Zhang San, please behave yourself!
Chapter 722 - 662: Wang Family’s Minor Moves

Chapter 722: Chapter 662: Wang Family’s Minor Moves

In the following days, Grand Preceptor Ren Buqun began a life of strict care.

Every morning, Ren Buqun thought it was only natural for someone his age to sleep in.

But just when he was about to enjoy a blissful snooze, he heard a knock at the door.

"Grand Preceptor, time to get up," someone called out.

Ren Buqun snorted coldly, pretending to hear nothing.

Boom—

The next moment, Baili Niezhen kicked the door down and rushed to his bedside, prying his eyelids open to check on him.

"Scared me to death! I thought something happened to you when you didn’t respond. It’s good you’re fine. So... shall we get up?"

The helpless Grand Preceptor had no choice but to get up, wash himself, change his clothes, and then have breakfast.

It has to be said, the skills of these cat-eared ladies weren’t bad, it’s just... how come my meal was cleared when I haven’t had my fill.

"Hey! I’m not done eating yet!"

"Grand Preceptor, you’re getting on in years, and your digestion isn’t what it used to be, you can’t eat too much. That’s enough for now. After eating, it’s time to get some exercise."

What Grand Preceptor Ren Buqun envisioned as exercise was a stroll in the yard, followed by basking in the sun on a rocking chair.

Who in their right mind does weighted runs around the yard after breakfast! And there’s someone standing by with a whip, watching you with a hawkish gaze.

Then, for lunch, it was all vegetables, not a hint of meat or fish in sight.

Though he could take a nap after lunch, he astonishingly had to exercise again in the afternoon.

I am a scholar, not a martial artist!

So, in just a few days, the Grand Preceptor lost seven or eight pounds.

While he was still an old man, he looked much more spirited than usual.

Even the Grand Preceptor started to wonder if there was some merit to these half-demon women’s training methods.

"I feel my health has improved lately, can I leave the yard now?"

Upon hearing this, Baili Niezhen hurried over to take the Grand Preceptor’s pulse.

"Grand Preceptor, you’re kidneys, what a deficit! This won’t do, come on, sisters, go to the pharmacy of the Imperial College and get some medicine, tell them the Grand Preceptor has kidney deficiency and needs something to bolster it. Hurry!"

That very day, the whole Imperial College was abuzz with the news of the Grand Preceptor’s kidney weakness.

It was from that day forward that the Grand Preceptor suddenly found the idea of not going out quite appealing.

After all, going out would only add to the embarrassment.

And as Zhang San’s soft approach finally had the Grand Preceptor settled, now, in the Imperial College, there was only one voice to be heard.

That was the voice of Zhang San.

But oftentimes, Zhang San didn’t handle the matters himself and instead delegated much to Preceptor Situ.

Just as Zhang San felt that he didn’t need to worry about the Imperial College anymore, Han Baiwen came looking for him.

Obviously, there was some new development with the Wang Family.

"Let’s hear it, what exactly is going on?" Zhang San asked Han Baiwen.

With a triumphant smile, Han Baiwen whispered to Zhang San, "Brother San, your previous guess was correct. Although the news of this incident came from beyond the Capital, at the tavern where it first spread, there were members of the Wang Family. Then, as the news began to circulate a bit, some went to ask the people of the Wang Family. They took the opportunity to go with the flow, claiming they had also heard about the matter."

"But actually, according to my investigation, the Wang Family members in the Capital had not left the Capital for quite some time. Moreover, as soon as the news entered the Capital, the members of the Wang Family were consciously spreading it. On the surface, it indeed looks like others brought the news from outside the Capital, but a detailed investigation reveals that it’s actually the people of the Wang Family who are spreading the news behind the scenes."

Zhang San nodded slightly.

He had known all along that it must be the Wang Family’s doing.

Moreover, when others speak of this matter, it is taken as entertainment, not to be taken seriously.

But if the Wang Family’s own people say the same, the credibility greatly increases.

At this thought, Zhang San furrowed his brows and turned to ask Han Baiwen, "So, which members of the Wang Family are involved in this matter? And who among Wang Ziteng’s entourage is aware?"

Han Baiwen pulled out a list from the Storage Ring and handed it to Zhang San.

"Brother San, everyone listed here has either been involved in this affair or is absolutely aware of it. I’ve also asked Wang Ziteng, and it turns out someone did inform him about it. Therefore, some people under Wang Ziteng are indeed confidants, but others, in reality, still hold allegiance to the Wang Family."

Zhang San understood and looked at the list in his hand, suddenly feeling that three of the names seemed familiar.

"This Wang Quexiao, this Wang Litong, and this Wang Buying, are they all students from the Imperial College?"

Han Baiwen nodded.

Zhang San thought for a moment, then the corners of his mouth began to lift.

"I still have some matters to attend to at the Imperial College. Han Baiwen, go find Wang Ziteng and tell him that for the coming period, no matter what move the Wang Family makes, or if they need his help with anything, just agree to it."

Though Han Baiwen did not know what Zhang San was planning, the upturned corners of Zhang San’s mouth told him that someone was in for misfortune.

After sending Han Baiwen away, Zhang San went to look for the Grand Preceptor, Ren Buqun.

Lately, Ren Buqun had truly been in a dilemma.

On one hand, he felt his health had greatly improved, so he should take charge of the affairs at the Imperial College, no longer allowing Zhang San to suppress him.

On the other hand, his kidney weakness had become common knowledge throughout the Imperial College, known to everyone and no secret to anyone.

Going out under these circumstances would be quite embarrassing.

And just as he was agonizing over what to do, Zhang San came visiting again.

Ren Buqun was sitting in the courtyard’s small pavilion stewing in his mood, showing no pleasant face upon seeing Zhang San.

Particularly since the last time Zhang San had come to visit, he had at least brought some gifts, but this time he came empty-handed.

Zhang San, unabashed, walked directly into the pavilion and sat opposite the Grand Preceptor.

"I’ve heard that the Grand Preceptor has been recuperating lately. I wonder if you are feeling better?"

The Grand Preceptor snorted coldly and continued to play it cool.

"I recall that in less than a month, it will be the Grand Preceptor’s birthday. Unfortunately, I have some matters to attend to on Longyun Path around that time, so I’m afraid I won’t be able to celebrate with you. Therefore, I plan to hold the celebration a few days in advance. After all, it’s the auspicious age of seventy-three. As the Grand Preceptor of our Imperial College, how could we not celebrate it grandly?"

Upon hearing this, the Grand Preceptor thought,

Oh!?

Why is this kid thinking of pleasing me again?

"Would it be improper to have the birthday celebration in advance?"

"You can rest assured, Grand Preceptor, I’ve checked, and in three days, it will be an auspicious day! Especially good, celebrating a birthday on that day will bring longevity. Then, I will organize a lavish birthday feast for you. On one hand, we’ll be celebrating your birthday, and on the other, we’ll be celebrating your recovery. How does that sound?"

Although the Grand Preceptor wanted to keep up his cool front a while longer, his mouth began to curl up in a smile that he just couldn’t suppress.

After all, he had been eating too blandly these days, and the mere thought of lamb and fine wine at the birthday feast made the premature celebration seem not too bad at all.

"Well then... I’ll leave everything in the capable hands of Preceptor Zhang."

"Not at all, Grand Preceptor, you are my senior. In the future, I will still be looking forward to your support and guidance."

At this moment, the Grand Preceptor, Ren Buqun, was certain that Zhang San must have caught wind of something, or perhaps the Confucianism sect had been making moves recently, which made Zhang San reluctant to treat him as he had before.

That must be it.

Hmph, hmph!

To contend with me, boy, you are still a bit too green!