After a master of metaphysics severed ties with his family, the whole family was filled with regret!

Chapter 51 Luo Chujiu Hoho Senior Brother's Orange Tree
Hearing Luo Chujiu's words, Kong Xianling also laughed out loud:

"Yes, yes, junior sister is right. If I really made you my granddaughter, then the generational order would be messed up. It's better to address each other as senior brother and junior sister."

Upon hearing this, Luo Chujiu nodded in satisfaction.

"Xiao Jiu, this is your first time visiting the eldest brother's residence. Let someone show you around. The fourth brother has something to discuss with the eldest brother."

This means that Luo Chujiu should avoid the situation for now.

Luo Chujiu pouted, "If you want to send me away, then send me away. Why make it sound so high and mighty? But what could you two possibly have to say to each other? Can't I listen?"

Nalan Qingyin chuckled, "If you want to hear about the affairs of the court, then stay here. But it can't all be explained in a short time. Are you sure you want to hear it?"

"Never mind then, I'll go visit my senior brother's house instead. Bye-bye—"

After saying that, Luo Chujiu immediately took Feiyun and left. She didn't want to listen to them talk about court affairs; it was incredibly boring.

After Luo Chujiu left, Nalan Qingyin looked at Kong Xianling:

"Senior Brother, the imperial examinations are about to begin this year. I wonder how many disciples you have?"

"You're here to gather information for His Majesty, aren't you?"

“Nothing can be hidden from Senior Brother. It was indeed His Majesty who ordered me to come. His Majesty is only concerned about the quality of this year’s candidates.” Nalan Qingyin chuckled. He knew he couldn’t hide anything from Senior Brother.

"The only one."

"Oh? Only one person?"

Upon hearing this, Kong Xianling glared at Nalan Qingyin with annoyance:
"Do you think cultivating a top scholar is an easy task? How many candidates participate in the imperial examinations each year? And how many of them can stand out in the imperial examinations? You don't mention a word of these things."

"Senior Brother, please don't be angry. I was just saying that, and I wouldn't dare to question you." Nalan Qingyin quickly apologized to avoid upsetting the old man.

"Hmph, go back and tell His Majesty that this year's top scholar will definitely be my student, and that he is capable of great things, loyal only to the emperor, and will not participate in any factional struggles. Assure His Majesty that he can use him with peace of mind."

Kong Xianling said confidently, not to brag, but because this person definitely had the potential to be the top scholar, and he didn't believe anyone was more capable than him.

When Nalan Qingyin heard what he said, she roughly understood what was going on, and the two continued to talk about some matters of the court.

Luo Chujiu and Feiyun wandered around Kong Xianling's mansion. They saw a green orange tree and were pleasantly surprised. They picked some fruit, intending to take some back to make tea.

"Who are you? How dare you pick the unripe oranges planted by the teacher?"

Upon hearing this, Luo Chujiu quickly turned around to look at the person who had spoken.

"And who are you? I'm just picking some fruit at my senior brother's house. My senior brother won't say anything about it."

Luo Chujiu directly revealed her identity, and then looked at the man to ask him about his identity.

Upon hearing Luo Chujiu's words, the man was first taken aback, then looked at her with suspicion:

“I am the teacher’s student. You say the teacher is your senior, but you are far apart in age. How can you be senior and junior brothers and sisters?”

"If you don't believe me, go ask my senior brother. Believe it or not, even if I cut down this tree, my senior brother would still have to coax me and ask if my hand hurts."

Luo Chujiu raised her chin and looked at the person with a very arrogant expression.

When the man heard Luo Chujiu say this, he couldn't help but laugh out loud. This little girl's words were really interesting. Could the teacher really be her senior brother?

"My name is Shen Zangfeng. May I ask your honorable name, young lady?"

“I won’t tell you. My name isn’t something just anyone can know. Besides, I didn’t ask you to exchange names. You gave me your name yourself, so it has nothing to do with me.” Luo Chujiu’s refusal to reveal her name surprised Shen Zangfeng. However, Shen Zangfeng didn’t mind and stepped forward to ask:

"Why are you picking these green oranges, young lady? They're not ripe yet and are too sour to eat."

"Of course I know it's sour. I just use it to make tea. Everyone does it like that back in my hometown," Luo Chujiu said matter-of-factly.

Since there are no lemons in Nanzhao now, she can only use green tangerines as a substitute.

"These green tangerines can actually be steeped in water to make a drink? Are you trying to trick me, young lady?"

"Who would lie to you? I'm not talking to you anymore, I'm going back to find my senior brothers."

Luo Chujiu made a face at Shen Zangfeng, then left with Feiyun, clutching a bag full of green tangerines.

Shen Zangfeng watched Luo Chujiu's departing figure and couldn't help but laugh out loud:

She's a very interesting little girl.

His gaze involuntarily fell on the green orange tree, and then he remembered what she had just said. He picked up a fallen fruit from the ground and hid it in his pocket.

“Miss, that scholar was quite handsome, but he spoke in a very refined manner; he was a bookish man.”

"I guess she's one of the senior brother's students. Never mind, take these oranges and I'll make you some tea when we get back." Luo Chujiu smiled and stuffed all the oranges into Feiyun's hands.

After seeing this, Feiyun smiled and put the oranges on a handkerchief and wrapped them up.

"Where have you been? Why are there leaves on your heads?"

Nalan Qingyin and Kong Xianling had finished their conversation and had only walked a short distance when they saw Luo Chujiu and Feiyun returning. They looked somewhat disheveled, with leaves on their heads.

“We just went to pick oranges, Senior Brother. I messed up that orange tree in your yard. You don’t mind, do you?” Luo Chujiu said with a smile to Kong Xianling.

Kong Xianling smiled and shook his head. "If you like, I can have it transplanted to the Imperial Preceptor's residence. However, the green oranges are not ripe yet, so how can you eat them?"

Kong Xianling raised the same question as Shen Zangfeng.

“Shen Zangfeng asked me the same question just now. As expected of the senior brother’s student, you are of the same lineage.”

Kong Xianling was quite surprised to hear Luo Chujiu's words:
"You've already met Shen Zangfeng?"

"Yeah, he tried to stop me from picking your oranges, and I told him that even if I cut down the tree, Senior Brother wouldn't blame me, and then he didn't say anything. Have the senior brothers finished talking?"

Seeing that the two of them had left the room, Luo Chujiu couldn't help but ask.

"We've finished talking, and we're about to head back to the palace. Would you like to stay with your senior brother for a while, or come back with me?" Nalan Qingyin asked Luo Chujiu for her opinion.

"Fourth Senior Brother, you should go back to the palace and have some fun. I haven't seen Eldest Senior Brother for so long, and I have so much to say to him. Don't bother us."

Upon hearing this, Luo Chujiu immediately waved her hand, indicating that Nalan Qingyin should go play by herself and not worry about where she went.

After seeing this, Nalan Qingyin sighed and said to Kong Xianling:

"Then I'll trouble you, Senior Brother, to send Xiao Jiu back to the Imperial Preceptor's residence later."

"Don't worry, I will have someone I trust send Xiao Jiu back."

Nalan Qingyin nodded and then left the Confucius Mansion.

(End of this chapter)