Chapter 77: Invitation from the Prince's Mansion
The next day, after Jiang Cheng went out to court, Jiang Lan was checking the accounts of the previous two days when the housekeeper hurried over to report that the Inspector of the Imperial City had arrived. He said that he had offended many people yesterday and had specially prepared a small gift to apologize today.
Although the other party said that they came to apologize, the housekeeper had heard of the reputation of the Imperial City Bureau and was worried that things were not that simple.
Jiang Cheng was not at home, Jiang Lan was a girl and it was not convenient for her to show up, and Xie Yun was a guest, so it was even more inconvenient for him to show up.
The housekeeper thought about asking Jiang Shen to come forward, but then he thought again, the other party was definitely not a good person and was very cunning. A scholar like Jiang Shen would definitely not be able to deal with it, so he didn't know what to do.
Jiang Lan asked the housekeeper to lead the way while she went to meet the Inspector.
The housekeeper was surprised, but felt more at ease when he saw that Jiang Lan had made up her mind.
After the trip to Sangcheng, the housekeeper had a completely new opinion of Jiang Lan. He knew that she was a person who was not afraid of things and could make up her mind. To be honest, if she really encountered a big problem, she would be more reliable than Madam Zhang.
When Jiang Lan arrived in the hall, Ji Quan was shaving with a cup of tea. He raised his eyelids, glanced at the person walking over, took a sip of tea first, put down the cup without getting up, his eyes lingered on the dress Jiang Lan was wearing today, and the corner of his mouth curled up with that signature sneer again.
"It's been a few months since we last met. Miss, do you still remember Ji?" He spoke with a teasing tone, as if he found everyone a little funny.
Jiang Lan knew that the other party had most likely recognized her yesterday. Since he didn't mention it, there was no need for her to bring it up. She said calmly, "I heard that Master Ji is now an Inspector General. I guess he's very busy on weekdays. I wonder what brings you here today?"
Ji Quan gestured, and one of his men handed a brocade box to Jiang Lan.
"I'm sorry for offending you yesterday. This is just a small token of my appreciation. Please accept it, Miss."
He raised his eyes and motioned Jiang Lan to open it and take a look.
"Your Excellency, there is no need to be so polite." Jiang Lan replied politely, raised her hand to open the brocade box, and a golden light came into her eyes.
She was startled by what was in the box after just one glance, but she quickly calmed down, closed the box, and said, "This gift is too valuable. I can't accept it."
Ji Quan sneered, "Can't accept it, or don't want to accept it?"
“…”
If I take the things in there, I'm afraid I'll have to go to jail in the future...
Jiang Lan didn't want to know where the things in the box came from. It would be no good if she offended the other party at this time. After considering her words, she said, "Don't take the previous matter to heart, sir. It was all a misunderstanding."
"Since it's all a misunderstanding, what is there to be afraid of, Miss? Could it be that there is a poisonous snake in this box?" Ji Quan sneered and picked up the teacup to scrape it again.
Jiang Lan felt a bit of a headache, thinking that this man was really difficult to deal with. She simply explained, "My father is a minister, and his annual salary is not even this much. Lord Ji has only been in the capital for half a year, and yet he can give such a generous gift. Most people wouldn't dare to accept it."
"Miss, don't dare to accept it now. You'll know how good the contents of this box are next time." Ji Quan sneered again, his tone becoming more sarcastic. "People like Miss, who despise money like dirt, must think that people like me are vulgar. I really disappoint Miss."
“…”
This guy must be suffering from some kind of paranoia, always feeling that others look down on him...
"I like money, too." Jiang Lan said frankly, "Food, clothing, firewood, rice, oil, salt, everything needs money. Without money, you can only wait for the northwest wind to starve."
After becoming the head of the household, she experienced more clearly the joy of making money. With money in hand, she could live a comfortable life.
There was a hint of strangeness in those knife-like narrow eyes, as if he didn't expect her to say such down-to-earth words.
Then she changed the subject, "But a gentleman who loves money must earn it in a proper way."
“.…..”
Just when I felt down to earth for a second, the next moment, I "showed my true colors".
He usually hated these flowery words the most, as they made him seem uneducated. Besides, what was the point of reading so many books? With a knife on his neck, he could only beg for mercy.
"Is the Second Young Lady a gentleman?" Ji Quan teased, his expression a frivolous yet perverse smile. "Even if she changed into men's clothes, she'd still be a delicate, pretty boy. She's far from a gentleman."
Jiang Lan muttered to herself, "If I'm not, then you're certainly not either."
"Why don't we see Mr. Xie? Doesn't he live in the mansion?" Ji Quan changed the subject.
Jiang Lan asked tentatively, "My Lord, is there anything else?"
"I heard that Young Master Jiang is a good student and might even pass the imperial examination and become the top scorer. But he should not be too pedantic in his studies. You never know when you might offend someone." Ji Quan left these meaningful words and left with his subordinate.
After returning, Jiang Lan pondered the last sentence carefully. Yesterday, she heard Qi Wuhan say that Ji Quan entered the Imperial City Bureau because he was appreciated by King Rui. In less than half a year, he became the Inspector General. This promotion speed was indeed unusual.
Before in Sangcheng, the other party did not hide his ambition, and the vortex of power in the capital is just right for ambitious people.
Like a fish in water, he rose to fame in one step.
Jiang Lan was worried that Prince Rui was targeting her elder brother again.
Jiang Shen has the talent of a top scholar and is the eldest son of the Shangshu Mansion. He will definitely be a great help when he enters the court in the future and is bound to be the target of competition among various forces.
Sure enough, two invitations were delivered to the Shangshu Mansion within a few days.
It was sent by someone from the Prince's Mansion.
After the candidates for the next spring imperial examination arrived in Beijing, they would receive invitations every now and then. Today, one lord would host a banquet, tomorrow another would host a banquet. The best among them would be accepted as disciples and trained, ensuring their future careers in the government.
For those scholars who come from poor families, such an opportunity is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity. If they can be selected, it would be like a carp leaping over the dragon gate and changing their destiny.
The scholar that Jiang Cheng had invited to his house as a guest was the one he was planning to accept as his disciple. He had missed the spring examination due to mourning for his father, so he came to the capital early this year to prepare for the exam.
Jiang Cheng felt that the other party had talent and good character, and was a good seedling worth cultivating.
Now he also intends to accept Xie Yun as his disciple, and hopes to strengthen their relationship in the future.
Jiang Lan didn't know that her father had the latter idea, and he had never revealed it to her. What she was concerned about now were the two invitations sent from the Prince's Mansion.
One is for Jiang Shen.
One is for Xie Yun.
Since Xie Yun was staying at the mansion, people from the Prince's Mansion sent two invitations over together.
Being appreciated by the Crown Prince is a good thing, but I'm afraid that a big tree will attract the wind...
Jiang Lan was worried that someone would secretly trip up the two of them and plot against them.
Jiang Cheng was worried that the two would be too impulsive and rush to be in the spotlight, and be disrespectful in front of the prince, so he called them to the study and repeatedly warned them not to be disrespectful in front of the prince.
Yuanbao flew over in the evening of the day he received the invitation, but he was not there to deliver a letter.
The small bamboo tube is empty.
Jiang Lan thought about it and understood Qi Wuhan's intention. She wrote a note, rolled it up and put it in a small bamboo tube, telling him that Jiang Shen and Xie Yun were going to the banquet.
After Yuanbao left with the small bamboo tube in his mouth, he soon brought her a reply.
Qi Wuhan replied with a "safe" on the note, and he would also attend the banquet.
After Jiang Rui learned about the invitation, he ran to Jiang Shen and showed his courtesy, wanting him to take him with him.
Jiang Shen did not agree and asked him to study hard. Jiang Rui was annoyed and went to find Xie Yun again, but was rejected again. Finally, he mustered up the courage to beg Jiang Cheng, but after being scolded, he became obedient.
In the blink of an eye, the day of the banquet arrived. Before leaving, Jiang Shen reminded the two again.
Jiang Lan also advised the two to drink less and not get drunk.
Xie Yun smiled and said that he could drink a thousand cups without getting drunk.
Jiang Shen assured her that he would not drink too much.
Jiang Rui watched the carriage go away eagerly, imagining that if he were to go, he would definitely win the favor of His Royal Highness the Crown Prince. Who would dare to look down on him then?
He didn't come back to his senses until the butler called him.
The housekeeper reminded him that it was time to go to school. Jiang Rui muttered reluctantly and went to school listlessly.
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