Zuo Jiuji, wanting to speak, raised his hand high. But he was too short, and standing on the ground, others could only see the top of his head over the table. So, he grunted and climbed onto a chair, standing on it, and said loudly, "Grandpa, Brother An and Brother Yun's views have a certain rationality.
However, there is always someone better and something more advanced. No one can guarantee whom they will meet in the future. Therefore, I think if the opponent's strength is too great and our strength is too weak, we cannot confront them head-on. If we can't win, we should run.
A true man knows when to yield and when to stand tall. If we can keep the green hills, we don't have to worry about running out of firewood. As long as we preserve our strength and strive for self-improvement, there will always be a chance to rise again."
"Brother Siming, Jiuji is remarkably intelligent. You must cultivate him well!" Third Uncle said with a smile, praising Zuo Siming.
Zuo Siming smiled humbly, "You flatter me, Brother. My son is merely quoting from books."
Prince Yu also chuckled, "This young child indeed possesses great wisdom and resilience. He is a person of strategy. If nurtured properly, he will surely become a general or minister in the future!"
Hearing everyone praise Jiuji, Lu Yun and Zuo An thought their answers were wrong. A flicker of disappointment flashed in their eyes, and their brows furrowed slightly.
Although others didn't agree with their views, these were their true thoughts!
Lu Ye glanced at Prince Yu and said loudly, "Jiuji is intelligent and strategic, fit to be a minister; however, Xiao An and Xiao Yun are full of spirit and possess extraordinary courage, fit to be generals! Their views are all correct!"
Upon hearing this, Zuo An and Lu Yun's eyes immediately regained their luster. It turned out their words were not wrong!
The three Zuo brothers looked at their prospective nephew with eyes full of affection and admiration. Their fourth brother was intelligent from childhood, and he and the son of Baili Ranran, the most beautiful woman in the capital, were truly extraordinary.
"Mmm, Husband, you are so right!" Bai Sheng immediately showered her husband with praise. "Xiao An and Xiao Yun, you are generals. You must work hard in the future to become strong enough, which is the most reliable way to avoid risks. Xiao Jiuji, you are just as amazing as your brothers, full of wisdom. I have high hopes for you."
All the children were so encouraged by Lu Ye and Bai Sheng that they puffed out their little chests. They decided to practice (read) after eating.
Zuo Siming laughed heartily, praising himself with satisfaction, "Indeed, my students are no ordinary men. If they meet a wise ruler in the future, they will surely achieve great things."
As soon as Zuo Siming finished speaking, Madam Wang shot him a glare across the table. This old man really couldn't keep his mouth shut. If he said, "if they meet a wise ruler," it implied that the current one was not, and with ears everywhere, it could lead to trouble!
Third Uncle chuckled, "Brother Siming is right, talented men must meet wise rulers! I toast you, Brother Siming!"
Zuo Siming confidently raised his wine cup and clinked it with Baili Rongmo from a distance.
After drinking a few cups of wine, Third Uncle's thoughts wandered. He instructed the children at the table, "Children, all of you remember, you can only display your talents if you meet a wise ruler. Otherwise, it's better to live as hermits in the mountains! Remember this saying from Third Uncle! You must... remember!"
"We remember!" The children shouted in unison with excitement.
After lunch, Third Uncle called Lu Ye and Bai Sheng into a room.
After closing the door, Third Uncle told them about some marks on Zuo Hanchen that Zuo Muchen had mentioned, asking them to go into the space immediately to check if Lu Ye's father's remains had these features.
Lu Ye knew that his father had three "swirls" on his head. As for the mole behind his neck and the scar on the second joint of his index finger, he hadn't paid attention to them.
"Husband, let's go in and check right away!" Saying this, Bai Sheng willed it, and she and Lu Ye flashed into the space.
Lu Ye went to verify himself. Bai Sheng could not follow, so she waited for him by the small wooden house.
She inadvertently glimpsed that Baoyu's wife, Baofeng, had a very large belly, looking like she was about to give birth to wolf cubs.
"Baoyu, you are quite capable! You got your wife's belly so big so quickly," Bai Sheng said, stroking Baoyu's head.
Seeing Lightning and Ice Stick inseparable, Bai Sheng said to them, "If you two are going to have cubs, absolutely do not give birth in the space. I don't want the space to be filled with snakes; it's too creepy."
Lightning and Ice Stick lowered their heads as if shy after hearing Bai Sheng's words.
Hmph Hmph instructed the two snakes, "Did you remember Master's words? Absolutely do not produce a nest of little snakes in the space. It's too frightening."
The two snakes nodded.
A moment later, Lu Ye walked over, his expression very excited. He hugged Bai Sheng and said, "My dear, it's true, my father is Zuo Hanchen!"
Bai Sheng hugged his waist and teased, "Husband, that's great. You have no relation to Chen Pozi! Will you change your surname in the future? Zuo Ye also sounds very good."
Lu Ye embraced her and said gently, "The surname must be changed. I want my father to have descendants, and we must acknowledge our ancestors."
"Will we go and acknowledge our relatives after going out later?" Bai Sheng asked, tilting her head up.
Lu Ye smiled, "Yes, otherwise, if it takes too long, Xiao Yun and Xiao Yu will still call their nephew 'brother,' and it will be hard to correct."
Bai Sheng chuckled, "Indeed, the辈分 (generations) will be messed up. Moreover, it's time to make Grandpa and Grandma happy."
As they were talking about acknowledging their ancestors, Hmph Hmph suddenly said to Bai Sheng, "Master, hurry up and go out. A group of villagers has come and is about to fight with Tutor Zuo and the others!"
Upon hearing this, Lu Ye and Bai Sheng immediately understood what was happening. It was likely the parents of the children who had fought with Xiao Yun and the others coming to their door.
The two flashed out of the space. Third Uncle was anxiously waiting for them. "How is it?"
Lu Ye's eyes welled up with tears, and he nodded, "My father is Zuo Hanchen."
"Good, good, that's great!" Third Uncle patted Lu Ye on the shoulder. "Let's go out and see; there are people causing trouble outside."
When the three went out, they saw dozens of villagers holding various farm tools, standing menacingly at the courtyard gate, blocking it tightly.
On the Zuo family's side, everyone also stood together. Even Concubine Mei, Prince Yu, and Granny Wu glared at the villagers opposite them with a common enemy.
Bai Sheng and the other two immediately stepped forward to boost the Zuo family's morale.
The leading villager, holding a shovel, said menacingly, "Who is the head of your family?!"
"I am the head of the family," Zuo Siming stepped forward. "May I ask, Brother, why have you brought so many people to our doorstep?"
The leading villager waved his hand and said with a dark, impatient face, "Don't give me that pedantic, pretentious talk! Let's be direct today. Your family's children injured our village children, so you must compensate our families for medical expenses!"
Zuo Siming said sternly, "There are reasons for the incident. Have you asked your own children why they were beaten?"
"You pretentious scholar! If you can't understand human language, then step aside! We don't care why they were beaten. The fact is that our children were injured by your children, and you must pay for medical expenses!" Another sturdy woman said, hands on her hips, spitting as she spoke.
"You—who are you calling a pretentious scholar?" Zuo Siming was greatly angered. He had been the top scholar at eighteen! Did he look that vulgar? To call him a pretentious scholar!