Minister of Rites Elder Fan, this time, truly invested a fortune to woo this disciple.
Originally, he was quite reluctant to part with his most precious possessions, after all, he had only read one essay from the person. There’s always a risk that even a horse may stumble and a person may misjudge; no matter how keen his eye, what if he was blind this time?
Besides, to put down such a huge bet before the person was even in his grasp—what if it all went to waste? What a great joke that would be, and Feng Lianian, that upstart, was just waiting to laugh at him!
As he hesitated in his own study over which rare book to take—and which to give away—a servant reported, saying he heard from the students at the Imperial Academy that Taiyuan Prefecture’s Jieyuan was incomparably brilliant, and had debated the Doctrine of the Mean with Minister Qin in Chongwen Pavilion.
Excellent! It was not in vain that he had set his sights on this disciple.
To gain something, one must be willing to give something up. Feng Lianian had already gained the upper hand; if he did not act now, it would be too late.
No longer caring about the pain, he resolved that even if it meant using his own rare books, he would secure that disciple.
And so, this scene occurred where he "accidentally" left behind a rare book, and quickly left to avoid suspicion. He walked far away, not talking to anyone, not interacting with anyone. The rare book he "accidentally" left behind didn’t count as breaking any rules or propriety.
After he walked a distance, he always found a hidden corner to observe. When he saw his future disciple pick up his rare book, he revealed a meaningful smile. The rare books of the Fan Family were only for his descendants and disciples to see. By this logic, this disciple could not escape him.
That Feng Lianian upstart thinks he can compete with him? He needs to eat a few more decades of rice!
Returning to the events inside Canglan Court.
After eating his fill, Xiao Jizi took advantage of his master’s noon rest, donned his Eunuch Manager Uniform, and began strutting around the court, flaunting himself as if afraid the inhabitants of Canglan Court wouldn’t know he’d been promoted.
He even went to the main gate to look around, under the pretense of "inspecting the area"!
As a Managing eunuch, he carried great responsibility and had to check all the places to ensure his master’s safety.
The two Young Eunuchs from Star Palace nodded in agreement, affirming that Brother Xiao Ji was correct.
He put on a serious face, contemplating the heavy burden; this main gate was Canglan Court’s first line of defense. It was paramount, demanding utmost carefulness and alertness. Suspicious persons and people of the night must be kept out at all costs, and even items entering the court must be examined thoroughly.
The two Young Eunuchs thoroughly agreed, indeed, Brother Xiao Ji’s teachings were truly correct.
Xiao Jizi took a few steps outside the gate and stepped on something unusual. He immediately moved his foot and picked up a small stone, lamenting how such a stone could be in such a critical place—what if it tripped His Majesty or the master?
The two Young Eunuchs had an epiphany; attentiveness was the first rule in serving a master—nothing could be overlooked. No wonder Brother Xiao Ji, in such a short time with Master Lian, had been promoted to Managing eunuch. His meticulous attention was definitely worth emulating.
Xiao Jizi felt satisfied, patted the shoulders of the two Young Eunuchs, and told them they had worked hard.
Just as he was about to turn around and stroll elsewhere, he saw Xiao Linzi hurrying back with a food box, waving excitedly upon seeing him.
His brow furrowed as he looked up at the sun and then back at the cheerful Xiao Linzi, feeling that something was not quite right.
He walked over with his hands clasped behind his back, inspecting Xiao Linzi from left to right. Xiao Linzi’s smile gradually faded as he started to feel uneasy, asking what was wrong.
Finally, he spoke, "Didn’t you go to deliver roasted chicken to Consort Fang Pin?"
This can’t be, how could it be so quick!
"Yes, it was returned," Xiao Linzi nodded, then couldn’t help but excitedly say, "Brother Xiao Ji, you look really dapper in this outfit, it’s quite flattering!"
Upon hearing this, Xiao Jizi couldn’t help but smile, then suddenly came to his senses and his smile dissipated, "You fool, stop joking around, be serious. I asked you something, you didn’t take long, how come you’ve returned already?"
For someone like him, it should have taken at least a Shichen to return!
Xiao Linzi scratched his head, not understanding, "I just... went there, then came back..."
"Did you see Consort Fang Pin?"
Well, that’s strange!
Xiao Jizi was greatly puzzled and couldn’t figure it out, so he directly asked, "How did you deliver it?"
"Oh." Xiao Linzi obediently replied, "I just walked over, met Sister Jin Xi, requested to see Consort Fang Pin, put down the roast chicken, bowed, and left. That’s how I delivered it."
Xiao Jizi was shocked. He had thought the same initially, but how could Consort Fang Pin let someone off so easily?
He quickly grabbed Xiao Linzi’s shoulder, urgently asking, "Didn’t Consort Fang Pin say anything?"
Xiao Linzi said, "She did, maybe a lot, Brother Xiao Ji, do you want to hear it? But I remembered afterwards that I had to pass on congratulations to you, so I left. I only heard a bit, didn’t catch everything."
Xiao Jizi was confused. She might have said a lot, but he only heard some—how was that not contradictory?
Seeing Xiao Jizi’s expression, Xiao Linzi thought he wanted to hear it and began to explain willingly, "The moment Consort Fang Pin saw me, she was very happy, wiping her eyes with a handkerchief and asking me if ’Sister Lian sent a delicacy to grace our palace?’ I replied, ’No, it’s roast chicken.’ Consort Fang Pin paused the hand wiping her eyes."
"Consort then continued wiping away, very emotionally saying, ’Sister Lian thinks of us, especially sending such fine food, I am deeply moved, what merit or ability do I...’ When I saw she was mistaken again, I hurriedly corrected her, ’Consort, it’s roast chicken, not fine food,’ and Consort paused again."
"Then, Consort stopped wiping her eyes and ordered Jin Xi to open the food box lid. Seeing the roast chicken inside, Consort became very touched and told me, ’I am so pleased to eat such delicacies from the mountains, truly blessed by Sister Lian.’ Since Consort Fang Pin was still mistaken, I continued correcting her, ’Consort, it’s not a mountain delicacy, it’s roast chicken, a very common bird’s dish,’ and Consort stopped her words once more."
Xiao Jizi stared wide-eyed in shock, mouth agape, this actually worked? It seemed like he had grasped something...
But there was more, as Xiao Linzi continued, "...Consort didn’t dismiss me, nor spoke to me again. She saw the roast chicken still hot and joyfully said to Jin Xi, ’It’s still warm, Sister Lian’s regard for me is as intense and fervent as a child’s...’ As soon as I heard this wasn’t right, I interrupted Consort, informing her that there was a charcoal fire at the bottom of the food box to keep the chicken warm..."
Xiao Jizi’s eyes grew wider the more he listened, oh my goodness, it could go ???
By the end, he finally understood why Xiao Linzi had returned so quickly!
Consort Fang and this simpleton were absolutely talking past each other, like playing the lute to a cow, irrespective of how pretentious and affected Consort Fang behaved, this simpleton could set her straight, so how could Consort Fang possibly continue with this fool!!!
Brilliant, this simpleton, a fool’s luck, truly brilliant!