That evening, Xia Tingfeng stayed at Marquis Zhongyongâs Mansion.
The mansion wasnât large, and renovations had been completed a month before the wedding.
Only the pond and the artificial mountain with its strange rocks in the back were still being worked on by craftsmen, but even these were expected to be finished in at most half a month.
In any case, it wouldnât affect the wedding next month.
The front courtyard had long been ready.
So, Xia Tingfeng could move in directly.
Early the next morning, he didnât go to Zheng Qianhu Manor but went straight to the imperial palace for duty.
ăMeanwhile, at Zheng Qianhu Manor.ă
Xia Jingfeng had a simple breakfast and was now bent over his desk writing something.
Tiger had also gone for duty.
In the courtyard, only Rat and Monster were left.
The two peeked around and walked in from outside the door.
Xia Jingfeng quickly put down his pen.
"It turns out to be the two of you!"
Rat and Monster then said with a smile,
"Ah..."
"I say, big brother, have you had a good life these past two years? How come you look so much better after not seeing you for two or three years?"
Xia Jingfeng was dressed in a simple cotton robe, his hair casually combed, appearing very ordinary.
However, this ordinary attire didnât detract from his good looks at all.
They werenât noticeable in his childhood but became apparent as he grew up.
He had a pair of bright eyes just like Consort Xian Pin, dense eyelashes, a lofty nose bridge, and thin lips.
He was handsome but not frail, scholarly but not pedantic.
His demeanor was neither servile nor overbearing, elegant to the boneâa truly dashing young noble.
His hands, with their distinct knuckles and slender fingers, made the act of holding a pen particularly attractive.
This prompted Ratâs question.
Xia Jingfeng simply smiled.
"These two years, Iâve been studying at the academy, living and eating with my classmates, which I think is somewhat better than home!"
Of course, it was better than home.
In the academy, everyone was a classmate, and no one bullied him.
Even if someone tried to bully others using their power and influence, they couldnât bully him, right?
After all, who didnât know he had a sister serving as a consort in the palace?
Therefore, his life these past two years had been smooth sailing.
Even the teachers who instructed them said he had opened up, becoming smarter and less timid than before.
With such confidence, and classmates who were willing to befriend him, he gradually regained the self-assurance he had lost.
To sum it up in one sentence, if he was still an unfledged eagle two years ago, he was now an eagle about to spread his wings and soar.
The teachers from White Horse Academy all said he had an eighty to ninety percent chance of passing the imperial examination next year.
Therefore, he took leave from his teacher in advance and came to the Capital City early to prepare for the exam.
Of course, the main reason was to attend his elder brotherâs wedding.
Besides, he also hoped to find an opportunity to see his elder sister again.
He had said that once he was capable, he would definitely come to the Capital City to find her!
Rat and Monster looked at the huge stack of books by his bed and then at the unfinished letter on the desk by the window.
After a few more pleasantries, they quickly took their leave.
"Weâre leaving!"
"We wonât keep you from writing!"
Xia Jingfeng laughed.
"Wonât you stay a bit longer? The stuff Iâm writing isnât urgent!"
Rat and Monster both waved their hands repeatedly.
"No, no!"
With that, the two of them made a hasty exit!
After leaving Xia Jingfengâs room, the two quickly wiped their sweat.
"Ah... People with knowledge really speak differently!" Monster remarked.
Rat was silent for a while, then nodded in agreement.
"Exactly. Looking at him, Iâd be embarrassed to invite him to drink at a brothel!"
"I feel... that bunch of courtesans donât deserve our brother!"
Monster highly agreed.
"This is like... fresh flowers stuck in cow dung!"
"Ah no, thatâs not right. Is it cow dung stuck in fresh flowers? Thatâs not right either!"
"Ah... I donât know how to say it, but itâs just different!"
"Compared to him, I feel like weâre just muddy pigs and scabby dogs!"
Rat was utterly speechless.
"Youâre the muddy pig and scabby dog!"
"Itâs so cold today. Want to go for a drink?"
Monster glanced towards Xia Jingfengâs room, somewhat hesitant.
"Thatâs not good, is it? Heâs just arrived, and weâre planning to run off?"
Rat was also torn.
"But if we donât go, weâll have nothing to do either!"
Monster nodded, "Thatâs true!"
The two were conflicted back and forth but eventually decided to go for a drink.
Theyâd go quickly and come back quickly. It was broad daylight, and they were unfamiliar with the area. Xia Jingfeng should be alright, right?
With that, they changed into their clothes, ready to go out and drink at the brothel!
Who would have known? The moment they opened the courtyard gate, they saw several carriages on the cobblestone road outside heading their way.
"Wow! Whoâs this? Those carriages look pretty lavish!"
Monster had a bit of an ominous feeling inside.
Rat stared at the approaching carriages for a moment, his pupils suddenly dilating.
"Damn, itâs probably the old couple from the Xia Family!"
Monsterâs face immediately changed, filled with scorn, "Damn, Iâve stepped in dog shitâthey actually dared to come!"
"What in the world is their face made of?!"
Rat didnât have the time for irony or sarcasm and quickly shut the door.
"Quick! Tell Xia Jingfeng to leave through the back door!"
"Iâll hold them off here, hurry up!"
Having said that, he blocked the door with his body.
Monster understood as well and, not caring about his expression, sprinted toward the house.
Meanwhile, the carriages had arrived.
Old Master Xia and Lady Yao got off the carriage, helping each other down.
Lady Yao, with a thick face, stepped forward to knock on the door.
Old Master Xia looked left and right, seeming a bit ashamed yet helpless.
After knocking for a while, with no response from inside, Lady Yao began to scold.
"The Second Young Master comes to the Capital City and doesnât even tell us. How can he call himself a son? Heâs clearly avoiding enemies!"
"Donât you agree, Old Master?"
Old Master Xia was also quite angry.
"He is thoughtless, and you still came. If you ask me, the Old Master shouldnât have come at all!"
A young lad who doesnât even respect his own father is unfilial!
He didnât believe it; who would be shamed if word got out?!
He still wanted to pass the imperial examinations and become an official; he couldnât possibly discard his good name!
Lady Yaoâs eyes shifted as she quickly amended her words.
"Oh, Old Master, please calm your anger. I was just speaking out of frustration!"
"How could we not come? The Eldest Master is now a Marquis, and the Second Master is the brother of Consort Xian Pin in the palace!"
"No matter how high their rank becomes in the future, you will always be their father!"
And I will always be their mother.
Even a stepmother is still a mother; they canât fail to recognize that.
Nowâs the time to mend relations, to save face, for the sake of paving the way for my own children in the future!
Such a good relationship is not to be wasted!
As for what she had done before? Tsk, tsk! She had returned all that hefty sum of gold and silver; what more did they want?
The Eldest Master surely couldnât deny her, hmph!
So, the advantages that could be taken still had to be taken!
Old Master Xia thought about it and agreed, but still... The idea of having to personally ask to see his own biological sonâhe still couldnât get over it.
In his heart, a son should be filial and respectful to his father!
Now, with things as they were, the boy had shut him out; what did that make of him?