Chapter 15 Standoff Between Brother-in-Law and Brother-in-Law
Xie Yunman heard Xiao Ling's words: "Beautiful inside and out."
My doubts grew stronger.
In the capital, who doesn't know that the Prince of Shou'an avoids women like the plague? You've never heard him utter a single word praising a woman.
Now, however, he's praising Xie Yunyu here.
After finishing the meal, a servant told us that a message had arrived via carrier pigeon from Jiangnan.
Xie Yunman turned and left the study.
After reading the old man's message by carrier pigeon, Xie Yunman's speculation was confirmed: the Prince of Shou'an was probably after Xie Yunyu.
In the late afternoon, Xiao Ling got up to say goodbye.
Xie Yuntang said he had a calligraphy copybook to give to Xiao Ling and asked Xiao Ling to wait a moment while he went to fetch it.
Only Xie Yunman and Xiao Ling remained in the study.
Xie Yunman smiled and asked, "I wonder when the Prince met my sister?"
Upon hearing this, Xiao Ling suddenly looked at Xie Yunman.
"Since the Prince won't say, I'll guess."
It must have been when my sister went to Qingliang Mountain to keep my grandfather company.
Xiao Ling remained silent, but his heart was in turmoil.
I didn't ask Xie Yunyu much about how Xie Yunman knew about this when I came here.
Judging from his expression, it seems that Xie Yunyu did not tell him the truth.
Regardless of what Xiao Ling thought, Xie Yunman continued:
"Then the Prince should know that my sister went to the mountain to escape an arranged marriage."
Therefore, if the prince wants to make a move on his younger sister, he will probably have to get past her first hurdle.
There's nothing we can do to help in this matter.
Seeing that Xie Yunman had seen through his intentions, Xiao Ling nodded in acknowledgment:
"I want to marry her."
When Xie Yunman saw that Xiao Ling had admitted it, she was not happy at all, but rather a little angry.
"Your Highness, please forgive my indiscretion."
Our two families are no longer a good match; the Xie family understands the principle that equal social standing is not a good match.
Xiao Ling looked at Xie Yunman and calmly said, "As long as you pass the imperial examination with top honors in all three levels, this marriage is not out of the question."
Xie Yunman looked up at Xiao Ling and said, "Your Highness, is this your own idea?"
Xiao Ling nodded.
"I suggest that you go back and ask the Princess and His Majesty for their opinions before making any further decisions."
Xiao Ling calmly shook his head: "No need, His Majesty has already issued the decree, I can decide my own marriage."
Xie Yunman shook his head and said, "Your Highness, countless noble ladies in the capital have admired you."
My sister doesn't want to get married, why did you insist on choosing her?
Seeing that things had already come to this point, Xiao Ling simply admitted it:
"On the night of the Mid-Autumn Festival, I was poisoned by the aphrodisiac."
I was soaking in the clear pool of Qingliang Mountain when your sister passed by and relieved me of my medication.
Upon hearing this, Xie Yunman's expression changed drastically. He jumped up from his seat and took two steps forward...
As Xie Yunman approached Xiao Ling, he suddenly smelled a faint sandalwood scent and stopped in time.
That's why he didn't throw a punch at Xiao Ling.
Xie Yun was furious, her face flushed and panting: "You...you...say that again..."
Xiao Ling didn't know how to face Xie Yunman, who was full of anger, and lowered his head in shame, saying:
“I didn’t do it on purpose. I was under the influence of drugs and lost my mind.”
Xie Yunman was filled with anger and had nowhere to vent it. He turned around, grabbed a teacup on the desk, and smashed it on the ground.
His breathing grew heavy, his mind was in turmoil, and it took him a long time to recover after clutching his head.
She glared angrily at Xiao Ling: "Your Highness, you don't need to force yourself. Even if my sister never marries, my Xie family can afford to support her."
My Xie family temple is too small to accommodate such a great Buddha as you. Please, Your Highness, do not come here again.
Between you and my little sister, let's pretend nothing ever happened.
Xiao Ling sighed, stood up, and looked at Xie Yunman:
"What happened before was my fault."
But I'm determined to marry her. Whether you welcome me or not, I'll continue to be a part of the Xie family from now on.
After saying that, he walked towards the door.
Xie Yunman was left standing there, so angry that the veins on his forehead throbbed and his fists clenched so tightly they cracked.
At this moment, Xie Yuntang returned, handed the letter to Xiao Ling, and after exchanging a few pleasantries, they saw him out.
Seeing Xiao Ling's figure disappear at the courtyard gate, Xie Yunman could no longer hold back and smashed everything around her on the ground.
Then he turned around and wrote a letter to Xie Yunyu.
When Xie Yuntang returned, he said before even entering the door:
"Erlang, why didn't you go with us to see the Prince off? That was very impolite. Fortunately, the Prince didn't blame you."
Upon entering, she saw a mess on the floor and looked at Xie Yunman, who was sitting at her desk with a gloomy face, with surprise. She asked in astonishment:
What happened?
Xie Yunman kept a straight face and didn't say anything. He got up and left.
Reaching the door, he turned back to Xie Yuntang and said, "This Prince of Shou'an has ill intentions. Avoid associating with him in the future."
After saying that, he left, leaving Xie Yuntang completely bewildered.
After Xie Yunman returned home, she was so angry that her liver ached, and she couldn't eat or sleep.
But this did not affect Xie Yunyu, who was thousands of miles away, eating and sleeping well.
That day, early in the morning, Gu Yu urged Xie Yunyu to get up and wash.
Then the two of them went to see the Xie family patriarch. The patriarch looked at Xie Yunyu's attire and nodded.
"That's right, there are many people and the occasion is grand today, so it's better to be a bit formal."
Xie Yunyu was dressed today in a soft, pale yellow gauze, paired with a light gray gauze shawl. Her hair was tied up in a spiral bun, piled high on top of her head.
Her hair was adorned with pearl hairpins, combs, and hair ornaments, and her forehead was decorated with floral patterns, with a pearl in the center, making her look both noble and charming.
This makeup style, featuring floral decorations and pearl inlays on the forehead, is the latest trend in the capital.
Xie Yunyu used to wear this kind of makeup when she was at home, but she only changed to a simpler style after she went to the mountain.
After the meal, we went to Songhetang with Grandpa Xie.
The Songhe Hall was already packed with people.
The women of the Zhang family and the brothers who were attending the poetry gathering were all listening to Old Master Zhang's instructions in the courtyard.
Just as he finished speaking, two people came in.
The people in the courtyard first bowed to Old Master Xie, and then all eyes fell on Xie Yunyu.
Compared to her previous simple attire, Xie Yunyu's elegant attire today caught Zhang Zhiheng's eye.
The third daughter of the Xie family is truly a great beauty.
The Zhang sisters were looking her up and down, scrutinizing her makeup and appearance.
The youngest, Zhang Qinmin, couldn't help but ask, "Sister Xie, is your headdress and makeup popular in the capital?"
Xie Yunyu smiled and nodded.
When Grandpa Zhang saw Xie Yunyu, he smiled and nodded, then looked at Grandpa Xie beside him.
He thought to himself: How could Xie Zian, that unremarkable old man, have such a beautiful granddaughter? I'm so jealous!
Then he turned to his eldest daughter-in-law, Madam Sun, and instructed her:
"Today we are going to be with the officials of the court."
"Take good care of Yu'er here, and make sure nothing goes wrong."
After hearing her father-in-law's instructions, Madam Sun smiled and stepped forward, taking Xie Yunyu's hand and saying:
"Father, rest assured, your daughter-in-law will definitely take good care of Xie's niece."
Zhang Zhiheng also spoke up, "Grandfather, rest assured, your grandson will take good care of Third Sister."
Hearing Zhang Zhiheng's words, everyone in the Zhang family understood that he had taken a liking to Xie San Niangzi.
He had never volunteered to take care of anyone before.
The group boarded the carriage and headed south out of the city.
Zhang Qinxue and Xie Yunyu rode in a carriage together. Every now and then, Zhang Qinxue would lift the curtain and introduce the scenery along the way to Xie Yunyu.
Pointing to the mountain path not far away, he said, "That's Yingqing Mountain. Wangshan Tower is located in Wangshan Villa at the foot of that mountain."
Xie Yunyu looked at the distant high mountain, where a white ribbon seemed to descend from the mist in mid-air, its origin unknown, yet it had fallen to earth.
He exclaimed in admiration, "A waterfall plunges three thousand feet, as if the Milky Way were falling from the ninth heaven. It is nothing more than this."
The location of Wangshan Tower is excellent; it truly is a wonderful place for sightseeing.
Zhang Qinxue was stunned when she heard this.
A waterfall plunges three thousand feet, as if the Milky Way were falling from the ninth heaven.
Looking out the window, the mountains are shrouded in mist, like a waterfall falling from mid-air, or a beautiful white ribbon.
It truly seems as if the Milky Way has fallen from the ninth heaven.
Zhang Qinxue instantly lost any desire to compete with Xie Yunyu.
"Miss Xie, your literary talent is remarkable, I admire you."
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