With a complicated expression, the cousin summoned a maid and instructed her to escort him to the restroom.
—The restroom had been hastily constructed a few days earlier since such banquets typically lasted at least half a day, with wine, tea, and fresh fruits served. They couldn’t expect the guests to hold it in.
After walking a short distance and ensuring the cousin couldn’t see him, the zhuangyuan nodded to the maid.
“I have sothing to attend to. Please excuse .”
The maid, unfazed, curtsied and went back to tending to other guests.
The zhuangyuan found a secluded corner and sat down. Looking around, he noticed several colleagues doing the sa. They exchanged glances before silently looking away.
It wasn’t that they were particularly interested in Cui Yi’s hidden money—well, maybe they were a little curious. But it was definitely more intriguing than the dull spring banquet.
Listening to Xu Lang’s gossip was far more entertaining than socializing.
However!
Soone was determined to rob them of even this small pleasure!
When the inner monologue suddenly cut off, the officials present froze in confusion before their irritation surfaced.
The zhuangyuan even overheard soone grumble, “There are plenty of scholars here to talk to. Why bother disturbing Bai Ze?”
——Cutting off soone’s broadcast? May lightning strike you!
Fortunately, Xu Yanmiao’s inner voice resud not long after.
The officials in the capital, now content, happily resud their eavesdropping.
anwhile, on the other side:
Here’s how the situation began.
Xu Yanmiao had chosen a secluded spot to sit. He had deliberately picked a spot behind a large rock, ensuring it would be difficult for anyone to find him.
Fully engrossed in the stream of gossip, cutting one juicy revelation after another, he suddenly heard a familiar voice—
“Why is Xu Lang here?”
Xu Yanmiao: “…”
With a heavy heart, he exited the system interface.
Ti to do business.jpg
The person speaking was Marquis Hongyang’s cousin. He seed sowhat distracted, but when he looked at Xu Yanmiao, he quickly regained his composure and smiled.
“Xu Lang has a keen eye for locations. This place is tranquil, with grass, trees, a spring, and rocks. It’s truly delightful.”
Xu Yanmiao was stunned.
He hesitantly glanced around.
[Isn’t this entire garden filled with grass, trees, springs, and rocks?]
Nonetheless, he replied kindly and professionally, “I simply picked a spot at random to sit. I hadn’t noticed the scenery here until you pointed it out. Thank you for ntioning it, Zhao Langjun.”
Marquis Hongyang’s cousin seized the opportunity to ask, “Would it be alright if I read a book here?”
Noticing Xu Yanmiao’s puzzled expression, he elaborated: “Hosting this spring banquet wasn’t my idea. I much prefer reading. My father even said that if I keep reading like this, I’ll turn into a blockhead…” At this, he laughed sheepishly. “But I dislike socializing. Honestly, I’d rather find a quiet spot to imrse myself in poetry and literature.”
Xu Yanmiao, ever patient, replied, “Langjun, feel free. This place is open to anyone. It doesn’t belong to .”
Marquis Hongyang’s cousin cheerfully sat down, took out a scroll, and began reading aloud. He appeared completely at ease, as if reading a book was the only thing that mattered, indifferent to how others perceived him.
Naturally, this made Xu Yanmiao, who seed to be “spacing out” beside him, appear idle and dull, like soone wooden and devoid of spirit.
From afar, Liu Changshi glanced in their direction with satisfaction before cautiously withdrawing his gaze, a faint smile playing on his lips.
Young individuals who achieve success early are often the most prideful. Who would willingly play second fiddle to soone else? Perhaps Xu Yanmiao hadn’t noticed yet, but when the people Liu Changshi had arranged ca forward to heap praise on Zhao Li while subtly putting Xu Yanmiao down, even the most patient person would surely feel annoyed.
…Right?
Liu Changshi’s gaze grew complicated.
Zhao Li was indeed reading, and the people sent to flatter him were in place. To avoid being too obvious, they were engaged in low-toned conversations nearby, praising Zhao Li’s ability to “remain serene amidst the chaos” and his “transcendent temperant,” occasionally slipping in a hint of doubt—
“Who’s that sitting idly next to Zhao Langjun?”
“No idea. He seems a bit… ‘wooden’.”
“Doesn’t matter. Maybe he’s just a servant from Zhao Langjun’s household.”
For young n, even a little disdain or being overlooked is often enough to make them lose their temper.
But Xu Yanmiao, sitting there, was almost no different from a deaf person.
No matter how much they compared him to Marquis Hongyang’s cousin, he just sat there daydreaming, paying no attention to the group at all.
Liu Changshi muttered, “Could it be that his status isn’t high enough?”
But Zhao Li, a cousin of a marquis with no official title, already relied heavily on his elder cousin’s status to invite even a few minor officials. If he wanted to bring in ministers, marquises, or even princes, it would require his cousin’s direct intervention.
But where could Liu Changshi possibly find such people now…?
Sweating in frustration, Liu Changshi’s back was drenched.
Then, he saw the top-ranking scholar from the imperial examinations slowly approaching the spring banquet.
—Surely, he was coming to find Zhao Li and continue their earlier interrupted conversation.
Liu Changshi calculated: “Xu Yanmiao might remain indifferent to everyone else, but surely he’d care about a Ministry of Rites official? Even though the man is only a sixth-ranked official, he has a bright future ahead of him and a Minister for a father-in-law. If this official only chats with Zhao Langjun, Xu Yanmiao should feel sothing, right?”
The top scholar arrived.
The top scholar ca closer.
The top scholar was already smiling.
Marquis Hongyang’s cousin seed to notice him only then. He stopped reading aloud and said to Xu Yanmiao with a touch of regret, “It seems I’ll have to pause my reading…”
The top scholar stopped three or five steps away, glanced briefly and curiously at Marquis Hongyang’s cousin, and then turned to Xu Yanmiao.
“Xu Lang! I’ve discovered a perfect spot for daydreaming. Want to co over?”
Xu Yanmiao: “Huh?”
The top scholar spoke earnestly, “A lot of our colleagues are there, and it’s very quiet.”
So, you should go sit over there! This way, you won’t—
Talk about soone else’s exciting news, then pause to marvel at how loudly Zhao Li reads.
Talk about soone else’s exciting news, then pause to reflect that Zhao Li’s recitation lacks emotion.
Talk about soone else’s exciting news, then pause to happily recall that you’ve heard the phrase Zhao Li recited sowhere before.
A piece of gossip shared so intermittently—you might not notice it yourself, but for us listeners, it’s unbearable!
Author’s Note:
Don’t try the hemorrhoid cream trick with eye cream! It’s not reliable! I heard soone attempted it, but I didn’t ask how it turned out. (Sweats.)
Ancient tis had eye creams, though they weren’t called that. They were basically herbal redies applied around the eyes.
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