Red Mansion: Fuyao River and Mountain

Earl's Mansion, Jia Cong Courtyard.

It was March, the spring breeze was getting stronger, and the days were getting brighter earlier. Before the morning hour, it was already slightly bright outside the window.

Jia Cong lifted the bed curtain and stood up. He saw that on the couch outside the bed curtain, Zhi Shao's graceful and charming figure was wrapped in a silk and satin quilt, and her dark and shiny hair was piled up in a myriad of strands on the jade-colored gauze pillow.

He felt a little strange in his heart. In the past, when Zhishao kept watch over him at night, she would sleep very soundly. As long as he got up and made the slightest noise, she would wake up and help him dress and comb his hair.

But today, when he got out of bed, Zhishao seemed to still be sleeping soundly, so he deliberately walked lightly.

He took a round-necked satin robe with a blue background and silver patterns from the rosewood Ruyi hanging cloud clothes hanger beside the bed, put it on himself gently, and prepared to go out to find water to wash.

He just got out of bed and took a few steps, and the person wrapped in silk quilt was awakened. She moved softly a few times and then sat up.

Seeing that Zhishao's cheeks were slightly pale and her bright eyes were bloodshot, Jia Cong said, "You didn't sleep well last night, you don't look well.

You just lie down and catch up on your sleep. Wu'er and the others must be awake. We can ask them for water to wash up."

Zhishao smiled slightly, but did not lie back on the couch. She stood up, dressed and combed her hair.

She said, "I didn't sleep well last night. I was afraid of disturbing you, so I didn't dare to toss and turn. I fell asleep at the end of the Yin hour, but now I can't sleep anymore."

Jia Cong asked, "You usually sleep soundly at night, but what happened last night? Are you worried?"

Zhishao stepped forward to help Jia Cong fix his hair and said, "My senior sister sent someone to tell me yesterday that Master's old illness has relapsed. He is not feeling well and has not left his bed for two days."

Jia Cong turned around and saw that Zhishao's eyes were slightly red. He knew that Zhishao had fallen into the water and was saved by Master Xiushan. She also practiced in Gusu Panxiang Temple for several years, and the relationship between master and disciple was deep.

When Master Xiushan was in Panxiang Temple, Jia Cong invited Zhang Youpeng, who lived in Jinling, to Suzhou to treat her old illness.

Zhang Youpeng was an excellent doctor. He was able to suppress Master Xiushan's illness with a few prescriptions of medicine over a few days.

Ever since Master Miaoyu and her disciples arrived in the capital last year and moved into the Nunyu Temple on the outskirts of the city, Master Xiushan's condition has been relatively stable in recent months. Unexpectedly, her old illness recurred at this time.

Zhishao and Master Xiushan are close master and disciple, and the master is very old, so it is no wonder that Zhishao tossed and turned all night after hearing the news.

Jia Cong said: "After the New Year, I sent someone to Huaxi Village to give Doctor Zhang a New Year gift, but the Zhang family servants said that Doctor Zhang left the capital before the New Year to visit friends and collect herbs.

We can't find him to treat her for the time being, so why not ask his brother Zhang Youshi to come over and try to treat her first? His medical skills were also taught by his brother Zhang Youpeng, so maybe he can be of use."

Zhi Shao felt relieved after hearing this and said, "Third Master, I will go to Nimuyuan today to visit Master and Senior Sister."

Jia Cong said, "I just happen to want to go out for a walk, so I'll go with you to visit Master Xiushan."

After hearing what Jia Cong said, Zhishao smiled, her heart was gentle and peaceful, and she reached out to smooth Jia Cong's robe.

He said, "Third Master, the Spring Examination is coming soon. You'd better seize the time to review your studies. Don't waste your time on me."

Jia Cong smiled and said, "It doesn't hurt to study for one more day. If it weren't for the nun who saved you, we wouldn't be here today. I can't repay her kindness. It's my duty to visit her."

……

After Zhishao had washed and changed her clothes, Jia Cong asked Qingwen to ask Yingchun to take care of it. He asked Zhishao to take the top-quality wild ginseng sent from Liaodong and other daily nourishing vegetarian medicines from the warehouse and asked them to take them to honor their master.

He also asked his housekeeper to take his name card and arrange for a carriage and servants to ask Zhang Youshi to take some time off. He would wait for him at the Nunyi Temple outside the city and ask him to take Master Xiushan's pulse and treat her.

After Qingwen brought the gifts from the storehouse, Jia Cong asked the housekeeper to prepare the carriage and took Zhishao to the East Corner Gate.

Just as I arrived at the corner gate, I saw two people walking towards me not far away. The person in front had handsome eyes and thin eyebrows. She was wearing a long coat with a cross collar and embroidered flowers with an apricot red background. Her skin was fair and her cheeks were rosy. It was Tanchun.

Following Tanchun were her maids and servants. They were heading towards the east corner gate. Jia Cong noticed that there was another carriage parked at the corner gate. It seemed that Tanchun was going out.

Jia Cong waited for Tanchun to come closer and asked, "Where are you going so early in the morning, Third Sister? Are you going back to the East Courtyard?"

Tanchun looked a little helpless and said, "Last night, Madam sent someone to tell me that the wife and daughter of the Xia family were invited by Madam to visit the East Courtyard.

Today, Mrs. Xia wants to be courteous and invite you to visit the Xia family. Since Miss Xia came with you last time, Mrs. Xia asked me to accompany you."

Seeing that Tanchun looked reluctant, Jia Cong thought that she was very reluctant to visit the Xia family, but she didn't want to offend her stepmother, so she just went along reluctantly.

It was probably because he had said bad things about Xia Jingui twice in front of Tanchun, which made her feel resistant to the Xia family.

In his original understanding, the Guihua Xia family and the Xue family had a close relationship, but Mrs. Xia and Mrs. Wang should have no intersection, but now the two of them are like best friends.

The two families were able to visit each other with their daughters, which was a move only between two long-time friends at the time. When did they become so close?

Jia Cong felt more and more strange, thinking back to the day in Rongqing Hall when Taoist Zhang from Qingxu Temple introduced some girls to Baoyu, one of whom was Xia Jingui from the Guihua Xia family.

Thinking of the absurdity of it, I almost laughed out loud...

Tanchun noticed that Jia Cong had a strange expression on his face and asked curiously, "Third brother, what are you thinking about? Why are you acting so weird?"

Jia Cong came back to his senses and said, "It's nothing. Since the Madam has called you for the first time, just go and show your face. If there are such things again in the future, you can find an excuse to shirk it."

Suddenly he asked, "Madam, why are you so close to Mrs. Xia all of a sudden? Are they close friends?"

Tanchun replied: "It doesn't seem like they have a deep friendship, as they have only known each other for a few months.

When the mother and daughter of the Xia family went to visit each other at my aunt's house, my wife and I accompanied them. Although the Xia and Xue families did not get together, my wife became familiar with Mrs. Xia.

Madam seems to value Madam and Miss Xia very much. That day when Madam and Miss Xia came to visit Dongluyuan, Madam not only asked me to accompany them, but also asked my second brother to go over to meet the guests. "

Jia Cong was stunned when he heard this, and even shuddered in his heart. It looked like Mrs. Wang was about to do something...

Seeing Jia Cong's strange expression, Tanchun suddenly had an idea and asked, "My third brother told me that Miss Xia is not easy to get along with. Do you want me to talk to Madam in private?"

Jia Cong smiled bitterly and said, "Sister, you used to be a smart person, but now you are so confused. You are a girl who has never stepped out of the house. How can Madam believe you when you suddenly say something bad about Miss Xia?

If you say that I said this, Madam will be even more disgusted and think that I am harboring evil intentions and want to alienate the relationship between her and the Xia family. I am afraid that if I get closer, it will only backfire.

Besides, my wife will have more grudges against my sister in the future. I won't let you do such a stupid thing. It's not worth it for you to suffer for someone who has nothing to do with you."

When Tanchun heard this, she felt it made a lot of sense. Ever since her third brother inherited the Rong family's fortune, the mistress has had a deep grudge against him and would never believe anything he said.

Why should my third brother and I be so anxious to act like villains? Besides, it was just a visit between the two families, and nothing happened...

Jia Cong looked at the secretary behind Tanchun and said, "Third sister rarely goes out, so it's not enough to take one maid with you. Take Cui Mo with you as well. I'll ask the housekeeper to call a smart and capable maid to go with you."

After sending Tanchun off in the carriage, Jia Cong and Zhishao got on the carriage and headed for the Nimuyuan on the outskirts of the city.

……

In the suburbs of Shenjing, Nimuyuan.

On the wind and rain corridor of the Buddhist temple, Miaoyu held a basin of steaming warm water, and her graceful figure walked through the shade of trees and flowers in the courtyard towards Master Xiushan's meditation room.

She wore a Miaochang bun on her head, a moon-white jacket with plain sleeves, a long vest with paddy field blue satin trim, a navy blue silk ribbon around her slender waist, and a water-ink white silk skirt.

A silver silk fly whisk is inserted into the silk belt behind the slender waist. As she walks, thousands of silver threads on the fly whisk flutter in the wind, revealing a faint charm.

Miaoyu brought some warm water into Master Xiushan's Zen room, wrung out the cotton towel in the basin, handed it to the master for washing her face and hands, then sat by the bed and chatted for a few words.

The old nun guarding the gate outside came over to pass on a message, saying that Earl Weiyuan from the city had brought Miss Jinghui to visit Master Xiushan.

After hearing this, Miaoyu couldn't help but smile, as if a rare flower had just bloomed, graceful and charming. Master Xiushan on the bed looked at her intently, and when she saw this scene, she sighed slightly in her heart.

He said, "Miaoyu, it is inconvenient for the master to move around, please go out and greet Jinghui and Weiyuanbo."

Jia Cong brought Zhishao to the gate of the inner courtyard of the nunnery and stopped. He had had experience in the Panxiang Temple in Suzhou before, and the inner courtyard of the nunnery refused male guests.

At this time, Miaoyu came out with the old nun who had delivered the message. She saw that Zhishao was smiling brightly and said to Jia Cong, "Master, it is inconvenient for you to move around. Let me invite Uncle and Junior Sister in to talk."

Jia Cong and Miaoyu hadn't seen each other for a long time. He saw that her face looked calm and graceful. Perhaps it was because they were familiar with each other now, and she no longer had the cold and indifferent look she had when they first met when facing him.

Zhishao held Miaoyu's hand affectionately, and the two slender and graceful figures walked among the shade of trees and flowers in the inner courtyard.

Jia Cong followed them and heard the two of them talking in low voices, looking very happy and harmonious. Jia Cong heard Miaoyu's soft voice and seemed to be in a very good mood.

……

After entering the Zen room of Master Xiushan, Jia Cong greeted the younger generation with courtesy. Master Xiushan smiled and said, "I am old and my body is not good. Thank you, Earl Weiyuan, for sending Jinghui back to visit me."

Jia Cong smiled and said, "You are too polite, Master. You are Jinghui's master, which makes you my elder. I dare not trouble you to address me as Weiyuan Bo. My courtesy name is Yuzhang, so please just address me as you like."

Master Xiushan smiled and nodded. Jia Cong saw that although her face was sick, her eyes were bright and clear, and her divine light seemed to be able to see through people. He felt a slight oppression in his heart.

Jia Cong knew that Miaoyu's master, Master Xiushan, was a Buddhist nun. It was rumored that she was proficient in innate numbers and could predict the past and future of others. However, it was unknown whether this was true.

But he remembered the day when Miaoyu came to the Earl's mansion and recited scriptures to comfort the sick Daiyu. Out of curiosity, Jia Cong listened outside Miaoyu's quiet room.

The sound of Miaoyu's chanting was so pure, spotless, and beautiful that it seemed to linger in the air.

This made him, a person listening to the sutras outside the hall, suddenly have wonderful thoughts of transcending worldly things. The hidden worries in his heart quietly dissipated with the sound of the sutras being chanted. It was so magical that Jia Cong still remembers it to this day.

It also made him, a person of later generations, feel deeply moved. Although he did not understand the basis of the Buddhist mantras, he knew from what he heard with his own ears that the power of chanting mantras was not false.

Miaoyu is just a disciple of Master Xiushan who practices with her hair untied. Since the disciple has such a profound foundation, the master must be even more profound and unfathomable...

Master Xiushan looked at Jia Cong for a few times and said, "Last month, Jinghui came to visit and said that Yuzhang is in his prime this year."

Jia Cong replied: "What the nun said is correct. After March 21st, the elephant will be old enough to dance."

When Master Xiushan heard Jia Cong's birthday, she seemed slightly stunned, but even though Jia Cong was a smart man, he didn't pay attention to this fleeting look, and Zhishao beside him didn't pay any attention to it at all.

However, Miaoyu had followed Master Xiushan for more than ten years and knew her master's abilities and character very well, but she caught a glimpse of a strange expression on her master's face.

Master Xiushan asked again, "I heard your father passed away in October last year. It was a great pity. Life and death are the ties between man and nature. It is hard for mortals to escape from them. I wonder what year your father was born?"

Jia Cong felt a little surprised when he heard Master Xiushan suddenly asking about Jia She. However, when Jia She died, Master Xiushan had sent several monks and nuns to the mansion to chant scriptures and mourn as per the courtesy because of the relationship between Zhishao and Jia Cong.

In Jia Cong's opinion, Master Xiushan was old and had been suffering from old illnesses, so she was more concerned about matters of life and death, which was why she brought it up in casual conversation.

Since the elder asked, Jia Cong naturally had no reason not to tell him, and it was not a big deal anyway.

Jia Cong replied: "My father was born on September 17, the 15th year of Hongxuan."

Master Xiushan nodded slightly after hearing this, and did not ask any other questions...

Jia Cong chatted with Master Xiushan for a while, and then the old nun guarding the door came to report that a doctor named Zhang was invited by Earl Weiyuan to see the master.

Jia Cong hurriedly explained the reason to Master Xiushan, because the consultation in the Zen room requires quietness, and too many people walking around will inevitably cause noise.

Zhishao's return to the nunnery was like going home, but Jia Cong wanted to be considered an honored guest. Master Xiushan was very polite and left Zhishao to serve her, and asked Miaoyu to take Jia Cong out to serve tea.

Jia Cong followed Miaoyu out of Master Xiushan's Zen room. The two of them walked one after the other in the quiet inner courtyard of the Buddhist temple. Along the way, there were lush flowers and trees, graceful shadows, and faint fragrance.

When they arrived at the door of a Zen room, Miaoyu let Jia Cong in, then went out to give a few instructions to the maid who was sweeping the yard, and then went in to receive the guest.

Jia Cong saw that this Zen room was unusually clean. There was a curtain hanging on the left door. The breeze made the curtain float, and he could vaguely see the bed inside was neatly arranged. He thought it was Miaoyu's bedroom.

There is an incense table against the wall of the outer hall opposite the door, with a statue of Guanyin Bodhisattva in the middle. There are fruit offering plates on the table and sandalwood curling in the bronze incense burner.

Next to the incense burner there are wooden fish, musical chimes, Buddhist whisks and other items. Each of them is exquisite and clean, exuding a sense of purity and transcendence. This should be the place where Miaoyu recites scriptures and practices cultivation.

On the wall to one side of the altar, there is a calligraphy hanging, which is the full text of the Heart Sutra that Jia Cong wrote last time and gave to Miaoyu.

Jia Cong glanced over and saw two slightly smaller god tablets in an inconspicuous place next to the altar. The wooden paint was mottled and faded, and it seemed that they were very old.

One tablet is engraved with the position of Wuyang of the Chen family, and the other is engraved with the position of Xu of the Chen family.

There was a small white porcelain stove in front of the two shrines, with a soul-purifying incense burning in it, exuding a strange sense of loneliness and solemnity.

Jia Cong felt a little strange. It was normal for Miaoyu to enshrine a statue of Guanyin in her meditation room, but it was somewhat unusual to enshrine two ordinary gods.

Those who can be worshipped in her meditation room and accompany her day and night are mostly her close relatives in the world.

However, the writing on the two tablets was simple. Not only were there no names, but even the honorific names were not written. It was unknown what their relationship with Miaoyu was.

But Jia Cong changed his mind and realized that although Miaoyu was in a Buddhist temple, she was practicing with her hair uncut and had not been ordained. She was half in Buddhism and half in the secular world, so it was not strange that she had the tablets of secular elders enshrined in her room.

……

At this time, the maid who had just been cleaning the yard came in with a clean water jar. Miaoyu took the clean water and started to make tea.

Jia Cong has always known that Miaoyu is an expert in the art of tea. Seeing her fetch water, add leaves, light the fire, scald the cups, and spread the tea, every move was rhythmic and natural, which was quite pleasing to the eye.

Miaoyu said, "My master and I moved to Nimouyuan not long ago. There is a spring at the foot of Qingding Mountain nearby. The water is quite clear. I took a jar of it yesterday and let it rest overnight. It's just right for making tea."

Jia Cong saw that her words were gentle and although she did not show any sadness or joy, her expression was clear and her face was relaxed.

When I took Zhishao away from Gusu, the estrangement and coldness she had towards me because she lost her sociable junior sister had long since disappeared.

The sun was long outside the Zen room, and it was estimated that it would take Zhang Youshi a lot of time to take Master Xiushan's pulse, examine her, and open her heart.

Miaoyu was content to make tea, occasionally chatting casually with Jia Cong. The atmosphere in the Zen room was comfortable and peaceful.

When the tea was ready, Jia Cong saw her delicate hands holding his teacup, which was still the familiar green jade bowl...

It is said that Miaoyu was born in a family of officials. She has learned a lot of poetry and prose since childhood. Over the years, she has traveled to many places with her master and has quite some knowledge, which makes her somewhat different from ordinary girls in the boudoir.

Jia Cong was also a man who had seen the world, and the two of them chatted casually. Although there was no excitement, it was actually very well-connected and he did not seem bored at all.

Although Miaoyu's temperament is a bit weird and cold, her words are simple and honest, and she often makes some blunt and witty remarks. People at that time might find them abrupt, but Jia Cong found them interesting.

……

After two rounds of tea, the old nun in the courtyard came over and said that Doctor Zhang had finished examining the nun, had written a prescription, and had sent someone to the city to get the medicine.

Jia Cong and Miaoyu returned to Master Xiushan's Zen room. They sat and talked for a long time before Jia Cong and Zhishao said goodbye and left.

Miaoyu sent them to the temple gate and watched their carriage go away for a long time. A light bulb went off in her head. She remembered that her master had a strange expression on his face when he heard about Jia Cong's birthday, so she returned to Master Xiushan's Zen room.

……

When the Earl's carriage passed the west of the city, Zhishao, who had not slept well the night before and was jolted by the ride, had fallen asleep leaning on Jia Cong.

Jia Cong stretched out his hand and gently embraced Zhishao, then half-lifted the curtain to look at the scenery outside the car.

The carriage was passing through a noisy section of the west city and its speed slowed down. There were many inns and shops on both sides of the road, and students in blue shirts and square scarves often passed by on the street.

Jia Cong thought that there were many inns along this road, which must be because many candidates preparing for the imperial examinations were staying there.

It is now almost noon, which is the usual lunch time. The aroma of dishes wafting from the restaurants on both sides of the street and the sound of pots and pans colliding are full of the flavor of the city.

In those restaurants, there were often candidates who were preparing for the imperial examinations, calling their friends to drink and dine in groups of three or five, chatting and talking. This reminded Jia Cong of some past events and made him smile knowingly.

Suddenly, amidst the noise, someone said, "Brother Yichun, the young man has been studying hard behind closed doors these days. He will surely pass the imperial examination this spring..."

This tone of greeting was probably the most common auspicious words between candidates taking the imperial examinations, and it was not surprising to hear it.

But when Jia Cong heard the name Yichun, he was slightly moved. The name Yichun was somewhat elegant and it was not easy to have the same name as someone else.

The reason why Jia Cong paid attention to this name was that he had seen this name in the invitation letter he received to visit the candidates.

The reason why this name left a deep impression on him was that the owner of the door post was Lin Zhaohe, a top scorer in the imperial examination in Hangzhou Prefecture, whose courtesy name was Yichun.

Hangzhou Prefecture was a place where the imperial examinations flourished. To be able to win the first place in the provincial examination, one must be a man of extraordinary talent and fortune, which is why Jia Cong remembered this name.

He opened the car curtain wider and looked carefully at the source of the sound, wanting to see what Yichun looked like, but the street was crowded with people and noisy.

The calling voice suddenly appeared like a startled bird, and then disappeared without a trace. How could I find its source?

……

Shenjing, Hongxiang Inn in the west of the city.

This inn is an old inn in the west of the city. It covers a large area and has many guest rooms. Due to its long-term operation, its business is booming and the room rates are relatively affordable, so it is very popular among students going to Beijing to take imperial examinations.

There is an independent courtyard to the south of the inn, which was rented by three scholars from Hangzhou Prefecture. They lived here and studied, waiting for the spring examination to begin.

However, during this period of time, apart from Lin Zhaohe in the east wing who was able to study peacefully, his two fellow villagers came in and out every day, busy attending literary gatherings and paying homage to famous scholars and high-ranking officials.

When Lin Zhaohe came back from lunch, he saw two people coming out of the two rooms opposite him.

One was slightly plump, in his twenties, with average looks; the other was thin, with a slight beard under his chin, and was over thirty years old.

Lin Zhaohe saw that both of them had changed into new clothes and had their appearance tidied up. They came back very late last night and slept until noon today.

Now I am ready to go out and visit friends again. I can't help but shake my head helplessly.

The ordinary-looking young man saw Lin Zhaohe coming back from outside and said, "Yichun, when I got up last night, the candle in your room was still on. Did you study until midnight again?

I thought you would get up late today, but you got up earlier than us. Now that you are up, why don't you wash up and go with us to visit a senior."

The candidate next to him, who was over thirty years old, also said with a smile: "Yichun, as the saying goes, those who are well versed in worldly affairs are all good at writing. During the spring examination, it is quite beneficial to pay homage to celebrities. Who knows, he may be your teacher in the future."

Lin Zhaohe said with a smile: "My two friends, the spring examination is approaching, and the examination still depends on daily desk work. It is better to study hard for a few days, and it will not be too late to visit friends after the examination."

The scholar named Xiwen was also from Hangzhou Prefecture. His surname was Wu, his given name was Liang, and his courtesy name was Xiwen. Although he was not the top scorer in the provincial examination like Lin Zhaohe, he was also a well-known talent in the local area.

Another candidate in his thirties was from Huizhou. His surname was Zhou, his given name was Yan, and his courtesy name was Baokun. On his way to Beijing for the examination, he met Lin Zhaohe and Wu Liang.

Zhou Yan and Wu Liang got along very well, and the three of them became friends. After arriving in Shenjing, they rented a separate courtyard in Hongxiang Inn to live in.

Wu Liang was born into a wealthy family and had some talent in studying, but compared with Lin Zhaohe, he was less calm and more detached from the world.

He held up a blue booklet in his hand and said, "Yichun may not know that the two seniors I met today are both popular figures on the Master List.

Xu Liangxiong, Left Vice Minister of the Ministry of Revenue, and Huang Hongcang, Right Vice Minister of the Ministry of Rites.

That Lord Xu holds a high position, but it is very difficult to meet him. I sent a letter of recommendation from the teacher of the academy yesterday, and he was willing to take the time to meet me today."

Lin Zhaohe was also a little surprised when he heard this. They both came from Wansong Academy in Hangzhou, and their teacher was a famous scholar in southern Zhejiang, but he had never heard that the teacher knew Xu Liangxiong.

I guess the teacher never mentioned that this classmate of his was quite talented, eloquent and warm-hearted, and was usually quite liked by the teacher.

I don't know what means he used to make the teacher, who was always strict by nature, write this letter of recommendation for him.

Lin Zhaohe thought of this and smiled. His classmate was really omnipresent.

He asked again: "Huang Hongcang, the Right Vice Minister of the Ministry of Rites, is also a senior scholar. I heard that he was the runner-up in the palace examination in the 19th year of Yong'an. He is quite prestigious in the officialdom and academic circles.

Why would he want to meet a young man like you? Did you get a letter of recommendation?"

Wu Liang laughed and said, "Indeed, someone recommended me, but it's not entirely true. There are other reasons behind it."

After hearing what Wu Liang said, Lin Zhaohe, even though he was a calm person, became very curious. Wu Liang could even connect with a person like Huang Hongcang. He was too powerful.

Wu Liang smiled and said, "Mr. Huang is from Mingzhou Prefecture. My father studied in Mingzhou Prefecture when he was young. He and Mr. Huang were classmates and friends. Later, they were even classmates and had a close relationship.

They haven't seen each other for ten years. When I left for Beijing, my father wrote me a personal letter asking me to meet this uncle. No matter how high the threshold of Mr. Huang's mansion is, it will not stop my nephew. "

Lin Zhaohe was also quite surprised to hear this. Wu Liang's father resigned from his official position and returned home fifteen years ago. Since then, he has lived in the mountains and kept a low profile. It has never been heard that he has any connection with high-ranking officials in Beijing.

Lin Zhaohe said, "I was stuck on an article yesterday and couldn't write it smoothly. Today I got a sudden inspiration, so I have to finish it. I won't go to your house to pay you a visit."

Wu Liang and Lin Zhaohe had been classmates for many years, so he naturally knew his temper well. He knew that his brother was extremely talented and had won the top prize in the Hangzhou Prefecture in the last imperial examination.

Although he appears calm and indifferent on the outside, he is very confident in his own talent and knowledge. He does not care much about visiting friends and making friends, and believes that he can pass the imperial examination with his own talent.

Therefore, after arriving in Beijing, he seldom participated in literary gatherings or paid visits, but spent his days in his room reviewing and studying the classics.

Therefore, when Wu Liang heard that he wanted to study the article behind closed doors, he was not surprised and asked Zhou Yan to go out.

After Wu Liang and Zhou Yan left the yard, Lin Zhaohe returned to his room alone, took out the half-written essay from yesterday, thought for a moment, and began to write quickly.

Just after a cup of tea, the waiter of the inn suddenly came in and said that someone was looking for Master Lin outside... (End of this chapter)