Professor Sage's Eccentricity
Outside an elegant and secluded courtyard beyond Qingmiao City.
Li Yanhao stepped down from the carriage, followed closely by Lingdang, who then helped Su Li descend.
"This place is quite serene. It seems Professor Sage you mentioned is quite refined," Su Li remarked.
Li Yanhao chuckled and said, "Of course, who else would he be introduced by? Professor Sage was a scholar at the Hanlin Academy during the reign of the late emperor. After the emperor passed away, he returned to his hometown to live in seclusion. Professor Sage and my father are old acquaintances; he's extremely kind and loves those eager to learn. If we can persuade him this time to appoint two teachers from his disciples, that would be perfect."
Su Li said happily, "The disciples of a Hanlin Academy scholar must be far superior in knowledge and character compared to the students or classmates from Qingmiao Academy's Dean Zhang!"
Li Yanhao replied, "Naturally! Professor Sage, like me, has a fondness for good food. Today, Alie, you must show off your cooking skills. Maybe if Professor Sage is pleased, he'll agree to recommend a few teachers for us!"
Su Li directed the coachman to unload some cooking tools and ingredients she brought along, smiling, "Alright, just watch my culinary skills! If this meal can help Haizi Village get a few good teachers, it would be a great merit. They say great teachers produce outstanding students. If we can really invite Professor Sage's disciples to teach, maybe Haizi Village will produce some top scholars in the future!"
Li Yanhao respectfully handed a letter of introduction to a boy at the gate, saying, "Please inform Professor Sage that I am the Crown Prince of Huainan, here to pay my respects."
The boy smiled, "Oh, I recognize you. You came a few days ago. The master said if the Crown Prince arrives, just let him in directly."
Li Yanhao smiled at the boy and led Su Li and Lingdang inside, while the boy directed the coachmen to carry their belongings to the kitchen.
Inside the courtyard, Su Li saw winding paths leading to secluded spots, beautiful and elegant. From the bamboo grove came faint sounds of a guqin, deeply enchanting.
A boy specially assigned to guide them led the way further ahead.
Li Yanhao dropped his playful expression and followed the guqin music with Su Li and Lingdang to find the master.
The guiding boy whispered to Su Li, "You’re here to cook for the master, right? Our master has a peculiar habit—ordinary cooks don’t meet his standards. I don’t know if he’ll accept the cooks you brought today."
"Oh? What kind of peculiarity?" Su Li asked curiously.
The boy sized up Su Li, showing a hint of disdain, shook his head, and smiled, "You’re the cook, right? I bet you’re a woman, and that definitely won’t do."
"What’s wrong with being a woman?" Su Li retorted, feeling indignant. Why did this young boy look down on women so much!
Seeing Su Li’s defiance, the boy’s tone was full of contempt, "Tsk, if you end up getting rejected by the master, don’t blame me for not warning you. You’re asking for trouble. Don’t come crying or blaming me later."
Su Li saw the boy’s obvious disdain, and just as she was about to defend herself, they had already arrived.
In the bamboo pavilion within the courtyard, an elderly man with an ethereal and Daoist aura sat cross-legged. A guqin rested on his lap as he played intently, seemingly lost in a state of trance.
Li Yanhao glanced at Su Li and made a waiting gesture. He didn’t step forward but stood respectfully outside the pavilion.
Su Li looked at Li Yanhao’s rare serious and respectful demeanor, thinking to herself that she didn’t know if Professor Sage was impressive, but his boy certainly knew how to belittle people. She wondered if the boy’s attitude was influenced by his master.