Dressed as a concubine instead of a concubine

Chapter 163 Why Study

The two came out of the dessert shop and saw a man head-on.

The man was dressed in a green brocade robe, gentle and elegant, standing there, as strong and upright as a pine or cypress.

However, there was a hint of anger and confusion in his eyes, as if they owed him money.

Meng Xiyue searched her memory, but couldn't remember who this person was.

She raised her eyes to look at Nan Rongzhi, and seeing her somewhat surprised expression, her heart sank, "Is this another emotional debt you owe me?"

"What nonsense are you talking about? This man is a scholar from Wenlin Academy, Ye Rong. His father is the vice president of Donglin Academy, and his grandfather is the great scholar in the literary world, Mr. Ye Xiu."

Hearing this, Meng Xiyue was shocked. She had never heard of the other names, but the name Ye Xiu was very familiar to her.

He can be said to be a literary giant. Not only in Nanrong Kingdom, but also in other countries, he has a pivotal position. His disciples are spread across every country.

Almost every courtier in every country had his direct or indirect apprentice.

"I didn't expect this man to have such a prominent family background. Why is he looking at us like this?"

They seemed to have nothing to do with him.

"Just ask and you'll know."

Nan Rongzhi also found it strange. The Ye family were all nerds and did not take sides in the court. He and Ye Rong had only met twice and had no intersection. She was also curious about why this man came here.

She pulled Meng Xiyue and walked in front of Ye Rong.

"Master Ye, do you have something to ask us?"

"His Royal Highness."

Ye Rong seemed to have just noticed his presence and quickly saluted.

Then he raised his eyes and looked at Meng Xiyue with some resentment.

Meng Xiyue's heart skipped a beat. This was directed at her. She smiled awkwardly, "Do Mr. Ye and I know each other?"

"Master Mo Ran."

Seeing her, Ye Rong said in a deep voice, "Why are you so self-degrading? I admire you so much and love your calligraphy and paintings very much."

It turns out that he is her little fanboy under another identity, but how can he be said to be so self-degrading?

"Mr. Ye, thank you for your love, but I don't think I have done anything to degenerate myself."

"You..." Ye Rong glared at him, "You are a master of calligraphy and painting, but you don't do literary things, but instead do business to make money in such a vulgar way. Aren't you just degrading yourself?"

Hearing this, Meng Xiyue chuckled, "I didn't expect that Master Ye, who has been well-read since childhood, would have such thoughts."

Ye Rong was slightly stunned. He thought that his indignant accusations, although not necessarily making him change his ways, would at least make him feel ashamed and angry.

But now she was full of contempt for him.

"What do you mean, do you still think you did the right thing?"

"What's wrong with me doing business? What's wrong with me being greedy for money? I earn money through my own efforts, not by stealing or robbing. I can only be proud of myself."

Meng Xiyue sneered, "Does Master Ye think that it is right for poor people like those to hold on to the sage book even if they starve to death?"

"You...are making up groundless arguments. As a scholar, you shouldn't be tainted by the smell of money. Otherwise, you're insulting the books of sages."

Ye Rong still insisted.

Seeing him so stubborn, Meng Xiyue lost her good face, "Mr. Ye, you are so arrogant, that's because you have never been hungry, you have never worried about three meals a day."

"You said you can't get involved in money, but your food, clothing, shelter and transportation all cost money. The servants and guards around you also cost money. Looking back a few generations, isn't there anyone in Mr. Ye's family who does business?"

Ye Rong blushed at what she said. He really had never worried about money. With the status of the Ye family, they would never be short of money.

"It's not that money is bad, but most businessmen are profit-seeking and selfish, and they are not the same kind of people as scholars."

"Mr. Ye, what you said is even more ridiculous. Selfish people are everywhere. Merchants are the only ones in this place. Do you think that those who read the books of sages are all upright and honest people?"

Meng Xiyue looked straight at him, "Young Master Ye, why don't you open your eyes and look at this court, look at this broken Nanrong Kingdom, and look at the common people of this world."

"What do you mean?" Ye Rong was a little confused.

Meng Xiyue looked at his ignorant expression and knew that he was just a kind-hearted person who had never experienced the world.

"Master Ye, why do you read the books of sages?"

"Why?"

Ye Rong was born into a literary family. He had been studying since he was young. It seemed that there was nothing else to do except studying, but he had never thought about why.

"For self-cultivation and for the better development of this country."

After saying this, he looked at Meng Xiyue with some uncertainty. In fact, deep down he already felt that his idea might not be correct.

But Meng Xiyue nodded and said, "You are right. The purpose of studying is to cultivate oneself and become a person of good character and morality."

"Reading and understanding can also help a country develop better, but that also requires a premise."

"What premise?"

Ye Rong didn't realize that he had been completely led by Meng Xiyue.

"Master Ye, don't take the carriage on your way back. Walk back by yourself and take a look at the streets of Nanrong Country and the various kinds of people on the streets."

After saying this, Meng Xiyue and Nan Rongzhi left.

No matter how much she said to this carefree rich boy, it was meaningless. Only if he had seen it with his own eyes, felt it, or experienced it, could he understand.

She didn't know whether Ye Rong would do as she said, but it didn't matter. After all, they had only met once.

The reason why she explained so much to him was only because of his kind character. If you are stubborn, then they will just not see each other again.

At this moment, Meng Xiyue didn't know that her words today would change a person and would also add a powerful force to herself and Nan Rongzhi.

Ye Rong was an obedient man. He asked the carriage to go back home first, and even did not take his servants or book boys with him. He strolled alone on the streets of the capital.

He passed this street every day, but it felt so strange to him.

On weekdays, he would sit in the carriage, reading books and drinking tea, never caring about the scenery outside.

In fact, there are quite a few people doing business on the street, most of them set up stalls to do small business. They look honest and have nothing to do with the profit-seeking businessmen he mentioned.

"Don't take my book, it's mine."

"You are not even a student, what is the use of books?"

"That's better than you."

Suddenly, Ye Rong's attention was attracted by the beggars in the corner. The two beggars were fighting for a book, and sitting in the corner, there was a slightly younger beggar who was reading a book seriously.

Seeing this, Ye Rong smiled. In Nanrong Country, even beggars can read and write. This is probably unmatched by any other country.