Chapter 266 – Ji Mountain Hot Springs (Part 1)
“The host of this Elegant Gathering is Changshou Wang. On the surface, it’s meant for scholars to exchange academic ideas, but in reality, it’s just a scheme to recruit talents.”
Cheng Jing felt obligated to attend due to the roundabout connection between the Cheng family and Changshou Wang, while Han Yu didn’t have such concerns.
“My teacher lost a game to Zixiao and was persuaded to soak in the hot springs at Ji Mountain today. I took a little nap, and they didn’t call for me.”
Han Yu was feeling quite gloomy inside; all his friends had gone to exploit the teacher’s purse, and he was left behind because he overslept.
“Zixiao’s chess skills have improved greatly; he actually managed to beat our teacher once.”
Mr. Yuanjing might not be as legendary as the public claims, but he was skilled in painting and calligraphy and was a master at each.
Excelling in a single art is not difficult, but mastering all is a rarity since human energy is limited.
Besides “talent,” there’s no other explanation.
Cheng Jing couldn’t help but chuckle, understanding Han Yu’s frustration.
Ji Mountain Hot Springs are famous in Dongqing, and many Elegant Gatherings are held there, drawing plenty of scholars eager to join.
More importantly, it’s not every day a teacher willingly loses a round and lifts the bill for students to enjoy the hot springs.
Han Yu muttered nearby, “Zixiao’s skills are indeed getting more formidable. Yesterday, after a match, I felt like I was being led around by the nose. I was left alone, and it was quite boring, so I thought I’d find you for some company. I’ve seen you sitting around at this gathering without anything to do—it looks awfully dull.”
Cheng Jing shook his head. “You’d be better off finding some fun at a brothel than coming here.”
Changshou Wang appears virtuous and benevolent, but secretly harbors great ambition. He has set his sights on many talented heirs from noble families.
Han Yu should not have come here.
Yet, unexpectedly, Han Yu frowned and said, “Go to a brothel? You want those courtesans to watch me amuse myself?”
He wasn’t bragging; none of the courtesans in the capital could compete with his looks.
Cheng Jing: “…”
He’d seen self-absorbed people, but he really couldn’t handle Han Yu’s daily narcissism.
“By the way, here’s something for you.” Han Yu pulled out a bamboo slip from his sleeve.
“What’s this?”
Cheng Jing took it and noticed it was indeed his teacher’s handwriting, stating “Test questions have been released.”
“That was left by the teacher, saying to give it to you; you’ll understand after reading. How would I know?”
Han Yu answered bluntly.
Cheng Jing ran his fingers across the characters, suddenly having a lightbulb moment and fell silent.
“You’ve brought this quite late,” Cheng Jing lamented.
Han Yu was baffled and asked, “You know what the teacher’s riddle is about?”
“Judging by my guess, it likely refers to the Chief Evaluator—Liu Zhongqing.”
The final test questions are posed by the Chief Evaluator, but Liu Zhi hasn’t yet arrived at the capital, meaning no one knows what he will propose.
“Does this mean Liu Zhongqing has already made it to the capital?”
“Probably about an hour ago,” Cheng Jing gestured with his eyes toward Han Yu. “Look at those two young masters over there with their flower-painted faces. They stepped on Liu Zhi’s toes, and now they’re all glum; at least they are not completely hopeless and know what to expect.”
Han Yu remarked, “I’ve met Liu Zhi, and he’s not as fierce as the rumors suggest—he’s quite gentlemanly, like a bright moon. He has a mild temperament and is generous to others, not unlike you, Yu Mo. What could those two have done to offend Liu Zhi right after he arrived in the capital?”
With the evaluations coming up, offending the Chief Evaluator takes real guts!
The Chief Evaluator indeed must maintain fairness and justice, but if he intends to go after someone, he’s got ways to do it.
No wonder those two looked like they just lost their mothers.
Without a sufficiently strong backing, confronting Liu Zhi like that is just asking for trouble.
“They took pleasure in humiliating a passerby commoner, only to find that the young master from Liu Zhi’s family was dressed simply and passing through on horseback. They thought he was easy to bully and almost got someone killed. Liu Zhi has only one legitimate son; how could he not be furious?”
Han Yu was dumbfounded and took a while to process the information.
“Wait, did you say they almost shot who?”
He must have misheard!
Cheng Jing found Han Yu’s reaction rather exaggerated.
He repeated, “Liu Zhi’s family young master.”
Han Yu: “…”
“Wen Bin, is there something wrong?” Cheng Jing couldn’t help but ask.
“Liu Zhi’s family young master… He’s a real force, even more difficult to deal with than Liu Zhi himself.” Han Yu gasped. “If you offend Liu Zhi, he might just give a couple of warnings due to face, but that young master—killing people without bloodshed…”
Cheng Jing was doubtful and couldn’t believe it. “How could that be? From his words and actions, he doesn’t seem like someone who would hold grudges…”
Han Yu used to think the same until he left Hejian and kept hearing various reports.
Not to mention, the sheer audacity he showed by enforcing purchase restrictions in defiance of many aristocratic families without even flinching; he’s still alive and kicking to this day… Just based on that, Han Yu couldn’t afford to underestimate Liu Zhi’s young master.
After checking with Feng Jin, he received a definite answer: the purchase restrictions definitely came from Liu Xi’s hands.
Being reckless is one thing, but thriving after being reckless—that’s real skill.
“Just wait, those two are bound to have bad luck soon; at the very least, they’ll be broken and bruised.”
Han Yu smirked, his eyes sparkling with excitement.
Cheng Jing was dumbfounded; he didn’t know whether he had misjudged someone or if Han Yu had misunderstood.
“Right, I almost forgot something important.”
Han Yu quickly straightened up, his mind racing as he recalled something significant.
“Liu Lanting has come to the capital with his father, actually to look for a teacher and hopes to study at Langya Academy. Given Liu Zhi’s way of doing things, he’d probably go looking for the teacher right after settling down, and if we hurry, we might witness something interesting.”
Cheng Jing chuckled, “The teacher has already stated that he will only accept four disciples in his lifetime, and now that the four are gathered, there’s no extra slot left.”
There’s hope for learning, but not a chance for apprenticeship.
His teacher considers not only talent but also fate when accepting disciples.
Han Yu, ever the instigator, said, “Precisely because of that, it’s worth a look. This Elegant Gathering is monotonous; it’s just you flattering me and me flattering you, with no substance at all… Instead of wasting time here, why not go see that young master?”
“Your unruly nature, when will it ever be restrained…”
Cheng Jing said that out loud, but he was already swayed.
This dull gathering had worn him out.
Rather than waste his youth here, he might as well follow Han Yu to Ji Mountain Hot Springs for some relaxation, enjoy wine, and indulge in poetry and painting.
“Ji Mountain Hot Springs?”
When Jiang Pengji arrived at Liu Residence, she thought she’d see her long-lost buddy Feng Jin, only to be told he’d gone to enjoy the hot springs at Ji Mountain.
Who would have thought—this is the kind of Feng Jin you are!
