Volume 1 Chapter 7 Turbulent Times, Seeking a Study Companion

  Tang Guan took in the pitiful sight of Lin's mother and daughter, while on the other side, the banquet was in full swing with wine flowing and dishes served. The scholars were engaged in lively discussions, but He Zhi-zhang remained silent throughout.

  "Brother Ji Zhen's reputation precedes him, we've long admired you. As someone who has entered the capital before, can you tell us about the prosperity of Chang'an?"

  "It's all prosperous under the Emperor's rule, everything is thriving. As a humble scholar, I'm afraid my words might mislead you gentlemen." He Zhizhang smiled slightly and brushed it off.

  Everyone else didn't dare to ask more questions, and turned to Tang Weixi, saying some flattering words. This is what they call a "flowing water seat", where the scholars have finished eating, and it's only then that the relatives at home get their turn. Although the dishes are empty and the wine is gone, most of them were eaten by these poor scholars.

  Before long, everyone looked up at the sky, nodded to each other, stood up and bid farewell to Tang Weixi. He Zhizhang, however, remained seated upright, pouring himself a drink.

  It is said that he relied on his talent to be proud, and his name was not small. Therefore, these scholars saw him unmoved and did not stay. After they bid each other farewell, they all left the Tang Mansion together.

  Tang Weixi saw him out of the door before turning back, only to find He Zhizhang still seated at the table. Without thinking, he opened his mouth and said: "Seasonal truth..."

  "Outside, Ji Zhen wants to ask you something." He Zhizhang put down the cup in his hand and looked serious.

  Tang Weixi saw this and sat back in his chair, saying: "Tell me"

  "Empress Wu Zetian..."

  As soon as He Zhizhang said the name, Tang Weixi's face suddenly changed, and he quickly glanced around to make sure no one was there before pulling He Zhizhang into the living room.

  "Qizhen! We are both educated people, it's unspeakable, it's unspeakable!"

  He Zhizhang saw Tang Weixi's appearance but didn't think much of it, and lightly sighed: "Two sages preside over the court, drawing curtains to listen to politics, Mount Tai is enshrined, past events morning and evening, can't these be said?"

  Tang Wei was overjoyed when he heard this and closed the door behind him, saying: "Ji Zhen, I know you have talent, but whatever you do, don't fall in with Xu Jie and Lu Binwang's gang!"

  "Ji Zhen has a number in his heart, Yuan Wai once served as an official in the court, please ask Yuan Wai to answer and dispel doubts." He Zhizhang heard this and his face turned serious, he bowed and replied.

  "The Empress's methods are not something you or I can speculate about, so don't speak recklessly from now on."

  He Zhizhang stared at Tang Weixi, seeing that he was indeed cautious, and for a moment didn't know what to do. But Tang Weixi took out two silver notes from his pocket and said: "Jizhen, you are a famous talented scholar, this small amount of money is not enough to show respect. In the future when you top the imperial examination, please take care of your younger brother who is ill at home. As for court affairs, as long as you understand that being an official of the fifth rank is one hurdle, and being appointed to the third rank is another ridge, that's all."

  He Zhizhang heard the words and first felt a chill in his heart, then looked down at the amount on the silver note, which was actually two 50-tael notes. He couldn't help but be shocked, and opened his mouth to say: "Sir, a gentleman loves wealth and takes it in a proper way, please take this money back."

  What is the concept of one hundred taels, ordinary people's household expenses for a year are no more than ten taels. Tang Yuanwai's family has a wealth of tens of thousands, and it also has some meaning of being wealthy and arrogant. However, He Zhizhang has a proud bone, previously he had also received favors from Tang Weixi, and became famous in Chang'an. Now that he himself has some talent and fame, if he accepts again, it would be somewhat unconvincing.

  "Ji Zhen took note of Tang Guan's talent, thinking that this young man would surely become a great figure in the future. Ji Zhen left first, and he thought that one day they would be able to help each other out in the imperial court." He Xizhang surprisingly regarded the young Tang Guan as a prodigy just like himself who was destined for greatness.

  Tang Weixi was also delighted to hear this, and if the previous scholars were just flattering on the surface, then He Zhizhang directly determined that his son's career would be promising.

  "Ji Zhen bids farewell, Yuan Wai En De, Ji Zhen's toothless but not forgotten," he said. After that, He Zhizhang went out of the door. This time in the Tang Mansion, he gained a lot. First, he discovered the Tang Crown, and then he learned some courtly maxims from Tang Weixi.

  What is known as mastering literary and military skills, selling to the imperial family, he has always been confident in his own literary talent, so why he has not taken the imperial examination for a long time, is because his temperament is not mature enough, wanting to first understand the environment before entering the system.

  If it were Tang Guan, he would also shake his head. He Xizhang was 30 years old when he passed the imperial examination and became a jinshi, which is considered to be in one's prime of life. Unfortunately, in the end, he only became a deputy minister, because in this era, there were many talented people, not just him, He Xizhang had such confidence.

  Tang Wei Xi saw off He Zhi Zhang's departure, and only then did he let out a sigh of relief. He shook his head gently and said, "It's not that simple, and it can't be explained in words. Otherwise, wouldn't I have become a rustic old man like Wei Zheng?"

  Just as Tang Weixi was hesitating, a figure walked in, "Father"

  Tang Weixi looked up and saw that it was Tang Guan, and his worries disappeared. Now he had a family and a career, and his son had recovered from his illness, clever and quick-witted. Why bother to worry about others? He immediately asked: "Gone ill, have you packed up?"

  Tang Guan nodded slightly upon hearing the words. Tang Wei Xi sat down, took a sip of tea and said: "Later our relatives will arrive, remember to treat them well."

  "The child knows" Tang Guan nodded in agreement, but then looked straight at Tang Weixi, wanting to speak but hesitating, as if he hadn't figured out what to say yet.

  "How to start, or take old Wang to task, saying that the servant he served was not good, and ask him to change a maid for me?" Tang Guan originally came to ask Tang Weixi to let Lin Yuhuan be his study companion, but when he arrived at the place, he didn't know how to start speaking.

  "No way, Old Wang is also an old man now, should I call him dad? I want to marry his daughter?" Tang Guan thought to himself and couldn't help but laugh.

  Tang Wei Xi also sensed Tang Guan's abnormality and asked: "Is there anything else?"

  Tang Guan heard this and suddenly said: "Father, I was organizing books just now and found that my body is weak and it's also very slow to organize. I want to find a helper, but I couldn't find one."

  "You can just get Old Wang and the others in the house to help you tidy up, can't you?" Tang Wei said with a careless tone, thinking it was no big deal.

  "Hooked!" Tang Guan was overjoyed and continued, "It's not suitable, the lower class people are illiterate, they don't understand categorization, I'm afraid they will bring shame to our culture."

  As soon as the words fell, Tang Wei's eyebrows furrowed and he nodded slightly. This book was also extremely valuable wealth, related to the future of the family, and his son's words were not unreasonable.

  "Now that you've recovered, I'll find another teacher for you. After you finish your studies, he can help you get everything in order."

  "My god, this fatty is quite resourceful!" Tang Guan heard the words and had a burst of ridicule in his heart, but his face remained expressionless, and he quickly turned his mind.

  "Sir is indeed to be found, but as the saying goes 'the kindness of heaven and earth, ruler, parents, and teachers', how can we let our teacher exert himself to help us?"

  "What you said makes sense too." Upon hearing Tang Guan's words, Tang Wei Xi couldn't help but nod secretly, thinking that the child was indeed teachable, while pondering what to do next.

  "I just saw a guest from our house on the way back to my room. Tang Guan Jian turned around again and immediately threw out his true intention."

  "Guest?" Tan Weixi was delighted to hear the words, but he was puzzled for a moment, unable to recall when there were guests at home. After hesitating for a long time, he asked: "Are you referring to Lin's mother and daughter?"

  "It was Mrs. Lin and Xun'er's sister"

  "You little scoundrel! You're actually lusting after the female guest!" Tang Wei Xi suddenly stood up, rolled up his sleeves and made a gesture to hit him. Tang Guan retreated several steps back, with a smile all over his face.

  Tang Weixi was naturally not foolish and knew that his clever and agile son would not speak in such a jumpy manner, instantly connecting the two things mentioned by Tang Guan.

  "Do you want your Aunt Lin to help you tidy up the books?" Tang Wei Xi asked with a furrowed brow, actually he was just scaring Tang Guan, his own son was still young and wouldn't have any improper thoughts.

  Moreover, he knew that Lin's daughter was a talented and knowledgeable young woman before she got married.

  But he didn't know that Tang Guan, who looked pure and lovely in front of him, had a more complicated and sinister heart than his.

  Before Tang Guan could speak, Tang Wei Xi waved his hand and said: "Not suitable, Mrs. Lin is seriously ill, cannot overexert herself"

  Tang Wei Xi snatched the white one, and Tang Guan Xin muttered in her heart: "Hmph, you care so much about others, as if they were your wife."

  "Mrs. Lin said she wanted Xun'er's sister to be my study companion"

  "What did she say?" Tang Wei Xi looked at Tang Guan with a suspicious gaze, knowing that Lin Shi Yu Xun was about the same age as his son, and was probably more of a playmate than a study partner.

  "Mrs. Lin said that her life was coming to an end and asked him to take good care of Xun'er," Tang Guan's eyes rolled around, without hiding anything, and immediately told the truth.

  If the upper beam is not straight, the lower beam will be crooked. Conversely, if the lower beam is not straight, the upper beam cannot be straight either.

  Tang Wei was taken aback and stroked his chin thoughtfully, saying: "Is this going to pair Rain Xun with you?"

  One side of Tang Crown is not from the heart, a stumble, this is indeed old dad will be hidden very deeply, worth learning.

  "All right, you're already eight years old and will be having your coming-of-age ceremony in a few years. However, as your father, I need to go verify Madam Lin's intentions first." Tang Wei Xi muttered to himself before getting up to leave.

  Tang Guan didn't follow, knowing that Tang Wei's words were already a promise. He couldn't help but let out a soft sigh, thinking that one thing was piling on top of another, and with his own frail body, when would he be able to achieve his grand ambitions?

  He sighed and sat down in Tang Weixi's usual seat, picked up his tea and took a sip.