A cool breeze blew the smoke from Old Man Yun's mouth. The old man with the white beard took a whiff, and his eyes instantly lit up.
"This, this is Nanyang County tobacco! It smells wonderful!~" the old man with the white beard murmured.
Upon hearing this, Old Man Yun blinked. "Brother, your nose is truly extraordinary. With just a sniff, you know where this tobacco comes from. It's truly admirable..."
This tobacco was a gift from Old Man Sun, and it was the finest of the fine.
Old Man Yun decided to cultivate his own tobacco patch this year...
The old man with the white beard heard this, flicked his sleeve, and walked up to Old Man Yun. "You flatter me. I used to enjoy smoking a pipe myself, but these past two years I've been coughing constantly, and the doctor told me to quit!~"
After speaking, he glanced into the courtyard and asked curiously, "Are you new residents? You look unfamiliar..."
Old Man Yun stood up and patted the dust off his pants. "We've been here for a while. Perhaps you've been too busy to notice us!~"
After arriving in the capital, Old Man Yun went almost nowhere. He usually stayed at home with his wife or tinkered with delicious food in the kitchen...
According to Jiang Tun, the neighbors on either side of this residence were all remarkable individuals. Yun Latou even wanted to find time to visit them, but he ran into one at the front gate.
The old man with the white beard heard this and quickly clasped his hands. "It is my oversight. Since we are neighbors, it means we are fated. My surname is Qian. I'm usually busy at the Imperial Academy. Last night, I ate something that disagreed with me, so I came home to find some medicine..."
Indeed, this person was the esteemed Scholar Qian, known for his aversion to alcohol at the Imperial Academy. Because he came from a poor family since childhood, he had no airs about him.
He was just rather strict with his students.
"Oh, so you work at the Imperial Academy, Brother? Haha, my grandson is about to study there too. I'll have to ask for your guidance in the future..." Old Man Yun said with a beaming smile, clasping his hands in greeting.
Scholar Qian was slightly taken aback and asked, "What is your grandson's name?"
"Yun Jinhe!" Old Man Yun introduced with a smile. "He was studying at Bocai Academy before. Then, Lord Feng, who cherishes talent, specially organized a grand examination, and my grandson ranked second..."
Scholar Qian heard this and said, "Oh, that did happen!~"
Just then, Gao Jingde came out to call Old Man Yun. "Grandpa, Grandma says the food is ready and wants you to come in and eat..."
Old Man Yun had few friends in the capital. Meeting Scholar Qian today meant he absolutely had to invite him in for a drink.
After all, Jinhe was about to study at the Imperial Academy. Building a good relationship with Scholar Qian could only bring benefits.
"Brother Qian, come in for a drink. We're steaming perch today, it's so fragrant..." Old Man Yun invited.
Scholar Qian swallowed. "No, no, I can't. Another day. My stomach isn't feeling well!"
"We have medicine for diarrhea! One pill will do the trick!" This time, before Scholar Qian could refuse, Old Man Yun pulled him into the courtyard, saying as they walked, "Besides steamed perch, we also have sticky bean buns and millet porridge. Brother Qian, do you know wild pigeon? If you chop it up and stir-fry it with shredded mustard greens, you'll eat two bowls of rice at a meal..."
Scholar Qian licked his lips and gave Old Man Yun a deep look.
Is your family running a restaurant? Why do you always talk about food?
In fact, it was precisely the simplicity and kindness of the Yun family that attracted so many distinguished guests. Food was an aid and a comfort; good food was that which brought warmth and human connection.
"Wife, we have a guest! Go get the wine cups Jiang Tun bought!" Old Man Yun walked into the main hall with a smile.
Scholar Qian looked around the large house and then at the attire of Old Man Yun and Madam Gu.
Why did he feel that this residence didn't quite match the family's status...
Madam Gu was also hospitable. After confirming Scholar Qian's identity, she busied herself with serving dishes and food.
Inside Xiao Xinling's room.
"Han Chijiao, they're eating steamed perch in the main hall. Go try some. Later, when Siman buys roast goose, you're not allowed to snatch it from me!" Xiao Xinling warned.
Han Chijiao: "..."
Unlike you, who has no shame.
"What are you showing off about? Is roast goose that great? Do you believe I can make Young Master Kong buy ten of them right now? Hmph, you only know how to eat all day. Aren't you afraid of becoming a fatso..." Han Chijiao complained.
When Xiao Xinling heard this, she jumped up in anger, pointing a trembling finger at Han Chijiao. "You, you barbarian! Who are you calling a fatso?"
She was so angry.
Why couldn't her uncle and the little crybaby get rid of this annoying pest? What was she doing staying at the Old Yun family's place every day?
"Whoever answers is the fatso, la la la!~" Han Chijiao stuck out her tongue at her.
Xiao Xinling: "..."
So uncivilized!
And so childish.
"Hmph, I, this princess, have a broad mind and won't stoop to your level!" Xiao Xinling walked to the door with her hands behind her back, suppressing her anger. "I'm going to the fabric shop to find Sweet Baby. Don't follow me..."
As soon as Sweet Baby was mentioned, Han Chijiao's spirits instantly lifted. She threw on a coat and ran outside. "First come, first served! Sweet Baby is mine!~"
Xiao Xinling: "..."
"Han Chijiao, have you no shame? Stop right there!" Xiao Xinling grabbed her skirt and chased after her.
Scholar Qian, who was eating and drinking, glanced towards the door and asked in surprise, "Does Brother Yun have many daughters?"
In broad daylight, why were they making such a racket? They had no decorum at all...
Be careful not to end up unmarried.
Old Man Yun smiled helplessly. "They are our guests. Those two girls love to bicker. They have to argue with each other as soon as they open their eyes in the morning!~"
Scholar Qian: "..."
What kind of guests are these? Why are they so uncivilized?
It seemed that after his grandson Jinhe went to the Imperial Academy, Scholar Qian would have to supervise him closely.
The Imperial Academy was a prestigious institution. If it nurtured a scoundrel, it would be a great embarrassment.
Little did they know, that in just a few days, two scoundrel students would swagger into the Imperial Academy and sit in the same classroom as Yun Jinhe.
And now, Old Master Yao was sitting on his kang, eating fried carp, while reading a letter.
"You unfilial son, you unfilial son, you truly, truly anger this old man, cough cough..." Old Master Yao cursed, tearing the letter to shreds.
It wasn't for any other reason than that the content of the letter was simply unbearable to look at.
Yao Jinsheng wrote in the letter: Your son has no interest in studying at the academy and wishes to experience the learning atmosphere at the Imperial Academy. Please arrange two spots for your son immediately. If you do not agree, your son will cut off water and food and starve to death at Bocai Academy...
Look at that! Was that human language?