Kays Translations
Just another Isekai Lover~
Chapter 39: Would You Like to Study Under Me?
Master Sun walked over to Zhu Ping’an, curious to see what game this mischievous child was playing. The moment his gaze fell on the boy’s hands, time seemed to freeze. Stroking his beard, Master Sun unconsciously tugged out several more white hairs.
Before him, the supposedly mischievous child held a crude brush made from thin bamboo and animal hair. He dipped it into the water collected in the groove of the stone and wrote furiously on a black wooden board.
Water used as ink remained visible on the black wooden board only briefly, yet Master Sun could still see that this mischievous child—no, this diligent child—already wrote better than the best students inside the school.
The brush was crude. His seat was an uneven stone. His “ink” was clear water poured into a groove, and his “paper” was a black wooden board resting on rough stone. Yet he wrote with such concentration that he did not even wipe away the sweat running down his face. When the board grew wet, he simply continued writing over the damp surface. His characters were still immature, but they were remarkably neat.
The scene contrasted so sharply with Master Sun’s earlier impression of a playful rascal that he was genuinely stunned.
This was a piece of uncut jade delivered to him by Heaven—something worth carefully carving!
“You little rascal, would you like to begin your studies under me?” Master Sun asked, unable to resist as he stroked his beard.
Zhu Ping’an, completely absorbed in writing, nearly flung his brush away when the familiar voice suddenly sounded beside him. His shock was not at Master Sun’s offer—he had long hoped for such an opportunity—but simply because the voice had abruptly broken his concentration.
In Master Sun’s eyes, however, that startled reaction looked like overwhelming joy.
Zhu Ping’an did not disappoint him. After a brief shock, he quickly regained his composure; after all, a mature adult’s soul lived inside the child’s body.
Zhu Ping’an rose from the stone, excitement flashing across his chubby face before quickly turning to disappointment. He was thrilled that sneaking lessons had finally earned the teacher’s recognition, but then he remembered the uproar at home over two strings of cash. If he proposed spending money on his own schooling as well, the household would surely erupt again.
Master Sun found the chubby little boy rather amusing. His expression changed almost from one instant to the next.
“What’s the matter? Don’t you want to?” Master Sun asked, feigning seriousness.
Zhu Ping’an quickly waved his chubby hands and said, disappointed, “I do, Teacher. It’s just that my family is poor and cannot afford to support my studies.”
Then Zhu Ping’an’s eyes brightened again. “One day while herding cattle, I heard you teaching inside and suddenly felt enlightened. I also heard you say that all professions are inferior and only reading is exalted. That was why I boldly came here to listen from outside. Your lessons are excellent, and of course I hope to study under you, but my family truly is poor. I only ask that you allow me to continue listening from outside the classroom.”
The child was not only diligent but also remarkably articulate. Even when Master Sun deliberately questioned him with a stern expression, he remained calm, composed, and courteous—nothing like the children inside the school, who often went pale and forgot how to speak when the teacher grew serious.
In Master Sun’s eyes, Zhu Ping’an was an uncut jade waiting for him to carve.
“Your family is poor? That’s no problem. Come study, and I won’t charge you tuition. I’m hardly short of such a small sum.” Unlike Zhu Ping’an’s Eldest Uncle, Master Sun was a genuine xiucai. Although he had never passed the provincial examination to become a juren, he received a government stipend and owned several dozen mu of good farmland, so he was not short of money. He had opened the private school largely because his own hopes in the imperial examinations had faded. He wanted to nurture talent for the country and educated men for his clan and village, and perhaps see one of his students accomplish what he himself had not.
“It’s settled, then. I won’t charge you tuition. Tomorrow I’ll formally admit you as a student,” Master Sun said with a smile, stroking his beard.
Sneaking lessons, winning the teacher’s appreciation, and then being allowed to study without tuition—surprise followed surprise like pies falling from the sky. Zhu Ping’an, who had enjoyed very little luck since transmigrating, found it almost unreal.
“Thank you, Teacher.” Zhu Ping’an was sincerely grateful. Master Sun was truly worthy of respect, a teacher of genuine virtue. Zhu Ping’an bowed deeply, bending so far that his head nearly reached his chest.
Master Sun thought Zhu Ping’an was about to kneel in gratitude. Even more pleased by what he took to be the boy’s pure and respectful character, he quickly reached out to stop him.
“There’s no need to rush. You can perform the formal respects tomorrow,” Master Sun said, patting Zhu Ping’an on the head. “That will do for today. Once the ceremony is complete tomorrow, you may enter the school and study properly. Go home and tell your parents and elders that I said there will be no tuition. Just come and learn.”
Beginning school in ancient times involved a fairly formal ceremony. A new pupil would first pay respects before Confucius and then formally acknowledge his teacher before truly entering the school. An auspicious time was often chosen for the ceremony as well. That was why Master Sun did not have Zhu Ping’an perform the rites immediately.
“Thank you, Teacher. I’ll go home and tell my parents,” Zhu Ping’an said sincerely, feeling fortunate to have met such a teacher.
“Go home early and inform your elders. Once you begin studying tomorrow, you must work hard. Otherwise, my ruler will show no mercy.”
With Zhu Ping’an’s admission settled, Master Sun returned to the classroom to continue teaching. Having discovered a promising new student, he seemed filled with fresh energy, and even his steps felt lighter.
Zhu Ping’an continued to listen to the class outside.
One was teaching earnestly, while the other was listening intently.
The one who suffered was Li Shu, the scheming little girl waiting outside the bamboo grove for the next part of The Legend of the Condor Heroes. She waited and waited, but Zhu Ping’an never came. Finally her proud little temper could bear it no longer, and she marched toward the private school with her riding whip in hand.
She thought to herself, I must teach that little poor boy a good lesson!
Just as Li Shu emerged from the bamboo grove, Zhu Ping’an noticed her. After being startled by the teacher earlier, he was more alert than usual. One look at her puffed cheeks and the little whip in her hand told him she had not come with friendly intentions. He could not afford trouble now; he needed to placate this little miss.
Zhu Ping’an hurried over before Li Shu could make a scene and disturb the class. Master Sun had only just promised to admit him without tuition; causing trouble with the little girl now would be disastrous. If the teacher changed his mind, Zhu Ping’an would have only himself to blame.