Chapter 011 Long time no see
"Are you OK?"
The girl's question interrupted Shen Yichen's confusion. He reacted and bowed in the elegant way of the era, saying, "I'm fine. Thank you for your help, young lady."
Facing Shen Yi's polite and literary manner, the girl's expression was a little strange. She stared at Shen Yi for two seconds, then frowned and asked: "You... don't you remember me?"
Someone I know?
Now it was Shen Yichen's turn to panic. Although he inherited the memory of his original body, he had no impression of the girl in front of him at all. It was obvious that the other party knew him, and he felt it was a bit difficult to save the situation.
"Um... I remember! Of course I remember! Are you Qing... Qingtong sister?"
Shen Yichen thought quickly and remembered that Li Da's grandson seemed to call Qingtong "sister" before. Although the girl in front of him rejected her with disgust, he had no choice but to use it now.
Originally, Shen Yichen was prepared to receive the same "treatment" as Li Da, but he didn't expect that when he called her "Sister Qingtong", the corner of the girl's mouth would rise, and she nodded and said, "Well, we haven't seen each other for many years."
"Yeah, long time no see."
Shen Yichen also pretended to nod in agreement, and at the same time showed a look of regret. Anyway, life is like a play, and it all depends on acting skills...
"I heard that Uncle Zhu asked you to study in the inner courtyard. Is that true?"
Uncle Zhu? It should be Duke Cheng, Zhu Yong. This girl calls Zhu Yong uncle, so is she my cousin?
Shen Yichen was completely confused now...
"It is true, but I declined your kindness."
"Why don't you agree?"
The girl in front of him widened her dark eyes and her surprised reaction was the same as Zhao Hongjie's before.
"Because the outer courtyard is also very good."
Shen Yichen made an excuse casually. He was unwilling to explain more even to Zhao Hongjie, let alone the unfamiliar girl in front of him.
"Is this a good question? Do you understand what it means to enter the inner courtyard?"
The girl's tone was a little anxious, and from this sentence we can tell that she should know Shen Yichen very well, so she knows the meaning behind entering the inner courtyard.
Facing the girl's anxious question, Shen Yichen looked at her and smiled without commenting, and did not answer.
Perhaps she realized Shen Yichen's avoidance, or perhaps it was because they didn't know each other for many years, so the girl didn't dare to continue asking. She could only sigh and said helplessly.
"Uncle Zhu is back to handle affairs this time in order to prepare for the Northern Expedition to Mongolia next year. He may not return to Nanjing for a long time in the future. So Uncle Zhu decided to hold a family dinner in three days and invite the noble families and civil and military officials of Nanjing to reminisce about the past."
"And the students from the inner courtyard private school will also participate, giving them the opportunity to show off their knowledge. They may be unexpectedly appreciated, which will help them in their future careers in the imperial examinations. You can come with me and try to get the attention of the nobles and ministers at the family banquet."
Attending a family dinner?
Shen Yichen couldn't help but think about it. According to what the little girl said, there were countless dignitaries at the Duke Cheng's family banquet, which in later times meant personal connections.
If he could never get into the family tree of the Duke of Chengguo and gain the status advantage and family capital of a noble family, then it would be good to take this opportunity to make himself known. If he was appreciated by a noble official, he might even be able to help him in his future career in the imperial examination.
In fact, Shen Yichen had already thought it through during the conversation with Li Tingxiu at noon. Since he had been reborn, he naturally could not live a life of mediocrity. Otherwise, if we only talked about eating, drinking and having fun, the entertainment methods of the Ming Dynasty could not even compare to those of the modern times. Then what was the meaning of life?
So no matter what your aspirations or ambitions are, a real man living in this world should not be depressed and inferior to others for long!
"Okay, I'll go with you."
The girl was a little surprised that Shen Yichen agreed so readily. She thought that given Shen Yichen's attitude of refusing even Duke Cheng's invitation, it would take some effort for her to convince him, but she didn't expect it to be so easy.
"Do you really agree to attend the family dinner?"
"certainly."
After getting confirmation again, the girl showed a faint smile on her face, with dimples at the corners of her mouth.
"Since you've agreed, you can't go back on your word!"
"good."
"Then I'll go back first. See you in three days, Brother Yichen."
Before Shen Yichen could respond, the girl smiled slyly, waved her hand, and turned away.
Brother Yichen?
Watching the girl disappear at the end of the alley, Shen Yichen was a little confused, so he turned to Zhao Hongjie and asked, "What's going on with you? Didn't we say that we should split up into two groups to call the master? Why did you call a little girl?"
Facing Shen Yichen's questioning, Zhao Hongjie looked a little aggrieved: "I didn't call her here. I met her on the way to the master's study. She wanted to come here on her own."
"Then why did she come here?"
Zhao Hongjie spread his hands: "I don't know."
"Who is this little girl then?"
"Didn't you just call Qingtong sister? Why are you asking me?"
"I……"
Now it was Shen Yichen's turn to be speechless. He could only say vaguely, "Um... that's been many years since we last met, so my memory is a little fuzzy. Please give me a detailed introduction."
Zhao Hongjie didn't think much about what Shen Yichen said when he heard it, and replied: "Her name is Chen Qingtong, she is the only daughter of Taining Marquis Chen Ying. Taining Marquis is good friends with the Duke, so Chen Qingtong has been studying in the Duke Cheng's mansion since she was a child."
Chen Qingtong, the only daughter of Marquis Taining...
Shen Yichen silently recited the name, and the image of a naive little girl slowly emerged in his mind. Her eyes and eyebrows were vaguely similar to the girl just now.
"Yes, I understand."
Shen Yichen nodded. He vaguely remembered some childhood memories, but they were not very clear.
"You two must have run into each other often when you were little. How could you forget this? You have a very bad memory now."
"Maybe he's tired from studying late into the night recently."
Seeing Shen Yichen say this without blushing or beating his heart, the muscles on Zhao Hongjie's face twitched twice, and he wondered in his heart why he didn't realize that this guy was so shameless before?
"Okay, if there's nothing else, I'll go back first."
"Going back so early? Aren't we going to go shopping in Nanshi Street?"
Zhao Hongjie looked very surprised. In the past, after school, the two of them would play around and would not go home until nightfall, reluctant to leave. But today, the sun really rose from the west?
"Of course not. Today, the teacher taught you to learn from hard work, but it seems you didn't listen at all. Your level of awareness really disappoints me!"
Shen Yichen looked heartbroken, then turned and walked towards the exit of the alley, leaving Zhao Hongjie standing there blankly, doubting his life...
