40 The Banque

He didn't have to wait for long as the doors to Duke Ming Xiang's manor soon opened, and all the scholars went in. They seemed to know precisely where to go, as though they had been here one time or another.

Nevertheless, Lin Qinghui followed them. The inside of the manor was spacious, but there were not as many pathways to walk as the manor of a wealthy merchant. How strange it was that the manor of a duke was incomparable to that of a wealthy merchant. One could not even begin to compare how there were fewer servants as well.

Everyone made it to the inner courtyard of the manor where the meeting would soon take place. Lin Qinghui followed, and they arrived at the Pavillion with a few pathways lined by stone carvings. Just one look, one could tell this place was well taken care of despite the low number of servants.

Lin Qinghui could not help but feel a slight sense of admiration for this duke Ming Xiang whom he had never seen before.

Things soon got settled quite quickly, as platters of food and wine were being served on tables that were placed within reach of all the scholars. As people who studied and abided by the rules set by predecessors, among them who went to the various academies, there was no divide in rank among them.

Even if some were from nobler lineages than others, they had been taught the same type of etiquette that scholars should have for one another.

The myth of the drunken scholar held true to some degree, as on a cold day, it was commonly believed that wine would improve circulation and make one's body warmer. All scholars who had faced the bitter cold had a decent tolerance to the wine being served and drank a few cups of the fine liquor before the feeling of warmth arose in their chests.

As for Lin Qinghui, he also had a cup before putting it down.

"Uncle Song makes it better." He mumbled under his breath before looking towards the other scholars who were downing the drinks like it was water.

Which for the most part made sense, because it would be terrible if everyone got drunk before an hour passed, then it would not be considered a meeting of sharp minds, but of drunkards.

~

"I don't see why there is a need to go." Mumbled Ruan Wang as he sat on the carriage on its way to Duke Ming Xiang's manor.

"You promised to go Master." Xu Fei said as he drove the horse at a steady pace.

"I find such gatherings quite boring, besides, what else can scholars do but recite poetry and paint sceneries of mountains." He seemed to have seen his fair share of scholars. The old men of the court were as sly as foxes and despicable when it came to murder without the need for weapons, while there were some that were far too righteous, forgetting that their bamboo brushes could never win against knives and sabers, they would most likely meet their end before even seeing the gates to the palace. There were those who had too much ambition and ended up becoming pawns.

"Perhaps Master will find something new." Xu Fei said as he hurried on the horse, who went forward at a quicker pace.

They arrived at Duke Ming Xiang's manor within a short amount of time. There was no one there to greet him, but he did not seem to mind as he got off and entered the manor without so much as a servant by his side.

As he entered, there were no guards to stop him, it seemed that the rumors, with the duke out traveling most of the time, this place was quite short on servants. However, there was the duke's butler that waited for him. And guided him to the tallest structure within the manor, which was the main hall that was at the third story.

The architecture was ancient, incorporating designs from the previous dynasty into it. There was only a feeling of an old barren icy cave as he walked the stairs to the third floor. The halls were vast, yet empty, just like the old ruins of what was once an imperial palace.

He saw Duke Ming Xiang staring out the window in a field of ice, the duke was a middle-aged man with nearly all of his hair that was still black as ink held up with a white jade pin. He wore long thick robes that were a pale ivory color, all very simple, without the need for excess decoration, or so much as a ring or pendant to adorn himself. The man did not seem to have gotten older since the last time they had seen each other.

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Without a single word, and he knew that this person before him had the most carefree life out of everyone he knew.

Duke Ming Xiang turned to look at Ruan Wang and said: "Sorry for slighting you, your highness, but as you can see my manor is short on servants.

"No worries." He did not mind it the slightest.

Duke Ming Xiang smiled, the duke had a type of smile that would bring the gloomiest person out of that state of their existence.

"How have you been?" The duke asked as

"I tried to follow in your footsteps, but it seems I am still unable to be free from worries." Ruan Wang said in what seemed to be a whisper under his breath.