Chapter 525: Limited Edition Spring Robe (Part 1) [Requesting Monthly Tickets]
Xu Jie's rare loss of composure caught Ning Yan's attention.
Her junior brother Xu had always had a mature and sophisticated demeanor since he was a teenager. When they first met, she could still joke around with him, but as he got older, he became more and more composed and worldly-wise, and even his sincere expressions became less frequent. Ning Yan even complained that he was becoming more and more boring.
Now that he's in charge of the Xu family, it's hard to imagine what could possibly make him lose his composure like this, almost jumping up on the spot.
Ning Yan couldn't help but cast a curious glance at her.
Seeing this, Xu Jie reluctantly sat back down in his original seat.
Her gaze darted away, avoiding the letter from home, clearly trying to escape something. Ning Yan didn't ask, lest she touch a sore spot. Xu Jie opening and reading the letter aloud in front of her was already a gesture of intimacy, and she didn't want to kick him while he was down.
"Ahem—I'm sorry to have made you laugh, Senior Sister—"
"Is it something urgent?"
If so, she should get up and avoid suspicion.
Xu Jie hurriedly waved his hand and said, "No, no... it's just... I'm a little shocked, and it's hard for me to accept it for a moment..."
He made a very short sentence sound like a tangled mess.
Ning Yan: "Is it related to your younger brother?"
She knew that Xu Jie had a very young cousin who had reportedly lost both his parents at a young age and was raised by Xu Jie like a son. Despite his young age, he possessed extensive experience in raising children. Their relationship was naturally extraordinary…
The only person who could make Xu Jie lose his composure was him.
Xu Jie's mind was still in turmoil, but he stubbornly said, "A bit. This child is becoming more and more outrageous. I thought that by serving under Lord Shen, he would be influenced by his surroundings and learn to be more composed and open-minded, but I didn't expect him to become even more outrageous, daring to speak ill of his own lord..."
Ning Yan asked, "Whom does your younger brother serve?"
Xu Jie replied, "It is Shen Tang, the prefect of Longwu County."
Ning Yan was no stranger to this person.
It's even quite familiar.
Leaving aside her late husband Yan Xingning's high praise for this man, the sheer number of accolades she heard from the local commoners upon entering Heyin County was enough to make her ears ache. Ning Yan also knew that Yan An's close friend, Kang Shi, had also served as an official under this young man…
only……
Given Xu Jie's discipline of his cousin, surely he wouldn't have raised a lawless, disrespectful, and unruly devil?
No matter how young Shen Jun is, he is Xu Quan's lord, and basic respect should still be given. How could he make up stories like this and even write them into a family letter? Ning Yan is meticulous, and in just a moment, her mind is racing.
Xu Jie was exasperated with his cousin: "That bastard actually made up a story that Shen Jun is a woman. Listen to that! Is that even plausible?"
Ning Yan: "..."
Then I heard Xu Jie rant and rave about his cousin.
Is he blind?
"Didn't you see the Wenxin monogram?"
"No matter how beautiful and handsome Shen Jun is, he is still a good man who stands tall and upright. He even said that Shen Jun's red dress is very beautiful, and that he is equally beautiful as him, and that they are two of the most outstanding people in the world..." Actually, there was another paragraph after that, which Xu Quan thought was even more wonderful.
Xu Jie: "..."
This is outrageous! I wish I could fly to my cousin, give him two big fights, then force him to kneel down and beg for forgiveness!
Xu Quan's monthly allowance must be completely deducted!
Ning Yan listened quietly as Xu Jie finished venting.
He retorted, "Is your younger brother really so unreliable?"
Xu Jie still loved his cousin and tried to salvage some of his reputation: "...No, that's not it. Wen Shi may seem mischievous, and I've spoiled him since he was little, but he's not a spoiled brat, and he knows what's important. But, but, what he said is really inappropriate..."
Ning Yan lowered her eyes, her face showing deep thought.
She was both Yan Xingning's wife and his like-minded confidante, and he wouldn't hide many things from her. Therefore, Ning Yan knew that Shen Tang possessed a national seal. However, even Xingning wasn't entirely certain about the seal's origin.
As for Shen Tang's gender...
Ning Yan said, "Since you know the importance of things, how could you easily slander the lord you serve? No matter how kind and magnanimous Lord Shen is, it's impossible that he wouldn't have any reservations. Wen Zhu, have you considered the possibility that what your brother said is true?"
Xu Jie: "But Mr. Shen is a scholar with a literary heart..."
The Wenxin Huaya (文心花押) is impossible to forge.
This sentence made Ning Yan's hand holding the teacup tremble slightly. Looking at the ripples on the surface of the teacup, she murmured, "Yes, how could a scholar with a literary heart be a woman..."
But this person possesses the Imperial Seal.
Who knows if there aren't exceptions?
Once someone controls the Imperial Seal, regardless of their previous literary talent rank, they can instantly rise to the highest rank. In a sense, literary talent is the Imperial Seal, and the Imperial Seal is literary talent. Therefore, it seems that a woman without literary talent obtaining the Imperial Seal…
Is it possible to possess literary talent?
The thought lingered in her mind like a venomous snake, impossible to shake off, as if she could smell its sweet and alluring venom. Ning Yan's previously calm state of mind suddenly rippled like the surface of a teacup, difficult to calm down.
"But what if it's true?"
Ning Yan's gaze held a familiar aggressiveness.
Xu Jie was speechless.
They were even worried that she was becoming somewhat obsessed.
"So, what are your plans, Senior Sister?"
Ning Yan said, "Go and verify it."
Yan Xingning had arranged several alternatives for the mother and daughter, one of which was to seek refuge with Kang Shi in Longwu County, but this was not the best option. The main reason was that Longwu County was too far away, and the journey was dangerous, making it impossible for three ordinary people to reach it safely.
Ning Yan would naturally not choose to go to Longwu County.
Firstly, Kang Shi's lord, Shen Tang, was transferred to a remote and impoverished area plagued by foreign enemies because of her husband, forcing her to abandon her business, which she had built up over two years. This was a grudge. Secondly, the journey was long and dangerous. Thirdly, she was not very familiar with Kang Shi and had heard that he was having marital difficulties and was still single, making it inconvenient for her to seek refuge with him.
Finally, Shen Tang is male.
If one wants to take up an official post, it is unlikely that the other party will agree.
On the contrary, Xu Jie didn't have these problems.
but--
If Shen Tang is truly a female writer with a literary mind, then this one advantage alone can offset all the above concerns!
Xu Jie: "What if it were a man?"
Ning Yan said, "I will come back."
"What if it's a daughter?"
Ning Yan: "Then I will take up an official post."
Xu Jie: "..."
For a moment, I felt conflicted, with a sense that years of friendship had been defeated by gender. _(:з)∠)_
Although he was certain his senior sister would return, he still needed to make the necessary preparations. Coincidentally, he had some things he needed to send to Longwu County, and he felt at ease if his senior sister could help take them along the way. It would also add some weight to her load.
"What is that?"
Xu Jie said, "Grain seeds."
He inquired about the situation in Longwu County the previous year and learned that it had been robbed and burned to death. There was no peace all year round, and the common people were starving to death. Where could they possibly have any grain left? No matter how capable Shen Jun was, he couldn't cook without rice.
How can we grow grain when there are no seeds?
but--
Xu Jie emphasized, "We need to charge you."
At most, we'll offer a small, friendly discount.
Business people hate being taken advantage of the most.
Ning Yan: "..."
Even after Ning Yan set off, Xu Jie kept saying that Shen Tang couldn't possibly be a woman, and he couldn't understand why there would be such an absurd rumor!
This all started with Chu Yao.
It is known that Chu Yao raised his apprentices as his own children.
Every aspect, big or small.
Thanks to the recent confiscation of property, Chu Yao acquired several bolts of precious fabric. Tu Rong, who practices martial arts all day, wears out his clothes quickly, patching and mending them as he goes along. A few inexpensive new clothes for each season are enough to ruin him. Lin Feng, on the other hand, is a young woman who has reached the age where she knows what is beautiful and ugly.
Those bolts of fabric were in vibrant colors that perfectly complemented the skin tone.
If Lin Feng is included, why isn't Shen Tang included?
He did a quick calculation and was shocked to realize that his lord was almost fifteen... He always wore loose-fitting, monotonous men's clothing and lived a rough life like a boar.
That won't do!
How could such good things be missing from my lord!
People always respect the clothes first, then the person!
They then took Shen Tang's measurements and instructed the tailor to make several presentable outfits at once. Shen Tang obediently stood and stretched out her arms, asking, "Wu Hui, do you want a dress made?"
\(￣︶￣*\))
Afterwards, people outside said that Shen Jun liked to dress as a woman and had a strange habit.
(End of this chapter)
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