The next morning, Lan Yan took Jun Yelan to the academy, and this time they walked in, arriving at Tutor Du's courtyard.
Tutor Du had heard Lan Yan praise Jun Yelan and upon seeing him, found that Jun Yelan exuded a cool demeanor yet possessed a confident air. He nodded with satisfaction, realizing the girl had not spoken falsely.
One could discern a person's true nature at a glance.
Lan Yan looked at Jun Yelan, saw him staring coldly at Tutor Du, and cleared her throat, saying, "This is Tutor Du."
She then turned to Tutor Du, "Tutor Du, this is Jun Yelan, whom I mentioned to you."
Jun Yelan, thinking of the hardships Lan Yan had endured recently, suppressed his anger towards the man before him and bowed respectfully, "Greetings, Tutor Du." He could not let Lan Yan's hopes be dashed.
Seeing Tutor Du remain silent, Lan Yan stood awkwardly and tried to smooth things over, "Tutor, do you have any questions for Jun Yelan? Perhaps I should step aside."
Still, no one answered. She took a few steps back, leaving the space for the two men.
Jun Yelan remained neither servile nor overbearing, his eyes showing no fear.
Tutor Du, however, looked at Jun Yelan with renewed appreciation. It was not simple to find someone like him from the village. He began to ponder aloud, "What are your thoughts on Confucius's teachings?"
Jun Yelan clenched his fists slightly and spoke eloquently, transitioning from the classics to current affairs, "Benevolence is important, but it also requires punishment. Only with both can there be progress."
"You have some of your own ideas." Tutor Du's expression gradually relaxed. He then asked Jun Yelan several more questions, receiving commendable answers to each.
His gaze towards Jun Yelan brightened considerably. It was rare to find someone so compatible.
Lan Yan stood not far away, observing the scene, and curved her lips. It seemed Jun Yelan had a good chance of being admitted to the academy.
"Jun Yelan, based on your age and past, I was initially reluctant to accept you," Tutor Du said. "However, this girl lectured me, saying I shouldn't be prejudiced, and she spoke highly of you."
A faint smile touched Jun Yelan's lips. "She always protects me."
Tutor Du: "..." For some reason, he felt as though he had just been force-fed a large dose of affection. "Then let me ask you, what is your relationship with her?"
In the past, Jun Yelan might have hesitated, but now he stated directly, "I am the child groom bought by their family."
Tutor Du was astonished. He glanced at Lan Yan, then back at Jun Yelan. The two of them indeed seemed to fit that description. "Your fiancée is truly wonderful, thinking of you wholeheartedly."
"That is why I cannot fail her," Jun Yelan clenched his fists, his eyes showing an unprecedented determination. He raised his hand and bowed, "Tutor, my aspiration is to protect the peace of the common people."
Only then would there be fewer people like him in the world, and Lan Yan's life would be more peaceful.
Such words made Tutor Du's blood boil. He slapped the table and declared, "Good, I accept you as my disciple today."
"Thank you, Tutor." Jun Yelan knelt on the ground, performed a deep bow, and then stood up.
Tutor Du became more and more pleased the more he looked at him.
Seeing this, Lan Yan approached, her face lit up with a smile as she looked at Jun Yelan.
Jun Yelan's face remained expressionless, but his features softened considerably. All that he possessed now was brought by Lan Yan, and he would remember it forever.
Tutor Du looked at the two of them, feeling lonely himself, and deliberately teased, "Yelan, I am your master now. Tell me, would you choose your master or your fiancée?"
What kind of question was that! Lan Yan looked at Tutor Du speechlessly, her face clearly conveying her amusement.
Jun Yelan did not hesitate. He took Lan Yan's hand and said, "I choose my fiancée. Without her, I would not be who I am today." He had never thought of the day he would be accepted as a disciple; it was Lan Yan who had always looked out for him.
Lan Yan blinked, her gaze meeting Jun Yelan's, and her ears slowly turned red. This man, usually so cool, saying such things now made her heart pound.
"Alas, your master is heartbroken," Tutor Du clutched his chest, looking greatly dismayed. Having just accepted a disciple felt like not accepting one at all.
Both Lan Yan and Jun Yelan looked at each other, paying no mind to Tutor Du.
"Old Du, I think you should stop pretending. What business is it of yours that the young couple is so affectionate?" An old man walked into the courtyard, carrying pastries. It was the previous Elder Hu.
Lan Yan blinked, looking at Jun Yelan with equal confusion. She truly did not know Elder Hu and Tutor Du knew each other.
Elder Hu's eyes immediately fell on the pastries on the table. He smiled, "I was going to bring you something, but you already have some. Let me try it." He reached out to open the packaging, but Tutor Du snatched it away.
"These are a gift from my disciple's fiancée to me. There's none for you," Tutor Du said, hugging the pastries protectively, looking unwillingly at Elder Hu.
Elder Hu sat down, placed the pastries he was holding on the table, and snorted, "Lan'er and I are old acquaintances; I don't care for your things. You two, stop standing. Sit down."
Lan Yan and Jun Yelan looked at the two old men and sat down, but no one spoke.
"Lan'er, Old Du has this temper; you don't need to be afraid. If he treats you like he did before, tell me," Elder Hu had overheard things about Lan Yan when he entered. This Old Du had also made Lan Yan suffer for a few days.
Lan Yan smiled, "Elder Hu, I think Tutor Du is upright and is the most suitable person to be Jun Yelan's tutor." She just did not say that he was a bit pedantic.
"Did you hear that, Old Hu!" Tutor Du became proud again.
Elder Hu ignored Tutor Du and began eating the pastries.
Looking at the exquisite pastries, Tutor Du swallowed hard.
Seeing this, Lan Yan quickly opened the box and explained, "Tutor Du, this gift box has four colors of pastries, each with a different flavor. If you don't like things too sweet, you can try this white bun first."
Tutor Du picked up a pastry, took a bite, and his eyes lit up. He was scorned by Elder Hu, but he ignored him and turned to Lan Yan, "These pastries are quite good."
"I'm glad you like them, Tutor." Seeing Tutor Du's enjoyment, Lan Yan thought she could have Jun Yelan bring some when he came in the future.
Tutor Du ate with increasing satisfaction. Upon hearing that Lan Yan had made them herself, he praised, "You girl are not simple." He thought of Jun Yelan, truly, people of the same kind flock together.
"You've eaten. Yelan, you will stay at the academy for the rest of the day and return after class this afternoon."
"Yes, Tutor." Jun Yelan looked at Lan Yan, "I'll escort you back."
Lan Yan nodded and saw him off at the entrance, preventing him from going any further. "I can walk alone. You should stay here and study diligently." She took out a handkerchief from her怀, placed it in Jun Yelan's hand, and left with a smile.
Jun Yelan opened the handkerchief, looked at the pastry inside, and a slight smile played on his lips. He would ensure Lan Yan's peace of mind.