Zhu Huaizhang witnessed this scene and nodded with satisfaction.
A gentleman loves money, but he acquires it in a proper way. I never expected Jin Shanyao to educate her child so well. He should know how to write the recommendation letter for the imperial examination now.
Zhu Huaizhang stepped forward and said approvingly, "I never expected you to have such awareness at such a young age. You are a blessing to this Sheng Dynasty..."
What kind of awareness is that? His aunt is clearly angry. He's not stupid; he knows who to side with...
Meng Anci remained outwardly composed, smiling as he bowed, "Greetings, Lord Zhu..."
Zhu Huaizhang gestured for him to enter, "Let's go to the study to talk," he said, and was about to walk in when Jin Shanyao blocked his way.
She looked Zhu Huaizhang up and down with ill intent. "You're not thinking of giving me money too, are you?"
Zhu Huaizhang was both amused and exasperated. "I only make two hundred coins a month, what am I supposed to do with all this money..."
Two hundred coins could buy a small basket of walnuts. She held her hand out to Zhu Huaizhang and said without further ado, "Hand over your money pouch, or don't even think about entering this door."
Zhu Huaizhang laughed in exasperation, pointing to his official robe, "I... the prefect..."
Jin Shanyao scoffed disdainfully, "Knowing nothing is no good... you have to pay."
Zhu Huaizhang watched Jin Shanyao helplessly, trying to go around her from the side, but she blocked him every time. He reached out to push her, but couldn't budge her at all. Finally, he gritted his teeth, took off his money pouch, and threw it to her.
Jin Shanyao took the bag, knowing without even weighing it that something was amiss. She rubbed the bag between her fingertips, her gaze falling pityingly on Zhu Huaizhang, and coughed lightly twice, "Go inside..."
Zhu Huaizhang blushed with embarrassment, snatched the money bag, and strode inside.
Jin Shanyao's outburst, coupled with Meng Anci's words in the street, not a single person who came to offer congratulations and gifts dared to enter. Someone even spread the word that Juren Meng was upright and incorruptible and never accepted bribes.
After this incident, even if Meng Anci wanted to accept gifts, no one dared to give them to him anymore... Everyone knew that giving him gifts would not only result in being reprimanded, but also being thrown out into the street.
Poor thing... a great traitor almost met his end.
Inside the study.
Zhu Huaizhang had intended to offer Meng Anci some advice, but his performance today far exceeded his expectations, so there was no need for advice at all.
Zhu Huaizhang said with satisfaction, "As expected of Lord Su's student, he possesses a strong sense of righteousness within him..."
Meng Anci blushed slightly at the praise. " Lord Zhu is too kind... I only did what I was supposed to do. Besides, with Lord Zhu leading the way, it would be difficult for me to go astray."
Zhu Huaizhang never expected that he would have such a profound influence on him, and a sense of accomplishment welled up within him.
"You are young and promising; you are destined for great things. The court is rife with intrigue and temptations... I only hope that you will never forget your original aspirations and will always treat others with sincerity."
"Thank you for your guidance Lord Zhu..."
The two talked for a while longer before Zhu Huaizhang got up and left...
Just as he was leaving the shop, Jin Shanyao called out to him and pulled him to a secluded spot.
His eyes darted around nervously, as if he were meeting a spy, and he whispered, "I have a job watching the storeroom at my estate... one tael of silver a month. You work at the yamen during the day, and then keep watch at my place at night..."
Zhu Huaizhang was somewhat tempted after hearing this, but he coughed twice and said, "No... I need to sleep tonight, otherwise I won't have the energy to sleep the next day."
"Tsk... I can't really put you in charge of guarding the estate, there are dogs on the grounds... You'll just have to make a show of it..."
Isn't this just a roundabout way of bribing? How infuriating, he actually fell for it. Zhu Huaizhang's face darkened, he pushed Jin Shanyao and left without a word.
Jin Shanyao there stunned, wondering why he was suddenly grabbing at someone without warning...
Because she needed to go to the capital city ahead of schedule, Meng Anzhi wanted to do one last free clinic before leaving.
When she arrived at the Kong Household, she saw Kong Xiaobao feeding his Old Kong. Old Kong turned away, saying, "I won't eat. If my granddaughter-in-law doesn't come home, I'll go on a hunger strike."
Kong Xiaobao said helplessly, "Grandpa... I'm only six years old, not old enough to get married yet..."
"Who are you trying to fool? Do you think I don't know if you have a wife or not?" He turned around and saw Meng Anzhi, and exclaimed with delight, "Granddaughter-in-law... you're back! Come in, come in... Grandpa left you some eggs."
As he spoke, he got up and went into the house. When he came out again, he had two eggs in his hand. He handed them to Meng Anzhi without saying a word, his cloudy eyes full of smiles.
Why aren't you eating?
Meng Anzhi put the eggs into her bag and smiled, "Grandpa gave them to me, I can't bear to eat them..."
Old Kong glared at her after hearing this, "You child, what are eggs such precious things? Eat them, and I'll save some for you after you finish them..." He then looked at Meng Anzhi and chuckled.
"Granddaughter-in-law... how many months pregnant are you?"
"Ah..." Meng Anzhi was stunned. What? How many months pregnant???
Kong Xiaobao slapped his forehead and said to Meng Anzhi, " Doctor Meng, please don't take offense. My grandfather has been acting like he's an ancestor these past few days, like he has a great-grandson... He'll be fine in a few days."
Meng Anzhi suddenly realized what was going on, and took Old Kong's hand to take his pulse. " Grandpa Kong, have you been sleeping well lately?"
"Oh no, you're never home, and they won't let me go out to look for you..."
Kong Xiaobao quickly interrupted him, saying to Meng Anzhi, "Okay... I can sleep through the night after taking the tranquilizer, and my parents can get a good night's sleep too. Otherwise, they always wake up in the middle of the night and make a mess of poop and pee everywhere."
Old Kong glared at him, "Why are you saying all this?"
Meng Anzhi smiled and patted Old Kong on the shoulder, then instructed Kong Xiaobao, "When your parents come back, tell them that your grandfather is old, and he can eat whatever he wants. Don't worry about him..."
Having said that, Meng Anzhi stopped talking and, as she got up to leave, subtly returned the eggs to Kong Xiaobao.
Old Kong staggered to his feet, anxiously asking, "Granddaughter-in-law... where are you going again?"
Meng Anzhi helped him up and smiled, "I still have a few patients to see. You stay home and don't go running around, okay?"
Old Kong nodded repeatedly, "I know, I know... I'll listen to my granddaughter-in-law, I won't go anywhere."
Meng Anzhi left the Kong Household and headed west. Just as she turned the corner of the alley, she saw Shiyan standing by the roadside. She smiled and walked over, "What are you doing here?"
Upon hearing Meng Anzhi's voice, Shiyan instinctively straightened up, his heart pounding nervously. He clutched his clothes, his eyes darting around in a panic, and stammered, " Anzhi... I... I need to talk to you."
This was the first time Meng Anzhi had seen him so nervous, and she wondered if he had done something terribly wrong. "You said..."
Shiyan took a deep breath and flashed his most beautiful smile. " Anzhi... I like you. Will you marry me? You're thirteen this year, which is perfect for us to get engaged. We can get married when you come of age."
Meng Anzhi's head buzzed, and she froze, staring blankly at Shiyan.
Shiyan blushed under the gaze, his words tumbling out incoherently, "Although I didn't pass the imperial examination, I will work hard, you believe me... I will definitely pass it in three years."
If you don't like my mother, we'll move out... I'll become a teacher at a private school, and I'll support you. Besides, we've been childhood sweethearts, we know each other inside and out."
"Stop, stop, stop..." Meng Anzhi quickly interrupted him, whispering to Shiyan, "Listen to me... take a deep breath."
Shiyan took a deep breath, wanting to exhale urgently, but then heard Meng Anzhi say, "Exhale slowly."
Shiyan looked at Meng Anzhi, breathing in and out in accordance with her voice, breathing in and out, and after about three or four deep breaths, his emotions calmed down a little.
Meng Anzhi looked into his eyes and said seriously, " Shiyan, I don't like you."
Shiyan's heart pounded, as if he had fallen into an ice cave... He anxiously asked, "Why? Why don't you like me? You always smile when you see me, how could you not like me?"