Chapter 12 Keeping a Low Profile

Chapter 12: Keeping a Low Profile

"Mencius said, 'Men have a way: when well-fed, warmly clad, and comfortably lodged, without being taught, they become close to beasts. The sage was concerned about this...'"

Cheng Ge held a copy of *The Great Learning* with a dazed look, the proverbial beauty in the book gradually becoming twisted and ugly.

The Duke of Zhou was waving him over to dreamland, and the dense, tiny text slowly turned into nothingness.

Yet, just as his head was a hair's breadth from the desk, a large hand firmly caught his forehead mid-fall.

In his haze, Cheng Ge thought it was the Duke of Zhou pulling him along and instinctively tried to follow, smushing his face right into the palm.

A voice came from his left ear, "Master Cheng, the Lecturer's on his way down."

He snapped awake instantly, quickly wiping the corner of his mouth.

Qiao Fangxu withdrew his hand. Cheng Ge sat up straight awkwardly, looking a bit guilty, sneaking a glance at the Lecturer.

Sure enough, the man was nearby explaining things to others. Cheng Ge's heart pounded, like he was back in school, getting caught by the homeroom teacher staring in through the window.

He quickly pretended to look busy, and only after the man walked away did he turn to Qiao Fangxu. "Thanks, man!"

Cheng Ge was so sleepy he hadn't even noticed when the guy came up; he was lucky he got the heads-up.

This Lecturer wasn't exactly a softie; getting caught would mean at least getting chewed out.

Qiao Fangxu looked at Cheng Ge, a little sheepish. "No need to thank me, it's the least I could do. I still owe you for saving me last time, Brother Cheng, and haven't personally come to thank you..."

Cheng Ge waved his hand dismissively. "No need for all that. Just toss me a few thousand silver notes, and we'll call it even. No need to trouble yourself."

Qiao Fangxu: "..." What was he even supposed to say to that?

Cheng Ge saw his face and couldn't help but crack up, though it was drowned out by the others reading.

Qiao Fangxu knew he was just messing around and didn't take it to heart.

Cheng Ge held the book, and within three seconds, his head was spinning. It wasn't his fault; the stuff was painfully boring, and having to add the punctuation himself was a total nightmare.

He rubbed his eyes and snuck a yawn.

Qiao Fangxu's gaze was still on him, and he couldn't help but yawn in response, tears streaming down his cheeks.

The person next to them followed suit, yawning like a chain reaction—clearly, everyone was feeling pretty beat.

Since Cheng Ge had saved his skin once, Qiao Fangxu felt grateful and couldn't help but keep tabs on him.

After that warning, Cheng Ge didn't nod off again. Instead, he looked unusually focused, staring hard at the book, his lips moving like he was really into it.

Qiao Fangxu thought to himself, no wonder the guy had aced the imperial exams at such a young age; he must be very diligent. He scooted a little closer.

"If you don't love me, give my heart back to me. You traded love for my youth, what have I left? If you still love me, say nothing, just run wild with me, run wild..."

Qiao Fangxu: "..." Looks can be deceiving.

"Past events flow in your eyes, forgotten and pieced together~ If I clasp my hands in prayer, I only wish you could be saved..."

Mm... a perfect high note. Cheng Ge felt that at this moment, ten Jay Chous couldn't hold a candle to him.

This got Cheng Ge all hyped up; his leg started jiggling, and his mouth didn't shut for a second.

Wang Shijiang suddenly rapped a dozing student on the head, his expression stern. The student clutched his head, not daring to peep.

"Reading the works of sages, yet still distracted! What kind of behavior is that!"

Wang Shijiang's voice echoed loudly in the room, and everyone went dead silent.

Cheng Ge, now wide awake, continued pretending to flip through the book, his expression intensely focused.

He glanced at the sky through the window, wondering when chow time was—he was getting hungry.

Wang Shijiang's gaze fell on Cheng Ge, a hint of approval in his eyes. "Are you called Cheng Ge?"

Caught off guard by being called on, Cheng Ge's heart did a little jump, and he shot up out of his seat.

"Yes, that's me, sir," Cheng Ge replied reluctantly, sweating bullets, worried he'd been caught faking it.

Wang Shijiang nodded. "I hear you placed sixth in this year's palace exam. How old are you now?"

Cheng Ge quickly answered, "Your student just came of age this year, sir."

Wang Shijiang stroked his beard and smiled. "To make it into the Hanlin Academy at such a young age, you must be a diligent student.

Today, I'll test you. 'The Way of great learning lies in illuminating bright virtue, in renewing the people, and in resting in the highest good.' What do you make of it?"

Cheng Ge groaned inside. What was he supposed to say? He bowed his head, pretending to mull it over, and flipped the book to the first page.

His eyes landed on the first line, his mind racing. Everyone's gaze was on him.

Even with a face as thick as a city wall, Cheng Ge felt the pressure.

He glanced at Wang Shijiang, dug his toes into the ground, and reluctantly spoke up: "Sir, your student believes that 'The Way of great learning' refers to the principles of adult learning.

'In illuminating bright virtue'—the first 'illuminating' means to manifest, and 'bright virtue' is the innate, virtuous character. It is about revealing one's own inherent, bright virtue.

'In renewing the people'—'renewing' can be interpreted as making new, meaning to help others discard the old and embrace the new, abandoning evil and promoting good.

'In resting in the highest good'—this means reaching the most perfect state.

Your student thinks that 'illuminating bright virtue' is not only about cultivating oneself but also spreading this virtue to the world through education.

And those who possess bright virtue should set an example, thus they must discipline themselves, cultivate their character, restrain themselves, be cautious in solitude, guard their hearts, and understand their nature."

After hearing this, Wang Shijiang's eyes showed approval. He nodded. "Not bad, a unique insight."

His expression was clearly satisfied. He swept his gaze over the other students and began to lecture, "Since ancient times, even wise kings and sage emperors had to be diligent in learning, let alone ordinary people.

If you are lazy and neglect your studies, how can the nation and its people be entrusted to you in the future!"

Everyone stood and bowed. "Your teaching is correct, we will keep it in mind."

Cheng Ge sighed in relief and sat down slowly with the others, discreetly wiping the cold sweat from his forehead.

Damn, that was a close call.

Luckily, as a kid, he used to watch *Lecture Room* with the old man at home every day, or he'd have gotten a beating for sure.

Qiao Fangxu looked at him with stars in his eyes and whispered, "Brother Cheng is truly impressive; the rest of us can't compare."

Cheng Ge waved his hand, a hint of pride on his face. "Low profile, low profile."

With that, he picked up his book and slipped into his self-entertainment mode. Not far away, Zhang Qinghang also withdrew his gaze.