TTLJDFL Chapter 23

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Li Jin tried playing with the baby a few more times, but the child kept a straight face. Yet the moment he was handed back to Qin Muwen, he broke into a smile.

Qin Muwen: "???"

Li Jin didn’t feel upset about it. As a doctor, he understood that this was just a newborn’s natural attachment to their primary caregiver… no, to their "Ah-Daddy."

But a child showing him such blatant favoritism was a first.

Li Jin smiled as he combed his damp hair back and said, "That was a quick change of heart."

It was clearly a teasing remark. After speaking, he prepared to practice his calligraphy.

Looking back at the "Petition Letter" he had written before, Li Jin felt that he had been somewhat impulsive, but he had no regrets.

After all, those young men were wrong to insult others with cruel words.

Besides, even if they were forced to apologize, it wouldn’t impact their lives in any major way.

At most, it would make them realize that Qin Muwen was no longer someone they could afford to look down upon.

Because of this, Li Jin couldn't afford to slack off in his upcoming preliminary examination—he had to study with all his might.

So, he picked up his brush and began copying The Sacred Edict.

Even though it was already dark, it was still too early for bed. The baby, having eaten and slept well, was now cuddling in the young man’s arms.

Seeing how the baby was ignoring his father, the young man worried that Li Jin might be upset.

He hesitated, watching Li Jin’s back, wanting to say something but unsure of how to explain.

He could tell that Li Jin truly cared for the child, but this little one—did he even know who was in charge of this house? How could he treat his father so boldly…

Before he could figure it out, Li Jin had already finished copying The Sacred Edict once.

Holding the scroll, he walked to the bed.

With his refined features and straight nose, he said, "Come, Daddy will read The Sacred Edict to you. After listening, you should know to respect Daddy."

Qin Muwen: "…"

Though his words were directed at the baby, his gaze was fixed on the young man. His lips moved as he read, and unlike many people who read slowly, his cadence was smooth and melodious.

His voice was like a clear mountain spring, with perfect pauses in between, making the content easy to understand even for those unfamiliar with the text.

Qin Muwen never expected that listening to Ah-Jin read would make his face heat up.

Li Jin’s eyelashes were long but not curled. As he lowered his eyes, the candlelight was blocked by his lashes, making his gaze appear even deeper.

After reading three times, Li Jin noticed that the baby had already fallen asleep.

He shook his head and continued copying the text once more. After all, he had to write it from memory tomorrow, and as someone with a mental age of twenty-nine, he couldn’t afford to make mistakes.

Qin Muwen finally relaxed, realizing that Ah-Jin wasn’t upset about the baby’s favoritism.

Quietly, he got out of bed and adjusted the oil lamp, making the flame brighter.

He had noticed that while Li Jin was capable of handling household chores like cooking and laundry, there were small things he often overlooked.

For example, when an oil lamp burned for too long, the wick would sink into the oil, dimming the light.

Li Jin would frown at the dimness but didn’t seem to realize that simply adjusting the wick would make it bright again.

After fixing the lamp, the young man returned to bed, leaning against the inner side while watching Li Jin.

By the time Li Jin had finished writing The Sacred Edict from memory, the young man had already fallen asleep against the bedpost.

Li Jin washed his hands, gently moved him under the blanket, removed his outer robe, and drifted into a peaceful sleep.

—

Ever since he had regained full mobility, the young man would wake up early to make breakfast while Li Jin fed the baby.

After breakfast, Li Jin said, "It’s still early today. Where do you deliver the embroidered pouches and handkerchiefs? I’ll take them for you."

The young man immediately gave him the address. "A newly arrived wealthy merchant family in town, the Chens. Their residence is on West Street."

Li Jin thought to himself that in ancient times, reputable households always had a name plaque above their entrance, such as "X Residence."

If they were high-ranking officials, it might say "Duke’s Manor" or "Prime Minister’s Estate."

This would make finding them much easier.

Li Jin said, "Coincidentally, my school is in the same area. I know the way."

—

Li Jin noticed that after making the trip from the village to town several times, he could now walk much faster.

He arrived at his teacher’s residence just past eight o’clock. Of course, waking up early helped with that.

Coincidentally, the Chen residence was the second house from his teacher’s home.

Instead of entering through the main gate, Li Jin found the side entrance that servants usually used and knocked.

To his surprise, the person who opened the door was a young man dressed in luxurious clothes.

The young man had a rich, round face, slightly plump, and was wearing a moon-white silk robe, which made him look even chubbier.

"Who are you looking for?"

Li Jin gave a slight bow and said, "My wife previously accepted a sewing commission from your household. I’ve come to return the completed embroidered pouches."

The young man, named Chen Xiran, was somewhat skeptical.

The person standing before him was clearly dressed as a scholar, exuding an air of refinement. How could someone like this have a wife who did embroidery work?

In Chen Xiran’s experience, most scholars were quite well-off. The young men he had recently met in town all casually carried several taels of silver with them.

That amount of money was enough to feed a rural family for several months.

"You said you brought the sachets? I need to see them before I let you in."

Li Jin untied his basket, lifted the bamboo-leaf paper and the copied Sacred Edicts and Amplifications on top, revealing the sachets underneath.

The young master picked up one of the sachets and, upon seeing the embroidery of the Chen family's insignia, finally stepped aside to let Li Jin enter.

Casually, he called for a servant, "Pay for the sachets and handkerchiefs."

Then, he ignored Li Jin and turned back to the two boys hiding behind the rockery. "Hurry up and write! Master Song will start class soon, and he’ll be checking your work!"

Hearing this, Li Jin raised an eyebrow. Master Song… Could this young master be his new disciple?

However, he didn’t dwell on it. He took the twenty-four copper coins, thanked them, and left.

Yesterday, although Master Song had explained the core message of Sacred Edicts and Amplifications, Li Jin had found during his nighttime study that some parts still eluded his understanding.

Since they were currently studying this text, it was best to grasp it completely in one go.

—

When Li Jin arrived at Master Song's residence, it was just past eight o’clock. Of course, this was partly because he had set out early.

Coincidentally, the Chen residence was only two houses away from Master Song’s home.

As before, it was Master Song’s son who opened the door. The little boy greeted him, "Brother Li Jin, you’re so early today."

Then, he led Li Jin to the study. As luck would have it, Master Song was also practicing calligraphy there.

Seeing Li Jin enter, he glanced up briefly before continuing his writing. "Have you memorized Sacred Edicts and Amplifications?"

Li Jin responded, "Yes, Master."

"Then recite it for me."

From ancient times to the present, teachers have always loved testing their students.

Li Jin started reciting, his pace steady and pauses well-placed. Halfway through, Master Song suddenly interrupted, "Seventh chapter, second paragraph—start from there."

Fortunately, Li Jin had taken the time to thoroughly comprehend the text, making his memory deep and structured.

Without hesitation, he picked up from the seventh chapter's second paragraph.

Master Song continued, "Fifth chapter, fourth paragraph."

"Sixth chapter, sixth paragraph."

Finally, after Li Jin finished reciting, Master Song also completed a piece of calligraphy.

He burst into laughter. "A promising student indeed!"

Li Jin, parched from all the reciting, replied humbly, "Master overpraises me."

Master Song nodded in approval. "To be able to memorize this much in a single night shows the effort you've put in."

He walked to his bookshelf, took out a book, and handed it to Li Jin.

"This is Sacred Edicts and Amplifications with my annotations from when I was studying for the provincial exam. My teacher and I have both written insights in it. Read through it, and if you have any questions after class, I'll explain them to you."

Li Jin quickly accepted the book with both hands and expressed his gratitude.

So, yesterday, Master Song had been testing him.

Although he hadn’t realized it was a test, as a diligent medical student in his past life, he had memorized the text anyway.

Unexpectedly, this effort had earned him such a generous reward.

Li Jin carefully copied down all the annotations in his own notes. The book contained two distinct styles of handwriting—one in faded ink, likely left by Master Song’s teacher, and another in the current popular Yan script, resembling the style Master Song had just written in.

It was clear that Master Song had not only studied his teacher’s work but also added his own interpretations.

With this in mind, Li Jin didn’t limit himself to merely transcribing Master Song’s notes. He also wrote down his own thoughts, though he could only confidently analyze the parts related to agriculture. For other aspects, he had to rely on Master Song’s interpretations.

After all, he was not a native of this era. Despite having adapted significantly over the past weeks, he was still unfamiliar with many customs and traditions.

This book had unexpectedly become his gateway to understanding the values and beliefs of this society.

Li Jin transcribed for an entire hour. When he finally put down his brush, he straightened up to stretch.

At his current age, bending over for long periods wasn’t an issue, but in old age, it could lead to a hunched back.

He had no desire to become hunchbacked in his later years, so he balanced writing with regular stretches.

Taking these short breaks also allowed him to mentally review what he had just written, making it a productive use of time rather than mere idling.

By the time Master Song finished his class, Li Jin had already copied all the annotations.

Although he could retain about sixty percent of what he read on the first pass and remember seventy to eighty percent after multiple reviews, he knew that even a good memory was no substitute for writing things down. Without frequent revision, knowledge would eventually fade.

He needed these notes for the upcoming Tongsheng exam next February.

Master Song entered the room, followed by another person.

Li Jin straightened up and immediately recognized the newcomer.

Wasn’t this the young master from the Chen residence where he had just delivered the sachets?

Master Song, holding his teaching rod, sternly commanded, "Hands out."

Chen Xiran extended his chubby hands, and with a sharp crack, the rod landed.

"This is your punishment for trying to cheat by having someone else copy your work."

Chen Xiran winced in pain.

Another crack, and his palm turned red. "And this is for deceiving your teacher and spouting nonsense in class."

Chen Xiran, now properly chastised, hurriedly pleaded, "Master, I was wrong! I won’t do it again!"

Master Song withdrew the rod. "If you repeat this, I’ll summon your father. And your father might resort to the military cane instead."

Chen Xiran: "…"

—

Tl Notes:

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