I proved immortality through the imperial examination.

Chapter 4 On Benevolence
Xue Xiang was stunned. Regardless of his past life or this life, the core of Confucianism remained unchanged, all revolving around the concept of "benevolence".

This question seems simple, but it's actually too broad.

After thinking for more than ten breaths, Xue Xiang remembered an article he had read in his previous life and suddenly had an idea. He quickly took two steps to the table, picked up the teacup on the table, and poured water into the inkstone. "Benevolence is like living water, not something that can be contained in a cup."

In the past, the Water God dredged the nine rivers, not by forcibly changing their course, but by guiding them to flow naturally according to the terrain of the mountains and rivers.

The *Bianjing* says, "It nourishes all things without giving," this virtue of water is close to benevolence—it adapts to its surroundings, bending where it is most, yet ultimately flows towards the Eastern Sea.

Xie Haiya's eyes flickered slightly. "Are you finished speaking?"

Xue Xiang took two more steps and pointed to the bronze beast incense burner on the west side, saying, "This burner is hollow inside to hold the smoke when burning incense."

The benevolent person's "self-discipline" is not about cutting off one's feet to fit the shoes, but rather like a soldier forging a sword: removing impurities and retaining the essence so that the weapon's shape will naturally emerge.

Just as "gold is in the sand, only revealed after being washed away," this is what is meant by "the benevolent find peace in benevolence, and the wise find benefit in benevolence."

Xie Haiya stood up.

Xue Xiang then pointed to a mulberry tree in the courtyard, saying, “The Book of Poetry says, ‘Women have no public duties, they rest from their silkworm weaving.’ Yet, silkworm women all over the world perform their duties, ultimately creating magnificent silkworm patterns.”

Benevolence is not something deliberately woven into brocade; rather, it is like a silkworm spinning silk—feeding on mulberry leaves at midnight, weaving five-colored warp and weft. Its subtlety lies precisely in the phrase "reaching the vast and exhausting the subtle" from the *Zhengyan*.

Xie Haiya suddenly raised his head, "Looking around at the things around him, he can talk about benevolence and righteousness. He is indeed no ordinary person."

Is there a conclusion?

Xue Xiang said solemnly, “Therefore, when a benevolent person has a heart, benevolence is achieved when that heart is moved.”

"What a wonderful movement of the heart! Benevolence has arrived."

Xie Haiya smiled and said, "You are a promising student. You may view all my books."

You don't need to go back to the third room. Just stay in the Plum Blossom Hall and assist me with organizing the documents.

As he spoke, he tossed a black iron plaque with a plum blossom engraved on it.

"Follow the order!"

Xue Xiang gripped the token representing the Plum Blossom Hall tightly, feeling that his hard work over the past few days had finally paid off.

Xie Haiya has finally managed to get on his good side, but whether he can hold on tight remains to be seen.

When Xue Xiang was about to leave for the day, the snow stopped, and he was stopped by Jiang Kun.

His face was ashen as he stared coldly at Xue Xiang. "Brother Xue, were you waiting for me to congratulate you in person?"

"Brother Jiang, what's wrong? You look terrible."

Xue Xiang affectionately put his arm around Jiang Kun's shoulder.

Jiang Kun said coldly, "Brother Xue, while plotting to enter the Plum Blossom Hall, you told me you wanted to resign and asked me to help you find someone to bribe the Flying Fish Mark. Do you think I, Jiang, am easy to bully?"

"I thought it was something serious."

Xue Xiang laughed and said, "I was just lucky. I sorted out the accounts and was allowed to stay in the Plum Blossom Hall for a few days by the academy master."

Even so, I know I won't have any future here on Jiufen Mountain.

I absolutely have to resign from this position.

Brother Jiang, how far have you progressed with helping to mix the Flying Fish Mark?

To be honest, Brother Jiang, I've also asked around and people are inquiring about prices.

"what!"

Jiang Kun was extremely anxious, "How can you entrust this matter to two families?"

These past few days he's been busy raising money and worrying about giving Xue Xiang a quote.

At that moment, Xue Xiang said he had also asked others for prices, which hit him right where it hurt.

"It's not that I don't trust Brother Jiang, it's just that I want things done quickly, even if the price is 10% or 20% lower."

Xue Xiang continued to spout nonsense.

"Since you trust me, leave this matter to me. I guarantee that Brother Xue will not suffer any losses."

As he spoke, Jiang Kun took out five more spirit tablets and stuffed them into Xue Xiang's hand. "Adding the ones from before, that's enough for one spirit stone. Consider this the deposit."

Brother Xue, please don't look for anyone else, unless you disown me as your brother.

Xue Xiang said sincerely, "Brother Jiang, you know that you are my only friend on this Jiufen Mountain."

If I don't trust you, who else can I trust?

Jiang Kun patted Xue Xiang on the shoulder, "We are brothers in this world."

Brother Xue, rest assured, I will definitely take care of the paperwork for you.

After seeing Jiang Kun off, Xue Xiang began moving to the Plum Blossom Hall. The clerks who shared his room had obviously received the news beforehand. They were just nodding acquaintances, but now they were as close as brothers, vying to help him move his things. They took him all the way to the Plum Blossom Hall, confirmed the dinner appointment time several times, and then reluctantly said goodbye.

That evening, after settling in at the Plum Blossom Hall, Xue Xiang returned home.

Passing by Ren'an Street, the aroma of meat, fruit, and pastries filled the air, tempting him to spend two hundred spirit coins to buy a variety of things.

He heard the commotion when he was still a hundred paces from home.

Upon hearing Mei Jie's voice, Xue Xiang hurried to his doorstep.

But then he saw a man in a green robe blocking his doorway and shouting. He had a long, narrow face and crazy eyes. Who else could he be but Liu Er, the evil neighbor who spat at him that morning?

A crowd of onlookers gathered in front of my house, pointing and commenting, thoroughly enjoying the spectacle.

"Liu Er, what are you shouting about in front of my house?"

Xue Xiang shouted angrily, interrupting Liu Er who was cursing.

His memories of Liu Er all came flooding back.

This man was a notorious street ruffian who had long coveted Liu Mei's beauty.

At first it was just verbal teasing, but later it escalated to vulgar behavior.

The ex-boyfriend, Xue Xiang, was cowardly and pretended not to know.

Liu Er was stunned for a moment, but when he saw that it was Xue Xiang, he jumped up like a cat whose tail had been stepped on, "Hey, you taciturn guy, you dare to fart!"

"Lang Jun."

Liu Mei rushed forward and stood in front of Xue Xiang, saying, "Don't lower yourself to the level of this filthy creature."

"I'm a filthy thing? Then what is he? Something that lives in a woman's crotch."

Liu Er laughed loudly, pointed at Xue Xiang and shouted, "You all don't know, do you? This kid gets scared and screams even when there's thunder."

He's so big now, yet he still wants his mother to nurse him.

Liu Er wasn't well-liked. He talked a lot, but apart from a few rascals he knew, the atmosphere was quite cold.

As Liu Er was cursing, Xue Xiang was dragged into the courtyard by Liu Mei. He immediately saw the excrement and urine all over the courtyard and began to sneer in anger.

“My lord, don’t pay attention to this rascal. The more you pay attention to him, the crazier he will become. I will clean up the filth in the yard.”

Liu Mei was at a loss, as flustered as a startled deer.

At the entrance to the hall, Xue Shi huddled in his mother's arms, trembling.

"Xiang'er, don't cause trouble. I'll talk to your uncle the next day."

Mother Xue called out from behind the door.

"It's alright, Mother, please sit down."

As he spoke, Xue Xiang gently stroked Liu Mei's back, "Go and help Mother soothe Xiao Shi. I'll take care of everything."

Liu Mei was taken aback, as if she were seeing Xue Xiang all over again.

Xue Xiang strode toward Liu Er, who strode up to greet him. "What, you want to get rough with your Grandpa Liu?"
So what if you have a flying fish badge pinned to your chest? As if I don't know you're just a water carrier and woodcutter in Jiufen Mountain.

Have you passed the second level of Qi Refining yet? Grandpa Liu told you... ouch..."

Liu Er immediately covered his crotch and screamed in agony.

Xue Xiang kicked him straight in the groin.

At this juncture, Xue Xiang doesn't care whether he can win or not; any man would do it.

Liu Er never dreamed that Xue Xiang, who was always cowardly, would dare to make a move. It was completely unexpected, and he was caught off guard and fell into the trap.

"Hold the grass."

The group of hooligans behind Liu Er got angry and rushed over.

Undeterred, Xue Xiangyi delivered another vicious hook punch to Liu Er's chin, causing Liu Er to bleed profusely.

His fierce and decisive attack shocked the group of hooligans, causing them to slow down.

"How dare you cause trouble on my territory!"

A group of burly men in black outfits sped towards them.

The leader was a burly young man with a swallow's jaw and tiger's beard, with a long sword at his waist and a bronze flying fish badge pinned to his chest.

"Team... Xun, Brother Wu, please make a decision!"

Liu Er clutched his groin with one hand and his chin with the other, his face contorted in pain.

(End of this chapter)