CHAPTER 143: CHAPTER 143: READY TO BATTLE AT THE SLIGHTEST DISAGREEMENT

In the early morning, when the sun was about to rise and the white mist was about to dissipate, Tang Xiaobai, wrapped in a silver-white cloak and wearing a silver-white cap, rolled out of the main gate of the Duke Yan Mansion like a snowball.

Silently counting the days until the holiday, she looked up only to see a familiar, handsome young coachman standing by the carriage.

He seemed much more spirited than yesterday.

He was wearing a brand new, blue little padded jacket. The thick winter clothes couldn’t hide his handsome and upright figure, unlike her, who looked like a ball in winter clothing.

Though charming, Tang Xiaobai at this moment couldn’t bother to admire him.

"Didn’t I tell you to rest well at home?" Tang Xiaobai disapprovingly furrowed her brow.

"It’s just attending a lecture, nothing serious." The young coachman spoke obediently, with sincere and eager eyes.

Tang Xiaobai believed him.

What bad intentions could a child who loves to study have?

So she instructed another to drive the carriage and let him sit in the passenger seat, meanwhile explaining the recent learning progress all the way.

Arriving at the academy, the classes started normally at first.

Until Pei Xuan appeared at the entrance of Class B’s classroom.

"Second Miss Tang." Pei Xuan called her directly, without any hesitation.

Tang Xiaobai clearly felt the odd emotion behind her from the little patriarch.

Glancing back, she saw him retract his gaze slowly, giving her a faint smile, his expression showing no abnormality.

"Second Miss, may I have a word with you?" Pei Xuan continued.

Talk then, talk!

Tang Xiaobai stood up.

The slander against her brother and sister by this Pei was something that needed to be addressed!

Outside the classroom, Tang Xiaobai gave a slight bow, asking as if nothing was wrong, "What guidance does Senior Brother Pei have for me?"

Pei Xuan frowned as he looked at her, then he glanced at what was behind her.

Turning back to look, Tang Xiaobai saw the cold hostility in the young man’s eyes that he didn’t manage to hide.

Noticing her turning around, the little patriarch lowered his eyes, giving her another gentle, obedient smile.

Left without a choice, Tang Xiaobai turned back, saying indifferently, "Ah Xiao is my man, Senior Brother Pei, whatever you have to say, feel free to speak."

Pei Xuan looked at the boy behind the young girl who smiled silently, then shifted his gaze back to the inexplicably hostile young girl, frowning, "Have you memorized ’Xunzi’?"

Tang Xiaobai chuckled, "Senior Brother Pei has always looked down on people from the Duke Yan Mansion, so why bother if I memorize ’Xunzi’ or not?"

Pei Xuan frowned at her for a while, then abruptly raised his eyes, glancing afar, and asked, "Did Wei Sui say so?"

Tang Xiaobai turned back to look, only catching a glimpse of a large red robe vanishing.

"What does it matter who said it?" Tang Xiaobai looked back at him, "Will Senior Brother Pei admit it?"

Pei Xuan nodded, "Pei admits it."

A surge of anger shot to her head, prompting Tang Xiaobai to sneer repeatedly, "My sister managed the family’s affairs at the age of twelve, my brother went to war at fifteen, and compared to them, you’re just a playboy. Look down upon us? How dare you?"

As soon as she finished speaking, a stumbling noise came not far behind, followed by Wei Sui’s muffled laughter, "Pei Jiu haha... playboy..."

However, Pei Xuan did not change his color because of her words; he quietly waited for her to finish before speaking in his usual tone, "Tang Ziqian burned Confucius’ beard at seven, bullied the Pingyang Princess at nine, smashed the West Market at ten, destroyed the Confucius Temple at twelve, shot a Ministry of Rites official at thirteen, and at fifteen was punished to join the army in Liangzhou for destroying an imperial lantern tree—"

Tang Xiaobai’s face flushed red and then pale.

She really didn’t know her brother had achieved so much...

"As for Miss Tang’s past, Pei should not comment much, but Second Miss can find out herself."

Not wanting to lose face, Tang Xiaobai argued, "Those were just youthful indiscretions!"

Pei Xuan chose not to respond, saying, "The Duke Yan Mansion’s actions are indeed not something Pei agrees with. However, seeing Second Miss respecting teachers and embracing politeness, being pure-hearted, intelligent, and eager to learn, Pei felt reluctant to let talent go to waste, and thus, out of admiration for talent, took the liberty to speak out as fellow students."

Although the praise inflated her vanity, thinking of her brother and sister, Tang Xiaobai still didn’t want to be a traitor, lightly snorting, "Senior Brother Pei has misjudged me. The Duke Yan Mansion’s actions might be brazen, and I am part of the Duke Yan Mansion, so naturally I act brazenly too. If my brother destroyed the Confucius Temple, I have defiled the stone lions at the entrance of the Imperial College!"

Pei Xuan suddenly laughed, gently saying, "Everyone has moments of youthful recklessness. Pei was reckless back then too, which is why I indiscreetly commented on the Duke Yan Mansion—"

Tang Xiaobai looked at him suspiciously.

What does he mean?

"During this trip to Hedong, Pei personally witnessed General Tang excel in commanding troops and strategizing, proving himself to be a rare talent. Perhaps he was wildly arrogant in youth, but now he’s reborn, a pillar of talent. Compared to General Tang, Pei feels inferior," Pei Xuan truthfully sighed, "A person changes after three days. I spoke inappropriately before."

Since the other party admitted fault, more than half of Tang Xiaobai’s anger subsided, her expression softening, "It’s good you know... However, in this disaster relief in Hedong, it is said that Senior Brother Pei also contributed a lot. Though you may not match my brother, you did a fine job. I believe you will benefit the people when you enter officialdom in the future."

Pei Xuan smiled softly, "Pei wasn’t wrong when he said, Second Miss is indeed a rare diligent and kind person from the Duke Yan Mansion."

Tang Xiaobai blushed, "Senior Brother Pei overpraises."

"Have you memorized ’Xunzi’?"

"Yes." Although she thought about not tutoring under Pei Xuan anymore, her body sincerely memorized ’Xunzi.’

One cannot go against knowledge.

"Any parts you find difficult to understand?"

"Yes, there are a few parts..."

"Come with me, I’ll explain them to you in detail." Pei Xuan said, turning to lead the way.

Tang Xiaobai was just about to follow—

"Second Miss!"

Tang Xiaobai paused.

Ah! She remembered she promised the little patriarch last night not to study with Pei Xuan!

"Ahem!" Tang Xiaobai cleared her throat, seriously saying, "Senior Brother Pei, even if I don’t understand something, Tang Xiao can teach me, so you don’t need to trouble yourself."

Pei Xuan turned to look at the young man behind her.

This young man named Tang Xiao he recognized, not only because of the competition with Gongsun Yi, but also because they had crossed paths a few times during the trip to Hedong.

The competition with Gongsun Yi was fairly noteworthy, but there was nothing remarkable during the Hedong trip, just like an ordinary attendant merely following Tang Ziqian around.

"Do you also read ’Xunzi’?" Pei Xuan asked.

The young man nodded, his expression calm but clearly confident.

Pei Xuan frowned slightly.

Usually, after studying introductory texts like ’Thousand Character Classic’ and ’Rapid Composition,’ students proceed to ’Er Ya’ and ’Shuo Wen,’ followed by the Four Books.

The Four Books are concise yet rich in meaning, with many commentaries and interpretations. It takes three to five years to complete them.

Following are the Five Classics, Seven Classics, and Thirteen Classics, from which most students choose one or two to study.

However, ’Xunzi’ is not among these classics and is not highly regarded in modern times, so few young students read it.

This is precisely why he found Tang Xiaobai’s scholarly range surprising.

But if Tang Xiaobai only casually read a few lines, it was not odd.

Yet this Tang Xiao, no older than fourteen, dared to claim to have read ’Xunzi,’ Pei Xuan was not convinced.

"Xunzi said, people are born evil, and the good within them is artificial, while Mencius said ’there is no one who is not good.’ Which is better?"

Tang Xiaobai was excited by what she heard.

Are today’s youths so competitive? Argue at the drop of a hat?