The Lucky Farmgirl
Chapter 1035 - 114 Grudges and Kindness Part 1

Chapter 1035: Chapter 114 Grudges and Kindness Part 1

Mr. Jiang nodded in agreement and entered the study with Mr. Zhuang.

Their study was chosen to be the most spacious and brightly lit one because there were four scholars in the family and Manbao needed to take lessons there.

Upon entering, there were three rows of bookshelves against the left wall, all filled with books, and another row of bookshelves along the right wall, equally laden with volumes.

In front of the bookshelves were three small desks and chairs in a row, each with ink, paper, brushes, inkstones, and several books scattered atop in a somewhat disordered fashion.

Mr. Jiang glanced briefly before shifting his gaze to the large desk at the center towards the top, clearly Mr. Zhuang’s spot.

Mr. Jiang smiled and was about to step forward to see what books Mr. Zhuang usually read when his attention was caught by a pot of champak at the edge of the desk that had just split open, revealing millet-yellow buds like tiny teeth.

He moved forward in a daze, staring at the pot of flowers.

Mr. Zhuang saw this and smiled faintly, joining him and saying, "This champak has accompanied me all the way from Mianzhou to the capital. I was afraid it would suffer on the journey, but to my surprise, it showed resilience. Within two months it had adapted, and not only that, it even started to bud anew, and it looks quite spirited—an unexpected joy indeed."

Mr. Jiang was speechless for a while; unlike most people who loved peonies, his favorite was the orchid.

Especially ones of such a light and elegant color.

Mr. Jiang grabbed Mr. Zhuang’s hand, his eyes shining as he asked, "Zhuangzi, don’t you think this orchid is kind of superfluous, something that’s nice to have but not essential?"

Mr. Zhuang: ...

Mr. Zhuang pulled his hand away, saying, "I don’t think so. I brought it here on purpose."

It was precisely because he couldn’t bear to leave it alone at home, blooming without anyone to appreciate it—what a waste of natural beauty.

Mr. Jiang wished he could glue his eyes to the orchid, but he managed to restrain himself, merely sighing, "Well then, it seems I have a fate with it without the fortune to own it. I’ll just have to come to see it often."

Mr. Zhuang laughed, "You’re welcome anytime."

Mr. Jiang looked around, browsed his bookshelves, and then asked, "Shall we drink here?"

"This isn’t a good spot. Let’s go to the garden to drink."

In the capital’s mid-autumn, the weather had already turned cool, and they sat under a large tree by a stone table, drinking and dining while a autumn breeze blew and they engaged in conversation—utterly content.

The meal was thoroughly enjoyed by both the host and the guest. After seeing Mr. Jiang out, Mr. Zhuang yawned and forced himself to gather his energy to call the three children who were dozing off in the study for a talk, "Where are the characters Mr. Jiang gave you?"

Manbao replied, "We’ve kept them safe."

Mr. Zhuang nodded and continued, "Mr. Jiang’s calligraphy is extremely good, famous not only in the capital but throughout the Great Jin. You must keep his gift safe and study it often—do you understand?"

The three nodded incessantly, then supported their teacher on either side as they helped him to sit down inside the study, bringing him tea and water, "Teacher, did you not get into an argument with Chen Fulin today?"

Mr. Zhuang lifted his teacup and, upon hearing the question, lifted his eyelids to glance at them, "Arguing is bad behavior; in the future, even if you have nothing else to do, argue less, and certainly don’t argue over matters—understand?"

The three nodded perfunctorily, and Bai Shan continued to ask, "Teacher, what exactly is your grievance with Chen Fulin?"

"Adult matters are none of children’s concern."

"But I think he definitely knows where we live by now and also knows where we work and study," Manbao said, "Teacher, considering how he had people tail us that day, do you think he might secretly try to trip us up?"

"Yes, teacher, if you don’t tell us what grudge you have with him, we wouldn’t even know how to take precautions."

After pondering for a moment, Mr. Zhuang replied, "Right now he is just a fifth-rank official; he can’t really trip us up."

After all, they were currently associated with the imperial prince, a rank above the first-grade, and even opposing people from the palace, like the empress dowager. Of course, the enemies were not yet aware of their existence, but their friends—Lord Wei, Lord Tang, and others certainly had people watching over them.

So, he didn’t think Chen Fulin could cause them any real harm, but...

Remembering his previously used tactics, as well as their past grievances, Mr. Zhuang still furrowed his brows, then looked at his three disciples.

Their eyes sparkled as they gazed back at him.

Mr. Zhuang sighed, knowing they were just full of curiosity, wanting to hear a story.

Yet, if Chen Fulin truly did not wish for him to remain in the capital, perhaps he might indeed do something. By then, Mr. Zhuang himself wouldn’t have much to worry about—he was already of advanced age, with skin thick enough not to compare to himself in his earlier years.

But the three children...

Mr. Zhuang rubbed his forehead, and Manbao quickly came over to massage his head, saying, "Teacher, is it perhaps the years are too far gone, and you don’t remember anymore? It’s fine; take your time to think."

Bai Shan refilled Mr. Zhuang’s teacup, "Have another cup of tea, teacher."

Bai Erlang pushed the pastries on the table forward, "Have some pastries, teacher."

Mr. Zhuang glared at them irritably, the flaring anger and sadness in his heart dissipating in an instant. He waved Manbao back to her seat and, after flicking his robe, said, "My memory isn’t that bad. Chen Fulin, he and I were once fellow students at the prefectural school."

He paused and then said, "I came from a poor family and joined school late. We didn’t have many books at home, so when I was admitted to the prefectural school, I was already quite old."

"However, I was lucky at that time. The new dynasty had just been established, and the conflicts in the Central Plains and our Jiannan region had settled, marking an era of reconstruction that desperately needed talents," Mr. Zhuang said, "Actually, with my abilities, I wouldn’t have been admitted to the prefectural school."

But it was just after the war; many had died, the school lacked teachers, students were few, and there weren’t many test-takers, so he was able to get in easily.

"Not just the prefectural school, but the Imperial Academy in the capital was in a state of reconstruction, so for a few years, the Academy would allocate direct admission slots to the prefectural schools around the country, as well as slots for major exams." Mr. Zhuang silenced for a moment before continuing, "Although my talent was average, I worked hard and thus was chosen by the prefectural school to become one of the students sent to study at the Imperial Academy. However, the list was changed the night before it was to be submitted."

Manbao’s eyes widened, instantly guessing, "Was it changed to Chen Fulin?"

Mr. Zhuang nodded.

Bai Shan pressed her lips together and said, "That’s not right. Didn’t the school investigate?"

Mr. Zhuang gave a bitter smile, "They did. The school claimed it was because our teacher had said that I voluntarily gave up my slot, and the one ranked after me was Chen Fulin."

The three: ... It’s no wonder the uncles and senior disciples from the Huang Family always seemed slightly uneasy around Mr. Zhuang. They had always heard the uncles saying something about feeling sorry for the teacher—turns out they genuinely had something to feel sorry about.