Chapter 23: When Reason Fails, Let Fists Speak!

In the following half month, Cheng An lived quite comfortably. Each day, aside from reading and writing, he devoted himself to studying classical texts and essays. The enlightenment process was relatively simple now. Apart from some rather obscure ancient and modern wise writings, Cheng An had already committed the rest to memory. This was largely thanks to the thoughtless Cheng Xiaoyuan, who carelessly left books lying about, inadvertently giving him the chance to prepare in advance during childhood. His diligence and intelligence only deepened Du Xiu’s fondness for him.

An eight-year-old child, just beginning formal learning, was able to master various teaching materials thoroughly within a mere fortnight, even quoting classics and references. Wasn’t this a genius? Especially since this student was not only intelligent and eager to learn but also humble and courteous. What child wouldn’t be admired? Perhaps because of Du Xiu’s special favor towards him, his wife and eldest disciple also extended their kindness, always saving some treats for him.

In the little kitchen in the backyard,

“Smells good, doesn’t it?”

“Mm-hmm!” Cheng An nodded unclearly, his mouth full of a whole roasted egg.

Du Qingqing smiled gently, wiping crumbs from the corner of his mouth and reminded him, “Remember to rinse your mouth after eating; don’t let those boys see, or they’ll cause a fuss again.”

“Okay!”

“Eldest sister, you’re really kind.”

Cheng An smiled with narrowed eyes.

Du Qingqing patted his shoulder like a sister would her younger brother and murmured, “Sister once had a younger brother too. If he were alive, he’d be about your age now, I suppose?”

Cheng An was momentarily stunned.

“So old-fashioned, huh?”

“What?”

“N-nothing…”

He hurriedly swallowed the egg in his mouth.

“I’ve washed those few clothes of yours; remember to hang them up later…”

Du Qingqing smiled again and pulled out a stack of papers from the cabinet. “These are sheets of Xuan paper I secretly saved for you. Use them sparingly, alright?”

“Eldest sister…”

Cheng An suddenly looked up, his eyes reddening.

He quietly regarded the gentle and pretty girl before him.

In that fleeting moment, it was as if he saw a shadow of his mother in Du Qingqing.

“Eh, eh, eh?”

“Crying?”

Du Qingqing teased him lightly, “Where’s the manliness? Aren’t you ashamed? Study hard in the future; if you top the imperial exams, won’t sister’s face be brightened too?”

“I will!”

Cheng An carefully held the Xuan paper, his tone resolute.

It was as if he had made a firm resolve.

As he returned to the main hall, the warmth in his heart lingered long.

In these times, no household was wealthy. Though Du Xiu, the teacher, was respected, his annual income was modest, especially in the countryside, where tuition arrears were common.

Yet the teacher and eldest sister still treated him so generously.

That was true kindness to remember!

At this moment, Cheng An even began to understand old Han’s feelings.

They say to “treat everyone equally,” but who can truly be impartial?

Du Xiu favored him because of his intelligence, while his wife and Du Qingqing cared for him because he was obedient and sensible.

What about the other children?

But such thoughts were fleeting.

He was not a saint!

Nor did he possess the lofty virtue of “equality for all beings.”

…

In a bright classroom, Cheng An lay quietly on the desk, silently reciting.

“Thief!”

“Are you annoying or what?”

His thoughts were interrupted.

He turned and glared at Cheng Xiaoyuan.

Since the last time the teacher harshly reprimanded him, Cheng Xiaoyuan had been obedient for a long time, only daring to speak useless slanders behind others’ backs.

Cheng An had ignored these entirely.

Not out of magnanimity, but because he was too lazy to bother with such childish tricks.

“Dare to do but not to admit?”

“Where did you get this Xuan paper?”

Cheng Xiaoyuan snatched the Xuan paper from Cheng An’s desk. The delicate sheets crumpled instantly under his grip.

“Your mother!”

Cheng An suddenly stood up.

His gaze gradually turned cold. “Put it down.”

“Only the teacher has Xuan paper; where did you get it?”

“I’ll say it again—”

“Put it down!”

Cheng An slowly clenched his fists.

Cheng Xiaoyuan raised his head and sneered, “Can’t say it, huh? Everyone, come see! Our academy has a thief! Even stealing from the teacher!”

A crowd of children gathered.

Cheng Xiaoyuan grew even more smug, sneering, “See? I told you he’s no good! Copying others’ poetry outside, stealing the teacher’s Xuan paper at the academy, and… his father steals money at home, his mother’s out cheating; the whole family’s trash…”

Bang!

Cheng An suddenly stood up.

With a punch, he struck Cheng Xiaoyuan’s face.

Before he could react, Cheng An grabbed the inkstone on the table, leapt on him, and smashed it repeatedly on his face.

Thud!

Thud…

Cheng Xiaoyuan was stunned before he could retaliate.

But Cheng An showed no sign of stopping, each blow harder than the last.

Blood ran down Cheng Xiaoyuan’s cheek.

He wailed hoarsely.

But soon fell silent…

All the children were terrified and ran out in a panic.

“Murder! Cheng An killed someone!”

“Cheng An beat someone to death!”

Hearing the commotion, Du Qingqing stood frozen at the door, then hurried inside.

“That’s enough, Cheng An!”

She grasped his arm firmly and shouted, “Killing someone means you pay with your life! Don’t you want to study anymore? What about your father and mother… what will become of them?”

“He ruined the paper Sister gave me!”

Cheng An’s eyes were bloodshot.

His hands choked Cheng Xiaoyuan’s neck tightly, veins bulging.

Du Qingqing’s face flushed with worry and anger, scolding, “It’s just a few sheets of paper. Sister will save more for you later! Be good… listen, let him go first.”

“But he insulted my parents!”

“This…”

Du Qingqing frowned slightly.

In the Great Zhou Dynasty, the law was explicit: anyone who insulted another’s parents could be killed!

This was no joke.

In this era where filial piety was paramount, if someone insulted your parents and you remained unmoved, outsiders would not pity you but despise you!

“Stop!”

Du Xiu hurried over after hearing the news.

When he saw Cheng Xiaoyuan’s bloodied face and fainted form, he was stunned, then pulled Cheng An away and wiped the blood from his hands with a handkerchief.

Then he asked, “Why did you hit him?”

“He ruined the Xuan paper Sister gave me and insulted my parents!”

Cheng An’s tone was calm, as if none of it had happened.

“That still doesn’t justify…”

The blows were too severe!

It was hard to imagine such acts from an eight-year-old, especially since Cheng Xiaoyuan was four or five years older and bigger than him.

To beat a stronger opponent so badly—

This was the work of a habitual offender!

“Should such a person be tolerated?”

For the first time, Cheng An looked Du Xiu in the eye.

He lifted his head, eyes full of determination.

“Teacher once taught me ‘Be humble and compliant, neither arrogant nor boastful.’ I have always kept this in mind! But this person is despicable and shameless…”

“If reason cannot be understood, then fists must be used!”

“You…”

Du Xiu was at a loss for words.

Until now, he had regarded Cheng An as a genius and felt proud to have found such a ‘fine steed.’

But now…

Blessings and calamities are intertwined?