Others perhaps didn’t recognize them, but Wang Zhen Xing hurriedly came over to greet, “Greetings to wangye, wangfei.”
“You’re excused.” Jing Wan lifted her hand.
Saying ‘bad words’ about someone, yet getting caught red-handed by that certain someone, this atmosphere naturally was somewhat awkward. However, the uneasiness on that person’s face quickly flashed by. Perhaps for the sake of manifesting his righteousness and self-confidence, he even stuck out his chest, to the extent that he forgot that he was suppose to come over and pay his respect.
The others, after looking to one another in dismay, quickly went forward to pay their respect. They were aloof with character, but this didn’t mean that they were capable of looking down on imperial power. After all, for people like them, the majority’s goal was still ‘learning literary and military arts, selling to the imperial family’. No one would foolishly go offend a qinwang.
Thus, the situation was somewhat strangely silent.
Rather, it was Li Hong Yuan that paused on his face momentarily, “Member of the Pei family? Heh………”
One soft laughter, yet the ridicule couldn’t be more obvious.
The other party’s complexion instantly turned very unsightly, perhaps not only because of Li Hong Yuan’s sneer, but further because of certain findings.
And Jing Wan also discovered some clues after Li Hong Yuan voiced the other party’s identity. The other party seemingly had that bit of resemblance in appearance with her own husband. If someone from the Pei family, then this seemingly wasn’t all that strange anymore. The living Enma was able to make out that person’s identity from that face of his, and that person’s expression seemingly also indicated that he had figured out Li Hong Yuan’s ‘identity’. As such, it was possible that he was even someone from the Pei clan’s current main family and was possibly di-related cousins with Li Hong Yuan.
“The people of the Pei family are ‘noble and virtuous[1]‘, not entering the imperial court, but have quite a few renowned names, famous great scholars ‘cultivating peach and plum trees all over the world[2]‘. And the descendants of the clan even leave home to seek knowledge, widely making friends, such thoughts known by all, rather noble and virtuous to the end, letting all see. This prince’s temper has always been bad, and at times, will always do those few inappropriate things.”
Jing Wan could tell, his mood right now was indeed a bit awful, seemingly harboring resentment towards the Pei family, yet also seemingly nothing at all.
The other party’s complexion alternated between green and white. In reality, this was considered something known to all. The Pei family held up the banner of ‘self-preservation’, but in reality, what exactly was going on, the people of the world, not one wasn’t guessing. One publicly accepted secret was that the Pei family will sooner or later ‘withdraw from worldly affairs’, returning to the imperial court, and what they needed right now was probably just a suitable opportunity.
The Pei clan, as Jiangnan’s number one illustrious clan, never waned all these years. It was obvious that they definitely weren’t willing to forever ‘stay silent’.
Pei Zhuo Qing knew, his family had the child left behind by that paternal aunt that entered the imperial family viewed as one of the opportunities. That’s right, one of. It was very obvious, his family still had other plans, just he didn’t know, that’s all. Towards the imperial prince left behind by paternal aunt, the people at home have always been paying very close attention, just because of certain reasons, they never got in touch with him all this time. Towards this matter, he was actually quite uninterested in. That’s why, he never questioned before, else he wouldn’t have been completely unaware and ignorant even when the person was already under his eyelid.
It was still okay when not paying attention, but under careful observation, he discovered, he was very similar in appearance to grandmother, especially those eyes. Reportedly, that paternal aunt also resembled grandmother the most, and the other party was also an imperial prince. To want to deny he was that paternal aunt’s son was all impossible.
Him coming to Jiangnan, the people at home definitely must know, yet previously all didn’t inform him in the slightest, else things wouldn’t have been this awkward either.
Speaking of which, the one that had the poor scholar sent into Kaiming Academy was probably even his cousin-in-law, what did this count as?
Just when Jing Wan wanted to urge a few words, and break the deadlock, another youngster appeared wearing scholar garments, also appearing refined and elegant. Going forward, he just cupped his hands towards Li Hong Yuan and Jing Wan, “Greetings wangye, wangfei, this one’s teacher, Old Mister Luo, invites the two of you for a chat.”
(T/N: This is a traditional scholar attire, hat included.)
Jing Wan’s eyes slightly lit, “Great uncle is also here in Kaiming Fu?” This great uncle although wandered around outside all year round, his whereabouts indefinite, it didn’t mean that he has never returned before. Jing Wan once even met him a few times before. Just based on appearance, great uncle and grandfather were actually very similar looking. If not for there being a nearly five years gap in age, to say they were twins, people would believe. To actually be able to encounter in Kaiming Fu truly was outside of one’s expectations.
“Yes, teacher had reached Kaiming Fu the day before yesterday. Heard someone used his name card to send someone into Kaiming Academy, so just carefully inquired, learning that it was wangfei, you. Teacher said that he has not seen family in a long time, and very much misses. Just, wangfei’s status currently is very noble, so originally was preparing to wait another day, properly tidying up before sending the invitation card, but just now, heard that wangfei was seen here, thus ordered this student to come invite.”
“I also haven’t seen great uncle in a long time. To be able to encounter at this time, it’s very good.” Jing Wan happily expressed, “Wangye……….”
“Since it’s wangfei’s great uncle, naturally ought to meet. Let’s go.” Li Hong Yuan said with a nod.
The main party has left, but this awkward situation didn’t get broken. About that, wangfei precisely came from the Luo family, everyone all knew, and Old Mister Luo had no wife, no children. The one he was closest to was just this one older brother. And this older brother was the previous Head Minister of Rites, and the current Head Minister of Appointments. It goes without saying that someone that’s able to become a wangfei certainly will be his direct descendant. In a certain sense, wasn’t it just equal to being Old Mister Luo’s direct descendant. The esteemed wangfei using her “grandfather’s” name card to send a person into the academy seemingly was completely no problem. For them to shun Wang Zhen Xin, it was practically without reason.
Moreover, judging from Wang Zhen Xing’s situation that day, Jin Wangfei clearly was one that harbored righteousness.
Because that Sir Luo getting promoted onto the position of Head Minister of Appointments, Old Mister Luo, this great scholar, further rose with the tides. It was still that line, nine out of ten scholars aspired to enter the imperial court. First having a great scholar as a teacher, then having this teacher’s older brother overseeing the Ministry of Appointments, the conditions were practically too good. Countless students further rushed towards this Old Mister Luo like ducks, but unfortunately, this old teacher already stopped taking students two years ago. At most it was nothing more than lecturing at certain academies. But his whereabouts were truly fleeting, hearing he was here today, but tomorrow he might just be at another place. The renowned academies had his tracks, but home schools and private schools might also have his tracks. However, this kind of person having that bit of eccentricity really couldn’t be more normal.
They carefully peeked at Pei Zhuo Qing’s extremely awful complexion, better pretend that one didn’t see anything at all.
As for Pei Zhuo Qing who’d accidentally lost his face, he unconsciously clenched his fist, turning around, and deathly glared at a certain ‘little follower’ behind him. A few days ago, he’d taken a trip back home, and furthermore, had just returned to Kaiming Academy this morning, getting ‘wind’ blown into the ear. Towards people that broke the rules, he has always very much despised, thus there was that moment earlier. Yet turns out, he’d gotten ‘used’ by someone, letting others laugh at him like this. At this time, his complexion was a bit green, directly storming off in a huff.
As for how to handle this matter, he still needed to properly contemplate. If the people at home truly had the opportunity pressed on him, and his relationship with him becomes stiff………………
Also, he seemingly had a lot of complaint towards the Pei family. This wasn’t anything good. Perhaps he still needed to return home again.
[1] There’s a double meaning of someone who’s aloof from politics and material pursuit.
[2] The peach and plum trees are referring to students and disciples.
T/N: I don’t remember if I’ve mentioned before, but I’ll mentioned it again just in case, the address of sir(大人) or ‘daren’ is only used for officials of the imperial court. Just like madam(夫人) or ‘furen’ is only for wives of nobility or court officials. This great uncle’s address is old mister/teacher ‘老先生’; the address ‘先生’ (xian sheng) is only used for teachers, scholars, and doctors.
