Chapter 447 - 172: Prefectural School (3)
Chapter 447: Chapter 172: Prefectural School (3)
Mr. Sun, finally free of the hot potato, bolted faster than anyone.
De’an was left utterly speechless, watching him vanish in the blink of an eye.
"Seriously? Before we came, he was so friendly with me, acting like we were about to become the closest of brothers. How can he not even be willing to buy me a meal? That’s just too much."
Wang Jun’s expression was complicated. "You’ll find out, in time. Mr. Sun... he’s even stingier than Zhao Jing."
Zhao Jing scoffed. "I mooched one meal off you—one that you offered, by the way. Have you gotten addicted to slapping labels on me? But you’re not wrong. I *am* stingy. From now on, don’t even think about asking to borrow my books, notes, or exam papers. I’m like a Pixiu: things only come in, they never go out."
Having been thoroughly rebuked, Wang Jun quieted down.
He was no match for Zhao Jing in a war of words, so he quickly pulled De’an toward the serving line.
"Let’s go, let’s go! You’re late, so there’s not much good food left. Our dining hall’s food is usually pretty decent. The Four-Joy Meatballs and sweet and sour pork ribs are our specialties, but they’re definitely gone by now. There’s still some braised pork, want any? How about some spicy shrimp? It’s my treat today, so eat as much as you like."
Wang Jun waved his hand magnanimously, prompting someone nearby to mutter, "What’s there to be so grand about? He’s just the son of a merchant."
"Exactly. There are plenty of people here from better families or with more wealth than him, and you don’t see them showing off like that."
The ones who said it didn’t bother to lower their voices. Zhao Jing and De’an heard them, and so, of course, did Wang Jun.
They both expected Wang Jun to fly into a rage. After all, Mr. Wang had been pampered and privileged his whole life. The only time he’d ever really been crossed was at the Lantern Festival in Qingshui County; he wasn’t used to being slighted.
They thought he was about to start a brawl and were ready to pull him back.
But Wang Jun had no intention of getting physical.
He just stared coldly at the speakers and sneered. "What’s with all the stray dogs barking? You must have eaten too much shit to have a mouth that foul."
UGH!
UGH!
"Wang Jun, that’s enough! Are you trying to make us lose our appetites?!"
A wave of retching sounds spread through the dining hall as everyone glared at Wang Jun.
Wang Jun shrugged nonchalantly. "He was asking for it. How could I not grant his wish? If you want to blame someone, blame the coward who talks behind people’s backs. I’m the innocent party here."
"Innocent, my ass."
"He was the one looking for trouble. Why lower yourself to his level?"
"Now you’ve ruined our meal. You owe us a better one to make up for it."
Wang Jun happily obliged. "No problem. This coming rest day, at the Golden Jade Restaurant in the Prefecture capital. It’s on me."
And just like that, the whole farce was over.
The two young Scholars who had started the trouble took the opportunity, while no one was watching, to slip away, their faces red with shame.
Some of the others in the dining hall lost their appetite as well, getting up to leave.
As they passed the group, they gave Zhao Jing and De’an a deliberate look.
"New students?"
Wang Jun puffed out his chest and proudly introduced them. "This is Chen De’an, and this is Zhao Jing. Both are new Scholars from this year’s class."
The man, who had only asked out of politeness, froze upon hearing the familiar name. "Zhao Jing? You mean Zhao Jing from Qingshui County, the Minor Triple Crown Scholar?"
Zhao Jing clasped his hands in a fist-and-palm salute. "The very same."
"Ah, I’ve heard so much about you! Mr. Zhao, you are as distinguished in person as your prose is said to be brilliant. Now that we’re fellow students, I hope you won’t hesitate to share your wisdom."
"I wouldn’t dare presume to teach. It’s enough that we can learn from one another. And if I’m ever in the wrong, I hope you’ll be the one to correct me."
"It’s an honor..."
"Such talent at a young age..."
"A truly remarkable talent..."
The dining hall nearly became Zhao Jing’s personal stage.
His fame as the "Minor Triple Crown Scholar" had clearly spread far and wide.
Achieving the Minor Triple Crown was rare enough, and he was also known to be favored by the Lord Prefect. By all rights, a spot at the prefectural academy was guaranteed for him.
But the academy had been in session for two months, and he never showed up. Many had assumed he was planning to study on his own at home. They never expected him to appear after classes had already been going on for two months.
’He’s a formidable rival. With him here, it’ll be much harder to take the top spot from now on.’
’Still, his scholarship is profound. It would be a blessing to learn from his strengths and improve alongside him.’
Three young women in the dining hall also made their way over.
They looked at Zhao Jing and Chen De’an, their eyes full of curiosity and assessment.
One of them, a petite young woman with delicate features, spoke in a measured tone. "When I was entering the academy today, I saw a beautiful young woman outside the main gate. Was she a relative of yours?"
Zhao Jing remained silent, but De’an’s face lit up with surprise. "That must have been my older sister! Did you get a chance to say hello?"