Luh Xingze waited at the intersection where Ju Nanyi finished his duties, and upon seeing Ju Nanyi erging, the setting sun’s afterglow shone on his figure, which was as clear and bright as the gentle breeze under the moonlight. He was tall and upright, possessing the steadiness to withstand fierce winds and waves and the reserved nature of embracing all rivers. For a mont, Luh Xingze was srized. After a few years of not seeing him, Ju Nanyi, who had always been a big brother to him and whose presence had convinced him more than his own parents, now carried himself with a deanor that reflected his character in every gesture and step.
He was no longer the naive villager who had never seen the world. Two years ago, Big Brother Nanyi had almost started from nothing, just like him, but had now reached this position today. With such a character and appearance, even strangers passing by would exclaim in admiration upon seeing Big Brother Nanyi. With such an appearance, Luh Xingze felt that daughters of Aristocratic Gentry Clans had indeed never had the chance to et Big Brother Nanyi, otherwise, how could they not fall in love with him?
Two years later, would he beco a person like Big Brother Nanyi?
Luh Xingze slightly lowered his head, lost in a mont of reverie, and then rembered Mother Ju’s concerns. He thought it was impossible, although all their colleagues were n, those who had befriended Big Brother Nanyi had already established their families and didn’t seem to fit the description either.
"Brother Nanyi—" Luh Xingze stepped forward, happily greeting Ju Nanyi.
"Xingze, why are you here?" Ju Nanyi was surprised, and glanced towards Yiren Street.
"Brother Nanyi, today is a day off, are you still working?" Luh Xingze approached, wanting to drape his arm around Ju Nanyi’s shoulders as he had always enjoyed hanging off him since he was young, but halfway through, he hesitated and lowered his hand, feeling an unspoken sanctity about the man that made one dare not profane.
"I had a few tasks originally, although they weren’t urgent. Since I had nothing else to do at ho, I decided to take care of them," Ju Nanyi said with a slight smile, "What brought you here today?"
Ju Nanyi realized that Luh Xingze had been specially waiting for him, but with the Empress Dowager’s birthday approaching, they had a large amount of Life-Sustaining Scripture to transcribe, which he knew would take a very long ti.
"Hey! Brother Nanyi, you don’t know, by going through this transcription of the Life-Sustaining Scripture, I truly revere Shen Houmu and Mu Qingfeng deeply. Their speed is like combating ten n alone, and they write with both hands better than you, it’s really maddening to compare oneself to others," Luh Xingze exaggeratedly said, his face showing a defeated and heartbroken expression.
Ju Nanyi was amused by his expression and patted his shoulder.
"Let’s go, let’s gather outside, I’ll treat you."
"No, no, how can I let you treat , making it seem as though I’ve co just to make you pay for a al. I must treat you this ti, you can treat next ti," Luh Xingze imdiately panicked.
"Alright, let’s go, I know a good place," Ju Nanyi didn’t insist. Understanding Luh Xingze’s temperant well, the two walked towards the street of Yiren Street under the afterglow of the sunset.
"These days have really been tough, but luckily, the tasks are nearly complete now. Prince Duan was very pleased and said that the day after tomorrow, he would like to treat us to drinks," Luh Xingze, having had a couple of drinks, was getting into high spirits. He hadn’t expected that just after starting his trials, he could get such a good assignnt. Not only had he remained in Zheng Capital, but the first task he did, although not very important, was highly regarded. Prince Duan was a good superior too, without the airs of a prince, often checking on their work progress and patiently guiding them.
Ju Nanyi glanced at Luh Xingze and kept silent. This had to be scrutinized. Given Prince Duan’s abilities and discernnt, to scrutinize for so many days was already extrely cautious, much more cautious compared to Nann Yu.
"Just the four of you?" Ju Nanyi asked nonchalantly.
Luh Xingze was startled; he hadn’t thought of this question and unknowingly nodded, yes just the four of them. Prince Duan said it was to reward them for their recent hard work, was there a problem?
"Big Brother Nanyi, what’s wrong?" Luh Xingze felt that Ju Nanyi wouldn’t ask such a question without a reason and imdiately stretched his neck, his eyes inquiringly looking at Ju Nanyi.
"I was just asking naturally. Technically, your direct superior is Lord Lin, but Prince Duan bypassed Lord Lin and directly invited the four of you, hence my question. However, your current task is to transcribe the Life-Sustaining Scripture for the Empress Dowager, who is Prince Duan’s biological mother. It’s natural for him to care deeply for you for her sake," Ju Nanyi explained slowly.
Luh Xingze nodded in sudden realization; how could he have not considered this? But rembering how Prince Duan truly cared for them, it was really about the birthday gift for the Empress Dowager.
"Now that you ntion it, I also feel that Prince Duan indeed cares about us," Luh Xingze said, indicating that Prince Duan was filial.
Ju Nanyi picked up his cup and drank, the spicy stimulation from his throat to his chest calming him slightly, as Prince Duan indeed cared more than about anything else.
How could he not care? Princess Chao Ren was the only lingering thought of Prince Duan left in this world, he had done unimaginable things out of anger for his beloved. Since the birth of Princess Chao Ren, for her sake, Prince Duan had been bearing humiliations for over a decade and had beco a leisurely prince without any regrets—now, being cautious about the Monarch’s marital affairs was naturally very careful.
Thus, it was probably not just a simple invitation for drinks, Prince Duan was already very satisfied. This had to be scrutinized.
In Ju Nanyi’s mind, uncontrollably thinking, how to scrutinize, where would she sit? Would the secluded inner chamber with curtains drawn, and the youthful and lively figure attract her?
"Brother Nanyi, Brother Nanyi?" Luh Xingze held his wine cup in mid-air for a long while, shouting twice, but got no response.
Ju Nanyi ca to his senses, raised his wine cup, and clinked it without any change in expression.
"Brother Nanyi, are you preoccupied?" Luh Xingze recalled his aunt’s words and pressed on.
Ju Nanyi glanced at Luh Xingze and didn’t think much of it.
"It’s the river affairs, sowhat tricky, just recalling so matters," Ju Nanyi replied, looking as usual as if everything was ordinary.
Luh Xingze also felt that there could be nothing else. Then recalling what Mother Ju had said, through their conversation, Luh Xingze felt it was even less likely.
The current Brother Nanyi, before him, had a clear and objective understanding of the situation and the imperial court, neither pessimistic nor impulsive, silently and steadily changing things step by step.
Although this change was minimal, Luh Xingze believed that as long as there were more people like Brother Nanyi, the imperial court would definitely evolve gradually towards a better direction.
...
Qi Yu received such news and didn’t know whether he should pass it on or not, he even knew without looking, that His Highness would definitely be very angry if he knew of this news.
Prince Duan was so eager to arrange for the Commandery Princess to scrutinize, couldn’t he wait a bit longer, what could be discerned in just a few days?
As the saying goes, it takes a long ti to see a person’s heart; what if these few were all wolves in sheep’s clothing?
Reluctantly but not daring to delay, Qi Yu passed on the ssage.
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