Chapter 556 A Dream of Youth 88

Xie Qi followed his father out, looking completely bewildered. He then jogged up to Xie Wangzhi, stopping half a step behind him. "Father, what do you mean by that? Hasn't Bao'er been studying medicine all this time?"

"But that's just our support for her to study medicine. When she grows up, worldly constraints will hold her back. I actually wanted to send that wolf cub away at first because some of its symbolism was not good for our family and was only suitable for royalty."

But I don't want to show off my treasures...

But Bao'er likes it, so perhaps this can pave the way for Bao'er.

A woman, especially a young girl, poses no threat.

Xie Qi barely understood half of it. "Father, what is the meaning behind the white wolf?"

Xie Wangzhi paused, his eyes narrowing slightly. "Go back and read through Wei Shu. You'll have to take a test when you're on vacation."

Xie Qi: ? ? ? ! ! !

He was genuinely just curious! How did he manage to step on his father's sore spot again?!

Xie Ning followed from behind and couldn't help but laugh when he saw Xie Qi jumping up and down. Xie Qi didn't know history well, so it was no wonder that Xie Wangzhi made him review it again.

"Brother."

"What's wrong?"

Xie Qi straightened up, showing no trace of his comical jumping up and down just moments before.

"Here you go." It's the small bow that Deng Yin just had Chen Yunsheng bring back.

Xie Qi's eyes widened slightly as he looked at the magnificent bow and arrow. His nose inexplicably stung, and he lifted Xie Ning up and began to spin him around.

"Bao'er—how can you be so good to me!"

Xie Ning kicked her short legs with a blank expression; she was just trying to coax the child.

That night, as Xie Wangzhi and Chen Wanniang were sleeping in their room, they kept talking about it, "Wanniang, do you think Bao'er will blame me for not raising her like other young ladies from prominent families?"

Chen Wanniang was very tired. She had been out shopping all day and was exhausted, but she still mustered her energy to chat with Xie Wangzhi.

"How could that be? You yourself said that Bao'er is precocious. Although we as parents do need to consider her needs more and help her avoid some setbacks, we cannot choose the path she has to take."

Just like when she took off her silk dress and put on plain clothes to sell goods, she never regretted her choice.

Are you worried about her future marriage prospects?

Xie Wangzhi, whose thoughts had been exposed, silently turned away from Chen Wanniang.

"You always overthink things."

Chen Wanniang leaned to the side, propped her head up, and poked someone's lower back. "Even the smartest person can't do everything perfectly. Besides, Bao'er is still young. Why are you thinking so far ahead? Nobody can predict what will happen in the future. Just ask yourself, are you willing to marry Bao'er off to a distant place?"

With his personality, he'll only feel at ease if he catches his daughter and son-in-law right under his nose when the results are announced.

"Why marry so far away? We can't take care of her. If Bao'er is bullied, we can't even stand up for her."

Chen Wanniang gave a soft hum; she knew it.

"Then you should work hard to get promoted, otherwise you won't be able to protect him even if he's right under your nose. Besides, Qi'er is getting old now, and in another two or three years it'll be time for him to get married..."

A higher official position would also help Xie Qi find a wife who would be a great asset. It's not that she looks down on women from lower social classes than her own family; after all, everything depends on first impressions.

If the woman comes from a family of similar or higher social standing, she is more literate, and the couple will get along better.

Xie Wangzhi did not report the matter between Xie Ning and Bai Lang directly to his superior. Instead, he released some ambiguous information and waited until it had been widely circulated before informing his superior and bringing it up at the Grand Court Assembly.

For minor officials like them, attending court was only required on the first and fifteenth of the lunar month; the rest of the time they diligently worked at their posts.

The current emperor is very young, only in his early twenties, and is at the prime of his life to govern diligently. After hearing Xie Wangzhi's account of the auspicious omens, he couldn't help but burst into laughter.

"White Wolf?"

"yes."

Xie Wangzhi lowered his head slightly and recounted the plague in Quanzhou and his experience at Xiangguo Temple with great respect, mentioning Xie Ning especially frequently.

The adults, who had been frowning, relaxed. At first, they thought Xie Wangzhi wanted to offer auspicious omens to gain promotion and a higher rank, since such things were not uncommon. However, they did not like such people; in their eyes, such people were nothing more than sycophants.

I dislike it the most.

Prince Duan, standing in front, raised an eyebrow. He hadn't expected it to be Xie Wangzhi again. Thinking of that eloquent girl, Prince Duan couldn't help but step forward.

"Your Majesty, I once met Xie, the Proofreader's daughter. That child is not only virtuous but also extremely intelligent. At such a young age, she can speak eloquently. The appearance of the white wolf is not only a symbol of the prosperity and stability of the Great Zhou, but also shows that she is blessed with great fortune."

Since this child is virtuous and wishes to practice medicine and save lives, why doesn't Your Majesty grant her that wish?

Some people wanted to object, saying it disrupted etiquette and law, but the auspicious omen of the "white wolf" silenced them.

Having been examined by the emperor, Xie Ning's medical practice will not only be unhindered or slandered, but will actually be praised by everyone.

After the emperor summoned Xie Ning to the palace, Xie Wangzhi suppressed his doubts. When had his child ever seen Prince Duan?

When they got home and asked around, no one had ever seen Prince Duan.

Xie Wangzhi had no choice but to give up, and then pulled Xie Ning and Chen Wanniang aside to explain the affairs of the palace in detail, because the emperor had ordered him to bring his wife and daughters into the palace.

Xie Ning only heard that Emperor Zhou had lost three sons, and couldn't help but sigh that children in ancient times were indeed prone to early death, but she didn't know the truth.