Chapter 9: Investigation of Things is Easy

The next day, Second Young Master Hong arrived punctually once again. He brought a stack of books for Li Xuedong and conveyed Mr. Shao's words

"Studying *Gezhi* (the investigation of things) requires innate comprehension. I have selected a few introductory books, along with two of my own study notes from when I first began learning *Gezhi*, for Li Xuedong to look over first. Once he has studied them sufficiently, he should write a reflection and send it to me. After I have read it, I will discuss the next steps."

Li Xiaonan was overjoyed; this method of teaching was truly satisfying to her.

That evening, while Li Xuedong sat at the table practicing calligraphy, Li Xiaonan huddled in the corner of the desk. Under the light of the oil lamp, she read continuously until midnight, gaining a clear understanding of the subject.

This subject, *Gezhi*, was simply too easy for her.

After reading through all the books and Mr. Shao's study notes, Li Xiaonan organized her thoughts and began to secretly give Li Xuedong "mini-lessons" based on her own logic.

Li Xuedong was reasonably intelligent, but the most important aspects of learning *Gezhi* were logic and methodology. With a super-expert like Li Xiaonan providing one-on-one explanations, it took only about ten days for Li Xuedong to master seventy to eighty percent of the books sent by Second Young Master Hong and Mr. Shao's two sets of study notes.

After spending another two days carefully composing a written reflection, he first submitted it to Mr. Gao.

Mr. Gao read it very seriously, three or four times. He recognized every character, but when they were put together, he couldn't make sense of them.

Mr. Gao solemnly sealed the reflection in an envelope, applied a wax seal, and entrusted an acquaintance heading into town to deliver it to the Hong family.

Early the next morning, Second Young Master Hong arrived. Upon meeting, he slapped Li Xuedong hard on the shoulder.

"And you said you weren't smart! You're quite something! When I received your reflection yesterday, Mr. Shao couldn't stop praising it. He was even talking about it during breakfast, saying your insights were profound and your reasoning was exceptionally clear—that you have already grasped the essence. You were actually hiding your light under a bushel!"

"No, well, I mean... I am a dull person, that is..." Li Xuedong was left flustered by the praise, his face flushing bright red. If he didn't act humble, he would feel guilty; if he was too humble, he feared it might arouse suspicion.

*Sigh, it's really not my own doing!*

Looking at the beet-red Li Xuedong, Second Young Master Hong stood with one hand patting him and the other on his hip, laughing loudly.

"My Uncle said that since you come from a remote, poor family, you might not be accustomed to social graces. It seems he was right. Let me teach you! You should say: 'Brother Hong overpraises me; a fool may have a thousand thoughts, and occasionally one might be correct.'"

"Yes, yes, yes. Brother Hong overpraises me; a fool may have a thousand thoughts, and occasionally one might be correct," Li Xuedong repeated, mimicking the words exactly to escape his embarrassment.

Second Young Master Hong froze for a moment, then let out a "pfft" and began laughing uncontrollably, clutching his stomach and stomping his feet.

"Ahahaha! You... yes, yes, that's exactly it! Ahahaha! I'm not laughing at you, ahahaha! I'll teach you more later."

After laughing for quite a while, Second Young Master Hong looked at the red-faced Li Xuedong and felt, for the first time, that such an honest person was quite interesting.

Second Young Master Hong reached out and put an arm around Li Xuedong. "Mr. Shao asked when you would be free and wants you to pay him a visit. He wants to speak with you in person to discuss where you should focus your studies next. When are you free?"

"I am free whenever... I..." Li Xuedong instinctively looked back, but instead of Li Xiaonan, he saw Mr. Gao.

"If it is convenient for the Second Young Master, you should go now," Mr. Gao said with a smile, waving at Li Xuedong.

"Then let's go right now! Get on the horse. You don't need to know how to ride; just sit steady. We won't gallop, we'll just walk slowly." Second Young Master Hong didn't wait for an answer, deciding for him instead.

During their last social encounter, things had been quite awkward for him, and he had recounted the details to his Uncle upon returning.

His Uncle had advised him: Someone like Li Xuedong, who has no parents, comes from an extremely poor family, and has no one in his clan to look after him, spends all his energy on studying. He must be completely ignorant of social etiquette and worldly affairs.

In such a predicament, being ignorant of *Gezhi*, and yet still ranking eighteenth in the prefectural exam, Li Xuedong was certainly more intelligent than him. When dealing with someone more intelligent, one shouldn't overthink; one only needs to show genuine sincerity.

If a sincere heart could not move Li Xuedong, then either he was not meant to be associated with the Hong family, or he was not a person worth befriending.

With his Uncle's guidance, Second Young Master Hong felt much more relaxed about befriending Li Xuedong.

His greatest strength, as his Uncle put it, was being sincere with others.

Second Young Master Hong looked Li Xuedong over once more.

*Someone like him is quite interesting, just a bit too timid. Hmm, in the future, I'll have to be more careful and look after him more.*

Hiding behind the schoolhouse door, Li Xiaonan watched as Li Xuedong was lifted onto the horse by a servant. He gripped the saddle with nervous tension as he rode away toward the county town with Second Young Master Hong. She let out a long sigh and patted her chest; she had been worried sick for her brother.

Li Xiaonan went into the kitchen to help Old Mrs. Huang with chores, but her mind was elsewhere.

She was a little worried. Her brother was an honest man who had never seen the world; this trip to the Hong family would surely be overwhelming for him. Fortunately, that Second Young Master Hong seemed like a very good person.

As dusk approached, the Hong family's large carriage pulled up to the entrance of the Gao family schoolhouse. Li Xuedong stepped down, and the driver unloaded two medium-sized rattan trunks.

The trunks were first carried into the main hall of the Gao residence.

One trunk was packed with books, while the other was filled with high-quality paper and ink, a premium She inkstone, and about a dozen top-grade Hu brushes.

Mr. Gao examined each item carefully, filled with emotion.

This trunk of brushes, ink, paper, and inkstones contained genuine high-quality goods that were worth a significant amount of money. The Hong family's extravagance was truly extraordinary!

It was no wonder the Hong family had risen from a middle-class family in Kunshan County to become the most prominent family in the county within just a decade or two.

Mr. Gao gave Li Xuedong detailed instructions: use only what is needed. Although there was plenty of paper and ink, he must be frugal. The provincial exam is extremely difficult; if one fails this round, there will inevitably be more attempts ahead. One must plan for the long term.

Li Xuedong nodded incessantly. The trunk provided by the Gao family contained only the finest Xuan paper; he couldn't bear to use even a single sheet.

Carrying five or six books and two ink-scrolls, Li Xuedong returned to the side rooms of the schoolhouse. He and Li Xiaonan lived in a small room at the far western end.

Both ink-scrolls were regarding *Gezhi*; one contained the top three scoring essays from the recent provincial exams in the Zhejiang region, and the other contained the top essays from several metropolitan exams.

Treating them like precious treasures, Li Xiaonan studied the two scrolls first. After reading them thoroughly, she almost burst into laughter.

This *Gezhi* was simply too easy for her!

If she were only tested on *Gezhi*, she could sweep every exam and achieve the triple first prize!

Suppressing her urge to laugh out loud, Li Xiaonan continued reading the *Gezhi* books with a smile.

Under the small, oil-saving lamp, Li Xiaonan sat on the floor leaning against the table leg, concentrating intently on her books. Meanwhile, Li Xuedong sat in a chair, brow furrowed in concentration, miserably working through the *Gezhi* practice papers Li Xiaonan had set for him.

The questions A-Nan set were simply too difficult and too numerous!