GBP Chapter 480 The Third Prince Returns to the Capital, and the Fifth Prince Personally Welcomes Him
Chapter 480 The Third Prince Returns to the Capital, and the Fifth Prince Personally Welcomes Him
Yunqing Mountain, near the coast, remains lush and green, showing no signs of the desolation of a northern winter.
A fresh batch of winter bamboo shoots has sprouted in the bamboo grove, but no one is destined to dig them up this year.
After receiving a message from his apprentice via carrier pigeon, Ouyang Zheng packed his bags and went to Chunyi County.
It's been many years since I last saw Lao Cui, so it would be nice to go to Chunyi County to soak in the salt hot springs.
The main reason is that he really doesn't want to see any members of the royal family, and he won't even see people from the Ouyang family.
When the Third Prince left the capital, Ouyang Zheng had already set off from Yunqing Mountain; they departed almost simultaneously.
The two places are more than a thousand miles apart, and even if the Third Prince travels by plane or high-speed rail, he may not be able to catch up.
Besides, he can only travel by land or water, both of which are very slow.
When the Third Prince and his entourage arrived at Yunqing Mountain, Ouyang Zheng had already been soaking in the hot springs at the Cui family's guest house in Chunyi County for more than a month.
They lived a comfortable and pleasant life. Chunyi County was like spring all year round, no less beautiful than Yunqing Mountain. It had things that the mountains didn't.
It can be found in the mountains, and it can also be found in almost all the forests around here.
Master Cui really wanted his old friend to settle down here. Yunqing Mountain was ethereal and otherworldly, but as people get older, they still need to live in a community.
Otherwise, if something happens, there won't be time to call for help.
“Ouyang, just listen to me, stay and retire!”
I now have a son, and although he's not very good at it, he's at least filial.
Let my brat take care of us in our old age and see us off when we die.
Ouyang Zheng shook his head. "Old Cui, don't treat me like a lonely old man. Although I have no descendants, I do have two apprentices!"
Both of my apprentices are top scholars. I'm getting old, and my apprentices won't abandon this old man like me.
My trip to Chunyi County was the idea of my little apprentice.
He was afraid I would be bothered by worldly affairs, so he sent me to your blessed place to escape to some peace and quiet, soak in the hot springs, and relax.
However, my mountain is also a good place; there is no worldly disturbance, no hustle and bustle, making it the perfect place to settle down and pursue knowledge.
Master Cui sighed helplessly, "You, you haven't changed at all over the years. When will you change this old scholar's ways?"
Ouyang Zheng remained silent. Why change it? His new book was almost finished, and he had been too busy trying to relax lately, which had already taken up a lot of his time.
Sigh... I've become lazy...
"By the way, my good-for-nothing son of mine has been studying recently. If you have some free time, Brother Ouyang, could you perhaps offer him some guidance?"
Haha, I don't expect him to pass the imperial examinations or become a high-ranking official. I just want him to be more sensible and reasonable.
Although my Cui family's estate isn't very large, these manors will eventually be handed over to him. I don't want the wealth accumulated over generations to vanish into thin air in my hands.
"When you get to the underworld, you won't have the face to face your ancestors, will you?"
Ouyang Zheng didn't even lift his eyelids, nor did he say whether he agreed or disagreed.
Logically speaking, since he's been eating and staying here for free for so long, it wouldn't be a problem for him to give Choi Hee a little pointers.
However, Ouyang Zheng's teaching style was not something that ordinary people could accept.
He taught geniuses like Li Haisheng and Jiang Xiaoqi with great ease.
He only needs to say one thing, and they can figure out two, three, and four on their own. However, he may not have much patience for those who are dull-witted or of average talent.
This is actually a shortcoming in being a teacher and educating people, but Ouyang Zheng doesn't want to change it.
Seeing that his friend remained silent, Master Cui decided not to continue trying to persuade him, for it was not the act of a gentleman to force someone into a difficult situation.
"Have him come to the guest house in a couple of days!"
"Wha, what!"
"Bring your past writings with you; don't come empty-handed!"
"Alright, alright, I will definitely tell him! Thank you for your trouble, Brother Ouyang!"
Master Cui was overjoyed, his eyes practically popping out of his head, and his plump body trembled with excitement.
In stark contrast was the Third Prince, who had just climbed up Yunqing Mountain.
The Third Prince had a large number of men with him, and they quickly found the small courtyard located deep in the bamboo forest.
The courtyard looked somewhat dilapidated, probably because it was rarely maintained.
"Your Highness, this place is rather shabby! Is it really the residence of the great scholar Ouyang?"
"Look around, perhaps Mr. Ouyang is out visiting friends, and we have come at an inopportune time."
"Sigh... We should have split into two groups back then. Your Highness could have followed behind, while Guard Xu and the others went ahead and found the person first!"
The Third Prince shook his head, “How can that show our sincerity?”
Do you know how many people have set foot on Yunqing Mountain, yet none have even seen Mr. Ouyang?
Among those people were many powerful and influential figures, yet they all slunk down the mountain in disgrace.
When asking someone for help, sincerity is key. Even when praying to gods and Buddhas, sincerity is crucial for success. If you can make the other party feel your sincerity, you've already won half the battle!
"Yes! Your Highness's words are wise! This servant will go knock on the door immediately and see if the great scholar Ouyang is home."
"Ah."
The eunuch beside the Third Prince lifted his robe and lightly knocked on the door with a hint of disdain.
After only a few taps, my sleeves were covered in dust.
"Your Highness, it seems there really is no one inside. Look at the dust on the door; it doesn't look like it's accumulated in just a few days."
Judging from the looks of it, this door hasn't been opened for at least a month!
"More than a month!?"
The Third Prince, abandoning his usual calm demeanor, pushed open the door with a hint of anxiety.
"Cough, cough, cough!"
Dust fell, soiling the Third Prince's brocade robe.
"Your Highness, be careful! It's filthy here! Please clean it quickly!"
The young eunuch took out a handkerchief, but the third prince refused it. Undeterred, the third prince walked into the courtyard.
Passing by the stone table and benches, the tea sets on them were covered with a thick layer of dust.
As they approached the hall door, they were blocked by a brass lock.
"Your Highness, should we break the lock?"
The young eunuch asked solicitously.
However, this earned him a glare from his master. Was he a robber or a thief? Breaking down the door!?
"Let's go down the mountain!"
The third prince turned and left, leaving the little eunuch somewhat bewildered.
"Your Highness, His Highness has already gone far away!" the guard reminded him.
The young eunuch realized what was happening and quickly chased after them.
"Your Highness, Your Highness, please wait for this servant!"
After renting a small courtyard at the foot of the mountain and waiting for more than half a month without seeing Ouyang Zheng, the Third Prince finally gave up.
However, a few people were left behind to immediately send word back to the capital from their homes, eight hundred li away, as soon as they received any news about Mr. Ouyang.
More than a month later, the Third Prince, weary from his journey, returned to the capital.
To his surprise, his cowardly fifth brother actually came to greet him outside the city.
"Third Brother! You're finally back!"