The Smiling, Proud Wanderer, becoming a disciple of Yue Buqun.

People from Beijing?

Jiang Ning couldn't help but glance at the other person.

Zhu is the imperial surname. Although there are other commoners with the surname Zhu, the person in question is from the capital and dressed in fine clothes, so he is probably a member of the royal family.

With so many princes and nobles in the capital, it's easy to run into marquises and members of the royal family.

No wonder there were several people watching this place furtively in the distance; they must be the other party's entourage.

Jiang Ning had already noticed the group of men.

Jiang Ning nodded in acknowledgment.

Zhu Shou smiled and said, "Brother, have you only recently arrived in the capital?"

Jiang Ning smiled and said, "I just arrived yesterday."

"Oh?"

Zhu Shou asked in surprise, "You only arrived yesterday? Did you come to the capital to take the imperial examinations or to travel and relax?"

"play."

Zhu Shou laughed. "Since it's a sightseeing trip, then you probably haven't been to many interesting places in the capital yet. I happen to have lived in the capital for a long time and am quite familiar with some of these places. How about I show you around?"

Jiang Ning declined.

"No need. I'm just visiting the capital for a few days to sightsee and wander around."

"That won't do."

Zhu Shou insisted, "Since this is your first time in the capital, and we don't know when we'll be able to come again, we should naturally take the time to explore. I happen to have nothing to do, so if you don't mind, I'll show you around."

This was the first time Jiang Ning had ever met such a warm and welcoming person.

The world is a dangerous place, so one should naturally be wary of others when going out. There is no one as enthusiastic as Zhu Shou, who continued to invite others even after being politely refused.

The other party was after him.

Jiang Ning thought to himself.

I just don't know what the other party's purpose is.

If Jiang Ning hadn't found it impossible, he would have thought the other party was Lord Zhang from yesterday, coming to cause him trouble.

As he quickly pondered the matter, a smile appeared on Jiang Ning's face.

"Since that's the case, Brother Zhu, it would be impolite of me to refuse your kind invitation."

Zhu Shou laughed heartily.

“I knew Brother Jiang had a generous and forthright temperament, which suits my taste.”

Jiang Ning smiled but remained silent.

After the two got up, Zhu Shou prepared to pay the bill, but Jiang Ning had already paid it before him.

Zhu Shou exclaimed, "Brother Jiang, what are you doing? We agreed that whoever lost would treat everyone, so why are you doing this, Brother Jiang..."

Jiang Ning smiled and said, "Since I'll be troubling Brother Zhu to show me around the capital later, how could I possibly let Brother Zhu spend more money?"

Zhu Shou sighed, "This makes me a little embarrassed."

After the two left the stall, Jiang Ning left with Zhu Shou.

The people in the distance stared in disbelief.

"Why did you leave, sir?"

They initially thought the young man would only exchange a few words with Jiang Ning, but to their surprise, the two left together after finishing their meal, much to their dismay.

Oh no! Good heavens! His Majesty is about to be kidnapped!

The group quickly followed.

"Brother Zhu, are those your servants behind you?"

Jiang Ning asked.

Zhu Shou glanced back at the group of people who had followed him, then smiled and said, "Yes, I was worried about my family when I came out to play, so I had them come with me. If they disturb Brother Jiang's enjoyment, I'll tell them to leave."

"That's not necessary."

Jiang Ning smiled slightly.

Zhu Shou then led Jiang Ning on a tour of the capital, visiting many places, as if he were truly just showing Jiang Ning around without any other purpose.

The two also talked during the process.

Zhu Shou was very young, about the same age as Jiang Ning, and looked like a spoiled brat, but he was very knowledgeable. He could quote poems and classical allusions with ease. Based on Jiang Ning's judgment of Zhu Shou, if he was not a member of the royal family, he would at least pass the imperial examination and become a Xiucai (a successful candidate in the lowest level of the imperial examinations).

Zhu Shou was also secretly surprised during his conversation with Jiang Ning.

He didn't know Jiang Ning's background, but the knowledge Jiang Ning showed in their conversation was no less than his own. However, while Jiang Ning did quote from the Four Books and Five Classics, he leaned more towards Taoist allusions.

Is he a Taoist? Or is he from a family that practices Taoism?

Zhu Shou thought to himself.

The two continued their conversation.

After a conversation, the two found it very pleasant to talk to each other.

Because of his environment, Zhu Shou, despite his exceptional learning, spent his days surrounded by great Confucian scholars and the few people who followed him. Apart from the great Confucian scholars' instruction and the deliberate flattery of his subordinates, this was the first time Zhu Shou had spoken freely with someone without any reservations about his thoughts.

Although Jiang Ning and Zhu Shou were in very different circumstances, they were similar in this respect.

He read a lot, but the disciples of the Huashan Sect didn't like reading much, like Lu Dayou, so he didn't usually have the opportunity to talk about these things with others.

Yue Buqun was indeed well-read, but to put it bluntly, while Yue Buqun's martial arts skills were superior to Jiang Ning's, he was not necessarily as knowledgeable as Jiang Ning.

Zhu Shou and Jiang Ning are unaware of each other's identities, are of similar age, and are exchanging knowledge, finding the conversation quite enjoyable.

Zhu Shou was indeed very knowledgeable, but his words were somewhat empty, as if he had only read about it in books and had never seen it with his own eyes.

When Jiang Ning quoted classical texts, he would base his remarks on his own observations and experiences. His insights would sometimes surprise Zhu Shou, who would also feel a sense of admiration for Jiang Ning's extensive knowledge and wide range of experiences.

"I never imagined that Brother Jiang had been to so many places. I am truly envious."

Zhu Shou sighed, "Compared to Brother Jiang, I am like a bird trapped in a cage, confined in this capital city."

As he spoke, Zhu Shou revealed a hint of sadness.

Jiang Ning smiled slightly upon hearing this, offering neither comfort nor asking why the other person felt that way.

It is very taboo to speak too intimately with someone you don't know well.

The two walked and talked, and before they knew it, it was getting late and the sun was setting.

The men who were with Zhu Shou and Jiang Ning looked anxious. They had wanted to remind Zhu Shou to go back several times, but seeing that the two were still talking, they were afraid of disturbing Zhu Shou's mood, so they didn't remind him. But now that it was getting late, they were getting more and more anxious.

"Brother Jiang, it's getting late now, and some fun places have opened. If you're not feeling tired, why don't you go check them out?"

Zhu Shou glanced at the sky, his eyes lighting up, and said to Jiang Ning.

"Fun places?"

Jiang Ning inquired.

He wasn't tired, but Zhu Shou seemed full of energy.

Zhu Shou winked and made faces.

"Brother Jiang, if you're interested, I'll take you to see it?"

Jiang Ning frowned slightly and nodded.

"Alright."

Zhu Shou then led Jiang Ning toward a certain place.

"I'm having a blast."

When they saw that Zhu Shou still wanted to take Jiang Ning along, their faces turned green.

If we don't go back soon, the palace gates will be closed.

"Commander Mou."

A servant-like man looked at the man.

"It's getting late, almost dusk. If the palace gates close after that time, His Majesty won't be able to return. If the palace finds out, it will surely cause chaos. Commander Mou, could you go and persuade His Majesty to return?"

Upon hearing this, Commander Mu glanced at the elated Zhu Shou not far away and gritted his teeth.

"It's not time yet, and Your Majesty is in high spirits, so let Your Majesty play a little longer!"

The others were startled and quickly said, "If we get back too late and the Empress Dowager finds out..."

Commander Mu said directly, "If the Empress Dowager wants to blame me, I, Mu Bin, will bear the responsibility alone. It has nothing to do with the other eunuchs."

The eunuchs looked at each other in bewilderment.

Saying it has nothing to do with them is a lie. If Empress Dowager Zhang blames them, they were all with Zhu Shou and they definitely won't escape.

However, since Mu Bin had already said that, they didn't dare to go up and provoke Zhu Shou, so they could only sigh helplessly.

At the same time, they were also amazed that no wonder he was the commander; he dared to take responsibility for Zhu Shou's interests, and no wonder he was able to gain Zhu Shou's trust and favor.

"Brother Jiang, we've arrived."

At this moment, Zhu Shou, accompanied by Jiang Ning, said excitedly.

Jiang Ning looked at the bright lights and greenery not far ahead, his expression somewhat strange.

Zhu Shou is taking him to a brothel.

Chapter 417: Enemies Meet on a Narrow Road

"Brother Jiang, this is the liveliest place in the capital at night. Would you be interested in checking it out?"

Zhu Shoudao.

His face was very excited at this moment.