The Prime Minister's residence, main hall.
"Young Master Akun, are you Jing Zhe?"
Last night, Zhu Tong also went to Wuxian Garden in advance, but he only went to inspect it in his capacity as Prime Minister. After Zhu Xinning arrived at the back courtyard of Wuxian Garden and he felt that there was no problem, he left before the poetry gathering began.
So much so that he didn't know what happened afterward.
When you're young, you might be more interested in poetry gatherings.
But at his age, his love for poetry was far less than his physical endurance; his old body couldn't withstand staying up all night.
He got up very early today, but Zhu Xinning hadn't returned, so he went to court alone.
While in court, he heard the news that Qi Junguang, the third prince of Southern Qi, had lost the poetry competition, and also learned that Akun was Jing Zhe, and that he was Jing Wenmao's son, Jing Zhe!
This had a significant impact on him.
Back then, he and Jing Wenmao served in the same court, and because they got along well, they had a very close relationship. This is why he helped Jing Wenmao adopt a goddaughter when Jing Wenmao was demoted.
However, he harbored resentment over his inaction when Jing Wenmao met his demise, which even became a source of anxiety for him. Upon suddenly hearing about his old friend, he was overwhelmed with mixed feelings.
He didn't remember much of what was said at the morning court session.
As soon as he got home, he quickly called Zhu Xinning over.
At this moment, Madam Zhu was also in the front hall, along with Chen Jiannan, who was like a leech, clinging to the Zhu family.
Zhu Xinning nodded, a happy smile in her eyes. Chen Jiannan, standing beside her, looked on with envy and jealousy.
Madam Zhu still felt the name was somewhat abrupt.
Who is Jing Zhe?
"It's my younger brother!"
Zhu Xinning held her head high, looking very proud.
"Did my sister call me?"
At this moment, Zhu Tangwen ran in from outside, shaking Zhu Xinning's arm and asking.
Chen Jiannan almost drooled when he saw this scene.
Kid, this is the peak of your life!
Zhu Xinning bent down and patted his little face: "The little brother your sister is talking about is called Jing Zhe. You are your sister's little brother!"
The little guy looked at Zhu Xinning. Although he didn't understand the difference between a younger brother and a younger brother, he felt that someone was going to take his older sister away from him.
He opened his mouth wide and burst into tears.
Madam Zhu quickly came over and picked him up, glared at Zhu Xinning, and then raised her voice to ask, "If I remember correctly, this Jing Zhe you mentioned is Jing Wenmao's son, isn't he?"
Zhu Xinning frowned slightly at Madam Zhu's direct address of Jing Wenmao by his name, but still nodded, "Exactly!"
"Heh, I thought they'd run off to some godforsaken place like Pengzhou and never come back!"
Madam Zhu said with some disdain, "It seems that it's true what they say: when you're poor, no one cares even in the bustling city, but when you're rich, distant relatives come calling even in the deep mountains! Now you've come all the way to Jingzhou to find you, are you here to rely on our Zhu family, your wealthy relatives?"
As a woman, Madam Zhu knew little about national affairs, especially since Jing Zhe had only become famous the night before and she hadn't left the house all day, so naturally she was unaware of the situation.
Zhu Xinning was well aware of Madam Zhu's harshness.
However, she was grateful to the Zhu family for adopting her and for staying with them for more than ten years. Even though Madam Zhu was cold and sarcastic on a daily basis, she would not talk back or hold it against them.
But this time, she acted out of character.
You can talk about me, but you can't talk about my brother!
“Mother, Zhe’er has been in Jingzhou for some time now, but he hasn’t come to see me on his own initiative. If I hadn’t attended the Mid-Autumn Poetry Gathering last night, I wouldn’t have known he was here long ago! And with his talent, he wouldn’t have come to seek refuge with me!”
Zhu Xinning tilted her head back, speaking of Jing Zhe with immense pride and determination.
"Hehe, who can say for sure? Maybe we haven't found you yet? Maybe we won't be able to get into the Prime Minister's residence? Now that we know about you, we'll probably be coming to your door soon, won't we?"
Madam Zhu continued her sarcastic remarks.
"Mother is overthinking it!"
Zhu Xinning bit her lip, thankful that she hadn't brought Jing Zhe back today. She didn't care if she was bullied, but she was afraid that he would be sad and upset if he saw this scene.
“Zhe’er is sensible and highly talented. He’s very busy every day. Before attending the poetry gathering, His Majesty summoned him to the palace alone, and he even started doing royal business with His Majesty! Even if I invite him over, he might not have time!”
"Oh my! He's even been summoned to the palace by His Majesty?"
Madam Zhu seemed to have heard the biggest joke in the world, and pointed to Chen Jiannan, who was standing to the side.
"Look at Jiannan. He's handsome and highly talented. He got first place in the imperial examination but wasn't even summoned to the palace by His Majesty. What, is your younger brother the only one who's so capable in the whole world? Is that right, Jiannan?"
Clearly, Madam Zhu did not believe Zhu Xinning's words.
Chen Jiannan, who was standing nearby, remained silent upon hearing this, which was taken as an indirect agreement.
This infuriated Zhu Xinning: "My Zhe'er wouldn't be so idle as to visit everyone around! Even if I wanted him to come over, he probably wouldn't have the time!"
"..."
Isn't this just saying he's a lazy bum who has nothing better to do than keep running around to the Zhu family's house?
Chen Jiannan, who had been quietly observing the situation, almost choked on his words upon hearing this, expressing his deep hurt.
"Hmph, don't call him over either!"
After Madam Zhu finished speaking, she turned to look at Zhu Tong, who had remained silent, and said, "Master, you should think this through!"
"Back then, Jing Wenmao offended the Prince of Jin and was already treated kindly by being demoted to Pengzhou! And yet, you, sir, still helped him—"
At this point, he glanced at Zhu Xinning, seemingly referring to the time when he adopted her.
"I almost got implicated! Luckily, the master is wise enough to protect himself, and he has worked so hard to get to where he is now. He can't ruin his future for an outsider like this!"
She deliberately emphasized the word "outsider," and after hearing it, Zhu Xinning was so angry that her shoulders trembled, but she was speechless.
"Things aren't as you think!"
Zhu Tong finally spoke: "I have indeed managed to get to this position by not helping anyone or offending anyone over the years, but I am by no means afraid that my old friend's son will affect my career!"
"Besides, Prince Jin has long since gone to Jinxi, and more than ten years have passed since then. Who would still care about it? You're overthinking it!"
After saying that, he looked at Zhu Xinning and said, "Today... never mind, it's too late today. You can go and tell Jing Zhe tomorrow to come over for dinner tonight! Since we're in Jingzhou, we have so many rooms at home, what kind of etiquette would it be to stay out here?"
"Thank you so much, Dad!"
Zhu Xinning lowered her head, but there was little smile in her eyes. A resolute look flashed in her eyes, as if she had already figured out many things.
Hearing this, Chen Jiannan, who was standing nearby, was even more hurt.
He's been in Jingzhou much longer than Jing Zhe, and he's even visited the Zhu family twice, so why doesn't he receive such good treatment?
Ugh, comparing yourself to others is just so frustrating!
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