LIGHTNOVELWORLD Chapter 44
Zhang Kaiwei found himself with another headache at Ning Yongyuan’s request.
Despite only spending a day or two together, Zhang Kaiwei already understood Ning Yongyuan’s peculiar temperament. One moment he would be smiling amicably, and the next, he would start beating and scolding his servants.
The little marquis was somewhat reasonable, his mind clear, and he didn’t trouble Zhang Kaiwei much.
But after tossing the servants around several times, the people in Zhang’s mansion feared the little marquis more than their actual master.
Observing the butler’s suddenly pale face, Zhang Kaiwei sighed, “Little marquis, I haven’t had a chance to inform the chief yet. Is it advisable to approach so presumptuously?”
Ning Yongyuan glanced at him, his expression nonchalant, “Why are you so timid? I’m not here to see Chief Fang. I just want to visit the academy first, see what Chief Fang’s academy is like, and send a greeting. If Chief Fang wants to meet me, we will. If not, I’ll return in two days!”
While the request was declined, Ning Yongyuan’s tone sounded reasonable.
Initially, Zhang Kaiwei worried that the little marquis might become angry and disrupt the tranquility of the academy if rejected. Seeing that Ning Yongyuan’s response was quite reasonable, Zhang Kaiwei nodded and said, “Then I’ll guide you, little marquis. Just know that there isn’t much of interest in the academy; they’re all in class! It’s a small place, incomparable to the capital city.”
“I know it.” Ning Yongyuan tapped Zhang Kaiwei’s shoulder with a fan, smiling, “When I take you back to the capital, you’ll see what real liveliness is.”
“Yes, yes, let’s go now.” Despite his irritation, Zhang Kaiwei restrained his temper.
True, Huanshui was a small place, and it couldn’t compare to the capital city, but Ning Yongyuan said it as if Zhang Kaiwei had never experienced a grand scene!
Zhang Kaiwei, the son of a second-rank governor and a descendant of the Right Prime Minister’s family in the capital, had never been treated with such disregard. Yet, Ning Yongyuan’s status as the son of Marquis Zhenyuan made Zhang Kaiwei endure. After all, his father held the title of Marquis.
In Ning Yongyuan’s childhood, Marquis Zhenyuan was a warrior. Ning Yongyuan received better treatment than the princes in the palace, and even the emperor treated him as a nephew. Zhang Kaiwei had heard stories of Ning Yongyuan’s childhood encounters with palace princes, leaving a lasting impression.
As these thoughts crossed his mind, Zhang Kaiwei’s dissatisfaction gradually faded. At least Ning Yongyuan showed him some respect and didn’t drag him into the mud.
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In half an hour, they departed from the Zhang Mansion and arrived at Huanshui Academy.
Upon arrival, Ning Yongyuan casually asked, “Old Chief Fang is so knowledgeable; why do you want to go to the capital for a goverment school?”
Ning Yongyuan knew that Zhang Kaiwei’s mother was deceased, and he only had one father who didn’t pay much attention to him. In his opinion, it was better to stay low-key in the serene Huanshui than in the bustling capital.
But people had different perspectives. If Ning Yongyuan had to spend a year and a half in Huanshui, he might wish to go to the capital. Now, tired of staying in the capital, he wanted to venture out.
He came to Jiangnan for both leisure and because his father had asked Fang Qichen for something.
More than ten years had passed, and the border was about to see movement again. Marquis Zhenyuan had been elevated to the rank of marquis and sought opportunities to advance further, aiming for a dukedom.
Why did he consult Fang Qichen? Li Yunxi’s peculiar letters were all sent to Huanshui. To claim that Li Yunxi discussed no political matters with Fang Qichen was something even the court members would find hard to believe!
This explained why Ning Yongyuan appeared to have a favorable attitude toward meeting Fang Qichen. He sought assistance; he wasn’t foolish enough to intentionally offend Fang Qichen.
Zhang Kaiwei smiled awkwardly, “Looking at the prosperity of the capital, I fear it might narrow my horizons. Also, Chief Fang no longer teaches; he has taken only one disciple and teaches in seclusion.”
“Disciple?” Ning Yongyuan exclaimed in surprise. He knew the fact that Fang Qichen was the Imperial Teacher.
His father, Marquis Zhenyuan Ning Haibo, had mentioned that Fang Qichen was kind-hearted, and the two emperors maintained a good relationship with him, akin to that of a father and a son.
For ordinary people, achieving a master-disciple relationship akin to a father and son was exceptionally challenging. To achieve this, especially when the disciple was an emperor, was even more extraordinary!
Now… Fang Qichen had accepted a new disciple?!
Ning Yongyuan, who had been traveling around Jiangnan, was astonished. He couldn’t help but ponder how many people would regret not sending their children here if this news spread.
Seeing his surprise, Zhang Kaiwei genuinely smiled, “Yes, the Holy Master sent a letter, requesting the chief to take a disciple to serve him, providing peace of mind.”
“It seems my father mentioned in the letter that only I…”
At that time, he thought it wouldn’t work, so he didn’t pay much attention.
“Who did Chief Fang accept as his disciple? That person is incredibly fortunate!” remarked Ning Yongyuan.
After hearing this, Zhang Kaiwei thought to himself: Who is fortunate for someone like you? Because his father was Marquis Zhenyuan, he became the emperor’s half-nephew, enjoying an incredibly close relationship.
Zhang Kaiwei concealed his envy and proceeded to the back mountain, sending a message to inform Fang Qichen, then led the group to explore the academy, providing an introduction along the way.
Ning Yongyuan had never seen anything like this before. After walking around twice, he lost interest and even felt a bit disgusted that there were no good-looking girls near the academy.
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On the back mountain, in a cottage, Wang Zhuang reported the news of Ning Yongyuan’s visit from afar.
Fang Qichen pinched his eyebrows, recalling what the little marquis looked like in his memory. “Is he the fat, white boy with a bad temper from the Ning family?” Fang Qichen questioned.
Wang Zhuang thought for a moment and said, “It’s the one from Marquis Zhenyuan’s family.”
“Then let him come up,” Fang Qichen nodded. He then turned to Jing Xingzhi, smiling, “That boy seems to be about the same age as you. Let’s see if you can make eye contact.”
Jing Xingzhi was dissatisfied with his choice of words. “What’s wrong with making eye contact? It’s not a blind date. Teacher, please hide the little junior sister quickly.”
As soon as Jing Xingzhi said these words, Fang Qichen remembered that he had a treasure at home and really needed to hide it quickly. He called Wang Zhuang, who had not yet left, and said, “Go tell the young lady that I want fish porridge without bones, then bring the person to the cottage.”
Fang Yaojun, still young but very filial, would fulfill Fang Qichen’s requests herself.
Jing Xingzhi smiled while reading, feeling that Fang Qichen was like a cat teasing a stick. Fang Qichen listened to his laughter, amused and annoyed, “Why don’t you and Fang Ge’er have a baby for me to play with!”
Jing Xingzhi choked at these words and coughed violently. “I’m still young.”
Fang Qichen, in an old-fashioned tone, said, “A man can’t say he is young.”
Jing Xingzhi shook his head, “I’m not old enough!”
Fang Qichen stroked his long beard proudly, “Think about it, how can I still have your little junior sister?”
Jing Xingzhi calculated their ages and was shocked by the difference. Fang Qichen was in his fifties, and Fang Yaojun was around his age.
Fang Qichen looked at the young man’s dumbfounded face and smiled without saying anything. He was not a simple old man.
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They talked for a while, then Jing Xingzhi lost himself in reading, discarding the book and eagerly awaiting the arrival of the little marquis at his door.
As the name suggests, the little marquis must be the son of a certain Marquis. Jing Xingzhi asked a question, and Fang Qichen answered, recounting in detail how Marquis Zhenyuan rose to the rank of Marquis.
Impressed by Marquis Zhenyuan Ning Haibo’s military prowess, Jing Xingzhi had high expectations for the upcoming Ning Yongyuan. A tiger father had no dog sons – he wondered what kind of person this little marquis would be.
Without Jing Xingzhi’s nagging for long, Ning Yongyuan followed Wang Zhuang, Zhang Kaiwei, and others up the mountain. Standing outside the cottage, he awaited Fang Qichen’s permission to enter.
Ning Yongyuan glanced at Zhang Kaiwei with displeasure, wondering why he felt strange upon reaching the back mountain. Before he could think further, Wang Zhuang called him in.
Inside, Fang Qichen welcomed him, remarking on the years that had passed since Ning Yongyuan was a chubby baby. Smiling, Ning Yongyuan tried to appear polite and well-behaved, expressing admiration for Fang Qichen.
Fang Qichen was pleased but sensed something strange in Ning Yongyuan’s eyes. The young visitor couldn’t take his eyes off Jing Xingzhi, who felt the scrutiny and looked to Fang Qichen for an explanation.
The teacher and disciple exchanged glances, and Fang Qichen, uncertain of the reason, questioned Ning Yongyuan in an elder’s tone, “Yongyuan, why are you staring at my little disciple’s face like this? He already washed it.”