Chapter 24 – Clan School
Huang Mingyou stayed in Qinghe County entirely because the old master at the provincial government didn’t feel at ease letting him go. Having nothing much to occupy his time, he spent his days flipping through a few books, and when that got dull, he helped Lord Bai Jiu discipline the younger generation.
The pile of books the household had fetched for him, he finished in no time. By the second read-through, he could already recite them word for word. Since that was no longer any fun, he devoted himself wholeheartedly to assisting Lord Bai Jiu in teaching the students.
The Bai family’s main branch was in the northern region. The Qinghe branch, close to Lord Bai Jiu, had been guarding the northern border for decades. Apart from that, there were three major trading branches to the east, west, and south. The main branch’s ability to run business across the entire country was built on this foundation. The main and branch families were like tightly twisted ropes, united in effort — only such solidarity could preserve a century of wealth and prosperity.
Lord Bai Jiu had only taken over the family’s business in the past year or two. The old Bai patriarch from the provincial capital had sent him alone to Heihe to establish a distillery — both to build his reputation and to prove his worth, so that others would respect him in the future.
There was only one young master in the main branch, but there were plenty of strong, capable stewards in their prime among the branch families.
Huang Mingyou was always worried for his student. He felt that Lord Bai Jiu’s move to build a distillery in Heihe was like walking on the edge of a knife — every step had to be careful, every step had to take the bigger picture into account.
While Mr. Huang fretted, Lord Bai Jiu remained calm as ever, appearing just the same as usual, nothing special at all.
Since Huang Mingyou was a scholar and couldn’t help much with factory matters, he turned his attention to his two students.
Bai Mingyu had no idea why he had to attend two schools.
He studied at the clan academy by day, and was dragged off to another round of study at night. After two days of confusion, Second Young Master Bai had had enough!
This was unbearable! Even the household servants got one day off a month — he didn’t get a single one!
When he refused to go to the East Courtyard, his elder brother grabbed him by the ear and dragged him there. Along the way, he also respectfully handed a new ruler to Huang Mingyou.
“Mr. Huang, my younger brother is still young and ignorant of proper manners. I’ve prepared his books, tea, and this new ruler for you. Please discipline him as you see fit — our whole family will support you.”
Huang Mingyou stroked his two little mustaches and, with his slightly bulging belly, said, “I know why Second Young Master is unhappy — it’s because I’m the one who’s always testing him. I suppose now he wants to test me in return.”
Bai Mingyu looked up at him, utterly confused. Test him? About what?
Huang Mingyou puffed up his chest and nodded. “Very well. I’ve got nothing else to do anyway — I’ll go to the clan academy tomorrow and have a look.”
Master Bai the Elder was both excited and uncertain. “Mr. Huang, do you mean…?”
“Teaching a few more students makes no difference. Since your family has a clan school, and I’ve nothing else to do here at Lord Bai Jiu’s, I might as well go teach a few lessons there. Maybe the children will learn something useful.”
Bai Mingzhe knew the reputation of this gentleman and was overjoyed, thanking him profusely and escorting him all the way home.
Bai Mingyu remained standing in the East Courtyard.
Before he came, his father had warned him: regardless of whether the teacher was there or not, if he didn’t stay at the East Courtyard for at least an hour, he’d get a beating when he returned.
Bai Mingyu leaned against an old tree, bored out of his mind, watching the people going in and out of the courtyard. Suddenly, he spotted a familiar figure. His eyes locked onto him, and as the person drew near, Bai Mingyu seized the chance and yanked him into the shadows. “Xie Jing—!”
Recognizing his voice, Xie Jing withdrew the hand that had half-reached toward his chest pocket and greeted him calmly, “Second Young Master, why are you still here this late? Mr. Huang already left early today.”
Bai Mingyu asked, “What business does Mr. Huang have?”
Xie Jing replied, “He booked a ticket to the opera tonight, and ordered lamb hotpot from Deshun House. Same private box that Lord Bai Jiu usually uses.”
Bai Mingyu: “…”
That old fox!
He said I was unconvinced — turns out he just wanted to sneak off for lamb hotpot!
The young master ground his teeth, gripping Xie Jing’s sleeve tightly. Xie Jing, unwilling to make a scene, tried a few times to get free, but just as he was about to leave, Bai Mingyu suddenly said, “What’s that in your pocket? Feels hard.”
Xie Jing stepped back. “Nothing.”
Bai Mingyu didn’t believe him and reached out to grab it. In the scuffle, a book fell from Xie Jing’s coat.
Bai Mingyu bent to pick it up, triumph flashing in his eyes. “I knew you were hiding something. Let’s see— just a tattered book… huh? Xie Jing, what’s with this book?” He shoved it in front of Xie Jing’s face, furious. “You’ve underlined things! Here, and here — even circled some! What’s this about, huh?!”
Xie Jing paused. “Oh, I like to mark my books as I read — makes it easier to remember.”
“Oh, sure — very convenient! So this is your secret tutoring, huh?” Bai Mingyu sneered. “Don’t feed me lies. I can tell this handwriting anywhere — it’s Mr. Huang’s! He even wrote notes here. You think I’m blind?”
Xie Jing glanced at the tiny line of Mr. Huang’s handwriting. The lantern light was dim, and even he had barely noticed it. Second Young Master’s eyesight was indeed sharp.
Bai Mingyu tucked the book into his sleeve and, in the tone of a detective, declared, “No wonder you always score better than me and know all the answers! You’ve been cheating.”
Xie Jing: “…”
Xie Jing finally said, “Second Young Master is right.”
Bai Mingyu, having secured the book, was gleeful. He looked Xie Jing up and down and smirked. “Mr. Huang’s coming to the academy tomorrow — he’ll be testing us again, no doubt. I’ll keep this book for you. Tomorrow, you’d better be ready for a good test, eh?” The last words were muttered between gritted teeth, his breath brushing Xie Jing’s ear. “You just wait — don’t you dare run off tomorrow.”
Having obtained his prize, Bai Mingyu didn’t linger. He rushed back home immediately — he had to memorize the key points overnight.
After watching him leave, Xie Jing pressed a hand to his waist — there, hidden beneath his coat, was a gun. Lord Bai Jiu had given it to him for self-defense. Usually, no one got this close to him. Only Bai Mingyu could be so recklessly intrusive. Next time, he thought, he’d better find another place to hide it.
The next day, at the clan academy.
Bai Mingyu had stayed up all night. His eyes were ringed with dark circles, his stare empty and dazed. When others called him, he responded sluggishly.
He couldn’t understand it — the book had all the important parts circled and annotated, but somehow he still couldn’t make sense of it, couldn’t memorize a thing!
Some classmates who usually played with him approached cheerfully. “Second Master, how about we go watch the opera after school today? There’s a new troupe performing — the old male role sings amazingly. We’re planning to book three shows in a row to support him!”
Already irritated, Bai Mingyu grew even more annoyed. “Go, go, go! I’ve no time for your nonsense. What’s so great about that junk? I can’t be bothered.”
The boy, rebuffed, sulked. Everyone knew that Second Young Master Bai was a moody troublemaker — friendly one moment, turning on you the next. Born with a silver spoon, adored by his family, he had confidence to spare. None of them could compare to him.
Thinking silence might keep him safe, the boy sat quietly beside him — but no sooner had he done so than Bai Mingyu kicked his stool.
“Stand up!” Bai Mingyu barked.
The boy froze. “Second Master, what’s wrong?”
“Move. Sit somewhere else — no, up front! Just don’t sit next to me.”
The boy obediently gathered his things and moved away.
Not all students at the clan school were from the Bai family — some were distant relatives or from friendly families who sent their children there for the good teachers. Plenty of them tried to curry favor with Second Master Bai.
But after being chased off one after another, finally, Bai Mingyu plunked his book bag onto the bench beside him — making it clear no one else was to sit there.
Within minutes, word spread through the entire academy: Second Young Master Bai had saved a seat — clearly for someone very close to him. He even dragged the tables together so the two could practically sit side by side.
Bai Mingyu ignored the curious glances around him, heart pounding anxiously.
No good, he thought.
I still can’t do these questions. I’ll have to find a way to copy.
Author’s Note:
Second Young Master Bai, utterly confused: It’s printed so clearly in the book — why can’t I understand any of it?!
