Chapter 293: Plant a Tree

Chapter 293: Chapter 293: Plant a Tree

"Why do you like to read?"

Ji Mingfang had never asked himself this question before. Only after Ji Huan brought it up did he begin to truly think about it.

He wanted to go to the village school and become a man of learning, but was there a more practical reason behind it?

There must have been.

For example, before Ji Liantang went to the village school, Ji Qingshan would teach him calligraphy and would teach Ji Mingfang along the way. Whenever Ji Mingfang learned something before Ji Liantang did, the normally stern Ji Qingshan would smile at him.

That smile and silent praise were things Ji Mingfang could never earn, no matter how much other work he did.

’When you’re used to being ignored, and someone finally looks your way, you want to grab hold of that attention and never let go. You desperately try to prove yourself—prove that you won’t be a disappointment, prove that you can be even better.’

Yes, that was his most intuitive thought as a child—as long as he was good at his studies, he wouldn’t have to be an invisible person in the family like his parents.

Especially when he heard others praise him to Ji Qingshan’s face, "This grandson of yours is incredible! He’s so sharp—a future Scholar for sure!"

At times like these, the yearning in his heart would grow even stronger.

Ji Mingfang was struck by a sudden realization.

"So that was the reason... To be so vain. I truly am unworthy of studying."

But Ji Huan disagreed.

’In the countryside where she used to live, many children would say they wanted to go to Tsinghua and Beijing University. At the time, they didn’t know what made Tsinghua and Beijing University so special; they only knew that saying it would earn them praise from adults for being ambitious.’

’Is that vanity? It’s just the innocent words and heart of a child. Craving attention is a child’s nature, after all.’

She didn’t use this to rebut Ji Mingfang, but simply continued her questioning.

"If it was only to get others’ attention, then why didn’t you give up completely after you injured your leg?"

The words stabbed at Ji Mingfang’s heart, and his face paled slightly.

"I couldn’t accept it."

"The truth of what happened back then is out, the first branch has separated from the Ji Family, and Ji Liantang has failed the county exam again. Are you still unable to accept it?"

Ji Huan pressed on relentlessly. Ji Mingfang looked rather flustered, but under her guidance, he began to unconsciously explore his own heart.

Then he suddenly realized that, in fact, ever since that blow-up before the family separated, he no longer felt any bitterness toward the Ji Family or Ji Liantang.

So why was he still so fixated on...

"Actually, you already said the answer before," Ji Huan finished his thought for him. "That strange sense of familiarity, that stirring deep in your bones—that’s what truly draws you in. That’s your truest self. It has nothing to do with bitterness or vanity."

"So it was my own obsession..."

Ji Mingfang stared at the river’s surface, dazed for a long time.

"I understand... From now on, I won’t think about these things anymore."

"Why can’t you?" Ji Huan feigned confusion. "If it’s something you want to do, then just do it. You don’t need any other excuse. Who says someone with a bad leg can’t study?"

"But the court has decreed that those with physical disabilities cannot become officials."

From the previous dynasty to the current one, there had never been an official with such a condition. Sometimes, even being unattractive was a barrier to entry, let alone a situation like his.

Ji Huan had indeed heard that in ancient cultures, people with physical disabilities were believed to be suffering the consequences of evil deeds from a past life. They were thought to carry the sins of their ancestors or themselves, and their arrival in this world was to repay debts and atone.

Of course, this was a rather ignorant belief, and the court would certainly not state it openly.

The reason they couldn’t select officials impartially was not only due to this factor but also because it would damage the dynasty’s image.

Although there was no explicit rule forbidding such people from participating in the imperial examinations, it had become an unwritten convention that even if they passed, they would not be appointed.

Even if one was exceptionally brilliant and, by a stroke of luck, managed to pass the provincial exams, they would be left to languish in obscurity and would never be granted an important official post.

She had once copied a book for a bookshop, a historical chronicle of past dynasties. According to its records, in the past several hundred years, there had only been one Champion Scholar with a limp, and it wasn’t due to his talent but because the Emperor at the time had a dream.

Not everyone could hope for such a fortuitous chance. Far more common were those who were forced to give up their dreams because of a small personal flaw.

This was determined by the broader social environment, a rule Ji Huan could not change, but—

"Do you love reading just for the sake of taking the imperial examinations?"

The question seemed to be asked casually, but for Ji Mingfang, it was a moment of sudden enlightenment.

He hadn’t thought about that.

The titles of child student, Scholar, Advanced Scholar, Champion Scholar—none of them mattered.

In his memory, there was only the satisfaction and joy he felt when he used to crouch by the village school’s gate, waiting for Ji Liantang to finish his classes, listening to the clear sounds of reading from inside and quietly reciting along.

He just wanted to read.

That was all.

"That’s enough," Ji Huan said, her eyes smiling at him. "The path to an official career has its barriers, but knowledge opens its arms to everyone. It doesn’t discriminate based on rank or status; it treats everyone equally. Besides, the court has never forbidden people with physical disabilities from entering schools or academies."

Ji Mingfang’s expression wavered for a moment, but he quickly shook his head.

"It’s too late. I’m already nearly twenty. Who starts their basic education at this age?"

"Cousin." Ji Huan suddenly pointed to an old tree on the opposite bank. "That tree must be over ten years old, right? If I wanted a tree as thick and strong as that one, when would be a good time to plant it?"

Ji Mingfang didn’t know why she had suddenly brought up planting trees, but he still answered seriously, "If you’re planting a tree, spring is the best time."

"Then if I plant a small tree next spring, can it immediately become like the one on the other side?"

Obviously not.

Ji Huan rested her chin in one hand. "No matter what month I plant it, it’s destined to be ten years behind that other tree. There’s no way to catch up on those ten years. Is giving up the only option?"

Ji Mingfang grew even more confused. He really couldn’t see what was so special about that tree.

"Maybe we could ask whose family planted it and see if we can buy it?"

Ji Huan burst out laughing. "That won’t work, Cousin. A tree planted by someone else will always be theirs. Only one you plant yourself is truly your own."

"Then you’ll have to be patient. A sapling can’t grow up in a day. Once you plant it, you have to wait slowly, year after year, and eventually it will grow to be that tall and..."

He suddenly stopped, his gaze turning to Ji Huan. He had clearly understood.

As if she hadn’t noticed, Ji Huan sighed to herself.

"That’s right. A small tree can never become a big tree in the blink of an eye. If I just complain that it’s too late and don’t have the patience to wait, then my only choice is to give up. But if I give up, the small tree will never have a chance to catch up to the big one. And I’ll be left with nothing, just staring enviously at someone else’s forest."

She turned to look at Ji Mingfang.

"So if you ask me, the best time to plant a tree was ten years ago. The second-best time is now. What do you think?"

Ji Mingfang completely grasped her meaning. A myriad of complex emotions flickered in his eyes, but eventually, the gloom scattered, replaced by a sudden clarity.

"You’re right. As long as you want to do it, it’s never too late to start."

At that moment, Ji Mingfang didn’t yet understand the meaning of the saying, "A single conversation with a wise person is worth ten years of study."

It wasn’t until many years later, when he looked back, that he realized just what a world-shaking change this conversation with Ji Huan had brought to his life.