23: This isn't stealing, it's academic borrowing.

The oppressive atmosphere in the Zhou Family dining hall was instantly ignited by Zhou Yulin's return.

He practically rushed in, his face a mix of excitement, shock, and fervor, completely devoid of the usual composure of a Young Master from an aristocratic family.

“Father!”

Zhou Wenhai was holding a teacup. Seeing his son's appearance, his brows furrowed slightly: “Why are you so flustered? What kind of behavior is this!”

Zhou Kang, who had been sitting awkwardly to the side, unsure whether to leave or stay, also raised his head curiously.

Zhou Yulin completely ignored his father's reprimand. He rushed to the table in a few strides, his breathing a little uneven from running so fast.

“Father! That Su Ming... he... he is no Mortal!”

Zhou Wenhai's hand, holding the teacup, paused in mid-air, his sharp gaze falling on his son.

“Elaborate.”

“Yes!” Zhou Yulin took a deep breath, trying to calm his emotions, and recounted everything he had seen and heard in the backyard, exactly as it happened.

Mimicking Su Ming's tone, he gave the three ugly ceramic pots the names “Heavenly Dao Nature Group,” “External Intervention Group,” and “Survival in Adversity Group.”

He also quoted Su Ming's words about “peering into the subtle principles to gaze upon the Great Dao.”

With every sentence he spoke, the solemnity on Zhou Wenhai's face deepened.

Meanwhile, Zhou Kang's face turned from white to green, then from green to purple, as if he had been slapped repeatedly in public, stinging painfully.

The jokes he had used earlier to mock Su Ming, now, coming from his own nephew's mouth, had become profound insights containing supreme wisdom.

This was simply absurd!

“...That's how it is.” Zhou Yulin finished, looking at his father with burning eyes, “Father, your son dares to ask, I also wish to clear a plot of land in our backyard, to emulate Brother Su's method, and set up these three groups for Investigation of Things. Observing and recording day and night, in less than half a month, your son's Investigation of Things essay will surely achieve complete understanding!”

He thought his father would readily agree, and even praise him greatly.

“Smack!”

A crisp sound.

Zhou Wenhai slammed the teacup heavily onto the table, splashing tea and leaving several dark marks on his meticulously neat scholar's robe.

“Foolish!”

Zhou Wenhai's voice wasn't loud, but it struck Zhou Yulin's heart like a heavy hammer.

Zhou Yulin was stunned: “Father, I...”

“I ask you,” Zhou Wenhai stared at him, his gaze as sharp as ice, “who created this method of Investigation of Things?”

“It's... it's Su Ming, Brother Su.” Zhou Yulin answered subconsciously.

“Since you know it was obtained through another's hard thought, and you intend to directly appropriate it for your own use without their permission, how is that any different from a thief on the roof or a pickpocket on the street?!”

Zhou Wenhai's voice suddenly rose: “Is this how my son, the Qilin of the Zhou Family, conducts his studies—by taking without asking?!”

With a “boom,” Zhou Yulin's face instantly turned a liver-like purple, a mixture of shame and grievance.

“Father, this... this can't be called stealing!” He argued anxiously, “The Dao of scholarship is inherently about mutual verification and mutual reference. Since Brother Su's method is for Investigation of Things, it is a public tool for all under Heaven, I...”

“Silence!” Zhou Wenhai suddenly stood up, pointing at his son's nose, “Reference? You don't even say hello, secretly imitating behind his back, is that called reference? That's plagiarism! It's the most despicable act for a scholar! If you act so improperly today, you will harbor crooked thoughts in the examination hall tomorrow! Where have all your sagely books gone?!”

He paced back and forth in the hall, infuriated, his chest heaving violently.

Zhou Yulin was thoroughly scolded, his head bowed, his fists clenched tightly, his fingernails almost digging into his flesh, filled with unwillingness.

He didn't understand why, what was clearly a shortcut to success, had become such a despicable Evil Path in his father's eyes.

Just as the father and son were at an impasse, the atmosphere so heavy it could almost drip, a gentle voice came from behind the beaded curtain, like a spring breeze turning into rain.

“My lord, why such a great temper? Be careful not to harm your health.”

Before her words finished, a woman in an elegant long dress, with a gentle face and refined temperament, walked out gracefully. She was Zhou Yulin's mother, Zhou Wenhai's wife, Lady Liu.

Lady Liu immediately sensed the tension in the hall. She first patted her husband's arm reassuringly, then looked at her flushed son with concern.

“Yu Lin, speak properly with your father, what happened?”

Upon seeing his mother, Zhou Yulin seemed to find his anchor, and recounted the entire story again, his voice full of grievance.

Lady Liu listened quietly, a look of understanding appearing on her face.

She did not directly comment on who was right or wrong, but gently said to Zhou Wenhai: “Husband, Yu Lin is also eager for his studies, and was momentarily impatient. Please calm down first.”

She paused, then changed her tone: “In my opinion, this matter may not be as simple as Yu Lin thinks, nor as despicable as you say, husband.”

Zhou Wenhai looked at his wife, the anger in his eyes subsiding slightly.

Lady Liu continued: “From what Yu Lin says, that Young Master Su, though young, has extraordinary insight and an even broader mind. Since he could impart this method fully in front of Yu Lin, it shows he is not one to hoard his knowledge.”

“Our Zhou Family is a scholarly family, and we value etiquette the most. It is indeed inappropriate for Yu Lin to directly imitate. But why can't we try a different approach?”

Her voice was soft, yet every word was clear: “Husband, why don't you let Yu Lin prepare a small gift, and tomorrow morning, personally visit him, under the pretense of seeking instruction, and frankly explain our intention? Just say that we greatly admire his ‘Investigation of Things method’ and wish to learn a thing or two, and see if he agrees.”

“If he agrees, we will owe him a favor and treat him well in the future. If he doesn't agree, that is his right, and we will drop the matter, never to pester him. This way, we neither lose the integrity of our Zhou Family nor dampen Yu Lin's desire for learning. Wouldn't that be the best of both worlds?”

These words gradually smoothed out Zhou Wenhai's furrowed brow.

Lady Liu watched her husband's expression change, then gently added: “Husband, consider this: could someone who can conceive such a marvelous method be an ordinary country bumpkin? Master Zhou's recommendation of him must have deep meaning. If we humble ourselves today and interact with him respectfully, forming a good connection, perhaps... it could be a great Opportunity for Yu Lin's future?”

The word “Opportunity” was like a key, completely unlocking the lock named “Principle” in Zhou Wenhai's heart.

Indeed.

He himself was a scholar and understood one truth best: true knowledge was more precious than any gold or silver. A young man with such a unique way of thinking, his value was far more than just an Investigation of Things essay.

To befriend, not to demand.

This was the best strategy.

Zhou Wenhai let out a long breath, and the tense atmosphere in the hall dissipated with it.

He sat down again, looking at Zhou Yulin, his gaze having returned to its usual calm and dignified state.

“Your mother is right. It was I, your father... who thought too narrowly.” He frankly admitted his bias, then changed his tone, becoming incredibly serious, “I was also worried you would be too eager for quick success and go astray.”

“Your son knows his mistake.” Zhou Yulin, seeing his father's attitude soften, quickly bowed and admitted his error.

“It's good that you know your mistake.” Zhou Wenhai nodded, “Tomorrow morning, you personally go to the backyard.”

He pondered for a moment, then made a decision.

“From my study, take that ‘Cloud Mountain Overlapping Green’ inkstone, and pair it with the pair of weasel-hair brushes made by the Li family of Huizhou, and take them with you.”

Zhou Yulin and Lady Liu were both surprised.

That inkstone was Zhou Wenhai's beloved possession; he usually couldn't bear to use it frequently himself.

“Father, this... isn't this gift too heavy?” Zhou Yulin hesitated.

“Not heavy!” Zhou Wenhai said decisively, “Knowledge is priceless! We are going to seek instruction, not to bestow charity. A heavy gift shows our sincerity. Remember, tomorrow when you see Su Ming, your posture must be humbler than today, and your words more sincere than today. You must make him understand that our Zhou Family genuinely respects his scholarship, and does not covet his methods.”

“Your son... your son understands!” Zhou Yulin's heart settled, his face regaining its radiance, and he nodded heavily.

As this family meeting, triggered by “planting beans,” moved towards a Perfection ending, no one noticed that Zhou Kang, the second branch's steward who had been like an invisible man from beginning to end, had quietly exited the dining hall.

He walked into the shadows beneath the corridor. The evening breeze brought a hint of coolness, but it couldn't disperse the humiliation and jealousy in his heart.

His face twisted in the dim light, appearing particularly hideous.

His elder brother's reprimand, his nephew's praise, the trouble his wife brought back... each and every one of them pierced his heart like needles.

Why?

A poor boy who appeared from who-knows-where, with a few broken ceramic pots and some crooked theories, became the “extraordinary son” in his elder brother's mouth, and the “Brother Su” whom his nephew had to respectfully seek instruction from?

And he even wanted his Zhou Family to bring out a treasured inkstone as a tribute?

Zhou Kang had lived half his life in the Zhou Family, and he had never received such importance!

A sinister thought, like a venomous snake, crawled out from the darkest corner of his heart.

He clenched the fist hidden in his sleeve, his knuckles turning white.

He absolutely could not let that boy easily step on Zhou Kang's face and rise to prominence.

Never!