The three private tutors were frantic, constantly coming up with strategies to assist Xu Wan, leaving her both amused and exasperated.
Finally, after seeing off Pan Hongzhi once more, Cui Zhi brought her a freshly brewed cup of Longjing tea and asked, puzzled, "Madam, why have we suddenly changed our approach? Weren’t we saying earlier that Young Master Cheng needed to face some setbacks to learn his lesson?"
Xu Wan took a sip of the tea and replied, "Before, Jincheng was too overconfident and needed a reality check. But now, after being humbled by Qin Ye, he’s completely out of sorts. If he suffers another blow in this state, it won’t help him gain clarity. Instead, it might shatter his confidence. He’ll start thinking, 'I’m useless, I can’t do anything right.' After that, he’ll lose all motivation and become disinterested in everything."
This insight came from years of observing scholars, having seen many classmates crushed by repeated failures. That’s why the tutors were so anxious, and why Xu Wan understood their concerns so well.
"I see now," Cui Zhi thought. "No wonder the tutors are acting like it’s a crisis. This is indeed the biggest challenge since the elite class was formed."
If Young Master Cheng were to lose his spirit, the entire teaching plan would fall apart.
"But you said Young Master Cheng is out of sorts?" Cui Zhi seized on this point, still confused. "Didn’t you also tell Young Master Wenxiu that Jincheng has been very focused on his studies lately and that he should savor this feeling?"
Xu Wan smiled. "Yes, that’s not contradictory. He’s different from usual, but he’s found the immersive state of studying I wanted him to experience. However, he’s carrying a burden in his heart—a knot that’s been there for three days and hasn’t gone away."
"You mean Qin Ye…"
Xu Wan set down her teacup and instructed, "Go and call Wenxiu over. Tell him I have something to discuss with him."
Even with her eloquence, some knots are best untied by those closest to us, and for Jincheng, that person was Wenxiu.
"Auntie," Wenxiu greeted her with a bow as he entered.
Xu Wan smiled warmly and gestured for him to sit. "I wanted to talk to you about Jincheng."
Zong Wenxiu nodded. "Of course."
Xu Wan asked, "How do you think Jincheng has been doing these past few days?"
Wenxiu thought for a moment before praising, "Jincheng has been completely absorbed in his studies lately, more focused than ever. He rarely gets distracted. At this rate, I think he’ll soon surpass me."
Xu Wan smiled and gently guided him further. "And what about outside of his studies?"
Wenxiu continued, "He’s been eating less. He used to have a big appetite, always talking about wanting to grow taller quickly. But these past few days, he just eats a little and rushes back to the study. He’s also been sleeping less. Tutor Pan’s dark circles have been getting worse—he says it’s because Jincheng keeps asking him questions about the books. Other than that, I don’t think there’s much else."
Xu Wan smiled and asked, "Have you noticed that Jincheng hasn’t smiled in three days?"
Wenxiu was struck as if by lightning, suddenly realizing the truth.
Yes, it had been three days.
For three days, his younger brother had been diligently studying, neglecting food and sleep, and not once had he smiled. Yet Wenxiu, his own brother, hadn’t noticed. He’d simply thought Jincheng was finally focusing on his studies…
Xu Wan explained, "Jincheng has always seen Qin Ye as his role model. To have that dream shattered so abruptly by Qin Ye himself—it hurt him deeply. He’s angry and sad, but the more mature Jincheng has suppressed these emotions, forcing himself to focus on his studies. However, the knot in his heart remains."
Everyone knows the consequences of long-held resentment.
But no one had noticed Jincheng’s inner turmoil—not even his own brother.
Wenxiu said guiltily, "Thank you for pointing that out, Auntie. I understand now. I’ll go find Jincheng right away!"
The evening study session in the grand study room had already ended. When Wenxiu returned, the room was empty. Only then did he fully realize his brother’s unusual behavior.
In the past, no matter how late it was, Jincheng would always wait for him before leaving. But now, Jincheng was so eager to cram knowledge into his head that he would rush back to his room after the evening session to continue discussing studies with Pan Hongzhi.
The lively, affectionate, and playful younger brother he once knew had been missing for three days.
Wenxiu hurried toward the little troublemaker’s courtyard. The doors were open, and he arrived breathless to find Pan Hongzhi lecturing on *The Mencius*, while Jincheng sat at the table, listening intently with a book in hand.
The little troublemaker’s dark, bright eyes glanced over. "Brother, do you want to listen to Tutor Pan’s lecture too? We can listen together."
Wenxiu, still catching his breath from running, said, "I want to sleep in your room tonight. Is that okay?"
Pan Hongzhi, hearing this, felt as if he’d been saved. He was on the verge of agreeing on Jincheng’s behalf—the little rascal had kept him up for three nights straight, and he was reaching his limit.
But to his dismay, Jincheng replied, "Sure, you can sleep here. We’ll listen to Tutor Pan together."
Pan Hongzhi: "..."
Hold on, you must hold on!
Remember, you’re earning a hundred taels a month!
Pan Hongzhi gritted his teeth and steeled himself, but Wenxiu stepped forward and snatched the book from Jincheng’s hands. For the first time, he spoke firmly to his younger brother. "No, I just want to sleep in this room with you. Tutor Pan, please go sleep in my room tonight."
Seeing that the little troublemaker didn’t object, Pan Hongzhi seized the opportunity and slipped away, afraid he’d be called back if he lingered.
Once they were alone, Jincheng took the book back from his brother and silently sat down to continue reading.
He was clearly unhappy.
But since it was his brother who had interrupted him, he wouldn’t lose his temper, even if he was upset.
Jincheng sat down and resumed reading. Although he had memorized this page, he still didn’t fully understand it. Without Tutor Pan there to explain, he decided to move on to the next page.
Seeing his brother still acting so abnormally, Wenxiu couldn’t hold back any longer. He reached out and took the book again, stopping him. "Stop reading. You need to rest. Even Tutor Pan is exhausted—aren’t you tired?"
Jincheng looked at him intently and said stubbornly, "I’m not tired. I want to read. Give me back the book."
"I won’t give it back. Tonight, you’re going to sleep properly," Wenxiu insisted, his tone unusually firm. He couldn’t let his brother continue like this.
Jincheng glared at him with his dark eyes, clenching his fists. "Brother, I have a short temper and little patience. Don’t make me angry."
Wenxiu nodded, holding the book and taking a step back. "Fine, then get angry. Let’s see if you still can."
