CHAPTER 1291: CHAPTER 1290: WELCOMING

Wang Yongzhu very much wanted to fly back to the Capital City and find Yang Zongbao to ask where he found these two divine subordinates of his.

The journey from the Capital City to Jing County was easy, with good food and drink. Not only did they reach safely without any worries, but they also earned a few hundred taels of silver and half a ship of tributes.

Such good fortune exists?

In an instant, Wang Yongzhu felt a temptation to just travel back and forth between Jing County and the Capital City, collecting protection fees.

In a year, they could certainly amass wealth and prosperity.

Looking at Yao Da’s honest face and Shitou’s innocent face, Wang Yongzhu felt a bit uneasy and didn’t know what to say.

Luckily, someone soon eased her dilemma.

Since Song Chongjin was returning home gloriously under imperial decree, news of this had already been sent ahead to Jing County before he even arrived.

Lv Wenguang, who was still the County Magistrate of Jing County, received the news and was filled with envy and jealousy.

Last year, he was just an ordinary graduate, but this year he had rapidly risen to the top, not only as a second-class Imperial Graduate but more importantly, he was now the Princely Heir of the Duke Weiguo.

You must realize that even if a newly appointed second-class Imperial Graduate returns home, he can still be considered equal to everyone; after all, he is still seen as a senior.

However, Song Chongjin’s status as the Princely Heir was completely different.

What’s more, because the Top Scholar, the Tanhua, and the second-class Imperial Graduate all had connections with the Jing County Changqing Academy, his classmate in the Capital City sent him a congratulatory letter, saying that with such achievements, it’s likely that with next year’s evaluation, he could attain a superior rank and a promotion would be no problem.

Because of Song Chongjin’s background, the letter also mentioned it as a curiosity, which caught Lv Wenguang’s attention.

Last year, due to Song Chongjin’s performance, Lv Wenguang was already impressed by him and could not forget him; his wife was, after all, the closed-door disciple of Old Doctor Du, a figure whom even Governor Chen and Minister Zhu went to congratulate, unforgettable indeed.

Back then, he felt that Song Chongjin was no ordinary man, and sure enough, he turned out to be a scion of a noble family left in the world, now returning to the Capital City, not only did he ace the exams but also acknowledged his ancestry and was titled as the Princely Heir.

His life was like a cheat code!

Such a person, returning home gloriously under the decree, absolutely must not be offended.

Even though he couldn’t figure out why a well-positioned Heir would return for a familial visit and then go to Chicheng City to become a County Magistrate, he later listened to a suggestion from his subordinate Master stating that the Duke Weiguo had once stationed near there. Could it be possible that he wanted his son to go there as well, for them to stand out better?

Thinking like this, Lv Wenguang felt a sourness; indeed, this was the difference between having a powerful father and not having one.

Having a good father had everything arranged, incomparable indeed!

Naturally, he couldn’t neglect Song Chongjin.

From the moment the news arrived, Lv Wenguang kept counting the days, having people wait at the dock each day.

Early in the morning, upon receiving the news that an official boat was heading toward Jing County, he calculated that it should be Song Chongjin and his companions arriving.

He hurriedly ordered a sedan chair to be prepared and personally went to the dock to welcome them.

Of course, Lv Wenguang didn’t forget to send someone to notify Old Doctor Du, saying that Song Chongjin and his party had arrived.

When Lv Wenguang and his entourage reached the dock, they immediately spotted Song Chongjin.

Upon seeing Lv Wenguang’s official sedan and the large group of people behind, Song Chongjin knew that today would involve more socializing.

Sure enough, Lv Wenguang stepped forward, first congratulating, followed by praises about how from last year he could tell Song Chongjin was extraordinary, and the likes...

In the few months spent in the Capital City, Song Chongjin had honed his patience, gracefully exchanged pleasantries with Lv Wenguang, and thanked him for his kindness shown back then.

In this exchange, they seemed to have a pleasant conversation.

Upon seeing Lv Wenguang earlier, Wang Yongzhu hurriedly tossed a box to Shitou, only managing to instruct, "Keep this for now, we’ll talk later."

When Lv Wenguang came forward, greetings were exchanged first.

Lv Wenguang eagerly flattered, saying he had sent someone to notify Old Doctor Du and expected him to arrive shortly.

Upon hearing this, Wang Yongzhu thanked Lv Wenguang and told her personal soldiers and Yao Da to hire some carriages and move the luggage onto them.

The soldiers responded in unison, with voices like thunder, giving an intimidating aura, moving swiftly and in perfect harmony, clearly well-trained.

Lv Wenguang only dared to glance at them briefly, fearing they might be private soldiers of the Duke’s Mansion.

The small talk didn’t last long, as Old Doctor Du hurriedly arrived.

Though Song Chongjin was surrounded by a group of people led by Lv Wenguang, Wang Yongzhu and Old Granny Zhang were well-protected by the personal soldiers, undisturbed by others.

Old Doctor Du glanced at Song Chongjin, saw that he was busy, and went straight to Wang Yongzhu.

The personal soldiers attempted to stop him, but Wang Yongzhu quickly spoke up, "This is my master!"

The soldiers had heard of Old Doctor Du, promptly stepping aside.

Old Doctor Du glanced at the grand setup surrounding Wang Yongzhu, furrowing his brows slightly.

Wang Yongzhu, having not seen Old Doctor Du for nearly half a year, couldn’t help but beam with joy upon meeting him again, stepping forward and greeting, "Master—"

Old Doctor Du, having been quite unaccustomed to the departure of Wang Yongzhu, couldn’t help but soften his expression upon seeing his little apprentice, "You still remember to come back, huh—"

Wang Yongzhu tugged at Old Doctor Du’s sleeve, "Master, I have missed you and Mistress—"

Old Doctor Du’s lips curled slightly, clearing his throat a bit, "Already married, yet still so childish, and outside too!" Though the words showed disdain, the feeling inside was different.

Old Doctor Du had known about the matters that transpired in the Capital City from Du Zhongjing’s letters, though the decree of returning home in glory was news he only learned recently. Although he was clueless about what exactly transpired, having rolled around in the palace’s whirlpool, he knew something was amiss.

With so many people around, he refrained from asking too much, merely scrutinizing his little apprentice’s complexion, which seemed fine.

Du Shi followed Wang Yongzhu down the boat, initially lingering with Jinhoo at the back, but upon seeing Old Doctor Du, his eyes brightened, feeling he had finally seen a relative.

He hurriedly approached to pay respects to Old Doctor Du.

Yet, seeing Old Doctor Du so focused on the little mistress that he didn’t even notice him at first, the young boy’s mood dimmed as he stopped in his tracks.

Old Doctor Du, reassured that his apprentice was fine, began to scan the entire scene and was surprised to see Du Shi, "How come Brother Jun is also here? You came with them? Why didn’t anyone tell me?"

Du Shi, seeing that his grandfather had finally noticed him, hurriedly stepped forward to pay respects, "Grandson pays respects to Grandfather! May Grandfather be well!"

Old Doctor Du maintained a stern facade with both disciple and grandson, despite the excitement in his heart, only nodding his head, "Rise!"

He then examined Du Shi’s complexion, seeing his red lips and white teeth, looking healthy and seemingly taller and plumper than before he left.

Feeling pleased, knowing he was well taken care of on their journey with Wang Yongzhu.

He nodded approvingly, "This little guy didn’t give you any trouble along the way, did he?"

Wang Yongzhu quickly shook her head, "Brother Jun is obedient and sensible, how could he cause trouble? Rather, keeping pace with us all this way, he truly has endured hardships."