Misty Rain of the Old Times

Chapter 188 Villain
Outside the house, Zhang Ao and his servant were standing on the roadside, with the servant holding a wooden box in his arms.

Seeing this, Chen Xuan bowed and said, "Greetings, Master Zhang."

"You are the one..." Zhang Ao nodded. He really didn't know Chen Xuan's name. They met once before but they never spoke. He didn't mean to insult him.

"My name is Chen Xuan, my young master's study companion," Chen Xuan said with a smile. He had become accustomed to introducing himself in this way over the years.

Zhang Ao suddenly realized, "Oh, right, Chen Xuan? I remember you. Where's Brother Jingming?"

Obviously he didn't care about Chen Xuan, his main purpose was to find Gao Jingming.

Chen Xuan opened his mouth and said: "My young master just went out for something. Mr. Zhang, is there anything you want to say? Please tell me first and I will pass it on later."

"Going out?" Zhang Ao frowned slightly. Then why didn't you follow him?

He had been asking people to keep an eye on this place, and he rushed here as soon as he was notified that Gao Jingming had returned. But now Chen Xuan actually said that Gao Jingming was out. Was it a coincidence, or was he avoiding him?
"Yes," Chen Xuan said frankly, lying without blinking.

Knowing that the other party was most likely avoiding him, Zhang Ao couldn't just rush in to find him. Feeling annoyed, he had to put away his smile and said, "Is that so? Since Brother Jingming is not here, please tell him that I have invited a few classmates to have tea at the Xiaoxiangju outside the academy this afternoon. Brother Jingming, please come and chat when you are free. Don't forget..."

"Don't worry, Mr. Zhang, I will definitely convey it," Chen Xuan nodded.

Zhang Ao smiled and turned away, very straightforwardly, but his expression looked a little ugly after he turned around. No one would be in a good mood after being rejected.

This meant that he couldn't use the little tricks he had prepared, which was quite frustrating.

But as long as Gao Jingming accepts the invitation, he still has a chance.

Seeing them leave so abruptly, Chen Xuan was a little surprised. He thought they would argue for a while. Could it be that they learned their lesson from the last incident?
This is better, so as to avoid any unpleasant situations.

After a few words, Chen Xuan went back into the house. Gao Jingming smiled and said, "Leaving?"

"Well, he said he wants to invite you for tea in the afternoon. Would you like to go?" Chen Xuan nodded.

Gao Jingming picked up the book and said indifferently: "No, it's boring."

I looked so calm and composed that I could remain unmoved no matter how you plotted against me.

Chen Xuan didn't care about that and picked up a book to read.

After a moment, Gao Jingming asked, "Ah Xuan, what do you think Zhang Ao's intention was in coming to see me just now?"

I thought you really didn't care. After a moment's hesitation, Chen Xuan smiled and said, "Anyway, he has no good intentions. He probably wants to make a fuss about the gift to His Majesty."

"It's pretty much what I thought, but I wasn't fooled at all. If he tries to make things difficult for me later, he will definitely be humiliated," Gao Jingming said happily.

I have been on guard all the time. Thinking that all the loopholes that might be targeted have been plugged, Chen Xuan agreed and said, "That's right."

Gao Jingming said, "He's just someone else's pawn. There's no need to worry about him. What we should be more wary of is the person behind him!"

"Young Master, have you got any clues?" Chen Xuan raised his eyebrows in surprise.

Shaking his head, Gao Jingming said, "I'm not sure yet, but there aren't that many people who are targeted for no reason. From what I've learned recently, I think my close friend Wu Junyao is one of them."

Although he was not sure, he already had a suspicion. Chen Xuan was not surprised by this, but he still asked curiously, "Why do you think so?"

"Isn't it obvious? His sister is the queen and my sister is the princess consort. Of course he has to stand on his sister's side and suppress me," Gao Jingming said with a sneer.

It made sense, but it was a bit far-fetched. Chen Xuan couldn't help but ask, "Since you two have this relationship, why does the young master think that he would target you instead of supporting each other?"

Gao Jingming didn't think Chen Xuan was arguing. Given their relationship, they should have checked each other's mistakes and made up for each other's shortcomings.

He then pondered, "There are two reasons. First, if Wu Junyao really cared about this relationship, he wouldn't have gone so long without even seeing me. He couldn't have been unaware of my arrival, and he's been at the academy for several years and is much older than me. It's reasonable for him to come and take care of me, a newcomer like me who's unfamiliar with the place. It's a bit unreasonable for him to just ignore me like this."

"Another thing, Ah Xuan, you've met my sister. She's always had a strong personality. Do you think she would be so humble as to please the queen? Anyway, I don't think my sister can stand that kind of anger. So, Wu Junyao targeted me and made me lose face in the academy. After the news got back, it was reasonable for my sister to lose face in front of his sister."

His speculation is not without reason.

But Xiao Gao was only fourteen years old after all, and he had not experienced much, so his vision was naturally limited. He could only think of this small picture, and did not think deeply about the dangerous situation of whether his sister was dissatisfied with the status quo and wanted to take the position.

After thinking for a moment, Chen Xuan said, "Let's not consider the situation at the palace for now. But have you ever thought that Wu Junyao is ignoring you because he's waiting for you to come and show your goodwill?"

To put it bluntly, Gao Jingming's status was still a little different from the other party's. Putting aside that ridiculous relationship, he couldn't let the other party lower his status. Gao Jingming naturally thought of this and said with a smile: "That would play into his hands, wouldn't it? I took the initiative to come to his house. In everyone's eyes, I took the initiative to lower my head. If my sister knew about it, she would beat me to death."

Well, that's the end of it.

In the eyes of normal people, a family should live in harmony. However, in a powerful family, especially a royal family like the prince's palace, everyone has a different standpoint, and every word and action of the relevant people must be paid attention to, for fear that someone will over-interpret it.

Anyway, in a place like the academy, it is impossible to really "kill him with swords and guns and make a river of blood". At most, it will be a small fight that will not cause any harm.

Anyway, Gao Jingming only suspected that Wu Junyao was targeting him. He had no concrete evidence, but since he had a target, he naturally had to be on guard...

Chen Xuan and his friends didn't go anywhere the next day, and naturally ignored Zhang Ao's invitation.

The next day was a school day.

After having breakfast early in the morning, Chen Xuan and Gao Jingming packed up and went to the classroom, bringing with them a painting of pine and cranes depicting longevity as a gift to Emperor Shang Xuan. The deadline for submitting the gift was in the next two days.

Chen Xuan had been busy recently, and this was the first time he accompanied Gao Jingming to class at the academy.

But it is different from when he was in Yushan School. At that time, Chen Xuan had to attend classes with Gao Jingming, but now he can only listen in and learn outside the classroom.

In the morning, the college students are busy and bustling, and personal grudges cannot affect the overall learning atmosphere.

"Brother Jingming, Brother Jingming, wait a minute."

On the way to the classroom, Zhang Ao's voice called out from behind.

Chen Xuan and Gao Jingming looked at each other in silence. Why was this guy like a dog-skin plaster, sticking to them whenever he got the chance?

She must have been keeping an eye on Gao Jingming's movements. She was able to avoid him yesterday because of a wall between them, but she has no excuse to confront him this time.

Although he disliked the other party in his heart, Gao Jingming had to stay and turned back and said with a smile: "Good morning, Brother Zhang, what can I do for you?"

"Brother Jingming, what you said is so funny. Can't I just say hello to you if nothing happens?" Zhang Ao said with a smile. There was no trace of displeasure on his face for Gao Jingming standing up for him yesterday. He was still a bit shrewd.

However, Gao Jingming took the initiative to apologize and said, "Brother Zhang, something delayed me yesterday and I didn't get back to my residence until the evening. After I got back, I heard from Ah Xuan that you invited me to have tea in the afternoon yesterday, but I had already missed the time. I apologize here. I will invite Brother Zhang to make up for it next time I host you."

"It's okay. Everyone has urgent things to do. Brother Jingming, you don't have to feel bad about it. I completely understand," Zhang Ao said nonchalantly.

The more he acted like this, the more wary Gao Jingming became, knowing that he had bad intentions.

As expected, Zhang Ao then said, "Brother Jingming, yesterday I gathered with several classmates at Xiaoxiangju, each of us appreciating the gifts for His Majesty. It was truly an eye-opener. I'm a little disappointed that Brother Jingming wasn't here. I wonder what he prepared? I'm extremely curious. Could you let me have a sneak peek?"

He didn't invite Gao Jingming yesterday, but now he actually asked him in person.

As soon as these words were spoken, people around cast curious glances at him. After all, it was a birthday gift for the emperor, and everyone would be curious about what others had prepared.

It is obvious that Gao Jingming is supposed to show it in public. It is not something shameful. Wouldn't he feel guilty if he doesn't show it? We are all scholars. It is normal to be open and honest and dare to express ourselves. If we hide it, we will be looked down upon.

Having said that, Xiao Gao was unwilling to fall into Zhang Ao's rhythm. He had been prepared for this move and almost left on time.

They were almost at the classroom door. When Zhang Ao finished speaking, the academy bell rang. Gao Jingming had no choice but to say, "Forgive me, Brother Zhang, but unfortunately, class has already started. It's too late. Let's go in first. The teacher will be here soon."

Zhang Ao felt very uncomfortable. It was obvious that Gao Jingming did it on purpose. He didn't know what he had prepared. He actually tried to avoid being seen by him again and again. Could it be that he was too clumsy to be seen?
Or was he hiding his true intentions in the hope of making a splash? Who did he think he was? Could he possibly be compared to Wei Shao?

Although he was very unhappy, he had to go to class, so he could only say regretfully: "It seems that I won't have the chance to see it first. I must take a good look at it later."

Gao Jingming said he dared not, and hoped that his work would not make a fool of itself.

Afterwards, Zhang Ao did have a chance. Whether he handed in the gift and stood out to be displayed in the academy, or was rejected, he would still have the chance to see it.

He didn't think Gao Jingming's work could stand out. What if thousands of students were just vegetarians?

Anyway, he has thought it through. If Gao Jingming's work is of poor quality, he will find ways to fan the flames and praise it. If the quality is acceptable, it will be easy to find loopholes and make trouble for him. Humph, then there will be some fun.

The last incident made him unable to hold his head up in front of Wei Ziyan and the others, and he has been holding back a lot of anger in his heart...

(End of this chapter)