Chapter 0064: Young Lord Zhang Yuheng, Speechless Before Xie Chengze

Xie Chengze wiped his face vigorously and helped Bian Yangchun up, addressing the crowd, “Friends and brothers, there’s no need for formalities. Here, I am merely Chengze, son of a merchant.”

The scholars rose one after another, gazing at Xie Chengze with mixed emotions.

Who would have thought that the seemingly frail and unassuming Chengze, who had shared drinks and laughter with them without any airs, was actually Xie Chengze, the Second Prince most favored by the current emperor?

If not for the emperor’s special commendation, the Second Prince’s contributions might have been buried and entirely credited to Governor Liang.

Of course, this isn’t to say Governor Liang didn’t contribute or didn’t deserve a good reputation, but at the very least, the Second Prince shouldn’t have exerted his full effort without receiving any recognition—that would have been too unfair.

“Why must Your Highness go to such lengths?” Bian Yangchun sighed softly.

“Reputation is merely an embellishment to me, something dispensable. What matters is that after I leave, there remains a pillar to support the people of Yi Province in persevering,” Xie Chengze shook his head indifferently, then smiled and added, “Besides, it was also to ensure you wouldn’t address me as Your Highness.”

Hearing this, the scholars were moved to tears once again.

The Second Prince was truly so approachable, completely unlike the rumors!

The people of Jian’an are truly blessed to have the Second Prince!

After some casual conversation, Xie Chengze cupped his hands and said to the crowd, “It’s getting late, and it’s time for you all to set off for home. I, Cheng, wish you all a smooth journey, safe and well. Do good deeds and let the future take care of itself.”

“Thank you for your kind words, Brother Cheng!”

“Brother Cheng! Until we meet again!”

“Do good deeds and let the future take care of itself! Everyone, let’s go!”

Ouyang Jiu and Ji Songhua teamed up to return home together. Jing Ze, who shared a mutual admiration with Ouyang Jiu, bid him a special farewell.

“Brother Jing, at next year’s Spring Examination, we’ll meet in Jingcheng!” Ouyang Jiu embraced Jing Ze deeply, reluctant to part, and said, “With Brother Jing’s talent, you will surely pass the imperial exams with flying colors. By then, we’ll all don red robes and sing joyfully as we attend the Qionglin Banquet!”

“Thank you for your kind words, Brother Ouyang. Have a safe journey!” Jing Ze watched Ouyang Jiu leave with reluctance in his eyes.

Ji Songhua had been staring at Zhu Xiaobiao all along and, before leaving, finally couldn’t resist saying to him, “Brother Zhu, about what happened before…”

Zhu Xiaobiao shook his head and smiled, “It’s all in the past. I understand you. In fact, even I thought it was nearly impossible to accomplish at the time.”

But the Second Prince had turned his bold claim into reality.

Ji Songhua was momentarily speechless. After a long pause, he stretched out his arms, hesitating as if wanting to say more, “Before I leave, may I…”

Zhu Xiaobiao scratched his neck, feeling it was a bit overly sentimental, but after glancing at Jing Ze and Ouyang Jiu hugging nearby, he pursed his lips and opened his arms, embracing Ji Songhua. “Alright then, I wish you a safe journey too, Brother Ji.”

It had been a long time since Zhu Xiaobiao last hugged anyone, his memory still lingering on the bear hugs he used to give his plump and sturdy concubines. Thus, this bear hug practically stuffed Ji Songhua right into his chest…

However, since he was considerably shorter than Ji Songhua and had grown much thinner recently, this bear hug essentially shoved his entire body into Ji Songhua’s embrace. Coupled with his remaining soft flesh, when he collided with Ji Songhua, the latter felt as if a warm, enthusiastic little mutt had bumped into him. The hugging sensation… was quite pleasant.

Zhu Xiaobiao didn’t know how long literati should embrace during farewells. Assuming Ji Songhua must know the proper etiquette, he decided to wait for Ji Songhua to release first before letting go himself. Yet after waiting quite a while, he discovered Ji Songhua not only maintained his back embrace but even began stroking his hair with one hand.

Zhu Xiaobiao: ?

Was this also part of literati farewell customs?

Pondering this, Zhu Xiaobiao considered reaching out to pat Ji Songhua’s head in return, lest he appear unrefined again. But before his hand could move, someone grabbed his collar from behind and plucked him straight out of Ji Songhua’s arms.

Turning around, Zhu Xiaobiao found Jing Ze – who had apparently finished his farewells unnoticed – standing there, while Ouyang Jiu watched him and Ji Songhua with amused interest from nearby.

Jing Ze glanced down at his confused expression and remarked tonelessly, “Has Lord Zhu not hugged enough? If you’re this reluctant to part, why not keep Brother Ji here? You might as well keep Brother Ouyang too – keeping one is keeping, keeping two is still keeping.”

Ji Songhua cleared his throat lightly. “Brother Jing, you misunderstand. I was the one who acted inappropriately.”

Finally comprehending the situation, Zhu Xiaobiao’s face flushed crimson as he stammered, “I-It’s my first time bidding farewell to scholars like you! How was I supposed to know the proper etiquette?”

“Don’t fret, Brother Zhu. There are no set rules for scholarly farewells.” Having only witnessed Zhu Xiaobiao’s usual stubborn competitiveness and lecture-hall formality, Ouyang Jiu found his current flustered blush utterly fascinating. Spreading his arms playfully, he teased, “Come, let’s have a hug too~”

Zhu Xiaobiao instinctively opened his arms, but as he lifted his right foot, Jing Ze’s slender frame inserted itself between them. “Enough,” he said flatly. “It’s not like we’ll never meet again. Time to go.”

Ouyang Jiu withdrew his hands with some regret, sighing, “How boring you are, Brother Jing~ Weren’t you just hugging me earlier saying how hard it was to part?”

Jing Ze shot him a cool glance before turning to Ji Songhua. “Safe travels, Brother Ji.”

Ji Songhua nodded. “Yes, until we meet again.”

He then glanced at Zhu Xiaobiao. “Farewell, Brother Zhu.”

Zhu Xiaobiao waved vaguely.

Go on, leaving is good. Once everyone’s gone, no one will disturb… anymore.

After Ouyang Jiu and Ji Songhua departed, Bian Yangchun and Gu Ying remained – Gu Ying to serve as Liang Wan Da’s personal guard, with Bian Yangchun staying behind because he worried about Gu Ying being alone.

As for Zhang Yuheng…

“Brother Yuheng, aren’t you returning home?” Xie Chengze asked curiously. He’d been wondering why Zhang Yuheng, a scholar from Yuzhou, had appeared at Baoxie Road and traveled to Yi Province alongside Bian Yangchun and the others.

Judging by the travel duration, Zhang Yuheng must have set out before the court issued the Open-book Examination notices.

A crutch of unknown origin was tucked at Zhang Yuheng’s waist, its length proving quite handy for writing on the ground. He slowly scrawled, “My grandfather is Zhang Kan, Governor of Shuzhou. I’ve been sent by my father to reunite with my grandfather’s family in Shuzhou for the New Year. Since it’s still early in the month, there’s no need to rush.”

Xie Chengze: ???

What? Am I hearing things?

Did you just say your grandfather is Governor Zhang Kan of neighboring Shuzhou???

So… he’d actually been making the real grandson of Shuzhou’s Governor dig and boil excrement for him every day?!

“Then why didn’t you say so earlier?” Xie Chengze’s voice cracked.

Zhang Yuheng wrote on the ground: “Same as His Highness, afraid you’d call me ‘Young Master Zhang’.”

Xie Chengze: …

Damn it, I’m actually speechless!