Chapter 83 Need to learn moves
But the book in this bookstore is a hundred times bolder than that one.
Xie Jinglan paused his fingertips on the spine of the book, thinking that he would have to let her adapt slowly in the future, so he picked out the thickest and most complete copy of "Da Le Fu" and hid it in the pile of vernacular novels in his arms.
Just as he was about to turn around to look for Wen Ning, he caught a glimpse of a blue-covered booklet beside the bookshelf from the corner of his eye. The cover read "Marquis Anyuan and His Stunning Maid."
Those eight words made his heart skip a beat. He pulled it out and flipped through it. The opening line was "Anyuan Hou Xie Jinglan met the stunning maid Ning'er by chance. He fell in love with her at first sight and forced her into his mansion."
What follows is all about him and Ning'er in the room, so detailed that it seems as if one has seen it with one's own eyes, except for the melodramatic plot of "the marquis's family competes for favor, and the favorite concubine poisons" added at the end.
Xie Jinglan was both angry and amused, and the strength with which his fingertips gripped the pages of the book increased a little.
This folk writer is really bold to use him to write a story.
He raised his eyes to look at the figure behind him in the medical books section. Wen Ning had no idea that she had become the protagonist of the story.
The man's eyes softened. Well, it's better not to let her see such a made-up thing, so that she won't blush and say that he is not decent.
When Wen Ning turned around with a few medical books in her arms, she saw him holding a paper bag that was bulging with stuff. It was obvious that it contained quite a few books.
"What did the Marquis choose?" she asked casually.
Xie Jinglan shook the paper bag, grinning with a hint of ill intent. In a voice only the two of them could hear, he said, "A notebook to entertain Ning'er. Also, there are some... moves that this marquis needs to learn."
Wen Ning didn't think much about it, and just thought that the moves he was talking about were some martial arts techniques or military tactics.
He is the Marquis of Anyuan and a General of Cavalry who has fought in many battles. It is always good for him to learn more skills.
…
There is still a whole month to go before the old lady's birthday, but the vermilion lacquered gate of the Marquis' Mansion is several times busier than usual.
Several relatives from side branches came early, saying that they were there to give the old lady birthday gifts in advance, but in fact, each of them brought their smartest children to wander around the garden corridor of the marquis's mansion, their eyes constantly gazing at the huge house, and it was obvious what they were thinking in their minds.
This matter started when the emperor wanted to arrange a marriage for Marquis Anyuan.
Ever since Xie Jinglan returned to the capital and took charge of the military power, the emperor has become more and more determined to marry the fifth princess to him.
The matter had been brought up several times before, but he had always declined by citing busy military duties and an old illness. However, a few days ago, the emperor did not even leave him room for refusal and demanded that he issue an edict right there and then.
Xie Jinglan had no choice but to confess, "Since I was poisoned that year, my foundation has been damaged. It is difficult for me to have children. The Fifth Princess is a precious and precious person. I dare not delay her."
These words were like thunderclaps, and all the civil and military officials in the court realized that the once glorious Marquis Anyuan had actually lost his fertility long ago.
But no one expected that after hearing the news, the Fifth Princess ran to the emperor in person and cried, saying, "I will not marry anyone but Xie Jinglan in this life, and she doesn't care whether she has children or not."
The emperor was so annoyed by his daughter that he finally gave in.
"Since the princess doesn't mind, we can adopt a child from a side branch in the future. The Anyuan Marquisate's incense can't be cut off."
Once the emperor softened his stance, these side branches could no longer sit still.
Marquis Anyuan is already extremely powerful. If he is also related to the royal family through the Fifth Princess, his future wealth and prosperity will be unimaginable.
If his child could be adopted and inherit the title and property of the marquisate, then the entire family would be able to rise to prosper.
As a result, five or six branches of the family each picked the smartest and most respectable child in the family and rushed to the marquis's mansion.
The visitors today were from distant uncles and aunts. My third cousin brought a delicate little boy with her, who kept calling me "old lady, give me a hug." The child was quite understanding and tugged at the old lady's clothes, calling her great-grandmother sweetly.
The old lady had indeed thought of adopting a child for the Marquis before.
At that time, she thought that it would be better to pick a well-behaved child from a side branch and raise him by her side than to have no heir in the future.
But now, looking at these side branches, they bring their children to the mansion under the pretext of sending birthday gifts. The children they bring are either pretending to recite poems, or their eyes are glued to the wealth of the mansion.
The Marquis hasn't even decided on a marriage yet, isn't it too early to arrange for adoption?
The old lady was disgusted by his obvious thoughts.
Besides, Xibao was almost certain in her mind, and she was just waiting for a word of affirmation from the Marquis.
As long as the Marquis nods, he will be her real great-grandson and the root of the Anyuan Marquisate.
When you have your relatives around, why bother with those distant relatives?
The old lady sat in the hall, looking at the warm smiling faces in the room. Her mind was clear as a mirror. She just took a sip of tea slowly, a meaningful smile flashing in her eyes.
The third cousin's wife was not one who could sit still. She had been walking around the mansion for a long time and was taking a rest with her child by the moon-shaped gate across the courtyard when she caught a glimpse of two figures walking towards her from the other end of the corridor.
The woman was dressed simply and without any makeup, yet she was extremely beautiful.
And the child beside him, delicate and exquisite, with a pair of eyes as black and shiny as inkstone dipped in water. Despite his young age, he has a straight nose and well-defined lips, and he has an indescribable elegance.
My cousin's wife felt a pang in her heart, knowing that everyone who came was a competitor.
I have seen many children from other branches these days. I thought my own little treasure was already outstanding, but when compared with the child in front of me, it was like a coarse porcelain bowl compared to a jade bottle, and he was instantly inferior.
She tightened her grip on the handkerchief, and a sense of inexplicable discomfort surged up in her. She had already taken a step forward before she thought.
"Madam, please stay." She had a smile on her face, but her eyes were looking back and forth between Wen Ning and Xi Bao. "You look unfamiliar. Which family are you from? I haven't seen you before."
When Xibao saw the person, he bowed politely without waiting for his mother's signal, "Greetings to the Madam~"
His voice was clear and had the softness that only a child can have, and his little appearance was both well-behaved and respectable.
The pair of eyes like black grapes looked over at him, not at all shy, but rather revealing a cleverness that made his already well-proportioned features even more pleasing.
My cousin's wife was stunned for a moment. She didn't expect the child to be so generous and polite.
Her own boy looked even more timid, hiding behind her and mumbling, unable to utter a word.
The unhappiness in her heart surged up again, but she had to force a smile on her face, "This child is really good at talking."
Wen Ning patted her son's head, raised her eyes to look at her cousin's wife, and bowed gently but distantly, "I am not a relative of your family, I am just staying here temporarily."
"Not a relative?" The cousin's wife raised her eyebrows, and her eyes looked at Wen Ning up and down with a little more inquiry.
There have been rumors in the capital for a long time that Marquis Anyuan likes a widow with a child.
My cousin's wife's hand holding the handkerchief suddenly tightened in her heart. Could it be that... she is the young widow?
She originally thought that it was just someone else's gossip, but now she saw that although this woman was plain, she was still graceful. With such appearance and demeanor, it was no wonder that the arrogant Marquis Anyuan looked at her differently.
If this is true, then what is this child?
Could it be that he wants to snatch the adoption spot by relying on his unclear relationship with the Marquis?
Her own child is a legitimate branch of the family, so it should be her turn!
A bastard of unknown origin wants to get in!
The cousin's wife became angrier and angrier the more she thought about it, and the smile on her face disappeared.
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