RPAGF Chapter 946 Visiting to Pay New Year's Greetings
Chapter 946 Visiting to Pay New Year's Greetings
Xiao Hu nodded: "He briefly explained that he wants to go to the border, but whether he goes north or south is still undecided. We'll see what the imperial court decides!"
After hearing this, Zhang Ping'an's voice became more serious. "Whether it's the north or the south, the border is always bitterly cold. If he goes to the border, he'll probably suffer a lot!"
"The child said he has thought it all through. Oh well, let him be. As I always say, everyone has their own destiny. Let's see what fate has in store for him," Xiao Hu said helplessly.
He had tried to persuade them many times on the estate, but to no avail; any further persuasion would be a waste of breath.
"Anyway, we've already done more than enough for him. It's the New Year, let's not talk about these unpleasant things. Let's talk about something else," Xu said, pursing her lips, and then asked about the events at Xiaohu Manor.
Xiao Hu answered all the questions carefully, which shows that he has indeed done his best at the manor and knows everything.
After pondering for a while, Zhang Ping'an secretly instructed the others to eat their fill and then arrange for Zhong Zheng to be sent far away to the south.
This child was essentially raised in the household. Just as his mother, Madam Xu, said, they had already done everything they could for him. It was exactly what he wanted to leave. As for the rest of his life, that was up to fate.
While chatting with Madam Xu, Xiao Hu secretly observed Zhang Ping'an's expression. Seeing that he didn't say anything in the end, he was somewhat disappointed, but he didn't feel comfortable pleading for him anymore. In the end, he didn't mention the matter again and returned to the estate with the return gifts.
Zhang Lao Er wasn't stupid. He waited until everyone left before speaking: "He brought this up because he wanted your help. Xiao Hu is a good kid in every other way, but he's just a bit of a worrywart."
Zhang Ping'an naturally noticed it as well.
“Zhong Zheng was raised by him since he was a child, so it’s normal for him to have feelings for him. Even if you have a cat or a dog, you still have to think about it from time to time, let alone a person! But I can’t help this child. Even if he brings it up openly, it won’t make a difference. I was planning to find an opportunity to send this child away far away anyway. As for the reasons, parents, please don’t ask. I have my own considerations.”
The matter of Sanya and Yuantong of Daxiangguo Temple cannot be explained in a few words, and it also involves secrets of the imperial court, so Zhang Ping'an could not say much. However, Zhang Lao Er and Xu Shi knew their son's character, so they did not ask any further questions after hearing this.
Many people came to pay New Year's visits on the first day of the Lunar New Year, but not everyone could see Zhang Ping'an in person. Those who were not of high enough status were politely sent away by the steward.
However, when Zhang Ping'an heard that Li Chengye had also come to visit, he thought for a moment and then went to see him in person.
Li Chengye did not come alone; he was accompanied by Wen Xiange and some of their fellow villagers from western Hunan. They had all come to the capital to take the imperial examinations, and their visit to the Zhang family to offer New Year's greetings was merely a formality, a way to try their luck and find connections.
If I were to be appreciated, I would avoid many detours in the court in the future.
Despite the presence of so many people, Zhang Ping'an still gave Li Chengye face, refraining from using official jargon or displaying an aloof and unapproachable demeanor.
Instead, he treated Li Chengye as a junior he valued, greeting him politely and warmly: "Please sit down, don't stand. There are plenty of chairs in my house. But Chengye and Xiange, you two are a bit late. Heming went out to visit relatives and friends earlier and isn't here now. Otherwise, you could have strolled around the house together and played some chess."
Among these scholars were some prominent families from western Hunan. They were also good at reading people's expressions. Seeing that Zhang Ping'an treated Li Chengye differently, they immediately gave up the first seat below Li Chengye.
Li Chengye didn't stand on ceremony. After a few polite exchanges, he generously took the first seat at the bottom of the table. He then cupped his hands and replied with a smile, "Today is the first day of the Lunar New Year. He Ming has always had a wide circle of friends and will naturally be very busy. We can arrange to meet him another day when he is free. There's no rush. Today, we scholars from Xiangxi mainly came to your residence to wish you a Happy New Year. We hope you won't think we are being presumptuous."
Zhang Ping'an smiled upon hearing this: "It's a good thing that you've come to wish me a Happy New Year. How could I feel it's presumptuous? However, the imperial examination is just around the corner. Right now, your most urgent task is to prepare well for the exam and strive to pass it. Only by passing the imperial examination and the palace examination and obtaining the title of Jinshi can you truly step into the threshold of officialdom. The court is currently in need of talented people, and I hope that you can enter officialdom as soon as possible, serve the country, and share His Majesty's burdens!"
These words, spoken politely yet with an encouraging tone, deeply moved the candidates, who even appeared somewhat apprehensive.
In fact, they had not only come to the Zhang residence that morning, but had also visited the residences of other officials according to their rank to offer New Year's greetings. However, there were simply too many people offering New Year's greetings, and most of the time they were politely but impatiently dismissed by the steward.
Even the family that treated us the best only arranged for a younger member of the clan to receive us.
The only important person they actually met in person was Zhang Ping'an, which made them feel even more that Zhang Ping'an was good at recognizing people and had no airs.
They immediately declared that after returning to the inn after paying their New Year's visits, they would study diligently to prepare for the imperial examinations, almost swearing an oath to study so hard they would hang their heads from the rafters and prick their thighs with awls.
Seeing these vibrant, youthful faces, Zhang Ping'an felt as if he were seeing himself many years ago, when he went to the nobleman's mansion, he was just as apprehensive and fearful, afraid of making a mistake, yet also so passionate and full of expectations for the future.
"Then I'll be waiting for your good news!" Zhang Ping'an said with a faint smile.
Then, in front of them, he instructed the butler to send a return gift to each of them later.
The items weren't valuable; the storeroom always prepared a large quantity for each festival. But for these scholars, this act held a completely different meaning.
After a brief exchange of pleasantries, Zhang Ping'an frowned slightly. Li Chengye then took the lead in bidding farewell, and the others followed suit. Zhang Ping'an did not try to persuade them to stay and simply smiled as he had the butler see them off.
Having finished eating, they had almost finished unpacking the gifts in the side room and came out to report: "Master, most of the gifts from these scholars weren't particularly valuable, so there's nothing wrong with them. The only two that were a bit unusual were Young Master Li's small jar of sweet potato liquor. That stuff isn't worth much now; you can get a small jar for ten copper coins. Bringing that on a visit seems rather stingy. I wonder if he has some other intention. Then Young Master Wen brought some pastries, and inside the box was a land deed for a thousand acres of paddy fields in western Hunan... this..."
Zhang Ping'an merely raised an eyebrow, his expression calm: "With Young Master Wen's brains, he couldn't have come up with such a bribery method, nor would he dare to do it. It's probably Old Master Wen who secretly arranged it. He's really willing to spend money. What do he take me for? Send someone to return the items to Old Master Wen. He'll understand what's going on once he sees them. He's a smart man, but unfortunately, his vision is too narrow!"
"As for sweet potato liquor, let's leave it for now. We'll have a chance to drink it someday!"
"Yes!" After eating, looking at Zhang Ping'an's calm yet ambiguous expression, she couldn't figure out what he was thinking, so she simply obeyed his orders.