Red Mansion, Ningfu Scholarly Family

Chapter 46 Go get the paintbrush!

……

On a rare day of free time, Jia Rong returned to his yard but did not read or write.

There was only one candle lit on the lampstand in the room, and the light was a little dim.

Jia Rong half leaned on the bed and told the two maids the story of his previous life's novel "The Heaven Sword and Dragon Sabre".

Just change 'dragon' to 'tiger'.

The Legend of the Condor Heroes!
The martial arts world, magical skills, passion, the Heavenly Sword, the Tiger-Slaying Knife, national hatred and family feuds, love and hate, Xiao Xiao and Qingwen squeezed on the small bed next to them and listened attentively without blinking.

After a while, Jia Rong was so sleepy that he couldn't open his eyes and fell asleep.

The two girls were still not satisfied and were whispering to each other on the bed. Sometimes they were sighing at Master Zhang's good fortune of having many wives, sometimes they were sighing at Master Zhang's extraordinary skills. Xiaoxiao, in particular, loved wielding swords and really wanted to get the Sword of the Heavenly Sword and play with it a bit.

The two of them didn't know how long they fell asleep.

The next morning.

Jia Rong habitually got up early, and the two maids got up even earlier. They had already washed and dressed, and were full of energy.

"What time did you go to bed last night?"

"It seems like four o'clock in the morning."

While combing Jia Rong's hair, Qingwen smiled and said, "Master... Master, how many wives did Master Zhang marry in the end? Did he marry the maid Xiao Zhao?"

Xiao Xiao asked: "What is the secret of the Heavenly Sword and the Tiger-Slaying Knife?"

Jia Rong picked up his fan and waved it gently. After he left the door, he turned back and smiled, "These questions are a long story. We can talk about them later when we have the chance."

Both girls pouted their lips!

Oh, it's too bad.
It will whet people's appetite!

……

Here, Jia Rong prepared two jars of fine wine and ordered Xiao Zhu to lead a fat sheep to Ping'an Street.

Today he is going to pay respect to his teacher.

Mr. Zhou, the director of the Imperial College, has a good reputation and is a very upright person. It would be good for Jia Rong's reputation to have him as his teacher.

But for Zhou Zhengguan, it was not a good idea to accept Jia Rong as his disciple.

But it wasn't too bad.

After all, he took the exam blindly, and Jia Rong had real talent and knowledge. As for the suspicion of currying favor with the powerful... as long as one is upright, one will naturally not be afraid of being criticized.

Zhou Zhengguan got ready at home early today, waiting for Jia Rong to come and become his disciple.

After a while, a servant came to report.

"Master, Mr. Jia from Ningguo Mansion has arrived, and he has brought fine wine and sheep."

Zhou Zhengguan nodded and said seriously, "Please come to the study."

During a person's lifetime as an official, the chances of becoming the chief examiner are actually very few, and the top candidate selected by him personally is like a personal disciple.

Especially since Dean Zhou had never accepted a disciple before and it was his first time to be the chief examiner for the college examination. Jia Rong was considered his first disciple, so naturally he was given special attention.

"Please come in, Mr. Jia. The master is waiting in the study."

The housekeeper of the Zhou Mansion was an old man who was a little thin and spoke very politely.

"Good work."

"Young Master, you're welcome."

After a while, Jia Rong followed the housekeeper into the study in the main courtyard.

Zhou Zhengguan sat upright in the chair above, no longer having the cold look he had when they last met.

"I met the teacher."

Jia Rong bowed in a very formal manner.

He was dressed in a blue shirt, had a clean and simple bun, had a handsome and delicate face, and had no unnecessary jingle accessories on his body, but he looked even more ethereal and extraordinary.

When Zhou Zhengguan saw it, he suddenly felt even more satisfied.

This disciple is very good!

He has both the outstanding temperament of a young man from a noble family and the literary essence of a scholar, especially his humble and polite attitude.

He is truly a rare talent!
"No need to be polite."

Zhou Zhengguan pointed to the seat next to him and said, "Sit down."

"Thank you teacher."

After Jia bowed, he sat down gracefully.

Zhou Zhengguan smiled and said, "Your essay in the college examination is very brilliant. You deserve to be the first in this subject."

"Thank you, teacher." "No."

Zhou Zhengguan waved his hands and sighed, "I am ashamed to say that if you had not been tested anonymously this time, I might have ranked you second to avoid suspicion."

"Fortunately, I succeeded by accident, otherwise I would be worried about this."

Jia Rong smiled modestly and said, "Teacher, what are you talking about? My essay is just average, but I am satisfied that it has caught your eye, even if it is second."

"When writing articles, students never try to be competitive. They must distinguish the best from the worst. They just try their best to apply what they have learned and spread the profound meaning of the saints to the world."

"Hahaha……"

Zhou Zhengguan laughed heartily.

It was said that although Jia Shunzhi came from a wealthy family, he was humble, studious, approachable, loyal, filial, chaste and righteous, and had the spirit of an ancient philanthropist. He was skeptical at first.

After seeing you today, I have no doubts anymore!
With such a disciple, I have nothing more to ask for!
"Don't go back today, come and have a drink with me."

"Someone, prepare the food and drinks!"

"Let Dai Ge'er come out to entertain the guests!"

Zhou Zhengguan had two sons and one daughter.

The eldest son, Zhou Yue, was married. He had been studying at the Imperial Academy, but because he failed to pass the imperial examination, he was selected to be a county magistrate in another place.

The second son, Zhou Dai, was seventeen years old and had already entered the Imperial Academy to study.

Zhou Dai was obviously afraid of the master. He lowered his head as soon as he entered the door and was too timid to come forward and speak.

When Zhou Zhengguan saw this, he became angry and glared at him!
"Evil creature, come quickly!"

"Look at Shunzhi, who is two years younger than you and has already won the first place in the case!"

Zhou Dai hurriedly bowed to Jia Rong.

"Meet Brother Shunzhi."

Jia Rong hurriedly returned the greeting.

"Meet Senior Brother Dai."

Zhou Zhengguan didn't want his son to embarrass himself, so he stopped giving him too many lessons. He just said coldly, "Learn from your brother Shunzhi in the future!"

After that, he looked at Jia Rong and said seriously, "The first place in the college examination can directly enter the Imperial College to study. Does Shunzhi have any plans to study in the Imperial College?"

Jia Rong shook his head and said, "Thank you for your kindness, teacher. However, I heard that students can only leave the Imperial College once a month, so it is really inconvenient for students."

Zhou Zhengguan also thought of something and said with a smile: "It's okay, filial piety is the most important virtue. But it's not that you can't go to the Imperial College. As long as your teacher says a word, you can come and go freely." As the director of the Imperial College, he does have this power.

Since the teacher had already said this, Jia Rong naturally could not be pretentious any more.

"It all depends on the teacher."

Now that I have passed the imperial examination, it doesn't matter where I study. Going to the Imperial College is also a good idea. And my good friend Xie Jiwen may also go to study at the Imperial College after he passes the imperial examination this time.

A meal lasts from morning to afternoon.

Zhou Zhengguan was naturally happy to have his first disciple today. He drank a few more glasses of wine and looked a little drunk.

Jia Rong had a very pleasant conversation with Zhou Dai and drank a few more cups without realizing it. His head was dizzy and when he returned home, he was so drunk that he staggered unconsciously.

"Master, I will go find someone to help you in."

"Need not."

Jia Rong gently waved his hand: "I'm fine."

It’s just a few steps to the inner courtyard, can’t you walk?

"But……"

"No buts, go and do your thing."

Jia Rong walked sideways inside and as soon as he reached the Neiyi Gate, he felt dizzy.

Oh, let’s sit down and take a rest.

Who cares whether the floor is dirty or not? Just take a nap first!
"Brother Rong?"

"Oh, how much alcohol did you drink?"

Just then, Xichun and Lin Daiyu came out and saw Jia Rong sitting directly on the ground.

Lin Daiyu couldn't help but cover her mouth and laugh.