The Great Ming Imperial Preceptor

"Are you Ning Liheng?"

"The Ning Liheng of 'Shuidiao Getou'?"

Green hills and verdant grass, a symphony of spring, the sun hung languidly in the sky, the morning still young. Inside the small pavilion, a group of literati from the capital had originally envisioned Ning Yi as their most formidable adversary, proclaiming their intention to employ various strategies against him. However, after much discussion, they turned around to find that this very adversary had already infiltrated their ranks. A moment of awkwardness ensued, but after a brief exchange of glances, Zhou Bangyan and the others regained their composure, posing the question with strained expressions.

Ning Yi could only shrug in acknowledgement.

Had everyone truly been intent on confrontation, Ning Yi's move would have been a resounding success, earning him an early lead. However, Li Shishi, who had been blinking at him in astonishment, quickly turned the tables with her first words: "So, Little Ning-ge is the Ning Liheng who was invited to make things difficult for me?"

Her expression at that moment was innocent, tinged with a hint of grievance. Ning Yi found himself somewhat at a loss for words: "Oh, it's all just rumors. I only came to watch everyone's performances."

"Performances?"

"Yes, I'm just touring the mountains and rivers with some friends, watching beautiful women sing and dance." Ning Yi peeled a peanut, tossed it into his mouth, and chuckled. "Although Puyang Yi did approach me once about making things difficult, I'm not really enthusiastic about poetry, so I didn't agree to much. Shishi should just pay attention to the others Puyang Yi invited. I'm a good guy."

Although he claimed to have only come to watch the singing and dancing, few believed him. The group had been discussing how to make things difficult for the Jiangning scholars, and it was unknown how much of their conversation had been overheard. Embarrassed, they refrained from mentioning the matter of making things difficult. Moreover, judging from the three *ci* poems that had spread to the capital, Ning Yi's talent was undoubtedly exceptional. Neither the *Shuidiao Getou* nor the *Qing Yu An* were works that even Zhou Bangyan, the most talented among them, believed he could compose. Any petty attempts at making things difficult would only be humiliating. The group had spoken confidently earlier, but if they were to meet formally, they might not feel so burdened. However, at this moment, in the small pavilion, the aura of the four men felt somewhat suppressed. They could only offer some genuine pleasantries.

"...Actually, back then, Shishi was studying the *qin* here in Jiangning, living at the east end of Three Lotus Lane. Little Ning-ge's house was in the middle of the lane. He was still young then, and every day he would be seen reading and reading a book. Everyone called him a bookworm..."

Shishi was talking to liven up the atmosphere and explaining her relationship with Ning Yi to everyone. Fang Wenyang smiled and chimed in: "Actually, I was also a silly bookworm when I was a child. Ning *xiong* and I have something in common." He then began to talk about the spread of *Shuidiao Getou* and *Qing Yu An* in the capital, using it as a topic for conversation. Everyone joined in with remarks and laughter.

After they had spoken for a while, Yu Hezhong arrived at the entrance, greeting everyone and saying to Ning Yi, "Seeing Shishi, it's a pleasant surprise, isn't it?" His relationship with Zhou Bangyan, Tang Weiyan, and the others wasn't particularly good. Zhou Bangyan and the others were eating fruit at this moment, casting strange glances at him as they chewed, thinking to themselves, *How did this guy bring him here? This Ning fellow seems to be pleasantly surprised, but we're surprised and not pleased...*

Yu Hezhong was unaware of what had happened and sat down, laughing to himself. The others responded with a few perfunctory remarks. Ning Yi recalled that he had been here for quite some time, and Yunzhu and Jin'er must have already arrived. He rose to take his leave, preparing to go to the front of the residence. Shishi got up to see him off. He exchanged a few jokes, but she eventually saw him to the courtyard gate, then had Chunmei lead him over.

"Little Ning-ge, did you really not agree to that Master Puyang's request to make things difficult for me?" Li Shishi asked, standing at the courtyard gate, her voice soft and her eyes lowered.

Ning Yi looked at her for a few moments: "What if I did agree?"

"Then... I would have to admit defeat."

"Haha." Ning Yi laughed, then leaned in slightly and said softly, "Little Miss Wang, you don't seem like someone who would give up easily."

Li Shishi raised her head, blinked at him with bright eyes, and then whispered: "I will... resist with all my might!"

"Heh, see you later."

"...See you later." The woman named Li Shishi waved her hand.

As he followed the maid Chunmei to the front, Ning Yi found this encounter quite interesting. Those who achieved great things in some area were never simple, and this Li Shishi gave off a rather complex feeling. When they met in Three Lotus Lane, she was dressed as a man, which gave a certain impression. At that time, she was going back to see the place where she once lived, and the feeling she gave was quite gentle.

When they met again just now, she had the friendliness of a girl next door, but as they sat together, this friendliness seemed elegant and refined. The words she used, advancing by retreating, when she saw him off were naturally false. Ning Yi acted as if he saw through her, and when she said she would resist with all her might, it seemed playful but also held a firm stance. However, even this attitude might not be genuine.

Accommodating in every aspect, this was truly an admirable inner quality. To become the top courtesan in the capital, exceptional looks alone would not suffice. Watching her talk and laugh with others was like watching a delightful performance. Ning Yi couldn't help but shake his head. The men who had fallen in love with her and chased after her all the way here were truly somewhat pitiful.

It wasn't to say that this Miss Shishi was cold-hearted by nature. To be able to achieve this level, adeptness was often a gift, perhaps being able to discern the thoughts and desires of others at a glance. She had also entered this profession, so there was nothing more to be said. However, if she truly fell in love with someone, she probably wouldn't put the man she loved in such a situation.

On the other hand, after seeing Ning Yi off, Shishi turned around and clenched her fist slightly: "I'm so angry." Then she walked back. Returning to the pavilion, Yu Hezhong was still talking about his morning encounter with "Little Ning," mentioning that he might know Liu Qingdi, but Liu Qingdi didn't seem to like him very much. He also talked about their past relationship, how he, Little Ning, and Shishi lived in the same lane, and so on. Everyone looked at him with the eyes of a fool. Shishi returned and sat down, bursting into laughter at the sight.

"Oh, right, I saw more than just one or two Jiangning scholars coming over by the river just now. Brothers Zhou and Tang, have you come to any conclusions about how to deal with them? I heard just now that Ning Liheng, who is currently known as the number one talent in Jiangning, is also coming. Brother Zhou, what do you think of his writing? The last time Shishi sang his 'Shuidiao Getou,' I heard it too. It was a stunning performance. Those are truly good poems..."

Yu Hezhong spoke with great seriousness. Although his writing was not as good as Zhou Bangyan, Tang Weiyan, and Fang Wenyang's, it was still decent. He could naturally discern the quality of poetry, but he had not seriously inquired about the Jiangning talents in the past few days. He only knew the name Ning Liheng. When he mentioned *Shuidiao Getou* at this time, he asked questions seemingly innocently, but in reality, it was just to put pressure on Zhou Bangyan—*Aren't you talented? Don't forget that there's someone even more talented waiting for you here.* However, as soon as he finished speaking, the expressions on the faces of the others became even stranger.

Zhou Bangyan glanced at him, then picked up the teapot and poured himself a cup of tea: "One can deprive an army of its commander, but one cannot deprive a commoner of his ambition. Now that our vigor has been lost, how can we challenge him?"

"Huh?" Yu Hezhong didn't understand.

Shishi smiled beside him again. Xu Dongmo glanced at him: "Hezhong, do you really not know Little Ning's identity?"

"I do. I went to Three Lotus Lane with Shishi that day, and that's how we reunited. You can ask Shishi for confirmation."

"Then Hezhong doesn't know that the silly bookworm that you and Shishi mentioned was actually named Ning Yi, with the *zi* Liheng?"

"Ah? He's also named Liheng? What a coincidence!" Yu Hezhong finally reacted after saying this, shrinking his neck and looking at Shishi, "N-No way? Little Ning is that Ning Liheng?"

Shishi nodded.

"Then... have you already competed? And lost?"

Yu Hezhong looked at Zhou Bangyan and the other three. They had said they wanted to compete with Ning Liheng, but the way they looked now, it was obvious that the other party had come in earlier, the few had opened their mouths to provoke, and in such a short time, these four, who could be considered the top talents in the capital, had actually lost. Just how powerful was this Little Ning... He was deeply shocked.

Tang Weiyan shook his head: "How could we compete? He gained the upper hand as soon as he came in, remaining composed and unflappable. He also heard us discussing how to make things difficult for the Jiangning scholars. How could we immediately imitate him and ask him to compete? But never mind, he has already promised that he won't make things difficult for us this time..."

He felt rather annoyed as he said this, shaking his head and saying: "What's with this? When he says he won't make things difficult for us, doesn't it feel like he's already won? Ugh, this makes me really uncomfortable."

The others spoke up, feeling helpless and amused. Fang Wenyang said: "I inquired about some of the rumors surrounding that Ning Liheng before. He usually doesn't participate in any literary gatherings in Jiangning, but it is said that once... it seems to have been last year or the year before, during the Jiangning Courtesan Competition, several famous scholars were composing poems. He happened to pass by, sat down there, and everyone was afraid to write. Alas, the *Shuidiao Getou*, the *Qing Yu An*, the *Ding Feng Bo*, these three *ci* poems..." He pondered, "They really make it difficult for others to write. However, if there's an opportunity later, I still want to ask him for some pointers. Shishi, you don't mind, do you?"

Shishi laughed: "Why are you asking me girls about your literary matters?"

As they spoke, they remembered the situation when they met that day. In fact, he was holding a tattered book in his hand that day, and his clothes were also a bit dirty, so it seemed that he had just finished working. It is said that the days of a live-in son-in-law are usually not easy, and some live-in sons-in-law have the status of coolies, helping the woman's family with this and that. However, it is said that the family he married into was well-off, and they even arranged such a beautiful maid. Ordinary families can't afford that. How could they let him do some coolie work? Even with his current reputation, it seems that no one would be willing to make things difficult for him.

Taking a step back, why did he choose to become a live-in son-in-law with his talent? This matter is really strange, making people want to know.

After introducing himself just now, it was always difficult to establish a concrete image of "Little Ning" in his mind. "Little Ning" was a long time ago, and he only remembered the image of the little bookworm holding a book back then. Ning Liheng was too illusory, and coupled with the poems of *Shuidiao Getou*, it was difficult to imagine that they were written by the person just now. After these thoughts flashed through her mind, the two images gradually merged together in her heart...

On the other hand, Ning Yi had now arrived at the front of the residence, met Yunzhu and Jin'er, and asked them why they had argued with Liu Qingdi just now.