Foreigner Of Time [Book II]

3

I decided to raise my arm and cover half of my face with my sleeve in that same position, then gave a respectful courtesy, "This one is Lisa Manoban, greetings to Master RM."

RM put his hands together and returned me courtesy, "To hear one's name can't compare to a meeting in person. Worthy brother is too courteous."

I smiled as I replied, "I just came back from the capital city yesterday, so I took a day to rest. I'm here to visit Jackson, but I wasn't aware that you are here too. I hope you can forgive me for being unprepared. I will visit again another day."

RM smiled a little.

He took a look at Jackson, then he said, "The ignorant are not to blame. It's getting late, so I'll go back first. Let's meet again another day."

"Please go ahead."

Me and Jackson saw him out the door together.

Once we turned around, Jackson knocked his fist on my shoulder and said in amusement, "What a long trip you had, and here I thought that you weren't even coming back for new year's."

"I brought roast chicken and fine wine with me, and there's pastries from Tianfuzhai too. Let's head inside, we can eat while we chat. It's pretty cold outside."

"Alright."

Inside the room, the brazier was lit with pieces of grey charcoal that I sent here before I left for the capital.

It was burning red, but it did not emit smoke.

I took off my winter coat and hung it at the side while Jackson laid out the two jars of wine.

He tore open the oil paper wrapping for the roast chicken, then he asked the old butler to cook some hot dishes in the kitchen and bring it over.

I studied him.

He seemed to be in a good mood, so I asked, "Did anything good happen?"

Jennie told me yesterday that Kristen fell sick...

So what's going on with him?

Could it be that there's something strange about Kristen's illness?

Jackson chuckled, then he replied, "My brother just gave me a piece of good news."

"Tell me about it, let me have a chuckle too."

"He told me to prepare well because the court might open an imperial exam next year. Like this, there's no need to wait for two more years."

"An imperial exam? I didn't hear my wife talk about any joyous events in the court. The mourning period isn't completely over yet."

He scooted closer, then he said in a hushed voice, "Although His Majesty is still grieving for the late Crown Prince, a Crown Prince is the future of the kingdom. It won't be long before someone in the court suggests crowning a new Prince. We'll probably have news about this after the Lantern festival at the latest. According to the usual practice, His Majesty will open an imperial examination in the Crown Prince's name after his crowning. The successful candidates from this exam will all count as students from the East Palace. The official positions that the court grants will be a little different than usual too. Once it's time for the new to replace the old, the new Emperor will choose from this batch of officials and utilize them well. Isn't this the most wonderful news?"

I felt happy for him too, "You have lost at sunset and gained in sunrise, this is indeed good news."

"Come, let's have a toast."

Jackson filled my cup, then we toasted each other and downed our cups.

I ate a few pieces of chicken, then asked in a casual way, "I heard from my wife yesterday that your father has fallen sick? And the government office's great seal was given to Vice Magistrate Victor?"