Chapter 21: Three Under One Roof

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He Qingxuan regarded Elder Ye’s questioning with indifference, a hint of sarcasm curling at the corner of his lips. “Isn’t that exactly what you’re trying to tell me?”

The two stood facing each other. Ye Chongwen clung to Chen Ping’s sleeve, shrinking behind him, too afraid to move.

“Unreasonable! Absolutely unreasonable!” Elder Ye’s face flushed with anger as he paced the room. Suddenly, he stopped abruptly in front of He Qingxuan. “Don’t think that reading a few days of books entitles you to recklessly assume what I think! Do you think I think this way, or is it you who thinks this way?”

“You’re the one who wants me to think this way!” He Qingxuan shouted back.

He had always known he was the son of a merchant and was well aware of how others viewed his status.

Because he was from a merchant family, no matter how hard he tried, there were always whispers behind his back, prodding at his spine, claiming that his family’s wealth was the only reason he gained favor from teachers or topped the ranks.

Now, Elder Ye’s words pierced straight to his heart: you are nothing but a merchant’s son.

Elder Ye’s anger was matched by pain; he pressed a hand to his chest as darkness swirled before his eyes.

After struggling to regain composure, he trembled as he extended a hand, pointing at He Qingxuan. “Listen to me carefully.”

Then he gestured toward Chen Ping. “You come, speak.”

“The four pillars of society—scholars, farmers, artisans, and merchants—all stand equal. Without scholars, there is no order; without farmers, no stability; without artisans, no strength; without merchants, no prosperity. It is precisely because of merchants that the goods the people produce circulate, and the nation flourishes. However... everything must have limits. Merchants are no exception. Excessive favoritism breeds trouble; proper regulation benefits both nation and people.”

Chen Ping had not intended to elaborate, but He Qingxuan’s attitude influenced him greatly. Perhaps recalling their earlier contest, Chen Ping voiced his thoughts.

Elder Ye nodded with satisfaction. “Well said, but not yet comprehensive enough.”

When his gaze turned back to He Qingxuan, all that remained was a long sigh.

“Go back and think it over.”

He Qingxuan stood silently, pondering for a long moment, then bowed and turned to leave.

In the days following the contest, Chen Ping did not see He Qingxuan at the academy.

He thought they would not meet again, but two days later, He Qingxuan arrived carrying a travel bag at the place where Chen Ping and Ye Chongwen lived.

Not only had he come, but a new bed was brought into the courtyard as well.

“What’s going on?” Ye Chongwen, holding a new storybook, bumped into the furniture movers as he returned from outside. “Is there a new arrival?”

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Chen Ping casually pointed to where He Qingxuan stood. “It’s someone familiar.”

Though He Qingxuan moved into the same courtyard, their age difference and differing studies meant he did not attend classes with them.

Children do not harbor grudges after a single contest, and living under the same roof led to inevitable conversations after class.

He Qingxuan often seized the chance to bring delicacies from an outside tavern, inviting Chen Ping and Ye Chongwen to share the feast.

Through these exchanges, the three quickly became friends.

Chen Ping learned that although He Qingxuan had been harshly critical of merchants that day, he admired his father deeply from a young age.

It was through his father that he first learned of Elder Ye’s existence and, having heard Elder Ye’s lectures at Jiangxia Academy, he wished to become his disciple.

He sighed with emotion, admitting he had not yet achieved that dream, but joked that becoming friends with Elder Ye’s students was a stroke of luck.

Chen Ping waved his hands in protest, but a cup of tea stopped him mid-sentence.

He Qingxuan, full of fighting spirit, raised his cup in a toast to Chen Ping.

“Next time, I will surely be the one to win the contest.”

“I can’t agree to that.” Chen Ping lifted his cup in return. “Next time, it should still be me.”

Their laughter met as they exchanged smiles.

Ye Chongwen, focused on his food, was drawn by their laughter and suddenly looked up. Not wanting to be left behind, he raised his cup with resolve.

“Can I join in? But please, no tests on reckoning.” His expression grew troubled at the mention of divination.

He Qingxuan was about to agree when Chen Ping feigned difficulty.

“No divination? Then what else? Poetry recitation or who grabs the newest storybook first?”

He Qingxuan laughed outright. Ye Chongwen, feeling teased, quickly defended himself.

“I... I’m pretty good at argument studies.”

Seeing the mood, Chen Ping rushed to add, “Yes, yes, your argument studies are excellent. I still have much to learn from you!”

This praise piqued He Qingxuan’s curiosity. “I’d really like to see that.”

Puffed up with pride, Ye Chongwen straightened his chest but then rubbed his hands bashfully. “Not really that great.”

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They all laughed together. The food on the table was nearly finished as dusk settled. After tidying up, the three returned to their rooms.

There was a county exam scheduled for late autumn next year. Since learning this from He Qingxuan, Chen Ping spent even longer hours buried in his books.

Time was tight and the tasks many. His mind was filled with classical rhetoric and poetry.

Ye Chongwen, usually carefree, was almost afraid to speak to Chen Ping for several days.

Sometimes, worried about disturbing his studies, he would cling to the window, watching inside, waiting for a moment Chen Ping might rest so he could call him out to eat.

Today, he stood outside the window again, shifting his weight from one foot to the other in a comical manner. He Qingxuan, just out of class, caught sight of this and called out.

Startled, Ye Chongwen hushed him in a low voice, “Keep it down. Chen Ping is still studying inside.”

“Then why are you standing out here?” He Qingxuan lowered his voice as well. “Why don’t you wait at my place for a while?”

Tempted, Ye Chongwen was distracted by a clatter from inside and hurried in. “What’s going on? What happened?”

Chen Ping lay on the floor, one hand clutching a book, the other steadying a lampstand, muttering, “It’s nothing, it’s nothing.”

He Qingxuan, arriving just after, was startled by the scene. Together with Ye Chongwen, they steadied the lamp and helped Chen Ping to his feet.

“You’re way too engrossed in your studies. Let me see what you’re reading.”

He glanced at the book Chen Ping held and gasped softly. “Just this one? The Great Learning?”

Chen Ping stood, rubbing his shin bruised by the lampstand, then hopped in place. “Of course, The Great Learning is very useful.”

That was true enough, but Ye Chongwen and He Qingxuan exchanged a look and decided to ignore that statement, for they had both suffered greatly under The Great Learning.

Its usefulness made them resent it all the more, especially when their teachers used it for exam questions—they wished the book did not exist at all.