Zhang Shou had visited countless royal palaces, ancient castles and mansions in various countries in his later life, so even when he was walking in the deep courtyard of Duke Zhao's Mansion at this time, he only saw servants coming and going in the same uniform, moving in an orderly manner, and the houses were well-maintained, but he did not even blink, and turned a blind eye to them from beginning to end. Instead, he was pondering Liu's little problem with great interest in his heart.
However, Qi Liang and Deng Xiaodai were different. They were both from the countryside, and although one had participated in the county and prefectural examinations, and the other had worked as a clerk in Shuntian Prefecture for more than a month, strictly speaking, they had stayed in the capital longer than Zhang Shou, but it was their first time to enter such a noble family, and they could not hide their trepidation.
At this moment, Zhan Jin and Liu Yin, who had been sent back by Zhu Ying to pay respects to the lady-in-waiting and were waiting at the Chuihua Gate, pulled Yu Tang and Yu Lan, the eldest maids in Qing'an Hall.
Seeing Zhang Shou riding his horse slowly towards him, Liu Yin raised his eyebrows proudly and said, "I didn't lie to you, did I? Look at Master Shou, he doesn't look like someone from a small country town! There's no one else in the whole capital who has such a graceful demeanor!"
Yutang and Yulan stared at Zhang Shou for a long time before realizing their mistake and looking away. Yulan, who had always been on good terms with Liuyin, pinched her hard and said angrily, "You're still talking? When we asked Mr. Shou just now, you were talking nonsense!"
Zhan Jin also whispered, "Look at the two students who have studied with Master Shou for two years. They are obviously much more restrained. I used to think that people are shaped by the environment they live in, but now I really don't believe it. The second young master is still clamoring about an embroidered pillow and a bag of straw. If that's true, why did even Lu Sanlang, who he desperately wanted the eldest lady to marry, stay in Rongshui Village and not come back?"
Yulan said thoughtfully: "Mr. Shou must have an outstanding talent for mathematics, but it's a pity that he doesn't know classics and history, so it will be difficult for him to pass the imperial examination. But it's okay, as long as the lady is here, the eldest lady can go to the palace to ask for a good official position..."
Mother Li and Mother Jiang, who had been to Rongshui Village before, led the way and stood in the front, but turned a deaf ear to the whispers of the maids behind them. It was not until Zhu Ying and Zhang Shou were getting closer and closer that the maids behind them finally calmed down and there was silence all around, and then they all stepped forward.
"Miss, how are you! Mr. Shou, how are you."
Zhang Shou saw Zhu Ying jump off the horse without saying a word, and his movements were neat and graceful. He couldn't help but sigh, a little regretful that he had never played with horses when he was most willful in his previous life. It was completely impossible for him to do such a move at this time. Fortunately, Ah Liu was holding the horse. When he turned over and got off the horse, Ah Liu's support was quite appropriate, and finally let him land steadily.
He smiled and nodded slightly to the people who came to greet him. Seeing Zhu Ying actually left him and rushed into the hanging flower gate, and a large number of beautiful women came forward to surround him. He felt that he had become Lin Daiyu who had just entered Rongguo Mansion and was about to be drowned in makeup. He took a deep breath and finally did not move immediately, but decided to go at his own pace.
"Xiao Qi and Xiao Dai are my students, and Ah Liu has followed me for many years. Can I take them to meet the Madam?"