Chapter 295: Chapter 121: The Wang Family (2)

Mrs. Wang stood and headed out, in no mood to listen to Wang Xincheng’s sour remarks.

Even the sweetest words lose their flavor after so many years. Besides, Mrs. Wang was a sharp and perceptive woman. If she hadn’t detected the sour undertones in her husband’s words before, how could she possibly miss them now?

But his jealousy was his own problem. If she didn’t want to listen, she wouldn’t. It wasn’t worth the two of them fighting over.

In the Wang brothers’ courtyard, the group was discussing the previous day’s events.

The main topic was how, by a twist of fate, they had ended up sharing a table with Mr. Sheng, the Magistrate.

Huang Chen let it slip, but even if he hadn’t, Wang Jun and Wang Xiao would have asked about it anyway.

And Zhao Jing’s group had already anticipated that the brothers would bring it up.

As soon as they’d heard that the vast majority of respectable teahouses in the Prefecture were owned by Mrs. Wang, Zhao Jing and his friends had a feeling the one they’d visited the day before was one of hers. 𝐟𝐫𝕖𝗲𝘄𝚎𝗯𝕟𝐨𝕧𝐞𝚕.𝕔𝕠𝐦

Sure enough, Wang Jun soon brought up the Pre-Qingming Longjing Tea.

Normally, at this time of year, the harvest for Pre-Qingming Longjing Tea had only just begun.

But the teahouse they had visited yesterday not only had it in stock, but judging by the quality, it was of the highest grade. That wasn’t something an ordinary person could get their hands on.

It had to be one of Mrs. Wang’s teahouses, no doubt about it.

’Considering the teahouse was barely a hundred meters from the Prefectural Magistrate’s Office, even a few wet-behind-the-ears kids like them had managed to deduce the old man’s identity as Mr. Sheng from the clues. How could Mrs. Wang—who had deliberately opened her teahouse so close to the government office—and her shopkeepers and waiters possibly fail to recognize him?

They must have recognized him. That was probably why this ridiculously expensive Pre-Qingming Longjing Tea was supplied to that specific teahouse so early in the season.’

Once they had figured all this out, there was no longer any need to hide the truth from Wang Jun and Wang Xiao.

Huang Chen briefly explained what had happened, sighing at the end. "Who could have guessed? We thought he was just an ordinary merchant, so we answered whatever he asked. Who knew he was actually the Lord Prefect on an incognito inspection. It’s a good thing we weren’t disrespectful..."

Wang Jun and Wang Xiao looked wistful. "We’ve lived in the Prefecture for years and have never even seen Mr. Sheng."

"How can that be?"

"Mr. Huang, don’t be fooled by how we can do as we please in Qingshui County. Here in Xinghuai Prefecture, we’re just like grasshoppers in a field—common and insignificant. Who would even give us a second glance?"

The two brothers looked at Zhao Jing with genuine envy. "Mr. Zhao, you’re so quick-witted. The Lord Prefect will surely remember you after this."

De’an protested, "I helped come up with the idea too! Why wouldn’t he remember me?"

Wang Jun laughed heartily. "Remember you for what? For your sloppy attitude? For the way you can’t sit or stand still?"

"So, Wang Jun, that’s what you really think of me! Take this!"

The group horsed around for a while before staying with the Wang Family for lunch. After a short rest, they took their leave.

Wang Jun and Wang Xiao personally saw them to the door, making a special offer. "If you want to look around the Prefecture later, just send someone to let us know. My brother and I don’t have many skills, but we grew up here in Xinghuai Prefecture, so showing you around won’t be a problem."

He then asked, "Would you like to bring your essays for our father to look over?"

Wang Xincheng was an official at the Prefectural Academy. Though only a formal eighth-rank official, it was a respectable post. He assisted the academy’s head instructor with matters of teaching and assessment, making him a person of some influence there.

Furthermore, since the students at the academy were all official students—in other words, Scholars—and Wang Xincheng himself held the rank of "same degree," it would be as easy as lifting a finger for him to offer guidance to a few youths preparing for the prefectural exam.

Huang Chen and Chu Xun were tempted, but when they saw Zhao Jing remain silent, they reined in their excitement. For the moment, they accepted the brothers’ kind offer in spirit, deciding to take them up on it only if they truly ran into an unsolvable problem later.

After leaving the Wang Residence, Huang Chen asked Zhao Jing, "Mr. Zhao, the Wang brothers just extended an olive branch to us. Why didn’t you accept it?"

Huang Chen wasn’t the only one who was confused; Chu Xun and De’an were as well.

All of them stared intently at Zhao Jing.

Zhao Jing didn’t stop walking or answer them right away, simply tossing a casual reply over his shoulder, "Think for yourselves."

Then, with a leisurely stride, he headed for the end of the alley.

The other three were left speechless. But if Zhao Jing didn’t want to talk, what could they do? It wasn’t like they could hold him down and force the words out of him.

They could only huddle together and wonder aloud, "What could the reason be?"