20demayo Chapter 280 A Grand Show Performed in Front of the Academy
Chapter 280 A Grand Show Performed in Front of the Academy
Wen Qilin, along with his brother and sister, waited by the roadside. When the Ren family's carriage passed by, Wen Qilin hurriedly bowed to the carriage.
"Lord Ren, I have brought my son to seek your apprenticeship. I hope you will give me a chance."
Wen Chengjian also bowed, "Lord Ren, I will definitely study hard and beg you to give me a chance."
Wenwen was dumbfounded. Before coming here, her father and brother had not told her about this. She remembered that her father only said to act according to the situation in the carriage, without making any specific arrangements, and that everything should be done according to the circumstances.
Could this be a test of her reaction?
Wenwen, quick-witted, followed suit and bowed, blurting out, "Lord Ren, I will keep an eye on my elder brother. Please give him a chance."
"Gentlemen, please go back. My master doesn't take on apprentices." Unexpectedly, it was the coachman who answered for them.
Such scenes are quite common at the entrance of the academy.
When faced with a situation where a yoga instructor encounters a conflict, after weighing the pros and cons, he will give an immediate answer on whether to accept the offer or not. Both parties will understand each other implicitly and avoid further complications.
Lord Ren, Ren Zu'an, has been teaching at the academy for two years. Since the Wen family was exiled, the Ren family, as the Wen family's in-laws, would be hard to believe if they had no connection. In order to protect their families, all the Ren family members who held official positions in the court voluntarily stepped down. Those with higher positions voluntarily submitted their resignations, and if the emperor refused to release them, they would step down to become minor stewards. Those with lower positions voluntarily packed up and went home. Therefore, the Ren family is no longer what it used to be.
However, many people still recognize Lord Ren's scholarship. The Minister, who was previously out of reach, is now an instructor at the academy, making him even more approachable.
As a result, many people came seeking guidance from the former Minister, asking for nothing more than that their children could receive instruction from him.
Today, Lord Ren arrived at the academy in a carriage, just as he always does.
I never expected to run into something like this again. I thought I could just politely refuse as usual, but these three people just wouldn't listen.
What? You don't accept apprentices?
We can't leave!
Wenwen instinctively ran to the carriage, spread her arms, and blocked the road.
"Grandpa... can't leave." His voice almost gave him away.
"Oh dear, child, be careful not to get hurt by the horse. Come to the side and let's talk this out." The coachman quickly reined in the frightened horse, speaking gently instead of scolding it.
Wen Qilin was embarrassed. Although he had told his brother and sister to act according to the situation, he did not mean for them to disregard their own safety and block the carriage. That would be too dangerous. What if the horse kicked up its tail? Oh well, it's okay. They are capable of avoiding it.
Wen Qilin sighed helplessly and shouted, "You brat, get out of the way! Don't be rude to adults!"
Wen Chengjian bowed to the carriage and apologized: "My lord, my younger brother was rash at the time. I hope you will forgive him."
Ren Zuan could see everything clearly through the carriage window. In the past, people had blocked the carriage at the entrance of the academy, but no one had ever run up to the carriage to cause trouble. This kid was either incredibly brave or a complete idiot. It was the father's fault for not teaching his son properly.
Ren Zuan didn't know why, but he suddenly wanted to get out of the car and see these people today, just to satisfy his curiosity.
"It's alright." An aged voice came from inside the car. "Old Li, stop the car."
The carriage stopped, and an old man got out.
The old man had white hair and countless wrinkles on his face. In the two years since we last met, Ren Zuan looked much older and his figure was noticeably thinner.
This was completely different from the people who had seen them off at the city gate. The three members of the Wen family could hardly believe it.
Wenwen's eyes widened. How could her gentle grandfather, who was always smiling and in control of everything, suddenly become like this? Not only was he hunched over, but he also had a worried look on his face. Was he worried about the country and its people? This... he shouldn't be worried like this. Wenwen's eyes suddenly stung, but she couldn't care less about anything else.
He used telepathy to notify his father and elder brother: "Father, elder brother, I need to say a few words to my maternal grandfather. Keep an eye on things."
The reason for this was that when Ren Zuan got off the carriage, Wen Qilin and Wen Chengjian were standing not far behind him.
Wenwen blinked, looked at Ren Zuan, and used her spiritual power to transmit her voice.
“Grandfather, it’s me, I’m Wen’er.”
Although Ren Zuan looked much older, he was still hard of hearing. A sudden voice made him stop in his tracks and turn around to look at his surroundings.
The coachman quickly reached out to support him, "Sir, what are you looking for?"
Seeing this, Wenwen said again, "Grandfather, I am here. I am standing in front of the carriage, and my father and elder brother are behind you."
Ren Zuan, who had been looking around, looked forward in disbelief upon hearing this. He stared intently at the child standing in front of the carriage, then turned back to look at the wealthy merchant behind him and the boy beside him.
The people's attire made it impossible to tell that they were his son-in-law, grandson, and granddaughter. The old man looked confused and puzzled, fearing it was just his imagination. Anyone could see the struggle on his face.
Wenwen continued, "Grandfather, I really am Wen'er. Why don't you take us into the academy to see it? I've never been to an academy before!"
At this moment, Wen Qilin and Wen Chengjian also greeted him via telepathy.
Then, the group repeated their previous request.
Wen Qilin: "Lord Ren, I have brought my son to become your apprentice. I hope you will give me a chance."
Wen Chengjian: "Lord Ren, I beg you to give me a chance."
Wenwen: "Please, sir, give my brother a chance, hehe..."
Ren Zuan truly believed it this time. Although the voices of the people were different, he recognized their expressions.
The old man glanced at the two people behind him, then at the child blocking the carriage in front, and called out without hesitation, "You child, come here."
Wenwen scurried forward and walked up to Ren Zuan, pleading, "Sir, please give my brother a chance."
People were used to seeing this scene at the entrance of the academy, so those who passed by only glanced at it briefly before leaving.
Considering the Wen family's situation, Ren Zu'an knew he had to play his part completely. He stroked his beard and said, "Alas, they say the hearts of parents are full of love and worry, and today I've witnessed it firsthand. Besides parental love, there's also brotherly affection. Alright, come with me to the academy. If your studies pass the test, I'll recommend you to tutors. I'm getting old, and I'm truly willing but unable to do more. Children, will you come with me, or with your father and the others?"
Without hesitation, Wenwen grabbed Ren Zuan's sleeve and said, "I'll go with you."
"Alright."
Afterwards, Wenwen followed Ren Zuan into the carriage, and the two carriages entered the academy one after the other.
As soon as Ren Zuan sat down in the carriage, before he could even speak, he felt a very special aura emanating from Wenwen's hand. Before he knew it, this aura entered his body, and in an instant, he felt completely relaxed, and the pent-up frustration that had been weighing on his heart for days vanished.
Just as Ren Zuan was about to speak, an arrogant voice came from outside.