Chapter 015

After a few days, Pei Yuantang arrived as promised. The one guarding the gate of Changchun Temple today was the Jinwu Guard who was punished by Zhan Yue. His surname was Wu and his name was Wu Yingtong.

After the last lesson, Wu Yingtong is now very cautious.

He saw a young man in a royal blue robe suddenly coming today, and immediately stepped forward to stop him without any suspicion.

Pei Yuantang was four years older than Jiashan, and was a young Jinshi. He was tall and handsome, and unlike Zhan Yue's cold and aloof appearance, he often had a smile on his face, looking like a jade tree in the wind, making people want to get close to him.

Being stopped suddenly, Pei Yuantang just smiled and said, "I am the cousin of the two princes. If you don't believe me, you can send someone to find the eldest princess. I won't make it difficult for you. I will wait here."

As the saying goes, one should not hit a smiling person. Pei Yuantang was friendly, so Wu Yingtong naturally treated him politely as well.

While he was looking for someone to ask, he also alertly answered Pei Yuantang's intentional or unintentional questions.

After a while, Su Yu and the people sent by Wu Yingtong came over. Seeing that it was someone from the eldest princess's side, Wu Yingtong naturally let Pei Yuantang in.

But after thinking about it, he still felt uneasy, so Wu Yingtong sent someone to report to Zhan Yue.

In this room, Pei Yuantang had already followed Su Yu to Jiashan's yard.

Today is a nice, clear, and cool autumn day.

It is almost September, the weather is getting cooler, and the chrysanthemums in the yard should be blooming.

When Pei Yuantang arrived, Jiashan and Zhao Youze were sitting together in the courtyard. There were tables, chairs and benches in front of them. The little Zhao Youze was sitting at the desk with his back straight, copying the scriptures in a serious manner.

Jiashan's progress in copying the scriptures has always been faster than Zhao Youze's. In order to wait for him, Jiashan simply put down his pen and devoted some time to depicting the chrysanthemums in the courtyard.

Hearing the footsteps, Zhao Youze was the first to smile, raised his head and said to Jiashan: "Sister, my cousin is here."

Jiashan put down his pen and saw Pei Yuantang and Su Yu, who were standing aside and watching them from a distance.

"Why didn't you say anything when you came?" Jiashan and Pei Yuantang had a good relationship. When he was a child, Pei Yuantang's mother Zheng often brought him to the palace to keep Jiashan and Zhao Youze company.

As soon as he saw him, Jiashan saved a lot of polite words.

Pei Yuantang found a comfortable place to sit down. He had a pair of slightly curved peach blossom eyes, and his black pupils were full of light.

The corners of his lips curved up, and he looked very gentle and affectionate: "I saw that you were painting with great interest, and I was afraid that if I spoke, I would disturb you."

Zhao Youze said like a supporting actor: "My cousin is so considerate."

"That's right." Pei Yuantang picked up the prepared tea and took a sip.

Jiashan raised his eyes and glanced at Pei Yuantang.

Her cousin was very smart when he was young, and he was very talented in studying. He was born in the Pei family, which had a long history of scholars. If nothing unexpected happened, he would pass the imperial examination and become an official in the future, and his career would be smooth sailing.

In fact, this is true.

However, although Pei Yuantang's career as an official was smooth, his marriage was full of twists and turns.

Jiashan remembered that in the year after cousin Pei won the second place in the imperial examination, his uncle had found a marriage for him. Pei Yuantang was nineteen this year, and he had the Pei family's fame for generations behind him, as well as the enviable title of Jindian.

So, it is very good to say kiss.

Initially, my uncle chose the eldest granddaughter of Yan Ge's hometown as his matchmaker for my cousin Pei.

When she heard the news in her previous life, Jiashan was still unmarried and was somewhat curious about who her cousin would marry in the future, so she secretly encouraged Concubine Jing to bring Yan's mother and daughter into the palace.

Later, when he met Yan, he was very satisfied with her because she was well-educated, polite, gentle and considerate. He thought that when his cousin returned home from the government, it would be a pleasure to have someone to accompany him.

Therefore, Jiashan specially sent a letter to his cousin, wishing him to have a beautiful wife by his side and to live happily with his fairy couple in the future.

Unexpectedly, within two days, Jiashan learned that Pei Yuantang had gone to the Yan family and cancelled the marriage with Yan Gelao. Yan Gelao was also an important official in two dynasties. How could he have been insulted like this?

In a fit of anger, the marriage naturally could not be arranged!

In order to avoid the tragedy of not getting married but ending up in enmity, Uncle Pei Zijing went to apologize to Master Yan Ge in person, and the two families were able to reconcile.

In the end, although Pei Yuantang got his wish and did not marry Yan, he knelt in the ancestral hall for half a month because of this matter.

A month later, the marriage between Jiashan and Zhan Shaoying was decided by the court. Pei Yuantang also gained a reputation as a young and frivolous man because of his marriage to the Yan family.

Before getting married, Jiashan once asked Pei Yuantang privately: "The girl from the Yan family has a distinguished family background, a gentle temperament, and can read. Although she is not as beautiful as a fairy, she is also shy. Why do you look down on others?"

How did Pei Yuantang respond to her at that time?

He smiled and said nonchalantly, "It's all very well, but if I don't like it, it's just not good."

"You are about to get married, so leave me alone. I have my own opinions."

His words were full of anger, like a firecracker about to be lit. Seeing him say this, Jiashan simply ignored him. He has always been a man with his own opinions, and she wanted to see what kind of woman could subdue him.

After that, Jiashan married into the Anguo Mansion, and she and Zhan Shaoying had a sweet time after marriage. However, her uncle Pei Zijing was also busy with Pei Yuantang's marriage.

It was said that he had chosen the daughter of the Earl of Changxing, but unexpectedly, Pei Yuantang still disliked her. Later, he seemed to have never married, but instead kept a woman outside.

His uncle thought Pei Yuantang was ruining the family tradition and broke dozens of canes with them. However, Pei Yuantang always did his own thing. Not only that, as the youngest member of the Pei family, he was very promising and his official position continued to rise.

In the end, the Pei family compromised.

The old lady of the Pei family personally came forward to mediate the conflict between the father and son, and told Pei Yuantang that if he really fell in love with a woman, the Pei family would be willing to take her as the principal wife as long as she could give birth to a son.

With the old lady's words as a golden token, Jiashan thought her cousin would be able to marry right away. Unexpectedly, until the day she died with regret, Pei Yuantang's concubines never gave birth to a son or daughter.

I wonder if it’s possible that he grew up alone in his previous life.

Thinking of this, Jiashan sighed slightly.

Zhao Youze was sitting next to Jiashan. When he heard her sigh, he quickly put down his pen and asked, "What's wrong, sister?"

"It's okay, I was just upset by the scene." Jiashan felt warmer in his heart when he saw Zhao Youze's bright smile.

She rubbed his head and said with a smile: "Yuankang, are you willing to go into the house to copy the scriptures? I have something to talk to you alone."

Zhao Youze nodded obediently and said in understanding: "It's a whisper, I understand."

Jiashan couldn't help laughing.

Zhao Youze jumped off the stool and landed steadily on the ground. He took out a small painting from the scripture he had brought and walked slowly to Pei Yuantang.

Pei Yuantang was half-closed in the sun, and when he saw him coming, he couldn't help but pinch Zhao Youze's little face: "What's wrong, Yuankang, do you want to see your cousin?"

"Yes." Zhao Youze nodded, and handed the painting in his hand to the other party in a serious tone. "I heard that my cousin won the second place in the imperial examination, so I gave him a painting. I hope that he can be upright and unyielding in the officialdom, and rise to higher positions like a green bamboo."

His voice was childish and full of babyish tones. Jiashan smiled after hearing it. Pei Yuantang was also amused. He said, "Yuankang is really good at talking."

Zhao Youze still remembered what Jiashan had taught him, telling him not to show off too much, so he said politely: "My sister taught me that."

Pei Yuantang then turned his head to look at Jiashan.

Jiashan always looked gentle when she was with her brother. Her face was as white as jade, her round almond eyes were as bright as stars, and even the corners of her mouth were filled with a gentle smile.

Pei Yuantang took a look and couldn't help but said loudly: "Thank you very much, sister."

Zhao Youze continued, "Cousin, I am a child. I gave you a gift, so why don't you give me a gift in return?"

"Little clever ghost." Pei Yuantang seemed to be in a very good mood. Even though Zhao Youze was asking for money, he smiled kindly and said, "If you want me, what gift should I give you in return?"

"I smell something nice on my cousin," Zhao Youze said, sniffing his nose. "I want to know what it is."

Hearing him say this, Pei Yuantang laughed and said, "At such a young age, you have already started to learn to be particular. Yuankang looks like a member of our Pei family."

Zhao Youze said nothing.

After teasing Zhao Youze for a while, Pei Yuantang said, "This is a new hair oil that has just been launched in Beijing. I also added floral oil and eggs to it. Doesn't it smell good?"

Zhao Youze said "hmm".

"Next time you come, I'll pack you a small jar." Pei Yuantang has always been the most enjoyable person. He leaned back in the recliner and said, "Just consider it a return gift."

Zhao Youze agreed. He said, "Cousin, please talk to my sister in private. I will go into the room to copy the book."

Pei Yuantang smiled as Su Yu led him into the house.

Zhao Youze sat upright while copying the book, and his gait was also very upright. Pei Yuantang looked at his back and shook his head slightly, saying with emotion: "Yuankang is a kid who does everything in a proper manner."

He paused, the second half of the sentence choked in his throat, and he swallowed it back in time - if only he could see it.

I can't say this, for fear that it might make Jiashan sad or angry.

However, Jiashan still heard the deep meaning in his tone. Her eyes dimmed and she walked to the chair next to Pei Yuantang and sat down.

After Zhao Youze left, Jiashan went straight to the point and asked, "How is the doctor Kong that I asked you to find for me?"

Pei Yuantang looked at her and said, "I was just about to ask you, where did you get the news about this miracle doctor?"

Jiashan naturally couldn't tell him the truth, so he had to evade the question by saying, "I heard it from Concubine Jing. I don't think Concubine Jing would lie to me about this."

Seeing that Pei Yuantang looked unhappy, she hurriedly asked, "Is there any problem?"

Concubine Jing's family was from Jinling. But compared to the deep-rooted Pei family, Concubine Jing's family background was not worth mentioning.

Hearing that it was Concubine Jing who said this, Pei Yuantang fell silent. He said slowly, "It's not a problem. I received a letter from my fifth uncle yesterday. My fifth uncle said that there is indeed a family with the surname Kong in the Jiangnan area, but their reputation is not well-known. Moreover, the head of the Kong family in this life likes to travel around and does not live in Jiangnan for a long time. I haven't heard that he is particularly good at treating eye diseases."

"He specifically asked me to ask you whether the source of the news is accurate." Pei Yuantang said calmly, "If it is hearsay, don't waste your manpower."

To find a person in the world is like looking for a needle in a haystack. Even the emperor doesn't dare to say it's easy. If it was really hearsay, Jiashan wouldn't have to be so persistent.

But she had seen it with her own eyes in her previous life, and she had already realized in her heart that this Kong family was the only hope for Zhao Youze's eyes.

Jiashan glanced at Pei Yuantang and nodded vigorously: "Then please help me write a letter to my uncle and ask him to spare no effort to find this divine doctor Kong."

Pei Yuantang had always believed in her and was always willing to help her. Seeing that she was so serious, he said, "Okay, I'll write back to Uncle Wu after I get back."

"But," Pei Yuantang paused and said, "You have to be mentally prepared. I'm afraid it won't be that easy to find someone."

Jiashan nodded: "I know."

She agreed, but at the same time she was confused. What if Dr. Kong appeared again after Zhao Youcheng was made the crown prince in this life?

No, there was still a way to save the situation by making him the crown prince. If Zhao Youcheng had already ascended the throne at that time, would she let everything go on as it had been?

Jiashan's eyes are like stars.

Seeing that she remained silent, Pei Yuantang stretched out a hand and waved it in front of her eyes: "What are you thinking about? I just asked you a question, but you didn't answer."

Jiashan came to his senses and looked up at him: "What did you say?"

While the two were talking, Jiashan was distracted. Pei Yuantang was obviously not in high spirits. He glanced at Jiashan and said, "Your marriage. Now, there is good news and bad news. Which one do you want to hear?"

Jiashan thought about it seriously, and she held her chin and said, "Let's listen to the bad news first."

"Oh?" Pei Yuantang raised his eyebrows, somewhat surprised that she had chosen the wrong one first. He smiled and said, "His Majesty has recently been carefully selecting a husband for you from among the young talents in the court. Basically, every family with nobles and officials above the third rank who have suitable young men have been asked."

Jiashan couldn't help but stroke his forehead.

She knew that after that conversation, her father might be more cautious than before, but she didn't expect it to be so high-profile.

Jiashan rubbed his brows, not knowing whether to laugh or cry: "What's the good news?"

Pei Yuantang smiled with two white teeth that looked very bright. "Your Majesty originally had his eyes on Anguogong's eldest grandson Zhan Shaoying, and it seemed that he was almost set. But this time, Your Majesty did not follow the routine and asked for the birth dates of all the ministers' children and grandchildren. This clearly means that he is not optimistic about Zhan Shaoying. There is probably no chance between you and Zhan Shaoying."

Jiashan pursed his lips slightly, but couldn't help but smile: "I already knew about this. But I didn't expect that you would be so happy to hear it again from your mouth."

Seeing the undisguised joy on Jiashan's face, Pei Yuantang took a sip of tea and glanced at her leisurely: "Do you dislike Zhan Shaoying so much?"

Jiashan lowered her eyelashes, her red lips slightly parted, and she did not comment.

Pei Yuantang added: "But I see that you have a good relationship with Zhan Shaoying's fourth uncle."

He casually pointed in the direction of the door.

Jiashan remained calm, she pursed her lips and smiled, exhaling sweetly, "He is him, Zhan Shaoying is Zhan Shaoying, they are different."

Pei Yuantang was staring at her intently.

Hearing Jiashan's words, Pei Yuantang put down his teacup and quietly moved closer to her. He snorted coldly, "What's the difference?"