Bai Shan answered for them, "The two of us are from the Bai Family of Longzhou."
Mr. Zhuang slightly turned to introduce Manbao who was following behind, smiling as he said, "This is my eldest disciple, Zhou Man."
The middle-aged scholar was stunned.
He didn’t recognize Mr. Zhuang, but he had heard of Zhou Man.
And the matter of Zhou Man having a teacher and two junior brothers was widely known throughout the capital.
Zhang Chen only felt a sharp pain in his arm again and couldn’t help but look past them towards Zhou Man standing behind.
Manbao inexplicably raised his head to et his gaze, with a face full of confusion, wondering why they had stopped walking suddenly.
Zhou Man was quite famous in the capital, actually Bai Shan was too, especially among scholars. Both held virtues of loyalty, righteousness, benevolence, and filial piety, he hadn’t expected to et them.
Zhang Chen reintroduced himself and offered greetings. Once they reached the mountain top and found a spot to sit, placing down wine and snacks, he sighed to them, "I participated in the grace examination, but failed. I thought I had another chance with the autumn examination, but it didn’t work out, alas..."
Mr. Zhuang comforted him, saying, "Though there were two exams this year, but there were also many candidates, no need to be too discouraged, Brother Zhang."
Zhang Chen had heard such comforting words many tis before, and shook his head, "If it’s not successful this year, next year might not even hold an exam, waiting two more years and I’ll be older still."
Mr. Zhuang laughed, "No matter how old you get, can you be older than ?"
Zhang Chen looked at the spirited Mr. Zhuang, then at the three young lads serving them on the other side, and sighed again, "How can I compare with you, sir? You have such great disciples, even if you never take up an official position, it’s worth it."
Although Mr. Zhuang felt his words were true, he also sensed a hint of despondency in them. He opened his mouth but ultimately decided against further persuasion.
Such superficial acquaintance made it inappropriate to speak deeply; he raised his hand, toasting him with a cup of wine.
They sat for a while until Mr. Jiang and others finally ca up the mountain, laughing as they saw Mr. Zhuang and his four disciples, "I guessed you all climbed the mountain, and sure enough."
To the unfamiliar Zhang Chen, they didn’t mind much, after all, Double Ninth climbing just ant hiking the mountain, enjoying the scenery, drinking wine, feeling happy was sufficient.
The three older ones were carefree, while the younger three were carefree as well, only Zhang Chen sat aside in distress, unable to achieve his ambitions.
Mr. Jiang and others also brought wine up the mountain. Seeing that he seed downhearted, they simply raised their hands, encouraging him to drink.
Everyone stayed on the mountain until evening, and Zhang Chen ended up drunk, eventually carried down by Daji and Mr. Jiang’s attendant.
The carriage swayed back to the capital, while Manbao and the other two rode on horseback, chasing each other towards the city, distancing themselves from the carriage only to co galloping back, repeating this play with unabated enthusiasm.
They were still too young to understand Zhang Chen’s disappointnt.
Moreover, neither Manbao, Bai Shan, nor Bai Erlang felt that becoming official was particularly important in this world.
There were so many things people could do in life, taking office was rely one choice among many.
In this regard, they even had a broader view than Mr. Zhuang, soone who had weathered many storms.
Mr. Jiang lowered the curtain, withdrawing his gaze from the window, and remarked to Mr. Zhuang with a smile, "Your three disciples seem to have matured more than ever."
Mr. Zhuang smiled, "They have grown up."
Mr. Jiang then sighed with worry, "You can see them growing up, whereas on my side it’s only aging ti; my family disciples show no progress at all."
Mr. Chen laughed, "Every ti we et you express envy, my ears are growing calluses."
"You don’t envy? If you don’t, then speak less privately."
Mr. Zhuang laughed heartily, waving his hand unconcernedly, saying, "Let them say, I’m not bothered."
"When it cos to envying you, naturally you’re unbothered." Mr. Jiang thought of sothing, turned to rummage through his luggage, retrieving a rolled-up manuscript, offering it to him, "It’s the calligraphy I’ve practiced recently. I see Bai Shan’s handwriting is excellent; maybe he wants to copy it."
Mr. Jiang’s calligraphy was quite renowned, even rumored that the Emperor had collections of it; Mr. Zhuang accepted it imdiately, thanking him on behalf of Bai Shan.
Mr. Jiang shook his head, "I won’t have such good disciples in my life, I can only watch in envy, content with giving advice from the side."
Upon reaching the city, Mr. Zhuang instructed soone to deliver the drunken Zhang Chen lying in his family’s carriage to the inn.
Mr. Jiang raised an eyebrow hearing this, smiling as he asked, "Why not take him ho? After all, as soone who can participate in the imperial examinations, he must have so skills, perhaps he could beco an advisor."
Mr. Zhuang shook his head, smiling, "I’m just a minor ninth-grade official, what need have I for advisors? I simply read books in Chongwen Pavilion, occasionally lecturing the Crown Prince in so doctrines."
He said, "Manbao doesn’t need that either; she’s an imperial physician, concerned only with treating illnesses, writing dical books, doesn’t require strategic advisors. As for Bai Shan and Bai Cheng, they’re still too young, who knows when they’ll enter officialdom."
Mr. Chen straightforwardly remarked, "I thought it was because you disapproved of him."
He laughed, "I noticed a tone of seeking refuge in his words, so encouraged him to drink, plotting for you to bring him ho as an advisor; who knew you had no such intention."
Mr. Zhuang shook his head, laughing while turning his head to look outside the window; his three mischievous disciples had ridden back from afar, laughing rrily.
He said, "Paths differ; hence no collaboration. Besides, he wasn’t focusing on us as masters and disciples."
One feared it concerned the Crown Prince associated with them.
Mr. Jiang naturally considered this, being a friend, couldn’t help but inquire out of concern, "Are things good for you in the East Palace?"
Mr. Zhuang nodded with a smile, "The Crown Prince grows more humble by the day, so we’re doing quite well."
The improvent and andnt in the Crown Prince’s character could be seen by the entire court. This ti, when the Emperor invited elders and ministers to dinner, the Crown Prince was the one serving wine.
No sign of past irritability, coupled with a few good tasks perford prior, although occasionally so Scribes impeached him, none were serious matters; he rarely argued with ministers during court sessions.
So, led by Wei Zhi, the ministers today found the Crown Prince more agreeable, everyone enjoyed a harmonious royal banquet, then soone brought up Prince Gong’s return to Luozhou.
Prince Gong had stayed too long in the capital, it was ti for him to return to Luozhou, couldn’t confine him in the palace indefinitely.
The Emperor pondered, recalling the Empress’s opinion, he set the matter aside, stating today was the Double Ninth, only honoring elders, avoiding national affairs.
Wei Zhi, opposing Prince Gong’s return to Luozhou, slightly relaxed.
With Prince Gong in the capital, if perpetually confined within the palace, naturally, retaining him was ideal; whenever the Emperor might release him, discuss returning to Luozhou later.
As long as he remained confined within the palace, his actions were limited.
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