Chapter 86: Can what scholars do be considered stealing?

After dinner, Chen Ziming took Zhu Qingyan to the guest room that had been prepared for her.

"Senior Brother Ziming, this matter...why didn't you discuss it with me in advance?" Zhu Qingyan asked with some entanglement.

"It's my fault." Chen Ziming smiled gently, "My mother arranged this for our future. Besides, I want to see you every day."

Zhu Qingyan blushed, and immediately forgot about the unhappiness just now.

Although Zhu Qingyan moved in as Chen Ziming's classmate, the servants in the Chen residence were all very sharp-eyed and sharp-witted. They all knew that Zhu Qingyan might marry the second young master in the future, so they were quite respectful to her on the surface.

When he came to the guest room, Zhu Qingyan's eyes lit up slightly.

Even the guest rooms in the Chen Mansion are several times larger than those of ordinary people's!

"Qingyan, get familiar with the environment first, and tell the servants to do anything.

I haven't been home for a few days. I'm going to talk to my mother. Can I come to see you tomorrow?"

Zhu Qingyan nodded sensibly, and the two of them exchanged a few sweet words before Chen Ziming left.

Zhu Qingyan slept a little unsteadily that night. After all, it was the first time he slept on such a big bed, and he would not fall off no matter how he turned over.

She couldn't help but wonder if she was dreaming.

Because she didn't sleep well, she woke up early the next day, sat up in bed, and remembered that she still had things to do today.

Ever since the day of the poetry competition, when she heard Qin Yuwei say the words "Mr. Ji", her curiosity began to grow wildly.

She secretly paid attention to Zhu Lan and the others, and discovered that they would bring good wine and food every once in a while and go somewhere unknown.

Counting the days, they are going again today.

Zhu Qingyan decided that he must find out what they were up to.

She got out of bed and prepared to wash up. Faced with the complicated furnishings in the room, she suddenly felt a little confused.

The maid waiting outside the door heard the noise and secretly noted the time, so that she could report it to the lady later.

Then he walked in, lowered his eyes and said:

"I wish you get up early today, young lady. I will help you wash and dress."

Zhu Qingyan had never been served by anyone before, and he stood there stupidly, not knowing what to do.

The maid brought a tray with a porcelain bowl on it. In the bowl, a thin willow branch was soaked in clear water.

Zhu Qingyan was a little stunned, not knowing what this was used for.

I heard that this Miss Zhu came from a very ordinary family and it seemed that she had never seen the world.

A smile flashed across the maid's eyes, and she explained tactfully that this was "tooth wood".

The soaked willow branches will become soft. At this time, if you bite the willow branches with your teeth, the exposed part will be like tiny wooden comb teeth, which can clean your teeth very well.

Zhu Qingyan realized that he might have made a fool of himself. His cheeks flushed with embarrassment. He pretended to be calm and said:

"I know. You go down first. I can do it myself."

Zhu Qingyan struggled alone for a long time, and only felt a little more at ease after he went out.

She looked back at the gate of Chen's house, feeling an indescribable feeling in her heart.

Fine clothes, delicious food, and respect from others, perhaps this is the life she wants.

Even if it is difficult, she will try her best to adapt.

"Brother Ziming, thank you for treating me this way. I will become a qualified wife and stand behind you forever!"

…

Zhu Lan came out of Yuxiang Pavilion, carrying packed food in his hand, and walked towards Ji Wuya's thatched cottage.

Along the way, she always felt that someone was following her, but the street was crowded with people, and every time she looked back, she couldn't see anyone suspicious.

Zhu Lan thought it was his own illusion, shook his head, and knocked on Ji Wuya's door.

"Haha, little Zhu Lan, let me see what treasure you brought with you!"

Ji Wuya rubbed his hands, opened the food box, and a burst of garlic aroma wafted into his nose.

"Garlic vermicelli shrimp!" Ji Wuya's appetite grew and he turned around to look for chopsticks.

At this time, classmates such as Qiao Youyou and Xu Shiming also came. Each of them brought something delicious and placed it on the table with a smile.

Ji Wuya was old, but his face wrinkled like a child.

"You little brats, I've only been in Jiangzhou City for a short time and you've already gained nearly ten pounds!"

Seeing Ji Wuya was about to pick up his chopsticks, Qiao Youyou let out an "ah" and said mischievously:

"No, according to the old rules, you can only taste a dish if you write a poem."

"Okay, okay, you guys have grasped my lifeline! Then - let's start with this yellow salmon dish!"

The yellow salmon in the porcelain plate has clear soup, the meat is as smooth as cream and as delicate as silk, and it exudes a fragrance after being steamed.

Ji Wuya pondered for a moment, then recited two lines of poetry, describing the color, aroma and taste of the yellow salmon in front of him.

"Good!" Everyone clapped and shouted, savoring the verses of the poem and feeling that they benefited a lot.

Only then was Ji Wuya allowed to pick up his chopsticks.

As poem after poem was composed, delicious dish after delicious dish was served, and the aroma soon drifted out through the half-open window.

Everyone drank and wrote poetry, feeling very happy.

Zhu Qingyan leaned sideways against the window and couldn't help swallowing.

What surprised her more than the delicious food was the "Mr. Ji" in the room.

She has been reading since she was young, and has read a lot of poems by contemporary masters. The style of the poems she just heard always felt very familiar.

He is exactly the same as the "Forest Eater" she has always admired!

After listening to a few more sentences, Zhu Qingyan became more certain of his thoughts.

Moreover, it is said that Shilin Sanren loves wine and meat. After listening to the words and actions of the old man in the house, Zhu Qingyan became more certain of his guess.

For a moment, I felt both envy and jealousy.

There are also grievances.

It would be fine if Zhu Lan was lucky, but the great poet whom he had admired since childhood had now become Zhu Lan's master!

Woohoo, is there any justice in this world!!!

The more Zhu Qingyan thought about it, the more uncomfortable she felt. Why could Zhu Lan learn it, but she had to learn it too!

What's wrong with learning secretly? It's something that scholars do, can it be considered stealing?

Thinking of this, Zhu Qingyan decided not to leave.

She simply sat cross-legged under the window of the thatched hut, and every sound in the house came into her ears without missing a word.

Before I knew it, I was so engrossed in the listening that when I came to my senses I realized the sun was setting.

Finally, after eating and drinking to their heart's content and having almost finished discussing the poetry, Ji Wuya burped and asked the students to clear the bowls and chopsticks.

Zhu Lan and the others not only filled their stomachs but also gained knowledge, feeling very fulfilled. They packed up their lunch boxes and said goodbye to Ji Wuya.

Zhu Lan walked out of the door, and suddenly caught a glimpse of a bluish-white corner of clothes out of the corner of his eye.

Then I saw traces of dust being wiped off under the window of the thatched house.

Could it be that someone was eavesdropping?

"Lanlan, what's wrong?" Qiao Youyou asked.

Zhu Lan shook his head and said it was nothing. He retracted his gaze and walked towards Longchang Academy with Qiao Youyou and others.