Chapter 189: “condolences” From All Over The Imperial Court
This time, after being beaten, Rong Zhi took leave and didn’t go to court until the injury on his face healed.
But the news of him being beaten spread throughout the entire Imperial Court.
This was all thanks to Marquis Wu’an’s loud voice.
So after the court session that day, Rong Zhi received many calling cards, grandly stating that they were worried about his health and wanted to visit him.
Even the Emperor was extremely curious.
Who was it? Who dared to hit his beloved minister Rong.
What made the Emperor even more puzzled was that his beloved minister Rong didn’t complain at all!
The first to visit Rong Zhi’s home were naturally his few friends.
There weren’t many, just two, whom he had befriended when they were studying at the Imperial Academy.
One of them was Xue Lin, who had a brief encounter with Qin Wanwan.
However, Qin Wanwan and Father Shang were out at this time.
Shang Wuyang was also petty and was quite resentful that he couldn’t sleep holding the little Qilin at night, so he directly abducted the little chubby cub during the day.
“My Lord, Lord Xue and Lord An are here.”
Rong Zhi didn’t want to see anyone, but they were already at the doorway shouting.
“Let them in.”
His tone was a bit cold and harsh.
After the two entered, they stared at his face: “Ouch, who was so brave to actually beat you!”
Xue Lin’s eyes widened, filled with curiosity and gossip.
An Yuanzhi was calmer, but seeing the injury on Rong Zhi’s face, he was clearly very surprised.
“I thought it was just a rumor.”
Rong Zhi was expressionless: “Who spread it?”
Xue Lin casually sat down: “Marquis Wu’an from across the way. Today in court, someone asked why you weren’t here, and you know his voice, he said you were beaten, and by the merchant next door. Half the court heard it then, and after court, the entire Imperial Court, from His Majesty down to the guards, knew about it.”
Rong Zhi: …………
“You were beaten before too, weren’t you? You never said who it was when we asked, it couldn’t have been him, could it? Who lives next door anyway? You dared to use a knife on your own father, and you didn’t retaliate when beaten by the neighbor?”
An Yuanzhi kicked him.
Xue Lin quickly shut up.
Rong Zhi’s father could be considered a taboo, and normally no one dared to mention him.
The two glanced at his expression and, seeing that he looked calm and not angry, breathed a sigh of relief.
However, now they were truly curious, what kind of relationship was it? Rong Zhi, this man with a hundred and eighty schemes, was beaten and just let it go?
And it seemed he had been beaten more than once.
And each time it was on his face.
Under their probing gazes, Rong Zhi unhurriedly drank tea.
If he were to retaliate, that little one would cry to death.
Xue Lin tentatively asked: “Was the person who beat you male or female?”
Rong Zhi: “…Don’t overthink it, there’s another reason.”
Xue Lin wanted to ask, but seeing Rong Zhi’s calm gaze, he decided to keep quiet.
Although the three were friends, the two of them were still a little afraid of Rong Zhi.
Xue Lin leaned closer to Rong Zhi: “Rong Zhi, I have a question for you, what incense are you burning? This scent is too rich, but it smells good, a bit like orchid and it suits you.”
An Yuanzhi also looked at Rong Zhi.
Noble’s clothing was usually scented, but Rong Zhi normally disliked strong scents; he often used a cold pine scent, which was very light.
Today, however, his whole body exuded a rich orchid fragrance. It didn’t quite match his usual preference, but it had to be said, it was truly pleasant-smelling.
His tired mind instantly felt much clearer.
Rong Zhi lowered his gaze to the sachet at his waist.
In Tianqi, not only women loved beauty, but many men also paid attention to their image, especially those who were rich and powerful.
They always liked to hang things at their waists that represented their identity or were precious.
Jade pendants, jade rings, even belts were particular.
He usually wore a jade pendant at his waist, but the one he commonly used had been given to Qin Wanwan.
Currently, he had another jade pendant at his waist, and also a sachet that the little chubby cub had given him early that morning.
The small sachet was exquisite, embroidered with an orchid and some cloud patterns, with a tassel hanging at the bottom.
The scent was emanating from the sachet.
Following his gaze, Xue Lin and An Yuanzhi also looked over.
“Oh, you’re actually wearing a sachet, who gave it to you?”
Both of them looked surprised and curious.
Rong Zhi took off the sachet.
“Wanwan gave it to me.”
The corners of his mouth turned up, and his tone carried a hint of obvious doting.
“She asked me to take it to the Temple Fair and Spring God Festival for blessings.”
The two of them:…………
Alright, alright, we know how considerate your daughter is!
Even so, they couldn’t help but feel a little sour in their hearts.
They also had children. After all, at their age, few people were as pure and detached as Rong Zhi, with no one in their backyard to warm their bed.
But their children had never given them such little trinkets!
“That scent is coming from inside.”
An Yuanzhi immediately understood.
Xue Lin also looked: “What kind of incense is in there? Where did it come from?”
He wanted one too.
Working in the Imperial Court was already very tiring, and this scent made his mind clear and his body comfortable; the fatigue had disappeared.
Rong Zhi hung the sachet back on: “You can’t buy it, this is filled with dried flowers.”
Although he felt a bit heartbroken that the orchid was torn, it was a gift from Wanwan, so he wasn’t as heartbroken anymore. Anyway, he could grow them back by nurturing the flowers.
“Dried flowers?”
“There are orchids at this time of year?”
Rong Zhi’s eyes held a smile: “Wanwan grew them.”
The two of them:…………
It didn’t matter who grew them, the question was whether this was the season for orchids to bloom?
And what was with the bragging in your tone? As if no one else had a daughter!
They could barely stop themselves from rolling their eyes.
Since he had a daughter, this person was no longer the Rong Zhi they knew.
But that floral scent was really nice, he wanted it.
Rong Zhi: There isn’t any.
Unable to get the flowers, the two played a few rounds of chess with Rong Zhi and then left. They had other matters to attend to and couldn’t stay here forever.
Later, Rong Zhi received the Grand Tutor and several old ministers, and even the First Prince came to gloat.
Rong Zhi really couldn’t directly block these people from entering.
Finally, even the Emperor secretly came.
When they left, they all asked Rong Zhi about the fragrance on his person.
It was unavoidable; the scent had too strong a presence.
It was rich and pleasant, but not cloying at all.
After smelling it for a while, one even felt refreshed.
Rong Zhi gave none to anyone, but the Emperor…
The Emperor was truly thick-skinned, asking about his sachet several times in a row.
Rong Zhi could only go next door and get him a sachet with a lavender scent.
Don’t even think about the orchid scent; this was given by his beloved daughter.
The Emperor left satisfied with the lavender-scented sachet.
If he hadn’t been pressed for time, he would have even wanted to go next door to satisfy his curiosity.
Beloved minister Rong’s relationship with the next-door household seemed unusual.
Rong Zhi: (╬◣д◢)
Marquis Wu’an, is that you!
