Chapter 411 The Qin Family Grandfather and Granddaughter (Happy New Year~)
"Why did you disembark so early, Grandpa?"
"Let's go for a walk."
"But what about the people in Xunyang City who are supposed to meet the boat?"
"Ying'er wants to see Ouyang Lianghan, doesn't she?"
"That's right."
The woman's voice was not coy; she readily admitted it:
"Last year, he refused a position in the capital. In addition, he was the third-ranked scholar in the first year of the Shengli era. He dared to prepare a coffin and directly remonstrate with the Empress, and he scolded Princess Changle to death. Which lady in Luoyang does not want to meet the gentleman Ouyang Lianghan? According to his classmates who passed the imperial examination in the same year, Ouyang Lianghan is handsome and talented, and his appearance is also the best in the Great Zhou Dynasty."
"Alright, let's go take a look at Xunyang Ferry."
He paused, then said thoughtfully:
"While you're at it, take a stroll through the Xunyang morning market. There should be plenty of good food there. Xunyang is close to Mount Lu, a city of recluses and scholars. These so-called recluses and scholars all claim to be indifferent to fame, fortune, and power, but their appetites are in no way lacking. There are many gourmets, each one greedy for food and drink..."
"Although I'm not entirely sure where they get their money for food, there must be a lot of variety in Xunyang City. Last time I came, I was in a hurry to leave after my birthday banquet and didn't have time to properly enjoy the food. This time, I'll take you to feast yourselves."
The woman's voice was firm: "No. I'll get even fatter if I eat more."
"Being a daughter of the Qin family, why would I need to use my looks to please others? The other day, the Prince of Wei's mansion even came to propose marriage, vying to marry you. Come on, come on, let's go have something to eat with Grandpa."
“Auntie doesn’t need to be secretly laughed at by the girls of Luodu, of course he can eat whatever he wants.” The woman’s voice turned her head away in dissatisfaction.
"Oh, what girl dares to laugh at you? I'll beat up even her old man."
"No need. By the time you get there, the flowers will have withered, and I'll have already torn their tongues to shreds. Besides, I've met a few older sisters who often help me."
"My grandfather was having a great time in Yangzhou, but he left me in the ancestral home in Luoyang. I was surrounded by pretentious and vain ladies. It's better not to force yourself into a circle you can't fit into."
"I'm not good with words and can't compose poetry. Rather than staying at those competitive and scheming banquets in the inner quarters, I'd rather ride a fast horse to Zhongnan Mountain and visit the admirable, otherworldly, and reclusive Sister Cui."
"So, Ying'er, you came back wearing this Taoist robe? And a Hunyuan scarf? Trying to live a secluded life and cultivate Taoism like others."
“What do you mean by learning? It’s obvious. I registered at the Zongsheng Palace in Zhongnan Mountain at the beginning of the year. I’m a registered female Daoist with the Daoist name Dan Yingzi.”
"Oh, a lay disciple in name only, right?"
"What do you mean by 'nominal'? I was originally planning to go to the mountains to stay in a temple for half a year to cultivate my mind and character, but it was Grandpa who called me back, and now he's criticizing me..."
How much per person?
"Well, the steward of the outer hall of Zongsheng Palace saw that I was familiar with that lady, so he only accepted one hundred taels as a token."
"Your sister must have received some kind of agency fee, right?"
"What nonsense are you talking about? She doesn't care about such mundane matters. Besides, that woman's surname is Cui, so how could she be short of money? I didn't mention it; she secretly donated money to get registered as a citizen."
"Oh, I've heard that Taoism within the Great Wall has a strict hierarchy? This junior must respectfully listen to what the senior has to say."
"That's right, so what?"
"Speaking of which, you may not know, but after your grandmother passed away, our family has been donating a thousand taels of silver to all the Taoist temples in Zhongnan Mountain every year. I am still an honorary Taoist priest of Zongsheng Palace, and I even helped them choose a Taoist name, something like Long. Those items are personally delivered to our door, even though I have never worn the Taoist robe for a single day."
"Dan Yingzi? You must have reached the 'Dan' generation now, tsk tsk."
"Mountains and seas, dragons and tigers intertwine, lotus blossoms reveal precious hearts. When the celestial edict is fulfilled, the full moon shines with auspicious light… If I remember correctly, this is the generational naming system of the Louguan Taoist sect. I don't know how many generations higher my 'Dragon' generation is than your 'Celestial' generation. You must heed the words of this senior."
"Let's go, Dan Yingzi, let's go eat."
"...??"
Half an hour later.
A group of out-of-towners appeared on the bustling morning market street next to Xunyang Ferry.
At the very front of the procession, leading the group were a tall, elderly man and a female Taoist priest with a crown.
The tall, elderly man, with his full head of silver hair meticulously combed, walked at the front with his hands behind his back, moving with a brisk pace.
The nun who appeared to be the granddaughter of the former was also quite tall and had a beautiful face, but her face was chubby and her body was plump, with a kind temperament.
At this moment, the slightly plump female Taoist followed behind the tall old man, her face tense, looking somewhat resigned to her fate.
Behind the two, a number of subordinates, staff, and relatives followed silently, seemingly familiar with the tall old man's manner.
Soon, the group was led by the tall old man to a breakfast stall, where they ordered some local specialties and sat down.
The tall old man didn't mind the greasy edge of the table, politely declined the handkerchief offered by the younger generation, looked up at the bamboo menu, and picked out a few breakfast items for his granddaughter and her companions, chatting idly in between.
A moment later, breakfast was served. Qin Ying, who had been stern and forced to eat, let out a soft "Eh?" and asked:
"What kind of rice is this? I've never seen it before."
"Wild rice is one of the six grains, but it's not as common as the other five grains. You're a pampered girl in Luoyang, so of course you've never eaten it."
The tall, elderly man waved his hand and said.
Among the officials and attendants around him, some couldn't help but look at the old man, who was talking with great interest and knew everything like the back of his hand. However, the officials and attendants who knew him well had already buried their heads in their food.
Qin Jingzhen chuckled and said, "Let me tell you, the classic way to eat wild rice is to steam it or boil it into rice. This rice has low stickiness, unlike japonica rice which is sticky and clumpy. The grains are distinct, and the texture is chewy and glutinous. When cooked into porridge with millet or rice, it is very nourishing."
"Back in the Wei and Jin Dynasties three hundred years ago, this was truly the 'rice of hermits,' popular among hermits and celebrities. It was said that 'only the most virtuous should not taste it.' However, wild rice is not easy to cultivate and grow, and it only grows in shallow beaches and marshes in the wild. Later, fewer people relied on it as their staple food."
"I didn't expect that eating this would become so popular in Xunyang City, and that it has become a common breakfast dish. It may be related to the fact that it is adjacent to Yunmengze, where there is a lot of wild rice."
"As expected of Jiangzhou, which is close to Mount Lu and Yunmeng and has a strong tradition of reclusion, it has delicacies left over from the Wei and Jin dynasties. The food of the past, which was reserved for hermits and sages, has now become a common dish on the tables of ordinary people. We common folk are lucky to have such good food."
People around him turned their heads to look, and even the diners at other tables and the restaurant owner couldn't help but look at him. They never expected that the common food they ate every day had such a long history. They couldn't help but curiously look at this elderly gourmand who seemed to be from out of town.
However, Xunyang City has a well-developed waterway transportation system. Next to the morning market is the Xunyang Ancient Ferry, a bustling commercial hub with a constant stream of riverboats. The people of Xunyang are quite used to these strange figures from other places. They look at them with curiosity for a while, then disperse without finding anything particularly strange about them.
Qin Ying picked up her chopsticks with a suspicious look, tried taking a bite, and her eyes lit up slightly: "Huh."
A moment later, after the scramble was over, Qin Jingzhen looked down at the empty bucket of wild rice in front of him and twitched the corner of his mouth.
"Hmm, it smells good." Qin Ying slowly put down her chopsticks and nodded in approval.
Qin Jingzhen asked, "Isn't Dan Yingzi afraid of getting fat?"
The slightly plump female Taoist priest immediately widened her eyes: "Are you trying to die, Grandpa?"
"They really have no manners."
Qin Jingzhen wasn't annoyed; he simply smiled and shook his head. The surrounding officials watched the bickering of the grandfather and granddaughter with amusement, remaining silent.
Just then, soldiers began clearing the area at Xunyang Ferry Wharf, not far away. Qin Jingzhen and his group, who were sitting at a stall in the bustling market, were drawn to the scene.
It was not yet 1:45 AM, but batches of Jiangzhou officials were arriving in full dress, including Wang Lengran, who arrived with great pomp and ceremony and gifts, as well as the aloof Rongzhen, Miaozhen, and others.
Qin Ying looked at the old man, her eyes holding a half-smile.
Qin Jingzhen remained silent, then softly ordered a bucket of wild rice from the shopkeeper and shared it with his companion. The old man buried his head in his food and ate with great relish.
At this moment, a convoy of vehicles bearing the character "离" (meaning "departure") rolled past the breakfast stalls and headed towards Xunyang Ferry, which was not far away, before stopping at the dock.
Qin Ying and the others saw several people getting off the two carriages at the front of the convoy.
It was Ouyang Rong, Xie Lingjiang, and Li Xian's family.
Ouyang Rong, Li Xian, and Li Dalang shared one carriage, while Wei Mei, Li Guo'er, and Xie Lingjiang shared another.
Li Xian's family and Xie Lingjiang were the first to get out of the car.
However, those who got off the car first didn't immediately enter the dock. They all stood quietly by the car, looking back and waiting for something. Ouyang Rong lagged behind. He seemed to have some lingering cough and bent over to get off the car last.
This scene was witnessed by Qin Jingzhen, Qin Ying, and others.
From their perspective, the handsome, slender young man stepped out of the car and seemed to say a few words to those around him.
A stunningly beautiful woman dressed in red stepped forward and draped a snow-white fox fur shawl, worth more than a thousand pieces of gold, over his shoulders.
A noblewoman dressed in royal attire quickly took out a snow-white velvet cloak. A middle-aged man, who appeared to be wearing the python robe of the Prince of Xunyang, and a young man in black with stubble who looked older, immediately took the cloak from her and went to help the handsome, slender young man put it on to protect him from the wind.
Beside him, a stunningly beautiful young woman with a plum blossom embellishment on her forehead silently offered him a hot water bottle wrapped in red silk. Surrounded and cared for by the crowd, the handsome, frail young man accepted the hot water bottle, tucked it into his sleeve, and lowered his eyes to warm his hands…
Looking at the young man in the white fox fur coat, surrounded and pampered by a group of noble ladies and beautiful women, Qin Ying suddenly asked:
"Is he the heir apparent of Xunyang and the Prefect of Jiangzhou, Li Fusu?"
She couldn't help but take a few more glances before slowly shifting her gaze away: "The Li royal family is truly blessed with good looks, especially this person... By the way, where is Ouyang Lianghan? Is he the one with the full beard next to him?"
As Qin Ying finished speaking, she didn't forget her original intention and asked another question, almost forgetting the purpose of her trip.
Qin Jingzhen shook his head and put down his rice bowl: "No, he is Ouyang Lianghan, the Prefect of Jiangzhou. He is very respectful to scholars. The young man with a beard next to him should be the heir apparent, Li Fusu. The eldest daughter of the Xie family's Jinling branch is also there. The one in red is Madam Xie's beloved niece..."
Qin Ying was taken aback and didn't listen to the rest of the introduction. She couldn't help but take a few more glances at the young man in the white fox fur coat.
I stared at it intently for a while.
Before long, Qin Jingzhen, Qin Ying and the others saw Ouyang Lianghan, the Xunyang Wang family, Wang Lengran and others waiting quietly at the dock. It was almost noon, the appointed time.
"Isn't Grandpa going over?"
"It's fortunate that I got off the ship early to take a look, otherwise I would have been carried off the ship when I got there. The welcoming party on both sides is so grand. I don't like this kind of commotion. Oh well, let's go. Let's not call them yet. Let's go and check out the military camp outside the city before we go back to the main hall of Jiangzhou for the meeting."
"Alright, but we've kept the Prince of Xunyang and the officials of Jiangzhou waiting for so long..."
Qin Jingzhen smiled but remained silent. It would be better if he could get angry; then there wouldn't be so much trouble later.
The tall old man patted his sleeves and left. Qin Ying had no choice but to take out some silver coins, put them on the table, and get up to follow him. After walking for a while, she suddenly asked:
“This time, my grandfather urged me to leave Luodu, but instead, my elder brother and sister-in-law went to stay at the ancestral home in Luodu for an extended period… Is my elder brother’s family going there to act as hostages?”
Qin Jingzhen did not turn around: "Your Majesty is so kind and has not forgotten me. As a general leading troops in the field, I must leave something in the capital, whether it is people or ancestral home, so that the Emperor and the ministers can rest assured. After all, not everyone is Li Zhengyan... It is not a strange thing, nothing serious."
"oh."
"What's wrong? Are you unhappy?"
"I don't really like this kind of convoluted, rule-bound shackles."
"You don't need to worry about it. The Qin family has men who can handle these matters; there's no need for the women of the Qin family to do them." Qin Jingzhen walked ahead, waving his sleeve. After a moment, he changed the subject and asked, "By the way, that sixth young master of the Prince's Mansion mentioned in the letter by the Prince of Wei, what's his name again? Didn't I have your elder brother inquire about him in Luoyang? Your elder brother's letter has been sent back, right? What did you think of it?"
"It's just so-so. I've never even met the person, it's all hearsay, how would I know if it's good or bad?"
"Judging from the tone of the Prince of Wei at the time, it seemed that he wanted Wei Shaoxuan to come to Xunyang City to meet you, so that you could get to know each other first. But strangely, the Prince of Wei only mentioned this once, and then the Prince of Wei's residence went silent. I don't know what happened there. They seemed to be being perfunctory and evasive..."
"Who cares... um." Qin Ying looked up at Qin Jingzhen: "Grandpa, do you want to get closer to the Wei family?"
"No." The tall old man shook his head. "I just wanted to find you a marriage partner. It doesn't matter which side it is, you're not getting any younger... But I'm too lazy to rush you. Let's see if you like the idea."
"Love at first sight... we'll see."
Qin Ying was somewhat absent-minded, and glanced back at the crowd at the dock before walking away.
...
At Xunyang Ferry Wharf, after receiving Chen You's message, everyone remained silent for a while, processing it.
A moment later, Ouyang Rong, Li Xian, Wang Lengran and their group hurriedly returned to the main hall of Jiangzhou.
Along the way, they were all pondering the deeper meaning behind Qin Jingzhen's actions.
Back in the main hall of Jiangzhou, the group met Qin Jingzhen, who was browsing through military records.
Ouyang Rong glanced at him and found that this Uncle Qin was the same as the one he had met at his junior sister's birthday banquet. He was tall, strong, and energetic, with his white hair neatly combed.
However, when facing Xunyang Prince Li Xian and Governor Wang Lengran, the tall old man was indeed very businesslike, only talking about leading troops and ignoring Wang Lengran's attempts to make small talk and build relationships.
As for Ouyang Rong, whom he had met once before, Qin Jingzhen ignored him as well, passing him by without exchanging pleasantries like an acquaintance.
After the meeting ended.
The newly appointed Grand General of the Jiangnan Road Army once again declined all invitations to banquets in Xunyang, including those from Wang Lengran and the Xunyang Prince's Mansion.
They all declined, citing their advanced age, the long journey, and their exhaustion.
Both the Prince of Xunyang's residence and Wang Lengran's side returned disappointed.
As for Ouyang Rong, there was even less chance of getting a word in edgewise. This old general Qin didn't even give the Prince of Xunyang much face. It wasn't that he was domineering and presumptuous, but rather that he was respectful but kept his distance... In short, this old general Qin always had a businesslike attitude in the Jiangzhou Hall during the day.
After returning to the residence arranged by the government office in the evening, they did not leave the house for even a moment. The guards and officers strictly guarded the house, with even stricter military law than in the military camp. Who would dare to come to the door?
That evening, after discussing military affairs, Ouyang Rong returned to Huaiye Lane. As soon as he arrived home, he saw Xie Lingjiang, who had been waiting for a long time and was talking with her aunt.
Upon seeing him return, she pulled Ouyang Rong out without a word. On the way, inside the carriage, Xie Lingjiang reached out to straighten his clothes and wipe his face. Ouyang Rong asked her what was wrong, but she just smiled and remained silent. Soon, the carriage arrived at a courtyard belonging to the Xie family in Xiushuifang.
Ouyang Rong entered the courtyard and met an unexpected person in a luxurious flower hall... Xie Xue'e.
"What brings you here, Madam?"
"Not welcome?"
No, no.
"If it weren't for Seventeen Sister, I wouldn't have come."
"Then what brings my aunt here? ... What is she doing here?"
"You've changed your tune? Think carefully before you shout things out."
"Oh, Auntie is joking."
Xie Xue'e squinted at the shameless man for a moment, then slowly spoke... After hearing what she said, Ouyang Rong was stunned:
"What? You've invited Qin Jingzhen to a family dinner tomorrow night?"
"Of course, this family dinner has nothing to do with official business. It's just a private friendship between the Xie and Qin families. The eldest daughter of the Xie family, the son-in-law of the Xie family... I didn't mention any particular person, so don't take it personally... Uncle Qin still needs to meet the Xie family members."
Xie Xue'e looked away, feigning displeasure in her tone:
"If it weren't for Seventeenth Sister insisting on bringing her along, we wouldn't have invited any outsiders to the family banquet."
Ouyang Rong stared speechlessly at the beautiful woman with the hair ornament who resolutely adhered to her principle of being stubborn.
He admitted that being given a gigolo caught him somewhat off guard...
Happy 2024! Wishing everyone good health and all the best!
(End of this chapter)
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