I Only Wanted to Die, So How Did I Become Famous and Successful? - Chapter 16:
Chapter 16: The Loftiest Tower of the Literary World
“Can’t make it?” Mu Qingbai raised an eyebrow.
Shen Nuanyu quickly said, “No! I can!”
“Then what was that look just now?”
Shen Nuanyu looked a little embarrassed, but since Mu Qingbai pressed on, she had to explain, then added, “I was surprised, seeing that my lord’s expression was calm, and I felt you were extraordinary, so I couldn’t help but look again.”
Mu Qingbai smiled, “I’ve done plenty of rebellious things, so this is nothing. As long as it can be made, that’s enough.”
“Please come in, my lord. I’ll take your measurements.”
Once Mu Qingbai entered, the group of girls inside froze even more.
Their eyes were full of fear, terrified that any movement might anger this high and mighty official.
When Mu Qingbai waved at them, a few timid ones even dropped to their knees in fright.
Mu Qingbai frowned and chose to ignore them altogether, pretending not to see.
Shen Nuanyu pulled aside an older girl and whispered a few words to her.
The girl quickly pulled her younger sisters into the house.
“My lord, please don’t be offended. They’re young and inexperienced.”
Mu Qingbai shook his head. “I’m just a mere 8th-rank official, and I can’t even tie up a chicken. How could I scare them this badly?”
“My lord carries natural authority just by wearing that robe.”
Mu Qingbai didn’t say more. He understood—this was the mark of deeply ingrained thinking.
“I still don’t know your full name, my lord. Once the clothes are finished, I’ll personally deliver them to your residence.”
“Can’t they be finished today?”
“My lord is in such a hurry?”
Mu Qingbai nodded. “There aren’t any ready-made ones?”
Shen Nuanyu hesitated, then nodded, “There are, but the material might be a little rough.”
“Doesn’t matter. As long as it can be worn.”
“Why would someone of your noble status settle for that?”
Mu Qingbai took off his Xiezhi crown and asked, “Can you make it?”
Shen Nuanyu grew wary. She was starting to think of backing out of this business deal.
Something abnormal usually hides something dangerous.
She couldn’t afford any trouble right now—especially with a house full of little girls.
“I’ll pay extra.” Mu Qingbai pulled out a silver note.
“I can make it!” Shen Nuanyu immediately agreed.
What trouble could there be?
He was just an 8th-rank official.
And she had a house full of girls who needed to eat.
Mu Qingbai placed the silver note on the table.
“My lord, please rest. The tea will be ready soon.” Shen Nuanyu called for someone to prepare it.
Before long, tea was served, and a table was set up in the courtyard.
Right in front of Mu Qingbai, Shen Nuanyu bent over and began carefully cutting fabric.
Mu Qingbai glanced at the books the young girls had left on the low table.
“What do you teach in this school?”
Shen Nuanyu remained cautious but replied calmly, “You jest, my lord. I only teach them some basic characters. It can’t be called a school.”
“Just teaching characters? That simple?”
Shen Nuanyu sighed, “In times like these, surviving is hard enough. How can we dream of learning anything more?”
Mu Qingbai nodded, flipping through the thin books.
Shen Nuanyu’s tailoring skills were practiced and swift.
Mu Qingbai’s presence didn’t slow her down in the slightest.
Bored, Mu Qingbai began chatting with her idly.
…
Old Huang took a deep breath, almost losing his footing.
“He really did that at court?”
“Yes, Steward Huang! That man is a beast. He even impeached our… our young lady!”
Old Huang suppressed his fury. “Does the young lady know?”
“She probably doesn’t yet, but she’ll find out soon enough.”
“Why?”
“Word’s spreading like wildfire. They say some Censorate Inspector beat up the Chief Astronomer from the Bureau of Astronomy in open court, then pointed at the Emperor and called him a Foolish Emperor!”
Old Huang nearly fainted. He took a deep breath to calm himself. “Quick! Go bring Huzi back! Replace the plaque with the Grand General’s Manor sign!”
“But the young lady said—”
“Stop with the young lady! That fool is as good as dead!”
“Steward Huang! Young Master Mu refused to come back with me. He told me to return and ask for instructions… Did something happen?”
Huzi had just returned and sensed something was off.
“He told you to come back?” Old Huang was surprised, then fell into thought. “Hmph! Looks like he knows what he’s done.”
Huzi looked confused and asked blankly, “Should I still go pick up Young Master Mu?”
“You fool!” Old Huang smacked him on the head. “Go pick him up, my ass!”
…
Most of the girls in the courtyard were orphans. The rest were ones she had bought from traffickers.
When disaster first struck their villages, their parents sold them off first.
Shen Nuanyu bought them back, taught them to read, gave them work, and kept them fed.
Mu Qingbai was amazed by what Shen Nuanyu did, even more so by her mindset.
“What do you teach them?”
“Everything. First reading, then needlework, music, dance, and poetry.”
Mu Qingbai was surprised. “You teach all that by yourself?”
“Yes. Once I teach them, they can pass it on to the next batch.”
“You really are talented and knowledgeable.”
“Not that much. Just know a bit of everything. It’s all pretty rough. Sometimes I just teach whatever comes to mind.”
Mu Qingbai offered a suggestion, “You could write your own teaching materials. That would make your teaching more standardized.”
“Teaching materials?”
“Yes. From beginner to advanced levels, put it into booklets, and teach by the book. That would be more efficient and much easier.”
Shen Nuanyu was shocked by the idea, then gave it serious thought. “That’s a brilliant idea, my lord! But…”
“But you don’t know how to compile them, so you want someone to help?”
“If you would help me, my lord, I would be deeply grateful!”
Mu Qingbai shook his head. “I don’t have much time left.”
“What do you mean, my lord?”
Shen Nuanyu was confused. If he didn’t want to help, he could just refuse. Why say something so roundabout?
“I mean it literally.”
“Forgive me, my lord. I was being presumptuous!”
Mu Qingbai quickly waved her off. “No, don’t misunderstand. I really meant it.”
He looked at Shen Nuanyu with regret.
He wanted to help, but he couldn’t very well tell those waiting to kill him, “Hold on, let me finish writing first, then you can kill me.”
Shen Nuanyu covered her mouth in shock, her heart filled with regret. Such a graceful young man, and he was terminally ill.
Mu Qingbai sat there until sunset. A pot of tea had turned to plain water.
“I may have exaggerated. I really can’t finish it today. But if I work overnight, I can definitely get it done! I’ll have someone deliver it to your inn tomorrow, my lord. Will that be alright?”
Shen Nuanyu wiped her sweat and looked at Mu Qingbai with some anticipation.
Mu Qingbai was puzzled at first, then suddenly understood and quickly pulled out another silver note.
“Miss Shen, if your life only had a few days left, what would you choose to do?”
Shen Nuanyu thought seriously for a moment. “Since childhood, I’ve loved literature. I’ve written a lot of poems and essays, but none are remarkable. If I were dying, I’d probably gather the courage to bring my writings and ascend the highest literary tower to show the world.”
Mu Qingbai nodded. “Facing death brings out courage like never before.”
“Exactly. Taking my own poems and climbing the painting tower… It’s just something I dream about.”
Mu Qingbai’s eyes lit up. That’s right!
To die beneath the peony blossom is to die with grace!
His blockhead brain wasn’t even as enlightened as that little monk in the Death Cell!
Go!
He must go!
And he must go to the most elite venue!
In this unfamiliar capital, Mu Qingbai was nothing more than an outsider. So he chose to ask a local.
He asked in a very subtle way, “The highest literary tower… where is it?”
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NoiceReader
Thanks for the chapter! Dude keep shooting himself in the foot! How can he die like this?