Chapter 46.1

Chapter 46.1

Lin Shihengs words were unacceptable to Zhao He. He thought about it for three or four days, wondering if he had dreamt it and then involuntarily blamed Brother Lin. Thats why he mistook it for something that came out of Brother Lins mouth!

Dont blame Zhao He for thinking like this. Lin Shiheng appeared and acted like a gentleman out of a classic book, the only exception was that his body was a bit weak.

So how could such a person have said that?

He struggled for a few days and was really too embarrassed to ask Lin Shiheng if he really said those words.

After all, that was really shameless.

He already had a hard time finding such a good friend who didnt abandon him because of his status as a merchants son and still excelled in his studies. So how could he ask him such a question? And where would he be able to find such a good friend if he angered this one away?

Whats more, in the eyes of his friend, he was still a gentleman who was very willing to help others.

***

Today, Zhao He set foot on the deck and saw his beautiful-as-the-moon friend standing on the deck while chatting with several other scholars. He went up to him but before he could say anything, he heard Brother Lin say, Brother Zhao is very knowledgeable. What I just mentioned to you brothers was what I discussed with Brother Zhao yesterday, but he is not a man ambitious for achievements and didnt want me to publicize it.

Zhao He blushed at that and was almost unable to maintain the unnatural look on his face.

He felt that his best friend was good in every way, but he was just a bit too sincere. Every time they discussed, it was always him that made Zhao He feel that this was how the book was supposed to be, but Brother Lin would always believe that if he hadnt followed Zhao He, he wouldnt have been able to figure it out and directly put the credit on him.

Zhao He liked to hear others praise himself, but he wont accept the credit of others. He hurriedly stepped forward, saluted several people, and told the truth.

Lin Shiheng listened to him with a smile that remained unchanged. He then coughed softly, covered his lips with a smile in his eyes, and said to the several scholars, Thats why Im good friends with Brother Zhao.

Zhao He watched with strange admiration as the scholars across the table looked at him with some inexplicable appreciation.

Whats with that look as if they were looking at a talent who didnt admire fame?

It turns out that Brother Zhaos intellect was so outstanding. In the future, well have to bother Brother Zhao more often.

Why dont we meet here tomorrow and have a poetry meeting?

Zhao He was praised again. He seldom attended such gatherings of scholars before, except for those held by his elders to which he could receive invitations as he was always regarded as a transparent person among his peers.

Although merchants were more or less looked down upon, for Zhao He who was outright rejected and had their talents denied as a whole, it was only thanks to those three Jurens. So at this moment, when he was invited by the other scholars who were going to the capital to take the exam, he was flattered and he hurriedly replied.

When the few scholars left, Lin Shiheng looked at Zhao He, who appeared very happy, and softly coughed, When Brother Zhao attends the poetry meeting tomorrow, if there are any wonderful poems, please dont forget to bring them to me.

Zhao He was a little confused, Brother Lin, arent you going?

By the way, the things you discussed earlier, clearly both of us studied them together, so why did you only mention my part in it?

The scholar in green robes smiled faintly, The original idea was based on what Brother Zhao said, not to mention that this is what they will be discussing tomorrow. Brother Zhao also knows that my health isnt well and cant stay in the wind for too long, so I wont be going to the poetry meeting tomorrow.

Zhao He really believed it.

With this thought, Zhao He immediately realized and felt ashamed that he had such an idea.

It was bad enough that Brother Lin couldnt go outside in this freezing cold weather to attend a freezing poetry session and had to sleep in a warm room. So how can he have such an idea?!

After thinking about it, Zhao He was startled.

When he thought about it, he felt that he was actually the more miserable one.

No! How could he think like this!? He was really sad for the frail Brother Lin!

Zhao He kept brainwashing himself in his mind.

While in the room behind him, Lin Shiheng turned over comfortably, yawned, then got up and looked at the sky outside.

Although it was time to eat breakfast, it looked like Zhao He was still attending the poetry meeting and hadnt come back yet. If the lord wasnt back, then how could he eat?

En, lets sleep a little longer. The colder the weather, the more comfortable it was to sleep in

Thinking like that, the scholar on the bed closed his eyes with ease and planned to have a good sleep.

Ah, Brother Zhao was really an excellent friend.

Not only was he good for freeloading food, but he also took notes.

He wanted to be friends with Brother Zhao for life.

***

When the ship slowly arrived at its destination, the relationship between the two men and Jurens on board was already quite good.

Originally Zhao Hes status as a merchants son was scandalous but after what Lin Shiheng said that time spread, even if one had any thoughts in their heart, they wouldnt say it to anyones face or discuss it with others.

If they look down on people for their identity, what was the difference between them and the narrow-minded Hu Chuan?

Of course, no one would say the words narrow-minded in front of Hu Chuan. At most, a few good friends would mention it in passing when they spent time together.

When they all got along, they also discovered that Zhao He was indeed an invaluable friend; for example, he was close friends with Lin Shiheng, Lin Qinzhi, who had been frail since childhood and was too frail to go out, so this Brother Zhao wrote down every discussion they had and gave it to Brother Lin to view.

It would be truly foolish for them to avoid such a passionate person or refused to interact with him just because of his status as a merchants son.

Besides, there was still Brother Lin, who these Jurens couldnt stop praising.

Although he was in poor health and he seldom attended their gatherings, every time, he would ask Brother Zhao to bring his poems which were all very good. It was just a pity that he was always pale and weak, coughing every time they met. The examination was not a simple matter. Each Juren in the imperial examination would be given a small room, staying there for days through the wind and rain.

They already felt the cold when they were on the ship, but the capital city was many times colder than the ship. Furthermore, to prevent cheating, except for food and the clothes they wore during the exam, the rest of the things were from the court, and the braziers were never enough.

In the past, there have been cases where a Juren caught a cold during the exams and died before the results were released, which inevitably made the Jurens start to worry about the talented but physically weak Brother Lin, who was very poor in health despite his talent.

When he left, Lin Shiheng was wearing a thick cloak provided by Zhao He and held a copper handwarmer that was stuffed into his arms by another Juren. Lin Shiheng, who looked handsome but was still pale, had been advised by several Jurens to see a doctor and that if he felt that he couldnt hold on during the exam, he shouldnt force himself.