Tong Xuewen wasn't surprised to see the invitations arriving like snowflakes, but thinking about the upcoming imperial examination, he declined them all. He then decided to take his younger sister out for a trip and began to close his doors to visitors.
He sent an invitation to the Guarjia residence. Although Shu Yu was somewhat surprised that her fiancé would invite her out at this time, she was secretly delighted.
There were countless princesses from similar family backgrounds to her, but she was lucky enough to become Tong Xuewen's fiancée. When the engagement was finally finalized, she could hardly believe it.
But after the engagement was finalized, while she was overjoyed, she also felt that her fiancé was becoming more and more outstanding. She felt that Tong Xuewen was like a dazzling and flawless piece of jade. Everyone could see his excellence. While Shu Yu was proud, she also felt that it was not quite real. The jade was flawless, and she felt a little inferior.
Now that her fiancé has won the imperial examination and still thinks of her, Shu Yu feels satisfied and happy, but also a little sweet. She even fantasizes that he might be as devoted to her as the protagonists in storybooks, not caring about her ordinariness.
——
After agreeing on a time, Tong Xuewen brought Tong Cheng'er to meet up with Shu Yu. Once they met, Tong Xuewen took his fiancée and sister to a jewelry shop. His classmate had once said that if he was going shopping with a woman, this was the place he would never go wrong with.
Therefore, Tong Xuewen's purpose was very clear: he brought the people over directly, then asked for a private room and had them brought in to be examined one by one.
Tong Cheng'er had a neutral feeling towards these things that added weight to her head; she couldn't say she liked them much, but I wouldn't say I disliked them either. After all, they were things that could be exchanged for real money, and she wouldn't dislike valuable things.
Tong Cheng'er understood what her second brother meant. To put his mind at ease, she followed Shu Yu to look at jewelry and acted with great interest. Then she casually picked out a few pieces for herself.
Then Tong Cheng'er started picking out jewelry for her future sister-in-law, Shu Yu, and this time she showed a little more interest.
Tong Cheng'er held up the jewelry on Shu Yu's head and then picked out some styles that suited her very well. Shu Yu liked them, but she was too embarrassed to accept them. Before she could even say no, Tong Xuewen paid for them directly.
Although Shu Yu didn't say anything on the surface, she was happy inside.
This was the first time a man had ever bought her jewelry. Neither her father nor her brother had ever bought her any. Thinking that this outstanding and considerate man was her fiancé, Shu Yu couldn't help but feel a surge of heat in her heart, and her ears turned red.
Although she only visited one jewelry shop, Tong Cheng'er was still a little tired. However, in order to help her second brother and future sister-in-law develop a relationship, she tried her best to put away her laziness.
Tong Cheng'er thought that if her second brother and future sister-in-law didn't get along in the future, she would be the first to object. After all, she had been so "tired" but hadn't given up being a third wheel for them, which was not easy for her.
After shopping around, Tong Xuewen spent a lot of money, but he didn't seem to mind at all. After all, his younger sister and fiancée were both close to him, and spending money on close people was a pleasant thing for Tong Xuewen.
"It's almost noon, so I had someone reserve a private room at Wangyue Tower in advance."
Tong Cheng'er perked up upon hearing this: "Wangyue Tower?"
Tong Xuewen: "Yes! Wangyue Tower, what's wrong? Is there a problem?"
Tong Cheng'er thought that although the Fourth Prince was the owner behind Wangyue Tower, it was impossible for a prince to come out to inspect the property every day. It was just a meal, so it shouldn't be a big deal.
Tong Cheng'er shook her head: "No problem."
Let's call it Moon Gazing Tower then!
Tong Cheng'er knew that the princes and nobles of the Qing Dynasty were fiercely competing, and she didn't want to get involved at all. It would be best if she had no interaction with the princes and nobles at all.
Inside the private room of Wangyue Tower, knowing that the room was not very soundproof, Tong Cheng'er didn't say much after entering. Although Tong Xuewen and Shu Yu were engaged, they were not married yet, and out of courtesy, they both spoke very restrainedly.
So this private room looks quite quiet.
But while they quieted down, the people around them were not so quiet.
Although the private room wasn't very soundproof, unless someone with excellent hearing was a martial artist and spoke very softly, others wouldn't be able to hear them.
However, the people in the next private room were probably drunk, and they were talking quite loudly.
"...The top scholar this year, I heard, was a Manchu. His father is the Vice Minister of Works. He ignored everyone's invitations and was very aloof!"
"You can't say that. Maybe they're just busy."
"What's all the fuss about? They just look down on us. So what if he's the top scholar? Who knows what he'll become in the future! I've never heard of him before, and his family is so well-off. Who knows how he got the top scholar title?"
"Brother Wang, you've had too much to drink. Be careful what you say."
"I wasn't drunk, that's all. If you ask me, you're much better than him. In the upcoming imperial examination, you'll definitely be able to suppress his arrogance, teach him a lesson, and let him know that there are always people more capable than him..."
...
Everyone in the private room heard this and their expressions turned sour. Tong Xuewen hadn't expected that someone would call him aloof simply for refusing a few invitations.
Tong Cheng'er and Shu Yu were both very angry.
Especially Tong Cheng'er, she and Tong Xuewen have a very good relationship, so she can't stand people making up stories about him like that.
Tong Cheng'er said to Tong Xuewen's pageboy, "Go to the private room next door and ask them if they know the gossipy women on the street. If they don't, why do they imitate them so well? Also, tell them that it's best to avoid talking about others in front of people, as it is an insult to the refinement of scholars."
The pageboy glanced at Tong Xuewen and said, "Do as my little sister says."
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