While the Zhao and Song families were busy with their preparations, the Su Family also welcomed a guest.
“Saying goodbye?”
Shen Jing and Su Yourong looked at Li Zhao, who had suddenly arrived, in surprise.
This was Li Zhao’s first visit to the Su Family, and it was to say goodbye?
“Yes!”
Li Zhao put down his teacup and said softly, “After parting ways at the Reflecting Moon Poetry Club, I thought a lot. Qu Heng and I discussed it, and we realized we can’t stay confined to this small world of Luochuan Prefecture anymore. We need to go out and travel…”
Shen Jing was surprised, “You’re not preparing for next year’s imperial examination?”
Li Zhao had also passed the provincial examination this year.
The metropolitan examination was in March next year. He wasn’t preparing for it, but instead going out to travel?
What kind of stimulus had this kid received?
“Prepare, of course I’ll prepare!”
Li Zhao chuckled, “We plan to travel all the way to the capital, visit talented people from various regions, and then conveniently take the metropolitan examination in the capital next year!”
Oh, so that’s it.
It seemed this kid’s brain wasn’t waterlogged after all.
At least, he was still going to take the metropolitan examination.
Su Yourong glanced at Li Zhao and asked curiously, “Why did you suddenly decide to travel?”
“Ah… this…”
Li Zhao seemed a bit flustered by her question, stammering for a long time before looking at Shen Jing with a wry smile, “This is all thanks to Miss Su’s husband!”
“What does that have to do with me?”
Shen Jing looked innocent.
He hadn’t instigated Li Zhao to travel, so why was he being blamed?
Meeting Shen Jing’s innocent gaze, Li Zhao suddenly felt an urge to pin him to the ground and beat him up.
You ask what it has to do with you?
If it weren’t for comparing myself to you several times, I wouldn’t have felt like I was nothing!
Suppressing the urge in his heart, Li Zhao couldn’t help but show a bitter smile, “Before, we always thought we were quite talented, but compared to you, we realized we were just frogs in a well. This journey is not only to visit talented people from various regions but also to broaden our horizons, so as not to be confined to shallow knowledge from books and be narrow-minded…”
“…”
Shen Jing looked at Li Zhao with a wry smile.
It seemed this kid was a bit self-deprecating.
He really didn’t need to be!
In terms of talent alone, he completely outshone himself.
He was just a plagiarizer!
“Actually, I’m not as talented as you think.”
Shen Jing said somewhat helplessly, “However, I do support your idea! A lot of knowledge in this world cannot be learned from books. Going out and traveling might lead to unexpected gains.”
Travel?
He also wanted to travel everywhere!
However, he still had some things to do at the moment.
He wouldn’t have the opportunity for now.
In any case, he would definitely travel around in the future and not be confined to a small world.
Who wouldn’t want to roam the world with a sword and see its splendor?
“You’re being a bit too modest.”
Li Zhao was somewhat speechless, “Don’t you know that ever since your words at the Reflecting Moon Poetry Club spread, many people no longer attend those poetry club gatherings…”
The common people were more concerned with the rumors about Zhao Jianzhi and Song Lianxin.
But those with some talent were more engaged in self-reflection.
Did composing poems and couplets all day long help their talent?
Did good poetry help with the imperial examination?
Would the imperial court make an exception and appoint them as officials based on the fleeting fame they gained from poetry?
The answer, of course, was no.
If that was the case, why bother composing poems and couplets all day long?
“There’s such a thing?”
Shen Jing and Su Yourong both looked surprised.
They really hadn’t paid attention to these matters.
Su Yourong’s lips curved into a smile, and she looked sideways at Shen Jing.
According to Li Zhao, wouldn’t the proprietors of those poetry clubs hate Shen Jing to death?
“Isn’t that right? Now, when many people are invited to compose poems, the most common reply is: Poetry is but a minor path!”
Li Zhao smiled and added, “Tomorrow morning, we will depart from Luochuan Prefecture. Tonight, we are gathering with a few good friends at the Zhenxiu Pavilion. Would the two of you care to join us?”
Faced with Li Zhao’s sudden invitation, Su Yourong immediately looked at Shen Jing, leaving the decision to him.
Her impression of Li Zhao was actually quite good. If Shen Jing agreed, then they would go.
If Shen Jing didn’t agree, then so be it.
“Go, since I’m the culprit, I must go!”
Shen Jing replied with a chuckle, “This can also be considered a send-off for you, can’t it?”
…
In the evening, Shen Jing and Su Yourong met Li Zhao and his companions at the Zhenxiu Pavilion.
Besides Li Zhao and Qu Heng, there were three other people.
They had all met these three before, but hadn’t really talked much.
Everyone took their seats in turn.
This time, they rarely composed poems or couplets, instead chatting about anecdotes and occasionally discussing scholarship and life insights.
Although Shen Jing didn’t have much scholarly knowledge, with his Taoist background, he could still join in their conversations.
It had to be said that when he didn’t have to squeeze out his meager poetic reserves, chatting and drinking with these literati and refined scholars was quite comfortable.
During their casual conversation, they inevitably brought up the incident at the Reflecting Moon Poetry Club again.
When they talked about the poem Shen Jing used to retort, they couldn’t help but burst into laughter again.
As they chatted, one of them gloated, “Speaking of which, it seems like it’s been a long time since we’ve seen Zhao Ying and Song Lianxin. They must be too ashamed to see anyone, right?”
“Bullshit!”
Qu Heng said rather ungracefully, “Yesterday, when I was strolling by Qixia Lake, I even ran into them boating on Qixia Lake.”
Yesterday?
The speaker had no intention, but the listener paid attention.
Shen Jing was secretly surprised. Shouldn’t Zhao Ying and Song Lianxin be in a desperate situation right now?
How could they still have the leisure to go boating on Qixia Lake?
As far as he knew, Zhao Ying and Song Lianxin had met at Qixia Lake.
Were they revisiting old haunts?
Reliving old dreams?
Had they gathered enough silver?
Impossible!
Five hundred thousand taels of silver, how could it be so easy to raise?
Or did they already have a countermeasure?
Or were they planning to run away?
Running away shouldn’t be the case, right?
This wasn’t the kind of society from his previous life where you could just run away.
This matter seemed a bit strange!
“You really saw them boating on Qixia Lake?”
Shen Jing confirmed with Qu Heng again.
“Why would I lie to you about that?”
Qu Heng was somewhat puzzled.
“Nothing, just asking casually.”
Shen Jing smiled, “I’m a petty person, and I just can’t stand to see them doing well.”
“…”
Qu Heng looked exasperated, “Then you might be disappointed. When I saw them, they were still leaning against each other, looking completely inseparable.”
What the hell?
They were still inseparable?
These two wouldn’t commit suicide together, would they?
Impossible, these two would definitely not be the type to commit suicide!
Shen Jing wanted to ask for more specific details, but Qu Heng suddenly stood up, “I’ve had too much to drink, I’m going to the latrine. You all keep chatting.”
With that, Qu Heng quickly left the room.
A short while later, Qu Heng, having relieved himself, returned to the room.
However, his expression didn’t seem very good?
“I say, what’s wrong with you?”
Li Zhao noticed Qu Heng’s unusual behavior, “In just this short time, who provoked you?”
“Don’t even mention it!”
Qu Heng returned to his seat and said gloomily, “It’s really bad luck!”