Chen Jiannan stood alone in the street, looking dejected.
But once you've made a boast, you have to finish it, even if you're crying.
Having already been humiliated by Zhu Xinning, he didn't want to be humiliated again by this group of scholars from Jingzhou.
Walking back into the crowd, he feigned composure and said, "Hehe, my cousin probably...didn't hear me..."
Everyone looked at each other in bewilderment. They had all heard it, and Zhu Xinning, who was closer to Chen Jiannan, wasn't deaf, so how could she not hear it?
Perhaps realizing how insincere that was, Chen Jiannan chuckled awkwardly, "Maybe... after so many years, my cousin didn't recognize me at first, which is why she didn't get off the bus... Hehe, that's quite common, isn't it?"
"Yes, yes, it's very common!"
Everyone quickly echoed this sentiment.
Chen Jiannan nodded, but he felt like crying.
This is so damn embarrassing!
Seeing that he looked unwell, someone comforted him, "Brother Chen, that's not right of you. Since you're related to the Prime Minister's family, why don't you pay them a visit first after arriving in Jingzhou?"
"That's right. If you had gone earlier, how could Lord Zhu not have recognized you?"
After listening to everyone's advice, Chen Jiannan himself began to believe it.
Nodding, he solemnly said, "You are all right. I plan to visit my uncle at the Prime Minister's residence right now!"
The two families already had a history, and he was good-looking. In addition, he had just won first place in the high school entrance examination, so he was quite confident.
However, some people raised objections: "I think that at this critical juncture, Brother Chen would be better off not going to the Prime Minister's residence, lest people gossip about him!"
"Oh? What do you mean?"
Everyone was puzzled.
"Haven't you heard? Because Young Master Song is going to participate in the Mid-Autumn Poetry Gathering this year, His Majesty attaches great importance to this gathering and has appointed Zhu Sheren to be in charge of the judging and the final audience with the Emperor. If Brother Chen goes to Zhu Sheren at this time, what will others think?"
"In that case, it's understandable why Zhu Sheren didn't get out of the carriage to see Brother Chen earlier; it must have been to avoid suspicion!"
"Yes, that makes sense!"
The crowd echoed this sentiment once again.
Young Master Song is the only son of Song Baiyun, a Hanlin Academician. He showed talent in poetry from a young age and won first place in many poetry competitions. However, he has been studying in seclusion in recent years and rarely makes public appearances.
This time, however, he declared that he would participate in the Mid-Autumn Poetry Gathering, which suggests that he is determined to win and has already made preparations for entering officialdom.
After hearing this, Chen Jiannan couldn't help but smile bitterly to himself.
The top scorer in the imperial examination and the top scorer in the poetry contest entered the palace together. Although there was a possibility that both of them would be appreciated by the emperor, compared to Song Jimo, his chances of standing out were too low!
He then said, "Thank you for reminding me, brother! In that case, I really can't visit the Prime Minister's residence now. It won't be too late to go after the Mid-Autumn Poetry Gathering!"
Everyone praised it upon hearing it.
"Gentlemen, I have some matters to attend to, so I will take my leave now!"
Chen Jiannan declined everyone's offer to celebrate his victory and instead left alone to buy some expensive and high-end gifts.
avoid arousing suspicion?
Only a fool would avoid it!
With such a strong opponent, and a powerful right-hand man by his side, only a fool wouldn't cling to him!
Thinking of this, he quickened his pace.
...
Jing Zhe had no time to listen to this group of people's nonsense.
Ever since Zhu Xinning's carriage appeared, his soul was captivated, and he followed the carriage forward.
Because they were traveling in the city, and there were citizens appearing from time to time along the streets and alleys, the carriage slowed down even more, and could be driven side by side with them if they walked a few steps faster.
Jing Zhe approached the carriage, pondering how to begin.
As those people just said, Zhu Xinning was calm and reserved when she was young. Because she played the role of the eldest sister at that time, although she loved him very much, Jing Zhe was somewhat afraid of her deep down.
Having not seen her for so many years, and given her current high position, Jing Zhe was momentarily intimidated.
“Miss, that person just now… Xiangru seems to have heard the master mention him before.”
Hearing the sounds coming from inside the car, Jing Zhe stopped rushing and leaned closer to the car, eavesdropping in a lewd manner.
"The Chen family is indeed a distant relative of the Zhu family, and that Chen Jiannan is indeed my cousin."
Her voice was clear and pleasant, yet full of authority.
"Why didn't the young lady get out of the car to acknowledge him?"
The maid in the carriage asked curiously.
“I haven’t seen this distant relative in nearly ten years. The last time I saw this cousin was four or five years ago. How much affection do we still have? Besides, I just heard that he took the college entrance exam. He must have something to ask of me. Why should I see him?”
His voice was much colder, carrying an aloofness that kept people at arm's length.
Hearing this from outside the car, Jing Zhe couldn't help but shiver; some of his feelings were beyond words.
"That's true. Now that Miss is so famous, there are too many Tom, Dick, and Harry trying to climb the social ladder by using her family's name. We really shouldn't give these kinds of people a friendly face!"
The maidservant agreed.
Zhu Xinning sighed and then said, "When you're poor, no one cares even in the bustling city; when you're rich, distant relatives come calling even in the deep mountains. That's pretty much it. Palace affairs are busy, and His Majesty has put me in charge of the poetry gathering and its aftermath. I'm incredibly busy. If any distant relatives I haven't seen in years come to visit again, Xiangru, please turn them away for me!"
"Alright! Since Miss has said so, these cats and dogs can forget about disturbing Miss's peace and quiet from now on!"
"..."
Jing Zhe heard every word of the conversation between the two people in the car.
Cats and dogs...
Having desires, climbing the social ladder...
Distant relatives I haven't seen for many years...
These words struck Jing Zhe squarely in the face, as if they were talking about him.
He hadn't seen her for many years, not just for a few years; he hadn't seen Zhu Xinning for twelve years, and they hadn't even been in contact. They were like strangers who wouldn't recognize each other if they met!
Facing his second sister, who was so close, a strange sense of distance made him hesitate.
Although he wanted to curry favor with powerful figures, he didn't want to be looked down upon.
Since she said that, she must be extremely resentful of the relatives who got their positions through her, right?
For example, him.
If he were to shamelessly go up there again, not only would he be disliked by others, but he himself would also despise himself.
Instead of doing that, it would be better to make a name for yourself first, and then come back to claim kinship!
Having made up his mind, Jing Zhe no longer hesitated.
"Hey, who are you? What are you doing sneaking around here?"
At this moment, the driver noticed that he had been following him and questioned him.
Jing Zhe dared not utter a sound and turned to run.
"Ugh—this guy!"
The driver shook his head and ignored it.
Zhu Xinning, however, unusually stuck her head out of the window, watching the figure that was about to disappear at the end of the street. For some reason, she felt her heart pounding.
He pulled his head back and then said to Xiangru, "However, there is one exception."
"Who is it, miss?"
"Zhe'er..."
After speaking, Zhu Xinning's eyes became vacant, as if lost in memories...
————
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