Zhu Youxiao patted Song Yingxing on the shoulder and said, "You were in danger today. If I hadn't been here, you would have been in big trouble."
After hearing Zhu Youxiao's words, Song Yingxing had recovered from his intense exercise and said with a wry smile, "Thank you very much, my dear brother. I didn't mean to make such a big fuss. I just wanted to see what kind of people they were. But once I started talking, I couldn't stop. It's my own fault."
"But it's okay this way. I've completely given up on them. I originally thought they would just throw me out or kick me out, which was the worst I could expect them to do. Who would have thought they'd actually want to beat me up? How uncivilized!"
Song Yingxing said helplessly: "These people are really lawless. But it's okay, I can continue to do my job."
"Brother Song, it's not enough to just talk. You have to treat me to dinner and drinks. My men are still stopping them, otherwise they would have chased them out long ago. You have to thank me." Zhu Youxiao said with a smile.
"Okay, no problem." Song Yingxing laughed and said, "I'm happy today, so I should go drink. Come with me, I found a good place."
Song Yingxing walked away with Zhu Youxiao, explaining as they walked, "It's just that a rich young man like you might not be able to eat this. If you don't mind, then come on."
Zhu Youxiao smiled and said nothing, and followed him.
The two of them walked through several streets quickly.
At a corner, Zhu Youxiao saw a small restaurant run by a middle-aged couple. The shop was not big, with only two or three tables inside and two tables under the eaves outside.
The store was rather quiet at this time and there were not many people.
"I discovered this place by accident. The owner's cooking is very good. I'd like to invite you to try it today." Song Yingxing said with a smile, "I especially like the roasted pork elbow here. It's so delicious. You must try it today!"
Zhu Youxiao did not hesitate and followed Song Yingxing in.
Chen Honggang caught up and saw this scene. He hurried forward anxiously and said, "Sir, this is inappropriate, isn't it? Before we left, Madam repeatedly told us not to eat outside. It's getting late, why don't we go back?"
Zhu Youxiao waved his hand and said with a smile: "It's okay. It's rare to meet a bosom friend. How can we miss him? Just stop talking nonsense and wait on the side."
After saying that, he pulled Song Yingxing in.
The two of them found a table and sat down.
There was a hint of intimacy in Song Yingxing's eyes when he looked at Zhu Youxiao, and he ordered a few dishes skillfully.
Soon the shopkeeper brought up tea and drinks, and said with a hearty smile, "Please wait a moment, my two guests. We'll prepare the pork elbow right away."
After the shopkeeper left, Zhu Youxiao asked doubtfully, "Brother Song always says he's going to do something. Can you tell me about it? I can see that this time, Brother Song seems quite determined. If there's anything I can help you with, just let me know. I do have some skills in the capital."
Song Yingxing poured Zhu Youxiao a cup of tea, raised his head and said to him, "Brother, do you know the Royal Academy?"
Zhu Youxiao nodded and said with a smile, "There should be no one in the entire capital who doesn't know about the Imperial Academy, right? It was founded by His Majesty, but no one seems to be willing to go. It seems like they're protesting something."
"It's people like Wei Dazhong who are causing trouble." Song Yingxing shook his head and said, "They don't want this kind of academy. They don't want lectures to be regulated. So they are opposing it and making a fuss."
"Actually, I want to apply to the Royal Academy. That's why I went there today. I wanted to see their faces. I originally had hope for them, but now it seems there's no hope."
Song Yingxing smiled bitterly and said, "But this is fine. Since there's no way out, let's just go to the Royal Academy."
"With Brother Song's talent, I'm sure he'll have no problem getting into the Imperial Academy. He'll certainly be on the list of top scorers one day. When you win, don't forget me." Zhu Youxiao raised his teacup and said with a smile, "I'll offer tea to Brother Song instead of wine."
"Then I'll take advantage of your good wishes, brother." Song Yingxing also said with a smile, sweeping away his previous depression.
The two of them took a sip of tea and put down their cups.
Song Yingxing then said, "Actually, I don't have much confidence myself. The people in the Royal Academy may not be any different from these people."
Zhu Youxiao narrowed his eyes and looked at Song Yingxing, "Brother Song, what do you mean by that? Didn't you say that the people of the Royal Academy and they don't share the same school of thought?"
"My dear brother, you are mistaken. These people are the Donglin Party, they are Neo-Confucianists. The people of the School of Mind seem to be at odds with them and are their opponents, but in fact they are all the same kind of people, colluding with each other and uniting to attack those who are different."
"There's no difference between the Xinxue people and the old Donglin Party members on the stage. The newcomers will still do what the old ones did, so it doesn't matter who's on top. It just seems more legitimate and sounds better, but in practice it's still the same."
"This time, the Royal Academy is a hope, because I first heard a word from His Majesty. His Majesty said that practice is the only criterion for testing truth. I think His Majesty's words are right, so I want to give it a try."
"If I can pass the entrance exam to the academy, I will do my best to serve my country and the emperor. If I fail, I will go home and write books, hoping that they can be passed down to future generations."
Continue read on readnovelmtl.com
