Chapter 5 Urging Marriage
"So when I go back to Xiyun Temple tomorrow, you should tell them that I'm determined to become a monk."
Upon hearing this, the Crown Prince perked up, sat up straight, and smiled at Xiao Ling:
"Then wouldn't I be able to go to the temple with you for a couple of days and personally persuade you?"
Xiao Ling replied indifferently, "Whatever."
The crown prince stretched and said happily, "I've been burdened by court affairs lately, and I can finally go to the temple to rest for a couple of days."
Then, looking at Xiao Ling, he said, "Alright, you're still sick, go and rest. I'll proceed according to plan."
Princess Jinyang was worried about her son and stayed in the palace.
Around noon, they sent someone over to inquire.
The young eunuch returned to report as instructed by the Crown Prince: "Your Highness, the Crown Prince said that the Prince's fever has subsided."
But he still insisted on becoming a monk.
Upon hearing this, the princess's eyes reddened again, but she nodded and said, "As long as the fever subsides, that's fine."
She also instructed the Crown Prince to persuade Ling'er to abandon this idea, no matter what.
Upon hearing this, the young eunuch went to the Eastern Palace to relay the message.
Xiao Ling rested in the East Palace for most of the day. As dusk approached, he left the palace and rode his horse back to Xiyun Temple.
Meanwhile, Xie Yunyu...
Early in the morning, the maid Guyu came to wake Xie Yunyu up, but Xie Yunyu said that she had fallen asleep last night and wanted to sleep a little longer.
He slept with his head covered until the sun was high in the sky.
Since Xie Yunyu came up the mountain, she has been cooking all sorts of different dishes, and the old master has been full of praise for her culinary skills.
I felt uneasy all morning because I didn't get to eat Xie Yunyu's food this morning.
Hearing from the maid that he had fallen asleep last night and hadn't gotten up, he remained silent.
As a result, he didn't get to eat Xie Yunyu's cooking again at noon, so the old man asked someone to call Guyu over.
"What's wrong with your young lady?"
"Reporting to the old master, Miss has been sullen ever since she received the letter from Madam yesterday."
Upon hearing this, Old Master Xie frowned and said, "Family letter? What family letter? I don't know anything about it."
"That letter was given to Miss by the butler alone."
After listening, Old Master Xie stroked his white beard and asked, "Is there something wrong with this letter?"
"The lady's letter said that she wants the young lady to go down the mountain recently to go back for a blind date."
The old man was quite surprised: "A blind date? Whose son is it?"
"He is Li Juncheng, the cousin of Miss's aunt," Gu Yu answered truthfully.
After going through the information in his mind, Grandpa Xie finally remembered who it was.
He then shook his head and said, "That person is a bookworm who only knows how to study and hasn't achieved anything over the years."
Although my Xie family is currently in a temporary decline, once Yunman finishes the imperial examination, it is not impossible for my Xie family to shine again for several decades.
The Li family is merely a family of fifth-rank military officers; how could they possibly be worthy of our Yu'er?
"Go divorce him! Go divorce him! I don't agree to this marriage!"
He then said to the servant behind him, "Bring me paper and pen, I need to reply to your mistress."
After writing the letter, Grandpa Xie said to Gu Yu, "Have your young lady come to see me after she wakes up."
"Here you go."
Gu Yu bowed her head and obediently responded.
After a while, seeing that Old Master Xie had left, he took off running towards Xie Yunyu's courtyard.
Upon entering, her eyes lit up, and she eagerly called out, "Miss, Miss, I told the old master what you taught me."
Upon hearing this, Xie Yunyu threw off the blanket covering her head, sat up, and asked:
"What did Grandfather say?"
When Gu Yu smiles, her eyebrows and eyes crinkle, and her chubby round face makes her very cute.
"As expected, the old master said that young master is not good enough for you."
They also said that our Xie family may not seem prominent now, but once Young Master Yunman steps down, we will surely be able to restore our family's glory.
It wouldn't be impossible for my Xie family to remain in Guangyao for decades, and the Li family's status as a fifth-rank military officer is not worthy of you.
The old man also said that he would personally write to the madam to discuss your marriage.
Xie Yunyu was still worried and asked, "Do you know what Grandfather wrote in his letter?"
Gu Yu shook her head.
Xie Yunyu's brows were full of worry: "If Grandfather also has someone he has his eye on, I'm afraid I still won't be able to escape."
Gu Yu asked, puzzled, "Miss, men should marry when they come of age, and women should marry when they come of age. You've reached that age, why don't you want to get married?"
Xie Yunyu looked at Gu Yu, wondering how to explain this as mutual affection and free love.
Alternatively, it could explain the harmfulness of teenage marriage and childbirth, or consanguineous marriage.
He waved his hand dismissively, saying, "You don't understand. It's not that I don't want to get married, but I want to wait two years before getting married."
Just as my grandfather said, my second brother will pass the imperial examination in three years, and my marriage prospects will naturally be better then than they are now.
Gu Yu nodded and said, "What Miss said is correct."
But miss, you'll be eighteen in three years. You'll be too old then, and good marriage prospects won't be yours anymore.
Xie Yunyu waved her hand and said, "That's another matter. Right now, let's think about how to persuade my grandfather to agree to let us discuss marriage again in three years."
Gu Yu tilted her head and thought for a moment before saying, "Miss, why don't you make something delicious to appease the old master?"
Then, let's test the waters and see what the old man thinks.
Xie Yunyu thought for a moment and said, "This is the only way."
As she spoke, she got up from the bed to get dressed, but her legs suddenly went weak and she almost couldn't stand up.
Gu Yu quickly stepped forward and helped Xie Yunyu up.
While supporting her, Gu Yu noticed the red marks on Xie Yunyu's neck and exclaimed in surprise:
"Miss, what...what happened to you?"
Xie Yunyu pulled her clothes to cover her neck and said, "Go find me a piece of clothing that can cover my neck."
Gu Yu nodded and went to the closet to look for clothes.
After tidying up and resting for a while, Xie Yunyu went to the study to find the old man.
Grandpa Xie was reclining in a chair under the osmanthus tree in the courtyard, reading a book, when he looked up and saw Xie Yunyu come in.
He wondered, "Why are you covered up so tightly in this kind of weather?"
Xie Yunyu stepped forward slowly, curtsied, and said gently:
"I have met my grandfather."
Because I couldn't sleep last night, I went out for a walk, but unexpectedly caught a cold, and now I feel a bit chilly.
Grandpa Xie put down his book and sat up from the recliner.
"Come, have a seat."
As he spoke, he picked up the purple clay teapot on the stone table and poured Xie Yunyu a cup of water.
"Why are you so preoccupied? You've made yourself sick over such a small thing?"
I have already rejected the marriage proposal your mother made to you.
The Li family is unsuitable; they are not a suitable match.
Xie Yunyu considered for a moment and said, "Then, in your opinion, grandfather, who should your granddaughter marry?"
After hearing Xie Yunyu's question, Old Master Xie turned to look at her and said:
"You clever little devil, you're just as cunning as your second brother when it comes to using your tricks."
"I knew you didn't want to get married, that's why you hid here. Did you think this old man was really senile?"
Xie Yunyu was surprised, thinking that she had hidden it well, but she never expected that her grandfather had seen through her long ago.
She then tugged at Old Master Xie's sleeve in a flattering manner, pouting and acting coquettishly.
Grandpa Xie Yunyu smiled and said:
“When your second brother started his formal education at the age of three, you were listening from the side.”
One day, two weeks later, I held you in my arms while we read a book. I turned a page, and you read a page.
At that time, I knew that my Xie family had produced an extraordinary girl.
As you grew up, you surprisingly learned to conceal your talents.
Given your mother's straightforward temper, the current state of the household is largely due to your guidance.
And your elder brother, who was favored by His Majesty for his calligraphy in the slender gold style, that calligraphy copybook was found by you.
When I asked you, you said you found it on the street.
I didn't say anything at the time, but sent someone to check the drafts in your study. They were clearly written by you.
Do you really think I don't know?
Xie Yunyu took a deep breath, realizing that she had so many flaws.
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