Chapter 640 - 642: Arrangements

Chapter 640: Chapter 642: Arrangements

He could certainly hear the pointed, sour remarks from some of them, insinuating that an external assignment was just an opportunity to line their pockets and bleed the common people dry.

He Nan couldn’t speak for others, but Ancient Wen Heng truly had no need for that.

Ning Yuchen composed his expression. "I never realized that, despite being from the same cohort, Mr. He knows Mr. Gu so well. That is an oversight on our part."

The other officials’ expressions cooled. They were all colleagues from the Hanlin Academy, yet Mr. He knew things they didn’t.

Ancient Wen Heng eyed him coldly. "Brother He and I have similar interests and have always kept in touch through letters. Naturally, we are closer than others."

People naturally have closer and more distant relationships. With that one sentence from Ancient Wen Heng, Ning Yuchen’s attempt to sow discord vanished.

When Ancient Wen Heng had been sent to De City, they hadn’t gloated over his misfortune, but they hadn’t made any effort to contact him in the years that followed either.

In that regard, they were indeed no match for He Nan. ’If it were us, we wouldn’t proactively tell someone we barely knew the extent of our family’s wealth, either.’

This was also why Ancient Wen Heng had chosen not to host the banquet at his home. Otherwise, they would have brought their entire families, and it would have been an exhausting ordeal for his wife.

But today, he was the host, so it fell to him to make the requisite pleasantries. He politely thanked his former colleagues for their "care" over the years and then invited everyone to enjoy the specialty food and wine of Tianfu Restaurant.

Although the Tianfu Restaurant in Shangjing didn’t offer the same variety of seafood as the one in Lu City, it was, after all, at the very center of power. There was no shortage of provisions, and the various dishes were exquisite and delicious. It was a rare treat for these Hanlin Academy officials, who were usually too frugal to spend on such luxuries.

After everyone had eaten and drunk their fill and the guests were all in high spirits, Ancient Wen Heng personally saw them out of the restaurant.

’If not for the need to avoid gossip about him being ungrateful for old ties, he wouldn’t have hosted this banquet at all.’

’Still, it was for the best. This can be considered putting a final period on my past with the Hanlin Academy. When I return in the future, I can interact more with those worth knowing and completely ignore the rest.’

Just as he was about to turn and head home, Ning Yuchen, who should have departed already, ran over and blocked his path.

"Is there something else, Lord Ning?" Ancient Wen Heng asked, his face cold. ’He truly had not an ounce of goodwill for Ning Yuchen. If it weren’t for avoiding gossip, the man wouldn’t have even been on the guest list today.’

"Mr. Gu," Ning Yuchen began, his voice unconsciously taking on a fawning tone as he felt the intimidating pressure radiating from Ancient Wen Heng. "Seeing as it’s been so long since we last met, and I happen to have something I’d like to discuss with you, why don’t we go to the teahouse next door for a chat?"

Ancient Wen Heng replied, "My apologies, but I’m a bit tipsy from the wine. It’s not a good time to discuss business. If you have something to say, Lord Ning, perhaps we can speak of it another time."

With that, he started to walk past, but Ning Yuchen blocked his way again. "It will only take a moment. I just have a few things to say."

"If it’s nothing that can’t be said in public, and since you’re unwilling to reschedule, Lord Ning, then say it here. After all, it’s only a few words."

’Impatience flared in Ancient Wen Heng. ’I’m about to leave on a long journey; I don’t have time to listen to him ramble on.’’

Ning Yuchen glanced at the passersby milling about the restaurant entrance. "It’s not convenient here. Besides, you’re a bit tipsy, Mr. Gu. Let’s go to the teahouse, have some tea, and sober up."

’Ancient Wen Heng was no longer the mere editor he had been at the Hanlin Academy. He was a dignified third-rank official; was he supposed to take orders from a petty seventh-rank official?’

His expression darkened. "If you won’t say it, then I will take my leave."

Without him even needing to say a word, Ming Feng and the guards behind him immediately formed a protective circle around Ancient Wen Heng, carefully helping him into the carriage.

Pushed aside, Ning Yuchen felt a surge of humiliation. Still, he gritted his teeth and tried to squeeze onto the carriage as well.

But before he could get close, Ming Feng blocked him. "Lord Ning, our master is drunk and in no condition to discuss matters right now. Perhaps you could reschedule?"

Even though Ning Yuchen looked down on Ming Feng, he couldn’t very well cause a scene.

He could only watch helplessly as the carriage receded into the distance. Finally, he gritted his teeth and headed for that familiar alley.

Once inside the carriage, Ancient Wen Heng stared ahead, lost in thought. ’I’ve had very little to do with Ning Yuchen. He’s a narrow-minded man. For him to seek me out so proactively, it’s definitely not for anything good.’

He rubbed his forehead. He hadn’t been lying earlier. After so many rounds of toasts, even he, with his high tolerance, was feeling the effects.

As for Ning Yuchen, Ancient Wen Heng had no desire to get involved with him. He’d told him they could reschedule, but in a few days, he would be departing for his new post. They naturally wouldn’t be meeting again.

* * *

Jin Qianqian was just as busy, entertaining the madams she was friendly with and reviewing account books from Shangjing and their various other holdings. After the flurry of activity, she had slimmed down quite a bit.

"You’ve been working too hard," Ancient Wen Heng said, standing behind Jin Qianqian and massaging her shoulders.

Jin Qianqian patted his arm. "You should sit down and rest, too. You must be exhausted from these past few days.

I was just shaking out my hand because I’ve been writing so much. Just stretching a little.

It’s fine now. If I really needed it, I could have Lichun or one of the others massage it."

Ancient Wen Heng said, "I’m not tired today, actually. I spent half the day fishing by the river with Old Prime Minister Liu.

Unfortunately, my luck was off, so I didn’t bring anything back for dinner."

Jin Qianqian smiled, pressing her lips together. "Old Prime Minister Liu still loves his hobby. But for you to come home empty-handed... your luck usually isn’t this bad."

Ancient Wen Heng chuckled. "I can’t crush his spirits every single time. Otherwise, Old Prime Minister Liu might just jump into the river to catch the fish himself."

’The hook he’d cast earlier didn’t even have bait on it. It would have been a miracle if he’d caught anything.’

The two of them couldn’t help but exchange a smile at the thought of Liu Donglai’s persistence.

"I doubt it would come to that," Jin Qianqian said. "After so many years of being out-fished, he ought to be used to it by now."

Ancient Wen Heng said, "If we weren’t leaving in a couple of days, he was going to invite you fishing, too. He kept saying how lucky you are, and that maybe with your good fortune, he could finally fulfill his long-held wish."

Jin Qianqian was actually tempted. "It’s a shame there’s still so much to do. Otherwise, it would be nice to take the children out for some fresh air."

Ancient Wen Heng replied, "Once we’re on the road, we’ll find a scenic spot and take a full day to rest.

The men we’re taking have been arranged. Mr. Cao had General Xiao select a hundred capable men to serve as our guards from now on.

On top of that, Jiang Shiniu and Yin Dapeng will each be bringing twenty of their own retainers, so we’ll have more than enough people.

Also, Master Wu has trained several maids with decent martial arts skills over the past few years. Do you want to go pick a few?

How are your arrangements coming along? Who are you planning to bring?"

Jin Qianqian replied, "I’ll take Lichun and the others. I had originally thought about letting them settle down here in Shangjing and become household managers, but none of them wanted to stay behind, so I’m taking them all.

As for those maids with martial arts skills, I’ll pick a few of the best and have them train under my senior maids. In the future, they can take over their positions directly."