Wang Shijing and Shao Yunan returned home a little later and it was Guo Ziyu who opened the door. He told the two that a lot of people came to pay their New Year’s visit to Elder Cen and Jiang Kangning. But since neither of them were at their homes, those people came here. Elder Cen and Jiang Kangning both let them pray their New Year greeting with peace of mind, so they won’t ask them to come back.

Shao Yunan was relieved upon hearing this. It is reasonable to say that the second day of the New Year should be for going back to their mother’s family. If not for the fact that the people they were visiting today were all from the same village, they would still be out. They also never thought that they would be more people like them who would choose the second day of the year to pay their respects. But Shao Yunan was just wondering.

Since Elder Cen and Jiang Kangning’s guests came, Shao Yunan and Wang Shijing should also greet them as hosts. When the two entered the room, they saw Elder Cen and Jiang Kangning’s guests were already there, while Wang Qing and Nizi were sitting in Jiang Kangning’s arms. Seeing the two of them come in, Elder Cen immediately greeted them. “Yunan and Shijing are back. The old man and the county magistrate are overwhelmed from entertaining friends today. Come, come closer, I will introduce you two.”

All the people rose and saluted, and Shao Yunan and Wang Shijing hurriedly returned their salute. Shao Yunan glanced at the guests. Except for one person, he didn’t know any of them. But even the person he knew was not that familiar to him. It was Kang Rui. The people who came were all men and Shao Yunan couldn’t help but think, ‘They’re not all bachelors, right?’

Elder Cen’s guests included county officials from Yongxiu County, long-time friends, as well as Elder Cen’s three students who were said to be excellent. Of course there were also several people here who came simply to flatter him. The ones who came to pay their respects to Jiang Kangning were mostly ass-kissers. Jiang Kangning didn’t have many friends and some of Elder Cen and Jiang Kangning’s guests were overlapping. 

The two of them didn’t hide where they spent New Year’s Eve, so these people quickly came to pay their respects, as soon as the first day of the New year was over. These people were so happy to pay their respect that they didn’t even accompany their wives back to their mothers’ homes, except, of course, the single ones. 

But there were not only people who came to pay their respects to Elder Cen and Jiang Kangning. Every year, those who pay their respects to both of them in the New Year would come from the second, to even the sixth day of the New Year celebration. For example, the students and teachers from the County School and White Moon Academy would usually greet Elder Cen on the fourth day of the New Year.

Elder Cen and Jiang Kangning both chose to spend the New Year at the home of Wang Shijing and Shao Yunan. The children of the two, also called Jiang Kangning uncle, while Shao Yunan and Wang Shijing called him Eldest Brother. Elder Cen was even more affectionate to Shao Yunan, calling him simply as ‘Yunan.’ 

No one who came to pay their New Year’s greetings was a fool, so how could they not understand how much Elder Cen and Jiang Kangning valued these two people? Except for Kang Rui who still put on an act, the rest of the people were very polite to Wang Shijing and Shao Yunan, naturally showing some curiosity toward them.

Wang Qing, Wang Nizi, and Jiang Moxi, who was carried out by Elder Cen and Jiang Kangchen, all received a lot of money. Most of these people did not stay for lunch, and Elder Cen and Jiang Kangning also didn’t ask them to stay. Only Kang Rui and the three county school students were asked to stay behind by Elder Cen. After Kang Rui’s wife passed away, he never remarried and he didn’t have any children. If it wasn’t because he didn’t want to, Elder Cen would want to call him over to celebrate the New Year with him.

Lunch was prepared by Guo Zimu, while Shao Yunan went to the kitchen to make three dishes of appetizers. He also asked Guo Ziyu to bring rice wine and yellow wine to serve. Wang Shijing was left with Elder Cen to accompany the guests. Shao Yunan and Wang Shijing both understood that Elder Cen did it on purpose. Although Elder Cen was no longer serving in the court, his influence still existed. Even the country magistrate of Cainan Prefecture had to be courteous to Elder Cen. 

In the face of these people, Elder Cen took Wang Shijing and Shao Yunan’s family under his wing. For one thing to raise their status and second, to protect them. Shao Yunan and Wang Shijing really appreciated his kindness. For Elder Cen’s love and gratitude, a simple thank you would be too superfluous, so it was better not to do it.

The three students left by Elder Cen were named Su Hongshan, Cao Xuerong, and Chen Dong. They were all students of the Imperial Academy in the prefecture and were recommended by Elder Cen to the Imperial College. All three were directly qualified as child students and got the status of Xiucai. However, due to Elder Cen’s suggestion, they did not continue to participate in the subsequent exams. This year, the three people who had accumulated their strength for three years have great hopes of being able to become scholars in one fell swoop and even have the ability to enter the top three.

The three of them meet every year to pay their New Year’s greetings to Elder Cen. In ancient times, students needed to pay special homage to their masters and had only one master for life. The teachers at the county school could at best only be teachers. Although Elder Cen was only these three’s teacher, the three would still come every year to pay their respects to him and appreciate the kindness Elder Cen showed them. After Elder Cen resigned and returned to his hometown, he never formally accepted disciples, but Elder Cen keeping them by his side only showed how much he valued the three of them.

There were only a few adults at the dinner table, while the three children were taken by Guo Zimu to the small dining room in the kitchen to eat. Since there were outsiders present, Guo Zimu was definitely not showing his face. Guo Ziyu, who was the housekeeper, could not sit at the table as well, and was busy with all the presents they received. 

Only Elder Cen, Jiang Kangning, Jiang Kangchen, Shao Yunan, Wang Shijing, Kang Rui and the three students sat at the table. Shao Yunan only heard a little about the ancient examination system, but did not understand the reality. While the three people were talking about the imperial examination, he and Wang Shijing ate quietly. Jiang Kangning, the county magistrate, also spoke with them, while Jiang Kangchen didn’t interrupt.

After drinking two glasses of rice wine, Chen Dong raised his glass to Shao Yunan and Wang Shijing. The other two also picked up their glasses, a little puzzled as to how it had turned out like this. Then Chen Dong said, “The students from the county school mentioned the two of you, especially Brother Shao and your feelings about being a teacher. It was a worthwhile trip to meet you today. When the three of us came to see the dean today, we were actually quite curious about Brother Shao.”

Both Su Hongshan and Cao Xuelong also raised their glasses. Shao Yunan looked at Elder Cen, picked up his glass, and said modestly, “I am so ashamed. If I didn’t have to, I wouldn’t have gone to the county school to report the family scandal. Speaking of which, I still owe you an apology, Elder Cen.”

Elder Cen just waved his hand with a smile, looking as if he didn’t care. Wang Shijing followed and picked up his glass and said, “I am too ashamed to be called the head of the family that needed his wife to stand up for me. All three of you, who are learned men and are willing to come to my humble abode and have a drink with me, a simple farmer, is already a blessing for me, Wang Shijing.”

Chen Dong laughed, “Brother Wang is very kind. We are just uninvited guests today.” Shao Yunan quickly said, “Don’t be polite, it’s still me and Shijing who have been blessed by Elder Cen and meeting his outstanding students like you today, it’s thanks to you that my house is full of brilliance today.”

Edited by: Jaisland

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