"Master Xu only arrived some time ago. She is now in charge of the female student division, and many students are particularly fond of her. What do you think, County Magistrate Feng?"
"Master Xu is the granddaughter of Elder Ge, so she is naturally knowledgeable and her lectures must be interesting, which is why the students like her."
The Dean smiled and said no more.
The group stood there for a while, only realizing they were there after Xu Mingyue had finished speaking.
She had been living in the small courtyard with Feng Jinyao during this period, so she often saw Feng Jinlin from time to time.
Seeing him here now felt a little strange.
Looking at the Dean and the other teachers accompanying him, she probably understood.
It was likely for official business, so she did not want to disturb them. After a slight nod, she continued to prepare her lessons.
Seeing this, Feng Jinlin did not want to disturb her either and left.
He did have an important matter to discuss today.
The Wenjin Academy in Jinling City was different from other places. Due to long-term donations from various merchants, it had fewer restrictions on student recruitment than academies like Yunqi Academy.
However, because of this, most of the students in the academy were from merchant families and commoners.
The young masters from noble families mostly studied at Shanhai Academy.
Although the two academies were very close to each other, they always appeared to be at odds. Feng Jinlin's visit was to "carry out Liang Quanbin's order" to merge the two academies.
This would allow for a broader intake of students and also help to ease the conflict between officials and merchants in Jinling City.
The Dean of Wenjin Academy was a native of Jinling.
His ancestors had been born and raised here for three generations. He had long had ideas about what Feng Jinlin had proposed, but unfortunately, no one had taken the lead, so it had been delayed until now.
Now that Feng Jinlin was acting as the facilitator, he was more than willing, but he wondered what Shanhai Academy would say.
After strolling around Wenjin Academy for a while, Feng Jinlin followed the Dean to his study. It was not large, but the books scattered throughout were not neatly arranged, indicating they were frequently used.
The other teachers had to prepare lessons, so they left first.
The young attendant served tea, and the two began to discuss the matter in earnest.
"Magistrate Feng's actions are for the good. If we can make peace with Shanhai Academy, it will greatly benefit Jinling City in the future. However, given the years of tradition, I fear Shanhai Academy may not agree to this."
The Dean expressed his concerns. While Wenjin Academy was indeed wealthy, its foundation was still somewhat lacking compared to Shanhai Academy.
Especially in terms of its collection of books, which could not be bought with money alone. He had only heard of many rare editions and had never seen them, yet Shanhai Academy possessed a large collection.
"Therefore, if the merger is truly possible, Wenjin Academy can take a step back and publicly state that we are merging into Shanhai Academy."
Perhaps they would not even be able to use their name anymore.
The Dean was not concerned about this.
Feng Jinlin smiled, "Dean, please rest assured. Since I am here today, it means I have already come to an agreement with Shanhai Academy. Their Dean Wang is also a magnanimous person and feels that this matter is a natural progression that should have happened long ago. I believe that after the merger of the academies, you two will be able to secure a better future for the students."
The Dean was overjoyed. He had not expected this County Magistrate Feng from the Eastern Capital to be so capable as to persuade Dean Wang of Shanhai Academy. His abilities were indeed extraordinary, and he was quite different from the county magistrates of the past.
Although young, he was reliable in his work.
"In that case, this old man will thank you on behalf of all the students in the academy."
"You are too kind, Dean."
The two discussed some general ideas about the future merger of the academies. The specifics would need to be discussed further by all three parties.
After finishing their discussion, Feng Jinlin politely declined the Dean's offer to see him off. He left the Dean's study and headed straight for where Xu Mingyue was.
Coincidentally, she had not yet started her class.
Feng Jinlin walked in directly and saw her organizing her copied texts.
"What are you doing?"
Xu Mingyue was startled by his sudden arrival. Fortunately, there was not much ink on the tip of her brush, or it would have dripped onto the paper.
"Why has the Second Young Master come?"
She did not call him County Magistrate Feng like the Dean and the others because they had known each other for a long time. However, calling him Second Brother, as Feng Jinyao did, seemed too intimate, so she had always called him Second Young Master.
"I've finished my business and came to see you."
"Did the Second Young Master come this time regarding the merger of the two academies?"
"You guessed it?"
Feng Jinlin's eyes lit up, and his expression towards Xu Mingyue showed some surprise.
"Yes, I saw you take your grandfather's letter last time and go out. And recently, I've often heard from A'yao that you've been to Shanhai Academy, so I guessed this."
"You and A'yao are truly good sisters. Both of you have such sharp minds!"
There was a hint of indulgence in his tone, but unfortunately, Xu Mingyue did not notice it.
Since she had broken off her engagement and entered the academy, her mind was less focused on romantic matters. Therefore, she was exceptionally perceptive about other things, but missed these subtle cues.
Feng Jinlin felt a little frustrated. He had made his intentions clear enough, yet she remained distant and inscrutable, truly hard to figure out.
"Mingyue, what are your plans for the future?"
He crouched down in front of Xu Mingyue, looking her in the eye, and asked patiently.
Xu Mingyue laughed heartily and said frankly.
"I'll continue teaching at the academy. If I find a suitable opportunity, I'll travel to see the beautiful mountains and rivers. I want to read ten thousand books and travel ten thousand miles. I also want to compile a 'Record of Folk Anecdotes' to record the folk stories that were not included in official histories, so that future generations can see them."
"Do you have any thoughts or plans regarding your own marriage?"
Feng Jinlin's tone was somewhat anxious, which made Xu Mingyue shake her head.
"I'm not interested. Marriage is not the only path for women. I prefer my current life to being a wife and mother."
Feng Jinlin paused, "You and A'yao are truly good sisters! You say almost the same thing."
"I know A'yao's temperament. Just you wait, your Feng family won't be able to restrain her."
A hint of slyness appeared in her eyes, as if she intended to abduct the girl.
Feng Jinlin was amused and frustrated. "Don't set your sights on A'yao. Someone will take care of her. As for you, I want to ask you today, Mingyue, I have admired you for a long time. Do you have any feelings for me?"
Such a direct confession startled Xu Mingyue. She had never imagined that Feng Jinlin would be interested in her.
Perhaps it was because her impression of the Second Young Master Feng was that he was unrestrained, enthusiastic, and free-spirited, so she had not deliberately thought about it during their usual interactions.
But looking at the sincere certainty in his eyes at this moment, Xu Mingyue knew he was not joking.