Chapter 504
Xiao Zhenzhong quickly dressed and rode his horse to Tingjian Inn, but he was unable to get close to it.
The reason was that so many people came to pay their respects after hearing the news that the Xiao family was one of the most prominent families in the area, and Xiao Zhenzhong couldn't possibly squeeze through them all in one go.
Moreover, there were soldiers guarding the outside of the inn, and without the order from the person inside, even if they managed to squeeze close, they wouldn't be able to enter the inn's gate.
But soon, a man strode out from inside, carrying a booklet and pen, seemingly to record the names of everyone who came to visit that day for future reference.
Xiao Zhenzhong saw all of this and couldn't help but nod in approval.
I thought this person, who achieved success at a young age, would be eccentric and arrogant, but I never expected him to be so thorough in his work.
He made a note of everyone's names, whether he would need them later or not. At least since he was new here, he wouldn't offend anyone.
Thinking this, Xiao Zhenzhong spurred his horse forward and left his name.
Although it was a bit of a pity that he didn't get to see that person, Xiao Zhenzhong had a premonition that he would meet him.
——
Upper room in the inn.
Shen Rang held a book in his hand, his brow slightly furrowed.
Over the course of that year, he visibly became much more composed, and his arrogance and sharp edges seemed to have been completely worn away, making him appear even more handsome and refined.
He was dressed in a pine-green brocade robe, which was clearly a brand-new outfit. However, the bamboo leaf sachet with gold flecks at his waist looked somewhat old. Perhaps because the sachet was often held and played with by its owner, there were inevitably wear marks on the edges, which was completely out of place with the brocade robe.
As Shen Rang looked at it, he unconsciously took the sachet into his palm again, his slender fingers stroking it unconsciously.
After a while, Jingyuan returned.
He shook his aching wrist and placed the list he had just compiled on the table: "Your Highness, this is a list of all the people who have come to pay their respects."
Shen Rang glanced through the pages and found twenty names on each page, for a total of three pages.
I reckon everyone who has influence in the city is here.
Shen Rang glanced around, pausing slightly on Xiao Zhenzhong's name.
Before he came, he had sent Jing Er to investigate. Jing Er said that the people behind the Xiao family were not simple, and he was unable to find out anything for the time being.
He raised his pen and circled Xiao Zhenzhong's name: "Go and investigate this person carefully."
Jing Yuan responded with a "yes," but did not rush to leave.
"Is there anything else?"
Jing Yuan hesitated, unsure whether he should speak.
After thinking it over, he said, "Your Highness, didn't Jing Er say that Auntie is also in Jiangnan? Now that we're here, should we ask Jing Er to go look for her?"
Over the past year, Shen Rang, though he didn't say it, had developed a new habit of drinking.
On the night before his day off, he would always get completely drunk, but on this particular night, he didn't go back to Jibai Residence.
Perhaps he was afraid that the smell of alcohol on his body would overwhelm Yunxi's aura.
Although a year has passed, it is impossible for Yunxi's presence to remain in that house anymore.
Moreover, Yunxi's portraits in Buweizhai were increasing, filling both side halls. For this reason, Buweizhai never allowed unauthorized people to enter. Even when receiving guests, Shen Rang would only do so in the front courtyard.
And the young master.
Shen Rang named him Nianchu.
"念" means to remember or cherish, and "初" means the rising sun, which is also known as "曦" (xi).
Everyone assumed that someone as learned as Shen Rang would give his child a name with profound meaning. No one expected that he would give his young master a name that had nothing to do with meaning, but only with sincerity.
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