Chapter 61 Ziheng, come and help your sister

The private room was silent for a moment.

Wen Xingluo sat next to the old concubine, his eyes on her nose and his nose on his heart.

The Zhenbei Palace is not an ordinary family.

But her eldest brother directly called her grandmother and father. Those who didn't know would think that he was the son of the Zhenbei Palace.

Wen Yueyin was not polite and bowed immediately, "Yueyue greets grandmother and father."

The old concubine had a bad impression of them, so she ignored them.

Xie Jing was very polite to them because they were both Wei Si's children. "Your mother is not feeling well and can't stand the wind, so she didn't come to watch the dragon boat race. If you have time, go visit her at the palace. Maybe you can cheer her up."

Wen Rufeng said respectfully, "Father is right. Mother gave us life, and we, as her children, must be filial to her."

"That's true." Xie Jing stroked his beautiful beard and asked with concern, "Do you have enough pocket money? Your mother married me, so I am your stepfather and have the obligation to take care of you. If you don't have enough money, you can tell me."

Wen Rufeng and Wen Yue were secretly happy.

Wen Yueyin said softly, "Father, my father's salary is just so-so, and the monthly allowance he gives us is barely enough to get by."

Wen Rufeng was still thinking about Wen Xingluo's monthly allowance, so he said, "I heard that my younger sister gets five taels of silver every month in the palace. I'm sorry that she's been so extravagant, and I've cost you a lot. As her eldest brother, I apologize to you on her behalf."

He bowed solemnly.

Xie Guanlan looked out the window and suddenly laughed out loud.

Xie Jing coughed lightly and said, "I have a hundred taels of silver here. You can share it with your brothers and sisters. Buy some writing brushes, inkstones, and some clothes."

One hundred taels of silver...

Wen Rufeng and Wen Yueyin looked at the banknotes he handed over with their eyes shining.

Wen Rufeng suppressed the urge to reach out and take it, and said modestly, "Father, my sister and I have come here specifically to pay our respects to you. We have no other intentions."

"Yes," Wen Yueyin said softly, "Although I haven't read many books, I know the truth that 'money is like dirt, but kindness and righteousness are worth a thousand gold'. How can you take other people's money casually when you are away from home? My eldest brother and I accept father's concern, but as for this one hundred taels of silver, I'm sorry, we dare not accept it!"

Wen Rufeng bowed and said, "Father, please help us clear our name!"

The brother and sister have a good understanding.

According to their understanding of Xie Jing, this man is powerful but loyal.

He would definitely be moved by their good character, and would then give them some extra money on top of the 100 taels of silver.

As expected, Xie Jing sighed, "I didn't expect you two brothers to have such integrity! But integrity can't be eaten after all. So, I will give you an extra hundred taels——"

"Father."

Just as Xie Jing was about to take out the money, Xie Guanlan suddenly spoke.

He looked at the brother and sister with a smile, "Since Mr. Wen and Miss Wen are of noble character, why do you use money to humiliate them? Father is not well-educated and doesn't know that for scholars, money is only a material possession. They must not bow down for a few grains of rice."

Xie Jing was a rough man, so he respected scholars very much.

When his eldest son Xie Guanlan was in Baihe Academy, he ranked first every year. He treated him as a descendant of his ancestors and obeyed his every word.

Hearing this, Xie Jing smiled broadly: "Look at me, a rough man like me, I had no idea that you scholars have such refinement! Fine, fine, in that case, I will not give you money anymore, so as not to tarnish your beautiful character!"

The private room was quiet.

Wen Rufeng's face turned purple.

He watched Xie Jing take back the banknotes, and he wished he could swallow back his self-righteous words!

Wen Yueyin bit her lips tightly, also showing an unwilling look on her face.

That’s one hundred taels of silver!

It’s enough for her to stock up on another batch of rice, flour, grain and oil!

She shouldn't have acted so noble in front of Xie Guanlan!

Wen Xingluo lowered his eyes and smiled.

Although I know that Xie Guanlan doesn't want the palace's money to flow into other families, I still feel relieved.

After such a commotion, Wen Rufeng and Wen Yueyin not only had no intention of leaving, but instead sat on Xie Jing's left and right.

Wen Rufeng said modestly, "I've heard that father is a master at using troops. I'd like to ask him some questions about military tactics."

Wen Yueyin followed suit, saying, "I've never been to the frontier before, and I want to hear some interesting stories from my father."

The old concubine rolled her eyes.

She patted Wen Xingluo's hand soothingly and said softly, "Ignore them."

As he said this, he winked at Nanny Chen.

Nanny Chen understood and immediately arranged for the maids to bring in a screen.

The silk gauze inlaid in the middle of the screen is very special. You can see outside from the inside, but people outside can only see inside vaguely.

Wen Xingluo was puzzled: "Grandma, what is this doing?"

The old concubine proudly flipped open a picture album. "Hasn't the marriage with the Chen family come to an end? Before the dragon boat race begins, I'll look for a new match for you. The children who will come later will all be from this album. Look, their birth dates, family backgrounds, and appearances are clearly written. Let's take our time to look at them and choose!"

The old man is over 60 years old, but his four grandsons are still unmarried.

Xie Guanlan is a stubborn person and refuses to get married no matter what.

And Xie Yanchen is a freak.

As for the third brother, he didn't know at that time which small country in the Western Regions he was living happily.

The fourth child is not old enough to get married.

Only Wen Xingluo can slightly satisfy the old man's wish.

The old man waved to Xie Guanlan again and said, "Ziheng, come over and help your sister."

The first young man who came in bowed down through the screen.

The old man pointed to the small words on the album: "Sun Tan, nineteen years old, eight feet tall, with sharp eyebrows and bright eyes, both civil and military, his father was a deputy general."

Wen Xingluo felt embarrassed.

While other girls of her age were still waiting to be married, she had already started her journey of selecting a concubine under the guidance of her grandmother.

Is this the happy life of the eldest daughter of Zhenbei Palace?

She hesitated: "Maybe... maybe I'm a little older?"

Xie Guanlan threw the black jade ring into the air and caught it casually. After a pause, he asked, "Is nineteen years old considered old?"

You are not yet twenty years old, and it is the best time to make achievements. How come you are already old?

Wen Xingluo explained, "Brother, I'm only fifteen, and he's four years older than me. Although the elders say that older people are more caring, I still think I have more common topics with people my own age."

For example, in the Zhenbei Palace, Xie Shian was the closest in age to her and they played best together.

The old concubine touched her head lovingly, "It's true that we can't find someone who is too old. If he is too old, he will age too quickly. How can we please our Ningning?"

Wen Xingluo: “…”

I always feel that there is something else behind what my grandmother says.

Xie Guanlan held the ring in his hand, half smiling, "He has to be good-looking, have noble character, be proficient in both civil and military affairs, and not be too old. According to these standards, I'm afraid Grandmother won't be able to pick a suitable person."