Chapter 65: Sending Gifts

  "Alright, I've agreed!" Kong Li said with a smile after deep contemplation.

  "Then what about the congratulatory gift?"

  Others are holding a wedding banquet, can't go empty-handed, besides, since it's on behalf of Old Man Kong, can't let oneself pay the bill, Zhu Ziming thought to himself.

  Kong Li waved his hand: "I'm willing to make an exception and accept you as a disciple, but you still can't even give me a gift?"

  Yan Yili was speechless. "Now that Brother Zhu is a millionaire, does he still care about this little bit of silver?"

  Kong Li's words were indeed reasonable, and Zhu Zi Ming had no way to refute them. He glanced around the room with the corner of his eye, spotted a purple flower vase on the bookshelf, and suddenly had an idea. He walked up quickly and picked up the purple flower vase in his hand: "I'll take this as a gift tomorrow."

  This vase is delicate and exquisite, only the size of a palm, with a pattern of purple flowers, which is quite good-looking. However, this vase was bought by the maids from the market as an ornament for each study in the academy, costing less than one or two silver coins. Isn't it too shabby to give this vase to Magistrate Ma?

  Kong Li and Yan Yinli were both crying with laughter, this Zhu Ziming really knew how to stir up trouble. If Master Ma saw that vase, he would surely spit out a few mouthfuls of blood.

  ........

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  The moon is like a silver plate, and the stars are dotted. In front of a mansion on a bustling street with clouds, colorful lanterns are hung high, and people flow endlessly. The gate is as lively as a market.

  The gate of the government office was wide open, with two guards standing on either side, and several servants and maidservants welcoming the arriving guests. These guests were carrying gifts in their hands, with smiles in their eyes, and it could be seen that they were all wearing brocade clothes, indicating that they were all high-ranking officials.

  It's not clear whose big household is having a happy event, with so many people coming to give gifts. However, the people of Lingyun City know that this is a promotion banquet hosted by the new Magistrate Ma of Yun City. This "promotion banquet" is an unwritten rule in the State of Yan, where whenever a new official takes office in a certain place, they will host a banquet for local tycoons and wealthy merchants. However, these wealthy individuals inevitably have to spend a lot of money on flattery and fawning.

  This copper-smelling promotion banquet, how could Confucius be willing to come? Zhu Ziming had already walked to the front of the grand mansion gate, where a bright lantern hung high above the gate, shining brightly on the plaque with the words "Ma Fu" engraved on it.

  "Brother Yan, have you ever attended such a banquet?" Zhu Ziming suddenly turned around and asked Yan Yining.

  Today, Yan Yunli also asked to come along. Now that Lingyun City is in crisis, how can he be at ease with Zhu Ziming coming alone? He shook his head: "I've been studying martial arts at Huoyun Sect since I was a child, and I'm not familiar with the world yet. I haven't even attended an ascension banquet before."

  Zhū Zǐ Míng thought for a moment and chuckled: "Yàn brother, when are you going back to Huǒ Yún Sect? Take me up the mountain to take a look."

  Yan Yun Li looked at him with a bitter smile and said, "Zhu brother, I am just a disciple of the sect too. In our sect, what matters is the level of martial arts skills. Only those with high martial arts skills have status. My identity as the young master probably won't be of much use."

  Zhu Ziming felt a slight disappointment, the Huoyun Sect was being spread by the people of Lingyun City as if it were a myth. The more this was the case, the more Zhu Ziming wanted to go and take a look, but unfortunately, the sect's rules were too many, not allowing outsiders to enter. However, Yan Yiliu had no say in the matter, wanting him to bring himself in was truly a bit difficult.

  In Zhu Ziming's helpless situation, Yan Yining said: "However... Master he has recently returned to the sect, if you go ask him, it might be possible for him to agree."

  The master of the Huoyun Sect? A hint of unusual color flashed in Zhu Ziming's eyes, this was a legendary figure, he looked at him with envy, damn it, not only was he the young master, but also the direct disciple of the Huoyun Sect's master, truly making others feel suffocated.

  Although Zhu Ziming is just an ordinary person, he still has ideals and revenge. Although his ideal of marrying several wives seems too shameful, his revenge is having the ability to protect all the people around him.

  Zhu Ziming never blamed heaven or others. Now he only has to work harder to climb up, in order to have a place in Lingyun City, and even the entire State of Yan.

  "So when are you going back to Huoyun Sect and taking me with you?" asked Zhu Ziming with a smile.

  Zhu brother is really stubborn, Yan Yining murmured: "Maybe next month on the first day I will go back."

  First month, today is the fifteenth day. Isn't there still half a month left? After thinking for a moment, Zhu Ziming said: "Why don't we wait until I attend the poetry gathering in Yan City, and then we can go to Huoyun Sect together?"

  Flaming City Poetry Conference? Yan Yining stared at him in shock: "Could it be that he also invited you?"

  "Who is that?" Zhu Zi asked in surprise: "Who is he?"

  Yan Yun smiled mysteriously: "You'll know when the time comes, but he never participates in poetry meetings, only being the boss behind the scenes. I don't know if he will show up this time either."

  Zhu Ziming shook his head and didn't care who it was. He had planned to go on a trip to enjoy the mountains and rivers anyway, not to participate in some poetry competition.

  "Let's go in, Brother Yan," the two of them chatted for a few sentences outside the door. At this time, most of the guests at Ma's residence had already gone inside, and there were only a few people left outside the door.

  Yan Yunli nodded and followed Zhu Ziming into the room.

  As they walked up to the grand gate, two guards from the mansion stretched out their hands: "Please show your invitation cards, young masters."

  Zhu Ziming took out the invitation from his bosom and handed it to the doorman, who saw the name written on the invitation - Kong Li. Isn't this Mr. Kong? However, looking at the age of the two people in front of him, they could be Master Kong's grandchildren.

  The two gentlemen furrowed their brows: "May I ask, sirs, why Mr. Kong has not arrived?"

  Zhu Ziming smiled and said: "Our master is unwell, so he couldn't come. Therefore, he sent us two disciples to congratulate you on your promotion, Lord Ma."

  "Are you a disciple of Mr. Kong?" Another guard asked in surprise: "Isn't Mr. Kong someone who never accepts disciples?"

  It seems that Confucius is indeed famous far and wide, even this small courtyard knows the rules of Kong Li - not being a teacher.

  Yan Yun smiled faintly and said: "Brother, you're wrong. We are the named disciples of our benevolent master, but we haven't officially entered the sect yet. We still need to wait for our master's test."

  The guard was taken aback, feeling somewhat displeased. This Confucius truly doesn't know what's good for him. The master values him so much, yet he didn't come himself and instead sent two registered disciples, which really doesn't show respect to the master.

  Although annoyed in her heart, the other party had already arrived, and today was also a banquet for adults. The two guards didn't want to offend them, so they said indifferently: "You can go in."

  Zhu Ziming handed the gift in his hand to a servant and swaggered into the house with Yan Yinyi.