Chapter 22: He left behind the only book that belonged to him

After the two baskets of osmanthus flowers were dried, it was already midnight, and Jiang Si returned to the main room.

Xie Yunshuo had returned to his study to sleep, and the book he had just read was still left on the table on the kang.

Jiang Si passed by, picked it up and flipped through it.

This is a history book and miscellaneous talks about the Battle of Hulao Pass in the Tang Dynasty. It is neither new nor old and looks like it has been read many times.

There are annotations circled in red ink on it. The handwriting is vigorous and elegant, yet quite well-formed, like a swimming dragon, with the style of a master of cursive script.

Jiang Si was just taking a casual look at it, but when she saw the red-ink notes, she became curious and flipped through a few more pages.

"Narrow terrain is vulnerable to night attacks, while wide terrain allows troops to split into two groups, feigning disruption and launching surprise attacks on the rear."

“The use of troops lies not in their elite strength and bravery, but in their obedience and cooperation.”

Under the various viewpoints in the book, the annotations include those that Xie Yunshuo agreed with, learned from, and highlighted, as well as his own opinions that differ from what is written in the book.

After reading a few sentences, Jiang Si discovered that the nobleman who had seemed so arrogant to her before actually had real talent and was a natural born military commander.

There is no first in literature, and no second in martial arts.

The modesty and prudence of the scholars she admired were inappropriate for a military commander. If a military commander lacked confidence in himself, how could he defeat an enemy and lead his troops to defend against them?

Just looking at Xie Yunshuo's comment, we can see that the most important thing in leading troops is obedience, which shows that he is very confident in his use of troops.

He doesn't need others to give him advice, he just needs others to cooperate with him and obey his orders.

The most taboo thing is that the generals give orders, but the soldiers under them act on their own accord and ruin the whole thing.

Xie Yunshuo's boldness and self-confidence are fully displayed in his comments.

Although Jiang Si did not approve of his personality, there was indeed nothing wrong with him in terms of using troops.

It is said that he has not taken the military examination yet because he wanted to wait until he was older, join the army to gain more experience, and win the championship in one fell swoop.

Jiang Si put down the book and her impression of Xie Yunshuo changed a little.

From the Osmanthus Shaking Helper to the Osmanthus Shaking Helper with nice-looking handwriting.

After putting the book down, she changed people: "Youlu, take this book back to his study. He has moved all his things out, leaving the main room to me. It's better for him to keep his book with him, so that he won't have to trouble me if he loses it."

You Lu pursed his lips, not daring to speak: "Yes."

She took the book away and quickly took it to the study in the back.

Although Jiang Si was picking osmanthus flowers under the porch outside today, she did not miss the sight of the main wife packing up her things.

Those servants were coming in and out carrying boxes to the study, what was there not clear about?

Xie Yunshuo was sensible. After he decorated the study and bedroom, he took away all his things from the main room.

This approach pleased Jiang Si very much.

The two of them lived in separate rooms, keeping to themselves, and she was happy and free.

Furthermore, after Xie Yunshuo's things were taken away, the main house, which was so big and could be divided into four rooms from the east room to the west room, belonged to her alone, and it was quite spacious and comfortable.

Jiang Si's things can be laid out and placed freely, and she can also add another table to the dressing table in the bedroom to make it more spacious and convenient.

Jiang Si was thinking about how to occupy Xie Yunshuo's main room as much as possible. The wardrobe in Xie Yunshuo's room was big enough to hold three seasons of her clothes.

She walked around the room, which was empty except for the furnishings, twice, and became more and more satisfied. Then, after a quick wash, she climbed onto the soft and fragrant big wedding bed and slept alone in the middle of the bed again.

Beside the bed there are two branches of osmanthus flowers that Ningshuang had cut today and inserted them in a green-glazed vase, emitting bursts of faint fragrance.

Jiang Si smiled and closed her eyes in satisfaction.

If she had known that Xie Yunshuo would live in a separate room from her after marriage and that she would live in the main house, Jiang Si would not have had to worry for so long.

Right now, except for the fact that her parents, brothers and sisters are not around, life in the general's mansion is better than she expected for the time being.

It’s great that the mother-in-law doesn’t make things difficult for her, Xie Yunshuo gives in, and lets her do whatever she wants.

On the other side, You Lu took the book that Xie Yunshuo dropped to the study.

At this time, Jiaoshan was guarding outside. The young master had not yet gone to bed in the room. Several lamps were lit and he had someone arrange the wardrobe and couch. Jiaoshan asked Youlu, "What's the matter, Madam?"

You Lu picked up the book and said softly, "My lady asked me to return the book that the eldest son left in the main room." She handed the book over with both hands.

Jiaoshan glanced down and saw that it was the history book that the young master was studying. He had just been reading it in the main room, but had put it aside and didn't take it back.

He guessed that the young master probably expected to stay in the main room to read tomorrow, so he didn't touch it.

The young master and his wife will have a whole day together tomorrow. His wife will prepare osmanthus flowers and make pear juice and rock sugar, so the young master can stay in the main room and read.

The desk in the study is naturally not as soft and comfortable as the couch.

But the lady sent her maid to bring the book back...

"Thank you, Miss Youlu." Jiaoshan took the book and agreed, but he didn't know how to deliver it.

Should I report the truth to the young master, or should I let it in first and talk about it tomorrow, so as not to upset the young master?

He hesitated when Xie Yunshuo's brief question came from inside the room: "What's the matter?"

Jiaoshan lowered his head and quickly pushed the door open to report.

Xie Yunshuo had already changed into his pajamas and had his hair loosened. After cutting the candles, only one light was left in the room. Xie Yunshuo stood tall and graceful, his face hidden in the darkness.

His tall figure was so imposing that even just standing there quietly made people feel uneasy.

Jiaoshan didn't dare to hide anything, so he handed over the book and said truthfully, "Madam asked the maid to bring the book over."

Xie Yunshuo didn't say anything for a long time, nor did he take the book.

Everyone serving in the room knew that he was in a bad mood, and no one dared to say anything.

Xie Yunshuo didn't mind, he just remained silent. However, having a book sent back made him feel a little helpless, but it was actually no big deal and didn't lead to any emotions.

Afterwards, Xie Yunshuo returned to the inner room without saying a word, lay down and fell asleep, but he kept his eyes closed for a long time, and a thought still lingered in his mind.

After tossing and turning without success, he reluctantly sat up, supporting his forehead, and saw all kinds of disgusted looks from Jiang Si appearing before his eyes.

It's just a book placed on the kang table, is it really not something she likes?

If it took up some of her space or was an eyesore to her, she would specially send someone to deliver it to the study.

Originally, that was his main room, and he could put a book anywhere. But now it only occupies a corner of the kang table, and he was even kicked out.

Xie Yunshuo didn't know how to describe his mood. He felt depressed and uncomfortable.

But this frustration is so small that it is not enough to complain to others, so I can only tuck it into my heart and digest it alone.

Strangely enough, Xie Yunshuo used to think that he was just a little stiff, but his temper was pretty good.

But after meeting Jiang Si, he found that she could always provoke his emotions.

Strangely enough, whenever he felt himself becoming agitated, she made him realize that he was actually quite patient.

After thinking about this, Xie Yunshuo came out of his strange boredom, lay down and fell asleep, no longer thinking about the book.

For some reason, he never thought of a possibility from beginning to end - Jiang Si returned the book because she thought he would need it.

Based on the friction and clashes between the two people accumulated over the years and his understanding of her, Xie Yunshuo knew clearly that Jiang Si did not return the book out of kindness.

Xie Yunshuo’s feeling was correct.

Although they didn't get along, his understanding of Jiang Si was even more accurate than some of her friends.

She had no good intentions towards him, she was just cruel and wanted to stay away from him and have nothing to do with him.

Even though her opinion of him had changed a bit, it still couldn't shake Jiang Si's preconception of the relationship between them.

Although she is his wife, she will never be a bird in a cage, and her heart will always be driven by her own will.

If the book is an eyesore, send it back to him.

Anyway, he was the one who wanted to take away everything, so she naturally had to help him.

Jiang Si fell asleep very quickly. The thought of the book only existed in her mind for a short time, and she had no consciousness to imagine how Xie Yunshuo would feel after she had someone deliver the book.

This time she slept even more soundly than the previous night, and the fragrance of osmanthus flowers entered her dreams.

Jiang Si dreamed that the osmanthus cakes she made, the osmanthus wine she brewed, and the osmanthus honey she cooked were all very successful.

It was golden and fragrant. I sent some home and my parents ate a lot of it.

Because she was worried, she woke up early and Wuchan didn't come to wake her up yet.

She opened her eyes by herself, stretched out on the bed for a while, and then rubbed her scalp, wrists, and cheeks to maintain her beauty.

Compared with many noble ladies in the capital, and even with her own friends, Jiang Si was not considered to be pampered or picky in her daily life.

She is more casual and relaxed. She is firm and unwavering about the things that are important to her, and is casual and free-spirited about the things that she thinks are unimportant.

The people waiting outside heard some movement inside. Wu Chan stood behind the screen and asked softly, "Is the Madam awake?"

Jiang Si said loudly, "Get up early and go say good morning to your parents. You'll have things to do when you get back."

After finishing all the things she needed to do after waking up, Jiang Si got up refreshed, dressed herself up, and went to see if the osmanthus flowers that she had dried last night had become damp again.

She had done a lot of things here when Xie Yunshuo got up in the study.

Perhaps he was choked by something last night, and he couldn't fall asleep for a long time.

The new bed in the study was much better than sleeping on the couch, but it was still not as good as the bed I was used to sleeping on in the main room.

The unfamiliarity makes it hard to relax.

Xie Yunshuo decided that if he had nothing to do today, he would go to the martial arts field to practice, to tire his body out and clear his mind, so as to help him fall asleep quickly tonight.

As soon as he got up and put on his clothes, Jiang Si's maid came outside the room again.

Jiao Shan entered the room and said, "My dear, Madam asked if you have finished packing up. You should go to Zhixingzhai to pay your respects as soon as possible."

Xie Yunshuo was surprised. When did she get up?

Jiang Si was busy so late last night and went to bed late, but she was so active that she came to urge him at the beginning of the morning.

He originally thought that she was lazy and spoiled. Yesterday she took a long time to get up. Today she was so active, it was probably because she was in a good mood and slept well at night.

How could she not be happy? He took away all his belongings from the main room and made it available for her to live alone, which was exactly what Jiang Si wanted.

She should have wished she had nothing to do with him.

When Xie Yunshuo thought about how happy Jiang Si was, which was exactly the same as him, he felt a little depressed.