Zhou Yang was the most intelligent person in the dormitory. Seeing Qiao Chen’s reaction, the corners of his lips curled up. He smiled and immediately explained, “Young Master Wen didn’t come over today. His family called him for a meal. He asked me to tell you that he wanted to congratulate you on winning the award.”

In fact, only Zhou Yang would know whether Wen Ziyu had even said this or not. It was just a formality in front of Qiao Chen.

Qiao Chen had invited the people from Fu Ge’s dorm mainly because she wanted Wen Ziyu to come. In the end, the person she wanted didn’t come, and the people she didn’t want all came. Her eyes darkened, and her reaction was quick. She immediately hid her disappointment and said gently, “Mm, it’s fine. Family matters are important. Brother Fu, go in and sit. I’ll come and find you later.”

Fu Ge didn’t notice the change in her emotions. He nodded and informed Zhou Yang and the rest before entering.

…

When Fu Ge and his friends arrived, Shen Jingyan was greeting the others. He had just arranged for a few guests when he turned around and found Qiao Chen.

He asked with a serious expression, “I saw Fu Ge just now. Isn’t Young Master Wen from their dormitory here?”

Shen Jingyan had heard Wei Ling mention that Fu Ge knew Young Master Wen from the Wen Family and that they were on good terms. As soon as he saw Fu Ge, he thought of this and came over to ask her.

Hearing this, Qiao Chen turned awkward for a moment. Her hands that were hanging by her sides clenched tightly, but her expression did not seem strange. She answered obediently, “No. I think he has some family matters to attend to. They have a meal together.”

“Oh, I see.” Shen Jingyan asked casually, not particularly caring if Wen Ziyu came or not.

To him, it would be a wonderful thing that the Wen Family could attend Qiao Chen’s apprenticeship banquet. But it was not a big deal if they couldn’t come. Besides, Qiao Chen had also said that he did have something on in the afternoon.

Shen Jingyan didn’t think too much about it. He raised his eyes and looked into the banquet hall. Then, he turned around and said to them, “I bumped into Mr. Huang and the others downstairs.”

“Mr. Huang?” Wei Ling wasn’t interested in the topic of Wen Ziyu that the two of them were talking about. She was from a prestigious family, and the Wei family was not inferior to the Wen family. She wouldn’t go so far as to bow down to a junior of the Wen family. Whether Wen Ziyu came or not was not a loss to her.

But Mr. Huang was different.

Mr. Huang’s status in Beijing was comparable to Nie Mi’s. He was also one of the most influential people in the academic world.

His status was much higher than Liang Lu’s!

Everyone in Beijing wanted to rope in this master.

Her first reaction was to frown and then look surprised. She asked him, “Why would Mr. Huang come to the Imperial Mansion?”

“To eat, I suppose.” Shen Jingyan pursed his lips. Mentioning this, his expression became even more solemn. It could be seen how much he valued this. “Other than Mr. Huang, I also saw someone else.”

Someone else?

Wei Ling asked subconsciously, “Who?”

“Wen Ruxia.” Shen Jingyan’s voice was faint.

Wei Ling couldn’t help but stand up straight. It was obvious that she cared about this.

Wen Ziyu was just a junior in the Wen Family, but Wen Ruxia was in the same generation as them and could be considered a powerful figure in the Wen Family.

She was alerted. “The Wen Family is here too?”

Shen Jingyan was her husband, so how could he not know what she was thinking? He continued unhurriedly, “Apart from the Wen Family, I also saw Master Nie and Qin Chulang.”

Wei Ling was speechless.

If Wen Ruxia had already surprised her enough, then the presence of Nie Mi and the Qin family made her even more confused.