On this side, Zeng Zhui pulled Master Lin to talk at length, from poetry and literature to the study of state affairs and the philosophical thoughts of ancient sages. When he was thirsty, he took out some wine to moisten his throat.
After a while, only half of his pot of wine was left.
Xu Jiang observed his eagerness to learn and thought, "Zhu Chun can finally have some peace of mind from now on, but Master Lin will have to endure some hardship. With Lu Zhen as the younger one and Zeng Zhui as the older one, I wonder if he can handle it all."
They were enjoying their meal when suddenly a gong sounded at the door. Lin Hongchu quickly got up, went into the house to fill a basket of fruit, and ran out with Xu Jiang in tow.
Xu Jiang went outside and took a look. It turned out that there were seven or eight children in a group. They were wearing ghost masks and jumping around the fire in front of their door, chanting auspicious spells to drive away evil spirits.
After they finished dancing, a group of children surrounded Lin Hongchu and Xu Jiang. Lin Hongchu quickly distributed the fruit in the basket to them. After the children took the fruit, they said "good luck and good fortune" and went on to other houses.
Just as the children were sent away, deafening sounds of gongs and drums were heard from the other side of the imperial city, which could be heard even from such a distance.
Lou Yunchun was currently in the Imperial City, attending the palace's New Year's Eve banquet. After the banquet's sacrifices were over, he would return to his residence to celebrate the New Year with his clansmen, and then return to the palace tomorrow for the New Year's Eve banquet.
Drinking is inevitable in such occasions. I just hope he knows how to refuse and doesn't get drunk foolishly.
Actually, Xu Jiang had been worrying too much. After Lou Yunchun and the other ministers drank the wine offered by the sage, he sat there in silence, and few people invited him to drink.
It's New Year's Day, how nice it would be to sing poems and drink with warm colleagues. Wouldn't it be boring to drink with a cold and hard block of ice?
The sacrifice was over, and Lou Yunchun wanted to sit for a while before returning home, but a man came towards him with a wine glass in his hand and a smile on his face.
The person who came was Zhou Huai.
"Master Xiaolou, it's better to drink together than to sit alone. Do you mind if I sit with you?"
Lou Yunchun's eyes flashed with surprise, and he nodded and said, "Master Zhou, please feel free to do as you please."
"Forgive me for bothering you." Zhou Huai sat down next to Lou Yunchun and raised his glass towards him as soon as he sat down. "Master Xiaolou, would you like to have a drink with me?"
Lou Yunchun raised his glass, clinked it with his, and drank.
"Lord Xiaolou is indeed straightforward. Like father, like son." Zhou Huai raised his head and looked at Lou Jing who was not far away. Lou Jing was drinking happily with several colleagues from the Ministry of Rites.
Zhou Huai asked, "After the Lunar New Year, preparations for the imperial examinations will begin, and the Ministry of Rites will be busy again. May I ask if your father would like to be the invigilator? Which subject?"
It turns out he was here to find out the truth.
"It is not known yet. To prevent favoritism and cheating, the students will be ranked three days before the exam." Lou Yunchun enunciated the words 'favoritism and cheating' clearly, and Zhou Huai's smile froze slightly.
Lou Yunchun took in his expression and asked, "Does Mr. Zhou have any sons or nephews for consideration this year?"
"There are two young people who are going to take the exam, but I think their qualifications are mediocre, so it will be difficult for them to make the list." Zhou Huai poured his wine and sighed, "It's different now. There is no recommendation. For children from aristocratic families like us, if we don't have the talent of Lord Xiaolou, it will be as difficult as ascending to heaven to enter the officialdom."
What's more, the invigilation becomes stricter every year, so even if you have a lot of money, you won't be able to spend it.
He then offered Lou Yunchun more wine, but Lou Yunchun blocked the rim of his cup and calmly declined. "Everyone has their own strengths. I think your clan's nephews have a talent for business, so they don't have to force their way into that field."
Zhou Huai paused and said with a smile: "I thought that Master Xiaolou was only busy with cases and didn't pay attention to these things."
"The name of the Jisheng Book Bureau is well-known in the capital, so there's no need for me to inquire about it."
"No matter how great your reputation is, in the business world, you are ultimately at the bottom of the heap and not worth mentioning."
"Lord Zhou is too modest. I think your nephew is a capable general."
"Oh?" Zhou Huai looked at him in surprise, "Where do you get that from?"
Lou Yunchun stared at him with a scrutinizing look in his eyes. "I heard that he founded a bookstore and took charge of all the major bookstores in the capital. He also used Lord Zhou's influence to control their lifeblood. How could he have achieved such feats without the talent of a general or a minister?"
Hearing this, Zhou Huai almost knocked over his wine glass. He looked at Lou Yunchun in surprise and suspicion, and met his deep gaze, which made him feel uneasy.
At this time, Lou Jing staggered over and pulled Zhou Huai to his seat. "Master Zhou, I'm afraid you're sitting in the wrong seat. Come on, come on, have a drink with us."
While pulling, he winked at Lou Yunchun, who understood, stood up, said goodbye to his attendants, and left the palace.
After Zhou Huai was fooled by this old fox several times, he went to look for Lou Yunchun again, but there was no trace of him.
The fire burned brighter and brighter, and the night grew deeper and deeper.
Mrs. Lin, unable to resist fatigue, was supported by Lin Hongchu and fell asleep. Master Lin and Zeng Zhui were still engaged in a debate. Xu Jiang drank by herself, occasionally savoring a few words, each of which was interesting.
Lin Hongchu came back with a thin blanket in her hand and covered Xu Jiang with it.
"Auntie is asleep?"
"Um."
Lin Hongchu sat down, and Xu Jiang wrapped her tightly in a blanket. The two sisters drank one cup after another, feeling intoxicated.
Tonight is New Year's Eve. Lin Hongchu was not restrained by anyone and drank to his heart's content.
Slightly tipsy, he buried his face in Xu Jiang's arms and cried silently.
Xu Jiang patted her back silently to comfort her.
At midnight, firecrackers were heard outside the house, but in the yard there was only the sound of Zeng Zhui and Master Lin talking. They were talking about life and death.
Zeng Zhui muttered, "It's the New Year, saying this is too..." unlucky.
Master Lin waved his hand and said, "There is no need to avoid talking about life and death at any time. This is just the natural way of the Tao and the natural principle."
Everyone present was stunned.
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