Wang Rong bowed smoothly, without the slightest pause:
"Your humble servant is the newly appointed Eastern Garden Provisioner. My respects, madam."
Understanding dawned on the old madam, and she instructed him:
"When Rong comes home from his lessons today, tell the kitchen to make plenty of good things. There must be crisp chicken cakes, pebble-cooked lamb, whitefish slices braised in abalone sauce, and four-sided brocade rolls."
"Yes. But the young master sent word that he would be home late. Perhaps madam could eat first, and when he returns-"
"I'm not hungry. I'll wait and eat with Rong."
This time, the old madam stood firm. Wang Rong tried several different approaches, but none worked.
He was just about to try another tactic when a servant came in and quietly announced that Wei Zhun had arrived. Delighted, Wang Rong ordered them to bring Wei Zhun here at once.
Before long, Wei Zhun strode into the chamber in the robes of an Academy of State Sons student.
(Remember Wei Kuang, who ran away after the linked-verse composition? This was Wei Kuang's elder brother. In Chapter 176, "Linked Verse (Part Two)," Liu Cheng said, "Zhonghan is an outstanding student at the Academy of State Sons. Both he and his elder brother have won the admiration of Secretariat Gentleman Xie Xuanhui, who personally wrote this eight-character appraisal: 'The Wei brothers possess exceptionally brilliant, keen talents.'")
At the sight of Wei Zhun, the old madam's face lit up:
"Rong!"
Wei Zhun froze.
Then he saw Wang Rong give him a meaningful look.
Wei Zhun understood at once and stepped forward, sinking to one knee:
"Mother."
Smiling, the old madam took hold of her "son" and carefully straightened Wei Zhun's cuffs:
"Why are you back so early today? Are you cold? What did your teacher teach you?"