Jiang Shaoxing's hand, hidden in his sleeve, twitched slightly. He nodded in agreement and then asked, "How did Miss Zhu know about my father?"
Zhu Jiayu pursed her lips, smiled at him, and said, "I've heard others mention you, and I've heard your name, so I asked."
This smile was different from the smile he had shown to Xi Huan before. The previous smile contained nothing more than politeness and courtesy, but this one had more sincerity.
Xi Huan stared blankly, unable to see clearly, while Jiang Shaoxing couldn't help but want to burst into tears. He had seen such laughter in his dreams before.
Later, the woman in the dream, before she died, also smiled at him in the crowd now.
But even now, he still doesn't know whether she really saw him.
He smiled as he recalled what the woman in front of him had said: "In that case, my sister and I are quite destined to be together."
Despite saying this, he harbored doubts about her words: his father was merely a minor censor, with neither wealth nor reputation, and his name would certainly not be known in the capital.
Zhu Jiayu, however, was completely unaware of his thoughts. She simply sighed wistfully, "Yes, perhaps I do have some kind of destiny with you, young master."
Xi Huan tugged at Jiang Shaoxing, then cupped his hands to Zhu Jiayu and said, "A-Xing and I have other matters to attend to today. We'll invite Sister Zhu out for tea another day when we have time. Please don't refuse me, Sister."
Zhu Jiayu nodded and smiled lightly: "Of course. Since Ahuan and Young Master Jiang have something to attend to, you should go quickly."
After she finished speaking, Jiang Shaoxing said seriously, "Why is my sister showing favoritism? You call him A-Huan, but why do you call me Young Master Jiang?"
The boy's eyes were clear, as if they held the green mountains and bright moon, spring dreams and autumn clouds.
Zhu Jiayu was taken aback for a moment, then readily called him, "A-Xing".
Her eyes were slightly moist, and she cherished it dearly.
Jiang Shaoxing, completely unaware of what was happening, nodded and left with Xi Huan.
After the two had walked away, Zhu Jiayu pursed her lips and walked forward with her maid. After a while, she asked the maid beside her, "Where is that young master Huan from earlier in the manor?"
The maid said, "Besides Young Master Huan, there are no other young ladies or gentlemen in the manor."
Zhu Jiayu nodded and sighed, "The son of Imperial Censor Jiang is indeed remarkably composed. I thought a young man of his age would have some youthful impetuosity, but I never expected him to be so aloof."
The maid thought for a while, and while walking gracefully through the flowers and willows, she explained to Zhu Jiayu, "Actually, Young Master Jiang wasn't like this before. I can't remember which year it was, but he had a serious illness, and after he recovered, he became like this."
Zhu Jiayu nodded.
In this life, Ah Xing is different from his previous life.
She still remembered that in her past life, Ah Xing always had a dissolute appearance, completely unlike his father, who was intelligent, virtuous, and loyal. Instead, he spent his days fighting cocks and chasing dogs. Although he read the books of sages and recited "to establish a heart for heaven and earth, and to establish a destiny for the people," she knew that he had not taken these words to heart at all.
He was the most carefree young master on Yong'an Street in Yujing City, needing neither to consider how Heaven and Earth gave him his birth nor to understand the Taoist principles of the interplay between safety and danger. In his truly carefree youth, indulging in cockfighting and dog racing, he knew neither the safety nor the danger of Heaven and Earth.
But now, he was completely different. His usual smile was gone, so much so that she didn't recognize him at first glance. She didn't know if this change was good or bad, but this time, she would definitely protect the Jiang family and protect him.
...
"Miss Zhu, so you've been here all along! I've been looking for you for ages."
Zhu Jiayu and her maid were tired from walking and were resting in a small pavilion by the pond when they heard a woman's voice behind them. She turned around and saw another maid from Madam Xi's side. She stood up and asked with a smile, "Sister, were you looking for me? Did Aunt say she was going back to the manor?"
“Miss Zhu is indeed intelligent,” the maid replied.
The three of them then walked back together. When they arrived at the hall, Zhu Jiayu and Xiao Wan bid farewell to Madam Xi. Once in the carriage, Xiao Wan saw the sandalwood box on the table, pushed it towards Zhu Jiayu, and said, "Take this with you when we go back later."
Zhu Jiayu was stunned: "Auntie?"
Xiao Wan smiled and said, "Don't be fooled by them. This was originally a gift for you when we met. I just asked them to give it to you today under the guise of a lucky draw. Keep it."
Zhu Jiayu smiled and nodded, her eyes crinkling. "Then Ayu will respectfully accept your offer."
Seeing that she accepted it generously, Xiao Wan said, "There's one more thing. I suppose you already know who my adoptive parents are, right?"
Zhu Jiayu gave a soft "hmm".
It was the couple, Grand Tutor Xiao and his wife, who were in office at the beginning of the Hongping era. By the fourteenth year of the Hongping era, Grand Tutor Xiao had retired due to old age, and Chang Beiqiu had succeeded him.
Xiao Wan said, "I was raised by my father and mother for more than ten years. Now that I am married and pregnant, my parents have been childless for more than ten years. After I get married, it will be even more difficult for them to have children. So I thought that since you have come to Yujing, you should visit the Xiao residence often and fulfill your filial duties on my behalf. What do you think?"
This was her true purpose in bringing her brother and niece to Yujing. She hadn't known before, but now that she knew her background, she naturally wanted to support her family. Moreover, she had already tested her niece's character today. Her niece was steady and measured in her actions, not a hopeless case. And although her brother lacked ambition, he was also a peaceful person.
She felt very comfortable with them getting close to their adoptive parents.
She had no other thoughts besides hoping that her niece could spend more time with her elderly adoptive parents, and also hoping to use the Xiao family's connections to find a good marriage for her niece.
There wasn't much she could do for her niece, but this was something she could manage.
Seeing that she remained silent, Xiao Wan simply revealed her intentions in their entirety. Finally, she said, "Even if you have no interest in matters of romance and marriage, or even if you have someone in your heart but simply do not wish to express your feelings to us elders, it doesn't matter. Your frequent interactions with the Xiao family will, in any case, be more beneficial than harmful."
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