Chapter 11 Chapter 11 Return Home 2
Yun Wu is always inconspicuous.
She was neither as young and cute as Yun Xin nor as lively and clever as Yun Hui. When she was with her family, she always sat quietly in the corner, listening to others without saying a word. Even though today was her return home day, she and her sickly husband were not as noticeable as Ye Huaiqing.
But at this moment, the gazes from the people around her were glaring and unconcealed. She was not good at hiding all her thoughts, so she could only lower her head to avoid Xie Yi seeing the secrets in her heart without saying a word.
For some reason, Yun Wu felt that his eyes were like mirrors, as if they could see everything.
Xie Yi narrowed his eyes slightly: "You..."
"What kind of books does Mr. Xie San read on a daily basis?" A voice came from the side, interrupting the whispers of the two.
Xie Yi looked up when he heard the voice. The person asking the question was none other than his brother-in-law Ye Huaiqing.
Although they were both from the capital, the two had never met each other. However, Ye Huaiqing was quite famous in the capital, so even he, who was recuperating at home, had heard of the good name of Mr. Huaiqing. It was said that he was talented and upright, and had the appearance of Pan An. But now that he saw him with his own eyes, he really looked like a nerd.
Xie Yi picked up the teacup and sipped the boiling hot tea, watching the green tea leaves tumble in the clear water, the hot steam blowing on his face. He said slowly, "I don't read."
"Don't read?"
"No, I mean read. I mean read some of the vernacular books from many bookstores in the capital, but the Tongde Bookstore in the east of the city is the most exciting."
Ye Huaiqing was surprised to hear this answer. "Master Xie, do you only read Strange Stories and not the Four Books and Five Classics?"
It was no surprise that Xie Yi saw disapproval on his face, as well as a bit of disappointment, as if he cared about his academic future more than his father, Lord Xie.
Xie Yi smiled, "What's the point of reading all that? I won't live much longer anyway, and I won't take the imperial examination. These things can't be taken with me when I die, so why bother going through all that hardship?"
Ye Huaiqing: “…”
Everyone: “…”
Everyone looked at his thin and pale face and could not say a word of rebuttal.
Madam Yun tried to smooth things over: "The Third Young Master is weak, so he should rest well and worry less about strenuous things. Unlike you, Huaiqing, who still has to participate in this year's Autumn Examination and enter the official career in the future, the Third Young Master cannot compare to you."
Father Yun asked with concern, "Huaiqing, how are your studies going lately? Is there anything you don't understand? The Autumn Examination is only a few months away, are you confident?"
Without waiting for Ye Huaiqing to respond, Yun Hui immediately raised her chin proudly, glanced at Yun Wu with a smug look, and said, "Don't worry, Daddy. Huaiqing has always been a good student. I heard from my father-in-law yesterday that he has a solid foundation and works hard every day. He has a great chance of passing the imperial examination this autumn!"
Ye Huaiqing came back to his senses and quickly said modestly: "Father is exaggerating. There are so many talented people in the capital, I am nothing."
"Hey, that's how modest you are," said Father Yun, grinning. "I've watched you grow up. Don't I know how capable you are? Your father was a standout among us students who took the exams at the same time. Like father, like son, you're no slouch either!"
How could a weak and sickly bastard who did not work as a laborer have such a promising future as Ye Huaiqing who was about to take the imperial examination? In just a few words, everyone's attention fell on Ye Huaiqing. He was busy responding to everyone's words and was overwhelmed.
Xie Yi sipped his tea while leisurely watching them flatter him politely.
The three Yun family members surrounded Ye Huaiqing, praising him endlessly, just short of praising him as the incarnation of Wenquxing. They were like three hyenas surrounding their prey, drooling.
Yun Wu moved closer to her husband and asked in a low voice, "Why did you lie?"
Xie Yi paused in watching the show, he lowered his eyes calmly and looked at her little face that came closer. Her almond-shaped eyes were wide open and clear, reflecting his appearance. The rest of his face was only confusion.
Xie Yi leaned back slightly, creating some distance, and asked, "When did I lie?"
"Just now, Mr. Ye asked you what books you have read, and you have obviously read quite a few." Yun Wu said.
Yesterday, she had nothing to do, so she looked around every room in the courtyard. Xie Yi had lived here for many years, and everywhere was filled with traces of him. For example, the bookshelves were piled high with books, and the servants swept them daily, keeping them spotless. Yun Wu pulled out a few books, and each one bore traces of being flipped through, with Xie Yi's annotations on them.
His handwriting was full of vigor and spirit, which was in stark contrast to his own unambitious and idle appearance. What caught Yun Wu's attention even more was that the contents of many of the books were obscure and difficult to understand. She couldn't understand them at first reading, and even after reading the annotations next to them, she still had only a vague understanding.
The Yun family didn't prioritize their daughters' education. Yun Wu only attended elementary school, so naturally, she lacked the talent needed to pass the imperial examinations and enter officialdom. Yet, the Duke's family treated all three sons equally, nurturing them with dedication. Xie Yi was frail, and no one had high hopes placed on him. Yet, the bookshelves filled with traces of his diligent study proved that he had once been a diligent student.
If that’s the case, why should you belittle yourself and let others look down on you?
Yun Wu was puzzled.
Xie Yi didn't answer.
He tickled Yun Wu's chin like a puppy, "What? Do you think I'm embarrassing you?"
Yun Wu retracted her head: "No."
She is not that kind of person.
But just now, Yun Wu felt a little uncomfortable when she heard her parents comparing Xie Yi and Ye Huaiqing, as if they were worthless.
Over there, Father Yun and Madam Yun were only focused on Ye Huaiqing, completely forgetting that Yun Hui wasn't the only one returning home today. Even though Ye Huaiqing was a child of destiny, Xie Yi was also loved and cared for by his family at the Duke's Mansion. Even though he was frail, Madam Xie and the others defended him in every way. She was afraid that he would be uncomfortable being treated so lightly and ignored.
But this was not Xie Yi's problem. It was just that she had been looked down upon at home for a long time, and this had implicated her husband.
Yun Wu retracted her gaze and whispered to him, "My parents have always been like this. Don't take it to heart. We'll go back after lunch." "That's strange." Xie Yi said, "I haven't urged you yet, are you in such a hurry to leave?"
Yun Wu lowered her eyes: "We are all in the capital. If I miss home, I can come back anytime."
Having said that, it is absolutely impossible for a married woman to go home at any time. Even if they are still in the capital, she can no longer act like a spoiled child in front of her parents like she did before she got married.
Xie Yi had no objection and nodded in agreement.
He raised his eyes.
From a distance, he met the gaze of another pair of warm eyes looking at him from the opposite side.
As if he didn't expect him to suddenly look over, Ye Huaiqing was stunned for a moment, and looked away awkwardly, pretending to look seriously at Yun's father who was speaking, listening attentively, and responding from time to time, as if his gaze had just passed by inadvertently.
Xie Yi held the teacup and stroked the warm wall of the cup with his fingertips.
When he drank the tea in the cup and Yun Wu was refilling it for him, that gaze seemed to drift over again.
When I looked over, there was nothing.
…
After chatting about family matters, the sun soon turned to noon. After the servants prepared a banquet, the group of people in the main hall moved to the dining room.
Today was the day for married women to return home, and the old lady was helped out by the maid and seated at the main table. He was in unusual good spirits today, his face rosier than usual, and he smiled at everyone he met.
However, although she was always nice to everyone, her greatest love was her precious grandson. As soon as Old Madam Yun sat down, she looked around: "Where's Xin'er? Let Xin'er sit next to me."
Madam Yun smiled and said, "Xin'er didn't go to school today, and I don't know where he went to play. Wait a minute, old lady, I'll send someone to find him."
She pointed to a woman who went out to look for someone, and then called out to everyone, "Come, come and sit down."
Father Yun took his seat next to the old lady first, followed by Madam Yun. Yun Hui sat next to her mother, with Ye Huaiqing sitting beside her. The Yun family's dining room had a round table, which could easily be filled by eight people. The empty seat next to the old lady was reserved for Yun Xin. Yun Wu had few options. She looked up at Xie Yi, who, with his arms folded, slipped between her and Ye Huaiqing and took his seat leisurely.
The young Yun Xin was quickly brought over by the old woman and was held in the arms of Old Madam Yun, who treated her like a sweetheart and kept calling her that.
When everyone was present, Yun's father announced that the meal was ready. As soon as he picked up the chopsticks, Xie Yi took the lead in picking up the shrimps on the plate in front of him, stretched his hand to the side, and put them into the bowl of the person next to him - Yun Wu.
Yun Wu: “…”
Everyone: “…”
Yun Wu stared at the extra braised shrimp in the bowl with wide eyes, then looked up at Xie Yi in disbelief. Facing everyone's gaze, she didn't know what to do next. It was not right to eat it, nor was it right not to eat it.
"Madam, eat." Xie Yi curled up the corners of his lips, with a faint smile. His phoenix eyes were gentle and affectionate, and in the eyes of outsiders, they were quite affectionate. "We are all family, you don't have to be shy."
Shy?
Yun Wu's whole body was stiff. She felt that every gaze on her was like a cluster of flames, roasting her over and over again, more torturous than the braised fish on the table.
What is this for?
Others may not know, but Yun Wu herself knows very well that their relationship is not that good.
When we were having a meal together yesterday, he threw his bowl and left. How come our relationship has suddenly progressed so rapidly that we are even picking food for each other?
Not to mention Xie Yi, no one had ever served food to her since she was a child. Even Father Yun had never served food to Madam Yun.
Yun Wu held the small bowl in her hand, feeling as if it weighed a thousand pounds. She didn't dare to look at other people's eyes, and could only look at Xie Yi in panic, asking for help.
What does this mean? !
Xie Yi said nothing, but just picked up another piece of meat for her.
To outsiders, the young couple appeared to be in perfect harmony. Yun Wu, who knew the truth, was the only one who remained motionless, not reacting for a long moment. Xie Yi leaned over, smiling broadly as he picked up some food, and whispered, "Eat." "Eat!" he whispered, a voice only the two of them could hear.
Yun Wu: “…”
Yun Wu picked it up and ate it obediently.
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