Chapter 124: Misunderstanding

"Hey, wake up!"

"Chen Ji, wake up!"

Someone heavily patted Chen Ji's shoulder. In his dream, he subconsciously turned his body and grabbed that hand, twisting the other party's right hand behind their back.

The person being held cried out in pain, "It hurts! Let go quickly!"

Chen Ji suddenly woke up. This wasn't the inner prison, nor the sea of fire by the Peony Bridge, much less the dangerous city gate cave.

His nostrils inhaled the thick scent of books and the smell of pine incense and ink from Zhixing Academy.

Here, there were only rows of bookshelves, and no swords or killing intent.

Chen Ji quickly let go. When he looked closely, he suddenly realized he had just grabbed Zhang Xia, who was wearing a fiery red outfit.

Bad!

Why did I grab this one?

Zhang Xia rubbed her wrist, frowning, "What kind of habit is this? Sleeping standing up is one thing, but you hit people when you wake up?"

Chen Ji explained, "Sorry, sorry, I was half asleep. I was just having a nightmare where someone was chasing me. When I was woken up, I subconsciously wanted to resist."

Zhang Xia eyed Chen Ji suspiciously.

She recalled the scene just now and only felt that the other party was extremely fast. She had no time to react before her right hand was caught and she couldn't move.

Chen Ji politely asked, "Second Miss Zhang, how about you follow me back to Taiping Medical Hall later? I'll ask my master to prescribe some medicine for bruises for you to apply."

However, Zhang Xia waved her small hand, "No need, I'm not that delicate."

Chen Ji asked again, "Second Miss Zhang, why did you call out to me just now?"

Zhang Xia spoke directly, "Previously, I misunderstood my father's words and thought we had a marriage arrangement based on medicine. Under impulse, I ran over and said some inexplicable things to you. I was just looking for you to apologize, but since you twisted my arm today, we're even."

Chen Ji was doubtful, "Apologize?"

Zhang Xia hummed, "If you want me to apologize, it's no harm for me to apologize."

Chen Ji looked at Zhang Xia. Her phoenix eyes were like two willow leaf knives, sharp and direct.

He thought for a moment and said, "It was just a misunderstanding earlier, no need to apologize to me. It's good that we cleared it up. I wish Second Miss Zhang finds a good match."

Zhang Xia looked at Chen Ji, "You weren't angry earlier, right?"

Chen Ji didn't want to get too entangled, "No anger, let's just let this matter go."

"Okay!"

Zhang Xia saw the matter turn a new page and then asked, "Why were you late today? Why do you look like you haven't slept all night?"

Chen Ji didn't speak.

Zhang Xia's words changed direction, "I heard my father say that you are now on bad terms with Official Chen and unwilling to return to the Chen family. But you have the ambition to establish your own path and now have the opportunity to learn from Mister Wang. You should cherish it, why abandon yourself?"

Chen Ji said seriously, "I indeed had an important matter to attend to. Being late was not my original intention."

Zhang Xia was doubtful, "What matter?"

"Sorry, I cannot say."

Zhang Xia said solemnly, "Today is the first day of school. Even if there was a matter as big as the sky, you should have put it off. This is not only being responsible for your own future destiny, but also showing respect to Mister Wang. Mister Wang is a man of high virtue and great reputation. It's not easy for ordinary scholars to even meet him. I hope you can correct your attitude and learn well from him."

Chen Ji said softly, "Being late on the first day of school is indeed wrong. I will apologize to Mister Wang shortly."

Zhang Xia looked at the red bloodshot in his eyes and said suspiciously, "You wouldn't really go to the gambling house, like the rumors on the street say, would you?"

Chen Ji said calmly, "Whatever Second Miss Zhang thinks."

As soon as his words fell, a voice from the side said, "If he didn't go gambling, how would he be late?"

Chen Ji looked over and saw Chen Wenzong and Chen Wenxiao coming out side by side. Chen Wenxiao continued with a mocking tone, "Zhang Xia, he definitely went gambling last night. You must be extremely careful, lest Official Zhang really wants to marry you to..."

Zhang Xia suddenly interrupted Chen Wenxiao, "How can you be so arbitrary without evidence? Who I marry or don't marry, what does it have to do with you?"

Chen Wenxiao was startled.

Zhang Xia said disdainfully, "Even if I really had a marriage arrangement with him, that's between him and me. I can say he's good, but you can't say he's not. Don't think I don't know how you got that Qiu Wei Jing Kui. I asked my father to copy the records of your several articles. Chen Wenzong and Lin Chaojing returned their names true to form, but the 'Cure Country Policy' you wrote is utter nonsense. I don't know what you've learned in the Donglin Academy these three years?"

Chen Wenxiao's face instantly turned red, "You, how can you be so ungrateful. I was just speaking up for you."

"I still need you to speak up for me?"

Zhang Xia scoffed, "I heard you've been attending banquets everywhere recently, accepting congratulations from others. I advise you to just stay at home properly, lest you talk about articles with people and make them laugh their heads off."

Chen Ji was also startled. This Second Miss Zhang had a sharp tongue.

She wasn't just targeting him, but generally looking down on ignorant people.

At this time, White Carp County Lord and the World Son had just bid farewell to Wang Daosheng and were walking into the front hall when they saw Zhang Xia speaking with great momentum.

White Carp stepped forward and blocked Chen Ji, raising her delicate eyebrows and saying, "Zhang Xia, what do you want to do again?"

Zhang Xia glanced at White Carp, then at Chen Ji, and let out a light 'eh'.

Before she could even speak, a horse carriage stopped at the entrance.

Zhang Zhuo lifted the carriage curtain and leaned out to greet the crowd in the front hall, "Everyone is here."

The World Son, White Carp, Chen Wenzong, and others all quickly cupped their hands and bowed, "Official Zhang."

Zhang Xia came to the entrance and asked curiously, "Father, why are you here?"

Zhang Zhuo laughed happily, "Just happened to be passing by, picking you up to go home."

Zhang Xia frowned, "I'm not a child anymore. No need for you to pick me up. If others see it, they'll think I'm spoiled."

"It's on the way, and a father picking up his daughter is only natural. Others won't say anything."

Zhang Zhuo jumped off the horse carriage, bypassed Zhang Xia, and pulled Chen Ji to the side.

The crowd in the front hall exchanged glances. Zhang Xia looked at her father's distracted back and suddenly felt that he wasn't here to pick her up, but to find an excuse to find Chen Ji.

Behind a bookshelf, Zhang Zhuo lowered his voice and asked, "Do I need to explain to Wang Daosheng?"

Chen Ji looked strangely at Zhang Zhuo, "When did Official Zhang discover my identity?"

Zhang Zhuo proudly stroked his beard, "This official has an unforgettable memory. I can recognize someone just by the sound of their footsteps."

Chen Ji sighed inwardly, cupped his hands and said, "I hope Official Zhang will help keep it a secret."

Zhang Zhuo laughed, "Rest assured, rest assured."

As he spoke, Zhang Zhuo's expression darkened, "It's just a pity that you couldn't go the proper imperial examination route. Otherwise, after the palace exam next year, you could assist me and it would be like a tiger gaining wings. Now that you've entered the Directorate of Ceremonial, you'll be a eunuch party for life. Those civil officials will never accept you again."

"Thank you for your good intentions, Official Zhang, but it's no hindrance."

Zhang Zhuo asked, "About your being late today, do I need to go explain to Wang Daosheng?"

"No need!"

Chen Ji shook his head, "I'll go apologize to Mister Wang myself. Official Zhang, you shouldn't stay here either, it's easy to arouse suspicion."

"Okay!"

Zhang Zhuo turned and walked outside, taking Zhang Xia by the wrist and leading her onto the horse carriage.

Inside the horse carriage, Zhang Xia looked at her father, "You didn't come to pick me up, did you? You clearly came specifically to find Chen Ji."

Zhang Zhuo thought for a moment and explained, "Yesterday you acted rashly, running over and saying a bunch of nonsense to Chen Ji. I should go explain it to him myself."

Zhang Xia quickly said, "Father, rest assured, I've already made it clear with him. He and I don't have a marriage contract. However, this Chen Ji is also very strange. He was late on the first day of school. No wonder everyone says he's rotten mud that can't be supported on the wall."

Zhang Zhuo was speechless for a moment.

He gently lifted the carriage curtain and looked at Chen Ji standing at the academy entrance, preparing to watch the horse carriage leave.

Clearly, this young man had performed great deeds last night, saving several thousand households of common people in front of the West City Gate, yet he couldn't tell the people around him.

Zhang Zhuo sighed softly, "Being misunderstood probably tastes terrible."

Zhang Xia said strangely, "Father, what are you saying?"

Zhang Zhuo put down the curtain and said casually, "Daughter, when you look at people, don't just listen to what others say, you have to understand for yourself."

Zhang Xia said, "Let him be. Anyway, in the future, we'll have nothing to do with each other. What kind of person he is doesn't concern me."

After saying that, she actually jumped off the horse carriage and shouted, "Zao Zao!"

The next moment, a date-red swift horse galloped out from a small alley.

When Zao Zao passed by Zhang Xia, its footsteps didn't stop. The girl's eyes were quick and her hands were fast as she grabbed the horse saddle, lightly leaped, and mounted the horse's back: "Father, go home yourself. Never come to pick me up again!"

Zhang Zhuo sat inside the carriage, looking at the girl urging her horse away, and said faintly, "Daughter, you said that early."

In the front hall of Zhixing Academy.

Chen Wenzong and Chen Wenxiao had already left in their horse carriage.

White Carp gently tugged Chen Ji's sleeve, "I asked my mother about it yesterday. That Zhang Xia is just a lawless crazy girl. You must never take her words to heart. Years ago, she audited at the Capital Guozi Jian and made several of the doctors there angry. But Elder Xu dotes on her, and Xu Shu, the Deputy Director of the Qin Tian Jian, also spoils her. No one can do anything about her."

Chen Ji smiled and said, "It's alright. County Lord and World Son, you can return to the Wang residence for now. I still need to go face Mister Wang and apologize."

The World Son shrank his neck, "Then you have to be careful. Mister Wang is very strict, and we can't help you either."

Saying that, the World Son pulled White Carp and walked outside.

White Carp frowned, "Brother, don't pull me! We should also go help Chen Ji beg for mercy."

The World Son whispered, "What would we do going together? Get scolded together? Mister Wang hasn't liked me for a long time."

Chen Ji listened to their voices gradually fade away, straightened his clothes, and walked into the backyard.

The backyard was clean and tidy. In the southwest corner, a plum tree was planted. At this time, the flower buds had already formed, waiting to bloom.

That Mister Wang, wearing a blue Confucian robe, held a classic book in his hand. A white paper flower was pinned to his chest. He stood under the plum tree, lost in thought.

Chen Ji stood still from a distance, cupped his hands and bowed, "Mister, last night because of a matter..."

Wang Daosheng didn't even turn his head, only looked at the plum blossom and calmly asked, "Was it a very important matter?"

Chen Ji said seriously, "It was."

Wang Daosheng said indifferently, "Do you feel it was more important to be on time for school today, or to accomplish this matter?"

Chen Ji hesitated for a moment, "Accomplishing this matter was more important."

Wang Daosheng said calmly, "That's enough."

Chen Ji was doubtful, "Mister?"

Wang Daosheng's gaze slowly swept over, "My Zhixing Academy doesn't give you an official future, it can only teach you the way of being a person. But even principles as big as the sky cannot go against your original heart. If your original heart is flawless, follow your original heart."

Chen Ji cupped his hands and bowed again, "Understood."

Wang Daosheng walked towards the main room. Before entering the room, he changed his words, "But you must remember, bad rules must be punished. The rules of the world are like this, and the rules of my Zhixing Academy are also like this. If you are late again next time, then you will be punished."

"Understood!"

Chen Ji looked at the empty yard and then at the plum tree. He only felt that this Wang Daosheng was a bit strange, different from Zhang Zhuo, and also different from Chen Liqin.

He seemed like someone who rebelled against classical reading, only lecturing his own principles.

Chen Ji took a deep breath, turned around, and walked outside.

But as soon as he stepped out of the door, he was startled. He saw Gold Pig squatting on the opposite side of the street, wearing a bamboo hat and occasionally glancing at the breakfast shop next door.

In the oil pot in front of the shop, vegetable corners and fried dough sticks were bubbling.

Chen Ji glanced left and right on Anxi Street and then quickly came to Gold Pig, "Official Gold Pig, we just separated a few hours ago, no need to miss me so much."

Gold Pig heard the sound, suddenly looked up, and his eyes burst with light, "When did I ever want to keep finding you? It's your cultivation path advancement that has been sent to Luo City. Strange, strange, the letter requesting merit for you should have just arrived in the capital, how did your cultivation path advancement get sent over so quickly?!"