Chapter 428: Chapter 165: Arrival (3)
Meng Jintang had become a scholar, while Jing had won the Lesser Triple Crown... Suddenly, Jing’s achievement seemed to pale in comparison.
Worried Jing might get angry and lose his composure, De’an quickly changed the subject. "Hey, I told Wang Xiao and Wang Jun we were coming to the Prefecture. I wonder if they’ll send someone to pick us up... Jing? Jing, are you listening to me?"
"I’m listening."
Zhao Jing replied absentmindedly, giving a slight nod in greeting to the man across from them.
Meng Jintang, seeing De’an as well, returned the greeting with a cupped fist.
Seeing this, De’an instinctively returned the gesture.
Once the pleasantries were exchanged, Meng Jintang turned to say something to the person beside him, and then his party exited the city at a leisurely pace.
’That’s it? It’s over just like that?’
’They didn’t even exchange death glares. They actually seemed quite polite to each other.’
’Is... is this normal?’
De’an didn’t know if this was normal, but he decided not to tell his sister about it, lest he add to her worries.
’Besides, the Meng Family has completely cut ties with us. However bright Meng Jintang’s future might be, what does it have to do with our family?’
’We’re no slouches ourselves. We’ll make a name for ourselves one day. There’s no need to be jealous of others.’
They finally made it into the city. De’an was looking around, trying to get his bearings, when a young man came dashing up to them.
"Mr. Chen, Mr. Zhao, do you remember me? It’s me, Shouquan! I’m the one who took you to look at residences before. I’ve been waiting here for you on my young master’s orders. Please, you must come and stay with the Wang Family for the time being. They’ve already prepared a courtyard for you and your families to settle in."
De’an recognized him and couldn’t help but smile. "Ah, so it’s you."
"That’s right, it’s me. The two young masters wanted to come and greet you personally, but the younger master has started at the prefectural academy and is swamped with his studies, and the elder master is unwell. The physician has strictly forbidden him from being exposed to the wind, so they could only send me. Please, sirs, do me a kindness and come back with me. If I can’t persuade you to come, I’ll definitely be punished when I get back."
Naturally, De’an and Zhao Jing weren’t going to go.
It would be far too inconvenient to bring their entire family to stay at someone else’s home. Even though Wang Xiao and Wang Jun were their closest friends, it felt too imposing.
They planned to stay at Wangyue Inn instead.
The rates there were reasonable, the service was attentive, the location was good, and the inn was clean—all in all, an excellent place for a temporary stay.
When Shouquan saw that he couldn’t persuade them, his face crumpled in distress.
He saw the carriage curtain lift to reveal Chen Wanqing’s face and hastily bowed, pleading, "Ma’am, please help me! Put in a good word for me. If I really go back empty-handed, my young masters will surely have my hide."
Chen Wanqing had to spend a moment consoling him before finally making a suggestion: they were planning to settle down in the Prefecture but hadn’t yet found a suitable residence. Perhaps Shouquan could help them look.
In truth, they had already asked Mr. Xie and an agent from a brokerage firm to handle it before they left.
They only brought it up with Shouquan to give him an out and stop his pleading.
After all, showing up at someone’s home empty-handed—and with their entire, travel-worn family in tow—was simply improper.
Leaving Shouquan to watch them with a woeful expression, the group made their way to Wangyue Inn.
The Shopkeeper at Wangyue Inn saw a constant stream of guests and had long forgotten them, but seeing that their party had traveled a long way, he thoughtfully arranged a small private courtyard for them.
By the time everyone was settled, it was already past noon.
The family had a simple dinner. Mrs. Zhao and Xiang’er stayed behind in their rooms to rest, while Zhao Jing and Chen Wanqing went out together.
Their first stop was to find Mr. Xie.
The main doors of Moxiang Pavilion were open, but Mr. Xie wasn’t there.
A shop assistant said that Mr. Xie had been in that morning but had gone home for lunch at Noon and hadn’t returned.
Left with no other choice, the two of them had to make an unannounced visit to his residence.
Mr. Xie was in the middle of his afternoon nap when he heard the gatekeeper announce that the Scholar who had visited their home some time ago was here again.
Xie Ming was on good terms with eighty Scholars, if not a hundred; how was he to know which one the gatekeeper meant?
Full from his meal and wine, all he wanted was a good nap. He waved his hand, about to dismiss the young servant.
But unexpectedly, the servant in charge of relaying messages quickly added, "It’s the master who won the Lesser Triple Crown. He’s come with his wife."
Mr. Xie froze for a second. The moment he realized who his visitors were, he shot out of bed.
"Quickly, bring them to the reception hall! You stupid fool, can’t you even deliver a message properly? You nearly turned away my God of Wealth and my greatest patron!"
The young servant took a kick to the rear and left the room, feeling utterly wronged.
’What does he mean, I can’t deliver a message properly? I’ve always done it this way.’
’The master used to praise me for being so capable, but this time he gets angry and kicks me for the same thing. He’s so unfair!’
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