CHAPTER 195: CHAPTER 195: PRINCE KANG

Once Jiang Youzhi finished breakfast and went upstairs with Ah Hu to retrieve the box, they headed to Prince Kang Mansion.

At the mansion’s rear gate, Jiang Youzhi said to the gatekeeper servant, "I’m here to see Housekeeper Wang; we made an appointment yesterday."

The servant glanced at the two, "Wait here," and went inside to report.

Soon, the servant returned, "Housekeeper Wang is busy right now. You should wait in the flower hall."

Jiang Youzhi and Ah Hu followed the servant. The servant looked back at them, "Remember, don’t let your eyes wander inside, and don’t offend the nobles."

"Also, if you meet a noble person, quickly kneel down."

Jiang Youzhi and Ah Hu remained silent as they walked.

They arrived at the flower hall, where a maid served tea and then withdrew.

After waiting for some time, Housekeeper Wang finally arrived.

He hurriedly entered and asked, "Did you bring the item?"

Jiang Youzhi nodded and pointed to the bundle on Ah Hu’s back.

Housekeeper Wang waved, "Follow me, the Prince wants to see this ginseng himself."

Housekeeper Wang led the two through several gates into a courtyard.

The group entered a hall and saw a young man in his twenties seated at the head of the hall.

Jiang Youzhi and Ah Hu entered and greeted with a hand gesture, "Greetings to the Prince."

Housekeeper Wang immediately scolded, "Don’t you know manners? Why don’t you kneel before the Prince?"

Jiang Youzhi calmly replied, "As a scholar, I am exempt from kneeling."

Housekeeper Wang looked at Ah Hu, who smirked at him, "I hold a seventh-rank military position, so I also need not kneel."

Housekeeper Wang was momentarily speechless and looked towards Prince Kang.

Prince Kang scrutinized Jiang Youzhi and Ah Hu.

Jiang Youzhi stood ahead, while Ah Hu was half a step behind.

Clearly, Ah Hu held a subordinate position.

Upon closer inspection, Jiang Youzhi was strikingly handsome, with an undeniable air of proud elegance.

Prince Kang, who enjoyed associating with promising young talents, gauged Jiang Youzhi’s worth and then warmly stood up, saluting him, "Forgive me, Scholar Jiang, please have a seat."

Jiang Youzhi sat down as invited, while Ah Hu intuitively stood behind him.

Prince Kang instructed Housekeeper Wang, "Go and call Doctor Zhou."

Housekeeper Wang accepted the order and left.

Only then did Prince Kang say, "I happen to be free today and intend to examine this ginseng personally."

"I have never seen wild ginseng over three hundred years old."

Jiang Youzhi then rose and signaled to Ah Hu.

Ah Hu untied the bundle and placed it on a table in the middle of the room. Jiang Youzhi opened the bundle and gently unveiled the box.

Prince Kang walked to the table and stared at the ginseng for a long time. Just as he was about to speak, Housekeeper Wang announced from outside, "Doctor Zhou has arrived."

Prince Kang raised a hand, "Quickly let him in."

When Doctor Zhou entered, Prince Kang pointed at the ginseng on the table, "I was quite worried about my mother’s birthday gift when I encountered this ginseng."

"Look carefully and tell me if this is genuine."

About forty-something years old, Doctor Zhou’s eyes lit up upon seeing the ginseng.

He then started studying it around the table.

He craned his neck towards the ginseng, examining it closely for a long time, and then asked Jiang Youzhi, "May I take it out for a closer look?"

Jiang Youzhi nodded, "Of course, please do."

The ginseng’s roots were very long, and Doctor Zhou cautiously lifted it by the top, fearful of breaking the roots.

He examined the ginseng thoroughly for a long while before carefully placing it down and saluting Prince Kang, "Prince, this indeed appears to be genuine wild ginseng."

"The age of over three hundred years seems authentic as well."

Prince Kang smiled and asked, "Oh, did you examine it carefully?"