The girl hastened to cover it, and, hearing no sound of enquiry coming from the house, patted her breast and walked gingerly back into the courtyard, gesturing for the maid to take the cup containing the tonic soup to the kitchen, and flipping through the books the boys had hung out to dry herself.
These were all from Old Mr Xu’s house and were rarely touched by anyone during the day.
As she looked at them, the girl reached out and picked up one of the books and looked through it.
Seeing her fascination, the maid moved a stool and put it under the porch, “Miss, Old Master always says that reading in the sun is bad for your eyes, so go over and read under the porch.”
The girl, fascinated by the book, turned around and walked down the corridor, her eyes never leaving the book in her hand. The maid guarded her carefully, waiting for her to sit down and stand beside her.
……
Inside the house, Song Si and Sun Jin both forgot the time and when Old Mr Xu stopped, the two were still immersed in his explanation and did not return to their senses.
After speaking for too long, Old Mr. Xu’s throat was dry and he couldn’t help but cough lightly. The two men returned to their senses and Song Si got up to pour water and respectfully handed it to him.
Old Mr Xu was very pleased with him.
He had just asked him a few questions, but Song Si’s insights were unique, and it was very rare for him to have such profound knowledge at such a young age.
Song Si took a step back and bowed to the end, “I am fortunate to have been instructed by Old Master today, I have benefited greatly, I cannot repay you.”
Sun Jin also hurriedly rose and bowed to the end, “Thank you, old sir, for your guidance.”
“With your knowledge, if you both play steadily, you will definitely come out on top, I am waiting for your good news.”
“With your kind words, I will not let you down, sir.”
Both of them said at the same time.
Old Mr. Xu nodded his head.
Seeing that he had a tired look on his face, Song Si said, “It’s getting late, so the student will not bother old sir anymore.”
“That’s fine, Xu Liang!”
A boy in the courtyard who was drying books heard the shout, put down the books he was holding and respectfully entered, “Old sir.”
“Send them out for me.”
The boy made a gesture of invitation, “Two, please follow me.”
The two men bowed to Old Mr Xu again and followed him out the door.
Dang!
The book in the girl’s hand fell to the ground.
Sun Jin looked over at the sound of her voice, and the girl also happened to look over, and when the four eyes met, Sun Jin realized that he had acted inappropriately and hurriedly withdrew his eyes.
The girl also withdrew her eyes and bent over, “Oh, my book!”
“Is that Ling’er?”
Old Mr. Xu’s voice came out from inside the house.
“Great-grandfather, it’s me.”
Ling’er replied as she picked the book up and pulled out a hanky to wipe it again and again.
“Come in.”
Ling’er gestured for the maid to go to the kitchen to bring the tonic soup over, and she walked into the house with the book in her hand, with the petulance of a little girl, “Great-grandfather, I’ve been here for a long time. Seeing someone in your house, I’ve been sitting on the veranda reading a book.”
“What are you reading?”
“Travelogues from all over the world, it’s very good, I’m fascinated. Will great-grandfather let me take this book back with me to read, I promise, it won’t break.”
In his life, he had hardly left the capital, and his only ambition was to go out and see the places written about in the book and enjoy the scenery in his lifetime.
“Great-grandfather, just say yes.”
Seeing that he did not answer for a long time, Ling’er pouted.
“Yes, yes, yes.”
“Thanks a lot, great-grandfather.”
Ling’er put the book on the table, took the soup pot from the maid and put it in front of Old Master Xu, “I made this for Great Grandfather with my own hands, drink it while it’s hot.”
……
Seeing Song Si and Sun Jin personally being escorted out by the maid, those scholars who were still in line and hadn’t gotten in looked at them enviously as Song Si walked towards the carriage without a glance.
Sun Jin, somewhat exuberant and unable to control his excitement, followed and got into Song Si’s carriage.
Before he could sit down, he excitedly punched the wall of the carriage with a loud thud, scaring the carriage driver into asking hurriedly, “What’s wrong, Sir Song?”
“Nothing.”
Song Si’s voice was steady as he glanced at Sun Jin.
Still unable to suppress it, Sun Jin simply sat on the carriage board at Song Si’s feet, “Brother Song, Brother Song, pinch me, I’ll see if I’m dreaming!”
Song Si didn’t bother to pay attention to him, when he was in the capital he thought he was just young master temper, he hadn’t seen him for a few months, but he had even added a silly temper.
Sun Jin grabbed his hand and slapped himself hard across the face, the snap was very loud, Song Si was startled, but Sun Jin grinned, “Ouch! It’s true, it’s true, I’ve really gotten some pointers from Old Mr. Xu.”
“Stop!”
“Phew ……”
The carriage stopped.
“Come on men!”
The boy following the carriage lifted the curtain.
“Throw him off!”
Song Si was nonchalant.
“Mr. Sun, please come down.”
Sun Jin was not annoyed, grinning as he got off the carriage and watched Song Si’s carriage go far away before climbing back to his own carriage on his hands and knees, giggling all the way back to the inn and going to Master Sun’s room with clouds under his feet, “Father …… hehehehehe… . heh heh heh.”
Master Sun was so frightened that his heart stopped for a moment, “Jin’er, what’s wrong with you?”
“I’m fine …… hehehehehe …… I’m just so happy …… hehehehehe.”
Master Sun trembled and extended two fingers, “Jin’er, tell father, what is this?”
“Of course it’s two …… heh heh heh.”
Master Sun added another finger, “What’s this?”
“Three.”
Master Sun was relieved and sat down on one side, only then did he have the presence of mind to look at the boy on one side, who, seeing this, immediately said, “Young Master met Old Master Xu today and even got his guidance.”
“Jin’er, is that true?”
Sun Jin nodded his head repeatedly.
“Great.”
Master Sun couldn’t help but stand up again, “If Jin’s son can get guidance from Old Master Xu, there’s hope for him to be on the top of the list.”
Although Sun Jin had ranked well in the provincial examinations, the session examinations were a gathering of the best students from all over the country, and it was not certain that Sun Jin would make the list.
With Mr. Xu’s guidance, it was different. Mr. Xu had lived in the capital for a long time and knew a lot about the dynasty, so his guidance would be right to the point.
“Thanks to Brother Song, I followed him in thanks to his light.”
“Then what are you waiting for, go! ……”
Master Sun tugged him up, “Father will accompany you to thank him properly.”
……
After Song Si returned to the inn, he took a pen and paper and wrote down all that Old Mr. Xu had said, and was just about to ponder it word by word when the door was once again tapped, “Brother Song.”
Hearing the voice of Sun Jin, Song Si frowned slightly.
He was not used to having someone at the door, so he let the Gu family’s servants go back to their rooms to rest, which was convenient for Sun Jin.
“My father and I have come to thank you.”
Song Si could only put down the paper he had just written in his hand, and without washing his hands, he went to open the door.
“Sir Song.”
Master Sun arched his hand and caught a glimpse of the ink in his hand, “We haven’t disturbed Sir Song, have we?”
“No, please come in, both of you.”
Father and son went in.
“Sit down first, you two, while I wash my hands.”
“What is Brother Song writing?”