Chapter 305: Inquiring in the Study - Part One

n, trustworthiness, loving all beings, befriending virtuous people, and learning literature—seven parts. It is especially suitable for child education and can be considered the best reading material f...After dinner, the guests left one after another. Sun Yu escorted Xu Huaiyi out, and when he was finished, he was called to the study by Sun Shangshu.

Xu Huaiyi had long expected something like this, so he had thought up reasonable explanations for various problems beforehand and was not afraid of any questioning.

On the way to the study, Sun Yuyan tried to comfort him insincerely, "Don't be nervous, your master is very kind to his juniors."

Xu Huaiyi glanced at him and smiled sheepishly. Do you believe what he said

Sun Yu cleared her throat nervously. "Just tell him whatever he asks, honestly. You won't get scolded."

Xu Huaiyi nodded, and said very sincerely, "Disciple is not afraid of being scolded."

When elders scold you, it means they care about you and want to teach you. They wouldn't bother putting in the effort if they didn't. If they didn't care, they would just let you be, whether you were foolish or not, and live a carefree life.

Of course, he wouldn't stand for baseless insults and abuse.

Sun Yu saw that he wasn't pretending to be calm, and smiled with relief. "That's good. Don't be afraid of being scolded. Rest assured, your master isn't someone who gets angry for no reason. If he's willing to scold someone, it means that person has caught his eye. It's definitely something to be proud of and happy about."

Such pride and joy are beyond the comprehension of ordinary people.

All of Sun's descendants, including him, wished that the old man would ignore them. The more thorough the ignoring, the better their lives would be. After all, once that old man opened his mouth, his words were as poisonous as if smeared with rouge, capable of making you question your very existence.

The master and his apprentice went back and forth for a long time, finally arriving at the study. This place was a bit far from the main courtyard, but it was meticulously decorated everywhere. Even in winter, there was no sense of desolation.

Someone was guarding outside the door. Upon seeing Sun Yu, they respectfully called out, "Second Master." Then, seeing Xu Huaiyi, they quickly added, "Young Master Xu" with discernment.

Sun Yu nodded and turned to introduce Xu Huaiyi, "This is the old master's errand boy, Qing Shi. He and Qing Quan, who are by my side, are brothers."

The two brothers served respectively by the father and son's sides, it can be seen that Sun Yu was still very important to Sun Shangshu in this family. He was completely not afraid of people around him passing messages to his son.

Xu Huaiyi greeted with a smile, his affability was not self-promotion. No matter what identity someone had, as long as he was willing, they could get along very comfortably with him.

Indeed, when treated with warmth by Qing Shi, he appeared more approachable.

Sun Yu chuckled, feeling both curious and expectant. He secretly wished his own father could be subdued by Xu Huaiyi as easily. That way, when he got scolded later, he'd have an apprentice to help him take the brunt of it.

He entered the study, Xu Huaiyi's eyes straight ahead, closely following Sun Yu's footsteps. He had thought there might be a third interrogation, but who knew, in this spacious room, which was a bit excessive, there was only Sun Shangshu alone.

Sun Yu had always had a shadow over this place since he was young. This time, he really couldn't avoid it, and he couldn't lose face in front of his disciples. He gritted his teeth and stepped forward to bow, "Father..."

Xu Huaiyi followed suit, respectfully calling out, "Master."

He put on a serious face but internally, he was wildly criticizing. Sun Shangshu looked to be around fifty years old. Although he had a beard, his back was straight and he was full of energy, not showing his age at all. At this age, calling him master felt awkward because in his past life, he was almost thirty.

Sun Shangshu, while looking over the thin booklet in his hand, lifted his head slowly upon hearing the sound. "You're here, please all sit down. Zhi An, pour some tea..."

"Yes, sir..."

Luò Zhì'ān was Sun Shangshu's close attendant and the steward of the outer courtyard. He held quite a bit of influence in the Sun family, even Sun Yù treated him with respect, "Uncle Luò, no need, I can just stand for a while."

Lo Ji'an smiled and said, "Second Master, please sit down. Standing for so long must be tiring."

Sun Yu thought to himself, "Sitting is more tiring."

When the master refused to sit, Xu Huaiyi helplessly could only accompany him. Even when Lao Luo, the steward, poured him tea, he couldn't drink it. He received it with both hands and thanked him, then honestly put it back on the table.

Seeing the situation, Sun Shangshu did not press further. He went straight to the point and asked, “Huayi, where did you get this booklet”

The tone was neither harsh nor fierce, calm and devoid of any discernible emotion, yet it inexplicably created a tense atmosphere in the study.

Son Yu subconsciously spoke for his disciple, "Father, what scroll"

Sun Shangshu glanced at him faintly, "None of your business, stand aside."

Sun Yu, “…”

He turned his head and gave Xu Huaiyi a look that said, "My teacher has done my best, but I'm powerless to help. You fend for yourself." Then he nimbly darted aside, no longer daring to shield his disciple from the bullets.

Xu Huaiyi, “…”

This master, when it comes to the crunch, isn't very reliable.

Although he wasn't afraid, didn't the master acting so cowardly risk losing his dignity

Suppressing his speechless complaints, he politely said, "Master ancestor, are you referring to that booklet on accounting techniques"

Sun Shangshu nodded, "This booklet, I've never seen its content in any other book. Looking at the handwriting, it's very similar to the other books you sent, written by one person, wouldn't you say"

Xu Huaiyi said, "Master ancestor is truly wise and perceptive. It was indeed written by the same person."

Sun Yu heard that, his mouth twitched involuntarily. This sycophant, as long as one has eyes, wouldn't he be able to tell just by looking at the handwriting

Sun Shangshu also made him a little speechless. He was just a bit dizzy, but not blind, "Who wrote that"

Xu Huaiyi said proudly, "This was written by my grandson's daughter-in-law."

This answer clearly surprised Sun Shangshu, who exclaimed, “Oh” He inquired curiously, "Is your wife proficient in this"

Xu Huaiyi said boldly, "That's right. My wife is quite talented in arithmetic. So my father-in-law focused on teaching her about this aspect of knowledge. She was already smart and with the guidance of my father-in-law, she quickly grasped concepts and applied them widely. Over the years, she has gained some experience. Knowing that Master oversees all affairs in the Ministry of Revenue, she wanted to show her appreciation. If it could be of use to Master, nothing would be better."

Sun Shangshu was speechless for a moment after hearing this.

Sun Yu pretended to scold, "How can you speak like that You're not humble at all..."

What talent, intelligence, quick wit and a bit of insight These are just polite compliments to others. What does it mean to boast about your own wife Is this like the old saying "The watermelon seller praising his own watermelons"

Xu Huaiyi looked utterly bewildered and innocent, "But what my disciple said is the truth. It's impossible for me to lie to my master just to appear humble, isn't that disrespectful Besides, excessive humility is actually a form of pride. My disciple would rather be sincere than deceive you."

Sun Yu, "…"

You're being too honest.

Xu Huaiyi turned his head to look at Sun Shangshu, "Master, shouldn't a disciple speak truthfully"

Sun Shangshu, who was sipping tea, nearly choked on his mouthful upon hearing this. He coughed twice and said with a complex expression, "It's only right, being an honest person is quite good."

Xu Huaiyi immediately said with joy, "Thank you, Master, for your praise. I dare to ask, Master, what do you think of the contents in this book Is there any value in learning from it"

Sun Shangshu frowned, "Well, that's quite good..."

Xu Huaiyi smiled and said, "Is that right My grandson also feels the same way. My granddaughter-in-law is even afraid that you will look down on her and think what she wrote is childish, but although my grandson doesn't quite understand it, he can still taste some practical value in it. Now that you have given your approval, when I go back, I will tell her, and she will be very happy."autiously, "Did they complain to Village Head Xu"Diǎndiǎn nodded, his tall and sturdy frame etched with worry. All the members of the Gao family had left with the main group at that time, none were mi...