Chapter 144: Life Is of the Utmost Importance

Chapter 144: Life Is of the Utmost Importance

Xiao Yi Yuan and his cousin Xiao Yi Sheng entered the city gate and saw the bustling streets teeming with carriages and horses. Xiao Yi Sheng gaped, his eyes darting everywhere, wishing he had more than just two eyes.

Xiao Yi Yuan, however, merely glanced around casually before turning to look at Xiao Yi Sheng, whose eyes were not enough to take it all in, and smiled, saying, "Let's go, we need to find a place to stay quickly."

"Oh, oh." Xiao Yisheng hurried to catch up with Xiao Yiyuan. After the initial novelty had worn off, his worries resurfaced. Drawing closer to Xiao Yiyuan, he asked, "Big brother, in such a vast capital city, where shall we stay?"

"Just follow me," Xiao Yiyuan said as he continued walking forward, and Xiao Yisheng quickly followed.

Arriving at a noodle stall at the entrance of an alley, Xiao Yiyuan walked over and sat down. "Shopkeeper, two bowls of noodles, please."

Xiao Yisheng immediately sat down beside him.

The shopkeeper, a woman in her forties or fifties, brought over two bowls of coarse tea when she saw the customers, placing them in front of the brothers with a smile, "Please wait a moment."

The landlady returned to cook their noodles. At this time, a man in his thirties came over with a bag of flour, placed it down next to the woman, exchanged a few words with her, then poured himself a bowl of tea and sat down at the table next to Xiao Yiyuan.

Xiao Yiyuan sized up the man, noting his honest and straightforward demeanor. He approached and sat opposite him, smiling, "Excuse me, sir, may I inquire about something?"

His polite manner of speaking seemed to unsettle the man, who rubbed his hands and chuckled awkwardly, "You... you may ask."

"How do I get to Shanglin Academy?" Xiao Yiyuan inquired.

"Shanglin Academy? That's quite a distance away," the man thought for a moment, "This is the southern part of the city, and Shanglin Academy is in the east. You'll need to follow this road straight ahead. When you reach the eastern part of the city, you can ask again, as I've never been to Shanglin Academy."

Xiao Yiyuan stood up and bowed in thanks, which seemed foreign to the man, who rarely interacted with scholars. He stood up and returned the gesture, though his movements were stiff and somewhat amusing. Xiao Yiyuan smiled, returning to his original seat.

"Serve the noodles to the customers," the landlady called out to the man, who got up to serve two bowls of noodles to the brothers.

After eating, the brothers stood up, each shouldering a box, and continued walking towards the eastern part of the city. Having walked for nearly an hour without reaching their destination, they found a place to sit and rest before proceeding.

They were accustomed to such journeys. Having traveled from the southern borderlands to the capital, a journey of thousands of miles, this distance was negligible. Along the way, Xiao Yisheng asked Xiao Yiyuan, "Big brother, if we go to find Master Fang, will he allow you to study at Shanglin Academy?"

Xiao Yiyuan walked in silence for a while before responding, "He should. Our teacher has written to him, and he replied, asking me to come to the capital to find him."

"That's good, that's good," Xiao Yisheng's face lightened with relief.

However, Xiao Yiyuan was not as at ease. Born in the remote and barren southern borderlands of the Dagan Empire, where education was rudimentary, he was considered a reincarnation of the God of Literature. Initially, he was full of confidence.

But along the journey from the southern borderlands to the capital, he had experienced and witnessed much, realizing that he was only the God of Literature in that barren land. Compared to others, he was not much superior.

Lost in these thoughts, they finally arrived at the eastern city and, after some inquiries, reached the gates of Shanglin Academy. Gazing at the towering gatehouse and the bold characters of "Shanglin Academy," Xiao Yiyuan felt a mix of trepidation and defiance. He believed he was no less capable than those who had been tutored by renowned masters from a young age.

"Shall we go in?" Xiao Yisheng asked.

Xiao Yiyuan glanced again at the plaque reading "Shanglin Academy" and suggested, "Let's find a place to rest first, and pay a visit tomorrow."

The brothers walked a great distance before they found a relatively secluded and cheaper inn. Upon entering their room, Xiao Yiyuan muttered under his breath, "Inns in the capital are indeed costly. Such a small room for a whole tael of silver. Thankfully, that noble young master gave us ten taels today; otherwise, we would have no meal tomorrow."

Setting down his luggage, Xiao Yiyuan took out two books, murmuring to himself, "Tomorrow, I'll see if there’s anywhere I can copy books."

He had always supported his studies by copying books.

Seeing Xiao Yiyuan take out the books, Xiao Yisheng knew he was about to study and kept quiet. He even moved gently and quietly about his tasks, careful not to disturb his brother’s reading.

Yongning Marquis Manor

At the moment, Tang Shuyi was in Xiao Yuchen's courtyard, looking over his preparations for travel. There were several sets of clothing for changing, a few books, writing materials like brushes, ink, paper, and inkstone, and some commonly used medicines.

"Planning to go on horseback?" Tang Shuyi inquired.

Sitting opposite her, Xiao Yuchen replied, "Yes, it's more convenient by horse."

Tang Shuyi hummed in agreement. Actually, if she were to travel, she would prefer a carriage for its comfort and capacity for more luggage. But everyone has their preferences, and she did not insist on her own.

"Nothing is more important than safety when you're away from home," Tang Shuyi gently reminded him, "If you encounter villains, possessions and everything else are secondary; your life is what’s most important."

Xiao Yuchen nodded, "I understand, Mother."

"Are you going to bid farewell to Master Fang tomorrow?" Tang Shuyi asked.

Xiao Yuchen confirmed, "Yes, I’ll visit my master the day after tomorrow, and then I'll depart."

This master was naturally Qi Liangsheng.

"Good," Tang Shuyi said, handing him a small seal, "With this seal, you can withdraw silver from any Tongda money exchange in the Great Qian territory. But remember, don't flaunt your wealth."

Tang Shuyi didn't bother to tell him to be frugal. All three of their children had grown up in affluence and didn’t know the meaning of the word 'thrift'. Of course, there was no need for them to be.

Xiao Yuchen acknowledged this once more.

The following day, after breakfast, Xiao Yuchen left the house with Changming to say goodbye to Master Fang at Shanglin Academy. Changming had been rather down these past few days because Xiao Yuchen was going on a journey with Changfeng and not him.

Seeing his drooping expression, Xiao Yuchen said, "Even though you will be at home, you must keep abreast of the goings-on in the capital. I will write regularly, and you are to report back to me. It is because you handle things thoroughly that I have left you in charge at home."

Changming's face broke into a smile upon hearing this, and he quickly explained, "This servant isn't unhappy, merely reluctant to part with you."

Xiao Yuchen gave a hum of acknowledgment, and Changming chuckled with a sheepish grin.

The carriage ride to Shanglin Academy was brief. Xiao Yuchen, accompanied by Changming, made their way to Master Fang's study. Upon reaching the courtyard gate, they saw a young scholar in his early twenties conversing with the gatekeeper.

The gatekeeper immediately bowed with a welcoming smile as they approached and greeted, "Peace to you, Young Master Xiao."

Xiao Yuchen cast a glance at the scholar, and their eyes met. He nodded in greeting, then inquired of the gatekeeper, "Is Master Fang present?"

"Yes, I'll lead you to him," the gatekeeper replied with a smile.

"No need, I'll find my way," Xiao Yuchen declined and proceeded inward, while Changming chose to wait outside.