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“Bad luck?” The Crown Prince was astonished. “How so?”
Could it be that after Young Masters Jiang’s dealings with Scholar Song, the family’s business suffered?
Although the Jiang family had a long-standing prestigious reputation, with considerable power in both the main and collateral branches, ultimately, it was their widespread business ventures that sustained the family.
If indeed the Jiang family’s business was affected…
The Crown Prince furrowed his brow in concern.
Jiang Junli let out a long sigh. “It’s not about business losses. Rather, whenever there’s any involvement with Scholar Song, there always seems to be a highly profitable deal that comes along.”
“Whether it’s a few thousand taels or tens of thousands, or even one time when we made over a hundred thousand taels, it’s truly quite a headache.”
He had always claimed to be a spendthrift, vowing to deplete his wealth, yet now his fortunes only grew. How could this not give him a tremendous headache?
The Crown Prince remained silent, feeling a sudden urge to take his leave!
Suppressing his inner turmoil, the Crown Prince gently touched his forehead. “Truly a remarkable individual. Such a person is undoubtedly worth meeting.”
Being praised by Jiang Junli in such a manner, filling him with confidence, he felt certain that this student, likely to top this year’s Spring Examinations, was no ordinary person.
Most importantly, not only did he possess wealth-attracting abilities, but perhaps he also brought good luck to those around him?
Good luck indeed!
The Crown Prince became more eager, “Since you’re already in the capital, I shall host a banquet tonight to welcome you. I’ll invite Scholar Song to join us. What do you think?”
“Sure,” Jiang Junli nodded after a moment of consideration. “I just don’t know if Scholar Song is available tonight.”
“He should be,” the Crown Prince assured confidently. “Rest assured, I will send out invitations, sparing you the trouble.”
As scholars who had come to the capital for the examinations and were now residing in Splendorous Garden, they felt grateful to Jiang Junli. They also looked forward to making connections with other scholars and intellectuals in the city. Receiving such an invitation should surely bring them joy.
With this in mind, after returning from the dining hall, the Crown Prince had an attendant deliver the invitations. However, the messenger returned quickly, looking crestfallen. “Your Highness…”
The servant hesitated to speak.
The Crown Prince, who was practicing calligraphy, paused with his brush in hand. “Go on.”
“When I went, I didn’t see Scholar Song. The young attendants in Splendorous Garden mentioned that Scholar Song had inquired about which nearby shop had the best quality osmanthus oil and highly praised rouge and face powder. Later, he left Splendorous Garden with Madam Jiang, and from the looks of it, they seemed to have gone out for a stroll.”
The servant finished speaking, nervously rubbing his hands.
The Crown Prince’s eyes widened in surprise.
A scholar who had come to the capital for the exams, after settling into their accommodations, instead of getting to know other scholars or inquiring about the residences of eminent scholars in the city, went out for a shopping trip with his wife?
Buying osmanthus oil and cosmetics?
Could this Scholar Song be under his wife’s strict management?
Could a person like that, as Jiang Junli described, be truly knowledgeable, exceptional, and have extraordinary luck?
The pen in the Crown Prince’s hand remained suspended above the paper.
At that moment, Song Jingyun was joyfully wandering the streets of the capital with Jiang Mixia.
Although he had visited many provincial capitals due to the exams and gained considerable exposure, being in the central city of the imperial kingdom was a new experience for him. This brought a mix of excitement and anticipation.