novelraw Chapter 1257 - 1256: Transfer?
Chapter 1257 - 1256: Transfer?
The people nearby listened, all enviously looking at Song Chongjin, not knowing what kind of luck the Heir of Duke of Weiguo had to catch Qin Bohan’s eye.
Even Gu Zikai, after avoiding the crowd, secretly kicked Song Chongjin with a smile, saying, "To be honest, you’re not as handsome and charming as I am. After all, I am a Tanhua Lang of this class. How come Lord Qin looks at you differently?"
In the past, when the two of them were in Jing County, after clearing up their misunderstandings, they appreciated each other even more.
Upon learning that Song Chongjin was his cousin-in-law, Gu Zikai found it increasingly difficult to hide his true nature in front of him, not bothering to maintain the so-called demeanor he showed outsiders, often making jokes instead.
Song Chongjin was aware of this habit of his and just laughed it off.
But Gu Zihuan, upon hearing Gu Zikai’s words, couldn’t help but mock, "Only young women would like that scholarly look of yours. Among us men, we definitely admire cousin-in-law’s bravery more. You should fool around only with those young girls outside!"
Gu Zikai wasn’t annoyed; he just laughed: "I know Third Brother is jealous of me. After all, when Third Brother became a Scholar, his literary skills were not as good as the Top Scholar of the year, nor was his beauty comparable to the current Minister Zhu—"
Before he could finish, Gu Zihuan covered his mouth and dragged him away with a menacing smile.
Gu Zihang shook his head, too lazy to deal with the two of them, taking Song Chongjin to introduce him to some of their contemporaries and colleagues in the court.
Outsiders saw this and couldn’t help but marvel at Song Chongjin’s good fortune.
The Gu Family’s recognition gathering remained lively from noon till evening, with even some gifts from the palace, adding to the festive mood.
By evening, the guests dispersed.
Wang Yongzhu and Song Chongjin returned with the carriages from Duke Weiguo Residence, exhausted from the day, they retired without much conversation.
Early the next morning, Song Chongjin instructed someone to prepare a gift to visit Qin Bohan at the Qin Residence.
Since he was now the Heir of Duke of Weiguo, he couldn’t go out as before. Song Hong assigned four of his Personal Soldiers to accompany Song Chongjin closely to ensure safety.
Song Chongjin wanted to decline, but Song Hong said this was the necessary entourage for an heir going out, so he had to accept it reluctantly.
The doorman at Qin Residence had already received instructions and respectfully welcomed Song Chongjin in when he arrived. The four Personal Soldiers wanted to follow him in but were politely guided to the side courtyard for tea by the Qin Residence staff.
These four Personal Soldiers, who had been with Song Chongjin for years and were quite experienced, knew that the Qin Residence was different from other places and dared not misbehave, so they quietly followed along.
Song Chongjin followed the servants of Qin Residence directly to the study. After a servant announced his arrival, Qin Bohan’s voice came from inside, "Please let the Heir of Duke of Weiguo in—"
The servant gestured for him to enter.
Song Chongjin straightened his clothes and stepped inside.
Qin Bohan seemed quite relaxed that day, sitting by the desk reading a scroll. Upon hearing the footsteps, he didn’t raise his head but merely motioned for Song Chongjin to sit down.
A servant quietly served tea and then silently retreated, closing the door behind.
Song Chongjin didn’t dare disturb him, quietly sitting aside, watching Qin Bohan slowly flip through the pages without speaking.
After a while, Qin Bohan reached for his tea, placing the scroll down, and glanced at Song Chongjin, "You barely managed not to disgrace the Qi Family this time."
Song Chongjin, upon hearing this, quickly stood up respectfully.
He didn’t know why, but he never felt this constrained in front of Song Hong as he did in front of Qin Bohan.
"Student’s aptitude is dull, I’ve disappointed you, my lord!"
Qin Bohan took a sip of tea, "You grew up in the wilderness, even though you have some of the Qi Family’s blood talent, you started your education late and had that particular mentor at the beginning. Even good talent couldn’t withstand such setbacks. Although Xu You went later, it was already a delay."
"Xu You, too, was blinded, of course. If he had been more perceptive, he wouldn’t have escaped when so many couldn’t, only to turn to the Song Family!"
"Short-sighted to the extreme! If he had recognized your talent back then and focused on cultivating you along a righteous path without dabbling in intelligence or information networks, would you have only achieved today’s results?"
"Choosing not to walk the right path and instead taking side avenues always falls short! Understand, in all things in the world, it’s better to take directly than to seek obliquely. Too many tactics lead to excessive reliance, resulting in a treacherous aura in future actions, ultimately preventing great achievements!"
Just a few words, yet they gave Song Chongjin a sudden enlightenment, dispelling the confusion and struggle in his eyes, revealing a newfound clarity as he looked at Qin Bohan for quite some time before formally expressing his gratitude, "Thank you, my lord, for your guidance!"
Qin Bohan nodded slightly, acknowledging that he was indeed a talent worth cultivating, waking up with just a little prompting.
It wasn’t a waste of today’s effort.
He adopted a kinder tone, gesturing for Song Chongjin to sit, showing concern, and briefly analyzing the shortcomings of his examination papers, offering a few pointers on court regulations.
Song Chongjin accepted them one by one, initially thinking Qin Bohan summoned him just for these pointers, but unexpectedly, after a brief pause, Qin Bohan spoke about his appointment to the Hanlin Academy.
"You have been appointed as a reviewer at the Hanlin Academy this time, and you handled the paperwork for your employment there recently, correct?"
Song Chongjin nodded.
Qin Bohan pondered a bit, seemingly deliberating on how to speak, before saying, "Be prepared; within the next two months, you might be assigned elsewhere!"
It felt like a bolt from the blue.
Song Chongjin was momentarily stunned. Whoever entered the Hanlin Academy would at least serve for three years before it was decided whether they would continue there or be transferred elsewhere.
He had never heard of anyone being reassigned within two months of joining.
"Reassigned? Where? Just me?" Song Chongjin quickly calmed down, looking at Qin Bohan.
Qin Bohan nodded, "The other day, His Majesty summoned me, and it seems there was such an intention in the conversation. The reassignment location is where the Qi Family was exiled in the past—"
Song Chongjin’s pupils constricted.
The place of the Qi Family’s exile?
Somehow, Song Chongjin suddenly thought of that golden seal!
Qin Bohan didn’t know what Song Chongjin was thinking, but he analyzed, "This reassignment might still be related to the Qi Family’s past events; only it’s unclear what His Majesty intends! When the Qi Family’s incident occurred, it was peculiar, and there might have been numerous secrets involved."
"Although His Majesty merely hinted at this, I believe it’s almost certainly decided. You shouldn’t think about discussing it with Duke Weiguo in hopes of resolving it. His Majesty is resolute by nature; once he decides on something, there is no changing it."
"It’s better for you to take this opportunity to study local customs, culture, geography, county records, and such to prepare!"