Chapter 113: Fanjing Fanjing
"Meng Ting, Meng, wait a minute." Li Yuanhao quickly caught up and grabbed Meng Ting in front of him, "I told you to wait a minute."
Meng Ting turned around and rolled his eyes: "Li San, what are you going to do now?"
Li Yuanhao glared at him and asked, "What happened on the boat before? Why didn't you tell me?"
Previously, the Meng family's ship had a fight with another official ship, and even bows and arrows were used. Li Sanlang also knew about this, but he was on the ship behind and didn't know the details. Now when he asked Meng Ting, he didn't say anything.
Meng Ting would never tell him about his embarrassing story. He simply said, "You're a scholar, not a village matchmaker. Why do you have to pry into everything? If you have this free time, you'd better read a few more books to avoid the embarrassment of failing the exam."
Li Yuanhao was initially a bit worried about him, but after hearing this, he became angry. "A dog can't spit out ivory. I shouldn't have cared about you. If I wasn't worried about my cousin being sad, your death wouldn't be my business."
Meng Ting's wife is Li Yuanhao's cousin. Both of them are wealthy people in Qingzhou Prefecture. Although they seem to be incompatible, they are actually in a relationship of marriage. This is why others don't worry about them even though they quarrel on weekdays.
"I'm afraid you'll be disappointed. Even if you die, I won't die." Meng Ting snorted coldly and turned his head away without paying any attention to him.
"I don't want to bother with you." Li Yuanhao didn't want to ask him any more questions. He turned to look at Su Fengzhang on the other side. "Brother Su, why don't you live with me when we get to the capital? I promise I won't make you feel uncomfortable."
Su Fengzhang appreciated the kindness, but still said, "It's always inconvenient to disturb you at my house. I can just stay at the Scholar's Building."
The so-called Scholars' Building was actually a place arranged by the imperial court to receive students who came to Beijing for imperial examinations.
In the past, there was no such nice place as the Scholars' Building. Students who came to Beijing to take the imperial examinations could only rent a house by themselves or live in an inn. Who would have known that a tragedy happened later where a scholar died tragically in a rented house and no one knew about it. This is how the Scholars' Building came into being.
In non-examination years, the Scholars' Building would also receive other guests, but in the imperial examination years, during the year before and after the examination, this place would only receive candidates who were taking the exam, and the prices were very cheap.
Li Yuanhao refused immediately and said, "The Scholars' Building is nice, but it's crowded and noisy. It's not a place where I can study peacefully. Why don't you come with me?"
This time, before Su Fengzhang could speak, Meng Ting spoke for him: "Li Sanlang, if Brother Su is willing to stay at someone else's house, there's no need for you. Brother Xu and I are already too busy competing for it."
Xu Zifeng also joined in the fun and said, "Yes, Brother Su, why don't you reconsider it? Brother Meng and Brother Li were originally staying with relatives, so it would be inconvenient for you to follow them. But I'm originally from the capital, and my parents at home are most welcoming to scholars. If you can go back with them, they will definitely welcome you."
Both Meng Ting and Li Yuanhao had relatives serving as officials in the capital, so naturally he would stay at their homes when he came to Beijing to take the imperial examination.
Su Fengzhang laughed, but still said firmly: "Thank you, Brother Xu. I'm just new here, and I want to explore the capital more. I'm afraid I might disturb the host family."
His words were polite, but his meaning was firm. Xu Zifeng felt a little regretful. After what happened on the boat, he felt more and more that Su Fengzhang was a promising talent, and he had some intention of winning him over.
However, he couldn't force her, so he could only say, "Then I'll take you to the Scholars' Building first. If you're not satisfied, come home with me. The guest rooms at home are always ready."
Su Arong had already packed his luggage, and having Xu Zifeng around saved him a lot of trouble. The Xu family's servants came with a motorcade, and they could take away not only Xu Zifeng's luggage, but also everyone else's luggage.
Meng Ting and Li Yuanhao came to greet them personally, but they separated from them halfway.
As soon as the convoy separated, Li Yuanhao couldn't help but ask again, "Meng Ting, why did I seem to see the He family's boat earlier? Did you have a conflict with the He family?"
Meng Ting glared at him and cursed, "Are you done yet?"
Li Yuanhao held his breath, but still said, "Do you think I really want to tell you? I'm afraid you'll really offend the He family. Before we went to Beijing, my cousin personally pulled me aside and gave me many warnings. She was afraid that your temper would be too bad and you would offend someone you shouldn't. Tell me what's going on."
"No matter what happened, it's all resolved now. Don't worry about it." Meng Ting said unhappily.
Li Yuanhao said angrily: "Just remember that this is the capital, not Qingzhou Prefecture where you can act recklessly."
The two looked at each other and felt disgusted with each other, as they both felt that the other had too many things to do.
On the other side, Su Fengzhang and Xu Zifeng were having a great time. Xu Zifeng was a very good host. Even though he knew that Su Fengzhang was reluctant to go to the Xu family in order to avoid suspicion, there was no sign of displeasure on his face.
He was originally from the capital and had good eloquence, so he could introduce the customs and people of the capital fluently.
Their convoy slowly passed through the outer city, and the prosperous Kyoto finally opened up to its full view. Compared to the outside of the city, it was like another world, with wide and straight bluestone streets and bustling shops of all kinds. As long as you can think of it, you can find it here. It is truly prosperous and wealthy.
The shops were bustling with people coming in and out, and it seemed that even the people of the capital had a bit of imperial pride on their faces.
While others were watching the excitement, Su Fengzhang was observing the spirits of the passers-by. The Great Zhou Dynasty was now stable, and the people were living and working in peace and contentment. One could even see the sense of ease on the faces of the people in the capital.
The current emperor must not be a harsh emperor, Su Fengzhang thought.
Seeing that he was so engrossed in watching, Xu Zifeng smiled and asked, "Brother Su, what do you think of the capital compared to Qingzhou?"
Su Fengzhang smiled and said, "They can't be compared. Qingzhou is elegant and refined, while the capital is rich and grand. They each have their own advantages."
Xu Zifeng also said upon hearing this: "That's right, but I do miss the willow banks along the Ten Mile River in Qingzhou. Such elegant scenery is rare to see, and it inspires poetry."
Su Fengzhang smiled and said, "Because Brother Xu is from the capital, he finds Qingzhou new and novel. Southerners like me have seen it so often that it's not surprising to us anymore. Instead, I just feel like it's an eye-opener."
Xu Zifeng also said: "Indeed, this place has been the capital for over five hundred years. It has gone through several dynasties to achieve this noble and majestic atmosphere. It is indeed incomparable to other places."
"When Brother Su is settled, I will take you to visit the scenic spots and historical sites in the capital. They do have some ancient charm."
Su Fengzhang did not refuse this kindness and said with a smile: "Then I will have to trouble you, Brother Xu, when the time comes."
At this moment, the crowd made way, and a team of officers and soldiers came from behind, leading a convoy that stretched as far as the eye could see. The convoy was almost entirely filled with horse-drawn carriages, and each horse was a good horse.
Xu Zifeng was used to this, and their carriage followed the crowd to avoid the lane and let that convoy go first.
Su Fengzhang looked carefully and saw that the carts were tightly wrapped, while the carriage following behind was magnificent, with a prince's flag on it, which showed that the person coming was an acquaintance.
Sure enough, when the carriage passed by them, it suddenly stopped, and a man lifted the curtain and stuck his head out. It was none other than He Jun, the Prince of Xi, who had troubled Xu Zifeng before.
Prince Xi was still as carefree as ever. He tapped the carriage with his fingers and asked, "Hey, isn't this Young Master Xu and Su Fengzhang? We are destined to meet."
Xu Zifeng cursed in his heart. It was normal for them to encounter each other since they arrived in the capital at the same time.
At this moment, he wanted to turn around and leave, but he also didn't want to be criticized, so he could only respond: "Xu greets Prince Xi."
Su Fengzhang also followed suit and saluted. He Jun laughed, raised his eyebrows and said, "You are being polite now."
After saying this, he ignored Xu Zifeng's expression and looked at Su Fengzhang and shouted, "Mr. Su, a wise bird chooses the right tree to roost in. What are you going to do with Young Master Xu back? The Xu family's threshold is too high, and there will inevitably be bumps and bruises."
Su Fengzhang simply bowed and replied, "Your Excellency, Prince Xi, I am on my way to the Scholars' Building."
He Jun was surprised to hear this. He glanced at him and said with a smile, "Why go to the Scholars' Building? Why don't you come back to the palace with me and let me see your skills again."
"Thank you for your kindness, Your Highness. I'm here to take the exam. My daily recitation will definitely disturb you, so I'd rather not bother you." Su Fengzhang declined politely. He didn't even want to go to the Xu family, let alone the Prince's Mansion.
He Jun was not angry at all. He raised his eyebrows and said, "Okay then. I won't force you. Whenever Mr. Su is free, please come to my palace to play. The Prince's Palace is small, but it is definitely more generous than the Xu family."
After saying that, he drove away without caring about Xu Zifeng's ugly expression.
As soon as he left, Xu Zifeng couldn't help but curse, "What bad luck."
After saying this, Xu Zifeng said apologetically: "Brother Su, I'm afraid you have been implicated by me."
"Why are you saying this?" Su Fengzhang patted his shoulder and comforted him.
Xu Zifeng sighed and whispered, "You don't have to be afraid of anything else when you get to the capital, but remember not to offend these four people."
"The He family's Prince He Junxi, the royal boy Prince Rong, the Yun family's Yun Huiyun Changshou, the Prince Rong's daughter and the Princess."
Su Fengzhang had not studied under a famous teacher and had only a vague understanding of the situation in the capital. He could only ask, "Is there something wrong with them?"
Xu Zifeng lowered his voice and explained, "These people are powerful, but the most important thing is that they are unreasonable in what they say and do. If you ever encounter them, be patient if you can, and avoid them if you can't. Don't worry about right or wrong. If you make a big fuss, you will suffer, even if it comes to the emperor."
After saying this, Xu Zifeng said with some relief: "Fortunately, apart from He Jun, it should be difficult to run into others."
Su Fengzhang also nodded in agreement. It sounded like they were all famous figures, so why would they pay attention to a small figure like him? If it weren't for Xu Zifeng, He Jun wouldn't have gone out of his way to cause trouble for him.
What Su Fengzhang didn't know at this time was that Xu Zifeng had a tendency to be a bit of a pessimist. In the next few months, Su Fengzhang would confront the four troublesome people he mentioned who must not be provoked one by one.
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