Zhu Pang was even more surprised upon hearing this, "Did you also practice before?"
Gu Chengyu never revealed his martial arts skills in front of his classmates, so he just smiled and said, "Let’s go inside quickly! It’s cold outside, and I’ve invited two of my good friends whom I’m about to introduce to you."
Gu Chengyu brought the two into the house, and Sun Xian and Ye Zhiqiu, seeing people coming in, imdiately stood up to greet them.
"This is my second brother-in-law, Sun Xian, courtesy na Ziyuan; and this is my classmate and close friend from when I was studying in Jingyuan Prefecture, Ye Zhiqiu, courtesy na Zhong Huai. They are both studying at Boshan Academy now." Gu Chengyu pointed to Sun Xian and Ye Zhiqiu as he introduced them to Zhu Pang.
Sun Xian was already older than twenty, and Ye Zhiqiu was seventeen. Moreover, both had passed the scholar exam; last year, they invited a teacher from Boshan Academy to help them choose courtesy nas.
"So you are students of Boshan Academy. I’m truly honored. Boshan Academy is very famous. Anyone who passes their entrance exam must be exceptionally talented."
The speaker was naturally Zheng Lun. Known for his smooth deanor, anyone who talks with him feels comfortable and pleasant.
"Oh, no, no. When it cos to genuine talent and learning, I feel embarrassed even discussing it. Hopefully, we won’t tarnish the academy’s reputation." Sun Xian hurriedly waved his hands modestly.
Ye Zhiqiu also quickly saluted, repeatedly saying he dared not accept such praise.
Seeing them exchange pleasantries, Gu Chengyu proceeded to introduce Zhu Pang and his companion to Sun Xian and Ye Zhiqiu.
"These two are the classmates I ntioned from the Imperial College. This is the young master of the Dingnan Marquis Mansion, he’s the eighth in his family, called Zheng Lun, courtesy na Xiaoru; and the round-faced one is Zhu Pang, courtesy na Cong Guang, whose father is the Vice Minister of the Ministry of War."
"I’ve long heard Chengyu speak of good classmates at the Imperial College but rarely had the chance to et them. Today, I finally et them. Zheng and Zhu are indeed extraordinary people!"
When scholars et, if not competing against each other, exchanging complints is inevitable.
"Oh, you’re too kind, too kind! I really don’t deserve it!"
The few exchanged a few more insincere complints, which made Zhu Pang almost roll his eyes. Next to him was soone who seed to be another match.
The reason it was said to be another was because when he t Gu Chengyu initially, this person was even more self-effacing than Sun Xian!
"Alright, if you continue to boast about each other, it will soon be dark. Didn’t you say you’d go hunting first?"
He couldn’t wait any longer; rather than listening to these tedious complints, he’d rather hunt for wild ga in the woods.
Upon hearing this, everyone was montarily stunned, then burst out laughing.
Gu Chengyu quickly interjected, "Brother Zhu is always like this, Brother Sun and Brother Ye, please don’t mind, he’s just straightforward. Everyone will understand after spending so ti together. Since we’re at the villa, let’s relax and have fun! Let’s go hunting for so wild ga."
Once said, Zhu Pang cheered instantly, hunting indeed suited his taste.
"Haha! We’ve got quite a few prey today. We’ll feast well later." Zhu Pang, carrying his bow and arrow and a rabbit in hand, happily called out to Gu Chengyu.
Gu Chengyu glanced at the wild ga on the wooden cart — rabbit, deer, pheasant — felt it should be enough for everyone to eat.
"Let’s go! We’ll try a new cooking thod at noon."
They were not returning today; they’d handle lunch with barbecue, soak in the hot springs later in the afternoon, and spend the night directly at the villa.
"Let’s go! I’m already starving!" Zhu Pang called out to Sun Xian and others, and they rode out of the forest on horseback.
They went to the pavilion in the plum blossom forest, which was already surrounded by heavy curtains, and charcoal was burning inside. Once Gu Chengyu and the others entered the pavilion, it felt like walking into warm springti.
Upon entering the pavilion, Zheng Lun and others imdiately sneezed, rubbed their frozen red noses, and curiously eyed two large iron racks inside.
"Chengyu! What’s this?" Zhu Pang circled the iron racks twice, finding them quite intriguing.
Gu Chengyu smiled slightly, "You’ll know what they are for later on; for now, allow to keep it a secret."
Ming Mo and the rest had already taken the ga to the kitchen for preparation. After seasoning the at, they would use custom-made iron skewers for grilling.
The at preparation would take a little while, so Gu Chengyu and the others began drinking tea.
"I reckon Chengyu has thought of so new cooking thod. Everyone, just wait to be amazed today!" Sun Xian, very familiar with Gu Chengyu, said as he noted they were still idle, sure it ant a new eating thod was brewing.
"Brother Sun understands the best!"
After that, they chatted about various topics.
"I heard the Eldest Prince will soon return to the capital." During their discussion about the situation at court, Zheng Lun suddenly ntioned the Eldest Prince.
"I heard too. I don’t know what illness the Eldest Prince had that lasted two years. His return to the capital now should an he’s recovered, right?"
As the Vice Minister of the Ministry of War, Zhu Pang, of course, heard things at ho, even though Zheng Lun knew the matter; there was no reason he wouldn’t have received the news.
"Not sure, two years ago, it was suddenly said he contracted an illness, but the specifics weren’t disclosed, only that he was moving to another residence for recuperation. Returning to the capital now likely ans recovery. He needs to appear again; otherwise, it would be inappropriate."
After hearing this, Gu Chengyu suddenly rembered that two years ago, he went to the capital shortly before the Eldest Prince fell ill. For two years, he hadn’t heard news, but now he was returning.
Indeed, anyone, as long as it’s not a terminal illness, would hurry back to the capital. If he doesn’t return, what might the Emperor think? While forgetting a son is impossible, would suspicions arise about what this son might be secretly doing?
"Two years without a trace, still not showing up, it’s surely inappropriate." Zhu Pang sneered, replying without any curiosity.
Seeing this, Gu Chengyu’s eyes dimd, knowing Zhu Pang’s behavior suggested he was aware of so inside information.
Unfortunately, those noble sons have tight lips, unlikely to reveal anything easily. Therefore, he chose not to ask.
Sun Xian and Ye Zhiqiu exchanged a glance; they heard so court news at the academy but all were acquainted matters, as the academy mostly housed determined scholars, few officials’ children. What they knew was limited.
Usually, aristocratic families send unruly or troubleso ones to the Imperial College; those with talent and capability are tutored privately by renowned teachers. So, in academies, mostly rchants’ and commoners’ children study.
"Have you got news?" Zheng Lun also wanted to know more.
"What would I know? When it cos to eating, drinking and having fun, I’m definitely in the know; these aren’t matters I pay attention to." Zhu Pang shrugged indifferently.
Zheng Lun glanced at Gu Chengyu, they exchanged smiles, but Gu Chengyu noted bitterness in Zheng Lun’s smile.
Gu Chengyu sighed silently; Zheng Lun was also another oppressed noble son, struggling in the quagmire of family affairs.
Zheng Lun, from the fourth house of the Dingnan Marquis Mansion, as its legitimate second son, should have had indisputably noble status. Unfortunately, the fourth house was illegitimate, making Zheng Lun’s position awkward.
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