After a male student transmigrated into the body of a widow,

Chapter 124 Celebration Banquet

On the day of the celebration banquet, many people came to Good Fortune Restaurant. Gu Lin and Zheng Hao were greeting the guests, while Peng Zhizhi and the Zhen brothers arrived early in their carriages.

After they entered the Lucky Building, they first greeted Gu Lin, who was an elder. Gu Lin had met them many times, so he did not feel unfamiliar or restrained in front of them.

He turned to Zheng Hao and said, "There aren't many people here yet. Why don't you go to the private room on the second floor with Zhizhi and the others and have a chat?"

Zhen Yuan and his two companions did not come to cause trouble for Zheng Hao. Zhen Yuan said, "There is no need to trouble Brother Zheng. We have been to Good Fortune Tower many times and can go up by ourselves. Today is a good day for Brother Zheng, so please entertain the other guests properly."

They arrived rather late; other guests would be arriving soon. They weren't exactly acquaintances with Zheng Hao, so there was no need for excessive formalities.

Zheng Hao didn't want a large number of people to arrive later, which would tire Uncle Gu out.

He slightly raised his head and said to Zhen Cheng and the other two, "Brother Zhen Cheng, Brother Zhen Yuan and Brother Peng, please treat this place as your own home and do not be restrained."

After saying that, he said to Yu Ercheng, who was standing to the side, "Take the three scholars up with you."

Yu Ercheng respectfully clasped his hands in a fist and said, "Yes."

Peng Zhizhi and the other two followed Yu Ercheng to a private room on the second floor.

After seeing the others go up, Zheng Hao turned to look at the young man beside him whose lips were a little dry. He thought that the young man had only eaten two steamed buns that morning and had not drunk any water all morning.

Zheng Hao gently advised, "Uncle Gu, why don't you go and get some water? I'll keep an eye on things here."

Gu Lin doesn't like to drink water normally. He won't drink water unless he's really thirsty. Although he's a little thirsty now, he hasn't reached the point where he wants to drink water.

Gu Lin said, "It's okay, I'm not thirsty. If you are thirsty, go and get some water before anyone else arrives."

Seeing that the other person didn't seem to want to drink water, Zheng Hao stopped talking and raised his arm to beckon to the waiter.

The waiter trotted over, and under Gu Lin's watchful gaze, Zheng Hao said, "Go and pour two bowls of water, one with some honey."

Upon hearing this, the waiter quickly turned around and ran to the backyard to fetch water.

Watching Zheng Hao order the waiter to pour water in front of him, Gu Lin felt a little helpless, but thinking that the other party was also concerned about him, Gu Lin didn't say anything more.

A moment later, the waiter ran back from the backyard carrying two bowls of water. He held up the left bowl and said to Gu Lin and Zheng Hao, "Master, Young Master Zheng, this bowl is honey water, and the other bowl is plain water."

Taking the honey water from the other person, Zheng Hao turned slightly to the side and handed the bowl to Gu Lin: "Uncle Gu, drink some honey water to soothe your throat."

Gu Lin was slightly stunned. He had thought Zheng Hao was asking for honey water for himself, but he didn't expect it to be for him.

Then, Gu Lin saw the other person take the water from the maid's hand and realized that Zheng Hao had never liked sweet drinks, so this bowl of honey water was originally prepared for him.

His mouth, which hadn't been thirsty before, became a little dry. Gu Lin raised the honey water in his hand, lowered his head slightly, and drank it. The sweet water slid into his mouth, moisturizing his lips and mouth.

After finishing a bowl of water, Gu Lin looked up and met Zheng Hao's gaze, who was slightly bowing his head. His eyes fell on the empty bowl in Zheng Hao's hand.

At this moment, Zheng Hao spoke up: "Uncle Gu, do you still want it?"

Feeling the moist lips and mouth, Gu Lin shook his head slightly and said, "No need."

Zheng Hao handed the empty bowl to the waiter. Shortly after they finished drinking, a number of people began to arrive outside.

Some were Zheng Hao's classmates, and others were business partners invited by Gu Lin. They each received their invited guests, exchanged a few pleasantries, and then had the waiter lead them inside.

Today, the manager of Fulai Restaurant also came to the banquet. He walked into Haoyun Restaurant with a big smile on his face and said to Gu Lin, "Boss Gu, you really kept this a secret!"

Gu Lin was completely confused by what the other party said.

The manager of Fulai Restaurant then recounted what happened that day when Zheng Hao and the other three were waiting for the results of the provincial examination at Fulai Restaurant. After he finished speaking, he said to Gu Lin, "I once heard Boss Gu say that his nephews were studying at the prefectural school, and I thought that Boss Gu's nephews were young talents."

That day at Fulai Restaurant, I was blind and didn't recognize Zheng Jieyuan. Later, realizing he was Boss Gu's nephew, I wanted to go back and apologize, but Zheng Jieyuan had already left.

After figuring out the details of what the other party was talking about, Gu Lin said, "It's just a small matter. Zheng Hao won't care, and you don't need to worry about it either."

Upon hearing this, the manager of Fulai Restaurant couldn't stop smiling and said, "Thanks to Zheng Jieyuan and the other five Juren, when the yamen runners came to report the good news that day, Fulai Restaurant produced six Juren in a row. Now, the people of the prefecture city jokingly call it the Juren Restaurant."

Listening to what the owner of Fulai Restaurant said and seeing the joy radiating from him, Gu Lin knew that the other party was genuinely happy about it.

He exchanged a few more pleasantries with the other party, and when he saw that more guests had arrived, he asked the waiter to lead the manager of Fulai Restaurant inside.

Then, Gu Lin turned to look at Zheng Hao, who had just finished receiving his classmate.

Zheng Hao looked at him, and suddenly he noticed a slight change in the other man's expression, and that the other man's gaze was looking past him toward the outside of the restaurant.

Gu Lin turned around and followed the other person's gaze, looking towards the outside of Good Fortune Tower, where he saw an extremely simple carriage slowly approaching.

Gu Lin looked away and asked Zheng Hao, "What's wrong, Xiao Hao?"

In just a few moments, Zheng Hao's expression returned to its usual calm. He turned to look at Gu Lin and said in a calm tone, "Mr. Zhou has arrived."

Gu Lin was not completely unaware of the Mr. Zhou that Zheng Hao mentioned. Although he had never met him, he had heard Zheng Hao mention him several times at home.

Therefore, Gu Lin knew that Mr. Zhou was the teacher who taught Zheng Hao.

He straightened his expression and said to Zheng Hao, "Let's go out and greet Mr. Zhou."

Zheng Hao nodded, and Gu Lin followed him out of Good Fortune Tower.

The simple, unpretentious carriage stopped in front of the Good Fortune Restaurant. As Gu Lin and Zheng Hao walked out, the driver got off the carriage with a wooden stool and placed it next to the carriage.

After a while, a man who looked to be around forty years old with a serious and stern face walked out of the carriage, bowed slightly, and stepped off the carriage on a wooden stool.

Then, a kind-faced man in a long robe also stepped down from the carriage.

Zheng Hao walked up to the two men and bowed respectfully: "This student greets Headmaster and Mr. Zhou."

Seeing the young man change his usual light-colored robes and put on a dark red outfit, which was as hot as a flame, his expression was as indifferent as usual, and his temperament was even more calm and refined.

Mr. Zhou said, "It's not that impetuous."

The headmaster, upon hearing Mr. Zhou's words, shook his head slightly but smiled kindly and said, "Zhongfu, don't be too harsh on Zheng Jieyuan. He achieved the title of Jieyuan before he even reached adulthood. If I were to wish for the whole world to know, Zheng Jieyuan's calmness and composure are already considered mature beyond his years."

As he spoke, the headmaster's gaze swept over Zheng Hao's red clothes, and he stroked his beard with a smile, saying, "I have never seen Zheng wear anything other than his school uniform before. Young people should dress more brightly to look more spirited."

Gu Lin, who was listening nearby, realized that Mr. Zhou, who looked serious, seemed to have some objection to Zheng Hao's clothing.

Gu Lin personally selected the red clothes Zheng Hao was wearing, as he didn't want Zheng Hao to be misunderstood by his teachers as frivolous and impetuous because of his decision.

Gu Lin parted his lips slightly and explained, "Headmaster, Mr. Zhou has misunderstood. Today, the clothes Zheng Hao is wearing were chosen by me. Zheng Hao is filial to his elders, so he did not refuse to wear red."

"Oh?"

Originally, the headmaster and Zhou Zicheng were talking to Zheng Hao. People of their status tend to only look at the people they want to see when communicating with others, and they subconsciously don't pay attention to others.

However, after Gu Lin spoke, their gazes all shifted to the young man who had suddenly spoken. Seeing that he was standing behind Zheng Hao, they guessed that he must be a member of Zheng Hao's family.

Gu Lin stared at the headmaster and Mr. Zhou. The former looked like an ordinary old man, his eyes kind and gentle, full of tolerance and peace. The latter not only had a serious face, but also sharp eyes, looking at Gu Lin with extreme piercing gaze.

Gu Lin felt as if he had nowhere to hide in front of the other person, and that the other person knew everything he was thinking.

Under such scrutiny, few could persevere. However, considering that the other party might have misunderstood Zheng Hao, Gu Lin met their gaze without changing his expression.

A hint of surprise flashed across the headmaster's eyes. What a bold young man! He actually managed to stare at Zhou Zhongfu for so long.

Zheng Hao took a few steps forward, his tall figure partially blocking Gu Lin from behind, and Zhou Zicheng turned his eyes to him.

Zheng Hao looked up without changing his expression and introduced the headmaster and Mr. Zhou: "Headmaster and Mr. Zhou, this is Uncle Gu, an elder in my family."

Zheng Hao's introduction broke the silence that had just begun.

Suddenly, Zhou Zicheng spoke up: "It is only right for a son to be filial to his elders. Even if there is a mistake, it is the fault of the younger generation."

Gu Lin frowned upon hearing this, but considering that the other party was Zheng Hao's mentor, he couldn't be as impolite as he would be to others.

Otherwise, not only would he be criticized, but Zheng Hao, the newly crowned top scholar, would also have a hard time.

Suppressing his temper and carefully crafting his words, Gu Lin looked up at Zhou Zicheng and said in a gentle tone, "I haven't read many books, but I remember a sage saying that when parents or elders make mistakes, younger generations should offer advice and guidance; this is the responsibility and obligation of the younger generation. Although we are not from a scholarly family, elders and younger generations have always respected each other. If one party makes a mistake, the other will never be held responsible. We always correct our mistakes if we have them, and strive to improve if we don't."

Gu Lin did not explicitly refute Mr. Zhou's words, but every word conveyed the same meaning, and Zhou Zicheng's serious and rigid expression remained unchanged.

The headmaster couldn't help but laugh out loud, saying, "What a fine saying: correct your mistakes if you have them, and strive to improve if you don't."

Gu Lin, who was initially uneasy because Mr. Zhou was silent, turned to look at the headmaster after hearing his laughter.

The headmaster stroked his beard, his voice still carrying a hint of laughter as he said, "No wonder Zheng Hao was able to obtain the title of Jieyuan before he even reached adulthood."

He looked at Gu Lin with satisfaction and appreciation and said, "Just as Mencius' mother moved three times to find the right environment for her son, Zheng Jieyuan's elders are kind, open-minded, and good at listening to the opinions of the younger generation. They correct their mistakes and strive to improve where they are not."

"As the saying goes, if the upper beam is crooked, the lower beam will be crooked too. But now it's the other way around. The elders set a good example, and the younger generation will understand right from wrong and know how to behave."

The headmaster turned to Zhou Zicheng and said with a smile, "Zhongfu, what do you think?"

Zhou Zicheng maintained the same expression, exuding authority without anger.

Zheng Hao shifted his body slightly, completely shielding Uncle Gu behind him. Zhou Zicheng glanced at him, but Zheng Hao did not back down an inch.

With a respectful expression, he raised his hand to Zhou Zicheng and said, "Uncle Gu was just being impatient and spoke his mind. Please don't take offense, sir."

Zhou Zicheng's expression remained solemn, but he spoke up. "What offense have you committed?"

As he spoke, he looked at Zheng Hao and Gu Lin and said, "Since you have raised a young scholar to be a top scholar, it is understandable that your words and actions are different from those of ordinary people."

Hearing the other person's words, Gu Lin was taken aback. He hadn't expected that the person, who looked so rigid and serious, would be so receptive to what he said.

The headmaster shook his head and chuckled, "Your Mr. Zhou has always been magnanimous and not a petty person."

Gu Lin understood what the headmaster meant; the other party was trying to reassure them, letting them know that Mr. Zhou didn't blame them and that they didn't need to worry.

Knowing that nothing serious had happened, Gu Lin put on a friendly smile again. He showed great respect to the headmaster and Zhou Zicheng: "Both the headmaster and Mr. Zhou are Zheng Hao's teachers. Their presence at today's celebration banquet shows their care for their students. They are truly worthy of being role models for our time."

Gu Lin turned to the young man beside him and said, "Hurry up and take the headmaster and Mr. Zhou inside."

Looking at the agile and unpredictable young man in front of him, with a smile that was not obsequious at all, and then at Zheng Hao beside him, who was calm, composed and steady, the headmaster found it amusing.

As the saying goes, "Birds of a feather flock together." These two are clearly uncle and nephew and have lived together for many years, yet they are completely different, even going in completely opposite directions.

Zheng Hao remained expressionless and said respectfully, "Headmaster, Mr. Zhou, please."

And so, the headmaster and Mr. Zhou walked ahead, with Zheng Hao and Gu Lin following slightly behind, leading them into the Good Fortune Building.

Upstairs in the private room, the students of the academy, who hadn't expected Mr. Zhou and the headmaster to come, all came down from the second floor to the main hall and bowed to the two: "Students greet the headmaster and Mr. Zhou."

Upstairs in the main hall, the guests invited by Gu Lin saw that the headmaster and teachers of the prefectural school had arrived. The group of scholars and officials bowed to the headmaster and teachers, and for a moment, the usually eloquent scholars fell silent.

The headmaster of the prefectural school seems to be a government official. I thought that being able to see so many successful candidates in the imperial examinations and scholars at this banquet would be a dream come true. Unexpectedly, the headmaster and teacher of the prefectural school are also present in person. It seems that this Zheng Jieyuan is indeed no ordinary person.

That's true. If it were an ordinary person, how could they defeat so many scholars who had studied diligently for years and win the title of Jieyuan at the age of seventeen?

Some quick-thinking individuals wondered whether Zheng Jieyuan was married, and whether they had any eligible young men in their own families who could marry him.

Given the other party's remarkable achievements at such a young age, they did not expect their daughters or sons to marry him. However, if they were to give up an insignificant child to be his concubine, and he were to achieve something in a few years, they would not be at a loss.

Because it's finals week, I'm only revising my papers once each time before posting them. I'll revise them properly after the exams.