Chapter 49 Extra 9
The winds and sands of the borderlands for three years did not seem to wear down Xie Zhuo's edges; instead, they added a touch of untamed and fierce spirit.
His bronze skin made his features appear even more striking, a few strands of black hair fell casually across his forehead, and a half-smile played at the corners of his mouth. His dark, fitted outfit accentuated his lean and muscular physique.
The air in the tea room seemed to freeze for a moment.
Gu Qingyan's gentle smile remained unchanged, but the temperature in his eyes dropped slightly. He gently put down his teacup, his voice still calm: "So it's Cousin Xie. It's been a long time. The wind and sand are strong at the border, Cousin... you look a bit more weathered than when you were in the capital."
His tone was gentle, yet every word struck a nerve with someone.
Xie Zhuo chuckled, casually wiping his mouth with his hand, the gesture exuding a nonchalant wildness: "Not as leisurely as Cousin Gu. Even though he's getting older, he's still being pampered in the capital as meticulously as ever."
He deliberately dragged out the last syllable, his gaze sweeping meaningfully over Gu Qingyan's spotless robes and slender, clean fingers. "What, tired of staying in the capital? Want to come here and feel the wind and sand? I'm afraid my cousin's health can't handle it."
They mocked two places at once, and temporarily gained the upper hand.
"Thank you for your concern, cousin."
Gu Qingyan's smile remained unchanged, but her tone shifted, "However, I heard from my aunt that the old Duke Xie has been sending urgent letters home lately, and the entire Xie family is hoping that my cousin can return to the capital as soon as possible so that the Xie family can have more children and continue the family line."
My cousin is always staying away from home; doesn't that worry the elders?
That stab was both precise and ruthless.
Xie Zhuo's face instantly darkened, and his eyes sharpened. He snorted coldly and retorted, "Heh, as if the Gu family isn't in a hurry? I'm afraid Old Madam Gu has worried a lot about my cousin's marriage, hasn't she? The Gu family's vast fortune can't be left without a successor."
Upon hearing this, Gu Qingyan chuckled softly, his laughter carrying a genuine sense of joy and ease. He even leisurely refilled his cup of tea.
"There's no need for my cousin to worry about that."
He raised his eyes, his gaze clear and even slightly appreciative of the spectacle. "My younger sister, Qingyu, has already made it clear that she is here to find a husband, and that she will continue the Gu family line. Now, who in the capital doesn't know that our Gu family... no one can force me to do this?"
His tone was gentle, yet every word was clear, as if he were simply stating a fact, but it exuded a composure and confidence that Xie Zhuo could never match.
Xie Zhuo: "..."
He was speechless for a moment, glaring at Gu Qingyan's nonchalant expression, his back teeth almost grinding to powder.
Unfortunately, everything the other person said was true, and he couldn't even find a way to refute them.
Don't think he didn't know what the old man was thinking. He had the same idea of stalling, and he actually succeeded in stalling him!
Why doesn't he have a younger sister?
The feeling of having your own backyard on fire while watching your opponent sit back and relax is truly... incredibly frustrating!
Ling Wei sat between the two men, watching the brothers' words exchanged with sharp wit, and silently picked up her teacup.
Xie Zhuo ground his back teeth, then suddenly turned his gaze to Ling Wei, who was calmly drinking tea to the side.
He stretched out his long arm and pulled her close with remarkable ease. He lowered his head, rested his chin on her shoulder, and his voice instantly became deep and affectionate: "Weiwei, this pancake is too dry, it's choking me."
As he spoke, he took a sip of the tea from Ling Wei's hand, then leaned against her like a boneless person, casually playing with Ling Wei's fingers.
Ling Wei paused, startled by his sudden intimacy. She glanced at him sideways, her tone indulgent: "I'm talking to my cousin, don't fool around."
Even so, she didn't push him away, but just let him hang there and continued to pick up her own teacup.
Upon seeing this, Gu Qingyan, who had been calm and smiling all along, suddenly coughed softly twice, his brows furrowing slightly, as if he was feeling unwell.
Ling Wei noticed immediately and looked over with concern: "Cousin, what's wrong? Did you have a hard journey?"
Gu Qingyan slowly lowered his hand and gently shook his head: "It's alright. Perhaps it's because I'm new to the border and am not used to the local environment. I'll be fine after resting for a while."
His tone was gentle, yet it subtly revealed a hint of weakness.
Xie Zhuo couldn't stand his tone and immediately scoffed, "The border is bitterly cold, and it's certainly not as fertile as the capital. Since Cousin Gu is unwell, he should go back and recuperate as soon as possible. If he really falls ill, wouldn't that just cause trouble for Weiwei?"
These words were blunt and harsh. Upon hearing them, Ling Wei subtly reached under the table and pinched Xie Zhuo's arm, signaling him to tone it down.
For the past three years, they've played the roles of good cop and bad cop, and Ling Wei would remind Xie Zhuo whenever he went too far in playing the bad cop.
Logically, this person should have toned it down by now, but Xie Zhuo reacted extremely strongly, letting out a loud "woof," his arrogant eyes filled with grievance, like a large dog being scolded by its owner, complaining, "Weiwei...it hurts..."
He had bullied people so badly before that he was fine even when she bit his shoulder.
He even said with a pleased expression that he could go even harder. What's with being so afraid of pain now?!
Ling Wei sighed and reached out to soothe him by rubbing the spot where he had been pinched earlier: "You can't say that to my cousin."
She patiently explained, “Nowadays, simply knowing how to read and do arithmetic is far from enough. I want the children in the border region, whether they are Han Chinese or tribal children, to be able to read more profound books and understand more principles. That is why I need a teacher whose knowledge and virtue are enough to convince everyone.”
I asked His Majesty for help, but I never expected it to be my cousin who arrived.
Then, she turned to Gu Qingyan, her expression regaining its usual solemnity: "Cousin, please don't take it to heart. Your presence is a blessing for the students of the border region."
Although it was an apology on behalf of Xie Zhuo, it was clear that there was a clear distinction between them, with Xie Zhuo being grouped into Ling Wei's own group.
Gu Qingyan didn't show it on his face, but he was actually on the verge of breaking.
He suppressed his surging emotions, his voice low and hoarse: "Cousin, you flatter me. I wonder... where my accommodation is arranged?"
Seeing that he looked normal, Ling Wei felt relieved and said gently, "I have already arranged accommodations in Qingyuan, which is located on the east side of the government office. It is quiet and elegant there, and close to the school, which will be convenient for you to give lectures in the future. I will take you there to rest for a while."
Gu Qingyan was accompanied only by Cheng Shu, a servant who had followed him since childhood, who followed behind the two.
As we traveled along, the scenery of the border town was quite different from that of the capital. The streets were not wide, but they were bustling with activity.
People along the way kept greeting Ling Wei warmly.
"Good afternoon, Lord Ling!"
"Sir, is the goat milk still fresh this morning?"
One of the bolder vendors even laughed and called out to Xie Zhuo beside her, "General Xie, are you sticking to our lord again? Is the patrol ending so early today?"
Xie Zhuo was not annoyed at all. Instead, he casually picked up a bright red fruit from the fruit stall next to him, tossed down a copper coin, took a bite, and then replied, "What? Did I bother you?" He acted as if he had already become a member of the community.
A chubby-faced boy rushed over with a scream and grabbed Xie Zhuo's leg: "Brother Xie! You promised to teach me a couple of moves today!"
Xie Zhuo ruffled the child's hair with his large hand and scolded with a laugh, "You little rascal, can't you see I'm busy? We'll talk about it tomorrow!"
The child wasn't afraid at all, and ran off laughing and joking, even making a face at Xie Zhuo before leaving.
All of this exudes an indescribable familiarity and harmony, as if they belonged here and were already connected by blood to this border town and its people.
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