Volume 2: Residence in the Capital Chapter 252: A New Look
Although Twelve Rain's play is very novel, very different from those plays with happy endings of talented men and beautiful women, and the plot is full of ups and downs, and it actually focuses on a few prostitutes from beginning to end, but Chen Shang is, after all, a high-ranking official who is in a difficult situation. Therefore, although his eyes seem to linger on those beautiful women, he is more concerned about today's disciples of Ge.
Although he had been in mourning at home for nearly three years, Chen Shang was very familiar with some of the faces.
The youngest son that the Minister of War Lu Wan always hated, Lu Zhu, who was called "Lu Sanpang". Zhang Chen, the only son of Duke of Qin Zhang Chuan, was unruly and often a troublemaker. He had only met Zhang Wu and Zhang Lu, two inconspicuous illegitimate sons of the Nanyang Marquis and Huaiqing Marquis families...
In addition, there are many noble children who are not notorious in the capital, but also do not have a good reputation. It can be said that if these twenty or thirty people were taken out today, countless people in the capital would have to take a detour.
But now, under the leadership of Zhang Chen and Lu Sanlang, some of these people sat there obediently watching the show, while others actually snatched the servants' job of serving tea and water. Their attentiveness was simply unbelievable.
However, the poor children of Jiuzhang Hall were not ordered around in circles. Instead, under Lu Sanlang's arrangement, everyone had a seat. Even though each of them seemed uneasy, none of the children of the noble families showed any arrogance in front of them. On the contrary, some of them refilled their tea and water and chatted with them.
Because he had pricked up his ears, he had naturally heard what Lu Sanlang said to the students of Jiuzhang Hall in a slightly lowered voice: "In the past, in Jiuzhang Hall, each of you had to listen to me and Senior Brother Qi. Who dares not to listen here? If I tell you to sit down, then sit down boldly and enjoy this great show of the Twelve Rains, the best in the capital. If it weren't for Grandmaster Ge, you wouldn't be able to watch it even if you wanted to!"
"This is a reward for your hard work and study, understand? It's also for those of you who will be picked to go with Xiao Qi! I, the head monk, will serve Master Ge, so there's no need for you!"
Although Zhang Chen's voice was not as confident as Lu Sanlang's, it was also heard by Chen Shang who was paying attention to him the whole time.
"Aren't you all envious of Zhang Wu and Zhang Lu? Now that Minister Chen and the other elders are here, if you behave better, wouldn't that be a good example of a prodigal son returning home? Those guys who are happy to be idle at home didn't come today. This is the difference between you and them. If you want those who look down on you to look at you differently, you should all cheer up now!"
Chen Shang even heard that Zhu Er, who had always been a representative of dandy young men compared to Zhu Tingfang, the eldest son of Duke Zhao, was actually talking furtively with other people while serving tea and water, and the topic of the conversation was even more incredible to him.
"Hey, have you finished the homework assigned to you? Who has solved those math problems? At least share your ideas. I don't want to ask that fat guy from the Lu family... What? Didn't solve it? Damn it, can't you use your brains... Why didn't I do it? Of course I did it! I've been thinking about it for days and still can't figure it out!"
"The Imperial College will start classes after the 18th day of the first lunar month. Before class starts, let's make an appointment to at least sort out our lessons. Ignore those guys who don't strive for progress. We can't lose to that fat guy! I must compete with Zhang Chen next year. If he can be the head of the dormitory, why can't I? We can't let the Zhangs take all the good things!"
Chen Shang initially thought he was hallucinating. But when he found out that Zhu Er had actually come one by one to join forces, and his intention to form a clique was very obvious, and that he did so for no other reason than to become the head of the temple, he felt that the sun had risen from the west.
When will the dude gather in groups to sort out his homework before school starts? When will the dude be interested in becoming a dormitory head in the Imperial Academy?
Thinking of Zhang Shou who had just left quietly with Zhu Ying, and the way he and Zhu Ying walked together, which was clearly no different from an ordinary young man who was in love with a beautiful woman, Chen Shang became even more curious.
At this moment, he suddenly heard a cheer coming from beside him. He turned his head and saw that it was the voice of Li Yuan, the assistant minister of the Ministry of Justice, who always had a bad temper. Following this voice, there was an endless stream of cheers from all sides.
Because he was too distracted, he hardly paid attention to the plot and didn't notice what was just being performed. He felt a little embarrassed. When he was about to clap and cheer with others, he found that Zhang Shou and Zhu Ying came back one after another!
Compared to Zhang Shou who was calm and composed, Zhu Ying's face was flushed with joy, and she looked around excitedly. It was unknown what kind of happy event had happened to her. But he thought about it again, and finally he couldn't help laughing.
Even a proud and arrogant young lady like Zhu Ying, once she falls in love with a man, is no different from an ordinary young girl in love. From this point of view, his mysterious junior brother is indeed very capable.
Therefore, Chen Shang was too lazy to pretend that he was watching the show seriously, and simply stood up and went to greet Zhang Shou and Zhu Ying. Although his action was abrupt, most people were watching the show on the stage at this time. Only Lu Sanlang and Zhang Chen, who were already familiar with the plot, looked in the direction of Chen Shang curiously. When he saw clearly that it was Zhang Shou and Zhu Ying who had returned, Lu Sanlang immediately withdrew his gaze.
Even if Zhang Shou and Zhu Ying went out to talk about love away from everyone, it was none of his business!
Zhang Chen couldn't help but take a few more glances, especially the joy and happiness that Zhu Ying showed from the inside out, which he had almost never seen before. However, he soon noticed that Zhu Ying's eyes fell on Zhang Shou more frequently than before, and her eyes were clearly full of affection.
Just last night, his father called him over and told him that someone was planning to report the Zhaoguo Mansion for marriage fraud. After the initial shock, his first reaction was to immediately notify Zhang Shou and Zhu Ying, but his father stopped him directly.
"They are already preparing to start the movement. If you tell them now, what effect will it have other than making their New Year even worse? Do you dare to say that you are really like Lu Sanlang now, without even a trace of delusion? If you are still not so hopeless, why not wait until the incident happens and see how your young master reacts."
Thinking about how he had sent people to keep an eye on what was going on at Shuntian Prefecture Yamen early in the morning, and that Zhu Ying must have just encountered that incident when she came, and now seeing that the tacit understanding between the two of them was even stronger than before, how could Zhang Chen not know that the farce had no effect on either of them at all?
At that moment, he finally sighed in his heart, knowing that he had no hope.
As soon as Zhang Shou returned to the hall, he glanced at the crowd and found that most people, including Ge Yong, were watching this novel drama with great interest. He felt relieved. As for whether anyone noticed him and Zhu Ying leaving, that was not his main concern. However, when he found Chen Shang walking towards them, he was a little surprised.
At this moment, Zhu Ying suddenly tugged at his sleeve nervously and asked in a low voice, "Ah Shou, why did Minister Chen come over here? Is my makeup smudged?"
"Silly girl, why is your makeup smudged... Ugh!" Zhang Shou was glared at by Zhu Ying, and finally understood what she meant. He couldn't help laughing and said softly, "Maybe Minister Chen found that you are more beautiful than before."
If it was someone else, Zhu Ying would definitely call him a smooth talker and kick him hard to show her anger. But even though she realized that Zhang Shou was teasing her, she still couldn't get angry at this moment, because at this moment her heart was as sweet as if she had eaten honey.
"Junior brother." Chen Shang nodded slightly. Seeing Zhu Ying nod to him with a smile, he walked briskly to Ge Yong. Of course, he would not tease the young couple. Instead, he said with a smile, "I just watched the play of Twelve Rains casually, but I have carefully observed your students for a long time. I have to say that you have changed them a lot."
Zhang Shou didn't expect Twelve Rain to be so charming that he could fascinate a group of high-ranking officials, but Chen Shang actually cared more about the students of Banshan Hall and Jiuzhang Hall. He was still a little puzzled, so he laughed and said, "I'm just doing my best. The key is to see them themselves."
"Minister Chen, you have also seen that all the people from Jiuzhang Hall are here, but only more than 20 people from Banshan Hall are here. After all, not all noble children want to make progress. Some people just want to rely on the influence of their ancestors and become rich and idle. Just like not every tree in a forest can grow up, it is impossible for everyone to be a pillar. Qualification, talent, and opportunity are all indispensable."
Zhang Shou said it so frankly that Chen Shang originally wanted to remind him not to give those noble children too much hope, in case they would feel resentful when they were disappointed in the future. But now he felt that there was no need to mention it again.
He nodded happily and said, "You can see so far, no wonder the teacher once wrote to me with words of praise for you. If you want to go to the Duke of Zhao's mansion to ask for marriage, remember to inform me. It's fine if the teacher comes forward, but if he doesn't go, I am willing to be the matchmaker."
Zhang Shou didn't expect Chen Shang to be so proactive. He naturally wouldn't say that Ge Yong had taken the initiative to take over the matter. He immediately clasped his fists and thanked him, "Okay, then I'll accept this favor from Minister Chen!"
The two smiled at each other, Chen Shang returned to his seat, while Zhang Shou went to Ge Yong's side. But just as he stood behind him, Ge Yong seemed to have eyes behind him, and laughed softly, "You really have been in the limelight today! But it's also deserved, who made Zhang Chen and Lu San look like different people?"
"It's all thanks to your good teaching, teacher." Zhang Shou glanced at Zhu Ying with a smile. Seeing that she was unconsciously entwining her hair with her fingers, she was clearly lost in thought. He continued, "Teacher, Yingying told me something just now..."
Ge Yong was so old, and he had just eaten a little dinner while watching the play. He had asked people to take away the food because he was a man who valued health. At this time, he was still thinking about where Zhang Shou and Zhu Ying had just gone, and wanted to ask them if they were hungry, but when he heard Zhang Shou say that the Zhu family of Zhao Guogong was accused of marriage fraud, he couldn't help but frowned.
"There are actually people who are so boring? The Zhu family thinks you are good, and you and your mother think Yingying is good, so that's it, just get a marriage certificate or something, why do they have to say so much? They have nothing better to do... No, it should be said that they have ulterior motives!"
Zhu Ying had come to her senses when Zhang Shou said someone had sued her family. Now, she heard Ge Yong's contemptuous comments on the mastermind. Not to mention that she had liked Ge Yong's demeanor and his eccentric style since she was a child, even if she didn't get along with Ge Yong, she would immediately regard the old man as a bosom friend. But before she could say anything, Ge Yong got ahead of her again.
"Yingying, go home and tell your grandmother that when I became Shou's teacher, it was your father who asked me to take care of his future son-in-law, so no one knows more about this marriage than me. If anyone wants to make irresponsible remarks, let them come to me first!"
"Grandpa Ge, you're so nice!" Zhu Ying was so happy that her eyebrows were beaming. Then she glanced at Zhang Shou and leaned close to Ge Yong's ear and whispered, "Grandpa Ge, Ah Shou just told me that he likes me very much! Now I feel relieved. It turns out that my love is not unrequited!"
After hearing this, Ge Yong watched Zhu Ying's gorgeous figure disappear outside the door like a light butterfly. He breathed a sigh of relief, then suddenly hooked his hand without looking back. When Zhang Shou stepped forward and came to his side, he said with a half-smile: "I used to think you were an ignorant boy, but I didn't expect that you are actually quite good at talking about love!"
"I don't understand romance. That's because most people are not romance enough for me."
Zhang Shou said this with a smile. Seeing Ge Yong startled at first, and then pointed at him with a ridiculous expression, he said calmly, "It's rare to meet a pretty and generous lady like Yingying in this world. It's like when I see a blooming peony in the garden, I naturally can't see the second flower."
"Okay, don't say that in front of me. Just tell your Peony!"
Ge Yong waved his hand to drive him away with a look of disgust, and said angrily: "If you have the guts, you can be so slick in front of your father-in-law!"
The performance of Tingyu Xiaozhu Twelve Rain in Ge Mansion did not last too late and ended before the hour of Xu. Ge Yong knew that he had snatched the appointment of the Duke of Chu, which was really overbearing, so he sent someone to talk to the third master of the Zhang family in advance and discussed to postpone the originally scheduled song and dance for more than half an hour.
Therefore, although the housekeeper of the Zhang family who came to pick him up was a little depressed, he knew how full the Ge Mansion was tonight. Thinking that his master was still in Xuanfu and his military exploits were not as glorious as those of Zhao Guogong Zhu Jing, he just endured it. Especially when he learned that Ge Yong was so generous that he wrote a scroll of Jiangchengzi to send off the twelve rains, he didn't even dare to vent his anger on these singing girls.
Everyone knows that Master Ge's handwriting was everywhere in the early years, but as it was collected by the royal family, dignitaries and nobles, it is now impossible to find it on the market! Even if it was just a casual poem of Su Shi's Jiangchengzi, who doesn't know if Master Ge will really let go of his youthful wildness and take in one or even several beautiful concubines in the Twelve Rains in the future?
