Chapter Sixteen: Keep Your Dog on a Leash

“Let Ma Wencai shoot another arrow. If he can pierce the gentleman’s arrow, then he is qualified to compete fairly with the gentleman. If Wencai cannot pierce it, then he has truly lost!”

Xie Daoyun nodded. “Ma Wencai, shoot another arrow at my arrow.”

Ma Wencai drew his bow, aimed carefully at the arrow on the target, and with a swift twang, his arrow fiercely pierced through the one on the target, even surprising himself.

Just as I expected, the advantage belongs to the one shooting behind.

“Yiqing, it has now been proven that Ma Wencai is qualified to compete with me again. What do you think would be a fair way to judge this?”

I cupped my hands respectfully. “I believe the gentleman and Brother Wencai should shoot simultaneously at the same target, and the higher mark will determine the winner.”

Xie Daoyun nodded. “Very well. Ma Wencai, draw your bow!”

Both arrows flew straight and true, hitting the bullseye. Just as Liang Shanbo was about to examine the arrows, the one shot by Ma Wencai fell off the target to the ground.

Wow, he actually missed the mark.

“Clap, clap, clap!” Ma Wencai applauded. “Sir, your archery skills are superb. I admire you.”

I joined in the applause, followed by the other students. Xie Daoyun waved his arm to signal everyone to stop. “Ma Wencai, if I had made even the slightest mistake today, it would have been that arrow on the ground. You will surely be a great general of the nation in the future.”

“Today’s martial arts lesson ends here. Everyone, go back and rest. Tomorrow, we will discuss military tactics and formations and conduct practical exercises!” Xie Daoyun announced.

As everyone left, seeing Zhu Yingtai’s expression, I did not wish to return with her. Instead, I accompanied Wang Lantian to the dining hall. This was Wang Lantian’s first time going to the dining hall, as today’s class ended early and it was the only way back to the rooms.

Wang Lantian was truly a noble young master; he couldn’t even hold a tray properly. He stood there awkwardly with a plate of eggplant. “What is this? It looks black and ugly. Is this even edible?”

I was stunned. My brother Lantian, have you never seen or eaten eggplant before? Su Anming often cooks eggplant. “Brother Lantian, this is eggplant. Have you never tried it?”

Wang Lantian shook his head. “No, there’s never been anything like this in the meals A Cheng served me.”

He put the eggplant back on the table. As we were about to leave, Liu Xiangdong’s voice came from behind. “Good dogs don’t block the way!”

“You…” Wang Lantian was about to argue but I pulled him back. “Who’s being called a dog?”

Liu Xiangdong smirked proudly. “The dog, of course, is you!”

I burst out laughing. These ancient folks are so straightforward. “Yes, there’s a mad dog insulting me! I wonder whose dog wasn’t tied up properly to be running around biting people. Ma Wencai, watch your dog.”

“You… Liu Yiqing, don’t think I’m afraid of you just because you’re Liu Zhongshu’s brother. The Liu family is no pushover.” Liu Xiangdong cursed and rolled up his sleeves. “Today, I’m going to teach you a lesson so you’ll know how to fear.”

Wang Lantian stepped in front of me just as Ma Wencai came flying with a kick that knocked Liu Xiangdong to the ground. “I’m here. Who says you get to teach him a lesson?”

Liu Xiangdong immediately knelt down, begging for mercy. “Young Master Ma, I dare not do it again. I swear I won’t.”

Bang! Another kick landed on Liu Xiangdong’s face. Liang Shanbo hurried over from the dining table. “Brother Wencai, even though Liu Xiangdong has committed many offenses, he is still our classmate. How can you strike him so harshly just because he said something wrong?”

“Yes, Young Master Ma, Brother Liang is right. We are all classmates. Please be magnanimous and forgive me.” Liu Xiangdong pleaded bitterly.

But it was unfortunate for him to encounter someone like me who lacks mercy. “Shanbo, don’t intervene in this. A person like Liu Xiangdong deserves to suffer.”

“Brother Yiqing, why would you say that…?”

Ma Wencai continued for me, “Liu Xiangdong, don’t ask me for forgiveness. Go ask Young Master Liu. If he pardons you, then I won’t hold it against you.”

“Young Master Liu, I know I was wrong. Please forgive me.” Liu Xiangdong kowtowed and admitted his fault.

“Shanbo, come back and eat. Don’t bother with them. They’re all of the same ilk.” Zhu Yingtai shouted from her seat. Ma Wencai and I shot her a sharp glare simultaneously.

“Forgive? Ha… You ruined my appetite, and you think I’d forgive you so easily? Do you look down on me, Liu Yiqing?” I was a leading figure in the university. Even in the ancient era, I would not be bullied.

“I dare not!”

I shrugged, unsure of Ma Wencai’s intentions—hopefully he wasn’t setting a trap for me. “Liu Xiangdong, if you want me to forgive you, then you’ll wash all the pots and pans tonight. How about that?”

“What? Wash dishes?” Liu Xiangdong exclaimed in shock. It made sense; a spoiled young master like him wouldn’t know how to wash dishes. I squatted down to his level. “Don’t want to?”

Bang! Ma Wencai kicked Liu Xiangdong down again, shouting, “Do you want to or not?”

“I—I want to, I want to. I’ll do whatever Young Master Liu says.” Liu Xiangdong covered his face, looking utterly miserable.

I picked up my tray. “Brother Lantian, let’s eat in your room. Being here is just ruining my appetite.”

Wang Lantian and I left the dining hall with our trays. After finishing the meal in his room, I tried learning wood carving from him. However, clumsy as I was, I couldn’t produce anything meaningful, and a piece of wood ended up looking like a strange creature.

I must say, Wang Lantian was truly talented; for a man, his delicate handiwork earned my admiration.

Doing something keeps time passing quickly. After carving just a small piece, the bright moon hung high in the sky. Ancient people slept early, so it was time for me to head to bed; otherwise, I wouldn’t get up in the morning. I really didn’t understand the point of sleeping early and waking early—morning sleep is so important.

I leisurely returned to my room. Ma Wencai was sitting by the table drinking wine. I ignored him and went straight to the bed. As I removed my outer garments, I was hit by a foul stench. I had thought ancient people didn’t bathe but also didn’t smell bad!

Disgusted, I tossed my coat aside and pulled out a fresh set of clothes from the wardrobe. Actually, the undergarments were the real concern, but how to change into them? Lost in thought, Ma Wencai’s cold voice cut through the silence: “Why are you trying to please me?”

I paused, then replied, “Me? Trying to please you? I want to ask you—why should I please you, Ma Wencai? Do you have something I want?”

Ma Wencai smiled faintly and set down his wine cup. “Of course, I don’t have what you want. Since you say you aren’t trying to please me, then tell me—why do you repeatedly speak up for me? Aren’t you afraid of offending Xie Daoyun and harming your career?”

I sneered. “Ma Wencai, you are truly arrogant. On what basis do you claim I speak for you? Do you think I am biased toward you? Ha… Let me tell you, I only say what I think. As for Mr. Xie and my career prospects—those are concerns for common folks. I, Liu Yiqing, do not care.”

Ma Wencai narrowed his eyes and looked back at me. “You don’t care? If so, why come to Nishan Academy? Wouldn’t it be better to stay home and live a peaceful life? Or did Mr. Xie say something to you at lunch today?”

“Mr. Xie and my brother are close friends. I am also acquainted with him. Talking casually is only natural. But I want to ask you, Brother Wencai, what is Zhu Yingtai’s purpose in coming to Nishan?”