Chapter 8 Stay

Chapter 8: Stay

Lin Nanshu's gaze lingered on him for a moment, then he raised a hand to push the pastries on the table toward him, poured a cup of clear tea for him.

Cheng Ge took the tea and took a small sip. It had no astringency but a slight sweetness, and he found it quite pleasant, so he lowered his head and took another small sip.

In the past, his grandfather had been into tea tasting, and Cheng Ge would occasionally accompany him for a game of chess, taking a few sips along the way. Clearly, this tea was of top quality.

After he'd eaten and drunk his fill, Cheng Ge stood up directly. "Well, I'll head back now. In a few days, I'll start working at the Hanlin Academy... clocking in. Once I get paid... my wages, I'll pay you back.

By the way, I still don't know what to call you. My name is Cheng Ge, and my courtesy name... is Muyu."

Lin Nanshu slowly got up, still wearing a warm smile, and gave a slight bow. "Lin Nanshu, courtesy name Yuli."

This caught Cheng Ge off guard, and he fumbled awkwardly, returning a clumsy bow.

"So, where's Muyu's place? I'll have someone escort you back."

"Oh, no need. I'm at the Xiangyun Inn for now." Cheng Ge waved his hand repeatedly.

Lin Nanshu thought for a moment before speaking. "If Muyu doesn't mind, you could crash at the mansion for a few days. It would be more convenient for the physician to treat you."

"That cool?" Cheng Ge felt a bit embarrassed, turning his face away to pretend to look out the window. "That's way too much trouble."

Lin Nanshu smiled, his tone sincere. "Muyu, don't worry about it. There are still some spare rooms in the mansion. One more person won't be a problem.

Besides, you still have residual poison in your system. Since the mansion has its own physician, it'll give me peace of mind."

In his past life, Cheng Ge came from a well-off family, and his parents never let him go without.

But ever since arriving here, he was so broke his pants had holes. Back before he started scamming and stealing, Cheng Ge was eating dry buns and sleeping on the streets. Thinking back, it was all bitterness and tears.

Lin Nanshu saw him hesitating and was about to say something, but Cheng Ge suddenly stepped up and grabbed his hand firmly. "Bro, you're in my heart."

Lin Nanshu: "..."

"Is your family loaded? I might eat a lot—you don't mind, right? When I hit it big, I'll totally hook you up with riches and glory."

Lin Nanshu was stunned for a moment, then let out a soft laugh. "My family has a bit of property. Muyu needn't worry."

Cheng Ge thought to himself, *Does this mean I'm latching onto a sugar daddy? If I suck up to Lin Nanshu now, will I never have to work again?*

But then he thought again. In a few days, he'd be starting at the Hanlin Academy. Once he started eating from the emperor's payroll, would he still be worried about cash?

At that thought, he couldn't wipe the grin off his face and casually grabbed a pastry to munch on.

Seeing this, Lin Nanshu couldn't help reaching out to wipe the crumbs off the corner of his mouth. Cheng Ge instinctively flinched back.

Lin Nanshu paused, then pulled his hand back like nothing happened.

"Your luggage should still be at the inn. Should I send someone to get it, or will you go pack it yourself?"

Cheng Ge quickly shoved the pastry into his mouth. "I'll go pack it myself. I also need to tell the innkeeper."

Lin Nanshu nodded. He called for a servant. "Get a carriage ready to take Master Muyu back to the inn to pack, then bring him to the mansion." The servant acknowledged and left.

"Meals will be brought to you every day. If you need anything, just tell the servants. I won't disturb you further."

"Alright, go ahead with your work. Sorry for the hassle." He even waved a little.

...

As the Lin family's eldest young master, Lin Nanshu naturally had many affairs to handle.

Today, he had some rare free time. Since Cheng Ge showed up out of the blue last time, Lin Nanshu invited a close friend over for a small get-together to make up for it.

Green trees cast long shadows in the summer heat, and the pavilion's reflection sank into the pond.

The group enjoyed tea and a chess game in the pavilion, totally relaxed. A breeze swept over the lotus leaves, making layers of green ripple.

"I heard the Crown Prince has changed big time these past few days, getting way more diligent than before."

"Well, even though the Crown Prince has his maternal grandfather, the Zhang family, backing him, His Majesty is no fool. If he really proves unfit for the role, it might be tough..."

The rest went unsaid, but everyone got it. The current emperor doesn't have many heirs—just two sons and one daughter.

Zhou Zhan, born of the late Empress, was made Crown Prince early on and is now sixteen, no longer a kid.

The other prince is Consort Chen's son, named Zhou Hao, now thirteen.

Apart from that, only Noble Consort Ruan had given birth to a princess, and no more children followed.

But the emperor's still young, so he'll probably have more kids down the line. But there was only one throne, and to claim it, one had to fight.

Lin Nanshu's grandfather, Lin Zhufeng, was the current Grand Tutor, a veteran official of two reigns. Every time he returned from court, he would sigh heavily.

It seemed the Crown Prince was not an easy student to teach. Lin Nanshu had met Zhou Zhan before and had some understanding of him.

But the Lin family upheld a clear and upright tradition, loyal only to the emperor, and would never involve themselves in factional strife.

At this moment, Lin Nanshu merely lowered his eyes to arrange the chess pieces, saying nothing. In worldly affairs, caution in speech came first.

Seeing no one respond, the speaker realized it was inappropriate to openly discuss the princes and wisely fell silent.

Halfway through the chess game, Lin Nanshu's moves came swiftly, and the situation gradually became clear.

A servant brought over a cooling drink. Pink lotus flowers peeked out from green umbrellas, seeming to glow under the sun.

"A sudden breeze stirs the emerald curtains—truly a fine place." The speaker was Qiao Fangxu, the legitimate son of the Vice Minister of Personnel.

He waved a folding fan, wore a jade crown, and had handsome features, exuding the air of an elegant scholar.

Lin Nanshu glanced at him and placed the last black stone.

"Brother Lin, your chess strategy is too bizarre. I can't keep up at all."

The man playing against Lin Nanshu felt a bit disheartened and raised his hand to toss his piece into the bowl.

But his aim was off, and the piece rolled twice on the table before falling to the ground with a clatter, landing at Qiao Fangxu's feet.

A nearby servant saw this and was about to pick it up.

But Qiao Fangxu, lost in the beautiful scenery, took two steps back without noticing, his heel landing squarely on the chess piece.

"Brother Lin, next time I'll bring..." Before he could finish, Qiao Fangxu's body tilted, and he fell backward.

Lin Nanshu and the others were some distance away. They quickly rose to save him, but it was too late.

Qiao Fangxu felt a dizzying spin, and with a "plop," he crashed into the pond.

Water splashed everywhere instantly, soaking the clothes of those nearby.

Everyone was stunned at first, then quickly came to their senses, gathering around the pond.

"Brother Qiao!!! Someone save him!!"

The old pond was deep, with thick, muddy silt at the bottom.

Lin Nanshu frowned deeply, swiftly directing the servants to fetch bamboo poles and ropes to pull Qiao Fangxu ashore.

Qiao Fangxu struggled in the water, swallowing several mouthfuls of water, flailing his arms desperately, trying to keep his head above water.

Just as he was starting to lose hope, a hand grabbed his arm.