Cultivation Begins with Caring for Sister-in-law Chapter 699 - 694, - 695: First Encounter with "Guo Xian

Xiangyang, main hall of Prince Wei’s Mansion.

Even though the maid asked them to sit and wait, saying the Prince would be here soon, both Guo Ning and Lin Zhong were still extrely nervous.

Although Guo Ning had previously ntioned casually that they could directly visit to see King Wei, now that they were here, they couldn’t help but feel anxious, wondering what to say when they t him.

Lin Zhong felt much the sa, but more than that, he was excited. He hadn’t expected that King Wei would actually agree to see them. When they ca, they were prepared to be refused.

"My lord."

With the voice of the maid sounding from outside the hall, and hearing the footsteps, the two quickly adjusted their appearance, stood up straight, and when a figure appeared outside the hall, they instantly bent down, cupped their hands, and greeted: "Greetings... King Wei."

However, what they didn’t expect was that the one who entered first was the sa maid who had served them tea earlier. The maid entered first only to pour tea for Chen Mo, and seeing this scene rendered her quite embarrassed, with her face turning red, she whispered, "The Prince is behind."

Then she quickly went to the head of the hall to pour hot tea.

Guo Ning and Lin Zhong looked back awkwardly, and just when they were calming their nerves, the actual host walked in from outside the hall, startling them into another hurried greeting:

"Student Guo Ning/Lin Zhong greets... greets King... King Wei."

Both were so nervous that their speech was disjointed. They exchanged glances and wished they could find a hole to hide in.

Chen Mo chuckled lightly at this: "Why so nervous? I won’t eat you. Sit down."

"Being in the presence of the Prince, it is inevitable to feel nervous inside as students," Guo Ning said.

"...Yes... yes," Lin Zhong echoed.

"What? Do I look scary, making you nervous?" Chen Mo joked, noting that their ages seed similar to his own.

The two were shocked, and Guo Ning hastily said, "No... not scary at all. You, my lord, are majestic and handso, an extraordinary talent, not frightening in the least."

"The Prince is both talented and handso, astonishingly brilliant," Lin Zhong added.

"You can tell they’re scholars; even their complints sound better," Chen Mo smiled lightly.

"My lord, we are speaking the truth, not flattering," Guo Ning quickly explained, fearing that Chen Mo might think of him as a sycophant.

"Just joking, no need to stand, take a seat," Chen Mo said as he moved to the head seat, sat down, took a sip of tea, and then asked, "You two ca to for sothing?"

"The Prince has petitioned the Court to restore the examination system and hold exams in Qing, Yu, Lin, and Huai Four States. For us, we must salute you as disciples," Guo Ning said, rising to bow again to Chen Mo at the head seat.

Lin Zhong sowhat struggled to keep up with Guo Ning’s pace, and only after Guo Ning finished his bow did he belatedly rise and bow.

"Seeking to beco disciples?" Chen Mo set down his teacup, scrutinizing the two.

Lin Zhong bowed his hands and said, "The Prince has restored the examination system, fulfilling the wishes of scholars everywhere, and has also granted us official positions. We must accept this ceremony."

"Although the treacherous rebels in the court have been removed, the country still struggles to recover and people’s lives are in distress. From the Capital to here, I’ve seen bandits rampant everywhere, oppressing commoners. To bring true peace to the land, I rely on you," Chen Mo said.

"Your words, my lord, we will rember," Guo Ning and Lin Zhong exchanged a look, gravely affirming.

Chen Mo turned his gaze to Lin Zhong and said, "When I was in the Capital, Chancellor Geng spoke highly of you, especially praising your essays. I hope that once you assu your post in Lu’an County, you can fulfill what you promised in your papers and not betray the trust of and Chancellor Geng."

Hearing this, Lin Zhong felt greatly encouraged. He nodded to Chen Mo, resolving to achieve significant accomplishnts in his future posting.

After exchanging a few more polite words, Guo Ning said, "My lord, the students take their leave."

Lin Zhong bowed along.

"Wait," Chen Mo got up, ca over, took out two envelopes from his chest, and handed them to the two, saying, "I cannot let you receive the ceremony for free, here are so principles for being a person and an official, for you."

"Thank you, my lord. The students take their leave."

...

Leaving the Prince’s Mansion, Guo Ning and Lin Zhong let out a sigh of relief. The latter said, "I was so nervous just now, but I found King Wei quite amiable, not as fearso as the rumors say."

"To set your mind on the heavens and earth, to establish life for people, to continue the teaching of the sages, to bring peace for all generations, is my life’s wish, and I hope you rember it," Guo Ning read from the letter Chen Mo had given him, stunned, feeling a deep sensation of transcendence.

He turned back to look at Prince Wei’s Mansion, the young man with a smile in his mind seed almost sage-like in his eyes.

"To set your mind on the heavens and earth, to establish life for people, to continue the teaching of the sages, to bring peace for all generations," Lin Zhong’s envelope contained the sa ssage. Though the number of words was few, light as a feather, each weighed heavily on Lin Zhong’s heart, filling him with deep respect for Chen Mo.

He turned and bowed towards Prince Wei’s Mansion, then cupped his hands towards Guo Ning and said, "Brother Guo, though I planned to depart tomorrow, knowing the Prince’s wish makes feel like I can’t waste ti. I plan to go pack and head to Cangzhou, and bid you farewell in advance."