They've all become top scholars in the imperial examinations, and you're telling me this i

Chapter 17 Why are you so excited about having a meal?

Dusk was falling in the inn room.

The postmaster's face, which had been filled with obsequiousness and fear, finally disappeared outside the door, leaving only a dark purple satin brocade box on the table. The lid of the box was decorated with intricate but cheap gold foil patterns. This was the "apology gift" that he had just given to Chen An, hoping that he would put in a good word for him.

Chen An disliked the postmaster from the start. It was already a favor that "Young Master Chen" had shown him leniency by not saying anything bad about him. Did he really expect anything nice from him?

However, he put the box away very decisively.

At this moment, he carefully took out the two priceless pearls from the bundle and gently placed them into the groove in the center of the brocade box. The two round and large pearls lay quietly in the dim light, radiating a soft yet expensive glow that reflected the undisguised excitement in his eyes.

"elder brother!"

Chen An picked up the brocade box and presented it to Chen Guangrui like a treasure, his voice trembling slightly with urgency.
"Look! Using this box as a set, how respectable! How luxurious! This is something that can be traded for paddy fields and Turkic warhorses!"

He recalled the obsequious manner of the postmaster kneeling and kowtowing at the door. That groveling posture instilled in him a stubborn logic: the higher the official's rank, the more lavish the gifts he had to accept! Only in this way could he show respect and save face!
Yesterday, the Imperial Guards surrounded Wei Zheng's house; today, they withdrew, and Wei Zheng became the Chief Clerk of the Imperial Household Department. Isn't this a meteoric rise? At least Chen An, seeing everyone's reactions, knew that Wei Zheng had indeed risen rapidly this time.

Arriving empty-handed for a meal at this time? Is that even acceptable?!

"Lord Wei is now a trusted advisor to the Crown Prince! He specially invited us to dinner tonight, and this is his first time visiting. Brother! Let's give him this!"

Since it concerned Chen Guangrui's future, Chen An no longer cared about the money.

His logic was simple and straightforward: the more generous the gift, the deeper the sentiment, and the more face you save! It's the perfect way to pave the way!
Chen Guangrui sat at the table, his knuckles unconsciously tracing the rough wooden surface. He didn't say whether it was okay or not, but he found it amusing.

These two beads were given to me by the Dragon King of the Jing River. According to the Journey to the West, the Dragon King of the Jing River was beheaded by Wei Zheng. If I send them to him now, would that be helping the Dragon King of the Jing River bribe Wei Zheng?

But Wei Zheng refused to accept the gift, which meant that the Dragon King of the Jing River had given up.
"Brother, you smiled. Shall I wrap this bead up now?"

Seeing that Chen Guangrui did not deny his idea, Chen An felt that this meant he had tacitly approved, and turned to prepare.

At this moment, Chen Guangrui finally spoke.
"Go buy a pot of 'Xinfeng wine,' the kind of cloudy wine that's commonly sold in the market. Also buy two catties of freshly steamed pork, wrap it tightly in fresh lotus leaves, and take it with you."

His tone was calm, yet his words were deeply meaningful: "If you see any fresh, clean, and plump seasonal fruits, bring a few along as well."

"That's...that's all?!"

Chen An could hardly believe his ears.

"Steamed pork? Pork?! Ordinary village stew?! Brother! This...this is hardly a gift for the Registrar of the Court of Imperial Sacrifices! Even a birthday gift for an old widower in the village would be more substantial! It's...it's far too stingy! Isn't this a sign of disrespect?!"

In his limited experience, this "ordinary food and wine" seemed like a blatant disrespect to the "important person"! He could almost see Wei Zheng's furrowed brows and the disdain in his eyes.

Chen Guangrui didn't explain much, after all, these kinds of things can't be explained. He only said, "Do as instructed."

He then added, completely extinguishing any remaining thoughts of struggle in Chen An's mind: "As for the pearl... keep it. This thing has its own place to go."

Chen An stood there, still holding the sandalwood brocade box containing the pearl in his arms. He couldn't understand why the simple steamed meat and the crude wine were really more suitable to visit the registrar of the Imperial Household Department than the priceless spirit pearl.
Of course, he would do as his elder brother said, after all, his elder brother was very knowledgeable.

As dusk settled, in front of the Wei residence in Yongxingfang, Chen An clutched the oil-soaked lotus leaf package in his hand, the rough earthenware wall of the cheap wine jar causing his knuckles to ache.

He glanced anxiously towards the alley entrance, where two small carriages with blue curtains were parked. Several servants in silk robes were struggling to unload vermilion lacquered gift boxes, the sheen of silk seeping through the gaps in the lids. The head steward was bowing to the old steward of the Wei family, his voice sickeningly obsequious: "My master has prepared some new charcoal from Shaanxi and ten bolts of Shu brocade as a token of his appreciation. He earnestly hopes that Lord Wei..."

"Take him back." The old butler's voice was as dry as chopping wood. He raised his withered hand to block the door crack. "The master has ordered that, apart from old friends and acquaintances, no one else shall be seen."

The silk-clad steward was about to speak again when he was interrupted by the slamming of the door. The vermilion gift box lay awkwardly piled at the bottom of the stone steps, like discarded trash.

Chen An's throat bobbed, and his palms were covered in cold sweat. He could almost imagine Wei Zheng's fury when he saw this package of "country bumpkin food."

“Brother…” his throat was dry, “How about we…”

Chen Guangrui had already knocked on the door.

"squeak"

The old butler opened the door, his gaze sweeping over the simple lotus leaf package and wine jar in Chen An's hands. His tense expression strangely relaxed, even revealing a faint smile.

"Scholar Chen, young master Chen, please come in."

He personally took the oil-stained lotus leaf bag, rubbed the warm oil stains between his fingertips, and sighed softly, "In this world... it's kind of you to spend money to prepare such practical things."

Ok?
Hearing the old butler's words, Chen An's heart trembled. The old butler had refused the valuable gift that person had just given him, but now he seemed quite pleased with his coarse food.

Chen An secretly glanced at Chen Guangrui, his eyes filled with admiration. He was truly amazing!
As the steward entered Wei Zheng's residence, Chen Guangrui carefully examined the layout of the courtyard.

The small, brick-paved courtyard, though smaller than a corner of the inn, was impeccably maintained. Not a single weed could be seen in the cracks of the stone steps, and several bundles of neatly chopped firewood were stacked in the corner. A bamboo sieve for drying herbs hung under the eaves, the herbs spread out like a carefully arranged star map. A thin, old yellow dog lay beside a polished bluestone stool, only lazily lifting its eyelids at the sound of voices, seemingly already familiar with the tranquility of the courtyard.

A quiet retreat amidst the hustle and bustle; in the heart of Yongxingfang, there was such a peaceful residence. Chen Guangrui had a good understanding of Wei Zheng's abilities.

"Young Master Chen, please wait a moment."

After leading Chen Guangrui and Chen An to the hall, the steward went to invite Wei Zheng.

Chen Guangrui's smile vanished; he simply sipped his tea.

Chen An initially sat down next to Chen Guangrui, but then felt it was inappropriate and immediately stood up and stood next to Chen Guangrui.

His expression was somewhat unnatural, as if he had become more reserved before seeing Wei Zheng.

Not long after, the old steward walked into the hall first and said with a smile, "Young Master Chen, the master has arrived."

When Chen Guangrui looked up, he saw Wei Zheng for the first time.

(End of this chapter)