To be able to study at Bocai Academy was already a blessing from the heavens for Old Master Yao. Yet, this rebellious son of his actually wanted to waste his days at the Imperial Academy. He truly dared to dream...
Just then, Old Master Yao's wife, Madam Sun, walked in. Seeing her husband fuming and about to explode, she asked, "Master, what's wrong? Who are you sulking with?"
"Who else could it be?" Old Master Yao shot Madam Sun a glare and took a swig of wine. "Look at the rebellious son you bore. He even dares to threaten me now, cough, cough..."
Madam Sun, upon hearing this, muttered indignantly, "Without you, I wouldn't have been able to give birth!"
Old Master Yao froze for a moment, nearly spitting out blood on the spot...
This blockhead, that prodigal son was truly a chip off the old block, just like her.
"No more drinking, no more drinking. The more I drink, the more suffocated I feel. I'm leaving!" Old Master Yao put down his wine cup and shuffled off the heated brick bed.
Although the Yao mansion was luxurious, Old Master Yao couldn't sleep on soft beds. Therefore, he had specifically installed a heated brick bed and wall. In the depths of winter, when the outside was covered in ice and snow, the room inside was as warm as spring...
Seeing Old Master Yao put on his padded coat and head out, Madam Sun quickly stopped him, "Master, where are you going?"
"What else can I do?" Old Master Yao nudged Madam Sun and stepped over the threshold. "I'm going to do something for your unaccomplished son..."
After all, having mingled in the capital for so many years, Old Master Yao still had some connections in private.
Take the matter of Yao Jin Sheng studying at Bocai Academy, for instance. Based on his grades, he definitely wouldn't have been able to get in. But Old Master Yao was wealthy and powerful, and he smoothed things over with money...
Leaving the Yao mansion, Old Master Yao, with a heavy heart, climbed into his carriage and vigorously rubbed the walnuts in his hands.
The coachman turned back and asked, "M-Master, where are we going?"
"Let me think!" Old Master Yao frowned, pondering deeply, before asking in a low voice, "Who is in charge of the Imperial Academy right now?"
The coachman scratched his head. "It seems... it seems to be Scholar Qian!"
"Where does he live?"
"Uh... go to the end of this street, turn left, and you'll see it!"
Upon hearing this, Old Master Yao waved his hand. "Let's go, find Scholar Qian!"
One must address the issue at its core, otherwise, any effort would be in vain.
Yao Jin Sheng was truly asking for the impossible, demanding two spots at once. Why didn't he just fly to heaven?
However, Old Master Yao had heard of this Scholar Qian. He was a man of integrity, upright and honest, who never accepted private payments...
Therefore, it would probably be difficult to appease him.
"When we pass by the bank, get two hundred taels of silver notes, and buy some things!" Old Master Yao instructed.
Even if he didn't accept money, one couldn't go empty-handed...
The coachman nodded hesitantly, "Y-yes, Master!"
Meanwhile, Scholar Qian, who was enjoying a hearty meal at the Yun family's residence, found the food truly delicious. Looking at the table full of fragrant dishes and the famous Yunnan tea specially sent by Chu Jiang Tun, his stomach felt incredibly content...
"Haha, Brother Qian, try these peanuts. They're deep-fried in oil, each one golden and plump, and they crunch when you bite into them. Here, let me scoop another spoonful for you!"
Old Man Yun, with his neck flushed red from drinking, picked up a small spoon and scooped a spoonful of peanuts for Scholar Qian...
"Burp, truly, truly good!" Scholar Qian let out a burp, his mind a little hazy but his heart very pleased. "Brother Yun, do you still have your pickled cabbage? Bring another one over, please. This stuff not only goes well with rice but also with wine, haha!"
He felt that even the best restaurants in the capital couldn't make such delicious food...
Most of the dishes on the table today were prepared by Madam Gu, with the cooks and maids helping out. Therefore, the food had a distinct rustic flavor.
"Pickled cabbage? We have plenty. Old woman, go get a few more, and let Brother Qian take some with him when he leaves later..." Old Man Yun called out with a smile.
Madam Gu poured Scholar Qian a cup of tea and said with a smile, "If you want to eat pickles, just come to my house. It doesn't matter if it's winter or summer, we always have them!"
Scholar Qian, upon hearing this, was in a great mood. "That's why I love being neighbors with simple folk like you. I came empty-handed today without bringing anything, so I'll leave this jade pendant for you..."
Saying this, Scholar Qian took out a jade pendant from his sleeve and placed it on the dining table.
Madam Gu squinted and looked. The jade pendant appeared old, and the craftsmanship was passable. It wasn't an object of immense value.
However, judging by the degree of wear on its surface, this jade pendant had likely accompanied Scholar Qian for many years...
Madam Gu was not someone who was greedy for wealth or possessions. How could she accept a guest's jade pendant?
"Scholar Qian, we are neighbors. It's normal to gather for a meal. How can we accept your jade pendant? Please take it back quickly, lest you lose it again after drinking too much..." Madam Gu pushed the jade pendant back into Scholar Qian's hand.
Scholar Qian smiled helplessly, unconcerned. "If you ask me, you're all too polite. This jade pendant was also given to me by someone else. It's not valuable. Consider it a meeting gift today. If you don't accept it, I'll be so embarrassed!"
That's right, for a renowned scholar like Scholar Qian, the gifts he received each year could be calculated in cartloads...
So, giving away a jade pendant was nothing.
Seeing the embarrassed expressions on both Old Man Yun and Madam Gu, Scholar Qian smiled slightly. "How about this? Consider this jade pendant as my gift to your grandson, Jin He. If you accept my jade pendant, he must study hard and become a top scholar in the future!"
It was meant as encouragement for him...
After much back and forth for half an hour, Old Man Yun carefully put away the jade pendant, intending to give it to Jin He when he returned.
Just then, Steward Li walked into the main hall. "Master, there's a guest outside looking for Scholar Qian!"
Old Man Yun asked curiously, "What guest?"
Steward Li was also a bit puzzled. "It's... it's Old Master Yao!"
The richest man in the capital, suddenly looking for Master Qian, what could he want?
Could it be that he wanted to spend money to buy a diploma?
"No matter, all visitors are guests. Have him come in..." Old Man Yun waved his hand.
"Certainly!"
A moment later, Old Master Yao, carrying bags and packages, bustled into the main hall.
He had just visited the neighbors. The servant said Master Qian was drinking at a neighbor's house, so Old Master Yao changed direction and found his way here...
"Oh, Scholar Qian, you truly look spirited and full of good fortune!" Old Master Yao, with a beaming smile, stepped forward to greet him. "This humble subject has heard of Scholar Qian's esteemed reputation since early morning. Seeing you today, you are indeed extraordinary!"
As a businessman, Old Master Yao's tongue was naturally nimble. He was eloquent and tactful, with a thick skin as tough as beef tendon...
Scholar Qian, looking utterly bewildered: "???"