Chapter 476: Chapter 463 The Book Falls

Right, dinner.

He remembered that Chu Jinnian, Chu Jinzhou, and Fan Wenxuan had dinner together initially in peace. Chu Jinnian even seemed to have a smile on his face.

But after the meal, that smile was nowhere to be seen, and his face even seemed to be tinged with green.

It was certain that something unpleasant happened during dinner.

But as he remembered, during the meal, the three of them didn’t chat much about anything besides mentioning Zhuang Jinzhou’s regular meetings with Zhuang Qingsui and Zhuang Mingli for study sessions in Zhuang Qingning’s house, and often encountering a brother named Zhuang Wencheng.

This Zhuang Wencheng seemed to be a local of the village who grew up with Zhuang Qingning, and he takes good care of Zhuang Qingning. Even now that Zhuang Qingning is living a prosperous life, not lacking food or clothing, Zhuang Wencheng often comes to deliver things.

Cooked pancakes, packed dumplings and buns, and freshly harvested vegetables and fruits from the field—whenever he had free time, he would surely make a delivery.

And from what Fan Wenxuan implied, Zhuang Wencheng, despite being a countryman, was very understanding and respectful, humble, and good-hearted. He was an uncommonly simple-natured young man.

But there was nothing wrong with this matter at all.

After all, it’s inevitable that one would admire a person who is good.

In Banqing’s perspective, Fan Wenxuan didn’t say anything wrong.

Could it be…

“Could it be that Mr. Fan’s excessive praise for others has made the eldest son feel that Mr. Fan has neglected the Third Young Master, thus causing his dissatisfaction?”

Yes, it must be so.

Banqing slapped her thigh, “The eldest son has always been very fond of the Third Young Master. It must be because Mr. Fan only notices others that the eldest son feels the Third Young Master has been slighted.”

“This eldest son, he really dotes on the Third Young Master.”

Banqing was truly envious.

“That… probably so,” replied Ning Feng, whose mouth had been wide open for a long time before it closed. “Anyway, it’s too late to talk about this now, it’s better to go and comfort Mr. Fan first.”

If they keep ranting on such “too harsh” and “outrageous” accusations, no one in Qingzhuyuan will get any rest tonight.

“The things you’re holding, Steward Feng, are you planning to give them to Mr. Fan?” Banqing, seeing the food boxes in Ning Feng’s hand, asked.

“Hmm, they’re all cakes that Mr. Fan likes on usual days, I hope he’ll enjoy eating them…”

If he likes eating, his mouth will be full and naturally he won’t have time to complain about Chu Jinnian anymore.

Ning Feng thought so.

“When Mr. Fan is angry, I’m afraid he won’t be pleased with these cakes,” Banqing scratched her head. “But there’s no need to go to so much trouble anyway…”

“You have a solution?” Ning Feng raised his eyebrows in surprise.

“All right, let’s give it a try first, it should work.”

Banqing took a few steps forward, cleared her throat, and loudly said,” Eldest son, how come you’re here?”

As soon as the words fell, the furious voice inside the room suddenly stopped.

Not only did it stop abruptly, but even the candle in the room was immediately extinguished, followed by Fan Wenxuan’s voice, “Tell the eldest son, that I am quite tired today and have gone to bed. If there is anything, let’s talk about it early tomorrow.”

“Yes, I’ll tell the eldest son right now. Mr. Fan, please rest early.” Banqing pretended to respond formally, then went to Ning Feng’s side, winked and made a face at him. “See, it works. Steward Feng can have a good night’s sleep tonight.”

Well, like brine tofu, every creature has its match.

With Fan Wenxuan’s temperament, when he saw Chu Jinnian, he really acted like a mouse seeing a cat.

This time, he could finally relax completely. Not only was he relaxed, but even the cakes were spared.

“You guys can share them,” Ning Feng handed the food boxes to Banqing.

“Thank you, Steward Feng.” Banqing saw that the food boxes were full of a variety of cakes, including a few of her favorite foods. She quickly thanked him and took the food box to share with the other servants.

Ning Feng then returned to Chu Jinnian’s courtyard.

At this time, as usual, Chu Jinnian, after his bath, was leaning on a soft couch reading a book.

Everything was fine until…

“Eldest son,” Ning Feng called out, his eyebrows furrowed.

“What is it?” Chu Jinnian didn’t even lift his eyelids, just flipped to the next page of the book in his hand.

Ning Feng’s eyebrows furrowed even higher, and after hesitating for a moment, he dared to say, “Eldest son, your book…”

“Seems to be upside down…”

Chu Jinnian appeared slightly startled, and, with a light cough, he put the book aside on the table, “I was thinking about affairs in the capital city and got distracted…”

Chu Jinnian didn’t continue speaking, just picked up the tea from the table and took a sip.

“Yes, the situation in the capital city is complex, causing the eldest son to be bothered,” Ning Feng said sympathetically. “The Third Young Master is doing well these days, and he gets along well with Miss Sui and Young Master Mingli.”

“Even though Young Master Mingli is young and from a farmer’s family, he is upright, and the Zhuang Yonghe family are all good people. In the long run, he can be with the Third Young Master.”

With this in mind, Ning Feng was greatly relieved.

Despite their diligent care for Zhu Jinzhou in Qingzhuyuan, they were not of the same age as him. Most of the study companions they found for Chu Jinzhou in the past had their own thoughts and were not suitable to stay by Chu Jinzhou’s side.

Although he was a servant, he could feel Chu Jinzhou’s loneliness and solitude. Now that he saw Chu Jinzhou playing happily with Zhuang Mingli and others every day, he was very pleased.

“Well, it also depends on what Zhuang Mingli thinks about it. It can’t be forced.” Chu Jinnian massaged his eyebrows.

For an ordinary farmer’s child, having connections with the royal family of Qi is a great fortune. But not everyone likes this, and some people have their own ambitions.

If he was an eagle, he didn’t want to be the person who broke someone’s wings.

“Yes, the eldest son is right,” Ning Feng nodded. “But the Third Young Master and Young Master Mingli are still young, we can take it slow and see.”

“It’s already late. The eldest son should rest early.”

The cold winter travel is more exhausting than the summer travel. Chu Jinnian has been on the road, and he must be exhausted.

“Hmm,” Chu Jinnian nodded, removing his hand from his forehead, “Tell Jing Zhao to prepare a carriage when I get up tomorrow. I want to go out with him.”

“Yes,” Ning Feng answered.

“Bring Jinzhou as well,” Chu Jinnian added.

“Yes.” Ning Feng nodded, then asked, “What about Mr. Fan?”

“If he feels humiliated and doesn’t want to leave the house, he naturally won’t go. It’s better for him to rest properly. If he asks, just tell him it’s better if he doesn’t go.”

Listening to Chu Jinnian saying this, Ning Feng agreed again.

But he was complaining in his mind.

It seems that Mr. Fan has really annoyed the eldest son this time.