kvmb Chapter 153 The drunkard doesn’t care about drinking
Chapter 153 The drunkard doesn’t care about drinking
Zhao Changgeng mentally reviewed their answers.
After her divorce, the eldest sister made a living by doing embroidery for others.
This house was bought by Yu Zilie and his family using the money from their family division.
Although Yu Zilie could be considered the head of the family, he was not yet of legal age, and his eldest sister managed the family's finances.
From this perspective, he should have no problem finding the money he needs to take the imperial examination.
He then inquired about what happened after the family split up.
I learned that the third master of the Yu family lived nearby. Although he was just a minor seventh-rank official, he had a very capable daughter.
His daughter not only recognized the princess as her godmother, but also had the head of the Imperial Medical Academy and the second-rank official, the Grand General of the State, as her teachers.
If he can establish this connection, he will definitely have a better future.
Zhao Changgeng's heart immediately burned with excitement.
He said, "Now that I'm here, I should pay them a visit. After all, your maternal grandparents prepared gifts for all the children of the Marquis's mansion before I came. Why don't you take me to meet your third uncle's family tomorrow?"
“Okay.” Yu Zixi agreed immediately, caught off guard.
The next afternoon.
The Yu brothers then took Zhao Changgeng to visit the Yu Kangjing family.
"Greetings, Third Master and Third Madam. If it weren't for your help back then, my sister would probably be dead by now." Zhao Changgeng pinched his thigh hard, forcing out tears.
He asked.
From the time of their divorce to the division of their property, the third wife's family has always taken good care of the eldest sister.
Moreover, the two families did not lose contact after moving out.
I heard that Madam Yu and her eldest sister have a very good relationship, and Madam Yu even calls her eldest sister.
From this perspective, they definitely support the eldest sister's divorce, so he cannot show any disdain for her divorce.
"No need for formalities. Those things are all in the past. As long as Sister Yining and the two children are happy now, that's all that matters." Shen Jinzhu quickly urged him to stand up.
“That’s right.” Yu Kangjing nodded in agreement.
"You two are absolutely right." Zhao Changgeng nodded and took out all the gifts he had prepared.
After accepting the gift, Shen Jinzhu reciprocated by giving him a set of valuable writing implements.
After exchanging pleasantries, Zhao Changgeng, not seeing Yu Ningyao, couldn't help but ask, "Zixi said his second younger sister is especially cute, why haven't I seen her?"
If I could get close to Yu Ningyao and make her happy, I might be able to meet the Grand General of the State.
Yu Kangjing laughed and said, "Yaoyao should be having dinner at the General's Mansion at this time. She stays at the General's Mansion for meals on odd-numbered days and goes home on even-numbered days."
His face was full of pride when he talked about his daughter.
Zhao Changgeng was overjoyed to hear this.
The fact that she was allowed to dine at the General's Mansion shows how much the people there valued the second young lady of the Yu family.
He must cultivate a good relationship with Yu Ningyao.
However, it would be good to build a good relationship with Yu Kangjing before Yu Ningyao returns.
"Third Master is truly blessed to have such a wonderful daughter," Zhao Changgeng praised.
“That’s true. There’s no one happier in the world than me.” Yu Kangjing nodded in agreement.
After praising Yu Ningyao for a while, Zhao Changgeng changed the subject: "I came to the capital to take the imperial examination, but I am a little nervous. I wonder if the Third Master could give me some pointers."
“What a coincidence! My son Ziheng is also taking the imperial examination this year. You two can exchange some tips.” Yu Kangjing immediately called his eldest son over.
Looking at the fifteen-year-old Yu Ziheng, Zhao Changgeng fell silent.
He was ten years older than Yu Ziheng, and both of them were actually scholars.
"Isn't it a bit inappropriate for Ziheng to participate in the imperial examinations at such a young age?" he couldn't help but ask.
"It's alright. Just like Yaoyao said, if we don't pass this time, we can try again next time. Consider it a rehearsal. If we pass, we'll be the youngest Juren in Xiangguo." Yu Kangjing was very open-minded.
Yu Ziheng nodded in agreement.
Zhao Changgeng sneered inwardly.
The imperial examination for the title of Juren (a successful candidate in the provincial-level imperial examinations) is not so easy.
He took the exam twice, but failed both times.
"Third Master is right." He smiled, feigning agreement.
“If that’s the case, then I’ll have a word with Ziheng.”
"Go on, go on, you two go to the study to talk." Yu Kangjing waved his hand, gesturing for the two to go to the study.
About half an hour later, after Yu Ningyao returned, Zhao Changgeng, who had just heard the commotion, ended his conversation with Yu Ziheng and came out.
"Is this Yaoyao? Just as Zixi said, she's incredibly beautiful and adorable."
"Who is this?" Yu Ningyao looked at her mother with a puzzled expression.
How come there's a stranger in my house?
"This is Zixi's uncle," Shen Jinzhu introduced.
“Yes, I am Zi Lie and Zi Xi’s maternal uncle. You can call me uncle along with them.” Zhao Changgeng established a connection.
He took out the gift he had prepared in advance.
It is a finely crafted bronze mirror, about the size of a palm.
He thought the young girl loved beauty and would definitely like it.
Unexpectedly, Yu Ningyao only glanced at it, had her maid accept it, said thank you, and left.
He couldn't find a chance to talk to her.
Zhao Changgeng could only leave disappointed.
In the following days, he always used the excuse of wanting to discuss things with Yu Ziheng to visit Yu Kangjing's family.
Then he would occasionally create chance encounters and give Yu Ningyao gifts.
Yu Ningyao immediately became alert.
Showing courtesy for nothing is either cheating or stealing.
Why is Zixi's cousin's uncle so good to her?
He's not her biological uncle.
She deliberately came home late several times, and after running into Zhao Changgeng each time, she understood what was going on.
This person was deliberately waiting for her.
And he was deliberately trying to please her.
But what can you gain by pleasing her?
She's only six years old.
Unable to figure it out, Yu Ningyao simply told her parents about it, asking them to find a way to get rid of Zhao Changgeng, who was like a leech, and stop him from coming so frequently.
It's annoying to look at.
Unexpectedly, after she finished speaking, Yu Ziheng also started to complain.
“That’s right, I also think he doesn’t really want to take the imperial examination. With his level, he definitely won’t pass. Every time he comes to talk to me, all he does is ask about the officials in the capital. He knows nothing about the exam papers and just wastes my time studying.”
After listening to the two children's accounts, Yu Kangjing and Shen Jinzhu understood after a moment's thought.
Zhao Changgeng's true intentions were not what they seemed.
What was this talk of exchanging experiences on the imperial examinations? It was clearly an attempt to gather information and, incidentally, to use Yao Yao to build connections.
Their goodwill towards Zhao Changgeng instantly plummeted to negative levels.
"It's best to avoid associating with such wicked people," Shen Jinzhu said decisively.
"Yes. We'll listen to your mother." Yu Kangjing nodded in agreement.
"Leave the matter of dealing with him to us. You can just focus on your own tasks."
……
The next day.
When Zhao Changgeng came to visit, he was asked to leave by a servant.
"Young Master has caught a cold and is unable to receive guests. Please leave, Young Master Zhao."
"Ziheng is sick? Should I go and get him a doctor?" Zhao Changgeng quickly expressed his concern.
The servant shook his head: "No need. Madam has already called a doctor for him, but it's not advisable for him to receive guests these days."
Zhao Changgeng could only leave a few words of concern before departing.
A few days later, he visited again.
The servant said that Yu Ziheng had gone to the temple with his wife to burn incense and pray for blessings, and was not at home.
He could only leave with regret.
He went again two days later.
The servant told him that his uncle had come to the capital, and the eldest son had taken them sightseeing.
Only the lady was in the mansion.
Zhao Changgeng naturally couldn't meet with Shen Jinzhu alone for too long, so he could only go in, sit down, drink a few sips of tea, and then leave.
The smile on his face vanished instantly after he stepped out of the Yu family's gate.
He is not a fool.
The first and second visits could be considered coincidences, but every time he came to visit, Yu Ziheng was not there.
This is clearly intentional.