Chapter 282: Ji Runze Visits
The news that the Emperor had recovered from the poisoning did not leak out. He continued to feign a weak appearance as if he were on the verge of death.
Because of this, the actions the Imperial Princes were plotting in secret were quite a few.
Rong Zhi watched coldly, just waiting to see who would be unable to sit still and reveal themselves first.
Two days passed in the blink of an eye.
This morning, a thin, weak young boy dressed in old clothes walked to the front gate of Rong Prime Minister’s Manor. He hesitated and lingered for a long time, but he still mustered the courage to step forward and knock on the vermilion main gate.
A few minutes later…
The guards at the gate came to report that someone was looking for Qin Wanwan outside.
At this moment, Qin Wanwan was having breakfast with her two daddies.
With her mouth full of fragrant steamed buns, she had truly forgotten about Ji Runze.
However, now that he was mentioned, she remembered.
“Quick, call him in.”
After swallowing the food in her mouth and meeting her two daddies’ gazes, the little one obediently told them how she had met Ji Runze.
“Daddy, can I give him the books from your study?”
Rong Zhi: “What if I don’t give them to you?”
Qin Wanwan was not afraid: “Then I’ll go next door and get the books from Father Shang’s study.”
Rong Zhi pinched her little face: “I’ll see the person first before deciding.”
Okay.
And so, when Ji Runze arrived, he saw the legendary Chancellor Rong.
His thin body stood straight, and he cupped his hands in a standard bow towards Rong Zhi.
“Junior Ji Runze pays his respects to Chancellor Rong.”
Rong Zhi gave a faint “Mm” and said, “Sit down.”
Although nervous, Ji Runze still sat down.
He didn’t dare to stare at Rong Zhi, and his gaze fell on Qin Wanwan beside Rong Zhi, but he quickly withdrew his sight.
“I heard you’re not planning to attend the academy anymore?”
Ji Runze pondered for a moment and honestly explained his plans.
“I have conflicts with the scholars at the academy. If I continue to stay at the academy, I won’t be able to study diligently, and it will only add to my annoyance. Therefore, I plan to study at home on my own for now, and then find a suitable academy to attend when I am capable.”
Capable here meant having money.
The current Ji Runze was penniless and couldn’t even afford books, let alone attend school.
Wanwan had told Rong Zhi some things about Ji Runze’s situation.
But facing him now, Ji Runze chose not to complain. This was actually a smart move.
They were not familiar with each other in the first place. To have him complain to him after meeting him only once, detailing how much hardship and suffering he had endured, would have been truly presumptuous and would have given the impression of being unstable and overly eager for success.
Later, Rong Zhi asked him some questions about his studies.
Ji Runze answered what he could and did not fabricate answers for what he couldn’t. His foundational knowledge was solid, but he had learned relatively little.
In just one meeting, Rong Zhi had a general understanding of Ji Runze’s personality and his basic academic situation.
“Follow me.”
Rong Zhi stood up and took him to the study.
Qin Wanwan also trotted along happily.
Then Rong Zhi took a few books from the bookshelves and gave them to him.
There were the books that should be learned in school, and one volume was different.
Jin Runze opened it and saw that it was an excellent answer sheet from a previous imperial examination, with annotations and revisions. Just from the character of the writing, he could tell that these were Rong Zhi’s annotations.
At a glance, Ji Runze knew how precious this was to him.
“Thank you, Chancellor Rong.”
A lecture with annotations from Chancellor Rong was a treasure, not just for him, but for any scholar, and even for many officials. It was not something that could be measured by money.
This was something that could be passed down as an heirloom!
Ji Runze was so excited that his face turned red, and he immediately performed a kowtow to Rong Zhi.
Rong Zhi accepted it with composure.
“Rong Zhi, what are you doing? Aren’t you going to work?!”
The word “work” was learned from Wanwan and Keke. After understanding its meaning, Yu Wuyou started using it.
Yu Wuyou’s voice from outside the door was quite loud.
In just a few breaths, the study door was pushed open carelessly by Yu Wuyou.
“Hurry up, that old Emperor even sent someone to rush us. Why is he so afraid of dying?”
Ji Runze: ……….
Is this what I should be hearing? Will I be silenced?
Rong Zhi waved his hand indifferently: “Wanwan, take him out.”
Qin Wanwan happily agreed and walked ahead energetically.
“Ji Runze, hurry up and keep up. I’ll take you to see the flowers.”
Ji Runze bowed and then left.
Watching him leave, Yu Wuyou said, “Are you planning to take him as a disciple? Giving him so many books.”
Although Yu Wuyou was somewhat passive and preferred to slack off, he was not a truly ignorant sweet boy.
Rong Zhi: “Let’s see.”
It had to be said that his own daughter had excellent taste. Ji Runze, both in terms of his intelligence in learning and his personality, seemed to suit him well for the time being.
For officials, especially those who reached his status, it was impossible to not have confidants under them.
And confidants needed to be nurtured.
Those whom they courted in the officialdom were far inferior to those they nurtured themselves.
However, he had not had the energy to nurture anyone before, nor had he encountered any promising seedlings.
Now, he had indeed encountered one.
“An Yi, go investigate his background.”
“Yes.”
After giving these instructions, Rong Zhi went to work with Yu Wuyou.
Today, Qin Wanwan didn’t need anyone to escort her. She took Ji Runze to see the flowers, hands on her hips, full of confidence.
“Follow me, and I guarantee you’ll make a fortune!”
Ji Runze, holding his books, was also amazed by the various flowers blooming vibrantly in the actual flower garden, their rich fragrance refreshing his mind.
He didn’t doubt Qin Wanwan’s words at all.
Although Ji Runze was not interested in flowers, or rather, he had no energy or ability to cultivate a hobby of appreciating them.
However, he did know some of the more famous varieties of flowers.
And their prices on the market were not low.
The flowers here bloomed better and were more beautiful than any he had ever seen.
There would definitely be no problem selling them.
“Gugugu…”
His belly suddenly rumbled, which immediately pulled Ji Runze back to reality, and then his entire face turned red.
“Are you hungry?”
Qin Wanwan tilted her head up and asked.
Before Ji Runze could speak, Qin Wanwan walked ahead.
“Follow me, I’ll take you to eat something.”
Ji Runze touched his unruly stomach, and his dark eyes imprinted the small figure walking in front of him.
Even the vibrant flowers around them became mere decorations.
Qin Wanwan led him to the kitchen. The little person was sweet-mouthed and soft, getting along well with everyone in the kitchen, from the chefs to the kitchen maids.
Soon, she came out with a box full of fragrant food.
They found a gazebo to sit in and laid out the meal.
“You eat quickly, I’ll eat this.”
She happily drank her milk tea and took a dish of fish food from Wolf Fang, who had been following her all along. She leaned on the gazebo railing, took a sip of milk tea, and threw a small pinch of fish food into the pond.
Soon, the water became agitated.
Countless fish swam up greedily to snatch the fish food.
