Chapter 306
Chapter 306 King Among Flowers
Xu Zhiqing was a remarkably astute woman. After hearing these few words, her heart held a new understanding. Hurriedly, she addressed Lin Wanrong, “What are you standing there for? Hurry up and express your gratitude.”
“Gratitude, for what?” Lin Wanrong responded with astonishment. He had no comprehension of these matters. Being gifted an entire garden with just a word was something he only ever saw in television dramas. It had no relation to him, Lin Wanrong; he had no awareness of such magnanimity.
Seeing Lin Wanrong's cluelessness, Xu Zhiqing was both exasperated and amused. When he was sharp-witted, she felt like biting him; when he was being slow, she wished she could kick him. To sum it up in one sentence: without punishment, he would never learn.
Su Mubai, of course, did not state the obvious. The elderly man in the pavilion, who had taken a liking to Lin Wanrong, had his own reasons. This was not something that he, Su Mubai, could interfere with.
The old man seemed to enjoy Lin Wanrong's pretense of playing smart while being genuinely confused. He didn't explain the situation, but laughed heartily for a while and changed the subject. “Miss Xu, Su Mubai, and Lin Wanrong who's sitting here, I mentioned that I would test you all today, and I’m a man of my word. Those who answer well will be awarded.”
Being the reigning Top Scholar and having been personally tutored by the Emperor, Su Mubai did not fear this test. He respectfully responded, “Please, sir, may you bestow upon us your question.”
After considering for a moment, the old man in the pavilion chuckled and said, “Since we are appreciating flowers in this peony garden today, tell me, among all the flowers here, which one is the king?”
The king of flowers? Lin Wanrong immediately thought of the past, the days by the Qinhuai River with Xian'er. Unable to resist, a smile crept onto his face. He wondered where that vixen An had hidden Xian'er. They had been in the capital for a while now, but he had not seen her yet.