Chapter 1194: Reject

This time, with no one stopping them, the three children successfully met Lin Weide.

That day, when Mu Bowen stopped the three children from entering the academy, it caused quite a commotion. Coupled with the fact that there were students watching, Lin Weide had more or less heard some news these few days.

Because of Mu Yangling’s visit, Lin Weide and Chen Guangdi were at the center of the storm. Therefore, he had been keeping a low profile recently. Thus, even if he heard such news, he pretended not to have heard it.

He thought that since there were people stopping those kids that day, there should be more people stopping them subsequently.

As expected, it was peaceful for five consecutive days and the three children did not cause any waves. However, who would have expected that five days later, the three children would appear again? This time, they even passed through the entrance of the academy unimpeded and stood in front of him.

Speaking of which, today was actually Pine Mountain Academy’s day off. But because Lin Weide was a diligent teacher, at his students’ request, he’d agreed to give an additional lecture early in the morning. Since the weather was fine and the spring breeze was pleasant, he changed the teaching venue to the garden on the spur of the moment. This way, more students who wanted to listen in on his lecture could do so.

Then, three suspicious people mixed in with his students.

Lin Weide really wanted to poke his own eyes. Having just met Qi Haoran not long ago, anyone who wasn’t blind would be able to guess the identities of the twins considering they looked so similar to their father.

Lin Weide was right. Almost as soon as the three children appeared, everyone’s gazes landed on them.

It couldn’t be helped. The information that had been circulating secretly these few days made everyone especially sensitive to twins. Besides, Tiger Head and Little Lion’s faces were too recognizable, while Little An also bore a great resemblance to his father, Prince An. Even a fool could guess who they were when the trio appeared.

Hence, the student who was asking questions kindly showed his willingness to help others by expressing that he wanted to give this rare opportunity to ask questions to the youngest person present.

Hence, everyone’s gazes landed on Tiger Head and Little Lion at the same time. They discussed softly, “Which of these two is younger?”

“Who knows but themselves?”

Tiger Head thanked the good student and stepped forward with his head and chest puffed out. Seeing this, Little An and Little Lion quickly grabbed him.

Tiger Head immediately reacted. He stopped in his tracks and immediately turned to look at Little Lion innocently.

Little Lion took a step forward without looking sideways and looked up into Lin Weide’s eyes. He said solemnly, “Teacher Lin, I have a question…”

Everyone: “Don’t think that we didn’t see that. You’re not the youngest at all. The youngest one is the person beside you who looks exactly like you.”

Little Lion, who was actually younger than Tiger Head but had always declared himself to be the older one, ignored everyone’s gazes and continued, “I wonder what Teacher Lin’s criteria are for accepting disciples. Do you think the three of us are suitable?”

Seeing that he was fearless under everyone’s gazes, everyone could not help but cheer for him in their hearts.

Even Lin Weide praised in his heart. Not everyone could be so calm under the gaze of others, let alone someone asking for his criteria for taking in a disciple in front of so many people.

Reason being, the probability of him not accepting that person as a disciple was higher, which could mean embarrassment when he was rejected.

However, these three children were very open-minded. Their broadmindedness alone was worthy of Lin Weide’s praise.

This year was not the time for Lin Weide to take in disciples, and the three of them did not meet his criteria. Although he was also very tempted, he was more willing to leave the opportunity to the students from humble backgrounds, so he could only reject regretfully. “The three of you are excellent, but this year is not the time for me to take in disciples. Considering you three young masters are so intelligent, I think there are many people who are willing to take you in as disciples.”

Although Little An and Little Lion were a little disappointed, this outcome was already expected, so it was not difficult for them to accept.

The two of them could hear the rejection in Lin Weide’s words, but only Tiger Head could not. Just as he was about to ask further, Little An held his hand. Their years of tacit understanding made Tiger Head shut his mouth and not say anything.

As their actions were very secretive, no one noticed. Seeing the disappointment on their faces, Lin Weide said with a smile, “However, if you have any questions, feel free to ask me. As long as I know the answer, I’ll definitely tell you.”

Tiger Head’s eyes lit up and he asked, “Can we ask under the tree?”

Little An and Little Lion resisted the urge to hold their foreheads and looked at Lin Weide solemnly, trying their best to express that this was a very normal question, really.

Lin Weide couldn’t quite understand this sentence, so he could only interpret it literally. “So long as it doesn’t rain, sure.”

Satisfied, Tiger Head bade farewell together with Little An and Little Lion.

‘That’s it?’

Shouldn’t they continue pestering Teacher Lin?

All the students felt that these three were way too easy to deal with.

Lin Weide nodded in his heart again, feeling that the three of them had good temperaments and mentalities.

When there were fewer and fewer people on the road, Tiger Head asked curiously, “Why didn’t you guys let me ask questions?”

“Were you going to ask him if he’s willing to take us in as disciples next year?” Little Lion asked.

Tiger Head nodded. “He doesn’t take in disciples this year, but he’s going to do so next year.”

“Then I can answer you.” Little An said, “No! The reason being, he has already taken in enough disciples.”

Tiger Head widened his eyes, and Little Lion explained to him, “You could tell complete rejection based on his words just now. Since he means to do so, he can always find a reason to reject us.”

“Why?” Tiger Head asked curiously. “Is it because we’re not good enough?”

“Maybe.” Little Lion said nonchalantly, “Every teacher has different standards for accepting disciples. Do you have to acknowledge Lin Weide as your teacher? If that’s the case, we’ll go back and ask about his standards and work hard towards that goal.”

Little An said, “I don’t think it’s because we’re not good enough, but because of our identities. But no matter what, Tiger Head, do you have to acknowledge him as your teacher?”

If it had to be Lin Weide, they would have to work hard.

Tiger Head thought seriously for a moment, then shook his head. “It’s not that it has to be him, but it’s a pity because I wanted to follow Teacher Lin around on a study tour. When the time comes, we can serve Teacher Lin like Confucius’ disciples, perhaps leaving behind a much-told tale for future generations.”

Little An and Little Lion looked at each other helplessly. Tiger Head seemed to have taken a fancy to role-playing recently.

The news of the three children seeking to become disciples at Pine Mountain Academy quickly spread. The teachers who taught them were a little disappointed, while Qi Xiuyuan suspected that the teachers in the palace were not good enough, so the three children set their sights elsewhere.

Hence, while the three children were happily shopping, they were found by the guards and summoned to the palace.

The three of them were a little unhappy. When they saw Qi Xiuyuan, they complained, “Royal Uncle, it wasn’t easy for us to get a break. Why can’t we talk about it the day after tomorrow?”

Qi Xiuyuan, who was about to open his mouth, fell silent for a moment before calling her over and asking, “Why do you wish to become Lin Weide’s disciple?”

Little An and Little Lion quickly signaled Tiger Head with their eyes. They could tell Fourth Aunt (Mother) this reason, but not Royal Uncle.

Seeing their actions, Qi Xiuyuan immediately instructed the two of them, “Little An, Royal Uncle heard that you’ve started learning from your father how to make tea? It just so happens that Royal Uncle recently obtained some Da Hong Pao tea leaves here. Go make a cup. Little Lion, Royal Uncle left a book in the study room during lunch break yesterday and couldn’t find it. Follow Eunuch Wan to help me find it. Come, Tiger Head, let’s talk.”

The three brothers looked at each other and headed towards their respective tasks with a tragic expression.

Royal Uncle was in cahoots with the teachers in the Royal School. Who knew what he would do to them after this!