Chapter Forty-Two: There Is Always a Higher Mountain

"My wife makes a sweet, tender, and melt-in-your-mouth braised pork belly that tastes absolutely divine," Qu Ao said with a warm smile. "If Student Chu is willing, I can have my wife prepare a batch and have someone deliver it here by lunchtime."

"Willings, willing, willing!" Chu Ying nodded fiercely up and down, as if she might shake her head right off her shoulders.

Oh, my goodness!

What kind of wonderful blessing was this?

She had originally thought that coming to the Imperial Academy to eavesdrop daily on the inner thoughts of her eldest brother and eldest sister-in-law, and fiercely shipping their romance, was already the greatest joy imaginable!

Little did she know... she would also be able to meet and unite with her true love—meat, meat, and more meat—right here in the Imperial Academy, surrounded by wicked knowledge, all while munching on the sweet couple's romance!

Chu Ying's eyes shone brightly, her mouth watering with anticipation.

Chu Hengyang chuckled helplessly, his gaze overflowing with indulgence.

Seeing this, Qu Ao let out a sigh of relief.

It was a good thing he had heard that the Chu family's ninth young miss was exceptionally fond of meat. Thankfully, the rumor was correct, and he had successfully resolved the issue!

Just as he was thinking this, Qu Ao's peripheral vision caught Qu Zhouyuan staring intently at Chu Ying, his eyes completely captivated by her.

You little brat!

Qu Ao's hands itched.

How dare he look at Teacher Chu's younger sister like that?

Had everything he just said gone in one ear and out the other?!

"Ahem, hahaha!" Qu Ao hastily stepped forward to escort Chu Hengyang and Chu Ying away. "In that case, Teacher Chu and Student Chu, please go ahead. When class ends at noon, the braised pork belly will be delivered to Teacher Chu's courtyard right on time."

"Mm." Chu Hengyang nodded, his smile gentle.

*[My little sister loves learning and books, but her love for meat hasn't diminished by a single fraction. When she's happy, I'm happy.]*

"Little sister, shall we go?" Chu Hengyang looked at Chu Ying's smiling face, feeling nothing but pure joy.

"Okay!" Chu Ying was brimming with motivation, extremely eager for lunchtime to arrive.

She was simply amazing!

Not only had she cleared up the misunderstanding between her eldest brother and eldest sister-in-law, taking their relationship to a deeper level, but she had also secured herself some meat!

Chu Ying departed cheerfully with Chu Hengyang. Even the prospect of attending class and having wicked knowledge assault her pure brain no longer felt tragic.

Hehehe~ Meat, meat, meat~ Her absolute favorite~ Meat, meat, meat~

***

Behind them, until Chu Ying's figure completely vanished from sight, Qu Zhouyuan still hadn't pulled his eyes away.

"You little brat!" This time, Qu Ao smacked the back of Qu Zhouyuan's head.

It wasn't a painful gesture, but it landed with a dull thud.

"Father, you're getting more and more practiced at swatting the back of my head," Qu Zhouyuan said, rubbing the spot.

"Hmph!" Qu Ao's face darkened. "If it weren't for you, could your old man have learned all these things?"

Miao'er was beautiful, kind-hearted, gentle, and lovely, and a peerless beauty with supreme culinary skills. It was just a pity—this stinky son of his always managed to make Miao'er angry!

Which forced him to sacrifice his own body to appease her!

No, wait!

This brat was trying to change the subject on him!

"Listen here, brat. I'm telling you this once and for all: don't you ever harbor any thoughts about the Chu family's ninth young miss!" Qu Ao declared.

Qu Zhouyuan grinned widely. "Father, do you really think I'm the kind of person who just obeys whatever you say?"

Qu Ao's eyes bulged in fury, his temper flaring. "You!"

"Father, I'm off. Going to find Teacher Chu for class now~" Qu Zhouyuan waved his hand airily and strolled away, his attitude utterly infuriating.

Qu Ao wished he could find something to snap in half just to vent his rage.

Whatever!

In the end, Qu Ao could only force his anger down.

This son of his had been brilliantly talented since childhood, true, but his disobedient streak grew worse by the day. More importantly...

Though his son harbored no malicious intent, he was full of schemes!

He had better hurry up and write a letter asking Miao'er to cook extra portions of braised pork belly for Student Chu to keep her happy. That way, Teacher Chu might show some mercy toward his son.

Qu Ao could already foresee the consequences awaiting Qu Zhouyuan under Chu Hengyang's tutelage.

Just from a single glance earlier, he knew that this Chu先生 (Teacher/Master Chu)—the most popular and highly respected scholar in the Imperial Academy—truly appeared to be a gentle, jade-like instructor whom everyone adored in daily life.

Yet the moment anyone touched upon his younger sister, it would inevitably unleash an unfathomable side of him.

He had better exercise caution, caution, and more caution.

Therefore, to preserve Qu Zhouyuan's little life, Qu Ao penned three consecutive letters to his wife, Xu Miao, who possessed such exceptional culinary skills. In every single letter, he specifically instructed her to prepare three massive bowls of different signature meat dishes, insisting that the portions be as large as possible!

***

Qu Zhouyuan arrived at the classroom where Chu Hengyang taught, and the moment he reached the doorway, he spotted Chu Ying sitting right in the middle of the front row, closest to the podium.

Since the group had arrived early, no other students were in the classroom yet.

The smile on Qu Zhouyuan's lips lit up the moment he saw Chu Ying.

And when he saw Chu Hengyang standing at the podium, wearing a seemingly genial expression while his eyes carried enough murderous intent to kill, that smile grew even wider.

Teacher Chu had transitioned from the role of a respected mentor into the role of an older brother he needed to handle with care.

Therefore, Qu Zhouyuan executed the most respectful bow possible and said, "Teacher Chu..."

"Ah, Student Chu," Chu Hengyang said with a smile that didn't reach his eyes. "This teacher almost forgot. Her Royal Highness the Princess instructed this teacher to hand over yesterday's poetry competition prize on her behalf. I left the imperial decree—which allows you to follow the venerable Master Kong Qiu—back at the estate. Go straight to the carriage yard in the back, find my coachman Xiao Wu, and have him take you to the Chu estate to retrieve the decree. Once you've got it, go straight to study under venerable Master Kong Qiu."

"Oh, right," Chu Hengyang continued, still smiling coldly. "By the way, bring a message to my mother from this teacher: My little sister and I will not be returning to the estate for lunch; we will be dining here at the Imperial Academy."

Wasn't Teacher being a bit too blatant and unmasked about his intention to chase him away, forcing him to study under venerable Master Kong Qiu for a whole month so he wouldn't be allowed into the Imperial Academy or permitted to get within a single step of the teacher's little sister?

"Uh..." Qu Zhouyuan twitch his mouth. "Well, Teacher, I actually don't think it's strictly necessary for me to study under Master Kong right this instant."

"Are you saying you wish to defy an imperial decree?" Chu Hengyang asked with a smile, his tone gentle.

Qu Zhouyuan's knees buckled, and he almost dropped to the floor.

"Or is it that you don't wish to allow this teacher's little sister to remain at the Academy and taste your mother's braised pork belly?" Chu Hengyang smiled as pleasantly as a spring breeze.

Qu Zhouyuan: "??!"

*Swish!*

Chu Ying's eyes locked onto him like a pair of searchlights.

Qu Zhouyuan felt profoundly wronged!

He was practically praying that Student Chu would fall in love with his mother's braised pork belly so she would gladly visit his home every day to taste his mother's cooking!

Chu Ying's slightly aggrieved and displeased gaze successfully caused Qu Zhouyuan to crumble.

His face fell.

His fair, youthful features instantly transformed into a bitter melon.

He...