Chapter 1589
Chapter 788 - 768 Welcome (Second Update)
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8 min read
Mister Cui saw Su Rong and paid his respects, "Greetings, Princess!"
Everyone from the Cui Family followed Mister Cui in protocol, "Greetings, Princess!"
Su Rong hurried forward, reaching out to hold Mister Cui, supporting his arm as she laughed and said, "Grandfather does not need to be so formal. Your coming to Nanchu is truly a blessing for our kingdom. My father, Zhou Gu, I, along with all the courtiers of Nanchu, are delighted to welcome you."
She then added with a smile, "All of you too, there’s no need for such formality. We are all family."
With these words, the slight tension among the Cui family members was eased, bringing a smile to their faces.
Mister Cui also laughed, knowing that the Nanchu King, Su Rong, and Zhou Gu were certainly welcoming him, while it remained uncertain whether all the court officials of Nanchu would welcome the Cui family.
He laughed heartily and said, "Every letter from Gu always mentioned the Princess. I have long desired to meet you. Now my entire family and I have moved to Nanchu; I hope we won’t be a bother to you, Princess."
"That is kind of you," returned Su Rong, assisting Mister Cui into the house as she said warmly, "Our country is in need of capable people. I wish we could have more like us. Upon your arrival, it is important to me to see you settled well. How has your journey been?"
"It was a safe journey. We met no hindrances. I was not at all tired," answered Mister Cui with a smile. "I have never traveled so far before. I truly appreciate the saying, ’Traveling ten thousand miles is better than reading ten thousand books.’ After I left Qinghe, I realized how large the earth is and how high the mountains are."
Su Rong laughed. Just as she was about to say something, a loud cry came from the entrance, "Your Majesty has arrived! Ye Xiang has arrived!"
Su Rong was taken aback.
𝓯𝓻𝒆𝙚𝒘𝓮𝙗𝓷𝒐𝓿𝙚𝒍.𝙘𝓸𝙢
Mister Cui was also caught by surprise and turned his gaze to Su Rong.
Quickly regaining her composure, Su Rong said, "I also didn’t know that they were coming. They probably got the news of your arrival, Grandfather. My father and I are both impatient by nature. He must have dragged Ye Xiang along."
Mister Cui quickly turned around to greet the newcomers.
Su Rong looked at Zhou Gu helplessly. Although the visit showed a high level of regard, it was too much and appeared to be over-ceremonious. She hadn’t anticipated this; if she had known earlier, she would have come with her father and Ye Xiang.
Zhou Gu also laughed helplessly and said, "It’s okay, Grandfather is strong and healthy; a few more steps won’t do him any harm."
The Nanchu King and Ye Xiang also arrived rather swiftly. Following the gatekeeper’s loud announcement, they strode into the Cui Residence. Mister Cui hurried to meet them, paying his respects, "Greetings, Your Majesty, Ye Xiang."
"Ah, Mister Cui, you don’t need to be so formal," said the Nanchu King, catching Mister Cui and beaming, "I was thrilled to hear that Mister Cui and your family were moving to Nanchu. The moment I heard the news, I couldn’t help but celebrate with Ye Xiang over a night of drinking."
Ye Xiang chimed in, "The court really needs more capable people. I have been so still, driving away all my hair color. His majesty does not consider my hard work but that’s okay, having Mister Cui here is really good."
Mister Cui was caught off guard by their informal manner. He forced a smile and said, "My grandsons have moved to Nanchu, and their absence made me restless. Therefore, we decided to move here too. From now on, we will be depending on your generosity, Your Majesties."
"There is no need to be so formal. We love to have you here," the Nanchu King responded promptly.
Ye Xiang also nodded incessantly, "Exactly, Mister Cui. I have long wished for the Cui family to move to Nanchu. The Cui family is held with high esteem for its erudition and heritage, and the countless brilliant individuals among its offspring are exactly what Nanchu lacks."
"Ye Xiang, you flatter me," Mister Cui responded quickly.
"Not at all, Mister Cui, you are being modest," said Ye Xiang.
With the Nanchu King and Ye Xiang joining in suddenly, the ambiance became livelier.
The Nanchu King turned to glance at Su Rong, narrowing his eyes at her. "You stinky girl, knowing that your grandfather had arrived, why didn’t you think of bringing me and Ye Xiang with you?"
Su Rong shot a glare back, "Grandfather just arrived. If I bother him by coming here, it’s one thing. But now you and Ye Xiang are here. Don’t you let him rest?"
The Nanchu King touched his nose, turned to Mister Cui, and asked, "Mister Cui, are you tired? If you are, I can make this a short visit and return some other day for a longer chat."
"I’m not tired. Please make yourself at home, Your Majesty. Let’s go inside to chat," Mister Cui shook his head promptly.
The Nanchu King asked again, "Are you sure you’re not tired? Now that you’re a member of the family, please don’t hesitate to say if you are. I don’t want these two troublemakers to blame me for exhausting you."
"There’s really no need, Your Majesty. Please, don’t stand on ceremony." Though Mister Cui had seen much of the world, he was taken aback by their casual demeanor and tried to maintain his composure.
"Well then, since you’ve said so, Ye Xiang and I will impose ourselves without hesitation," said the Nanchu King. He drew Mister Cui towards the interior of the residence, continuing to chat while leaving Su Rong behind.
Ye Xiang and the Nanchu King, one on each side, took turns expressing their warm welcomes to Mister Cui.
The Cui family watched, awestruck, as the Nanchu King and Ye Xiang treated them. They almost doubted their earlier apprehensions that moving to Nanchu would pit them in a battle of wits against the Ye Xiang Residence.
Cui Yuanbin pulled Zhou Gu aside and whispered in his ear, "So, nephew, is this Ye Xiang... cunning and sly?"
Zhou Gu looked at him, "Uncle, whatever you wish to say, please feel free to say directly."
Cui Yuanbin sighed, "It’s just, you and Xingzhi keep encouraging us to come, and we thought, we should come. You boys, like little shrubs, can’t make a forest, right? A weak force wouldn’t survive in the Nanchu court. We were worried that the well-rooted Ye Xiang Residence might swallow you. My brother decided to take action and here we are. Those who didn’t want to leave stayed behind, but we came with the aim of supporting you. Your cousins and nephews were diligent in their studies throughout the journey; we dare not slack off."
Zhou Gu: "..."
He laughed and said, "You’re overthinking it. The Ye Xiang Residence is not the same as the Nangong Family, at least not currently. As for the struggle, that belongs to future generations. The Ye Xiang Residence is indeed busy, and Ye Xiang truly welcomes the Cui family to share his workload."
"Is that so? It’s really far," Cui Yuanbin stared into the distance, "We were preparing for nothing?"
"In the court, you can demonstrate your capabilities to the fullest. Nanchu court does lack people. During the autumn examinations, your cousins and nephews can participate. They can enter the court in a fair and just manner without waiting another two months. Their dedication to studying is correct," said Zhou Gu. "It can’t be that because of my relationship, everyone gets an official post without earning it. Even if they are from the Cui family, apart from having merit towards the state, they should also be appointed based on their actual talents."
Cui Yuanbin nodded, freely saying, "Of course. But in any case, these affairs are not related to me. Let them study hard for the exam."
Zhou Gu was at a loss for words. His little cousin and uncle were such characters; merely chatting with them could be mentally draining. "Let’s go, Uncle. Everyone else has already gone inside."
Cui Yuanbin nodded, "Let’s go, let’s go, ah."
— End of Chapter 1589 —