Chapter 589: Two-Faced
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As the night fell, the Zhuang Residence gradually lit up with candles.
Servants took down the lanterns from the corridor one by one, lit them, and then hung them up high again.
Grand Preceptor Zhuang sat in his study, reviewing the documents presented by Secondary Grand Secretary Xu and others.
Lately, there had been significant turmoil in the court. Minister Xing and Empress Dowager Zhuang had been cleared of charges and had regained their status and power.
Regarding Grand Preceptor Zhuang's behavior of standing by when Empress Dowager Zhuang was falsely accused, opinions varied among the officials. Some believed he was ungrateful and disregarded family ties, while others suggested he was aware of the situation but was merely playing along with Empress Dowager Zhuang and others.
Various rumors circulated, and the courtiers' tongues were always wagging. It was true that when they had nothing to do, they would find other grievances to air.
However, what Grand Preceptor Zhuang truly cared about wasn't the petty disputes in the court but——
His gaze fell on a landscape painting on the opposite wall.
"My Lord!" The steward of the Zhuang Family reported with joy at the door, "Junwang has returned!"
……
Outside the majestic main gate of the Zhuang Residence, An Junwang knelt on the steps dressed in plain clothes.
During the time he was away from the Zhuang Family, Grand Preceptor Zhuang had not received any news about him. But no news meant he was still alive. If he had died, the capital would have been in an uproar long ago.
Grand Preceptor Zhuang didn't deliberately seek him out. He had cut off all his retreats, expecting that he wouldn't last long and would eventually return home to seek his help.
Sure enough, didn't it happen just as he expected?
Grand Preceptor Zhuang came to the main gate of the Zhuang Residence wearing a gray-brown cloak.
The servants were all dismissed by the steward. No matter how Grand Preceptor Zhuang punished An Junwang, he was still his grandson. Grand Preceptor Zhuang could watch An Junwang's misery, but the servants couldn't.
"This servant shall go check the storeroom." After the grandfather and grandson met, the steward also found an excuse to leave.
But Grand Preceptor Zhuang said, "No need, you stay here."
The steward felt awkward, "Ah, yes."
This was really putting him in a difficult position. After witnessing the young master's embarrassment today, wouldn't he have a hard time when the young master became the master of the house in the future?
Ignoring the steward, Grand Preceptor Zhuang walked up the steps and looked down at the figure kneeling alone.
After so many days, he should have realized that life outside wasn't easy.
"Raise your head." He said.
An Junwang slowly lifted his head and looked at his grandfather with a melancholic expression.
Grand Preceptor Zhuang had intended to say, ‘look at yourself, you’ve become so thin,’ but when he took a closer look, the words got stuck in his throat..
Was it an illusion?
Why did it seem like this boy had gained weight?
An Junwang used to be a handsome and elegant young man, but he had slightly sunken cheeks, which made him look slightly thin.
But now those sunken cheeks were gone!
His face had become rounder, and he looked more blessed!
Of course, he wasn't fat, but... He just looked healthier, more radiant, and very handsome for his age.
But wasn't that strange?
He was skinny at home, but gained weight when he wandered outside?
The main reason was that An Junwang was exploited and overworked by Gu Yan every day, doing a lot of physical labor, which had significantly increased his appetite. As a result, he had become stronger and more robust over time.
He used to be satisfied with one bowl of food at home, but now he could easily eat two bowls, and three wouldn't make him feel bloated. He had become a super hearty eater!
Suddenly, Grand Preceptor Zhuang felt a bit annoyed.
"Grandfather." An Junwang spoke up, "Your grandson has returned."
This sentence finally broke the brief silence and brought Grand Preceptor Zhuang back from his dilemma of how to react. He said coldly, "So, you know how to come back? I warned you earlier. If you dare to step out that door, don't think you can easily come back!"
An Junwang lowered his head, "Your grandson knows his mistake. Please forgive this grandson."
Grand Preceptor Zhuang snorted coldly, "Forgive? You speak so lightly of it. If everyone becomes like you, staying home when they're happy and leaving when they're not, what would become of the Zhuang Family?!"
An Junwang didn't argue anymore and bowed his head in a remorseful manner.
The steward hurriedly advised, "My Lord, Junwang was just momentarily confused. Now that he recognizes his mistake, please consider his past filial piety towards you and forgive him this once. Junwang will surely not dare to repeat his offense in the future, right, Junwang?"
He said this while looking at An Junwang, who knelt there with his head bowed in repentance.
An Junwang nodded sullenly, "The steward is right. This grandson has suffered hardships outside, and I will never dare to defy grandfather again."
This statement lacked persuasiveness. After all, he looked so much better for someone who suffered hardships. Then, wouldn't suffering no hardships make him ascend to divinity?
But Grand Preceptor Zhuang couldn't think of any reason why An Junwang wouldn’t have suffered hardships. After all, he had informed everyone An Junwang could have sought refuge with in advance, and no one dared to shelter him.
Even the larger inns wouldn't allow him to stay.
During this period, he must have merely scraped by in some low-quality inns with whatever little money he had.
"Come in and kneel!" Grand Preceptor Zhuang said coldly.
"Yes." An Junwang complied, and the steward hurriedly descended the steps to help An Junwang up.
His own Junwang's frail body...
Before he could finish this thought, An Junwang stood up on his own, agile as ever.
The steward: "..."
An Junwang followed Grand Preceptor Zhuang to his courtyard.
Grand Preceptor Zhuang made An Junwang kneel at the door of his study.
An Junwang whispered, "Please let me kneel inside. This is shameful."
Grand Preceptor Zhuang chuckled, "You still know what shameful is?"
An Junwang said affectionately, "It's fine for me to lose face, but it would be shameful for you, grandfather."
"Humph!"
Grand Preceptor Zhuang coldly flicked his sleeve but didn't chase him out.
An Junwang knelt in the middle of his study.
Since Grand Preceptor Zhuang intended to show him a little dominance, he naturally wouldn't appear too concerned about him. He refrained from asking how An Junwang had been during this time, where he had been, if he had enough to eat or if he was warm enough.
If he had asked, he might notice some slight inconsistencies and clues.
An Junwang occasionally glanced at Grand Preceptor Zhuang, but Grand Preceptor Zhuang didn't think much of it. He assumed the boy was just watching his mood.
He said coldly, "Don't expect me to forgive you so soon."
"How long do I have to kneel then?" An Junwang asked, feeling wronged.
This remark angered Grand Preceptor Zhuang. Wasn’t he here to apologize? He hadn't even kneeled for long and was already thinking of standing up?
Grand Preceptor Zhuang snapped, "Kneel until you learn your lesson!"
Initially intending to send An Junwang back to the courtyard, Grand Preceptor Zhuang changed his mind. He should make him kneel through the floor!
"My Lord."
The steward returned.
This time, his expression was somewhat concealed.
Understanding, Grand Preceptor Zhuang looked coldly at An Junwang on the ground and said, "You stay kneeling here honestly!"
"Yes." An Junwang replied meekly.
Grand Preceptor Zhuang left the study.
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