Chapter 18 Zhang Zhiheng's Admiration
Is it because he slept with me that his sense of morality is getting in the way, which is why he wants to marry me?
Brother, thank you, but I really don't need you to take responsibility. Please let me go.
With your family background, your mother, and your uncle, none of them are easy to get along with.
Sigh... I regret it so much!
Why would you go to see him out of curiosity if there's nothing wrong with that?
We're not even familiar with each other, so let him die in this stagnant pool. Why bother saving him?
Now look what's happened; he's gotten himself into this mess and can't get out...
Xie Yunyu was now filled with deep regret.
Xie Yunyu wasn't the only one who couldn't sleep tonight; there was also Old Master Xie in the main courtyard and Old Master Zhang in Songhe Hall.
The most troubled was Zhang Zhiheng.
Over the years, he had seen all the noble ladies in Wu County, but none of them had moved him. He finally found one he liked.
But this person is too outstanding, and I have no advantage over her at all.
Zhang Zhiheng's heart, which had been proud for sixteen years, was now filled with unease and uncertainty.
Grandfather was right; there are always people more capable than you, and there's always something beyond your understanding.
I need to leave Wu County and head to the capital as soon as possible.
Wu County is too small. Over the years, I have been looking down on the men of Wu County, and in the end, I am not even as good as a woman in the capital.
If I had left the examination hall last year and now held some official position, would she have looked up to me?
With these chaotic thoughts, Zhang Zhiheng drifted off to sleep.
...
Qingchen had already written down everything that happened today and sent it back.
In one day, three carrier pigeons and one hawk were released.
This also includes the poems written by Xie Yunyu.
Xiao Ling received a message by carrier pigeon. The message said that Xie Yunyu was dressed up for the poetry gathering and was sitting side by side with Zhang Zhiheng. The two were chatting and laughing and seemed to be getting along very well.
The thought of that scene sent a spark of anger through Xiao Ling's heart.
Then, upon opening the second letter, it turned out to be a lawsuit between Xie Yunyu and Zhang Qinmin.
The passage above is written verbatim, containing Xie Yunyu's words about the noblewoman.
Xiao Ling nodded; what he said made a lot of sense.
Then I saw the third letter, which contained poems written by Xie Yunyu.
After reading it, Xiao Ling remained silent for a long time. She had such ambitions in her heart, no wonder she didn't take that day's events to heart.
Now it seems that only I am still unable to forget that matter.
Finally, he saw the message from the hawk: Xie Yunman's message to Xie Yunyu had arrived, and Xie Yunyu was in a bad mood after receiving it.
Xiao Ling recalled Xie Yunman's anger when she learned about the matter last time she met Xie Yunman, and knew what the letter said.
Xiao Ling held the poem in her hand and looked at it over and over again, finally taking the note with her to rest.
Xie Yunyu got up early the next morning to reply to Xie Yunman.
In the letter, she admitted to her affair with Xiao Ling and stated that her attitude toward the matter was that she would never marry Xiao Ling.
A few days later, Xie Yunyu received another letter from Xie Yunman, questioning her about what she would do in the future.
Xie Yunyu replied that she planned to become a nun in the future.
This infuriated Xie Yunman, who then blamed all the mistakes on Xiao Ling.
Ten days later, Xiao Ling came to the Xie family again. While Xie Yuntang was away, Xie Yunman told Xiao Ling about Xie Yunyu's idea.
Xiao Ling already knew this was the case, but hearing Xie Yunyu's words still left him feeling disappointed.
When I got home that night, I thought about it and realized I couldn't let her stay in Jiangnan any longer; I had to get her back as soon as possible.
On the Zhang family's side.
Since the poetry gathering, Xie Yunyu could clearly feel the change in Zhang Zhiheng's attitude towards her.
If Zhang Zhiheng had been somewhat restrained towards her a few days ago, after the poetry gathering he made no attempt to hide his admiration.
The two played chess, painted, and chatted together, and Zhang Zhiheng's gaze lingered on him for longer and longer periods.
After staying at the Zhang residence for half a month, Old Master Xie took Xie Yunyu back to their old house in Chengming Town.
On the day of their departure, Zhang Zhiheng rode his horse to see them off, accompanying them for more than ten miles before finally waving goodbye to Xie Yunyu with reluctance.
After Xie Yunyu left, Zhang Zhiheng stood there for a long time, as if his heart had gone with her.
The day I returned to the old house, it was drizzling.
The old house's courtyard had been uninhabited for a long time. Although someone cleaned it regularly, the steps at the entrance were still covered with lush green moss.
The courtyard has three sections. Upon entering, you can see the sturdy pillars in front of the hall. The stone bases are carved with lotus patterns. Although the edges have been worn away, they still show some of the grandeur of the past.
The main hall doors were wide open, and in the center stood an eight-immortal table paired with a grand master's chair, creating a solemn and dignified atmosphere.
It seems that countless family matters and important affairs were discussed and settled here.
Grandpa Xie looked at the furnishings in the courtyard and was filled with emotion.
Xie Yunyu had visited this place when she was a child, and now, looking at the courtyard in front of her, she vaguely remembered it.
The servants tidied up the old house, and the two of them settled in there.
When the family heard that Old Master Xie had returned, they came to visit him the very next day. The commotion lasted for a few days, after which things quieted down.
Very few people in the town still recognize Grandpa Xie, and even fewer of those who knew him from childhood.
The old man took Xie Yunyu through every street and alley in the town, and occasionally they would chat with older acquaintances.
The old man selling flowers by the roadside with a shoulder pole, the old man selling wine in the old shop—anyone who knows Grandpa Xie can stand up and say a few words.
They lived a very leisurely life.
If Xie Yunman hadn't written to her so often and occasionally complained, Xie Yunyu's life would have been even better.
Xiao Ling here.
The work of the Ministry of Personnel is not too complicated, and he is not one to meddle in other people's business, so most of the daily affairs are handled by the Left Vice Minister.
They would only hand over thorny issues involving powerful figures that were difficult to resolve to Xiao Ling.
Xiao Ling decides how to handle things based on the situation, but basically, the other party knows that Xiao Ling is in charge, so even if it's not entirely satisfactory, they can accept it.
Because they dared not provoke Xiao Ling, this formidable figure.
Xiao Ling stayed comfortably in the Ministry of Personnel, enjoying a leisurely life, and quickly adapted to his position as Vice Minister of Personnel.
In his spare time, he began to plan Xie Yunyu's affairs.
That day, after finishing his official duties, Xiao Ling went to the palace to see the Crown Prince.
The Crown Prince looked at Xiao Ling and smiled, "Oh, what brings you here to see me? You're a rare guest indeed."
"The Ministry of Personnel doesn't have much official business, so I'm quite free," Xiao Ling said, taking a sip of tea.
"Hmph, that's because someone is bearing the burden for you."
Before you left, your father told you that you were not in good health and that you should not overwork yourself.
Otherwise, do you think you'd have such a leisurely life?
Xiao Ling listened without saying anything; he had known about this from the beginning.
If it weren't for His Majesty's instructions, the Left Vice Minister of the Ministry of Personnel would have done so much work without a single complaint.
The Crown Prince put down the memorial in his hand and looked at Xiao Ling, saying:
"Speak, what do you want from me?"
“I’m not here to see you, I’m here to see Jiang Hongzhou.”
Jiang Hongzhou was the second son of the Duke of Wei, the leader of the Right Guard of the Eastern Palace, and a personal guard of the Crown Prince.
"Why are you looking for him?" the prince asked, puzzled.
"Ask him for a favor."
The Crown Prince nodded and said, "Go and summon Hong Zhou."
After Jiang Hongzhou arrived, Xiao Ling stared blankly at the Crown Prince, who waved his hand to dismiss everyone around him.
Xiao Ling looked at Jiang Hongzhou and asked, "Are you related to the Zhang family by marriage?"
Jiang Hongzhou was inexplicably summoned in. He saw that the Prince of Shou'an was also there. Just as he was wondering about this, he heard Xiao Ling ask him a question.
After thinking for a moment, he said, "Is it the late Minister of Personnel from Wu County, the old man Zhang Shinan?"
Xiao Ling nodded.
Upon hearing the sudden mention of the Zhang family, Jiang Hongzhou, unsure of the underlying issues, simply replied:
"Yes, we are related by marriage. Old Master Zhang's sister is my paternal aunt."
Xiao Ling then asked, "Then why don't we see any contact between you and the Zhang family?"
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