once said, ‘To err is human, but to correct one’s ways is divine.’ Yet punishment must follow transgression. Let them copy the academy’s precepts a thousand times?”

Chen Yì nodded, addressing the students: “Agreed. Copy Fei Cloud Academy’s precepts a thousand times, and I shall forgive you.”

Xiao Duo’s wisdom, precise and just, left no room for objection.

Yet the students hesitated, their faces ashen, exchanging glances before nodding weakly: “We accept your mercy, Master. We beg your forgiveness.”

They then turned to Yue Ming, bowing: “Please, Master, forgive us.”

Yue Ming gave a curt nod, his expression oddly serene: “On this day of great joy, let it pass. Tomorrow, they’ll copy those precepts a thousand times.”

Thus concluded the minor commotion.

Yet the guests exchanged strange glances—some at Chen Yì, others at Xiao Duo—uncertain how to respond.

Chen Yì, puzzled, wondered if the punishment had been too harsh.

Only then did he realize, following Yue Ming to the side chamber, that the precepts numbered over two hundred, totaling nearly two thousand characters.

“How many words?” Chen Yì asked.

Yue Ming chuckled: “Not many—about eighteen hundred.”

Chen Yì gaped, then glanced at Xiao Duo, who was frantically counting on her fingers. *Well done, girl,* he thought. *A thousand repetitions would mean millions of strokes.*

For those who write with ink brushes, the task was no small feat. He estimated it would take them at least a year or two before they’d dare step foot outside again.

After a moment, Yue Ming said gravely: “Qing Zhou, had there been no such incident today, I’d have something else to discuss with you.”

Chen Yì bowed: “Speak, Master. I am ready.”

He suspected it involved the calligraphy sheets. Though he’d once been troubled by such matters, this episode had settled the debt of gratitude.

A thousand repetitions of doctrines as punishment, surely the students who come to know of this will never dare to speak three or four words to him again.

Then Mr. Yue said, "My lord, I would like to invite the light boat to the academy to serve as a teacher, specifically to instruct the students here in practicing calligraphy."

Chen Yi paused for a moment, "Sir, this request is such that the students would be reluctant to accept."

Even a few sheets of calligraphy samples were not enough—this old gentleman seems determined to bind him to the prestigious Cloud Academy to teach others how to write characters.

To be honest, scholars these days have minds as sharp as knives.

He plays his cards well.

Mr. Yue waved his hand, "Do not rush to decline, for I have already written to your master. Let us wait until he replies before making a decision."

Chen Yi sighed, "Sir, there is no need to contact your master?"

At this point, if the venerable teacher, like a father to him, and Master Yu Yi, who resides far away in Jinling, were to agree, then he as a student would indeed find himself in a bit of a bind.

Mr. Yue smiled, "In recent days, I have learned through various inquiries that you are managing a pharmacy shop at the Xiao family."

"Even if I did not speak to you directly, once Yu Yi learns of this, he too will likely write to persuade."

"Though it may not grant me a seat at the academy's table in teaching calligraphy, it is still preferable to being a shopkeeper in a pharmacy."

"Someday, if your learning advances further, you might achieve a promising path, surpassing the toils of a merchant's life."

"……"

Seeing that Mr. Yue spoke sincerely, Chen Yi merely gave a superficial nod, leaving the matter for another time.

He could continue studying medicine at the pharmacy, where he held authority, with a monthly stipend of ten days off.

Where could he find such freedom at the academy?

Mr. Yue, noticing this, did not press further. His eyes drifted to the gift box beside the young Xiao, and his expression brightened: "Did you present this calligraphy sample to Master Fang as a gift?"

Before Chen Yi could respond, Mr. Yue extended his hand, "Let me take a look."

Unable to avoid the situation, Chen Yi could only suppress a wry smile and handed the box to him, shifting the conversation away from the academy's master.

Mr. Yue took the box, carefully opened it, and gently unfurled the calligraphy scroll. A warm, radiant glow immediately emanated from it.

Each character bloomed with vitality: "Discourage not the wearing of silk and fine clothes, but cherish the days of youth. If flowers are in bloom, pluck them then, do not wait until they are gone to wither your branches…"

(End of chapter)