Chapter 14: A Distinguished Guest Arrives

"Why?" Ba Wanqing asked in confusion.

Ye Kun replied solemnly, "Painting is about the exchange of ideas between people. The reason I can create a painting in class is because there are many people there; otherwise, I wouldn't be able to...”

After saying this, Ye Kun felt he was leading Ba Wanqing astray, teaching her incorrectly—he was deceiving her. But it was all for his younger brother's future; as the elder brother, he should help his younger sibling.

Thinking this way, his sense of guilt was greatly eased.

Ba Wanqing was baffled by his explanation, hearing for the first time that painting had such a layer of meaning. Yet, it seemed to carry a depth she could not quite grasp.

"Little brother, what are you standing there for?"

"Oh... oh..." Ye Qin, bewildered, moved the desk closer to Ba Wanqing. In class, they sat far apart, but here he could be so close—he felt a little nervous, and she smelled faintly sweet.

Ye Kun paused. "I'll go pour a cup of tea."

Little brother, this is your chance—seize it.

As Ye Kun left, the air seemed to grow still. Yet, when he returned with tea after the time it takes for incense to burn, he found the two of them sitting quietly, not exchanging a single word.

Sigh... Must even this sort of thing be taught by your elder brother? How awkward for me.

"It's getting late, I need to go home," Ba Wanqing said softly, rising to her feet.

Was it awkward? Ye Kun certainly felt it was. Had they seen through him? Surely not—they were just children, what could they possibly suspect?

"I see. Take care on your way. Little brother, go and see her off," Ye Kun said, smiling with some embarrassment.

"Alright, brother."

Watching the two small figures depart, Ye Kun breathed a sigh of relief. He was no expert at painting; what could he possibly teach? Utter nonsense—he must not mislead others.

After a while, Ye Qin returned, speaking quietly, "I think Wanqing seemed a bit unhappy."

Ye Kun patted Ye Qin's shoulder. "Don't overthink it, little brother. We need to prepare for next month's Yuan Festival."

"That's true. This time, I'm going to surpass you, brother. You'd better watch out," Ye Qin declared, clenching his small fist, full of confidence.

"Mm, I believe in you. Would you like some guidance on poetry?" Ye Kun offered. He couldn't help much with archery, but poetry was another matter.

"No need, brother. I'll manage on my own," Ye Qin decided, determined to win first place through his own efforts. If his brother taught him, the credit would belong to his brother, so he refused.

This left Ye Kun troubled; the boy was a bit stubborn. Still, he had character.

A month passed in the blink of an eye.

Ye Qin seemed to have transformed, spending his days at home studying and training his strength, working so hard he scarcely resembled his peers.

Even Ye Ming and Dongmen Meng were surprised to see it.

Ye Kun, meanwhile, made himself a negative example. With his younger brother so diligent, he purposely relaxed, creating a contrast that would make their parents appreciate Ye Qin's efforts.

Since that day Ba Wanqing came by, she hadn't returned. Perhaps she felt Ye Kun didn't want to teach her, so she'd lingered that day.

The Yuan Festival was the grandest celebration in all of Dongyou, held to honor the Sword Emperor of Yuanzun.

Naturally, one cannot be praised unless they are immortal.

On this day, Taixi County was bustling. Elder Wei's private school educated the noble children, and upon hearing there would be a contest of literature and martial arts, some parents immediately sought to expand the event.

Even the county magistrate agreed, making it an official program for Taixi County this year—a small innovation.

After all, today a distinguished guest would arrive from Ankang Prefecture; it was worth paying attention.

"Father, is someone special coming today?" Ba Wanqing noticed her father's unusual nervousness and asked curiously.

Ba Tai was a slightly plump middle-aged man, dressed in official robes and a gauze cap, his face taut with tension.

But seeing his daughter approach, his stern expression softened.

"Wanqing, are you all prepared?" Ba Tai changed the subject, asking kindly.

Ba Wanqing smiled sweetly. "Of course I'm ready, I won't let you down, father."

"Haha, I have faith in you. Go to the school and get ready—I’ll come to the venue later."

"Alright, father. Take care."

"I will," Ba Tai replied warmly, patting his daughter's head with a smile.

After Ba Wanqing left, Ba Tai's expression grew grave again. He sat down on a wooden chair nearby.

"Sir!" A guard rushed in anxiously.

"Has he arrived?"

"He just entered the city gates."

Ba Tai nodded, stood up, straightened his official robes, but did not intend to go out and greet the visitor, since he had not been formally notified.

He had only been told to be prepared and to handle matters cautiously.

"Sir, someone requests an audience at the gate!" Soon after, another guard came to report.

Ba Tai nodded, determined to keep up the act. "Who is it?"

"He claims to be from Taijing."

"Oh? Bring him in."

"Yes, sir!"

Ba Tai's tense expression relaxed a little; he reminded himself not to be too nervous.

Taijing—the capital beneath the feet of the sages.

Why had this person come?

After a moment, a refined young man entered with a smile, dressed casually, but the jade pendant at his waist commanded respect.

It was a jade piece inscribed with the character for 'mountain'—or perhaps 'claw'—clear and exquisite, obviously the work of a master.

Anyone with some knowledge would recognize the significance of this jade.

"Your humble servant Ba Tai apologizes for not greeting you sooner. Please forgive me."

The young man smiled, ignoring Ba Tai, and walked into the house. Ba Tai, bowing, felt his heart tremble and quickly followed.

"You knew I was coming, yet you only waited inside your house. You have quite the nerve," the young man said softly, rubbing his finger against the wooden table and then pressing it with his thumb.

"I did not know you were coming, sir," Ba Tai explained hurriedly.

"Then why are you dressed so formally?" the young man asked, watching Ba Tai's flustered demeanor.

"Today is the Yuan Festival, sir. There's an event at the county, and I must attend."

"Oh, is that so? Then I misjudged you," the young man said, patting Ba Tai's shoulder—a warning. Clever tricks won't work here. Though the Ba family had some influence, they could not move him.

The pat made cold sweat break out on Ba Tai's forehead.

He swallowed and asked quietly, "Is there anything I can assist you with, sir?"

"I'm just passing through and thought I'd stop by."

But the intelligence Ba Tai had received suggested otherwise—this visit had a purpose, though the visitor was unwilling to say.

"By the way, you mentioned an event just now—what kind of event?"