Chapter 88 Distinguished Guests
"Sanlang, go in and tell mother that there are guests visiting today." Su Fengzhang patted his brother.
"Okay." Su Lanzhang jumped off the carriage and ran into the house. His voice could still be heard from a distance.
When Su Fengzhang and Wang Huan entered, Su Zhaoshi had already prepared the food. Seeing the newcomers, she smiled and said, "I didn't know you had distinguished guests coming. Please don't be offended by the simple food."
Wang Huan bowed and said, "You are too polite, Madam. I am sorry for interrupting you."
After a few polite words, Su Zhaoshi smiled and said, "Erlang, you should treat the guests well. If there is anything missing, please let Lan Zhang speak."
Usually they ate at the same table, but Wang Huan was a middle-aged man, while Su Zhaoshi and Aunt Bai were both widows and still young, so they naturally could not eat at the same table. So Su Zhaoshi cleared out another table in the house.
So now the only four people left at the table were the brothers Su Fengzhang and Su Lanzhang, and Wang Huan and Su Arong.
Wang Huan was not polite either. He took a bite of the dish and said, "It tastes good. It shows Mrs. Su's cooking skills."
"It should be made by the cook at home." Su Fengzhang poured him a glass of wine and said with a smile, "If it suits your taste, eat more."
Wang Huan ate a few bites, then drank a glass of wine. He asked with a smile, "Su Xiucai, don't you think I'm too shameless to come back with you just because I said I'd come back for dinner?"
"It's a bit thick, but it's not annoying." Su Fengzhang smiled faintly.
Wang Huan raised his eyebrows and slammed the table, which scared Su Lanzhang who was standing next to him.
He laughed and said, "That's interesting. Oh, I know I'm thick-skinned, but no one dares to say it. Even if they hate me in their hearts, I have to smile and greet them. You are the first one to say that I'm not annoying."
"Su Xiucai, are you serious about what you said? You're not saying this, but you're really wishing me dead in your heart, right?"
Su Fengzhang looked up at him and suddenly smiled, "You and I have no grudges against each other, and we're actually quite friendly. What's the big deal about sitting down and having a meal together? Why should I let you die? What good would that do me?"
"Oh, there are so many things in this world that are of no benefit but harmful to people." Wang Huan laughed.
Su Arong said naively beside him, "You are such an interesting old man. If Erlang hated you, why would he bring you back to eat and drink well, and even pour you tea and wine?"
Wang Huan said, "Who knows? Some scholars have more secrets than Lian Xin."
But he quickly changed the subject and said, "But I like you, kid. You seem straightforward, not like the kind of person who says one thing to your face and another behind your back."
"Hey, are you looking for trouble?" Su Arong asked unhappily.
Su Fengzhang just smiled at this, picked up another piece of meat for him, and said with a smile: "Uncle Wang, eat more. Once you are full, you can continue your journey and don't have to worry about the affairs of Hushan County."
Wang Huan asked curiously, "How did you know I was leaving?"
"It seems that Uncle Wang doesn't seem like someone who would stay in the small Hushan County for long." Su Fengzhang said with a smile.
Wang Huan became even more curious about him and asked, "Su Xiucai, do you know who I am?"
"have no idea."
"I don't know why you'd say that. Look at me, I've spent the past year in jail. How can I look like a big shot?"
"Uncle Wang seems to be quite relaxed and at ease. He doesn't look like a small businessman who has been imprisoned or has been involved in a lawsuit."
"Oh my, that's why I said you scholars have too many ideas. Look, aren't you just thinking too much?"
"It doesn't matter if you think a lot or a little, Uncle Wang, I'll pour you another glass of water."
The more nonchalant Su Fengzhang was, the more amused Wang Huan found him. If he had guessed his identity, why didn't this little scholar act so nervous? If he hadn't guessed it, why was he so polite to a businessman like him?
Wang Huan suddenly asked, "Hey, Mr. Su, your good temper now is quite different from how you were in court."
"What's the difference?" Su Fengzhang asked with a smile.
Wang Huan said, "You usually look like a good-tempered little lamb, but when you testified against Mu Wei in court, you were like an angry goat. How should I put it? You suddenly went from eating grass to eating meat."
Su Fengzhang then asked, "Whether it's sheep or goats, they all eat grass."
"Oh, you must know what I mean." Wang Huan said with a smile.
Su Fengzhang asked, "Uncle Wang, weren't you still in prison at the time? How could you have seen me in court?"
Wang Huan was stunned for a moment, then chuckled, "I just heard it from others. When you beat people in prison, you were almost like a goat. I can imagine it."
"I see." Su Fengzhang nodded and started eating.
Wang Huan originally thought that he would get to the bottom of the matter, but Su Fengzhang just brushed it off lightly. But the more he thought about it, the more itchy he felt, and he wanted to pull him aside and ask him why he didn't continue asking.
Wang Huan's eyes flicked around and he asked, "Su Xiucai, I heard there are some rumors going around in the county school lately that are very unfavorable to you. Do you know about this?"
"I just found out about it today." Su Fengzhang did not avoid the question.
Wang Huan said quickly, "We can't delay this any longer. The longer we delay, the more likely something will go wrong."
Su Lanzhang couldn't help but get nervous, and looked up and asked, "Second brother, what happened?"
"It's just a small matter." Su Fengzhang said lightly.
Wang Huan said, "A scholar's reputation is no small matter. Even though County Magistrate Cai believes in you now, when you arrive in Qingzhou Prefecture, or even in the capital in the future, will those officials also believe in you?"
Su Fengzhang smiled but said nothing, so Wang Huan asked, "Since you've spoken up for me, it's a favor. As long as you ask, I'll help you this time. How about that?"
Su Fengzhang said, "I have already thought of a solution, so there is no need to trouble Uncle Wang."
"Uncle Wang, I've said it before. Your coming out has nothing to do with me. It's not a favor to me," Su Fengzhang said. "Being able to sit together, eat and drink is fate. Let's not talk about anything else today."
Wang Huan felt so aggrieved. Seeing that he refused to talk to him, he thought he was too full.
It was getting late after the meal, so Wang Huan said goodbye and left. Su Fengzhang saw him off.
When he came back, Su Lanzhang came over and asked, "Second brother, who is this Uncle Wang? Look, the purse he gave me is actually full of gold and silver nuggets, a full six."
Su Fengzhang took a look and saw that they were gold and silver nuggets made into the shapes of peanuts and dates. It was obvious that they were things only wealthy families could have.
"Take it, his family doesn't need it." Su Fengzhang said with a smile.
Su Lanzhang always listened to her brother, so she put them away obediently when he said that. "Then I'll give some to Huihui. She's definitely never seen anything this beautiful."
Su Zhaoshi also noticed something was amiss, and secretly asked him that night, "Feng'er, who exactly is that Wang? I've never heard you mention him before, and he seems mysterious."
Facing his mother, Su Fengzhang spoke frankly: "He is an elder whom I met in prison. His status should be extraordinary, but he doesn't look like a bad person. He probably just thinks I am interesting and will leave Hushan County soon."
Su Fengzhang smiled and didn't take it to heart. Just as he said, if he was really a big shot, he wouldn't really care about him. He just came here for fun.
Compared to this weird Wang Huan, the things at hand are more important.
He didn't know who was behind the rumor, but it was definitely pushed by someone, perhaps a student who was jealous of him, or perhaps the Mu family, who all wanted to ruin his reputation.
Gossip can melt metal, and constant criticism can destroy a person. The power of this rumor cannot be seen now, but as time goes by, day by day, year by year, if he passes the imperial examination in the future and someone uses this as a defense, he will really be speechless.
By that time, the truth of the matter will not matter anymore, and the stain will remain on him forever.
Su Fengzhang was absolutely certain that this rumor could not be allowed to continue spreading.
It is very difficult to stop rumors. Even if Lord Cai comes forward, it will be of no avail. Just as he said, Lord Cai's appearance will not only fail to stop the rumors, but will add fuel to the fire.
And he has a better option. This method is unexpected and a bit rogue, but it will be very useful.
Su Fengzhang walked into the study and spread out a blank piece of paper. He did not review or consolidate his knowledge that night, but the light in the study was on all night.
In a house in Hushan County, Wang Huan was sitting with his legs crossed and eating fresh fruits. It was still the lean season in the south, so it was not easy to eat fresh fruits.
What is surprising is that the person standing next to him with sweat on his forehead is none other than the chief official of Hushan County, Lord Cai Wencai.
At this moment, his head was covered in cold sweat, and he didn't dare to reach out to wipe it. He just stood quietly in front of Wang Huan with his head bowed.
Wang Huan spat out the fruit core and then asked, "Cai Wen, do you know the rumors going around the county school these days?"
Cai Wen wanted to yell, "I've been so busy dealing with you these days that I haven't had the heart to care about anything else." But he asked, "I've been so busy with official duties these days that I haven't paid much attention to the county school. If Your Majesty wants to know, why don't I go and ask now?"
Wang Hua gave him a look of disdain and said, "Forget it, forget it. Since he said he has a way, we'll find out in a moment."
Cai Wen was wondering who this person was when Wang Huan asked, "Is Su Fengzhang your nephew?"
Cai Wen's heart skipped a beat, and he answered cautiously, "Your Highness, although Su Fengzhang is not my nephew, his father once served as an official in the county government. He and I have some friendship, and we have been in contact quite a bit over the years."
Wang Huan stood up and asked, "So what kind of person do you think he is?"
Cai Wen didn't know what he meant by this, but thinking that since Su Fengzhang had specifically reminded him that day, he must have known that Wang Huan's status was different, and naturally he would not deliberately offend him, he said, "He is a smart and studious child."
Wang Huan was obviously not satisfied with this answer. "I don't think he looks like a scholar. No, he doesn't look like a scholar like the village chief. He's quite interesting. I need to stay a few more days to see what he can come up with."
At this time, a voice said: "Your Majesty, His Majesty and the Princess are waiting for you to return."
After a closer look, I found that there was an expressionless man standing in the shadows.
Wang Huan waved his hand impatiently and said, "The New Year is over anyway, so what difference does it make if it's a few days earlier or later?"
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