Song Gaoli walked out of the Duan residence's main gate as if nothing had happened. Once he was a good distance away, he decisively ducked into an alley and looked back. Seeing that no one was following him, he changed direction and headed toward the Ye residence.
His teacher was adamant about taking him to the Ye residence tomorrow to visit Lord Ye and Sister Jinzhao, having even prepared the gifts. He needed to go and give Qiming a heads-up first.
In the study, Song Qiming frowned and said, Are you saying that Duan Yanhua took you in as a student with ulterior motives?
Song Gaoli lowered his head, his eyelids drooping, feeling extremely disheartened.
Yeah. Today, when we ran into Sister Jinzhao at the Moonview Restaurant, his attitude toward me suddenly became exceptionally good. He even mentioned that Lord Ye used to teach me and insisted on dragging me over for a visit tomorrow.
Song Qiming turned his head to look at Ye Liangyu, who was sitting in a chair. Teacher, how much do you know about Duan Yanhua? Is he Prince Qi's man or Prince Ying's man?
If the other party had an agenda, the mastermind behind it could only be one of these two.
When Song Gaoli came over a few days ago, Ye Liangyu was not in the residence, so he did not know that Gaoli had also come to the capital.
He had passed the provincial examination in the very last place again; heaven truly treated him well. However, being taken in as a student by Duan Yanhua was a bit of bad luck.
He is neither Prince Qi's man nor Prince Ying's man. This person is full of empty ambitions and loves to daydream. He shrinks back when encountering difficulties, wants to take shortcuts but lacks ability, and has been stuck in the Hanlin Academy for over a decade without moving up or down. Neither Prince Qi nor Prince Ying thinks highly of him.
Starting from the last metropolitan examination, he began taking in students, pinning his hopes on them, thinking that one day they might strike it rich and pull him up with them.
Song Gaoli was dumbfounded. Pull him up? It is still a question whether I can even pass the exam.
Ye Liangyu continued, He likely did not take you in as a student thinking you could pass, but rather to build connections and curry favor with his superior.
Song Gaoli understood instantly. It was exactly what he had thought at noon: Sister Jinzhao and Lord Ye were the connections Duan Yanhua wanted to make. He was indeed just a stepping stone. Who is his superior? I do not know him.
Song Qiming interjected, Chancellor Fei of the Hanlin Academy has a very close relationship with Teacher.
Since Duan Yanhua was a compiler at the Hanlin Academy, his motive was already crystal clear.
However, what puzzled Song Qiming was, Teacher, when we asked around earlier, everyone said this Lord Duan had excellent character and took great care of the younger generation.
Ye Liangyu curled his lips into a smile and shook his head. Duan Yanhua cares deeply about his reputation. Three years ago, his student who failed the exam was full of praise for him when returning home, even hugging him and crying at the city gate upon leaving the capital. The scene was quite touching.
Song Gaoli and Song Qiming felt a sense of having been tricked. Was it true gratitude for the teacher's kindness and reluctance to part, or was it just an act?
Song Gaoli licked his lips. Thinking back on their interactions recently, it did not seem that exaggerated. It was quite mundane, and they spent less time together each day than he did with the teachers at the academy.
If that is the case, then it is fine. My Lord, you can just ignore him. I did not expect to definitely pass this time anyway. At worst, I will just return to Anyang Prefecture and take the exam again in three years. He still had that much self-awareness.
Ye Liangyu's profound gaze shifted between Song Qiming and Song Gaoli.
There were not many newly minted provincial graduates who were close to Qiming. Since the two had such a good relationship, and Song Gaoli had a bit of luck, he might become a helpful ally to Qiming in the future.
Tomorrow, Qiming will go to study at the Imperial Academy, his sister is going to Prince Ying's estate, and I will be at the Censorate handling the official duties left over from today. You just pretend you do not know anything and come over with Duan Yanhua. You do not need to worry about anything else.
Song Gaoli was completely baffled. Why was Qiming suddenly going to study at the Imperial Academy? Was not the metropolitan examination only a little over three months away?
Sister Jinzhao was going to Prince Ying's estate? Was not Ye Liangyu at odds with him?
The next day, when Song Gaoli went out with Duan Yanhua, his heart kept pounding. He could not help but feel a bit panicked.
Vice Censor-in-Chief Ye is not at home? Isn't today a rest day? Duan Yanhua frowned in confusion, suspecting that Ye Liangyu just did not want to see him.
In previous years, he had been shut out by Fei Yanzhang time and time again, and had been lectured by him both openly and covertly several times. These two men had the same temperament, but this time he had brought Song Gaoli with him.
Yunhe, who had been specially left behind, answered with a calm smile, There were quite a few official duties left over from yesterday, so my lord went to the Censorate early this morning.
Duan Yanhua asked, Then what about County Princess Linghui?
Yunhe shook his head again. Prince Ying's secondary consort invited the County Princess to be a guest at Prince Ying's estate, so she is not here right now either.
Duan Yanhua's expression tensed up, and he subconsciously took two steps back. Why would Prince Ying's secondary consort invite Song Jinzhao to the estate?
What about Song Qiming? Is he reading in the residence?
Yunhe shook his head for the third time. Young Master Song went to study at the Imperial Academy today and won't be back until tonight.
One blow after another, Duan Yanhua's entire body went stiff at this moment. The Imperial Academy? It had only been a few days, and they had already squeezed someone into the Imperial Academy?
Wasn't having Ye Liangyu's one-on-one guidance enough? He still had to go to the Imperial Academy!
Yunhe considerately added, Right now, only Miss Shixue and the young Master Song are in the residence. Would Lord Duan like to see them?
Duan Yanhua shook his head with a frustrated expression. No need. I will come back another day.
What was the use of seeing two children who couldn't make any decisions? One of them was still at an age of playing with mud and knew absolutely nothing.
On the way back, Duan Yanhua asked Song Gaoli, Did Song Qiming tell you that he was going to study at the Imperial College?
Song Gaoli shook his head, playing dumb. I don't know. I haven't seen him these past two days.
Meanwhile, after leading Song Jinzhao to the main hall, the maid quickly rushed back to the courtyard to report to Li Qinyun, Your Highness, only County Princess Linghui has arrived. Young Master Song did not come.
Snap. The jade hairpin in her hand fell onto the dressing table and broke into two pieces. She turned her head anxiously. How could that be? I clearly wrote on the invitation to invite both siblings.
The maid bit her lip tightly. But County Princess Linghui really only brought a single maidservant with her.
Ignoring a strand of hair that had fallen over her shoulder, Li Qinyun furrowed her brows and immediately asked, Is His Highness still in the study?
The maid nodded. Guyun, who serves by His Highness's side, already came over to ask a moment ago. Do you need this servant to go inform His Highness?
Li Qinyun took a deep breath and adjusted her collar. No need, I will go tell him myself. Instruct the servants to serve a few more pastries. I will go over shortly.
Song Jinzhao looked at the plum blossom cakes on the table, which were exactly the same as the ones served when she was a guest at Ming Garden. Was this a reminder to her? Or did the Prince Ying's Manor serve this to all their guests?
In the study, upon hearing that Song Qiming had not come, Xiao Rongyan swept his hand and pushed the brush rack off the table. One of the brushes hit Li Qinyun's white dress, leaving an ugly black ink stain. She clearly has no regard for this prince!
Afraid that Xiao Rongyan's anger would spread to her, Li Qinyun spoke softly to soothe him, Perhaps Song Qiming didn't come because it was I who invited him. After all, this is the inner courtyard of the manor, and as a male guest, he must avoid any impropriety.
Xiao Rongyan glared furiously, his spittle flying all over Li Qinyun's face.
Song Jinzhao is no fool. She definitely knows that I am the one who wants to see Song Qiming. This is a deliberate refusal. It seems she hasn't learned enough of a lesson from Ye Liangyu.
With her face wet, Li Qinyun didn't dare use her handkerchief to wipe it, terrified of stepping out of line and losing Xiao Rongyan's favor.
Unable to persuade him otherwise, she could only lower her head and let Xiao Rongyan vent his anger.
