“After my maternal grandfather sent a letter, he said that if there was no rush, he had some things to do there and would come to Kyoto to reunite with us later. Who would have thought that it would snow so heavily in Kyoto again?” Chen Yan sighed.
In the past, his sons were always traveling around and sometimes missed the New Year. He didn't think much of it then. But perhaps it's been too long since he spent the New Year with his beloved son, and this year he had something to look forward to, which is why he felt particularly disappointed.
Chen Yunfan, beaming, followed Xiao Zhan in, saying, "Wei'er is here too."
He bowed deeply to Chen Yanfu, saying, "Father, elder brother, and elder sister-in-law."
Chen Yan saw Xiao Zhan standing beside him and quickly got up, "Young Master Xiao, what brings you here today?"
Jiang Wei curtsied in response, but did not speak.
“The capital city is indeed a nurturing place, unlike the harsh cold of the border. Young Master Xiao, after returning to the capital, I fear that you will surpass all the noble sons.” Chen Yan said sincerely as he looked Xiao Zhan up and down.
From the moment Xiao Zhan entered, Madam Yu noticed that Xiao Zhan, who had always been dressed in dark black, was now wearing a moon-white brocade robe, with lotus patterns embroidered with silver thread faintly visible on the moon-white robe.
A white headband with silver trim tied his dark hair up, leaving it half-tied and half-draped over his shoulders.
It is said to be as lush and green as willows in spring, with jade trees and precious steps, its elegance and character naturally formed.
"General Xiao, you have such amazing talent. I never realized it before. If I had a daughter, I would have married her to you," Madam Yu exclaimed.
Chen Yunsheng was so frightened by his wife's shocking words that he wiped a cold sweat from his brow.
He glanced at Xiao Zhan furtively, thank goodness.
"Is General Xiao looking for a partner?" Madam Yu's voice rang out again.
They really have a kind of recklessness that disregards the lives of others.
Chen Yunsheng tugged at Madam Yu, trying to get her to talk less.
He never realized his wife talked so much, or was so scary.
That's a prince, how could he allow her to be so presumptuous?
Why has Xiao Zhan been coming so frequently since he returned to the capital? Before, when there was something to discuss, he would just send someone to deliver a message.
Shouldn't we be avoiding people even more in Kyoto?
Unexpectedly, Xiao Zhan was very pleased with what Yu Shi said, and he was even happier than if he had won a battle.
Jiang Wei bought this for him.
"Auntie, you flatter me. I should thank the person who chose the clothes. If I were to choose them myself, I'm afraid I wouldn't be able to find something so suitable." Xiao Zhan was polite, gentle, and modest.
The men of the Chen family couldn't quite figure him out. Although Xiao Zhan had been polite and courteous over the years, he had become somewhat distant.
This is quite surprising.
“Ah, Kyoto is truly a nurturing city; it’s not as cold as it used to be,” Madam Yu continued.
Chen Yunsheng held Yu's hand and said in a very low voice, "Let's talk less today, okay?"
Yu was puzzled and glared at Chen Yunsheng.
"Young Master Xiao, is there something you need today?" Chen Yan interrupted their conversation and asked.
Xiao Zhan glanced at Jiang Wei, and when Jiang Wei saw someone looking at her, she looked over as well. When she realized it was Xiao Zhan, she blushed and turned her head away.
"There are some things, but I've almost finished discussing them with Second Master, and now I'm here to get Grand Master's approval," Xiao Zhan said politely.
When Xiao Zhan uttered the word "Grandpa," Chen Yan was completely stunned.
Chen Yan knew that Xiao Zhan was only giving him face, so he smiled and waved his hand, "It's good that you've reached an agreement. Over the years, I've witnessed Mr. Xiao's abilities firsthand. I'm old now..."
Chen Yan cupped his hands to Xiao Zhan and said, "If my son has done anything wrong, please forgive him, Young Master Xiao."
"You flatter me, sir," Xiao Zhan replied.
Chen Yunfan cupped his hands in greeting, "Then I'll go and make the arrangements right away."
"Thank you for your trouble, Second Master."
Chen Yunfan walked out with great enthusiasm.
Xiao Zhan looked at Chen Yunfan with some confusion. The last time he saw him, although he wasn't exactly dejected, he didn't look like a young man like he does now.
Xiao Zhan asked with a puzzled look, "What good news has come from the Chen family?"
Chen Yan was puzzled as to why Xiao Zhan would ask such a question, and replied, "It used to exist, but now it probably doesn't."
"Huh?" Xiao Zhan was full of questions. He realized that it originally referred to Jiang Wei's marriage.
He couldn't help but purse his lips.
“My third son wrote to me today saying that he wants to bring my grandson to Kyoto, but it’s snowing heavily in Kyoto. I’m worried about their safety, so I was just about to write to them to tell them not to come to Kyoto yet,” Chen Yan explained.
“That’s easy. Just tell me their location, and I’ll send someone to pick them up.” Xiao Zhan picked up his tea and took a sip, glancing at Jiang Wei out of the corner of his eye.
Jiang Wei was looking down, seemingly lost in thought.
Unfortunately, the clothes he was wearing today were exactly the same color as Jiang Wei's, both being moon white.
Xiao Zhan was overjoyed, but he noticed someone staring at him out of the corner of his eye, so he quickly pretended nothing had happened.
Jiang Wei was completely unaware that something had happened.
Chen Yan was excited. "Won't this be too much trouble?"
When Xiao Zhan said he could send someone to pick up her third uncle, Jiang Wei raised her head and looked at him.
"No trouble at all, Master, please rest assured and wait at home," Xiao Zhan said confidently.
That's right, for a dignified War King like him, picking up two people is nothing.
When Jiang Wei saw that Xiao Zhan was also looking at her, she lowered her head again.
Xiao Zhan casually added, "When I saw Second Master last time, he wasn't this beaming. He seems different today; I thought something good had happened in the Chen family."
Xiao Zhan asked the extra question because he was afraid that the Chen family would choose another family for Jiang Wei, causing him distress.
Madam Yu laughed heartily, “General Xiao is not young anymore. He has been delayed all these years, but now the war is stable.”
She covered her lips with a handkerchief, then couldn't help but laugh, "General Xiao should get married soon."
Jiang Wei looked at Madam Yu with a pair of bewildered eyes, as if asking what her second uncle's beaming face had to do with Xiao Zhan's marriage.
Xiao Zhan hesitated for a moment, a blush rising to his face as he stood up. "I'll take my leave now. If anything comes up, send someone to the Prince of Zhan's residence to deliver a message."
Jiang Wei looked at Xiao Zhan with a bewildered expression, wondering, 'Why did he suddenly leave? We were having such a good chat!'
After Xiao Zhan left, Madam Yu burst into laughter. She hadn't expected Xiao Zhan to be so shy.
Jiang Wei thought of the day she went to her second uncle's place to get the account book from Yu Shi's expression, and combined with Xiao Zhan's expression when he left, she couldn't help but lower her head.
"Is there something you need?" Chen Yan asked Chen Yunsheng and his wife without looking up, taking a sip of tea.
Chen Yunsheng moved a little closer to Chen Yan and handed him the letter.
“Father and Shi’an have written that the academy is on holiday and they will be coming to Beijing in the next few days,” Chen Yunsheng replied respectfully.
Chen Shi'an and Chen Shiyu's older brother, a voracious reader, was the Chen family's hope for passing the imperial examinations and becoming an official.
Chen Yan was somewhat excited, but even more worried. As a scholar, he was facing a long journey and the weather was so cold. "Will he also be able to go to the capital by then?"
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