Chapter 8 Another Blind Date
The next morning, Xiao Ling received an imperial edict from the emperor.
They basically went along with his wishes, but added a time limit, requiring him to get married before he turned thirty.
Secondly, he should be allowed to return to the capital as soon as possible to take up the post of Vice Minister of the Ministry of Personnel.
Xiao Ling glanced at the imperial edict, gave a cold laugh, and threw it aside without saying a word.
Qingfeng found out yesterday that the old Grand Tutor returned to Wu County because the former Minister of Rites, Zhang Shinan, was seriously ill, and stayed there for a while.
Xie Yunman is going to participate in the next scientific expedition. Judging by the time, Old Master Xie will definitely return to Beijing before the end of next year.
Since Xie Yunman will be participating in the imperial examination the year after next, it's such an important event that Old Master Xie can't possibly not come back.
Therefore, I can still get married before I turn thirty.
As for taking a position in the Ministry of Personnel, that's not out of the question, since I'm idle anyway.
Furthermore, his master wanted him to go down the mountain and experience some worldly affairs, saying it would be good for his future.
It would be good to take advantage of the imperial decree to descend the mountain now.
Princess Jinyang was anxious, fearing that Xiao Ling would disobey the imperial decree. However, after waiting for two days without any news, she finally felt relieved.
Now let's talk about Xie Yunyu.
The group boarded an official boat and slowly made their way to Wu County.
Xie Yunyu was in a very good mood on the way, either sitting by the window on the boat enjoying the breeze or painting.
Or he would sit by the window reading storybooks, living a very pleasant life.
In contrast, the old man, perhaps feeling apprehensive about returning home, suddenly became increasingly silent after entering Jiangnan Road.
The large ship sailed into Wu County, where the surrounding mountains and rivers became gentler.
The soft morning mist and the hazy sunset are different from the scenery in the northern regions.
The landscapes depicted by Xie Yunyu have also become gentler and more graceful.
Before leaving, her mother, Zheng, repeatedly urged her to send a letter home so that the family would know if the old master and she were doing well.
So every now and then Xie Yunyu would send some local specialties home, write a letter to let her know she was safe, and send two paintings she had drawn herself.
I colored the landscape paintings of Jiangnan I had done over the past few days, selected two that I felt were the best, and sent them back to Beijing.
Seeing the old man still standing on the deck, Xie Yunyu came out of the cabin and stood beside him to keep him company as he looked at the scenery.
Grandpa Xie pointed to the scenery on the shore and said:
"When I was young, I passed through here and it was all jungle and reed marshes."
Now they're all gone, replaced by mulberry fields and villages.
How times change!
Xie Yunyu didn't speak, but stood quietly, looking at the gentle scenery of Jiangnan on both sides of the river.
After traveling by water for almost a month, Xie Yunyu was finally about to disembark, and she was still a little unaccustomed to it.
After disembarking, the Zhang family's carriage was already waiting on the shore.
The group boarded the Zhang family's carriage and headed west.
An hour later, they arrived at a vast and beautiful garden.
Xie Yunyu got out of the car and looked around. It was indeed in line with the style of Jiangnan, and the garden also had some of the characteristics of Suzhou gardens.
White walls and gray tiles, small bridges and flowing water, blue stone paths, bamboo groves and corridors, winding paths leading to secluded spots, a new scene at every step.
Master Xie and Xie Yunyu were arranged to live in Xi Garden on the west side of the mansion.
The courtyard is filled with pine and cypress trees, creating a tranquil atmosphere that seems quite suitable for the elderly.
Old Master Xie naturally lived in the main house, while Xie Yunyu lived in the east side courtyard.
After washing up, the old man took Xie Yunyu to visit Zhang Shinan.
Along the way, passing through courtyards and over bridges, we arrived at a courtyard called Songhe Hall.
The two went inside to visit him and found an old man with completely white hair and beard, gaunt cheeks, and age spots scattered all over his face.
Only those cloudy eyes lit up when they saw Old Master Xie.
In October, I sat in a wheelchair, covered with a thick blanket.
Upon seeing Grandpa Xie enter, he became extremely agitated and struggled to get up.
Upon seeing this, Grandpa Xie quickly stepped forward and took his hand.
"Old man, why are you so excited to see me?"
Grandpa Zhang took Grandpa Xie's hand and patted the back of his hand.
"How could I not be excited? We haven't seen each other for ten years... I thought I would never see each other again in this lifetime."
As he spoke, Old Master Zhang's eyes welled up with tears.
"Why are you crying? Are you worried that you'll die before me?" Old Master Xie said with a smile.
Grandpa Xie's words instantly washed away Old Zhang's melancholy at the reunion.
He smiled and said, "Now that I'm in this state, I'm determined to go before you."
"That's not necessarily true. Who can say for sure about matters of life and death? If the King of Hell decides you die at midnight, no one dares to keep you alive until dawn."
Who knows which day might be the last? Waking up one morning and going straight to see the late emperor wouldn't be so bad.
Grandpa Xie sat down next to Grandpa Zhang with a smile.
Zhang Shinan turned to Xie Yunyu and said, "Is this the granddaughter you mentioned, who's no less beautiful than your Yunman?"
Grandpa Xie nodded and said, "Hmm, what do you think?"
Zhang Shinan looked Xie Yunyu up and down and said:
"A piece of beautiful jade, naturally formed, with a refined and gentle nature."
Upon hearing this, Xie Yunyu quickly expressed his gratitude, saying, "Junior Xie Yunyu greets Old Master Zhang. Thank you for your praise, Old Master."
"Alright, alright, no need for formalities."
"Eldest daughter-in-law, bring up the gift you prepared for the child."
"Old Master Zhang said with a smile to his eldest daughter-in-law."
The current matriarch of the Zhang family, Madam Sun, is a typical woman from Jiangnan.
Although she's getting older, you can still tell she was a great beauty in her youth.
Even though the beauty's face bears the marks of time, it does not diminish her gentle beauty.
Xie Yunyu accepted the bracelet from Madam Sun and thanked her with a smile:
"Thank you, Auntie."
Then Grandpa Xie said, "Go out for a walk in the yard with your aunt. I'll talk to your Grandpa Zhang."
Xie Yunyu smiled and nodded, then followed Madam Sun downstairs.
After Xie Yunyu's figure walked away and disappeared from sight.
Zhang Shinan turned to look at Grandpa Xie and said, "You old rascal, you're really lucky. Your family actually has two such good kids."
Grandpa Xie looked very pleased with himself.
"That's right, not everyone can have this kind of good fortune."
Zhang Shinan glared at him and said, "You're the only one with grandchildren, don't I have any?"
After saying that, he asked Grandpa Xie, "Is your granddaughter betrothed?"
Grandpa Xie chuckled upon hearing this: "As for her, I've already promised her that she can decide her own marriage arrangements."
Upon hearing this, Old Master Zhang immediately perked up: "Is this true?"
"nature."
Grandpa Xie picked up his teacup, took a sip, and said.
“I have plenty of eligible boys in my family. If one of them wins your granddaughter’s favor, don’t be reluctant to let him go.”
Upon hearing this, Old Master Xie instantly glared at Zhang Shinan, his beard bristling and eyes wide with fury.
"You old scoundrel, I just arrived and had a sip of your tea, and you've already started plotting against my granddaughter."
"How can you act like this as an elder? You shameless old man!"
Old Zhang laughed and said, "Who told you to always praise your granddaughter so much, saying she's the best in the world?"
However, after seeing you today, I realize you are telling the truth.
Grandpa Xie replied smugly, "It's not that I look down on you, but your grandson is no match for my Yu'er."
My granddaughter may not show it on her face, but she is determined and has her own principles. Her temperament is no less than that of a man.
Don't bother introducing your ordinary grandsons.
Old Zhang was furious and shouted, "You old fool, I don't believe it!"
Even if your granddaughter is a star in the sky, my grandson still has the ability to pluck stars from the sky.
You just wait, I'll have my son Heng'er come over tomorrow.
My second grandson is second to none in the entire Wu region, regardless of appearance, temperament, methods, or talent.
Old Master Xie glanced at her and said, "Why do you sound so murderous? It doesn't sound like you're about to get married."
Are you trying to use the children to your advantage?
"What? Are you scared?"
Zhang Shinan glanced sideways at Old Master Xie.
"I'm not afraid of you! I've never been afraid of you in my life!" Old Master Xie cursed.
That night, Old Master Xie got completely drunk and had to be helped home.
The next morning, Xie Yunyu got up and cooked a hangover soup for Old Master Xie.
While serving him breakfast, Old Master Xie suddenly said:
"By the way, Old Man Zhang has a grandson named Zhang Zhiheng."
The old man said his grandson was a top figure in Wu County, with excellent looks, talent, and temperament.
You two should meet and get to know each other these next few days. If I can catch your eye, it will put my mind at ease.
Xie Yunyu was furious upon hearing this, put down her chopsticks and scolded:
“Grandfather, didn’t you promise me that we’d talk about it after my second brother passed the exam?”
Why the sudden change of heart?
Upon hearing this, Grandpa Xie turned to look at his bristling granddaughter and gave an awkward laugh:
"Yu'er, isn't this a good husband who is hard to come by?"
That old man Zhang was praising his grandson to the skies, saying he was the best person in the world. I thought it would be good for you to meet him.
If you like it, that would be great; if not, then forget it.
Grandfather doesn't force you.
Hearing what Grandpa Xie said, Xie Yunyu picked up her chopsticks again and started eating.
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