Chapter 124: Seeking an Opportunity
Gong Changan went to the academy. Before he left, Gong Xu specifically called him over and handed him the revised article.
“I’ve read it through. The writing is naturally immature, but the intent is good,” Gong Xu said. He was recovering from an injury at home and had plenty of free time.
“Thank you, Father,” Gong Changan replied as he took it. “Elder Brother and Second Brother are already waiting for me.”
“Go on then. Listen to your tutor at the academy,” Gong Xu said with a smile. Changan is truly very talented; it’s evident from the articles he writes.
However, he deliberately didn’t praise him too much, so as not to make him arrogant.
“When will Bao An go to the academy?” Gong Changan asked.
“We haven’t spoken to the Wang family yet. He’s been auditing there for quite some time, so we need to explain things clearly before he leaves,” Gong Xu said. “Besides, I haven’t met your tutor yet, so that needs to be arranged first. You go, don’t worry about this. Bao An is still young, and his aptitude isn’t particularly bright, so let’s wait a bit longer.”
When Consort Song was alive, she was determined to cultivate her son into a talent, so she started his education early and sent him to study. At that time, Gong Xu only had eyes for Song Xiulian, and naturally, her son received much attention.
But times have changed. The person he once confided in has become a vicious woman, making him not even want to mention her.
Conversely, Wen Mingqian and her son are cherished by him, and Gong Changan is also clever and highly talented; everyone who meets him praises him.
Moreover, he is the legitimate son, so there’s no doubt he will have a brighter future than Gong Bao’an.
Gong Xu used to disdain the distinction between legitimate and illegitimate children, but now he finds the elders’ words quite reasonable.
Since Gong Bao’an is of illegitimate birth, he should be distinguished from Gong Changan, lest people say his household is in disarray.
When Gong Changan arrived at the academy, Feng Tianzhu was already there. Seeing him, he rushed over and hugged him, saying, “It’s been so many days since I last saw you, I’ve missed you terribly.”
“It’s only been six or seven days,” Gong Changan laughed. “Do you expect us to be apart for twenty autumns?”
“What are you two talking about? Let’s play cuju together!” At this moment, two other children joined them.
One was Heir Apparent Qiao, the son of Duke Qiao, and the other was Young Master Xu Mang, the son of the Earl of Linchuan. The four of them usually played together, and having not seen each other for a while, they naturally felt especially close.
“Let me tell you, I’ve been practicing hard at home these past few days, and I’ve definitely improved,” Feng Tianzhu said, rolling up his sleeves. “But it’s agreed that I must be on the same team as Changan.”
“How can you always insist on being on Changan’s team? We agreed to draw lots,” Xu Mang said bluntly, not caring if Feng Tianzhu was ill.
Actually, it was good that he acted this way; if he didn’t treat Feng Tianzhu as a patient, Feng Tianzhu wouldn’t have acted up as much.
Feng Tianzhu reached out to push him, saying, “We are brothers, why shouldn’t we be on the same team?”
Upon hearing this, Xu Mang immediately pulled Gong Changan and said, “What’s the big deal? Let’s become sworn brothers right now! Let’s use earth as incense, and let Heir Apparent Qiao be our witness!”
“Becoming sworn brothers won’t help; there’s also a matter of first come, first served,” Feng Tianzhu said, puffing out his chest. “No matter what you say.”
Seeing that the two were arguing more intensely, Qiao Ziyu quickly said, “Stop arguing for now. Have you heard about the cuju match for Prince Zhao’s birthday?”
“You’ve seen it?” Feng Tianzhu immediately stopped arguing. “I’ve heard of it, but my father never takes me to watch.”
“I saw it last year, and it was absolutely spectacular,” Qiao Ziyu said. “All the top players in the capital city participated, and the winners received many valuable items!”
It was common knowledge that Prince Zhao loved cuju. Therefore, a cuju match was held every year on his birthday, and it was because of this that Song Xiang gained favor.
“Why are you suddenly talking about this? Is Prince Zhao’s birthday approaching?” Gong Changan asked.
“It’s next month,” Qiao Ziyu said. “My father said our family will also form a team to participate this year.”
Almost all the high officials and nobles in the capital city wanted to get close to Prince Zhao, and catering to his preferences was essential.
The Qiao family was no exception.
“Indeed, this is a clever idea. If we give ordinary birthday gifts, Prince Zhao might not even glance at them,” Xu Mang said. “But I didn’t know your mansion had so many people who could play cuju.”
“Don’t tell anyone else,” Qiao Ziyu lowered his voice and said. “My uncle brought back seven or eight Kunlun slaves. They are all like black iron towers and look quite intimidating. Although they don’t speak much, they are all skilled at cuju. We’ve hired a master to train them for half a year. They’ll be quite a sight on the field. If Prince Zhao likes them, they can stay, and it won’t be a wasted effort.”
“The skilled players in Prince Zhao’s mansion, although not as tall as the Kunlun slaves, possess formidable kung fu. I wonder who will win?” Gong Changan interjected at this point.
“Those selected for Prince Zhao’s mansion are naturally the cream of the crop. My father said that if these Kunlun slaves can make it into the top three, it would be quite an honor,” Qiao Ziyu said. He was shrewd for his age, unlike Feng Tianzhu, who only cared about playing.
“Will you go to Prince Zhao’s birthday celebration?” Gong Changan asked Qiao Ziyu.
“Yes, I will. My father said I’m growing up and should go out to see the world and meet people,” Qiao Ziyu said. “I also really want to go myself.”
Gong Changan then secretly nudged Feng Tianzhu, “Sworn Brother, why don’t we visit Brother Qiao’s home one day to see those Kunlun slaves?”
“Okay, okay! Why don’t we go tomorrow?” Qiao Ziyu was very happy. “To be honest, Brother Gong, you’re just younger, but your skill in kick ball games is no less than theirs.”
“Actually, I think we’re just young, but our skills are not bad either,” Gong Changan encouraged. “Wouldn’t it be a way to gain face in public if we could also show off a few moves at Prince Zhao’s birthday banquet?”
“That’s true, but we’re too young; we can’t compare to them,” Qiao Ziyu shook his head.
“Yes, they can run three steps for every one step we take,” Xu Mang said with annoyance. He was indeed unconvinced, but the gap was too large. “The adults will definitely say we’re being foolish.”
“We won’t win if we compete, but if we perform some fancy moves, that’s a different story,” Gong Changan said with a smile. “If we can show off a move at Prince Zhao’s birthday banquet, wouldn’t we brothers also gain fame?”
These children valued fame the most; they didn’t really care about losing or gaining.
“Alas! But the adults won’t agree; they’ll definitely say we’re being foolish,” Xu Mang said dejectedly, pouting.
“I have an idea. We can practice beforehand and then let the adults see. If it’s acceptable, what reason would they have to stop us from participating? It’s all for fun, and as long as we can please Prince Zhao, isn’t that enough?” Gong Changan strongly wanted to make this happen.
