Chapter 312 – Three Years at Langya (12)
Wei Ci stared blankly at Jiang Pengji, his mind racing with a thousand thoughts.
If there was anyone he dreaded encountering the most during this time, it was undoubtedly the person before him.
The scene he witnessed the day before still echoed in his mind, making it impossible for him to concentrate on anything—he would often wake from nightmares drenched in sweat. Just the previous night, he had twisted and turned, unable to find rest.
Waking up in the morning, he had little appetite and merely ate a bit of dry cake, which looked somewhat greenish at the edges. Anyone unaware would likely think this dry cake was incredibly unappetizing. Usually, Lü Zheng could coax him into eating an extra two bowls just by looking at his face; today, however, he found no appetite at all.
Before he could complain, Mr. Yuanjing, squinting at the bamboo slips, suddenly spoke up.
“Zixiao, there’s a distinguished guest at the door; go out and greet them.”
Wei Ci was baffled but felt a chill at the sight of Yuanjing’s slightly squinted eyes.
An unsettling premonition washed over him.
Muttering under his breath, he spotted Jiang Pengji stepping down from the carriage, a wave of nausea washing over him as if the dry cake he just ate was tumbling in his stomach.
Jiang Pengji approached, seemingly oblivious to the odd expression on Wei Ci’s face, and greeted him cheerfully.
“Zixiao, we’ll be classmates from now on. If I’ve offended you in any way in the past, please forgive me on account of Xi being young and naive. Xi isn’t very articulate and often causes misunderstandings. I hope you won’t grow distant because of that.”
Wei Ci nodded, not daring to say much.
He couldn’t believe this person’s humble words. She had always been willful and reckless, doing whatever pleased her. If she had said, “I’m not good with words; if you don’t like it, come fight me,” he might have believed her, since he certainly couldn’t win against her.
Jiang Pengji didn’t mind his attitude and unfastened the clasp of her cloak. At the sight of her movement, Wei Ci instinctively took a step back.
Both fell silent for a moment.
A memory struck Jiang Pengji, and she smiled innocently as she handed her cloak to Ta Xue, who followed behind her.
Noticing Wei Ci’s slight sigh of relief, she whispered as she passed by him.
“That day, I lent my cloak to Zixiao to keep warm. Though it doesn’t cost much, it’s something Xi really likes.” With wide eyes, she spoke falsehoods, while Wei Ci felt like he was facing a formidable enemy. She chuckled softly, “I wonder if I could borrow it back from Zixiao later…”
Before she could finish, Wei Ci seemingly exploded, striding away quickly with an expression of sheer fright.
Faced with the stunned looks of Ta Xue and Xu Ke, Jiang Pengji shrugged, embodying the essence of a rascal.
Xu Ke was left dumbfounded, unable to believe that the one who had just been teasing and mocking was actually his Young Master?
When did you have a thing for men?
Perhaps sensing his inner turmoil, Jiang Pengji remarked, “You’re not nearly as handsome as him; why worry about it?”
Xu Ke: “…”
Should he feel grateful for being safe, or sad that his looks were being critiqued?
Meanwhile, Ta Xue, after an initial shock, quickly regained her composure.
She covered her mouth with her hand, chuckling with a playful tease.
“Our Young Master has grown up!”
Come spring, Liu Xi would be thirteen; given the customs of this era, those with betrothal would marry, and those without would start to get engaged.
Xu Ke silently rolled his eyes.
Jiang Pengji seamlessly continued, “Yes, we’ve indeed grown up.”
Having met Mr. Yuanjing and paid respects, Jiang Pengji was now considered a student of Langya Academy and could study there in the future.
“This is…?”
With a gentle smile, Mr. Yuanjing shifted his gaze from Jiang Pengji to Xu Ke.
“This is Xu Ke; he will be the accompanying book boy for the students.”
Xu Ke felt immensely nervous, like a prisoner awaiting trial, anxious and unsettled, afraid that Mr. Yuanjing would be displeased with him.
“He’s a good seed, destined for greatness. You may all rise.”
Mr. Yuanjing was like a kind elder, making others feel at ease.
“Lan Ting, have you had breakfast? Would you like to share some with this old man?”
Mr. Yuanjing had two plates of dry cake on the table, with a teapot brewing hot tea beside it, and the sweet aroma wafted through the air.
Xu Ke was completely stunned; he never expected the renowned Mr. Yuanjing to be so… down-to-earth?
Generally, when Mr. Yuanjing extended an invitation, even if one had already eaten, they would claim they hadn’t.
However, Jiang Pengji had no qualms about speaking candidly.
“I’ve already eaten.”
Mr. Yuanjing didn’t call her out on her lie and turned to Xu Ke, asking, “Have you eaten as well?”
Xu Ke, still in shock, shook his head, unsure how he got roped into eating dry cake with Mr. Yuanjing.
The dry cake was a common breakfast item in the Langya region; however, Mr. Yuanjing had a unique palate, preferring to pair it with fragrant tea.
The tea was loaded with various spices and had an odd flavor, while the dry cake was meant to be dipped in honey…
In short, this manner of eating was akin to dipping lychee in soy sauce. Jiang Pengji chose to tactfully decline.
Xu Ke was initially excited, but after one meal, his stomach felt unsettled.
Jiang Pengji had anticipated this, watching Xu Ke’s pained expression with glee.
“Tsk tsk, I warned you not to eat recklessly; now you’re learning your lesson, huh?”
Her keen senses had detected the spices in that pot of tea, and she wisely avoided it while Xu Ke stumbled right into it.
“How would I know… that the teacher’s skill in brewing tea would be like this…”
He was at a loss for words to describe it.
Jiang Pengji laughed, saying, “Mr. Yuanjing’s tea brewing skills are impeccable, but he has a heavy flavor preference. With a weak stomach, of course, the tea has to be on the heavier side for digestion. Coming from Sang County, where the food is usually light, it’s no wonder you can’t handle it.”
Xu Ke smacked his lips, the strange taste lingering in his mouth.
Although he was astonished to have breakfast with his idol, this dark cuisine was perhaps best avoided.
Jiang Pengji said, “Help me clean up; Mr. Yuanjing and company are set to depart for Langya around noon today.”
“Is it that quick?” Xu Ke exclaimed, shocked; he thought they would be able to stay at the academy for a day or two.
“It’s not fast; they’ve already lingered in the capital for quite some time.” Jiang Pengji shook her head in disappointment. “This morning, my father told me that the court is currently too busy to arrange for this batch of scholars, and they have to return to their homes to wait for the decree.”
They had a perfectly valid reason: they were busy forging ties with the Northern Border and arranging matters concerning the Second Prince’s marriage—who had the time for such trivialities?
Little did they know, many of these scholars were proud individuals; their lofty ambitions were met with such cold treatment that they might not even want to enter the government anymore.
Not everyone enjoyed the deceit and scheming of the officialdom. Rather than engage in political intrigues, it was better to be a renowned gentleman and still gain fame.
A somewhat familiar young man walked across the corridor and entered the hall, bowing to Mr. Yuanjing.
“Teacher, the supplies and transportation have been prepared.”
Mr. Yuanjing stood up, stretching his numb legs, and said, “Have them prepare; let’s get going.”
