How can I come to see Amu?
"He's not here." Su Nanting said, "He went to a friend's house and probably won't be back for a few days."
Song agreed, "Yes, my friend's home is quite far away, in the countryside, and he probably won't be back until before the Mid-Autumn Festival."
Rong Bowen was puzzled. Didn’t he come back in the evening? Why did Brother Su say he would be back in a few days?
Besides, didn’t Brother Su tell Amu yesterday to work hard and strive to become the old priest’s last disciple in the future? Why would he turn down such a good opportunity now?
Linlang whispered to Rong Bowen, "Dad, the Marquis and the old chief priest probably have some personal grudges and dislike each other. You've forgotten that it was the old chief priest who reported the old lady of the Marquis's mansion to the emperor, and that's why the Marquis received such a severe punishment."
After hearing this, Rong Bowen understood, "What if the old priest knew we lied to him? That wouldn't be appropriate, right?"
"Dad, Ah Mu is only a scholar now. It's unlikely that he will become the master of the old priest. It's better to let him focus on preparing for the exam."
Linlang reassured her father, "Just don't let Mu go out these few days."
"That's all I can do."
Over there, the old chief priest glanced at Su Nanting and looked away in disdain. "The Marquis seems to be free. I can run into him anytime. Last time he gave me a face full of ashes on the road, and this time he gave me a face full of notes. Every time we meet, the Marquis is really unique."
"Alas, there's nothing I can do. I'm still young."
The old chief priest saw his smug look and didn't get angry. "Your Majesty is quite good. Your apology is very sincere. You have become one with them. I admire you very much."
"Since Mr. Xiao is not here, I will not disturb you any more. Goodbye."
Rong Bowen, Linlang and Song sent the people to the door. Zhao Yuning secretly gave Linlang a look and told them to explain the situation later.
Linlang nodded and mouthed to him, "Amu will be back in the evening."
After the old priest and the others left, Su Nanting said, "If it weren't for his age, I would definitely have hit him back fiercely."
Song gave him an unbelieving look. He was in the wrong yet dared to retort. Wasn't he afraid that he would have to apologize again when he returned?
Su Nanting touched his nose and said nothing.
Linlang knew that Amu's appearance made them suspicious, so she refused to let the old chief priest see Amu.
She deliberately said, "Didn't father say yesterday that Amu should work hard to get into the Imperial College and become the disciple of the old chief priest? Today, it seems that father and the old chief priest have some personal grudges."
Su Nanting laughed it off. "No, no, the civil and military officials somewhat dislike each other. They can't help but criticize each other when they meet. It's normal, it's all normal."
He emphasized, "The old priest is a learned man. Apart from being too stubborn, he has no other problems. Look, he never helps his son-in-law, and yet he is still a county magistrate."
Rong Bowen nodded. If the old chief priest could help, Lord Zhao would at least be an official of the fifth or sixth rank. How could he be gaining experience in a small county?
However, with the old chief priest around, the higher-ups dare not make things difficult for Lord Zhao, as he will have to return to the capital sooner or later.
Su Nanting said, "The old priest has been by the emperor's side for so many years. Firstly, he is highly educated and loyal to the emperor. Secondly, he is upright and honest, cherishes talents, and has promoted many talents for the emperor."
Although the civil and military officials were at loggerheads with each other, in fact, the old marquis and the old chief priest respected each other and were just at odds on the surface.
If the old lady had not gone too far and violated the law this time, the old chief priest would not have reported it to the emperor. This was considered a reminder to the old marquis and Su Nanting.
Su Nanting was puzzled. "Amu only ranked tenth in the exam, which shouldn't be outstanding. I wonder what shining point the old priest saw in Amu that made him come here so anxiously."
Linlang wanted to say that Ah Mu was full of sparkle, but she could only keep it in her heart and said with a smile, "Maybe Ah Mu's handwriting is good."
"It's possible."
The matter was over. Before Ah Mu returned, Zhao Yuning arrived. "Sister, my grandfather said Ah Mu was deliberately hiding his abilities. If he had behaved well, he would have secured the first place in the Guliang County case. And my grandfather really appreciated that policy paper and wanted to come and see Ah Mu right away."
"It's a pity that Amu is not here. Grandfather felt very sorry after he returned. He read Amu's policy papers over and over again."
Zhao Yuning also didn't understand, "Why did the Marquis lie to my grandfather?"
Linlang had already thought of an explanation. "The civil and military officials in the court don't like each other. Don't you think the Marquis and the old chief priest are a bit confrontational? The Marquis doesn't allow Amu and the old chief priest to meet now because he's worried that the old chief priest would know that Amu is the Marquis's son-in-law, which would be inappropriate."
Linlang said, "The Marquis has his reasons for doing this. He hopes that Ah Mu can be admitted to the Imperial College and become the disciple of the old priest. He can't let Ah Mu be delayed because of him."
"My grandfather isn't such a stingy person, but he's worried that someone with ulterior motives might try to sow discord, so it's better to be cautious."
Zhao Yuning patted his chest and said, "Don't worry, sister. As long as you haven't announced your relationship with the Marquis' Mansion, we will definitely keep it a secret."
"Thank you very much."
In the evening, Ah Mu came back and Lin Lang told him about the old priest coming to see him. Ah Mu said the same thing, "It's too early to meet now. It's not the right time yet. It won't be too late to meet again after I pass the imperial examination."
After Su Nanting and others stayed in Guliang County for two more days, the family was about to set off back to Beijing. Rong Bowen and Linlang prepared a lot of local specialties, including homemade sausages and mooncakes, for them to take back.
Rong Bowen said, "They are all worthless local products. Brother Su and sister-in-law, please don't despise them."
Su Nanting loves to eat the sausages and braised meat made by Linlang the most. They are the best dishes to go with wine. "I don't mind, I don't mind. The more the better. I'm just worried that I won't be able to eat them when I go back."
Mrs. Song loved to eat her daughter's mooncakes and pastries. She couldn't make the same taste even with the recipe she gave her. In fact, she couldn't bear to part with her daughter because the taste was unique to her daughter.
The family was reluctant to leave. Linlang looked at her tall and majestic father and her four imposing brothers and said, "Father, next time you come to Guliang County, I will give you a surprise."
"This meeting has already brought many surprises. I didn't expect there will be more surprises next time. I can wait and see."
Su Nanting asked Linlang to take good care of herself. "You are pregnant now, so stay healthy. If both mother and child are safe, it will be the biggest surprise for your husband. Don't get tired. Your mother and I will come over early."
"good."
After sending them out of Liuhua Hutong, Linlang waved goodbye to them. Song sat in the carriage with tears streaming down her face. She was so angry that she hit Su Nanting several times. If it weren't for such a mother-in-law, her daughter would definitely have followed them back to the capital.
Su Nanting held Song's hand and said, "Madam, I'm sorry for you and Linlang, but from now on, no one can bully you two."
Fortunately, Linlang was adopted by a good family. If she had fallen into the hands of bad people, Su Nanting would not have dared to think too much about it over the years.
This cheating case in the Tongsheng exam made Su Nanting realize how outrageous his previous mistakes were. Respecting and being filial to elders also depends on whether the elder is worthy of respect and filial piety.
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