allendalepharm Chapter 470: Ginger is still spicier when old
Chapter 470: Ginger is still spicier when old
Wu Yun looked at Tong Huaian standing beside him and immediately became more amiable.
"Master Tong is considered a role model for scholars in Tongzhou Prefecture. Now, everyone in the prefecture school takes Master Tong as their role model!"
Tong Huaian immediately bowed and said, "Your Excellency, you are too kind. In fact, ever since I went to the prefectural school, I have been at the top of the monthly exams every month. I am the undisputed number one. Many students are not as good as me."
"No, no, no! Nowadays, when people in the prefectural school talk about Brother Huai'an, they all admire him very much. My classmates highly praise Brother Huai'an's articles and often take them out for research and discussion!"
Jiang Youzhen immediately started to praise each other. There was nothing he could do. Ancient scholars were so modest. If he was not modest, he would be accused of being arrogant.
"Hahaha! We are all young talents, there is no need to be modest! Come, let's sit inside."
The magistrate Wu Yun gestured for invitation. It was already afternoon, and since the magistrate had come specially, he should at least treat everyone to a meal, right?
The head of the village planned to set up two tables and invite Chief Jiang and Jiang Tao to stay as guests.
In fact, Jiang Youzhen was a little tired. Jiang Fugui and the others had returned to the house a long time ago. She also wanted to go back to rest, but she was kept being held back and couldn't get away.
"The young man can't drink much, so I'll drink this glass of wine for him." Tong Huaian knew that Jiang Youzhen couldn't drink much, so he blocked a lot of wine for Jiang Youzhen.
He had already noticed that Jiang Youzhen was showing signs of fatigue, so he had been helping to deal with Wu Yun during the meal, so Jiang Youzhen had some free time.
It just so happened that Wu Yun’s target was also Tong Huaian, and he was very happy about it, having a great chat with Tong Huaian.
"I wonder who this Manager Tian is working for in the Marquis's Mansion?" Wu Yun's small eyes rolled around and he smiled at the unfamiliar face sitting next to the village head.
"I am the manager of the outer courtyard of the Marquis' Mansion in the capital. This time I returned to the Tong family's ancestral home to assist the Sixth Master, to hold the ceremony of commemorating the Second Young Master's success in the imperial examination and to bring him back to the capital."
Jiang Youzhen looked at this Manager Tian. The few unfamiliar faces he had seen in the crowd before were actually members of the Tong family in Beijing. They were all led by this Manager Tian, who was in his forties and very smooth.
During the dinner, Wu Yun kept asking him about the Tong family in Beijing, but this man easily changed the subject.
Perhaps he was pushed into a corner, and the magistrate finally decided to start with this manager.
He was a little impatient at first, but the atmosphere at the table suddenly changed, which made Jiang Youzhen interested.
Patriarch Jiang and Jiang Tao, who were sitting nearby, both shrank forward into a corner, still a little confused.
What big secret did they hear today? The village head was not Tong Huaian's grandfather, but just a branch of the Tong family.
Tong Huaian is actually the son of a marquis in the capital, and the second son of the eldest son.
They began to doubt their lives. The young master of a marquisate actually came to live in their remote place and stayed there for more than ten years.
They held their wine cups, feeling somewhat at a loss. Tong Huaian, who had always been cold and aloof, became even more mysterious and noble in their eyes.
They sat at the same table? They sat at the same table with the young master of the Marquis's mansion?
"After this ancestor worship, we should go to the Imperial College in the capital, right?"
In fact, Wu Yun could also guess why Tong Huaian lived in his ancestral hometown for a long time. Wasn’t it because Marquis Dingbei remarried and had another son?
The powerful and wealthy are fighting in the backyard, and the position of the Marquis is naturally coveted by many people. The prince is in poor health and is bedridden. If he dies one day, who will take over the position of the Marquis? Most likely it will be Tong Huaian.
Of course, if something went wrong with Tong Huaian, then the third son of the eldest son would definitely be in trouble.
As for whether Tong Huaian was forced to live in this remote area or took the initiative to avoid it, it is unknown.
But what he knew was that Tong Huaian had already leaned on the Fourth Prince. Who in the court didn't know that Tong Huaian was the Fourth Prince's confidant? Even the current emperor should be aware of this, right?
"My Lord missed the Second Young Master very much. Back then, the Second Young Master was weak, and the Master advised him to return to his ancestral home to recuperate before he turned eighteen. Only with the protection of his ancestors could he grow up safely and smoothly, and that's why he was sent here. Now that the Second Young Master has turned eighteen, he can naturally return to the capital."
As soon as Manager Tian said this, Tong Huaian quickly picked up the wine cup and put it to his lips to hide the disdain on his face.
When Wu Yun heard this, he realized that it was just an excuse to avoid the outside world. He was well aware of the underworld in the rear house.
But now that they have pulled off the fig leaf, we must save face.
"So that's how it is! The second young master has passed the imperial examination and is under the protection of the Tong family's ancestors. He will surely win the first prize in the imperial examination and bring honor to the family in the future."
The village head showed a hint of contempt, but he also raised his cup and said, "Thanks to the care of the county officials and villagers over the years, although I am not the second young master's biological grandfather, I am also his great-great-grandfather. I would like to offer a toast to you on behalf of my family."
Everyone immediately raised their glasses in response, and Jiang Clan leader and Jiang Tao were so embarrassed that they didn't know where to put their hands. They really didn't mean to listen to the private affairs of this noble family! Didn't they say they didn't avoid them?
After returning the greeting, Chief Jiang and Jiang Tao looked at each other, and said that they were old and lacked energy, so they took their leave.
Jiang Youzhen also took the opportunity to say goodbye, saying that there were still many things that needed to be sorted out after he came back.
Since her was not their target, they naturally agreed after pretending to try to persuade her.
Before leaving, Jiang Youzhen patted Tong Huaian on the shoulder. She could see that Tong Huaian was in a bad mood, so this was her silent comfort.
Tong Huaian felt warm in his heart, Xiao Lang still cared about him.
On the way back, the patriarch started to talk.
"I didn't expect the headman's family to be so prominent!" He sighed with emotion, "But I can also sense it from daily life. Their food, clothing and daily expenses are different from those of ordinary wealthy families, and their demeanor is also extraordinary."
"Isn't it? I didn't expect that the young master of a marquisate would come to live in our remote village. It's really surprising." Jiang Tao sighed repeatedly. When he thought about having dinner with so many big shots today, he couldn't help but puffed out his chest.
Jiang Youzhen smiled. Tong Huaian's status was indeed not bad. But after returning to the capital, he would not have such a comfortable life. Don't underestimate the struggle in the harem, it is not simpler than the court.
The clan leader looked around, and when he saw that no one was around, he said to Jiang Youzhen, "Young man, the reason why Tong Huaian came to our Qinghe Village might not be that simple. Those wealthy families have done a lot of dirty things. You should stay away from them in the future, and don't bring trouble upon yourself."
As the old saying goes, ginger is always the wisest. The clan leader saw through everything.
"Ah? I think Master Tong is a nice person! He takes good care of Xiaolang." Jiang Tao was puzzled.
"You stay in the village all day, but you still don't have enough experience. Do you really think he came to Qinghe Village to change the feng shui? Maybe he came to avoid assassination by those people. There are many children who die in the backyards of wealthy families, especially in the backyards. It is not surprising that many daughters-in-law and mothers-in-law die in the backyards."
The clan leader realized that he had said something wrong. "Anyway, you're right to listen to me. Don't spread what I just said. Don't say anything more. Just be careful."