"You, this girl! Enough, enough."
Jun Ruochen waved his hand repeatedly, shaking his head sighing, "I can’t provoke you, you can just stay here for a while. But, you are not allowed to be naughty and cause mischief as usual."
"That’s more like my big brother Jun!"
Jun Ruoxue giggled, her eyes quickly darting through the crowd.
Those mischievous eyes blinked continuously, "I heard before that Lord Su’s niece is here, having a drinking competition with everyone. I thought I’d co to see her. The deputy county magistrate Su is so big and fat, I wonder what his niece looks like? She isn’t as big and round as him, is she?"
Although her words were innocent, they made everyone present frown.
Qin Yi frowned and suddenly clenched his wine cup in his hand.
Lui Muyi closed the folding fan in his hand and gently tapped it against his palm.
Even Old Xue, who was standing nearby, opened his eyes wide and glanced deeply at Jun Ruoxue. He stroked his beard without speaking, but a strange smile appeared at the corner of his mouth.
"Cough, cough, cough, Xue’er! Stop ssing around, how can you be so rude!"
Jun Ruochen rebuked sowhat awkwardly, "The so-called ’judging a book by its cover’; you can’t do this. Doctor Su is a man of righteousness and generosity, and should not be compared to his uncle."
Jun Ruoxue is afraid of nobody, except for her brother getting angry.
Her eyes swirled, and with a pretty face full of smiles, she stood up, raised her wine cup and toasted to everyone: "It was a slip of the tongue from . I said the wrong thing, please forgive . I will willingly take a drink as punishnt."
Saying this, she tipped her head back and drained the wine in her cup.
Upon hearing this, the displeasure on everyone’s face was sowhat alleviated, and they all drank their wine.
Jun Ruoxue found it strange, why would a rural female doctor receive so much protection from these people?
As soon as an opportunity arises, she must get to know her!
Seeing the atmosphere on the scene turn gloomy because of her words, losing all the earlier liveliness, she lost her interest and barely stayed for a mont before finding an excuse to leave.
"My younger sister has been spoiled by my mother because of her wilfulness since childhood. I hope you won’t bla her for disturbing your good mood!"
Seeing her leave, Jun Ruochen raised his wine cup to apologize to everyone, "Co on! It’s my fault. I will drink three cups as a penalty! None of you should refuse."
These words imdiately softened the expressions on Qin Yi and Lui Muyi’s faces.
"Speaking of your young lady from the Jun Family, who in the capital does not give her a thumbs up?"
Old Xue laughed heartily, his face kind, "The occasional unexpected behavior from your sister is due to her young age. Based on my experience of traveling the world for many years and eting countless people, she is extrely intelligent and possesses a pure heart. She is sure to be blessed, you don’t need to worry about her."
"Old Xue, you know the ways of the officialdom too. Many things are beyond one’s control, especially for Xue’er."
Jun Ruochen smiled bitterly. They, as descendants of a large family, have been surrounded by various responsibilities since birth, and Xue’er is no exception.
"So since childhood, I as her brother could never bear to bla her. I only wished that she could enjoy a few more comfortable days. But her temperant...I really worry about her future...Never mind! Let’s not talk about these distressing matters anymore. Co on, let’s drink, continue our previous topic, where were we?"
Having said that, he subtly made eye contact with Hwa Diexiang.
"Co on everyone, let’s continue to enjoy our wine and tea."
Hwa Diexiang quickly responded, "The current court seems peaceful with music and dancing, but actually, the situation is complex and convoluted, it’s a headache. It’s rare to et with everyone today, to drink and discuss poetry – that’s a great pleasure in life."
Qin Yi remained silent, wearing a smile on his face.
It was Lui Muyi next to him who took the lead, his eyes flashing, "Hua County Official, what do you an by this? Muyi has so confusion and would like to ask for your guidance."
"Young Master Lui, you’re being modest! Everybody knows that your grandfather is the emperor’s favored minister. If you have anything to say, just say it!"
A faint smile appeared on Hwa Diexiang’s othewise icy face.
This Young Master Lui’s grandfather is a respected minister of the current dynasty and has a single daughter, Lui’s mother.
Being on good terms with him wouldn’t be a bad idea.
Although he is a businessman, if we beco friends, there might be chances that he could exploit . But talent is not envied by the diocre; only those who can be used by others count as valuable. If one day, you no longer have a value that others can take advantage of, that would be truly pitiful!
"I heard in the morning that Hwa County Official once earned top grades in the imperial examination, and was a student of the emperor himself. Why would the county official go far away to serve as a minor parent official in Yongze County?"
"A good man does not boast of past bravery. Those are all things of the past, it doesn’t matter if they’re not ntioned."
Speaking of the past, Hwa Diexiang’s gaze beca even more profound.
"The county official is being too modest."
Jun Ruochen was quick to complint: "Who doesn’t know about Hwa County Official’s scholarship? If not the top, he certainly is among the top in Yongze County. I presu no one would dare to challenge that."
"County Magistrate, you flatter too much." Hwa Diexiang responded with an indifferent smile.
"It was Lui Muyi’s curiosity that he was sowhat impulsive, if the county official finds it inconvenient to bring up..." Lui Muyi apologized with a salute.
"No problem, no problem, it’s just so things of the past."
He coughed gently and said: "Back then, in the 32nd year of Jing An’s reign, I traveled far to Yanjing to take the examination, and I passed as a Jinshi Scholar, ranking 51st in the Imperial Edict."
At this point, his face was covered with a layer of shadow: "With such honor, by rights, I should have stayed for a position in the Court of Judicial Review, unfortunately... Alas! As a young man so full of myself, my radical comnts at the court have offended the then Deputy Minister of Works, Qin Huaiying. Even though I did well in the Imperial Edict, I had difficulties obtaining a substantial position."
Having said that, Hwa Diexiang’s tone was extrely heavy. His eyes swept over Qin Yi and Lui Muyi: "I stayed in the capital for several months, looking for ways through various connections, but to no avail. Crushed and dispirited, I left Yanjing and turned back to Yongze County. I beca the magistrate of the county."
How can the complex changes of power and favor within the court be explained with a simple explanation?
A student of the emperor, but in the end, holding the position of a re county magistrate registrar. The feeling of such repression, is hard to understand for those who have not experienced it.
"I apologize! It was inappropriate to bring up such a painful past!"
Lui Muyi hurriedly apologized with a salute.
"No harm done, this matter is no secret."
Hwa Diexiang faintly smiled, but his eyes held a faint sense of loneliness and desolation.
"County Official, you’re truly free and easy, Lui Muyi admires you."
Upon seeing this, Lui Muyi stood up, yawning: "I drank too much tonight, and now my head is spinning. I won’t disturb County Magistrate any longer, I take my leave."
While saying this, he saluted to both Jun Ruochen and Hwa Diexiang.
"You can’t just leave like this!"
Jun Ruochen laughed: "I have heard that Master Lui has a capacity for liquor, how can you leave just like this? Is it because you feel that the county has been neglecting you? If so, let , Ruochen, fill myself three cups as an apology to you all!"
Just as Lui Muyi was about to respond, a hearty laugh from Su Pan’er ca from outside the gallery.
"Lui Muyi, are you leaving now?"
With the sound, Su Pan’er appeared before everyone, smiling as he teased Lui Muyi: "By leaving so soon, are you admitting defeat in our drinking competition?"
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