"Brother Zuo, please."
With a smile on his face, Jiang Hong welcomed Zuo Ran into a quiet room used for receiving guests. It was the first time that this quiet room welcomed a guest during the few days he had stayed there.
Before, the prefect Wan Linming did not have this treatment and could only meet Jiang Hong in the hall.
Knowing in advance that the host would be entertaining guests, the servants of the Jiang residence had already cleaned the quiet room and prepared fresh flowers, scented boxes, hot water and tea balls.
Zuo Ran smiled happily, holding Wang Jing's arm and crossing the threshold. His old eyes narrowed slightly as he scanned the layout of the quiet room. He nodded and praised: "Brother Jiang, the layout you have here is really interesting!"
After Zuo Ran sat down tremblingly, his gray eyebrows moved, and he carefully looked at Xie Shu who was following Jiang Hong, and said with admiration: "I heard from my disciple a few days ago that you have a new disciple. After seeing him today, he is indeed different from others."
Jiang Hong had a smile in his eyes, and he just said a few humble words and nothing else.
Now that the host and the guest have taken their seats, the ensuing conversation will inevitably involve tea.
Nowadays, people like to make tea, so the quiet room is equipped with not only ordinary "loose tea", but also "ball tea" and "powdered tea". No matter ball tea or powdered tea, they need to go through processes such as washing, steaming buds, and pressing into tablets before they can be completed. Only ball tea and powdered tea can be used to make tea. Because they are not easy to preserve and make, they are rarely available at home.
But this quiet room is not only fully equipped, but there is also a small stove next to it with hot water, which is convenient for use at any time when making tea.
This is why Zuo Ran felt it was elegant the moment he saw it. A quiet room like this is really rare.
Therefore, Zuo Ran suggested: "Such a quiet room with beautiful scenery and elegant place is just right for appreciating the art of brewing tea. I believe that Brother Jiang's disciple is very proficient in this art. My disciple is also interested in brewing tea, but he has always been dull and has only a rough understanding of it. However, tea has the word "elegant" in it, so why not let the two of them enjoy it today and enjoy this elegant taste."
As soon as Zuo Ran finished speaking, Wang Jing slowly raised his eyes and quietly looked at Xie Shu who was sitting opposite him. Before learning that Xie Shu became Jiang Hong's disciple, Wang Jing had never expected that the other party would one day be on an equal footing with him.
And until now, Wang Jing still doesn't understand.
Xie Shu has not become famous in the past few years. On the contrary, his reputation can be said to be terrible. Therefore, Wang Jing has a very vague impression of Xie Shu.
But just a few months ago, Xie Shu suddenly composed that stunning peach blossom poem at a poetry meeting, and Wang Jing began to pay some attention to Xie Shu. But at that time, the gap between Xie Shu and him was still as far as a chasm.
After that, Xie Shu became silent again as before, and Wang Jing no longer paid attention to this "talented man" who was like a flash in the pan. She only occasionally heard people talk about gossip about Xie Shu and the Yu family, and Wang Jing just laughed it off.
It was not until two days ago that Wang Jing realized that this person had quietly taken the lead among everyone else and became the disciple of Jiang Hong, who had just returned to Jinling!
Wang Jing didn't believe there was no reason for this. Was Xie Shu really so outstanding that he could be noticed by Jiang Hong, the previous disciple who was the current Ziwei Ling, or was there some other unknown reason...
Wang Jing was very curious, and for some reason, he looked at Xie Shu, who was calm in front of him, and suddenly a complex emotion arose in his heart that he had never experienced before. He couldn't tell whether it was the desire to fight or something else...
In short, Wang Jing really wanted to compete with this person.
After hearing Zuo Ran's words, Jiang Hong had no objection, but Jiang Hong did not speak out to ask Xie Shu to agree first. Instead, he waited to see if Xie Shu was willing to do so.
Xie Shu couldn't help but show a bit of embarrassment on his face. This art of tea making had been lost in modern times.
These days, Xie Shu hardly went out to visit friends, so naturally he had no way of learning it.
She and her husband often drink tea at home, but her husband is busy with his daily affairs and would never do such tedious things himself, so others do it, and Xie Shu has no way of knowing.
But at this time, if he said frankly that he didn't know, it would be fine for him, but Xie Shu was worried that he would lose face for the teacher.
Just when Xie Shu was thinking about how to answer, Jiang Hong had already seen some clues.
Although Jiang Hong was somewhat surprised that Xie Shu did not know how to make tea, which was the most popular way among scholars, he then thought that he had heard that the Yu family was very wealthy, so it might be difficult for Xie Shu to do it himself?
But Jiang Hong never minded such trivial matters. He did not accept this disciple to make tea for him. Besides, Xie Shu's strengths were excellent enough, so some shortcomings were to be expected.
Therefore, Jiang Hong said frankly: "My disciple is born in a wealthy family, not even a bit elegant. I am really sorry to make you laugh, Brother Zuo. I will just let your disciple show his skills."
Zuo Ran's eyes flashed with regret when he heard this. He had just seen Xie Shuzi, who was elegant and graceful. Although he knew that he was the son-in-law of a merchant, he thought he was a little different. He didn't expect...
Even if Xie Shu is extremely talented, what good will it be if he doesn't even have the elegance and character of a scholar? Why would Jiang Hong choose such a disciple?
Therefore, Zuo Ran's expression faded a little, and he just nodded slightly.
Wang Jing looked away for a moment, then smiled respectfully again: "I am a junior, sorry for my poor performance."
Afterwards, Jiang Hong chatted with Zuo Ran. The two hadn't seen each other for a long time. Over the years, they had only exchanged a few letters and didn't even know each other's current situation, so naturally they had a lot to say.
Among them, Zuo Ran couldn't help but ask about Jiang Hong's resignation. Jiang Hong's explanation was the same as what he said in front of Xuan Zhen that day, that is, he was too old and unable to do it.
Although how much do people believe this? However, Zuo Ran did not continue to ask, and turned to talk about the Imperial College.
It turned out that Zuo Ran came this time to ask something.
The Imperial Academy was the highest institution of learning in the world and it enrolled two types of students. The first type was the students who were granted the title of Imperial Academy, which was also the largest type. Students were those who were born with the emperor's grace and were mostly children of aristocratic families who could go there with the protection of their parents.
Another category is the Gongsheng, in which one or two outstanding students are selected from various places every year to study in the Imperial College.
Because Wang Jing will go to Beijing to take the imperial examination next year, most candidates will go to Beijing early to avoid being too late.
But after all, it was in the capital city thousands of miles away. How could it be so easy to get to the capital city to take the exam? In addition, once in the capital city, choosing a quiet place to live was also very important.
Originally, Zuo Ran had not thought of this. After all, he had no interest in fame or wealth and had not embarked on the path of imperial examinations. If Wang Jing had not reminded him, he would have almost delayed his students' important event.
Last year, Wang Jing won the first place in the provincial examination and was awarded the title of Jieyuan. He will certainly do well in this examination as well. However, if other things interfere, it is hard to say for sure.
But if Wang Jing was selected as a tribute student and entered the Imperial Academy to study, everything would be safe.
First of all, he became a tribute student and was escorted by government troops to the capital. Secondly, a place like the Imperial College must have been a quiet place.
Of course, given Wang Jing's status, it would be easy for him to be selected as a tribute student. However, Zuo Ran was far away in Jinling after all, and he didn't know the situation in the capital, so he had to ask him several times.
Hearing Zuo Ran's words, Jiang Hong frowned slightly. As the former chief academic officer of the Imperial College, Jiang Hong knew the situation of the Imperial College very well.
Even though he had cleaned up the atmosphere in the Imperial College over the years, as long as the students there were still mostly children from aristocratic families, it would not be suitable for students from poor families, and the Imperial College was definitely not a quiet place.
He voluntarily resigned and handed over the position of Imperial College Chief Academician to his former deputy Ren Jie. However, Ren Jie lacked courage, so the atmosphere in the Imperial College was probably worse than before.
But how could Jiang Hong say this? He couldn't just refuse like that. After all, his friendship with Zuo Ran was not as good as his friendship with Xuan Zhen.
It all depends on what Wang Jing thinks...
Jiang Hong then turned his gaze to Wang Jing, only to see that Wang Jing remained expressionless, kneeling beside the fire and preparing some tea.
Just now he had ground the tea cake into powder, then used a tea hammer to pound it into small pieces and then ground it into fine powder.
These fine powders do not even need to be sifted with a sieve, which shows its uniqueness. The tea paste prepared with clean water gradually takes shape, and the movement is smooth and pleasing to the eye.
Jiang Hong smiled and nodded, "Brother Zuo, your disciple has profound attainments in tea art! I believe it is also true in academic studies. With a famous teacher like Brother Zuo, why should we go far away?"
When Jiang Hong finished speaking, Zuo Ran didn't think too much about it. He just thought it was a casual compliment from Jiang Hong. Only Wang Jing's eyes dimmed slightly.
Wang Jing had already made plans for this trip to the Imperial College. He knew the situation in the Imperial College. Since he would enter the court sooner or later, the Imperial College was just the first step.
Therefore, Wang Jing said respectfully, "To be honest with you, Mr. Jiang, I have heard that the Imperial College nurtures talents from all over the world, and there is a great man like Mr. Jiang here, so I yearn for it. Now that my imperial examination is approaching, my teacher is old, and I don't want him to work so hard for me. I hope Mr. Jiang will help me."
Wang Jing's words made sense. Jiang Hong's eyes focused and he said slowly, "The Imperial College is different from other places. Have you really thought it through?"
Wang Jing also gave a positive answer this time.
Seeing this, Jiang Hong stopped trying to persuade him, but he suddenly remembered something and couldn't help but remind him: "After you enter the Imperial College, you only need to study behind closed doors. Don't walk around casually and don't get involved in any disputes!"
When Jiang Hong said this, he was also thinking of the incident when the Third Prince wanted to interfere in the Imperial College, so he casually warned him.
His words were unclear in meaning and others would not be able to guess what they meant.
Therefore, Jiang Hong did not notice that after Wang Jing finished listening, her hand movements suddenly paused.
At this time, Xie Shu saw this scene. Although he didn't quite understand the matter of making tea, he saw that Wang Jing's movements were smooth just now, but when he used the tea whisk, it shook violently.
Soon, as hot water was poured into the tea, fine tea foam appeared, and the last step of making tea was officially completed.
However, neither Zuo Ran nor Jiang Hong mentioned how the tea was. Actually, the tea could not be said to be bad, but it was still some distance away from the true color of white foam. Of course, in the eyes of Zuo Ran and Jiang Hong, it was normal for Wang Jing to be affected just now.
When Xie Shu took the tea from Wang Jing, he stared at him. Wang Jing suddenly gave him a faint smile. He had a thin face, but his eyes were not dull. Instead, they contained a sharp light.
After seeing Mr. Zuo Ran off, Xie Shu was a little absent-minded because of previous events. Jiang Hong also noticed this and gave Xie Shu a day off.
Xie Shu returned home early today and immediately walked towards Tingyu Garden.
Only after seeing her husband did Xie Shu stop.
Yu Chuxi walked up to him, blinked her long eyelashes slightly, and looked at his expression with worry, as if she was observing something.
Seeing that her lover was cautious not to get close to her, Xie Shu lowered her eyes and suddenly reached out to hold her lover's hand.
And the young man looked defenseless, as if he could fall into his arms with just a little effort. Xie Shu couldn't help but smile and said, "Young man, I've asked Xi Mo to tell you the reason. Why do you still look like this?"
Yu Chuxi was pulled to him unexpectedly, and his heart skipped a beat. Before he could react, he couldn't help but frown when he heard Xie Shu's words, "Xi Mo? He didn't come back just now..."
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