That evening, Xia Tingfeng stayed at Marquis Zhongyong’s Mansion.
The mansion wasn’t large, and renovations had been completed a month before the wedding.
Only the pond and the artificial mountain with its strange rocks in the back were still being worked on by craftsmen, but even these were expected to be finished in at most half a month.
In any case, it wouldn’t affect the wedding next month.
The front courtyard had long been ready.
So, Xia Tingfeng could move in directly.
Early the next morning, he didn’t go to Zheng Qianhu Manor but went straight to the imperial palace for duty.
「Meanwhile, at Zheng Qianhu Manor.」
Xia Jingfeng had a simple breakfast and was now bent over his desk writing something.
Tiger had also gone for duty.
In the courtyard, only Rat and Monster were left.
The two peeked around and walked in from outside the door.
Xia Jingfeng quickly put down his pen.
"It turns out to be the two of you!"
Rat and Monster then said with a smile,
"Ah..."
"I say, big brother, have you had a good life these past two years? How come you look so much better after not seeing you for two or three years?"
Xia Jingfeng was dressed in a simple cotton robe, his hair casually combed, appearing very ordinary.
However, this ordinary attire didn’t detract from his good looks at all.
They weren’t noticeable in his childhood but became apparent as he grew up.
He had a pair of bright eyes just like Consort Xian Pin, dense eyelashes, a lofty nose bridge, and thin lips.
He was handsome but not frail, scholarly but not pedantic.
His demeanor was neither servile nor overbearing, elegant to the bone—a truly dashing young noble.
His hands, with their distinct knuckles and slender fingers, made the act of holding a pen particularly attractive.
This prompted Rat’s question.
Xia Jingfeng simply smiled.
"These two years, I’ve been studying at the academy, living and eating with my classmates, which I think is somewhat better than home!"
Of course, it was better than home.
In the academy, everyone was a classmate, and no one bullied him.
Even if someone tried to bully others using their power and influence, they couldn’t bully him, right?
After all, who didn’t know he had a sister serving as a consort in the palace?
Therefore, his life these past two years had been smooth sailing.
Even the teachers who instructed them said he had opened up, becoming smarter and less timid than before.
With such confidence, and classmates who were willing to befriend him, he gradually regained the self-assurance he had lost.
To sum it up in one sentence, if he was still an unfledged eagle two years ago, he was now an eagle about to spread his wings and soar.
The teachers from White Horse Academy all said he had an eighty to ninety percent chance of passing the imperial examination next year.
Therefore, he took leave from his teacher in advance and came to the Capital City early to prepare for the exam.
Of course, the main reason was to attend his elder brother’s wedding.
Besides, he also hoped to find an opportunity to see his elder sister again.
He had said that once he was capable, he would definitely come to the Capital City to find her!
Rat and Monster looked at the huge stack of books by his bed and then at the unfinished letter on the desk by the window.
After a few more pleasantries, they quickly took their leave.
"We’re leaving!"
"We won’t keep you from writing!"
Xia Jingfeng laughed.
"Won’t you stay a bit longer? The stuff I’m writing isn’t urgent!"
Rat and Monster both waved their hands repeatedly.
"No, no!"
With that, the two of them made a hasty exit!
After leaving Xia Jingfeng’s room, the two quickly wiped their sweat.
"Ah... People with knowledge really speak differently!" Monster remarked.
Rat was silent for a while, then nodded in agreement.
"Exactly. Looking at him, I’d be embarrassed to invite him to drink at a brothel!"
"I feel... that bunch of courtesans don’t deserve our brother!"
Monster highly agreed.
"This is like... fresh flowers stuck in cow dung!"
"Ah no, that’s not right. Is it cow dung stuck in fresh flowers? That’s not right either!"
"Ah... I don’t know how to say it, but it’s just different!"
"Compared to him, I feel like we’re just muddy pigs and scabby dogs!"
Rat was utterly speechless.
"You’re the muddy pig and scabby dog!"
"It’s so cold today. Want to go for a drink?"
Monster glanced towards Xia Jingfeng’s room, somewhat hesitant.
"That’s not good, is it? He’s just arrived, and we’re planning to run off?"
Rat was also torn.
"But if we don’t go, we’ll have nothing to do either!"
Monster nodded, "That’s true!"
The two were conflicted back and forth but eventually decided to go for a drink.
They’d go quickly and come back quickly. It was broad daylight, and they were unfamiliar with the area. Xia Jingfeng should be alright, right?
With that, they changed into their clothes, ready to go out and drink at the brothel!
Who would have known? The moment they opened the courtyard gate, they saw several carriages on the cobblestone road outside heading their way.
"Wow! Who’s this? Those carriages look pretty lavish!"
Monster had a bit of an ominous feeling inside.
Rat stared at the approaching carriages for a moment, his pupils suddenly dilating.
"Damn, it’s probably the old couple from the Xia Family!"