Chapter 9: Poor Family
"It's not certain yet. I come from a humble background and am not as outstanding as others. How can I be a match for the county lady?" Although he said this, his blood was boiling in his heart and he straightened up a little. "There are so many people around the county lady, all of whom are better than me. Maybe it's wishful thinking for me to marry the county lady..."
"Just because we come from humble backgrounds, does that mean we can't possibly be a match for the County Princess? Just because we have no power or influence, do we lack passion and hope in life?" Jian Anting was filled with emotion, and his voice rose involuntarily. "Guangling, we study tirelessly day and night. Although the Imperial College is full of talented people, the top spot in the Tianzi Class is either you or me. How could those from famous or wealthy families surpass us? Don't underestimate yourself. I firmly believe that after marrying the County Princess, with our talents and knowledge, we will be able to rise to the top of the officialdom and surpass those who just sit there doing nothing. No one can reach our level!"
"Yes, I won't give up. The County Princess... is truly very good." Inspired by his words, Yu Guangling felt his blood boiling and made up his mind, "I... will definitely work hard to win over the County Princess and ensure her a safe and happy life."
Jian Anting nodded silently, and the two of them walked out of the classroom together and headed towards the music hall.
The rain that had been falling for several days finally stopped.
As Xue Xiyang's class was about to start, everyone else had already gone there early to grab a seat. Because Yu Guangling hesitated for a while, he didn't see anyone along the way.
The prison's ditches were clogged, flooding many roads, so they walked along the higher ground next to the library. A distant voice called out to them, and they looked up at the lecture platform opposite. Shangluo was waving at them, signaling them to come quickly.
The two quickened their pace and were about to move forward when a voice suddenly came from behind.
Jian Anting looked back and frowned immediately: "Jin Tang? Why does he look so angry? He's not coming for you, is he?"
Yu Guangling panicked, looked back, and said anxiously, "I don't want to meet him. It would be embarrassing if we started an argument in front of the music hall."
Jian Anting said, "Then you hide for a while. I'll see if I can get rid of him. We'll meet at the lecture platform later."
Having said that, he turned around and walked back out of the library, motioning Yu Guangling to go first.
Yu Guangling knew that if Jin Tang came to cause trouble, his group of followers would definitely be nearby. If he ran, he might be stopped. Therefore, it would be better to hide for the time being as Jian Anting said.
Looking around, the area around the library was flat and there was nowhere to hide. There were only four tall library buildings standing in front of me.
As the highest institution of learning in the Tang Dynasty, the Imperial College naturally housed a vast library. The library was repeatedly expanded, eventually accumulating four buildings, each dedicated to the "Classics, History, Philosophy, and Miscellaneous Works." Each building was a sturdy, blue-brick structure. The four buildings were arranged in a "V" shape, separated by narrow passages barely wide enough for pedestrians to pass through.
At this time, due to the heavy rain for several days, the alley was inevitably full of water, but Yu Guangling no longer cared about it. After a slight hesitation, he ran into the alley.
The crowd in the music hall was bustling, all waiting for the Grand Music Master Xue Xiyang.
Shangluo leaned on the railing and looked down at Yu Guangling and the others. He raised his hand and nudged Qiandeng, who was wearing men's clothing, beside him: "Come on, come on. I told you that we are all classmates and friends in the Imperial College. There will be no quarrel!"
Qiandeng tugged at her men's clothing, still a little uncomfortable. Before she could answer, someone tapped Shangluo on the shoulder and looked at Qiandeng beside him: "Shangluo, who is this person next to you?"
Shangluo said casually: "My cousin, it's lively here today, so I asked her to come and relax."
Qian Deng was afraid of being recognized if he spoke, so he naturally didn't talk to them. He just nodded slightly and turned away.
She was in mourning at home, barely leaving her house, only copying scriptures and praying for her mother. Now that all the scriptures in the mansion had been copied, and Aunt Xuanji was constantly urging her to go out more, she came to the Imperial College to borrow some Taoist tome books, but she hadn't expected Shangluo to drag her here.
Men's clothing could not hide her delicate face, and she had an otherworldly charm even when she was silent. Although people did not talk to her much because of her distant attitude, they could not help but secretly glance at her twice.
Shang Luo was afraid of revealing her identity, so she quickly pulled up Qian Deng and tried to avoid them. However, the students stopped him and asked, "Brother Shang, I heard that you are now living in the Changhua Palace. Doesn't that mean you will see Xue Lecheng every day?"
Shangluo said proudly, "That's right. If you want to see Xue Lecheng, you can only squeeze in with the crowd today. But it's different for me. I can go to his room anytime to listen to him play the piano and flute."
The other party winked and said, "We heard that Xue Lecheng is a famous figure in Chang'an, and countless beauties in the entertainment industry are obsessed with him. Wouldn't it be easy for him to charm the county lady? How can you, a little brat, and a group of others be his match?"
Qiandeng pulled the corner of his mouth and leaned against the pillar with a smile on his face.
Shangluo glanced at Qiandeng's face, and seeing that she didn't get angry, he didn't respond.
I heard other students ask mysteriously, "Brother Shang, I have something to ask. I heard Yu Guangling is going to be promoted? No wonder Jin Tang is so angry. He was even getting drunk at the tavern across the street last night!"
"Tell us what the county lady looks like. She's got so many men captivated and waiting in her backyard. She must be quite skilled, right?"
"You, you're talking nonsense!" Shang Luo was furious. He turned around and glared at the group of students, angrily saying, "The county lady lives in the front yard, separated by a very high wall, and she never comes to the backyard! She took us in out of kindness. We are a clean and honest family, and you, a bunch of filthy-minded people, are gossiping about us!"
"Okay, okay, your county lady is the best." Seeing that his face turned red with anger, the students stopped teasing him, patted his little head, and dispersed with laughter.
Shangluo was angry enough and looked back at the library below.
"Huh? Where's Brother Guangling?" Shangluo was surprised that he had just seen him walking towards him and he disappeared in just a moment.
Qiandeng looked down at the library, and sure enough, there was no trace of Yu Guangling. Only Jian Anting was looking around as if he was looking for him, and was slowly walking towards them.
Shangluo leaned on the railing, looking down, a little hesitant: "County Lady, have you really chosen Brother Guangling?"
Qian Deng said calmly, "It's too early to talk about this now. Although the palace has this intention, I have to observe mourning for three years, so everything is still uncertain."
"Anyway, I don't want to go home and get beaten every day, so please don't chase me away, County Lady." Shangluo grabbed her sleeve and said with a pout.
Qian Deng smiled and said, "Not so soon. If you don't want to go home, just stay here first. When your father comes back, I'll help you discuss it with him."
Shangluo was overjoyed, but then he felt a little sad: "Hey, Brother Guangling is a good man, but...but I'm still not very happy that he has the county lady all to himself."
Qiandeng nodded and agreed in his heart that Yu Guangling was a good person.
But...is he a good man for her?
His mother must have been pleased with him. A humble and motivated young man, with talent and learning, would have a bright future; without family background, his career would depend on the Changhua Palace.
He is silent, quiet, gentle, kind, well-read, and will never do anything bad.
But after imagining herself and him staying together for life and raising children together, Qian Deng couldn't help but sigh -
There's nothing wrong with him.
However, if she was looking for a man just to have a stable and secure life in the second half of her life, she still felt that the scene of her adopting a younger brother in front of the ancient Buddha and teaching him the Bai family's double guns would make her feel more secure and at ease.
But... who was the person my mother was referring to before she died?
I heard footsteps and Jian Anting had already walked up to the podium alone.
Shangluo looked beside him and asked in surprise, "Brother Jian, where is Brother Guangling?"
Jian Anting's expression was even more surprised than his: "Didn't Guangling come here first? I just saw Jintang coming from the back, so I stayed to stop him and let him go first."
Shangluo frowned: "Brother Jin isn't here either."
"Yeah, I thought he was coming this way, but he didn't. It's really strange." Jian Anting said, looking up and seeing Qian Deng, he felt like he had seen him before.
After carefully examining her pretty face, his gaze fell on her right eyebrow, and he was surprised to realize that she was the Princess of Lingling County, and he hurriedly bowed to her.
At this time, there were crowds of people downstairs, and Xue Xiyang finally arrived surrounded by the chief priests and doctors.
Among the old scholars in blue and cyan clothes, only Xue Xiyang wore a lilac round-necked shirt that ordinary people would not dare to wear. The shirt was embroidered with colorful swallows and butterflies, and tied with a lilac silk belt around his waist. The bright and charming colors made him look even more elegant and outstanding.
Qian Deng secretly complained, it looks good, but it's too frivolous... It doesn't seem like he is here to give a lecture, but rather to show off.
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