Hearing this, Dongfang Yukun's expression took a turn for the worse. His hand, resting on the table, remained motionless for a long time.
Not long after, he suddenly stood up and said to Song Qiming, "Let's go, we're going to the Cui Manor to visit the sick."
"Ah?" Song Qiming stood up, looking stunned. Seeing the other moving so fast, he had no choice but to pull Song Gaoli along to keep up.
Is his competitive spirit really that strong? The man didn't even show up, so he has to track him down at Cui Zhengyang's own home?
Aside from constantly being compared to one another, could there be some grudge between these two?
The carriage passed through Wuyi Alley and arrived at the end of a quiet stone-paved road. The large trees by the road were stripped of their leaves, and in front of the gate was a man-made channel of flowing water, its surface currently covered in solid ice.
Looking at the two stone lions towering at the entrance, Song Qiming curiously asked Dongfang Yukun.
"The Cui family is a prominent clan from Jiangnan. How could they have such a large mansion in the capital? And it looks quite old."
Dongfang Yukun looked up at the gate of the Cui Manor and explained, "Five generations ago, the Cui family also had someone serving as an official in the imperial court, and he even reached the position of Prime Minister. By my reckoning, that should be Cui Zhengyang's great-great-grandfather. Later, when the Chili State fell and dynasties changed, the Cui family relocated their entire household to Jiangnan, leaving only this old mansion in the capital."
Song Qiming blinked in surprise. A Prime Minister of the previous dynasty?
"As far as I know, after the founding emperor ascended the throne, he didn't expel the former officials of the previous dynasty. Did the Cui family have no successors at that time?"
Dongfang Yukun shook his head and smiled. "Not at all. The Cui family produced top scholars for three consecutive generations. Cui Zhengyang's great-grandfather once served as the Vice Minister of Works, and even his grandfather was the last top scholar before the fall of the Chili State. At that time, the Cui family had numerous disciples in the court, truly commanding universal response to a single call."
"In recent years, the Cui Clan Academy has gained great fame in Jiangnan, cultivating many promising talents for the imperial court. Now that Cui Zhengyang is entering the court as an official, the Cui family is likely to rise again."
Hearing this, Song Qiming couldn't help but feel a sense of admiration. To be able to retreat bravely in such circumstances and choose to preserve the family's foundation, the head of the Cui family at that time must have been extremely wise.
Standing to the side, Song Gaoli listened to their conversation and only felt that this upcoming spring examination would truly be a fierce battle between dragons and tigers. He also grew increasingly curious about Cui Zhengyang.
The servant stepped forward and had just stopped knocking when someone opened the door from the inside.
Seeing three well-dressed young masters accompanied by servants, the gatekeeper politely asked, "Who might you be? What business brings you to the Cui Manor?"
Dongfang Yukun stepped forward and said, "I'm looking for your young master. I heard Cui Zhengyang is ill, so we have come to visit him."
The gatekeeper carefully examined the faces of Song Qiming and the other two, confirming that he did not recognize them.
"My young master has caught a chill and needs to rest. The madam has instructed that he is not to see outside guests. Please return, young masters."
Seeing that he was about to close the door, Dongfang Yukun quickly blocked it with his hand. "Just tell your young master that Dongfang Yukun is here to see him. He will definitely see me."
The gatekeeper's hand paused, his surprised gaze fixing on Dongfang Yukun's face. No wonder he was so handsome; it turned out to be Young Master Dongfang, who was as famous as his own young master.
"Please wait a moment, young masters. Allow this humble one to go in and report."
The gatekeeper closed the door, quickly turned, and ran through the front hall corridor toward the backyard. Stopping at the door of Cui Zhengyang's room, he said to the servant, "There are three young masters at the door who want to see the young master. The one leading them is Dongfang Yukun, and he said the young master would definitely see him."
Mo Chen thought for a moment, and finally opened the door, walked to the bed, and woke Cui Zhengyang.
"Young Master, Young Master Dongfang has come to visit you."
Cui Zhengyang, having just opened his eyes, was still a bit groggy. It was only when he heard the word "Dongfang" that his eyes cleared up slightly.
"Is it Dongfang Yukun?"
Mo Chen nodded. "The gatekeeper said he also brought two other young masters, but didn't ask their names so he doesn't know who they are."
"Bring them in."
Cui Zhengyang sat up somewhat weakly and ordered, "Help me up and get me dressed."
The gatekeeper hurried back, smiling as he extended his hand toward Dongfang Yukun. "Please come in, young masters. My young master has gotten up."
The three men's expressions changed slightly. It was nearing the end of the Si hour and Cui Zhengyang was just getting up; he must be quite ill.
Passing through pavilions and terraces over the water, although every brick and tile of the mansion looked a bit old, the scenery and furnishings exuded elegance everywhere.
Every wall was hung with paintings and calligraphy inscribed with poetry, and the rockery in the garden was not as complex and elaborate as those in wealthy households.
A mountain, a body of water, a plant, or a tree—the simple elegance possessed a unique sense of dynamic and profound tranquility, heavily steeped in a scholarly atmosphere.
Crossing the corridor, the door to the main room in the courtyard was open.
After entering the room, Song Qiming smelled a faint scent of medicine. His gaze fell upon the face of the man draped in a white fox fur coat on the couch, and his heart skipped a beat.
No wonder Dongfang Yukun cared so much; in terms of appearance, this man truly did not fall short.
The light from outside the window shone on the man's snow-white skin, giving it a jade-like quality. The stubbornness between his brows caused by his illness made him look like a precarious snow lotus on a snowy mountain, revealing a sense of resilience amidst his elegance.
Compared to Dongfang Yukun, although the two were only three years apart in age, Cui Zhengyang possessed a mature aura of having experienced a thousand sails, giving off a very reliable feeling.
"How is your face so pale? What did the doctor say after seeing you? Can you be cured before the metropolitan examination?"
Dongfang Yukun walked to the edge of the couch with dissatisfaction, his narrow, peach-blossom eyes already narrowing along with his slightly furrowed brows.
"It dragged on for quite a while on the road, so I'm afraid it won't be easy to recover from."
Cui Zhengyang smiled at Dongfang Yukun, then his gaze fell on Song Qiming and Song Gaoli standing behind him. "And these two are?"
Song Qiming stepped forward and cupped his hands. "I am Song Qiming, a student participating in this metropolitan examination. Hearing that Young Master Cui was unwell, please forgive our abrupt visit."
Song Gaoli: "I am Song Gaoli, also a student participating in this examination. I have long heard that Young Master Cui possesses great talent and is known as the most handsome man in Jiangnan. Seeing you today, you truly live up to your reputation."
Song Qiming clenched his teeth, holding back a laugh, and winked at Song Gaoli.
Is that any way to speak? What kind of man wears his handsome appearance on his sleeve all day?
Song Gaoli opened his eyes wide in bewilderment.
Wasn't it said that he and Dongfang Yukun were competing for the title of the most handsome man in the Dongzhao Kingdom? He should be happy that I said that.
Song Qiming furrowed his brows. It was Dongfang Yukun who cared; this one never said anything about it.
Cui Zhengyang weakly curled the corners of his lips. "I have long heard that Anyang Prefecture produced a thirteen-year-old top provincial scholar. Seeing Young Master Song today, you are indeed young."
His gaze turned to Dongfang Yukun. "Brother Yukun, do you remember when we first met? You were the same age as Young Master Song."
Song Qiming and Song Gaoli exchanged glances, a hint of surprise in their eyes.
Brother Yukun?
How could Dongfang Yukun's attitude toward Cui Zhengyang be so different from the latter's attitude toward him? It didn't look like they were at odds at all.
