Yu Mingjing walked with hurried steps. Gongsun Zhi saw him and quickly stood up, "Young Master!"
Yu Mingjing nodded slightly and sat down in the main seat. "My father left last night. Have all arrangements been made?"
"Indeed. The Duke has been planning for over half a month. Our informant received news that the culprits are hiding in Niujia Village outside the city," Gongsun Zhi stated truthfully without any concealment.
"Is the information reliable? Could it be that the culprits deliberately exposed their whereabouts?" Yu Mingjing held his tea but did not drink, his gaze fixed on Gongsun Zhi.
"The Duke has used this informant for many years, so it should be reliable."
"Sir, have you considered that with several days of heavy snowfall, it would be difficult for our men to conceal their tracks? Since the culprits have been hiding for so long, why would they suddenly reveal their location?"
Gongsun Zhi's eyes widened in alarm. Last night, upon receiving the news, he had also advised the Duke to be cautious. However, the Duke was eager to resolve the matter, claiming to have dealt with these culprits for months and understood them well. He had then rushed off with a few guards.
If the culprits were indeed luring them into a trap, then the Duke... Gongsun Zhi's face changed drastically.
"I will immediately take the Duke's token and ask Lord Song to dispatch troops for assistance," Gongsun Zhi said quickly.
Yu Mingjing nodded, "That is a most prudent course of action, Sir."
Sweat beaded on Gongsun Zhi's forehead. He dared not accept the credit. He cupped his hands and said, "Young Master's mind is meticulous. I am ashamed."
Yu Mingjing reached out and supported Gongsun Zhi's arm, "I dare not accept such praise from you, Sir."
Today's events were largely thanks to Yue'er. If not for her reminder, he would not have inquired. As he was not yet in office, he could not interfere in court affairs.
Yu Mingjing had been invited to a poetry gathering today, and his delay meant he arrived last.
"Young Master Yu, openly late! Should you be punished with three cups of wine and a poem?" Gu Tingyun, who was closest to Yu Mingjing, said.
The others joined in the teasing.
Gu Tingyun's father was the Minister of Personnel in the Great Wei, highly regarded and powerful.
Gu Tingyun was arrogant and looked down on many, but he was genuinely good friends with Yu Mingjing.
Yu Mingjing did not show any embarrassment. He remained open and magnanimous, smiling as he said, "I deserve punishment today. I have specifically brought fine wine to apologize to everyone."
"Young Master Yu is indeed generous. However, the fine wine is not for you," Gu Tingyun said, snatching the entire jar of wine away.
Yu Mingjing drank three cups of wine as punishment and composed a timely poem, after which the matter was settled.
"Young Master Yu, today I will introduce you to a new friend. This is Xie Jiayan, the son of my father's old friend. Jiayan, this is the Young Master of Duke Dingguo, Yu Mingjing. The renowned Cui Jiulang of the Great Wei is his maternal uncle." Gu Tingyun introduced them.
"Brother Mingjing," Xie Jiayan cupped his hands and greeted him.
"Brother Jiayan!" Yu Mingjing replied with a smile.
Yu Mingjing was clearly the backbone of this group. His arrival livened up the atmosphere.
"Young Master Yu, you are fashionably late. Shall we have you set the theme for today's poetry gathering? What do you say, everyone?" said Mo Songwei, the eldest grandson of the Grand Secretary.
"I agree!"
"Agree!"
The others echoed their assent.
Yu Mingjing did not hesitate. He stood up and recited, "Heavenly Mountain flying snow passes, said to be falling blossoms in the morning. Pity it does not accompany me, drifting forlornly with the wind. Pure and clean, it adorns the white silk, mixed and falling from branches. When will the good times be found? We see beauty fade away while sitting!"
"Good, what a fine line, 'we see beauty fade away while sitting.' Young Master Yu is indeed a worthy disciple of Master Zi'an."
Upon hearing the name Master Zi'an, Xie Jiayan looked at Yu Mingjing. So it was him.
Then, several others composed poems on the theme of snow. Their verses were neat and ornate, but none matched the grandeur of Yu Mingjing's poem.
Yu Mingjing was not only skilled in zither, chess, calligraphy, and painting, but also proficient in archery and martial arts. He knew everything popular among the young men in the capital.