Notes on Longevity

Chapter 79 You'an's mind was uncertain, and the prince changed his unusual behavior.

"Your Excellency, I was indeed somewhat engrossed in my studies. I hope you will forgive me," Yang Youan said, bowing as he placed his left palm inward and his right palm against the back of his left.

His eyes were vacant, and he seemed lost in thought, as if something was on his mind.

“Indeed, scholars consider becoming the top scholar in the imperial examination the greatest honor, and it’s inevitable that they would lose their composure. When I was the Minister of Rites, I was also quite excited.” Chen Youzhi smiled at Yang Youan, unaware of the hidden thoughts in his expression.

"His Majesty also told me today that you should come to my Ministry of Rites. Since that's the case, Qin will be retiring to his hometown soon, so you should go to the Ministry of Rites for the position of Director of the Bureau of Foreign Affairs.

After thinking it over, Chen Youzhi concluded that although Yang Youan was young, he was still quite steady in his mind and had excellent manners, making him the most suitable person to be in charge of external reception matters.

"The student will follow the instructions of the adults," Yang Youan said with a bow.

“Then so be it. Now that you’ve become the top scholar, you mustn’t be arrogant. Take a few days off before coming back. Oh, by the way,” Chen Youzhi stood up, walked over to Yang Youan, patted him on the shoulder, and was about to leave when he suddenly remembered something. He said to Yang Youan, “His Majesty wants to see you later. Change your clothes. Remember, don’t talk nonsense.”

After saying that, he walked happily towards the door.

"Respectfully seeing off Lord Chen." The group in the hall said to Chen Youzhi's departing figure.

"Greetings, Scholar Yang!" After Lord Chen left, everyone gathered around Yang You'an, their words carrying a hint of teasing, but also sincere congratulations.

"When does Scholar Yang plan to get married? We're all looking forward to attending his wedding banquet."

"Yes, that's right. I remember you said you would marry Miss if you became the top scholar in the imperial examination."

"You'an is ashamed. I have to see His Majesty later tonight, so it may be a few days before I can go."

"A few days later is fine. Don't just sit around doing nothing, hurry up and buy things to prepare for the wedding when You'an comes back." Yang You'an's expression wasn't good, and the forced smile on his face looked somewhat eerie. Seeing this, the old troupe leader told everyone to go buy things to prepare for his wedding with Xie Xiaoshuang.

Everyone responded with laughter and cheers.

After most of the people had left, only the old troupe leader, Yang Youan, Xie Xiaoshuang, and Zhang Wanyi remained in the hall.

The old troupe leader looked at Yang Youan, who seemed off, and asked, "What's wrong with you? You look like you have something on your mind."

“Yeah, Brother An. He was too embarrassed to ask me anything earlier,” Xie Xiaoshuang said, coming to Yang Youan’s side.

Yang Youan glanced at the group, frowned, and hesitated to speak.

"Young Master Yang, if you have something to say, just tell us. Don't keep it to yourself." Zhang Wanyi was also anxious when she saw that Yang Youan was silent. Becoming the top scholar was a good thing, so why was he acting like this?

Yang Youan sighed deeply and said, "Today, after Lord Chen and I came out of the main hall, we met the Second Prince."

"Is there anything wrong with this?" Zhang Wanyi didn't find anything amiss. "It's normal to encounter a prince in the palace, isn't it? What's wrong with it?"

"Brother Zhang insulted the Second Prince so much before; given his temperament, he shouldn't be acting like this today."

"What do you mean?" "This old minister greets the Second Prince." Chen Youzhi and Yang Youan had just stepped out of the main hall when they encountered the Second Prince, who was already waiting to the side. Although Chen Youzhi did not like the Second Prince, he was, after all, a prince, and the proper etiquette in the palace still had to be observed.

"Lord Chen, Scholar Yang." The Second Prince, with an unusually kind expression, returned the greeting to the two men with great courtesy.

The Second Prince's behavior startled Yang You'an, who quickly returned the greeting, saying, "Yang You'an greets the Second Prince."

"You're too kind, Scholar Yang." The Second Prince looked at Yang You'an with a smile. "Scholar Yang, your literary talent is amazing and your knowledge is profound. In the future, we will both be officials of His Majesty and the people. I hope we can have more exchanges and discuss the affairs of the country and the suffering of the people. I will be waiting for you at any time."

Chen Youzhi found the Second Prince's words quite surprising. In his memory, the Second Prince usually loved money and beautiful women and never participated in court affairs. Why was it that today his words were full of the intention to win over Yang Youan?

But Yang Youan didn't see it that way. Looking at the Second Prince, who spoke gently and behaved politely, he felt a chill run down his spine. He knew how Zhang Ze'an had treated the Second Prince before, and logically, they shouldn't be so friendly upon first meeting.

However, since the Second Prince was willing to lower himself and not hold a grudge, he still returned the courtesy, saying, "Of course, I hope the Second Prince will give me more guidance."

Upon hearing this, the Second Prince approached Yang You'an with a smile, patted his shoulder, and whispered in his ear, "From now on, we will all be court officials. Please forgive me for what happened before, Scholar Yang. It was my fault, and I apologize to you."

"You'an is terrified." Upon hearing the Second Prince's words, Yang You'an felt inexplicably flustered and quickly bowed.

The Second Prince found Yang Youan's appearance amusing, but he didn't show it. Instead, he helped Yang Youan up and stared at him, saying, "I heard you're engaged to that young lady from the Pear Garden?"

Yang Youan replied nervously, "Yes."

"Call me when you get married, so I can share in the joy. Alright, do a good job." Finally, the Second Prince laughed and patted Yang You'an's arm before strode away.

"This is really strange. When did the Second Prince become like the Crown Prince?" Chen Youzhi murmured softly as he watched the Second Prince's departing figure.

Yang Youan sighed, picked up his teacup with a solemn expression, and took a sip to ease his anxiety. Then he looked up at Zhang Ze'an, who was sitting beside him with an equally grim expression, and said, "I don't know either. I felt uneasy the whole time the Second Prince was talking to me today, always worried that something might happen."

Zhang Ze'an, sipping his tea, stared sharply at the doorway. "You said His Majesty wants to see you later?"

"Yes. That's why I came to see Brother Zhang." Yang You'an looked uneasily at a certain spot. In the past, no matter what happened, he would always come to Zhang Ze'an's house for a while. Drinking tea with him would make his worries disappear. But this time, his unease not only didn't subside, but grew heavier.

Are you afraid that the Second Prince will cause trouble when you go to the palace to meet the Emperor?

Zhang Ze'an understood what Yang You'an said. Given his understanding of the Second Prince's character, it wasn't impossible for him to know such a thing.

"So I would like to trouble you again, Brother Zhang, and ask you to go to the Pear Garden again."

Yang Youan suddenly stood up as he spoke. He bowed deeply to Zhang Ze'an, his expression filled with sorrow. Although he was reluctant to always trouble Zhang Ze'an, he was genuinely afraid that the Second Prince might take advantage of his visit to the palace to do something.

"You'an, what are you doing? Get up quickly." Yang You'an's actions startled Zhang Ze'an, who quickly helped him up. "What's the trouble? Why are you saying these things between close friends? Besides, seeing you like this, I thought you were never going back."

(End of this chapter)