Chapter 2629 - 2562: Composure

Mr. Jiang turned his head to see Mr. Zhuang lost in thought and was taken aback, then turned his head to follow his gaze.

Below the hall were only people drinking tea, and the distance between tables wasn’t very large, so he couldn’t tell who Mr. Zhuang was looking at.

If you don’t understand, ask, so he asked, "What are you looking at?"

Mr. Zhuang regained his composure, withdrew his gaze, and smiled slightly, saying, "It’s nothing. It’s getting late, shall we call it a day?"

Mr. Jiang:... We just sat down, and it hasn’t been half an hour yet.

However, seeing his interest seemed lacking, he nodded, "Alright."

The two settled the bill and left.

Although Mr. Mei had inquired about Zhou Man, what the servants found out and what the storyteller said were somewhat different, so he was listening with great interest.

Lady Mei was even more immersed.

Mr. Zhuang went downstairs and couldn’t help but glance again at the few people sitting at the central table, then withdrew his gaze and left with Mr. Jiang.

Immediately, a servant brought the carriage up.

Mr. Jiang saw that he seemed not in the best mood and smiled as he stopped, saying, "Forget it, forget it, next time I’ll go with you to Xuandu Temple to listen to those discussions."

Mr. Zhuang finally showed a smile, nodded, and said, "That’s something Jiang has said, I’ll remember it."

Mr. Jiang laughed, nodded, and got on the carriage to leave.

Mr. Zhuang stood by the roadside, watching him leave as a servant led the carriage beside him, reminded by the hot sun, "Sir, are we heading back?"

Mr. Zhuang came to his senses, summoned him closer, and said, "Did you see the table in the middle with the elderly man, a middle-aged man, and two young men?"

The servant glanced inside, "Sir, are you referring to the table with an old man, one middle-aged man, and two young men?"

Mr. Zhuang nodded slightly.

The servant smiled, "I have it in mind."

"Follow them and see where they’re staying, and if you can find out why they’re in the capital, that would be best. If not..." Mr. Zhuang paused, sighed, then said, "Forget it, forget it, even if you can’t find out, let it be."

The servant immediately complied, "Rest assured, sir, I will investigate diligently."

He brought the carriage, asking, "Sir, shall I take you home first?"

Mr. Zhuang waved his hand, saying, "No need. I’ll find another carriage home."

Upon hearing this, the servant immediately returned his carriage and then got Mr. Zhuang a mule-drawn passenger carriage.

Mr. Zhuang wasted no time, heading straight home.

Today Mr. Zhuang didn’t attend court because he had no lessons, and with the summer heat, he simply skipped and didn’t go to the palace.

He could do so, but Bai Shan and Zhou Man obviously could not, both of them attending court at the time.

Mr. Zhuang returned home and entered his courtyard, sitting in his study, dazed.

Xi Bing brought in a plate of sliced sweet melons, "Sir, this sweet melon was sent from the manor, give it a try."

Mr. Zhuang returned to his senses, smiled, and said, "Is the melon grown in Manbao’s land?"

"It’s not grown in the master’s land; it’s grown in the master’s manor."

Mr. Zhuang chuckled, "You’ve been here for so long, how come your way of addressing hasn’t changed? People outside might get confused."

Xi Bing laughed awkwardly, "We’ve changed, but sometimes forget again."

Mr. Zhuang shook his head, smiled, picked up a piece of sweet melon, saying, "Alright, just leave the fruit plate."

Xi Bing didn’t leave but asked, "The Old Madam asked what you want for lunch. Shall I have the kitchen prepare something? It’s hot in the afternoon; are you going out? The master brought back a box of tea leaves, new tea from this year, would you like a cup brewed..."

Mr. Zhuang couldn’t help but laugh. After eating a piece of melon, he went to wash his hands, letting her babble, and when she finished, he waved his hand and said, "Let’s have vegetarian food for lunch, just serve things easy to digest."

Xi Bing received her orders and left.

Mr. Zhuang picked up a book sitting by the window; soon, a servant brought in a basin of ice placed not far from the door. Although the slight breeze had little effect, it made people feel considerably cooler.

Mr. Zhuang’s restless mind gradually settled; he couldn’t help but shake his head and smile, realizing that at his age, he couldn’t remain as composed as those children.

Mr. Zhuang stayed in the study for half the day until Bai Shan and Zhou Man returned from court, walking side by side. From afar, Mr. Zhuang heard the sound of Manbao’s laughter.

Seeing the two talking excitedly, Mr. Zhuang smiled and waved to them.

Manbao immediately tugged Bai Shan, running over, "Sir, His Majesty is going to the summer palace in Yongzhou, and we’re all going along."

Mr. Zhuang was surprised, smiled, and asked, "White Shan is the Zhongshu Sheren, naturally he must follow. Have you been assigned to accompany the Imperial Hospital?"

Manbao nodded, "Just me and Imperial Doctor Zheng, Director Xiao and Imperial Doctor Liu have work in the Hospital and are too busy to go."

Mr. Zhuang smiled, nodded, and remembered something, asking, "What about the Crown Prince?"

"The Crown Prince is staying in the capital," Bai Shan smiled, "Though Yongzhou is not far from the capital, with His Majesty leaving the city, someone must oversee it, and the Crown Prince is most suitable for this."

Bai Shan paused, recalling Mr. Zhuang is still the Crown Prince’s Assistant Lecturer, needing to a give lesson every ten days, and after some thought, lowered his voice, "Sir, His Majesty intends to train the Crown Prince by letting him oversee governance, so most documents will be reviewed by the Crown Prince."

Mr. Zhuang was slightly surprised, "His Highness is in his prime, why think of letting the Crown Prince govern?"

Bai Shan also found it strange and shook his head to indicate he didn’t know.

The teacher and student duo looked at Manbao.

Manbao met their gaze, puzzled, and when she understood their thoughts, quickly said, "His Majesty is in good health; although there are some health issues, who at his age doesn’t? Among his peers, he’s doing quite well."

Upon hearing this, the teacher and student duo withdrew their gaze, knowing it wasn’t for health reasons.

Unable to understand, the three stopped pondering and sat down in the study, "Sir, you didn’t go to court today."

Seeing the fruit plate and snacks on the table, Manbao was envious; the sir lived comfortably with less and lighter tasks. She wondered when she would enjoy such a life.

Mr. Zhuang seemed to know her thoughts, tapped her head, and said teasingly, "You’re comparing yourself with someone of my age?"

As they joked, a servant entered to report, "Sir, I’ve found the place where the people you’re following are staying."

Bai Shan and Manbao looked at Mr. Zhuang in surprise.

Mr. Zhuang didn’t hide it from them, asked the person to come in, and asked, "Where are they staying?"

"They’re staying at an inn, looking for a house to rent in the capital."

Mr. Zhuang asked, "Why did they come to the capital?"

"To take the Jinshi exam after this autumn," the servant said.

Upon hearing this, Mr. Zhuang was somewhat reflective, "Indeed, whether it’s a son or grandson, they could take the exam."

Manbao was curious, "Sir, who is it?"

"An old acquaintance named Yao Ge."

Bai Shan frowned, "The one who stole your poems back then?"