"In regards to this matter, this old man can vouch for Liheng."
It was almost noon. As the voice rang out, everyone turned around and saw an old man in a gray robe standing beside the pavilion. He looked hale and hearty. A small portion of the people present did not recognize him, but Yan Lingzhong, Pan Hongda, and the others had already stood up. They were a little confused. "Duke Nian?"
Everyone cupped their hands and bowed. Some of them were even disciples. The one who appeared here was naturally the Qin Manor's advisor, Yao Zunian. His position in the literary world was high, and if one were to really talk about it, he was not necessarily inferior to Qin Siyuan, Kang Xian, and the others. It was just that his background was relatively low, and he had worked as an advisor for Qin Siyuan a few years ago. Later on, after Qin Siyuan was removed from office, he already had a great reputation. Even if he wanted to become an official, it would be very simple. However, because of Qin Siyuan's matter, he himself was a bit disheartened and stayed in Bianliang to become a leisurely person.
In the past few years, because he did not become an official, his reputation among the Confucian scholars in the literary world grew higher and higher. It was only when Qin Siyuan became an official again and he went to the Right Minister's residence to serve as an advisor did he gradually fade away from this kind of idle literary meeting. However, if one were to really talk about it, people like Qin Mowen and Xue Gongyuan might not even be able to compare to his reputation. Although the members of the Literary Society could normally talk to him as equals, they still had to treat him with respect. Although Yan Lingzhong had the title of Grand Scholar, he might not be able to compare to Yao Zunian in terms of knowledge.
Seeing him appear and hearing his first sentence, Yan Lingzhong and the others already understood that they had made a mistake this time. However, they still couldn't guess the relationship between Yao Zunian and Ning Yi. Not long after Yu Shaoyuan arrived at the capital, he asked the people beside him about the old man's identity. Ji Xianqing looked at Yu Shaoyuan and also felt a little flustered. The people in the brothel were the most sensitive to the relationship between these people. She had originally heard that someone wanted to give Li Shishi a good look and asked Yu Shaoyuan to make a move. There were also a few disciples of the Tian family participating, so she felt that this was a good opportunity. Even if she was vexed and doubtful just now, she wouldn't have panicked. However, Yao Zunian's appearance finally made her feel like she had accidentally kicked an iron plate.
Only Li Shishi, at this time, might have some clues in her heart. After Qin Siyuan retired and lived in seclusion in Jiangning, Liheng's backer might not necessarily be this Yao Zunian. It might even be the powerful and iron-fisted Minister of the Right.
Of course, she couldn't be sure. On the other side, Yao Zunian had already come over in a friendly manner and greeted Yan Lingzhong. Xue Gongyuan was already old. Although the shock just now did not cause any accidents to happen to him, he looked a little dispirited. A hot-tempered person was mostly honest. Earlier, when he reprimanded Ning Yi, it was from the bottom of his heart. Later, when he saw that poem, he could no longer deceive himself. At this time, he cupped his hands in greeting to Yao Zunian. Yao Zunian also patted his shoulder to reassure him.
After all, Yan Lingzhong was an official. At this time, he knew how to resolve the awkwardness. He directly asked, "Duke Nian, what exactly is this little friend's background? You should also tell us."
"This old man has come precisely for this reason." Yao Zunian sat down and nodded with a smile. He did not hide anything from the people present. "When I heard about this earlier, I knew that it might be a flood rushing into the temple of the Dragon King. Little friend Liheng is a foreign official of the Minister's residence. His knowledge is also highly appreciated by Duke Qin. "
Previously, when he said that Ning Yi was a foreign official of the Prince's residence, everyone was excited. They felt that they had something on him. But now, when Yao Zunian said that he was a foreign official of the Minister's residence, everyone was speechless. A swindler might be able to deceive the ignorant and incompetent Prince, but how could he possibly deceive people like Yao Zunian and Qin Siyuan? Yao Zunian called him little friend because he truly approved of the other party.
Before the people could say anything, Yao Zunian smiled again. "This matter is purely a misunderstanding. I believe that little friend Liheng will not mind too much, so everyone need not take it to heart. In fact, it is not surprising that everyone has doubts about this matter. In the past year, Liheng has not written any poems. This is because he does not like to show off, and it is also because from last year to the beginning of this year, he has been in Hangzhou, experiencing the chaos of war and unable to leave. "
Yao Zunian paused. "During this period, there was a narrow escape, so this old man cannot go into detail. But later, when Hangzhou fell into enemy hands and Fang La wreaked havoc, Liheng saved many people. The siege of Hangzhou was lifted at the beginning of the year because of Liheng's help. At least the city of Hangzhou was opened a month in advance. At that time, he was in Hangzhou, dealing with Fang La and a group of bandit leaders. It was difficult for him to survive, so he did such a thing. Ye Kan, as far as I know, the reason your uncle's family was saved was also because of Liheng's protection in the bandit camp. You can write a letter about this and go back to verify it. "
Ever since Yao Zunian came over and sat down, he talked about this matter with a smile and did not keep them in suspense at all. But at this point, no one knew how complicated their expressions had become. The young man called Ye Kan had originally been taught by Yao Zunian. At this time, his face paled. "This time … Uncle will not let me off …" He knew about the news of his uncle's family being besieged in Hangzhou and then escaping. But in this day and age, it was impossible for him to know the details. He did not expect that he had offended his uncle's savior. Even if his uncle did not know about this matter, his strict mother would probably punish him by kneeling at the door for a few days if she found out.
"It's alright. This is a misunderstanding, I believe your uncle's family can understand. As for poetry … "Yao Zunian smiled as if he was thinking about something." As for poetry, Li Heng has been trapped in Hangzhou for a year. Indeed, he hasn't produced any works, but … if you want to talk about what he has written, there are actually … "
At this point, his expression was already rather deliberative, as if he was still considering whether he should say the next words. But finally, he slowly took out a small booklet from his sleeve.
"On the way here, I thought about whether these poems should be made public or not … Liheng has a simple temperament and likes to do things with facts. He doesn't like empty talk. I don't know if he will find this reputation troublesome. When he was in Hangzhou and these things came, Prime Minister Qin and I thought about temporarily suppressing it and waiting for his official approval before we deal with it. But after seeing what happened today, if these things happen again, it will also be troublesome … "
He sighed. "Back then, when Liheng was fleeing, he was covered in injuries and fell into the bandit camp. These things, in a complicated way, were not all written by Liheng. He wrote them on behalf of a female bandit and casually wrote them. But in total, there are more than ten poems that have been circulated. After Prime Minister Qin and I read them, we were both surprised and bewildered. After that, every time we read them, we were amazed by their literary talent. This kind of talent and learning should not be suppressed by us or hidden in the dark, waiting for it to mold and gather dust. Originally, I wanted to keep it for a while, but it seems … ah … "
Yao Zunian stood up and solemnly held the booklet. He looked to the side and said, "There are more than ten poems in total, plus a poem that Liheng wrote before Hangzhou fell. They are all included in this booklet. In order to prevent today's incident from happening again, it is time to take them out … Miss Shishi, today, only you are Liheng's good friend. If you take this poetry booklet and spread it on his behalf, I believe that Liheng will not be angry. After the contents of this booklet are spread, there should be no one who will question Liheng's talent. The matter of poetry, to him, is just a matter of time … Of course, Miss Shishi should also formally inform Liheng about this in the future. "
He smiled and handed the booklet to Li Shishi. Li Shishi was slightly stunned, and then she received it with both hands in bewilderment. If the things in this booklet were really as powerful as Yao Zunian had said, then no one would dare to question Li Heng's reputation in the future. Wouldn't it be a great advantage for him as well? It was likely that for a long time, Ji Xianqing and the others would not be as famous as him even if they added up their names. She knew the weight of this thing, but she didn't expect Yao Zunian to appear and do such a thing.
Yao Zunian smiled and said, "This matter is over. There are still things to take care of in the Prime Minister's residence. After this old man finishes this bowl of red bean soup, it's time for me to leave. If any of you have any questions, you can ask this old man. Oh, Miss Shishi, the poems in this booklet are all excellent works. In the past, when I read them, I couldn't help but clap my hands together. However, there was always no sound of music, which made me feel a bit regretful. Miss Shishi's skills are excellent, and since you're here today, why don't you perform one now so that this old man can listen to it before leaving? "
After he finished speaking, Shishi hurriedly nodded her head and asked the servant girl to bring her zither. Then, she took a deep breath, sat down on her seat, and carefully opened the first page. The wind blew over, and the first thing that entered his eyes were the words "Chivalry", and then …
"Guest Zhao …" "Long Beard Tassel —"
*****
Time went back a little. On the road outside the courtyard, Ning Yi and Zhou Pei were temporarily separated.
It was difficult for Ning Yi to empathize with the melancholy of a fifteen-year-old girl who was about to get married, but he could more or less guess it.
In this day and age, the matchmaker's words had already become the norm. It wasn't that it wasn't good. As long as people knew their place and had less expectations and desires, such marriages could also produce many loving couples. But for a truly intelligent person, this kind of thing might not be a happy thing.
Zhou Pei's distress stemmed from her intelligence, so much so that even Ning Yi felt that forcing a fifteen-year-old girl who had just realized her youth to get married was a little pitiful. But he didn't intend to persuade her to resist, nor did he want to give her any new hope. There was no way out of such a thing.
Thus, when Zhou Pei silently cried in front of him, he couldn't think of many useful words to comfort her. In the end, he felt a little awkward. Although there weren't many people around, they were still teachers and students. It wouldn't be a good thing if they were seen and misunderstood.
Thus, after Zhou Pei cried for a while and felt a little better, he first sent Zhou Pei away and let her take the carriage back to Qin Manor. He then waited here for Yao Zunian and Cheng Zhouhai to come out.
When he led Zhou Pei out, Ning Yi saw them. This was because when Zhuo Yunfeng told Zhou Pei about the matter, although he said it was outside the city, he didn't know the address. Zhou Pei ran to Prime Minister Qin's Manor to find someone, and then came here with Yao Zunian and Cheng Zhouhai.
Ning Yi watched as Zhou Pei went to the carriage and boarded it. There were servants and guards of the Prince's Manor guarding them, so there was nothing to worry about. After thinking for a while, he turned around and walked to the gate of the courtyard, ready to wait for Yao and Cheng Zhouhai to come out and explain the situation. Then, just as he was strolling, suddenly, someone came over. That person laughed loudly beside him. It wasn't Cheng Zhouhai.
He could hear the voice's evil thoughts, and he seemed to be quite happy.
"Hahahaha … Ahahahaha … Ning, Li, Heng! Am I right? Is this your name! I accidentally recognized you in there … How interesting! Aren't you called that something, that something something Feng … Do you remember now? Do you remember now? Hahahaha … Let me tell you, I hate people playing tricks on me the most. My father is Gao Qiu! You f * cking played with me … Hmph hmph hmph hmph … You're so powerful that they can't even make a sound, but why did you play tricks on me … "
The crowd came from the side. There were attendants and attendants, and the leader was Lu Qian dressed in Marquis Yu's attire with a serious expression. The man next to Ning Yi patted his shoulder. For a moment, he laughed evilly, rocking back and forth, as if something interesting had happened …
He held Ning Yi's hand and came over with a smile. "Me. Hold. You. Got! What can you do now … "
Ning Yi looked at him with an indifferent expression, not saying a word.
*****
You've already exceeded your reading limit for today. If you want to read more, please log in.
Login
Select text and click 'Report' to let us know about any bad translation.
