The disgraced official I took care of was actually Zhu Houcong's childhood friend.

Chapter 579

Tang Bohu became more and more depressed as he spoke, thinking to himself, "Everyone is doing just fine. You're still the old scholar, and I'm still the drunkard. How did you suddenly pass the imperial examination?"

How is this still playing?

"I'm already this old, who knows how many more years I have left to live? Your Majesty is still young, but it's enough to see the Ming Dynasty reach its zenith."

As he spoke, Wen Zhengming picked up his wine cup and drank it all in one gulp.

"If the teacher wishes to participate in the imperial examination, I can speak to His Majesty on his behalf. The imperial examination cheating case of that year was a miscarriage of justice."

Zhou Chu said this while helping Xiao Xuwei next to him pick up some food.

Tang Bohu shook his head upon hearing this.

Ten years ago, or before going to Prince Ning, Tang Bohu might have wanted to realize his ambitions.

But now Tang Bohu is over fifty years old. On the one hand, he has lost the ambition he had back then. On the other hand, Tang Bohu is very clear about his own faults: arrogance and conceit. Once he gains power, he doesn't know how many people he will offend.

If it were just Tang Bohu alone, Tang Bohu wouldn't care; offending someone is fine. But once Tang Bohu re-entered officialdom, he was well aware that he carried an indelible label: Zhou Chu's teacher.

At that time, the people Tang Bohu offended would be the same people Zhou Chu offended. Tang Bohu did not want to cause trouble for Zhou Chu for no reason, nor did he want to become Zhou Chu's weakness in the court, allowing others to attack his student for no reason.

Moreover, thanks to Zhou Chu, Tang Bohu is now famous throughout the world, and his paintings are extremely rare. Tang Bohu is satisfied with everything he does, and he also has a genius son, Xu Wei.

Although Xu Wei is only five years old, he has already shown remarkable talent. Tang Bohu's current priority is to nurture Xu Wei into a successful person.

"Let's forget about it. My temperament is not suitable for officialdom. On the other hand, Zhengming is extremely calm and experienced. Although he is a bit lacking in interpersonal skills, he won't offend anyone."

As Tang Bohu spoke, he picked up his wine cup, clinked it with Wen Zhengming's, and then drank it all in one gulp.

"With your personality, you are indeed prone to offending people. Back when you first passed the imperial examination, you spent your days drinking and behaving recklessly in brothels, showing no respect for scholars. I even tried to advise you about this, but you replied with a letter that thoroughly insulted me."

Wen Zhengming was also slightly tipsy at this point, and said...

"Don't mention it. I was young and reckless back then, otherwise I wouldn't have done such a stupid thing. It's good that you, my brother, are magnanimous and don't hold it against me."

Upon hearing this, Tang Bohu reluctantly poured himself a cup of wine and picked it up.

"As your elder brother, I will punish myself with a cup of wine."

As Tang Bohu spoke, he raised his cup, and the wine inside instantly entered his mouth.

Tang Bohu's self-punishment with this cup was not unnecessary. Because of this incident, he and Wen Zhengming lost contact for many years until they reconciled in the seventh or eighth year of the Zhengde reign. Not long after that, Tang Bohu went to the Prince of Ning's residence.

Zhou Chu didn't interrupt the conversation between Tang Bohu and Wen Zhengming. It was a matter between the two old friends, and Zhou Chu, as their student, could just listen from the sidelines.

Looking at Xu Wei in front of him, Zhou Chu finally understood what others meant by "spirit."

Although Xu Wei was only five years old at the time, he was full of spirit and looked different from other children, which made Zhou Chu like him no matter how he looked at him.

No wonder a certain Peking Opera prodigy in his previous life was snatched away by his teacher, who even prevented him from seeing his parents.

Such a gifted child is rare in this world.

"This child is exceptionally bright; your judgment is truly remarkable."

Tang Bohu looked at Xu Wei and couldn't help but praise him.

With such a son, Tang Bohu had no other thoughts but how to cultivate Xu Wei into a talented person.

"Since you two are in the capital right now, let this kid learn calligraphy from me for a while."