kvmb Chapter 128 What does Uncle Gu think of Peng Zhizhi?
Chapter 128 What does Uncle Gu think of Peng Zhizhi?
Zheng Hao's repeated questioning led Gu Lin to believe that the other party simply couldn't bear to see him leave.
Gu Lin smiled slightly and said, "This matter is not yet certain. We can discuss it after the provincial and palace examinations are over."
Seeing the other party's indifferent attitude, Zheng Hao closed his eyes slightly, then quickly opened them again.
He kept reminding himself not to be aggressive in front of Uncle Gu. Since the other party hadn't pressed the issue to the death, it meant there was still room for maneuver.
Zheng Hao suppressed the turbulent emotions surging within him.
mid-October.
In some northern regions, the rivers had already frozen over, so Gu Lin and his group could not travel by water and had to travel by land.
In addition to Gu Lin, Zheng Hao, and the Zhen family guards, there were also several scholars in the group.
Upon seeing Zheng Hao and Gu Lin's carriage arrive, Zhen Yuan stepped forward, his gaze first sweeping over the few candidates not far away, before saying to Zheng Hao, "Those candidates are from the same cohort as us. Yueming Prefecture is far from the capital, and some candidates from wealthy families can hire escort teams to go to the capital, but the others have to travel on their own. A group of scholars are powerless, and my father couldn't let them travel on their own, so he let them come with our group to the capital."
Zheng Hao had no objection to this.
He said to Zhen Yuan, "I'm sorry to trouble you two brothers Zhen with this trip."
Zhen Yuan waved his hand, indicating that he didn't need to be so polite.
Then, he looked at the young man next to Zheng Hao. He wondered how the other man could look so different. Although they were the same age, his married brother looked more than ten years older than him, while the young man in front of him still looked like he was only eighteen years old, carefree. Against the backdrop of pure white snow, the other man's skin was no less beautiful than the snow, as white and translucent as a peeled lychee.
Gu Lin wore a light brown robe with a snow-white cloak over it. The robe, which was as dark as dust, should have made him look disheveled, but the spotless cloak, as white as snow, gave him a cool and unique air.
Zhen Yuan paused for a moment, then his sharp eyes immediately noticed the difference in Gu Lin's cloak.
Zhen Yuan asked curiously, "This cloak is made of fox fur, right? Where did Uncle Gu buy it? I haven't seen any clothing shops in the prefectural city selling cloaks made of white fox fur."
It's not that Young Master Zhen is ignorant or hasn't seen good things before, but this white fox fur is indeed rare. What's even rarer is that the cloak Gu Lin is wearing is clearly not pieced together, but made from a single, complete white fox fur.
This cloak would be a striking piece even in the capital, and in a remote and impoverished place like Yueming Prefecture, it would be even more dazzling.
Gu Lin slightly raised his head, his chin leaving the warm cloak, and said to Zhen Yuan, "I don't know either. This cloak was brought back to me by Zheng Hao."
Gu Lin didn't mean he didn't want to explain the origin of the cloak; rather, it was the first time he had ever worn it.
Just before leaving home in the morning, Zheng Hao took out a cloak from somewhere and draped it over him.
Because of the urgency of the situation, Gu Lin had to set off to meet up with Zhen Cheng and the others, and didn't have time to ask where they got their cloaks.
After all, although he couldn't tell what kind of leather the cloak was made of, he could tell from its glossy appearance that it wasn't cheap, so there was no doubt that he would wear it.
Gu Lin and Zhen Yuan turned their gazes toward Zheng Hao.
Zheng Hao didn't hide anything. He explained, "A few days ago, I went hunting in the mountains with Niu Qiang and the others. We happened to encounter a white fox looking for food, so we shot it with an arrow and brought it back."
Upon hearing that the fox pelt was obtained through hunting, Zhen Yuan immediately abandoned his idea. Not to mention how rare it was to find a white fox, even if he did, given his archery skills, he probably wouldn't be able to harm the fox's fur at all.
Never mind, I'll go to the capital on this trip and see if there are any good leathers suitable for my mother and younger brother.
At this moment, Zhen Cheng, who was at the front of the group, looked over as if he had something to discuss with Zhen Yuan. Zhen Yuan came to talk to Zheng Hao not to chat, but to explain the extra few candidates who had passed the imperial examinations.
After greeting Zheng Hao and Gu Lin, Zhen Yuan walked towards Zhen Cheng.
Although it wasn't snowing outside, the cold wind kept blowing. When the gusts of wind swept towards people, they could clearly feel the moisture on their faces being carried away by the wind, leaving their skin feeling tight.
Zheng Hao turned to look at the young man beside him. The young man lowered his head slightly, burying half of his face in his cloak. The snow-white fox fur covered his lips, but his nose and eyes, which were slightly red from the cold, were still exposed.
Zheng Hao lowered his eyes slightly and said, "Uncle Gu, let's get in the car."
Gu Lin nodded, and as his head bobbed up and down, his warm breath created wisps of white vapor in the cold air.
He stepped into the carriage, turned around and sat down to wait for Zheng Hao to come in, but unexpectedly, several scholars who had been standing in the distance followed Peng Zhizhi over.
Zheng Hao stood outside the carriage and said to Gu Lin, "Uncle Gu, please rest well inside the carriage first. I will come in after I finish talking to them."
Gu Lin nodded.
He had no intention of staying outside the carriage. The group of people had obviously come over to talk to Zheng Hao. Their exchanges as scholars were like Gu Lin's exchanges with merchants. Zheng Hao couldn't get involved in their business dealings, just as Gu Lin couldn't get involved in the interactions between the other party and other scholars.
Instead of standing outside in the cold wind as a background figure, it's better to sit in the car and wait for the other person to finish speaking and come back.
Zheng Hao closed the carriage door, shutting out the cold wind from outside.
Gu Lin leaned against the car wall to rest for a while. He had gotten up very early in the morning to meet up with the group, and his legs were a little sore from standing outside for so long.
Zheng Hao was expected to talk to the scholars for a long time, but before long, the tightly closed carriage door was opened.
Gu Lin looked ahead and saw Zheng Hao walk into the carriage from outside, while the other scholars outside the carriage, except for Peng Zhi, had all gone back.
When Peng Zhizhi saw him, he smiled broadly: "Uncle Gu, are you feeling cold? I have hot water bottles. It's not cold in the city now, but it gets colder the further north you go. I'll have my servant bring you and Brother Zheng two hot water bottles later."
Hearing what the other person said, Gu Lin smiled and said, "Thank you for your kindness, but it's not necessary. Zheng Hao has already prepared all of these things."
Indeed, for this trip to the capital, Gu Lin packed only his usual clothes, while Zheng Hao packed all the other luggage. He thought the other party had no experience in arranging such matters, but when they set off, he saw that the two carriages were fully loaded with everything from small digestive pills to large charcoal for heating.
Originally, Gu Lin thought that one should travel light and not bring too much unnecessary luggage, such as charcoal filling half a carriage.
He also told Zheng Hao about this.
Zheng Hao remained calm and earnestly explained to him that the journey was through icy and snowy conditions, and sometimes the heavy snow would prevent them from traveling and they might have to spend the night in the suburbs. The wood in the suburbs would be soaked with snowmelt and would not provide warmth. Spending the night in the freezing cold could easily cost one their life.
Then, Zheng Hao continued, "Although this charcoal looks like a lot, it won't burn for long. If it burns continuously from day to night, it will be used up in half a month. However, we will resupply in different cities along the way, so there is no need to worry about the charcoal supply."
Seeing that the other party had thought things through and arranged everything in an orderly manner, Gu Lin admitted his inferiority and then did not raise any further doubts. The other party could think of everything he could think of, and even things he could not think of.
He has absolutely no need to worry.
Hearing that Zheng Hao had packed both Gu Lin's and Zheng Hao's luggage, Peng Zhizhi was surprised, though he didn't show it.
He hadn't expected that when Zheng Hao and Uncle Gu went on their trip, Zheng Hao would be in charge of things like packing luggage, which should have been the responsibility of the women and boys.
He couldn't help but look at the other person. He saw that Zheng Hao's expression remained unchanged after hearing Gu Lin's words, as if arranging miscellaneous tasks was a matter of course. His dark black clothes made him look even colder, which made people really not expect him to be in charge of internal affairs.
The head of the guards urged them to set off, giving Peng Zhizhi no time to linger. After exchanging a few words with Zheng Hao, Peng Zhizhi returned to his carriage.
After the other party left, the carriage fell silent. In the past, Zheng Hao did not care about such silence, because he and Uncle Gu were not without things to talk about. When they were in the mood, they could chat for two or three hours, or they could stay quietly together, with a tacit understanding, each doing their own thing without disturbing each other.
But considering how well Peng Zhizhi and Uncle Gu had talked earlier, if the team hadn't set off, Peng Zhizhi would probably have continued chatting with Uncle Gu.
It was always like this; Peng Zhizhi and Uncle Gu seemed to have endless topics to talk about, while in comparison, his relationship with Uncle Gu seemed...
Taking out a sesame seed cake wrapped in oil paper from the drawer of the carriage, Gu Lin smelled its aroma and felt ravenously hungry. They had only had porridge for breakfast, without any substantial noodles. Before leaving, Gu Lin went to the outhouse, and immediately felt all the porridge in his stomach had vanished.
He was holding a sesame seed cake in each hand and was about to hand one to Zheng Hao when he heard Zheng Hao suddenly speak.
"What does Uncle Gu think of Peng Zhizhi?"
"Ok?"
Upon hearing Zheng Hao's question, Gu Lin's eyes widened slightly, revealing confusion and bewilderment. Clearly, he did not understand why the other party was asking such a question.
Zheng Hao's expression was calm, making it impossible to discern his emotions. His tone was ordinary: "Brother Peng is straightforward and generous. He speaks out against injustice when he sees it, and many people are moved by his sincerity and become his friends. At the same time, there are also many people who disapprove of Brother Peng's actions. I would like to know what Uncle Gu's impression of Brother Peng is."
Gu Lin did not answer immediately. He pondered for a moment and replied, "I remember there is a saying in your book, 'The benevolent see benevolence, and the wise see wisdom.'"
"I think the same applies to judging people."
Zheng Hao lowered his eyes slightly, looking at the young man with slightly pink lips opening and closing: "I haven't spent much time with Peng Zhizhi. I mostly know about him from you. After talking to him a few times, my impression of him is that he is warm, cheerful, eloquent, and knows how to take care of the people around him."
Just now, the other person took the initiative to ask him if he was cold and if he needed a hot water bottle, which shows that the other person is a kind-hearted person.
A dark feeling flashed across Zheng Hao's eyes as his heart sank. Uncle Gu really did have a good impression of the outgoing and cheerful Peng Zhizhi.
Unaware of Zheng Hao's unease, Gu Lin continued, "Actually, when getting along with others, the opinions of outsiders are not important. The main thing is whether you feel comfortable with the other person. If the other person does not break the law or violate the law, and you get along well with them, then that person is the best friend you could ever ask for."
"However, I don't spend much time with him and don't really know what kind of person he is. It depends on your own opinion."
Hearing Uncle Gu's words, each one distinct, the gloom in Zheng Hao's heart gradually dissipated, and his brows relaxed slightly.
He was overthinking it. In his opinion, Peng Zhizhi and Uncle Gu had endless topics to talk about, but in Uncle Gu's opinion, he had spoken to Peng Zhizhi very few times. In fact, his impression of Peng Zhizhi was mostly based on his words.
Zheng Hao did not continue to mention Peng Zhizhi. Since in Uncle Gu's eyes, Peng Zhizhi was just a classmate and friend, and to Uncle Gu, Peng Zhizhi was a familiar stranger, Zheng Hao would not shoot himself in the foot and let Uncle Gu understand Peng Zhizhi more deeply.
Sometimes, you may not feel anything when facing a stranger, but the more you learn about them, the more you invest your mind and energy, and eventually you become more and more involved.
Zheng Hao would not allow this to happen.
The caravan traveled at a brisk pace, stopping only briefly during a blizzard, otherwise the carriages never stopped, continuing their journey toward the capital.
When the team arrived in the capital, it was already mid-November.
Gu Lin lifted the carriage curtain and looked through the window at the majestic city wall standing at the front of the procession. He couldn't help but sigh in his heart, "As expected of the capital city, under the emperor's nose, the city walls protecting the city are taller and more magnificent than those of other prefecture cities."
The group was only allowed to enter the city after being checked by the city guards.
After entering the city, the group had to part ways. Several scholars came over to say goodbye to Zhen Cheng and Zheng Hao before heading to find an inn to stay in.
Zheng Hao and Gu Lin also wanted to say goodbye to Zhen Cheng, Zhen Yuan and Peng Zhizhi.
Seeing this, Zhen Yuan said, "Why bother looking for an inn? It'll only take a few months anyway. You can just stay at my house."
"Isn't that right, brother?" Zhen Yuan turned to Zhen Cheng.
Zhen Cheng nodded and said, "There are many empty rooms in the house. If Brother Zheng and Uncle Gu don't mind, you can come back with us to stay."
Before entering the capital, Gu Lin and Zheng Hao had already discussed not to trouble the Zhen brothers any further.
Gu Lin said, "We don't intend to stay at the inn for long. We just want to find a place to stay first, and then buy a quiet courtyard from a brokerage. You will be taking the imperial examinations soon, and my coming and going will inevitably disturb your studies."
"We appreciate your kindness."
Seeing that Gu Lin had made up his mind, Zheng Hao remained silent, and Zhen Cheng and Zhen Yuan stopped trying to persuade him.
Peng Zhizhi had relatives in Beijing, so he went directly to their home to stay. After saying goodbye to each other, the group went their separate ways.
Gu Lin originally thought that he and Zheng Hao would have to find an inn to stay in, but Zheng Hao said, "I'll let Niu Qiang go into the city first. He has already found an inn. We can just go there directly."
The other party was becoming more and more decisive and swift in their actions. Gu Lin was slightly surprised, but then followed Zheng Hao to the inn.
As soon as Gu Lin entered the inn, before he could even spot Niu Qiang, a waiter approached him and asked, "Young master and husband, are you here to stay?"