Chapter 19 Mix it up
"The Zhang family has been living in Wu County for years, and my aunt has also passed away, so we don't have much contact."
Jiang Hongzhou answered respectfully.
The Crown Prince was puzzled when Xiao Ling kept asking about the Zhang family. He listened silently without interrupting.
"Huan Shaoqing of the Dali Temple has returned from Wu County in Jiangnan these past few days. He heard that at this year's poetry competition, there is a man named Zhang Zhiheng, who is the grandson of Minister Zhang."
He was said to be exceptionally talented and handsome, and winning second place in the poetry competition was quite impressive.
Jiang Hongzhou had no idea who Zhang Zhiheng was.
But since the prince had asked, he nodded in agreement.
"The grandson of Minister Zhang must be exceptional."
Then Xiao Ling began to lie through his teeth.
"I was just chatting with the Crown Prince, and he asked why the Zhang family members haven't come to study at the Nanshan Academy in the capital?"
The crown prince stood to the side, looking utterly shocked.
When did I say that?
I don't even know who Zhang Zhiheng is, so how did this person get pinned on me?
However, his long-standing tacit understanding with Xiao Ling made him feel that Xiao Ling must have an intention in saying this, so he did not interrupt.
Jiang Hongzhou responded quickly, "My father told me that Minister Zhang's health is not good, and he is preparing to write a letter to send some precious medicinal materials over."
After I returned from my mission, I urged my father to go.
Seeing that Jiang Hongzhou understood his meaning, Xiao Ling said:
“That’s excellent. The Nanshan Academy in the capital is far superior to the one in Wu County.”
"If we could study here, perhaps the Zhang family could produce another top scholar in two years."
The Crown Prince then spoke up, "Hmm, not bad. Speaking of which, I visited the Zhang residence when I was a child."
After a brief chat, Jiang Xingzhou left.
The Crown Prince looked at Xiao Ling with annoyance and said, "Why are you suddenly so concerned about the Zhang family?"
"Don't worry about that, just bring Zhang Zhiheng to the capital."
Upon hearing this, the Crown Prince stroked his chin, unable to immediately guess what Xiao Ling was up to.
"It sounds like the Zhang family has offended you?"
Xiao Ling suddenly turned and glared at the Crown Prince: "Did you tell my mother about the little maid?"
Upon hearing this, the Crown Prince was momentarily embarrassed: "I was merely relaying your exact words; it was my aunt's own interpretation."
Xiao Ling snorted coldly upon hearing this.
The crown prince continued his gossipy inquiry, "Tell me quickly, what's going on with the Zhang family?"
Xiao Ling said unhappily, "You always have a habit of letting things slip. It's better that you didn't know about this."
And don't meddle in this matter. If you dare to interfere, I'll speak ill of you to His Majesty."
The crown prince was taken aback and asked, "What gossip have I been talking about?"
Xiao Ling said calmly, "I saw you by the Huanhua Stream, your eyes bright, your eyebrows delicate..."
The crown prince quickly got up and covered Xiao Ling's mouth.
How did you find out about this?
"Hmph, you said that yourself when you were drunk," Xiao Ling said innocently.
The Crown Prince sighed: "Fine, do as you please. I'll keep an eye on the Zhang family's affairs for you, okay?"
After saying that, she rolled her eyes at Xiao Ling and said, "I must have owed you something in my past life."
Xiao Ling stood up and looked at the Crown Prince, saying, "You didn't owe me anything in your past life, but you did when you were a child."
The crown prince listened without saying a word.
They recalled a time when they were children, on Wan'an Mountain, when they encountered an assassination attempt.
Xiao Ling disguised himself as the crown prince and lured the assassin away.
Later, Xiao Ling was found in the freezing cold. After returning, he had a high fever for three days and almost died.
And every time the Crown Prince got into trouble, he would drag Xiao Ling along.
Xiao Ling was physically weak, and the emperor couldn't bear to punish him, so he always let the crown prince escape punishment.
Therefore, from childhood to adulthood, Xiao Ling has often taken the blame for the Crown Prince.
Seeing that the Crown Prince remained silent, Xiao Ling stood up and said:
“I recently studied Xie Yuntang’s Slender Gold style calligraphy. Would you like to know its essence?”
Upon hearing this, the Crown Prince's attention was indeed diverted, and he spoke:
“I have seen his calligraphy and even tried to copy it, but it only resembled his style in form, not in spirit.”
"That's because you haven't grasped the core essence."
As he spoke, Xiao Ling took out a copy of the essentials of the Slender Gold style of calligraphy that he had compiled from his bosom and handed it to the Crown Prince.
Then we prepared to leave.
"I'm leaving. Keep an eye on the Zhang family's affairs and make sure they get the people into the capital as soon as possible."
The crown prince's attention was drawn to the paper in his hand, and he waved to Xiao Ling.
Xiao Ling turned around and strode out of the East Palace.
...
Jiangnan Circuit, Wu County, Chengming Town.
On this day, Zhang Zhiheng suddenly came over in person, saying that it was the twelfth lunar month and the end of the year was approaching, and he had come specifically to deliver something to Old Master Xie.
Xie Yunyu received him.
The two strolled around the town, stopping frequently to admire the scenery.
Zhang Zhiheng often stared blankly at Xie Yunyu's profile, which Xie Yunyu noticed several times.
Finally, Xie Yunyu couldn't help but ask, "Second Brother Zhang, is something on your mind?"
Zhang Zhiheng nodded.
"Third sister, I...I love you."
Xie Yunyu didn't react much, but simply nodded and said:
"Yes, I know."
Zhang Zhiheng was stunned for a moment when he heard Xie Yunyu say that she knew.
Then she thought, "She's so smart, she must know that."
She blushed and said, "I know your talent is no less than mine, and perhaps even greater, which makes me feel ashamed."
Therefore, I want to study at Nanshan Academy in the capital first, and after I achieve good results in the imperial examination the following spring, I will definitely have my father go to the Xie family to propose marriage..."
Xie Yunyu interrupted him upon hearing this:
“Second Brother Zhang, since ancient times, marriages have always been arranged by parents and matchmakers. You can talk to my grandfather about this.”
Zhang Zhiheng replied, "My grandfather told me that Grand Tutor Xie promised you that you could decide your own marriage."
Upon hearing this, Xie Yunyu inwardly blamed her grandfather for telling everyone everything.
Now I have to come up with an excuse.
Xie Yunyu glanced at Zhang Zhiheng and said, "Second Brother Zhang, my grandfather once said that a good man should establish a career before starting a family."
I fully support your decision to study in Beijing.
But let's talk about our issues later.
After all, there are many women in the capital with looks like me, so you might not even want me then.
Upon hearing this, Zhang Zhiheng waved his hands repeatedly: "No, no, no, Third Sister, I am definitely not the kind of person who is fickle and easily bored."
Believe me, I will marry no one but you in the future.
Xie Yunyu chuckled inwardly upon hearing this.
Throughout history, those who vowed to marry no one but their beloved have always ended up marrying someone else.
Those who claim to have only you in their hearts often end up with three wives and four concubines.
Men's words have been the same few phrases for thousands of years, with no innovation.
In order to get rid of Zhang Zhiheng's entanglement, Xie Yunyu said:
"Life is long, and everyone's experiences will be different. We'll talk about the future later."
When Zhang Zhiheng finally passed away, he still spoke with unwavering conviction:
"Third sister, wait for me. I'm sure I'll do well in the imperial examination the year after next."
Xie Yunyu smiled politely and waved goodbye to Zhang Zhiheng.
He thought to himself: My second brother will be competing the year after next, and with those experts from Nanshan Academy, your ranking won't be good.
And why should I wait for you?
There are countless fine men in Beijing, but once you get there, you'll find you won't be among them.
After seeing Zhang Zhiheng off, Xie Yunyu passed by the street and crossed the arched bridge, and saw that the braised meat shop that Grandpa Xie liked to eat at was open.
So I went over and bought some roasted pig's head and some wine for the old man, and then headed home.
During dinner that evening, Old Master Xie asked:
"Yu'er, do you really not think much of the second son of the Zhang family?"
Xie Yunyu shook her head and said, "No, my granddaughter has no interest in marriage."
The old man said, "Originally, Old Man Zhang had asked me to write a letter of recommendation so that the second son of the Zhang family could go to Nanshan Academy."
But today I read Old Man Zhang's letter, which said that the Duke of Wei's mansion in the capital had sent a letter asking about his health.
He also mentioned inviting outstanding members of the Zhang family to study at Nanshan Academy.
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