Chapter 88: Cui Zongzhi

"Princess, the essence of propriety lies in self-restraint and mutual respect. What you just struck is a ritual vessel, one that is only to be used at prescribed, customary times. To use it otherwise is to be disrespectful!" After speaking, Master Song smiled with ill intent; his stern face now seemed all the more insincere. His gaze swept over the dozens of students present as he stroked his beard, feeling that the princess had finally tripped up in his hands.

"So, propriety? My apologies, but when you smashed up the tavern, was that your idea of restraint? Of respect?" Anger surged as she heard these words. They spoke endlessly of etiquette and manners, but truly, they were wolves in sheep’s clothing, wielding words as weapons.

"Princess, you have come to the academy to discuss the classics. Regardless of status, propriety must be observed! Merchants are base; we, learned scholars, are naturally of a higher order. Who would degrade themselves by discussing etiquette with a mere dog?"

Wu Yueling’s lips twitched. Such logic! She was so suffocated by the absurdity, she could not even retort. In truth, all people are equal—who determines who is high or low? In his eyes, servants, merchants, and the poor were worth less than pigs or dogs.

Though she opposed such views, reality could not be ignored. Here, slaves existed only to be used by their masters; those deemed lowly were indeed scorned by the so-called superior class. She had not forgotten this was the ancient world. No amount of reasoning would change anything; her modern outlook was at odds with the world she inhabited.

Having grown accustomed to equality, she found the inequality here all the more jarring and infuriating. Eventually, one grew numb, but before that, should she at least try to make those around her feel equal? Perhaps she was being hypocritical, entertaining thoughts of overthrowing the entire world order and even acting upon them in her own absurd way.

No, perhaps it is only natural for living beings to struggle!

"Princess, do you think what I said makes sense?"

She cursed inwardly. What sense is there? The propriety he spoke of was only a matter of hierarchy. In her eyes, his words and actions were like a spear striking a shield—contradictory and fundamentally opposed! Yet the old man took delight in it, growing more aggressive by the moment.

"Master Song, may I say a word? I hope you will hear me."

To see the princess at a loss—how satisfying! From his perspective, the princess was not only in the wrong but had also misused the ritual vessel, violating protocol. She would likely face punishment, and he doubted such a delicate princess could endure the heavy blows of the ruler.

"Speak!"

Master Song wasted no time, waving his sleeve magnanimously for the student to speak, thinking to himself that since the princess had fallen into his hands, he would have to teach her well to present a satisfactory account to the sages.

"The princess is new here and touched the ritual vessel by mistake. Though it was wrong, she is young and it was her first offense. Some shortcomings are understandable, and I hope Master Song will be magnanimous."

Oh? Who is this fellow? She looked at him—refined features, a scholar’s white robe, a jade pendant of pale green at his waist, full cheeks, bright eyes, natural arched brows, and his hair bound with a blue ribbon. His scholarly demeanor was impeccable!

Master Song fell silent, vexed. He had been about to punish the princess, but did not expect Duke Cui to intercede for her.

"Since Duke Cui has pleaded on the princess’s behalf, let it be. But princess, do not touch the ritual vessels again. It is not only a loss of propriety, but of your own dignity as well!" Master Song suppressed his temper, returned to his seat, and resumed reciting the classics, ignoring the scene below.

"Thank you," Wu Yueling said as she made her way to a seat, uncertain where to sit, and realizing she had no books.

"Sit here," the young man offered. "My surname is Cui, given name Zongzhi. You must be the famous Princess Guardian, Wu Yueling. There’s been much talk about you on the streets lately."

She did not refuse and sat beside him. Sitting on her knees was still uncomfortable.

She had no desire to engage with this white-robed scholar, but without a book, she could only take out her small notebook made of bamboo pen and rice paper.

"Here, take this," Cui Zongzhi said, handing her a copy of the Analects, smiling kindly.

"No need. Don’t you need it?" she asked, glancing at him. If he hadn’t spoken up for her earlier, she would have ignored him entirely. She was only here to make an appearance, with little interest.

"Heh, Princess, you may not know, but I’ve memorized this book from cover to cover. Besides, Master Song is lecturing on it for the second time; I understand most of the principles already."

She dropped the pretense. Since he insisted, she accepted it reluctantly. The book, with its ink-blue cover, was the Analects, Volume One... She weighed it in her hand—it was as thick as Master Song’s skin. Though it was said half the Analects could govern the world, there were plenty who knew the whole book, yet the world remained unchanged.

She opened it only to snap it shut immediately—an entire page of archaic prose in vertical script—utterly unbearable. She picked up her bamboo pen and, almost unconsciously, began sketching a turtle in her notebook...

Seeing that the princess ignored him, Cui Zongzhi joined the other scholars, swaying as they read aloud from another book, growing more and more enthusiastic and loud, until their voices drowned out the rest.

"Ah, here comes Duke Cui again!"

"To reach such a state in reading is truly our model!"

Wu Yueling glanced at Cui Zongzhi, now nearly roaring. Was he mad? His voice was thunderous! She covered her ears, looking in astonishment at him reciting long passages with fervor. Unable to endure it, she flung the Analects at him.

Smack!

Cui Zongzhi’s voice stopped abruptly. He opened his eyes, which had been closed in enjoyment, and looked at the princess in confusion, then at the Analects that had slid from his face into his lap.

"Princess... My apologies, I’m sorry. I’m used to reading this way. Please forgive me!" He had intended to ask why she was angry, but realized his loud recitation might have disturbed her. After all, no one ever sat near him during morning readings—he was self-aware enough to know why.

"What animal are you?"

"Princess, do you mean my zodiac sign? I was born in the year of the Rooster! A big rooster..."

"No wonder you’re such a loudmouth!"

Watching Cui Zongzhi’s silly grin, Wu Yueling rolled her eyes, wondering if she should change seats—he was far too noisy!

"Princess, do you mind my reading voice?"

"Yes, I mind it very much."

Her bluntness pierced his heart. It was indeed because of his loud reading voice that others avoided sitting near him during morning sessions. He would have to restrain himself.

Wu Yueling noticed he suddenly wilted like a frostbitten eggplant. She took back the Analects he handed her, ignored him, and on the second page of her notebook, sketched another iron turtle, this time modeled after Master Song at the lectern.