Chapter 984: Chapter 579: Childhood Sweethearts, United in Appearance, Divided in Heart
In silence, ng Zhengjun glanced at Zhao Rong.
Unsure if he was pretending, after a mont of silence, she lifted her head and, with a serious tone, addressed Zhao Rong:
“Zhao Ziyu, you’ve done very well this ti. You didn’t bring sha to our Academy and Mochi Art Institute.”
“In the past… it was , as your teacher, who misunderstood you…”
Zhao Rong noticed the relaxed lines on her face, thinking… this serious academic appears not to be quite as rigid or difficult to get along with.
After the quarrel with Qing Jun, the previously lancholic mood had improved a bit.
He nodded his head, “Thank you, Teacher ng, for the undeserved praise.”
Zhao Rong turned his head and noticed Zhu Yourong standing nearby.
She seed disinclined to talk to him, and it was apt, as they had already spoken all that needed to be said recently. Now, in front of other Academy teachers, it’s best not to appear too close.
This could easily cause unnecessary misunderstandings.
Much like a certain conflict and the disputes it incited earlier.
Zhao Rong lowered his eyes.
Zhu Yourong likely wouldn’t want him to quarrel with Qing Jun and Qian’er because of her.
But so conflicts linger, and keeping silent won’t make them disappear on their own, right?
Thinking of this, Zhao Rong’s gaze drifted past Zhu Yourong.
Soon, everyone finished exchanging pleasantries and prepared to discuss serious matters.
Just then, they all simultaneously looked at a group of people coming from just outside the forest.
Although just shadows in the darkness, Zhao Rong could still recognize the figures of Dugu Chanyi and others from Li.
He shook his head.
Once again, they’re seeking an audience after receiving news? Do they know the Academy teachers investigating the incident are arriving tonight?
A bit tactless indeed.
The Confucian scholars frowned.
Whether the Great Li royal family participated in the attack against the Academy students needs thorough investigation; before that, it’s taboo to engage privately with the Great Li royals, according to protocol.
Turning back, they discussed briefly and decided it was not suitable to linger here any longer.
At the sa ti, Zhao Rong and his wives should also vacate the camps arranged by Dugu Chanyi and his entourage.
Zhao Rong thought for a mont and proposed a place.
The Confucian scholars agreed.
Imdiately, they directly declined the request for an audience from Dugu Chanyi and others.
ng Zhengjun sternly reprimanded the Great Li Empress Dowager, drawing fearful murmurs and lowered heads among Dugu Chanyi’s group.
Subsequently, Zhao Rong led the Academy teachers back to the camp, notifying Qing Jun, Qian’er, and Uncle Xiao Bai of their departure.
Zhao Lingfei hastily ran out from the kitchen, still wearing an apron.
They were still preparing his favorite dishes in case he suddenly wanted them upon returning.
From afar, Zhao Lingfei saw Zhao Rong and the Academy teachers’ figures, quickly wiped her hands, untied her apron, and raised a delicate hand to tidy her appearance.
She was a woman of extraordinary beauty, with a teardrop mole at the corner of her eyes, serving as the finishing touch to her charming features, now rushing from the kitchen with slight redness on her cheeks, strands of hair falling on her polished forehead… yet adding an extraordinary touch of holy beauty.
Upon approaching, Zhao Lingfei quietly observed her husband’s calm face before composing herself to greet and bow with Qian’er alongside the Academy teachers.
Before outsiders, Zhao Lingfei and Qian’er presented themselves with decorum and grace, which clearly pleased Teacher Yan, who introduced them to others with great praise.
Causing ng Zhengjun and Sima Duyi to involuntarily turn their heads, taking several glances at these two exceptional won from Taiching Palace.
Especially Zhao Lingfei, whose fa is widespread and acknowledged among most Confucian scholars at Linlu Academy.
As a result, their views of Zhao Rong shifted considerably.
At this point, Teacher Yan glanced at Zhao Rong, standing beside Zhao Lingfei but remaining silent, observing his tall stature and extraordinary handsoness, clapped with admiration, heralding them as a perfect match, resembling celestial beings.
Everyone nodded in agreent, truly an ideal pairing.
Receiving recognition and praise from her husband’s teacher, Zhao Lingfei and Qian’er indeed smiled with joy, yet upon spotting Zhao Rong with his gaze lowered, his calm expressions unchanged, their smiles waned slightly.
Witnessing this seemingly feigned scene.
Zhu Yourong pressed her lips, choosing not to speak.
Teacher Yan and others, unaware of the recent events, naturally couldn’t discern; they simply assud soone valuable and reserved, increasingly admired.
After the bustle subsided, Zhao Rong suggested departing, and everyone was agreeable.
Thus, they left the tents in the wilderness, breaking away from the accommodations arranged by Dugu Chanyi and his entourage, headed towards an area upstream from the Royal Mausoleum’s waterfall, a location familiar to Zhao Rong and Qian’er—the Bamboo Forest Cottage.
Zhao Rong certainly didn’t intend for the Academy teachers to reside in this place once occupied by Zhang Huizhi, also the location where he left behind a severed arm.
Near the secluded courtyard in the bamboo grove, there are many quiet courtyards.
Elegant buildings form a small village, nestled within the dense bamboo forest, originally an ideal place for secluded cultivation.
Previously, besides the family of Zhang Hui, many Confucian scholars and officials, who also wished to guard the forr emperor’s mausoleum of Great Li, resided here.
However, after the attack on Zhao Rong, many have hurriedly fled upon hearing the news, fearful of being caught in the trouble.
Although a few stubborn Confucian scholars remain, many courtyards have been vacated, suitable for Zhao Rong and others to settle at the mont.
This place is also close to the bamboo grove courtyard and the Great Li imperial mausoleum, convenient for Sima Duyi, ng Zhengjun, and Teacher Yan to conduct on-site investigations tomorrow.
Zhao Rong, along with Zhao Lingfei, little Qian’er, Uncle Bai, and other academy ntors like Zhu Yourong, each found a vacant courtyard to settle and rest in the southern direction of the bamboo grove courtyard.
As the night grew deeper, Zhao Rong intended to let the ntors rest first and discuss matters tomorrow. However, Zhao Lingfei, with a gentle smile, proactively suggested that Teacher Yan, Teacher Zhu, and other ntors of her husband have so supper in their courtyard.
Using the beauty of the night as a companion, they enjoyed wine and moonlight.
Zhao Lingfei and little Qian’er had brought along the dishes and fine wine they prepared earlier in the back kitchen.
Teacher Yan, who loves lively places and fine wine, naturally agreed.
Not fond of liveliness, ng Zhengjun glanced at Zhao Rong, thinking it was his intention. After pondering, she decided not to leave.
Their relationship had just improved, and it would be inappropriate to refuse. Besides, she was interested in Zhao Rong’s wife, who had the potential to be a sword immortal.
According to ng Zhengjun’s knowledge, she was one of the most prominent prodigies in the current class of Taiqing Palace, receiving nurous resources.
Yet now, it seed that this prodigy, who should have been dazzling in the four palaces of Taiqing, had beco a dutiful wife cooking for so scholar from her own academy.
A son-in-law achieving such a level of easy dependence, ng Zhengjun was genuinely impressed with this Zhao-nad scholar, so different from those she had seen before who were submissive and weak in front of their wives.
Facing Zhao Lingfei’s expectant gaze, Zhu Yourong also nodded in agreent to stay.
She understood Zhao Lingfei’s intent in keeping them for dinner was to showcase herself and bring honor to her husband.
This sister Lingfei ultimately aid to dispel the current facade of harmony and resolve the estranged state.
Ziyu’s calm deanor made even Zhu Yourong sowhat fearful, let alone his childhood sweethearts.
Zhu Yourong stayed with ng Zhengjun and Yan Jidao, being an unnecessary person, delaying her departure due to so guilt for causing the quarrel between Zhao Rong and Zhao Lingfei.
At the sa ti, she felt an inexplicable sense of unease and loneliness.
Zhu Yourong initially disliked the overt and covert precautions from Zhao Lingfei and the other woman, who treated her with extre courtesy as a total outsider.
Seeing them suffer setbacks, Zhu Yourong felt relieved, but she certainly didn’t want the conflict to intensify and end up being the trigger for Ziyu’s emotional rift with his wives.
This was a matter of ruining soone else’s family.
She was Zhu Yourong, renowned as the Orchid Teacher in Linlu Academy and a foremost Confucian scholar acclaid by the academies of Jiuzhou.
Her upbringing and pride wouldn’t allow her to do such things.
Moreover, this ti Zhao Rong’s response and determined stance, while awakening Zhao Lingfei and Qian’er, also clarified for Zhu Yourong his position and attitude towards their friendship.
Zhu Yourong felt it would be appropriate for her to leave first.
But before leaving, she wanted to see Ziyu’s relationship with his two wives ease a bit, fearing they might beco more estranged.
At that mont, Zhu Yourong agreed to stay and even called Zhao Rong to join them for dinner and drinks, forbidding him from leaving with any excuse.
Zhao Lingfei softly bit her lower lip, casting a grateful glance at Teacher Zhu.
The Confucian-robed woman acknowledged gracefully with a nod.
Seeing everyone else agreed, Sima Duyi also stayed, moreover, he was quite interested in a disciple whom the Mountain Master might favor.
Thus.
An impromptu evening banquet was held amidst the isolated bamboo grove, elegant courtyards, autumn breeze, exquisite dishes, and fine wine…
…
The banquet began.
Held in a courtyard surrounded by the bamboo grove.
Above was a sky full of stars, and in front of them were fine wine and exquisite food.
Zhao Rong, looking up, withdrew his gaze and took a cup of fine wine handed by little Qian’er beside him.
He stared into the crisp nectar in the cup, reflecting a face lost in thought.
The banquet being impromptu, was not overly particular.
Zhao Lingfei and Zhao Qian’er sat on Zhao Rong’s sides, with little Qian’er mainly serving him food and drink, while Zhao Lingfei took on the role of host since her husband was exceptionally quiet tonight, primarily entertaining the ntors for Zhao Rong.
Teachers Yan, ng Zhengjun, and Sima Duyi noticed soone’s unusual silence tonight but assud he was tired and lost in thought after going through much today.
Zhao Lingfei, with one hand lifting her sleeve and five slender fingers of the other hand holding a pair of chopsticks, placed a soy sauce-pickled century egg in a small porcelain bowl for Zhao Rong.
She glanced up slightly from her lowered position at her dazed husband, exchanged a look with little Qian’er, then turned her delicate head gently and went to entertain her husband’s ntors.
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