By evening, Lv Wenguang personally ca to invite the two great figures to the city’s best restaurant, which had been booked for the occasion.
The largest private room upstairs was ready for the welco banquet, while the adjacent rooms and the hall downstairs were filled with waiting guests.
These people had made great efforts at noon to escort the two dignitaries back to their lodging, hurriedly showered and changed clothes, grabbed a quick bite, and then ca to the restaurant to wait.
Song Chongjin and Gu Zikai returned ho to change clothes; Wang Yongzhu and Old Granny Zhang had already prepared so food for them. It was said that the two had only eaten a bit since the morning and were famished.
Both felt sympathy yet amusent.
Gu Zikai fared slightly better, as Old Lady Li had experience in this matter and prepared a clean pouch filled with beef jerky. If he beca extrely hungry, he could eat a couple of pieces to stave off hunger for a while.
But Song Chongjin, still in mourning, could only endure.
Returning ho at noon, he devoured eight pancakes in one go, frightening Old Granny Zhang, who imdiately asked Old Madam Ding to brew hawthorn water for him, fearing he’d overeat.
Old Madam Ding then cut the bread into small pieces, lightly oiled them before carefully roasting them to a golden crisp, and packed them in a clean pouch for Song Chongjin to carry.
He was told to eat a piece if he got too hungry; small and inconspicuous with no strong flavor.
Gu Zikai looked on enviously, for although he had the jerky prepared by Old Lady Li, it lacked the appeal compared to the roasted bread bits.
Upon arriving at the restaurant, given their status, they could only sit in the main hall.
Finally, night fell, and Lv Wenguang escorted the two great figures into the restaurant, leading them upstairs to the private room.
Only vague murmurs could be heard from above, indistinct.
The people in the hall below, although the tables were laden with food and fragrant aromas filled the air, dared not eat heartily.
Each held their chopsticks and wine cups, ears perked to hear the commotion upstairs.
Only Imperial Doctor Du sat in a corner of the restaurant, picking up his chopsticks and eating unabashedly once the dishes arrived, heedless of others.
His tablemates couldn’t help but glance sideways, but recalling that the County Magistrate had invited him upstairs earlier in the day, they speculated about his unusual status and restrained themselves.
But with him eating and them watching, it was unbearable—several young n lacking self-control swallowed hard multiple tis.
What seed trivial was noted by the students of Baiyun Academy, especially since the County Magistrate emphasized the introduction of Changqing Academy’s headmaster while barely ntioning Baiyun Academy earlier today.
Governor Chen exchanged pleasantries with Changqing Academy’s headmaster for half a day, praising its students.
anwhile, Baiyun Academy’s lead Teacher had smiled for ages, eagerly awaiting the County Magistrate’s introduction to speak a few words with Governor Chen.
Unexpectedly, the County Magistrate ntioned him in passing and then fell silent.
Not considering Baiyun Academy was personally appointed by Governor Chen, surely this was disrespectful?
The Teacher maintained a smile before Governor Chen and Zhu Haoran, but his face fell afterward.
The Baiyun Academy students received no praise from Governor Chen either, naturally feeling displeased and thinking Jing County was utterly detestable.
Thus seeing Imperial Doctor Du’s behavior, they began murmuring with mockery, "They say Jing County is the land of manners, educated by Changqing Academy for years, yet there are still people with no decorum? Doesn’t he see this is not the place for such indulgence? Isn’t this disrespectful to Governor Chen and Minister Zhu?"
"Who would’ve thought soone like this would be invited here! What a disgrace to share a room with him!"
"Speak quietly, considering his advanced age, likely he hasn’t eaten such dishes often and couldn’t resist. Just a villager, why bother with him!"
...
Jing County locals wore sour expressions upon hearing this, not ntioning that Imperial Doctor Du had been invited upstairs by the County Magistrate today, his identity mysterious.
Speaking of him being a Jing County native, one of their own, when do these young inexperienced Baiyun Academy students get to run their mouths in Jing County?
Soone imdiately stood up, "How dare you speak like this!"
Upstairs, Lv Wenguang sat uneasily.
The two officials were amiable, making people feel warm, yet Lv Wenguang sensed sothing amiss.
Especially the two great figures, asking about Jing County’s customs and whether it had produced any talents over the years.
Initially, Lv Wenguang answered truthfully, thinking the officials rely wanted to understand Jing County, so he spoke about its unique customs.
But later, he felt it odd; the officials seed very interested in Jing County, making him extrely anxious, answering while pondering their true intentions.
Perhaps sothing occurred in Jing County necessitating their personal attention?
Recalling the upheaval in Qi City a few months ago, cold sweat imdiately broke on Lv Wenguang’s back.
He barely maintained composure on the surface.
At this mont, noises were heard from downstairs, quite loud.
He quickly ordered, "Go down and see what’s happening," while apologizing to the two officials.
Governor Chen and Zhu Haoran waved it off, uninterested, temporarily ceasing their questioning, listening to the commotion below.
Zhu Haoran seemingly recognized a familiar voice, showing curiosity, and spoke before anyone could report back, "Sounds livelier than here. Why don’t we go down and sit?"
Governor Chen, aware of Zhu Haoran’s cautious nature despite his amiable appearance, understood that Zhu Haoran wouldn’t speak casually.
If he suggested going downstairs, sothing was surely amiss.
He nodded instantly, "Indeed, we can’t truly enjoy ourselves remaining up here."
Saying this, both stood to head downstairs to investigate.
Lv Wenguang opened his mouth to restrain them, but held back his words, following the officials downstairs.
Table companions and guests in neighboring rooms, listening to the commotion, quickly followed the officials downstairs.
Coming downstairs, they saw Baiyun Academy students and Jing County youth locked in a heated argunt.
Both sides were flushed with anger, barely kept from fighting by Song Chongjin, Gu Zikai, and a few other mature individuals.
The source of the quarrel, Imperial Doctor Du, remained unfazed, leisurely sipping wine and snacking.
Governor Chen and Zhu Haoran headed downstairs, their first sight being Imperial Doctor Du. Their eyes lit up as they approached, "Imperial Doctor Du, we’ve heard of your retirent to your hotown, realizing your ancestral ho is in Jing County! But why drink alone in this corner? Had we known, we’d have invited you for a toast upstairs!"
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