Zheng Lingbo hesitated for a moment, feeling conflicted about whether to ask an elder. But he was also afraid of something unsayable, worrying that if he asked, it might turn out worse. Therefore, his expression became extremely conflicted.
Yongyi soon found out. After a moment's thought, Mimi explained voluntarily: "I am in the capital to take the imperial examination. Both my father and mother are in our ancestral home. There are no elders here, and Miss Zheng need not worry about it."
Now, Zheng Lingbo had no objections to going to the study room.
The two of them changed direction and went to the study room.
Yongyi found the study room quite interesting. It wasn't large, but three sides were lined with bookshelves filled to the brim with books. There were no decorations inside, just shelves and a desk. Even the desk had only one ink stand and some silk paper and other items on it.
Zheng Lingbo curiously took a look around and found that this study room was completely different from the one she had in mind.
Although she had never been to the study room of a common scholar, she had visited the one of her third brother Zheng Jingren before.
She also wondered if it was because Zheng Jingren himself didn't like studying, causing the study room to be a mess whenever Zheng Lingbo went in. Pens, ink, paper, and ink stones were scattered on the desk. Occasionally, a few balls of waste paper could be seen on the floor.
A glance across the room showed there was barely any space to put one's feet down.
Unlike Yongyi's study room, which was clean and organized, it looked very tidy and orderly.
Yongyi genuinely loved Guan's calligraphy, so after inviting Zheng Lingbo to sit down and have tea, he couldn't wait to go to the desk and spread out the calligraphy scroll to admire it.
The gift reached the heart of the recipient, and the giver, Zheng Lingbo, was also very happy. While sipping the small tea, she examined Yongyi's bookshelf and pondered in her mind how to open up to Yongyi.
However, Yongyi expressed his gratitude to Zheng Lingbo with an intense gaze after reading the scroll. They exchanged a few casual words, but it was Yongyi who initiated the conversation: "Yesterday's banquet in the palace was truly thrilling. I was on the edge of my seat listening to that dancer flirting with General Zheng."
Zheng Lingbo exclaimed, "Ah," and quickly picked up the thread of the conversation: "Who wouldn't think that? I thought the incident would end when the dancer was brought down. Who would have thought it would suddenly bring up our Zheng family."
Yongyi acted like a concerned friend on this topic and said a few words, showing care by asking Zheng Lingbo about his plans for the future.
Zheng Lingbo thought for a moment and could only smile bitterly: "My brother still thinks of me as a young girl and won't tell me anything. Indeed, I am just a woman with no connections. As for plans and ideas, I am really at a loss now."
Yongyi pondered for a moment and then smoothly continued, "The friend I brought you to see yesterday has some connections with General Chen."
He looked at Zheng Lingpo with bright eyes, smiling, and asked her, "If Miss Zheng has any intention, I am willing to introduce her to a few people."
Zheng Lingbo's eyes lit up when she heard this: "I am very grateful!"
She had not even thought about bringing up this topic, but Yongyi had already taken matters into his own hands.
Originally, she thought that the person looked decent, but was somewhat loose with women and good friends with Liu Chengwang. It wasn't suitable to have deep interactions with him.
But just based on this person's generosity today, Zheng Lingbo now felt that she had to make Yongyi her friend!
Zheng Lingpo was very happy, with a smiling face and eyes. She thanked Yongyi.
Yongyi interrupted her suddenly while she was listening, "I thought we were friends by now, Miss Zheng. It sounds quite distant when you still call me 'Master'. It's a bit awkward."
Zheng Lingbo paused for a moment, then smiled softly, "It's no less formal when you call me 'Master' as well, Master Rong."
She thought for a moment and then said firstly, "I am the fourth daughter of my family, Master Rong. If you don't mind, you can call me Zheng Four."
Yongyi blinked his eyes and imitated her, "Yongyi's courtesy name is Wei Yue. Miss Zheng Four can call me Wei Yue as well."
Zheng Lingbo hesitated, "Wei... Wei Yue?"
Yongyi nodded.
Zheng Lingbo couldn't help but confirm once again: "The Wei Yue with the light step on the water?"
Yongyi: "Exactly."
Zheng Lingpo's expression became somewhat complicated: "Ah..."
The previous time she heard sister Yue ren say that her name was from a poem:
"Like a fairy on the waves, born in dust-laden shoes, stepping lightly on the moon over the water."
She hoped that her daughter, Lingpo, could be as auspicious as a water lily, with everything going well and fulfilling her wishes."
Zheng Lingbo's expression was complicated, but Yongyi had no idea what it meant.
Who would have thought that a girl's given name is not commonly shared, so Yongyi was unaware of the miraculous coincidence between his courtesy name and the young girl in front of him.
Wanting to say but unable to express it with words, Zheng Lingpo had to change the topic vaguely. The two of them continued to talk about some casual topics, exploring the personality and hobbies of General Chen.
Having learned about the situation, Zheng Lingpo finally felt confident and satisfied with going back home.
Thinking of Yongyi's calligraphy, she still felt amazed: "I have something to tell you, Master Rong. You might not believe it, but the previous Master Rong, do you remember him?"
Jin'er was untangling Zheng Lingpo's hair.
Since she hadn't gone out with Zheng Lingpo today, Jin'er only knew that Zheng Lingpo had gone out to do something. Upon hearing this, she tilted her head and asked, "Which Master Rong?"
Zheng Lingpo said, "That was the scholar we met when leaving the Li Family's estate a while ago."
Jin'er suddenly recalled, "Oh, yes."
Seeing that she still remembered, Zheng Lingpo continued with enthusiasm, "You know, I just found out today that Master Rong's courtesy name is actually Wei Yue!"
Jin'er had a puzzled expression, "Wei Yue?"
What's wrong with Wei Yue? Why does the girl have such a strange expression?
Seeing her confusion, Zheng Lingpo made a sound of "Ah-yi" and said, "It's the Wei Yue in the line 'As the fairy on the waves, born in dust-laden shoes, stepping lightly on the moon over the water!' from that poem!"
Jin'er now realized the connection and exclaimed, "How coincidental that is!"
Zheng Lingpo also exclaimed, "Right, it's really coincidental. I was quite surprised when I first heard about it."
The master and servant both found such a coincidence very amazing, but...
Jin'er suddenly asked, "How do you know Master Rong's courtesy name?"
Zheng Lingpo: "..."
Ask well!
She didn't want her family to know about the things she was about to do, which was not only the investigation into the false accusation against General Chen by the dancer.
She wanted to take this opportunity to get involved in state affairs or to interact with people who could have contact with court officials, so that she would have a head start when investigating the fire incident at the general's mansion from her previous life.
But reincarnation is the deepest secret in her heart. Even if it were her family, she had no intention of mentioning it. Whether they believed her or not, just mentioning it would only unnecessarily provoke their anger.
Zheng Lingpo's mind was in a turmoil, but her expression remained sincere as she distracted Jin'er:
"I happened to meet him today, and the topic of his courtesy name came up in conversation. It was purely coincidental that I overheard a bit."
Jin'er nodded understandingly, and since it was just casual chatting, she quickly untangled Zheng Lingpo's headscarf and let them rest.
