On the day Grand Tutor Cheng arrived in the capital, the emperor personally led civil officials to welcome him at the city gate.
What an honor!
Grand Tutor Cheng, with his temples graying, was helped off the carriage by Jiao's mother. He walked forward shakily and hurriedly tried to kneel and kowtow, but was stopped by the current emperor, Wenqing.
"Grand Tutor, no need for formalities! I have been longing for your return for twenty years, and today my wish has finally come true! You are my teacher, so you will not need to perform the full kowtow when you see me from now on."
After speaking, he raised his hand to the crowd kneeling behind Grand Tutor Cheng, indicating that they should dispense with the formalities.
Grand Tutor Cheng's eyes reddened slightly, and he hurriedly led Jiao's mother and several children to express their gratitude.
Then a group of civil officials stepped forward to pay their respects to Grand Tutor Cheng, each one more excited than the last, creating quite a lively scene!
There was no way around it; Grand Tutor Cheng's prestige among civil officials was too high. Even though he had faded from the political scene for twenty years, he was still the most dazzling star in the literary world when he made his comeback.
Emperor Wenqing stared intently at the woman behind Grand Tutor Cheng and the boy beside her, asking with a mixture of surprise and delight, "You are... Cheng Mei?"
Madam Jiao stepped forward and bowed, then smiled and said, "Your Majesty, I am Cheng Mei, and this is my youngest son, surnamed Jiao, given name Xian, and nickname Sanlang."
Sanlang stepped forward and respectfully performed a disciple's salute.
Emperor Wenqing was overjoyed and laughed heartily, "I heard Minister Fu mention that your son is extraordinary and has already received the Grand Tutor's true teachings. I will choose a day to test this little junior brother!"
Jiao's mother smiled subtly without saying a word, while Grand Tutor Cheng stroked his beard and smiled smugly.
Saburo stood there with an air of nonchalance, allowing people to scrutinize him, though a thin layer of sweat had seeped from his palms hidden in his sleeves.
The younger children behind them were so nervous they didn't dare to breathe.
Who could have imagined that just two years ago they were a group of beggars on the street, but now they are standing in the most prosperous place in the capital, meeting the emperor and being taught by the current imperial tutor? No one knows how much good fortune their ancestors must have saved!
Taking advantage of Emperor Wenqing's momentary lapse in attention, Grand Tutor Cheng swiftly knelt down. "Your Majesty, this old minister has been indifferent to worldly affairs for twenty years, and I am truly ashamed of the kindness shown to me by the late Emperor and Your Majesty! This old minister is now old and no longer able to serve as Grand Tutor. Now I only wish to properly guide Sanlang to become a useful person. I beg Your Majesty to rescind your decree!"
Emperor Wenqing's lips twitched, and he gave Sanlang a look. "Grand Tutor, you must be tired from your journey. Please go back to your residence with Madam Jiao and rest. You can come to the palace tomorrow. I still have a lot to say to you!"
Sanlang had no choice but to help his maternal grandfather up.
Emperor Wenqing offered a few more words of reassurance, then lifted his robe and hurriedly got into the carriage, signaling everyone to leave quickly.
The civil officials lingered around Grand Tutor Cheng, reluctant to leave. They exchanged various hints and suggestions, some even pulling out visiting cards.
Grand Tutor Cheng chatted with them patiently for a while, but he still felt somewhat powerless.
Forget it, let's just use our trump card!
"Sanlang, take the painting out of that wooden box in the carriage!"
“Is it…?” Saburo looked over in confusion, but received no response from his maternal grandfather.
That's a painting he made. Why bring that out?
"Come, come, esteemed gentlemen, this is just a small token of my appreciation! I will invite you all to my residence for a chat when I have more time. Please excuse me for now! Sanlang, come, come, get in the carriage!"
A group of top civil officials from the Qing Kingdom's Wenhua Pavilion openly competed to snatch Sanlang's painting in the street, trampling all pretense of face, substance, and dignity underfoot.
By the time they came to their senses, the Grand Tutor had already disappeared.
After the carriage turned a corner, Sanlang couldn't hold back any longer and asked in a low voice, "Grandfather, why did you give them my painting? If they find out, I don't care, but what about your reputation?"
Grand Tutor Cheng laughed heartily: "Grandpa is certain they won't find out anytime soon! Besides, when did Grandpa ever say it was my painting? There's no signature on it either, hahaha!"
Saburo's expression was somewhat complicated. "You told me to hide my name in the painting, and that I would sign my paintings like that from now on!"
Grand Tutor Cheng laughed until tears streamed down his face, “When they discover the trickery in the painting, your painting will be priceless!”
A prodigy, fame is just around the corner!
Jiao's mother gently patted Sanlang's hand and smiled, "Trust your maternal grandfather. He has given you time to grow up. Don't let him down!"
Saburo clenched his fist and nodded silently.
At the main gate of the Cheng residence, Fu Ting, accompanied by several attendants, greeted them at the entrance, with Cheng Mu standing behind him.
After the carriage stopped, Fu Ting stepped forward and helped Grand Tutor Cheng and Madam Jiao down.
Grand Tutor Cheng looked up at the newly renovated lintel above his head, took two steps forward, and bowed to his elder brother, Cheng Mu.
"Elder brother, I'm back."
"Second brother, it's good that you're back."
The brothers, having been separated for so long, had plenty to say to each other. After a few simple pleasantries, Cheng Mu said, "Your sister-in-law is not feeling well and was unable to come out to greet you. Please forgive her."
Grand Tutor Cheng smiled and said, "I wouldn't dare disturb you, sister-in-law!"
Too much has already been revealed in his words.
Jiao's mother led Sanlang forward to greet Cheng Mu.
Cheng Mu helped Jiao's mother up, his expression complicated, and said, "Mei'er, you've suffered so much these years. Your uncle is sorry!"
Jiao's mother smiled and shook her head, saying nothing.
The grudges and grievances of the past cannot be forgotten in a few words; she will settle them slowly.
Cheng Mu stepped back and said, "The courtyard has been cleaned and the rooms are ready. Let's go in and rest!"
Fu Ting, showing no respect, stepped forward and said, "Teacher, His Majesty has recently bestowed upon the Grand Tutor's residence, which is not far ahead. Everything in the residence has been prepared, and it is quiet!"
Fu Ting emphasized the last three words.
Cheng Mu's face darkened, but he forced a smile and said, "There are no extra people at home, and no one will bother you. Stay for a few days before moving in!"
Grand Tutor Cheng nodded and said, "Having been away from home for so long, we should at least offer incense and kowtow to our ancestors! Mei'er, let's go inside!"
The group entered the west courtyard of the Cheng residence and quickly settled in.
The steward and servants of the Cheng family had put their hearts into it, arranging and managing the entire west courtyard in an orderly manner, with nothing inappropriate.
The welcoming banquet was also prepared in the west courtyard, and Cheng Mu and Madam Cheng both attended.
Although Madam Cheng did not look well, her words were always considerate. First, she apologized for not being able to personally welcome her second brother's family, feeling ashamed as the eldest sister-in-law; then she offered her condolences, saying that her second brother's family had suffered a lot while wandering around for many years, and that she deserved to comfort them; finally, she expressed her gratitude that the family was finally reunited and that things would get better and better from now on.
Grand Tutor Cheng didn't say anything, but Madam Jiao was very polite and exchanged compliments with Old Madam Cheng: "Thanks to Aunt, my father and I are where we are today! I will remember Aunt's kindness to Mei'er, and in the days to come, Mei'er will definitely, definitely repay Aunt's kindness!"
Madam Cheng's face stiffened, and she almost lost her composure.
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