All Heavens and Worlds Starting from the Night Watchman

Chapter 025: This is What Family Means – Li Ru’s Deep Emotions

“Great poem!”

Zhang Shen and Li Mubai, who had been standing nearby, were completely astounded upon hearing Lin Qiye’s four-line poem.

An inch of time is worth an inch of gold.

The words were deeply thought-provoking and highly inspirational for encouraging learning.

They approached Lin Qiye with broad smiles and praised him enthusiastically, “Fan Yue, you truly are a genius in the path of Confucian cultivation.”

“Yes! Your poetic talent is extraordinary—every phrase from your lips is a famous verse. An inch of time is worth an inch of gold—a perfect reminder for people to cherish their time.”

Lin Qiye, feeling slightly embarrassed, gave a modest bow and said cheerfully, “Thank you for giving me this opportunity. Although I have not formally taken a mentor, I believe that wisdom should be learned from those more knowledgeable. Since I have studied in the academy, I consider myself a student of the academy.”

“All the elders of the academy are my teachers. If the academy ever needs my help and I have the ability, I will certainly do my best.”

Lin Qiye had no issues joining the academy, but he had not yet considered formally taking a master. If the academy ever required his assistance, he would contribute willingly as a gesture of gratitude. However, he found the process of formally acknowledging a master to be too restrictive. Simply being a scholar was much more freeing—without so many obligations.

Zhang Shen and Li Mubai were momentarily taken aback. Lin Qiye had not taken a master, yet he had openly declared himself a part of the academy.

This made them both excited and somewhat regretful. It meant that Lin Qiye had agreed to join the academy.

Regardless, it was still a victory to have a talented individual choose to be associated with them. They had initially aimed for two prodigies, and now both had ties to the academy.

With Lin Qiye and Xu Xinnian, it also meant Xu Qi’an could be considered an academy member by association.

Perhaps Lin Qiye was not a great figure now, and perhaps they only admired his poetry, but they knew that his future was limitless. His extraordinary talent had already been proven today.

His poetic brilliance and natural gift in Confucian cultivation—either one alone was enough to secure his success.

After further discussion, they learned another line:

An inch of time is worth an inch of gold, but an inch of gold cannot buy an inch of time.

They also came to understand why Lin Qiye refused to take a master—it was mainly because he disliked restrictions. A formal master-disciple relationship meant he would be bound to the academy and required to specialize in Confucian cultivation.

However, Lin Qiye did not want to focus solely on Confucianism. He also wanted to join the Night Watchers and pursue the path of Dao cultivation.

At first, they had tried to persuade him that mastering a single path would be more efficient, but Lin Qiye had replied that his goal in cultivation was not fame or power—it was longevity.

This left them speechless. No matter how powerful Confucianism was, it could not grant eternal life.

After spending another hour at the academy, Lin Qiye and Xu Xinnian finally returned home.

Meanwhile, at the Xu residence—

Li Ru held her daughter tightly, inspecting her carefully to make sure she was unharmed.

However, Xu Lingyue was still sobbing. Li Ru frowned and asked, “What happened? You were only gone for a short while—why are you crying like this?”

Xu Pingzhi then recounted everything that had happened earlier in the day, sparing no details.

When Li Ru heard how Ma Bao and Zhou Li had harassed Xu Lingyue, her expression turned icy with rage.

Had it not been for Lin Qiye and Xu Qi’an, her daughters might have been more than just harassed—they could have lost their lives.

Upon learning that Xu Qi’an and Lin Qiye had offended a powerful noble’s son in order to protect her daughters and were even dragged to the Ministry of Justice, Li Ru felt a pang of fear. Her heart tightened, and her nose tingled as she fought back tears.

Although she and her nephew Xu Qi’an had never gotten along, she now realized how much he had done for their family.

He had never been one to flaunt his abilities, yet he had saved their family twice now.

And this time, he had even risked his life for her daughter.

“Where are they?” she asked urgently, realizing they weren’t present.

Xu Pingzhi reassured her, “Don’t worry, they’ve already been released from the Ministry of Justice.”

“If it weren’t for them, who knows what would have happened to Lingyue? They stood up to the Vice Minister’s son and even fought against him for her sake.”

“I know you and Ning Yan don’t always see eye to eye, but he is family.”

“From now on, argue with him less. He has been living under someone else’s roof, and even if you don’t mean anything by it, words can still hurt. Everyone has feelings.”

“He used to be silent and withdrawn because of this. I know you never intended to hurt him.”

“But think about it—whether it was the tax silver case or Lingyue being harassed today, he never hesitated to step up and fight for us. Isn’t that proof that he sees us as his family?”

Hearing this, Xu Lingyue burst into tears again, unable to contain her emotions.

She had never considered it before, but if Xu Qi’an had not truly regarded them as family, he could have simply stayed out of it. Yet he had risked everything to protect them.

When Xu Pingzhi lost the silver, their family was left with no way out. They had been facing either execution or exile.

At their lowest moment, Xu Qi’an had stepped forward and saved them all.

He had always treated them as family, yet they had never done the same for him.

Li Ru wiped her eyes, feeling deeply remorseful.

She had always been a strong-willed woman, but now her eyes were filled with regret. She finally understood what kind of person Xu Qi’an was.

He had grown up in this household. She had never truly valued him, but now she realized that he was family—not just in name, but in heart.

Xu Qi’an had always been quiet and unassuming, but when their family was in danger, he was the one who risked everything to protect them.

If not for him, this family would have ceased to exist long ago.

He was the most capable person in their household.

She had always spoken harshly to him, but now she knew that if he were gone, she would feel an unbearable emptiness.

She had to cherish what she had and change her attitude towards him.

“Ning Yan is undoubtedly family, but Fan Yue is also an exceptional person—he and Ning Yan are truly like brothers.”

“This time, both of them risked their lives for Lingyue. They went to the Ministry of Justice together, and they fought that noble brat together.”

“Fan Yue is incredibly composed. Even in front of the Minister of Justice, he didn’t falter. The minister had no choice but to let them go because of the circumstances.”

“Besides, two great scholars from the academy were present. With their mind-reading techniques, that noble brat was bound to face consequences.”

“No wonder Ning Yan and Fan Yue are so close—they even share the same bed! Their bond is one of life and death.”

“So from now on, don’t treat Fan Yue as just a guest. He is family.”

Li Ru was momentarily stunned.

She had always regarded Lin Qiye as a guest, knowing that he and Ning Yan were close.

But today, she realized—they were not just friends. Their loyalty to each other was unshakable.