Chapter 141: Using the Back Door
“So many people! It’s almost like the Autumn Imperial Examination Results Announcement,” Feng Tianzhu exclaimed, peering out the carriage window.
“Heavens! We still have to find a way to squeeze in!” Qiao Ziyu said, jumping out of the carriage. “San Jing Academy is selecting disciples, which is much harder than the Autumn Imperial Examination Results Announcement!”
Gong Changan and the others also got out of the carriage, saying they wanted to squeeze in to watch the excitement, but it was easier said than done.
If they wanted to squeeze in, did others not? Amidst the pushing and shoving, they were ultimately small and weak, and after sweating profusely, they still couldn’t get in.
“This won’t do. Let’s go around to the back! If all else fails, we’ll climb over the wall,” Xu Mang said, tugging at his clothes.
“Right, right, let’s go to the back! Our Heir Apparent cannot be squeezed,” the book boy from Duke Feng’s Mansion quickly said. Feng Tianzhu was ill, and if he had an episode, he couldn’t bear the responsibility.
The group then turned to the back.
Indeed, there were few people in the back alley, but the wall was over three meters high. How could it be easy to climb?
“This is ridiculous. We came too late. If we had come earlier, we definitely could have squeezed in,” Qiao Ziyu said regretfully. “What a shame!”
The others also felt disappointed. They were at an age where curiosity and a desire to join in the fun were at their peak. They had rushed over with excitement but couldn’t get in. It would be strange if they were happy.
Just as everyone was looking at the high wall with helpless sighs, an old horse turned into the alley, with a thin old man riding it.
A middle-aged servant led the horse by the reins, walking in front, also as thin as a bamboo pole.
At first, the children paid no attention. When the old man arrived nearby and dismounted, the attendant took out a key and unlocked the door.
Gong Changan and the others had seen this door before, but it was locked by a general.
Now, seeing the old man walk inside with a stride, they quickly rushed forward to stop him.
“Old sir, please wait!”
The old man stopped, turned his trembling legs, and looked at them, asking, “What do you little rascals want?”
“We are not rascals, sir. We wish to follow you inside to admire the demeanor of the tutors at San Jing Academy,” Qiao Ziyu said with a smile. “May we?”
“You may not, you may not,” the old man said, continuing to walk inside.
But how could these children give up? Xu Mang and Feng Tianzhu pushed the door open with all their might, preventing it from closing.
“This is outrageous!” the old gentleman was somewhat angered. “Is this a place you can just come to? This is utter nonsense!”
“Old sir, please calm your anger. These youngsters are simply extremely admiring and do not intend to cause trouble,” Gong Changan said quickly. “Please be kind and grant us some convenience!”
“Yes! Old sir, I have some silver here. You can keep it to buy wine,” Qiao Ziyu said, taking out his money pouch and trying to stuff it into the old man’s hand.
“Take this cursed money away, it truly dirties my hands.” The old gentleman’s beard bristled with anger. “Seeing you all dressed in fine silk, you must be rich young masters! At such a young age, you already reek of money. It’s truly unacceptable!”
“You old man, we’ve said so many kind words and you still won’t let us in. We offered you silver out of good intentions, and you still curse us!” Xu Mang, true to his name, was extremely reckless. He felt they had been polite enough, but this old man was unyielding.
“Guards! Throw them out! This is truly unacceptable!” the old man stomped his feet in anger.
“Changan, hurry and go in!” Qiao Ziyu pushed Gong Changan. “You have high talent and great potential, you might be chosen!”
Gong Changan was pushed in and, without a second thought, ran towards the front courtyard.
The old man and his attendant were entangled by Xu Mang and the others, unable to break free.
But then several more people came out, trying to catch Gong Changan.
They shouted, “Stop immediately! You’re truly breaking the rules!”
“Don’t run anymore! How will you bear the consequences if you disrupt the selection?”
Just as those people were about to surround Gong Changan, someone walked over from the covered walkway.
Gong Changan saw him at a glance and rushed over.
“Lord Zhu, save me!” he grabbed the man’s sleeve and said, panting.
“You?!” The man looked closely and recognized Gong Changan, asking, “How did you get here?”
“I… I was passing by from the school and came to watch the excitement,” Gong Changan said, patting his chest. “I couldn’t get in at the front, so I came around to the back door. I met an old gentleman and tried my best to persuade him to let us in. But the old gentleman was very stubborn and refused, so I impulsively ran in.”
“You are indeed quite bold,” the man said, a rare smile appearing on his face.
“Lord Zhu, you must save me this time,” Gong Changan said. He knew this was not a place for casual misbehavior. Although it wasn’t an official government matter, the prestige of San Jing Academy was not to be underestimated.
It turned out this person was none other than the renowned upright official Zhu Hui.
When Gong Xu was implicated in Yu Fengchen’s embezzlement case and imprisoned in the Ministry of Justice, Zhu Hui was the chief judge for this case.
To save Gong Xu, Wen Mingqian had taken Gong Changan to visit the Zhu Mansion.
Gong Changan thus recognized Zhu Hui.
“You want me to intercede for you?” Zhu Hui asked Gong Changan.
“I can only rely on you now. Please also help my few brothers!” Gong Changan said pitifully.
Zhu Hui was a man of integrity. He had no parents above, no children below, and no brothers or wife in between.
The world said he was unfeeling and that the strings of his emotions had been severed, making him incapable of understanding human warmth.
Yet, facing Gong Changan’s plea, he actually agreed.
“Follow me!” he said, taking Gong Changan’s hand and walking to the side of the old gentleman. He cupped his hands and said, “Senior Brother Kang, these children are mischievous. Please don’t take it to heart. Their actions stem from a genuine desire to learn. Why not grant them their wish?”
“You are actually pleading for them?” the old gentleman asked, as if seeing the funniest thing in the world. “Heavens, am I dreaming?”
“Senior Brother, you jest!” Zhu Hui said. “I’ll treat you to drinks later.”
“Oh my! Is the sun rising from the west? You’re actually offering to buy me drinks. Even you, the stingy one, are willing to loosen your purse strings.” The old gentleman’s eyes widened, staring at Zhu Hui like two glass balls.
“Lord Zhu, may I ask who this old gentleman is…” Gong Changan felt something was amiss as he listened.
“This is Tutor Kang of San Jing Academy, who is proficient in calendrical science and water management,” Zhu Hui introduced. “You little rascals have eyes but cannot recognize Mount Tai.”
Gong Changan and the others immediately straightened their expressions, tidied their clothes, and respectfully bowed to Tutor Kang.
“Mister Zhu, are you also from San Jing Academy? Otherwise, why would you call him Senior Brother?” Gong Changan asked quickly. He had never heard that Zhu Hui had studied at San Jing Academy!
