CHAPTER 734: CHAPTER 734 MISS VEILED HAT

Lian Musu had never intended to demand the so-called "crying-for-daddy" gambling debt. After all, Scholar Zheng had no respect for Tian Cuozi, so much so that he would rather have no descendants than such a son. Lian Musu thought this matter would pass, as long as Tian Cuozi kept away from Scholar Zheng, knowing that he was not a petty man.

But his integrity and renown did not mean others would act the same.

Yesterday afternoon, they skipped class at the academy and went to Jingshui Tower, where they overheard someone boasting. Tian Cuozi actually claimed he was generous, saying he had won the bet but chose not to pursue Scholar Zheng, implying throughout that Scholar Zheng was a sore loser and lacked integrity. A group of people around them echoed this, exalting Tian Cuozi while disparaging Scholar Zheng.

The reputation of scholars is of utmost importance. Enraged by what they had heard, they immediately went to argue the point, only to find that Tian Cuozi, relying on the fact that there had been no written agreement and his supporters were all his own people at that time, who could not testify, arrogantly turned the tables. The two groups ended up in a scuffle and parted on bad terms.

That night, they were chased by a group looking to beat Scholar Zheng and only escaped disaster by encountering the night watch.

After careful analysis, they suspected it was Tian Cuozi’s doing, given that he was notoriously showy and from a noble family known for empty scholarship and being ridiculed by those who courted him, boasting a circle of fawning friends, many of whom were likely his household servants. That’s why they came to debate today.

Upon understanding the situation, Lian Musu was about to make a few comments when he heard Scholar Zheng fume, "What noble family? They just slap gold on their faces, and only ignorant fools believe that nonsense and try to cling on to them. I had already..."

He paused, then corrected himself, "I had already found out that he’s just a distant relation of the Tian Family, flaunting the power of the main line. Just wait, the main branch of the Tian Family isn’t having an easy time either. His day of reckoning will come soon."

Student Wu curiously asked, "Brother Zheng, do you know something?"

Scholar Zheng stumbled over his words, "This, this I heard by chance, it’s not necessarily true."

After saying this, he bit his lip in anger, "But if he dares to insult me like this again, he’ll pay dearly!"

It wasn’t that he had no one; he just didn’t want to involve his family.

Student Wu nudged him. Scholar Zheng came back to his senses and quickly composed himself, feeling embarrassed. The group then apologized to Lian Musu for their display of indignity in such a public and scholarly place, truly driven by outrage.

Lian Musu, with a smile, said that the "barking dog does not stop the sun from shining, though it causes much unnecessary bother." He could understand their feelings.

The group was visibly enlightened by his words, nodding in agreement, and Scholar Zheng, feeling validated, was especially excited.

But Lian Musu changed the tone of the discussion, quoting, "The sage has said, ’A gentleman has three cautions: in youth, when the blood is not yet settled, he must be cautious in his dealings with sex; in his prime, when the blood is vigorous, he must be cautious in conflict; in old age, when the blood weakens, he must be cautious in acquiring.’ Strife of ego helps nothing and is not the act of a gentleman. All of you are at the age to fortify your studies. Pursuing education is the correct path and you must never miss your academy classes."

Indeed, classes in the Capital’s major academies had not been suspended yesterday, thus their absence was truly truant, as were they at Shanxue Square that day...

The group flushed with embarrassment, all bowed and acknowledged the lesson learned. Some declared that they would not skip class anymore, but still wondered how they could allow Tian Cuozi to slander Scholar Zheng like this.

Lian Musu smiled mysteriously and said there was a way. He beckoned Scholar Zheng over and whispered a few words that made his eyes sparkle and widen with realization. He exclaimed, "Brother Lian, that could actually work?"

Though a bit proud, he was not foolish and quickly caught onto Lian Musu’s idea.

Lian Musu nodded slightly, "Help him gain fame and fulfill his wishes, and naturally you will achieve what you desire."

After speaking, he began to take his leave.

Scholar Zheng felt a passionate stir in his heart, deeply finding that listening to one conversation with you was better than ten years of reading, far better than those who merely read books. Reluctantly, he watched Lian Musu walk far, far away before finally withdrawing his gaze.

After Lian Musu had left, everyone could no longer hold back and began to ask what Lian Musu had said earlier.

Upon mentioning this, Scholar Zheng’s spirits soared, "To expose Tian Cuozi’s exaggerated boasts, after this, no one will believe him again."

He spoke softly to the others precisely and specifically like this, opening the eyes of many students. These people, with their simple minds, could never have thought of such a brilliant strategy.

Someone, with eyes shining, expressed their admiration from the bottom of their heart, "It does not go against what the sage has said, and yet it beautifies one’s actions, solving our problem at its root. Truly, this is a person of great talent..."

Another person added, "Yes, and to be able to apply it so flexibly. The Sage’s Book teaches us not to speak ill of others behind their backs, but it doesn’t say we can’t praise them."

There and then, Scholar Zheng declared with passionate ardor that he would take this matter upon himself, ensuring that Tian Cuozi would no longer be able to strut around among the Literati, and with that, he bade everyone farewell and went home.

Once home, he had his steward find a group of the most articulate old women and instructed that they be sent to all the gathering places of the literati and artists that day to spread around Tian Cuozi’s nonsensical poems while lavishly praising them to the skies.

Within a few days, it spread throughout the literati circles in the Capital that a surnamed Tian, shameless and despicable, was writing poems like dog droppings, daring to compare himself to the saintly poets. Thus, literati came forth in droves, armed with their pens to openly mock and subtly taunt him, and some even challenged Tian Cuozi, defeating him repeatedly until his reputation was in shambles. From then on, he no longer dared to attend poetry gatherings or go where the literati frequented.

Upon hearing this, Scholar Zheng laughed heartily three times, his admiration for Lian Musu flowing ceaselessly, and he pounded his chest regretting that they had been interrupted earlier, not knowing if Lian Musu would attend literary banquets or not.

But these are stories for another time.

Returning to the story, Lian Musu had at last shaken off a crowd of people and reached a quiet alley.

Rarely seeing his young master in such a disheveled state, Wu Sheng teased, "The Second Young Master was right, my lord. The moment you step out, even the roads jam up a bit. All those Scholars and young maidens stop in their tracks at the sight of you. Otherwise, you might consider wearing a Veiled Hat like those young ladies."

Lian Musu chuckled and gently scolded, "Don’t talk nonsense like my younger brother. Wait until it’s a bit quieter; you need to settle down and concentrate on your studies."

Wu Sheng immediately made a sour face, "My lord, this retribution has come too quickly. Otherwise, you should wear a broad hat. Your elegance makes the sun and moon pale in comparison. Without it, I worry we’ll be blocked by those Scholars and young maidens until it’s dark and we won’t be able to find the old lady, alas."

Lian Musu laughed and shook his head, feeling quite helpless.

Suddenly, a "pfft" sound came from beside them. Lian Musu and Wu Sheng turned their heads and saw a young lady with a Veiled Hat apparently covering her mouth to laugh, a breeze lifting the thin veil to reveal a glimpse of a beautiful face, accompanied by a maid also wearing a Veiled Hat.

Lian Musu immediately averted his gaze, bowed and said, "Excuse me," and turned to leave with Wu Sheng.