Chapter 199

Si Chengyou stood in front of Shen Yue again, and the two started staring at each other.

Si Chengyou's eyes were sharp, but Shen Yue didn't back down at all, looking completely ready to adopt a "if you don't give in to me, don't expect to get any sleep" attitude.

After staring at each other for 10 minutes, No. 14 took a sip of water to calm his nerves.

After another 15 minutes, the two were still locked in a staring contest, and No. 14 took another sip of water to steady himself.

Finally, after 19 minutes, Si Chengyou conceded defeat, went to the study to fetch a book, and said to Shen Yue, "Come over."

Shen Yue walked over, and only then did No. 14 notice that on the 36th floor where the ruler of Building No. 5 resided, a bedroom had appeared out of nowhere at some point. No. 14 hurried to follow, afraid that Elder Cousin Si would trick Shen Yue.

Then he saw Shen Yue lying peacefully on this mysteriously materialized bed, looking utterly carefree, while Si Chengyou stood to the side, book of Analects in hand, reading to Shen Yue in an appropriately paced voice.

This was what Shen Yue had meant by "telling stories".

"The commander of the forces may be carried off, but the will of even a common man cannot be taken from him."

"If a ruler's words be without grace, they will not reverence him. If his learning be without thoroughness, his gravitas cannot remain firm. Loyalty and faithfulness are the most important things. Have no friends not equal to yourself. If you make mistakes, do not be afraid to correct them."

"I could describe the ceremonial rules of Xia, but Qi cannot serve as supporting evidence. I could describe those of Yin, but Song cannot serve as supporting evidence. There is not enough historical material. If there were enough material, then I could provide supporting evidence."

No. 14 had originally still been on guard, worried that Elder Cousin Si would do something odd, but as he listened, all that was left in him was shock.

This was storytelling? This would be an explosively popular existence in the entire sphere of storytelling.

It was almost an hour before Si Chengyou finally read Shen Yue to sleep. When Si Chengyou emerged from Shen Yue's room, all that was left on his face was exhaustion.

As he passed No. 14, all he said was, "You can rest on the sofa." Then he disappeared into his bedroom.

No. 14 thought back to Shen Yue mistaking Building No. 5 for No. 7, and Elder Cousin Si being called up in the middle of the night to "tell stories" to Shen Yue, and he didn't know what to feel for a time.

At 8 am sharp the next morning, Si Chengyou got out of bed and headed to the study to read.

At 10 am, Shen Yue also woke up. After hastily washing up, without any qualms about treating the place like her own home, she also ran to the study, picked up the book on the desk with a red leaf bookmark sticking out of it, and continued reading from where the bookmark was.

No. 14 noticed that the book Shen Yue was reading was called Records of the Grand Historian.

No. 14 had heard of this book before, but had never read it - partly because he didn't have the time, and partly because he didn't know what benefit he could get from reading such a book.

Shen Yue was reading very attentively. From time to time, she would also discuss parts of the book with Si Chengyou.

"Si Chengyou, General Liang Po devoted his whole life fighting for the State of Zhao, yet in the end he was forced to flee far away to another state, and died abroad as a stranger. For half his life he did not have the trust of his king, so why did he still yearn for the State of Zhao on his deathbed? I cannot comprehend his affection for the people of Zhao."

Si Chengyou had been reading his own book, but upon hearing Shen Yue's words, he put his book down and replied, "That was Liang Po's deep love for his country and people, his ideals of wishing his nation wealth and power and his people happiness. That is patriotism, a sense of identity with one's country, a feeling of belonging, responsibility and mission. These emotions are untainted by any selfish interests, arising from a person's convictions, even willingness to devote everything for their country."

Shen Yue, however, did not seem to agree. Her fingers resting on the two characters for "Records of the Grand Historian", she said, "But I feel patriotism is just a tool rulers use to control the people. To the rulers, loving one's country means loving their own status and interests; to the ruled people, loving one's country means loving the interests they have already attained and will continue to gain - isn't that the essence of patriotism and national sentiment?"

Hearing Shen Yue's theory, Si Chengyou fell silent for a moment before speaking. "Our country's ancient society was a kind of familial-societal community, possessing the characteristic of integrating family with country. The national structure was consistent with that of the family, which meant our country's social structure was never able to exist independently of blood ties and clan relations.

The family-country consciousness gave rise to the formation of patriotism. The nation is the environment in which people live and grow up, nurtured by her natural endowments, cultural traditions, language and writing, so feelings of fondness and gratitude naturally arise, enabling people to integrate with the nation and share her fate. Thus it can become a tremendous spiritual force, making people willing to devote everything they have to their motherland - this is the essence of patriotism.

The formation of patriotism is related to but also transcends the familial-societal consciousness's constraints of hierarchical clan relations.

To worry about the people while residing in the most senior post, and to worry about one's lord while distant and wandering among rivers and lakes; to be the first in the world to bear its troubles and worries, and the last in the world to enjoy its happiness and pleasures; as well as what you asked about just now, 'I long to make use of the people of Zhao' - these are all historical expressions of a national spirit."

Shen Yue blinked as if taking it in, but also as if not completely understanding.

Shen Yue's final commentary was, "You've said a lot, could you explain more simply next time?"

Si Chengyou: ...

"If you don't ask me such difficult to explain questions next time, I can speak concisely."

Shen Yue didn't say anything more, and went back to reading Records of the Grand Historian. Si Chengyou also continued reading his book.

The study became filled only with the sound of pages turning. Their earlier conversation didn't seem to have stirred up any ripples between them - this already seemed to be their accustomed daily routine.

No. 14 stood quietly behind Shen Yue. He now seemed to understand what Si Chengyou was trying to do, although he didn't know what Si Chengyou hoped to achieve through this. But all he could do was stay by Shen Yue's side, and accompany her through every hardship.

When they returned after lunch, Si Chengyou gave Shen Yue a bouquet of flowers.

Upon receiving the flowers, Shen Yue was not surprised, only asking, "What flowers are these?"

Si Chengyou explained, "These are foxglove flowers, symbolizing nobility and divinity that cannot be disturbed."

Shen Yue looked at the flowers for a while before reaching out to grab the petals.

With just a glance, Si Chengyou knew what Shen Yue was about to do. He lightly pressed her restless hands with a finger. "These flowers are not edible. Eating them causes diarrhea and slows the pulse. You can't touch them either, it'll lead to inflammation and blisters. You read the encyclopedia of flowers before, you should know."

Hearing his words, Shen Yue drew back her hand. "I know, but since you gave these to me, I thought you deliberately wanted me to feel awful."

Si Chengyou: ...

"I only wanted you to see what these flowers truly look like."

"Oh, can you give me some edible flowers next time? The floral cakes you made last time were pretty good." Shen Yue continued to push her luck, something the past her would never have dared to do when facing Si Chengyou.

"...Alright, I'll make them for you tomorrow."

In the afternoon, the two continued reading.

After reading for a while, Si Chengyou read something that made him suddenly sing a few lines of Kunqu opera. He then got carried away belting opera until the evening, forced by Shen Yue to sing an entire afternoon.

By the time night fell, Si Chengyou was already looking somewhat haggard, yet Shen Yue still said, "I drank tea again this afternoon, so if I can't sleep later I'll come find you."

Si Chengyou had a very complicated expression. "...Come if you can't sleep, I'll accompany you like I always do whenever you come."

Standing to the side, No. 14 suddenly felt confused.

He had indeed followed along because he was worried about Shen Yue, but now, he was instead unclear who he should be worrying about.