Dream of the Red Chamber: Starting with winning over Daiyu's favorability

After saying that, she shoved the jade pendant into Deng Zechen's arms as if in a fit of pique. Seeing that Deng Zechen did not accept it directly and was still looking at Lin Ruhai, she turned her head and glared at Lin Ruhai fiercely.

Lin Ruhai chuckled and gestured for Deng Zechen to accept it.

"Thank you, Dean."

"Alright, alright, I hate all this red tape, just accept it."

If you're interested, you can visit me more often at Shoushan Academy. As I get older, I just enjoy the lively atmosphere with young people.

Deng Zechen carefully put away the jade pendant, his words carrying a touch more youthful energy:

"Then I won't stand on ceremony. I hope the dean won't find me annoying and kick me out."

Zhang Bingzhu laughed, his eyebrows twitching uncontrollably.

The others also presented their prepared gifts, and Deng Zechen thanked them one by one.

Lin Ruhai said he had only prepared a few jars of wine, but the table was full of fruits, wine and dishes, which were not only exquisite and beautiful, but also delicious and fragrant.

However, few of the people present were really focused on the food.

Apart from Xue Pan, he only half-understood what these scholars were saying, so he simply sat down at the table to drink and eat, enjoying himself.

Jia Lian, on the other hand, got along very well with this group of people, after all, he was quite good-looking and had an interesting way of speaking.

Most of the others gathered in twos and threes to drink and chat, and Jia Zheng naturally did not miss this opportunity, finding a chance to join them.

However, some perceptive individuals noticed something amiss at the Lin and Rong mansions.

For example, given the relationship between Lin Ruhai and Jia Zheng, Jia Zheng should have served as the chief guest at this coming-of-age ceremony.

After all, choosing a close friend with good character and high moral standing to serve as the guest of honor would not only demonstrate the importance attached to Deng Zechen, but also express the trust in the person serving as the guest of honor.

However, the position of principal guest was ultimately filled by Zhang Bingzhu. It wasn't that Zhang Bingzhu was unqualified, but it was somewhat unexpected.

Most importantly, these sharp-eyed people noticed that Jia Zheng was very friendly towards Lin Ruhai, and although Lin Ruhai also greeted him with a smile, he was somewhat polite.

Of course, no one was tactless enough to point this out at this juncture.

Lin Ruhai led Deng Zechen to toast each of them in turn.

"This is your Uncle Fan, who is a compiler at the Hanlin Academy."

Deng Zechen bowed respectfully and said, "Greetings, Uncle Fan."

The middle-aged man in a blue robe with a long beard smiled and nodded; he seemed to have a very good temper.

Seeing this, Lin Ruhai smiled and said:

"Don't let his long beard fool you, he's actually the youngest among us."

I don't know where he heard it from, but he said that having a beard makes one look more mature and stable. Don't try to imitate him.

The middle-aged man surnamed Fan glared at Lin Ruhai:

"Don't talk nonsense if you don't understand. You've led a perfectly good child astray."

"He is your Uncle Zhou, who serves as an Imperial Censor in the Censorate."

……

After Deng Zechen had identified everyone present, Lin Ruhai said to Deng Zechen:

"Alright, that's about enough. I see some of them brought a few people around your age. Don't keep us old folks company, go find them."

"Thank you very much, Uncle Lin." Deng Zechen thanked Lin Ruhai very earnestly.

Lin Ruhai put a lot of effort into today's coming-of-age ceremony, and Deng Zechen also had the opportunity to make initial contact with many court officials he wouldn't normally have the chance to meet, so he naturally understood Lin Ruhai's feelings for him.

Lin Ruhai waved his hand dismissively and walked towards his friends.

Meanwhile, Xue Pan's table had already gathered a lot of young people, who were now drinking and chatting happily.

Deng Zechen's thinking about Xue Pan was simple: since nothing has happened yet, we can't use future laws to judge someone who hasn't committed a crime now.

The opportunity is rare, so it's best to make as many friends as possible and avoid making too many enemies unnecessarily.

"Xianyun's here!" Jia Lian called out as soon as she saw Deng Zechen approaching.

They were all of the same generation, and given the established relationship between the Rongguo Mansion and the Lin family, it was understandable that Jia Lian addressed Deng Zechen by his courtesy name to show their closeness.

"Brother Jia."

As they got closer, Xue Pan felt that Deng Zechen was different from the people he used to associate with.

He is tall and slender, with a heroic appearance that doesn't intimidate people; his overall demeanor is refreshing and dashing.

He had none of the effeminate airs typical of wealthy young men, which was a refreshing change for Xue Pan.

Xue Pan was certain that Deng Zechen's calm and gentle eyes played a crucial role.

Deng Zechen gave a simple cupped-hand salute, and Jia Lian, noticing Deng Zechen's gaze drifting towards Xue Pan, immediately began to introduce him.

"This is Xue Pan, my cousin from my aunt's family. He's a few years older than you."

The Xue family of Jinling are straightforward people, so Xianyun shouldn't be too reserved.

A knowing smile spread across Deng Zechen's face. "So it's Brother Xue! I've heard so much about you!"

Xue Pan was indeed a burly and rough man; his first words left everyone speechless.

"Hey! When I met Brother Xianyun, I felt like we were old friends, as if we were brothers in a past life!"

I'm older, and since you've called me "elder brother," I certainly won't treat you unfairly.

"We'll find some time, and I'll take you out for drinks. You can order any pretty girl you want, just put it on my tab!"

The surrounding sounds seemed to be suddenly muted, and the lively atmosphere at the table froze for a moment.

What is this person saying?!

Is it appropriate to say such things in front of so many scholars?

The elders in the family were still there, and he just said he wanted to go to a brothel and drink with women?

Jia Lianqian chuckled twice, and was the first to react:

"Ha...haha! Brother Xue is so happy today that he's drunk too much and is starting to talk nonsense."

Hey, Brother Wei, didn't you just say that your archery skills have improved recently?

"You live not far from here, why don't you show us what you've got to cook?"

Wei Ruolan was taken aback at first, but then she understood what Jia Lian meant.

We can't let Xue Pan talk nonsense any longer. We should take him away from the elders' sight first.

Whether he's talking nonsense or actually taking people to brothels, it doesn't matter.

"That's right. Would Brother Xianyun do me the honor of accompanying me?"

"Brother Wei invited me, how could I possibly disappoint you? Please allow me to go and explain to Uncle Shi first."

Wei Ruolan nodded repeatedly, "That makes sense. We'll go and explain the situation to our families too."

So the group of young people scattered and went to find their fathers and uncles.

These adults brought their younger relatives along, intending to let these younger people get to know each other and cultivate relationships in advance.

They all readily agreed. With their families' consent, the seven or eight young people gathered together and headed towards the Wei family's residence.

Xue Pan kept talking to Deng Zechen the whole way, his enthusiasm was almost excessive.

It's unclear whether she genuinely found Deng Zechen particularly pleasing to the eye, or if it was because she remembered her sister Xue Baochai's words.

"Where are the Xianyun brothers from?"

"A native of Wu County, Suzhou."

"I see you're so good at studying at such a young age. What do you do to relax when you're tired of studying?"

"Reading is the foundation of my life, so how can I say it's tiring?"

Xue Pan seemed somewhat unable to understand; how could anyone not get tired of reading?

To put it simply, take Jia Baoyu of the Rongguo Mansion as an example. He was forced to read for an hour every day and then complained of blurred vision and back pain. The old lady of the mansion felt sorry for him and did not force him.

He was a few years older than Deng Zechen, but he had never even taken the county-level examination.

So Xue Pan assumed Deng Zechen was embarrassed to complain of being tired, so he leaned closer and lowered his voice:

"I'm serious, don't be shy with me, I'll take you to find a girl to relax later."

We're about the same age, I understand.

Don't worry about spending money, your brother has plenty, he'll cover everything!

If your elders complain, you blame it all on me!