"The gathering is in five days." Liang Minxu put on a thoughtful act: "There are only this many invitations. If any classmate is unable to attend that day, could you give your invitation to Fang Yu?"
Who would be willing to do that?
Liang Minxu, knowing this would be the outcome, was satisfied. He looked at Fang Yu with a pitying expression and comforted him: "It's also my fault for not counting the invitations properly. I originally wanted everyone from our lecture hall to go together, but we ended up one short. If I had known earlier, I would have swallowed my pride and asked the Education Commissioner for one more."
"The Education Commissioner issued the invitations as a special favor. How could Liang Xiucai trouble him further? You've already been considerate of everyone."
Liang Minxu looked at Fang Yu apologetically: "Brother Fang, you won't blame me, will you?"
Fang Yu: ?
Is this guy out of his mind?
Fang Yu had to admit, however, that Liang Minxu’s acting was so skillful he could have been a star performer, had he not been a scholar. Suppressing a frown, he smiled slightly and replied, "Not at all, why would Liang Xiucai think that? It was simply my own ill fortune to have no place at this gathering. I don’t blame anyone."
"Brother Fang is open-minded." Liang Minxu added: "That's true. Not going also saves some trouble. Brother Fang is newly married, and to a young ger from our Yuncheng tea merchant family at that. The Education Commissioner has always disliked merchant families. If Brother Fang were to go, there might be some misunderstandings. The gains might not outweigh the losses."
After speaking, Liang Minxu pretended to slap his own head: "Look at what I'm saying! I've always been straightforward and sometimes don't express myself clearly. I didn't mean to look down on Brother Fang's fulang. Please don't take it to heart, Brother Fang."
The looks from those around Fang Yu instantly took on a different shade.
"Liang Xiucai makes a good point. Not only the Education Commissioner, but even famous scholars and jurens are unwilling to associate with those connected to merchants. Even with an invitation, one might not necessarily be able to accompany the Commissioner on the excursion. Rather than risk giving offense, it's better to stay away. In this case, Brother Fang's misfortune may well be a blessing in disguise."
Everyone began to echo Liang Minxu's sentiment: "Yes, if Fang Xiucai were to attend, I'm afraid the Education Commissioner might hold a grudge against all the scholars from our lecture hall, and it would also cause Master Zhang to lose face."
"Hey, that's not the right thing to say. We are all classmates, saying that creates distance." Liang Minxu interjected at the right moment and even said a few kind words to Fang Yu: "Fang Yu, don't take it to heart. We've been classmates for a long time, so we speak more directly than strangers would."
Fang Yu knew Liang Minxu was deliberately putting on an act. He couldn't be bothered to argue with him and said: "Everyone makes a valid point. Thank you for considering Fang. Then, I wish you all a pleasant outing with the Education Commissioner and hope you gain the appreciation of famous scholars."
After speaking, he headed for the door. Just before leaving, he seemed to remember something and turned back to Liang Minxu: "By the way, Brother Liang, that day you invited many poetry friends to Qionghua Tower for drinks but didn't bring any silver to settle the bill. Has the account been settled yet? I left in a hurry that day because I wasn't feeling well, and I'm truly sorry. If I had known Brother Liang didn't bring any silver, I would have gone to settle the bill."
Liang Minxu's face darkened upon hearing this. Seeing everyone look at him, he hurriedly said: "What are you talking about!"
"Oh, I only meant that if Brother Liang hasn't yet settled the bill, my servant will be arriving soon with my meal. I could send him to take care of it. It wouldn't do for scholars to leave debts outstanding—especially at a place like Qionghua Tower, which the Education Commissioner often visits. If he were to hear of it, it could easily be misunderstood."
Liang Minxu was suffering from his own actions. If he said he had settled it, others would think it really happened. If he said he hadn't settled it, he would be seen as someone who splurges at big restaurants and runs up debts. For a moment, he didn't know how to refute it: "When did I... You..."
"Brother Liang, please don't feel embarrassed. We're all classmates here. Everyone faces difficulties sometimes." Fang Yu looked at everyone affectionately: "Right?"
Everyone looked awkward and laughed it off regarding Liang Minxu: "It's fine, it's fine."
Fang Yu said with a smile: "Besides, there's a reason. Usually, when we go out for tea and wine, I take care of the bill. It's not strange for Brother Liang to forget to bring silver the first time he hosts. He can just repay the silver later."
Liang Minxu clenched his hands inside his sleeves, but still had to keep a smile on his face. Everyone else felt the awkward atmosphere and quickly cupped their hands and dispersed outside.
"When did I not settle the bill!"
After everyone had left the classroom, Liang Minxu practically spat out these words through gritted teeth.
Fang Yu shrugged, calm and unruffled: "Oh? You didn't? Then I must have remembered wrong. My memory isn't great, Brother Liang. Please, don't take it to heart."
Liang Minxu watched the man leisurely leave the classroom and felt like his lungs were about to explode with anger. Everyone knew he loved going out for tea, wine, and socializing with poetry friends. Probably after this incident, his classmates would think he was someone who dodged bills and exclusively mooched off others.
Had he underestimated Fang Yu from the start, or was the man simply this cunning and deceitful? He had already fallen for his schemes twice—a far cry from the fawning, flattering person who had once trailed after him. Liang Minxu cursed his own poor judgment for ever allowing such a person near him.
The air felt fresher once Fang Yu left the academy. The area outside the academy was bustling at this time. The large, open street was filled with people delivering lunch. Smelling the various food aromas, he realized he was truly hungry.
He craned his neck, searching for the person who was supposed to bring him food. Before he could spot them, he heard a clear, joyful voice: "Master, over here."
Following the sound, he saw Qiao Hezhi standing under the memorial archway, holding a lunchbox. He didn't know how long the person had been waiting, but upon seeing him, he hurried over excitedly.
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