Chapter 2193: Asking Aunt Hong's Opinion (Patreon)

Chapter 2193: Asking Aunt Hong's Opinion


Aunt Hong quickly lowered her head and picked two of the freshest spinach from her stall, stuffing them into Shu Yu's basket. She said, "Take these vegetables with you. If you enjoy them, I'll bring more next time."

Shu Yu didn't refuse. Even if she tried to pay Aunt Hong for the spinach, she knew Aunt Hong wouldn't accept it. So, she graciously accepted the offer. "Alright, I won't be polite then. We're going to buy some meat inside. Auntie, please continue with your work, and we'll see you later."

"Sure, take care."

Shu Yu didn't linger and continued walking inside the market with Ying Xi and Song Le. When they finished shopping and returned, Aunt Hong had already left.

It seemed that she had sold out her vegetables at the stall.

Shu Yu pondered this for a moment. When the three of them returned home, Meng Yunzheng was practicing his sword in the courtyard.

What puzzled Shu Yu was that the people who had been guarding him outside for the past few days were nowhere to be seen.

While placing the items she had brought into the kitchen, she curiously asked, "When I left this morning, there were some servants outside wanting to see you. How come they've all left now? The results of the court examination haven't been announced yet, so did they give up trying to win you over?"

Meng Yunzheng put away his sword, took a deep breath, and pondered for a moment before saying, "I suppose they think I've fallen out of favor with the Emperor."

Shu Yu was filled with confusion. "You've fallen out of favor with the Emperor?" This was quite a statement.

Meng Yunzheng then repeated the conversation he had with the Emperor in the royal court the previous day. Many people had been present at the time.

After a night of fermentation, everyone must know what had happened in the Palace. Those who had been trying to curry favor with Meng Yunzheng were the type who liked to gossip. Once they heard that he had offended the Emperor, they probably assumed that even if he did become an imperial scholar, his ranking wouldn't be too high, and the Emperor wouldn't assign him any significant tasks. Naturally, they lost interest in trying to win him over.

Listening quietly, Shu Yu was left momentarily speechless. "But, if I didn't know about your relationship with the Emperor, I might have thought that the Emperor deliberately made things difficult for you... Wait a minute, the Emperor couldn't have said those things on purpose, right?"

"It wasn't exactly intentional. He was just expressing his dissatisfaction with my decision to return to the academy after the examination."

Shu Yu nodded in understanding. The Emperor was currently seeking talented individuals urgently. Meng Yunzheng had known him for a long time and had worked closely with him before. Their cooperation had been seamless, and he was probably the kind of person the Emperor wanted to keep by his side. The thought of Meng Yunzheng not staying to assist him in this crucial period must have been frustrating for the Emperor.

Shu Yu sympathized with the Emperor for about three seconds before cheerfully heading to the kitchen to prepare a sumptuous meal.

After lunch, Shu Yu planned to visit Aunt Hong's house, and Meng Yunzheng intended to go with her.

However, before they could leave, Xie Bo showed up at their door, accompanied by Xun Sheng.

With the imperial examination over, Xun Sheng had come to visit Meng Yunzheng, knowing that he would have some free time. After all, he would have to return to the Changjin Prefecture in three days, and it might be years before they could meet again in the capital.

Seeing their lively conversation, Shu Yu decided to bring Song Le along to visit Aunt Hong's house.

Aunt Hong was indeed at home, and she was alone.

Being alone was convenient for Shu Yu because she had something to discuss with Aunt Hong.

"Why did Miss Lu come over?" Aunt Hong was washing clothes when they arrived. She quickly wiped her hands and poured some brown sugar water, offering it to them.

Then, she happily gave Song Le some preserved snacks she had stored, watching him nibble away with great satisfaction.

"I came over to ask Auntie about something."