Chapter 22 Xiao Ling in Xie Yunman's Eyes
Upon hearing that the two had only met twice and were not familiar with each other, Xie Yunman already...
He immediately got angry again.
"He's a cunning, persistent, and shrewd person..."
Xie Yunyu smiled as she looked at her second brother.
"why are you laughing?"
Xie Yunman looked at Xie Yunyu, puzzled.
"It's laughable that you can say someone is cunning and scheming. Is there anyone in this world more cunning than you?"
Xie Yunman glared at Xie Yunyu, her face full of dissatisfaction.
"I'm serious. Be careful when you interact with this person. He's not as harmless as he seems."
Xie Yunyu nodded and said, "I can guess how many members of the royal family are truly without any guile."
I've heard that he's deeply favored by His Majesty, and his relationship with the Crown Prince is closer than that of brothers. This makes it easy to see the underlying reasons.
Xie Yunman picked up her teacup, took a sip, thought for a moment, and then frowned again:
"Grandfather returned to the capital this time because of the Crown Prince. Could it be that Xiao Ling made the Crown Prince do this?"
Otherwise, how can we explain the Crown Prince suddenly remembering to mention his grandfather in court?
Xie Yunyu thought for a moment and said, "Possibly."
I knew something was off about this matter; if the Prince of Shou'an had intervened, it would make sense.
"What does he mean by this? What is he trying to do?" Xie Yunman asked.
Xie Yunyu thought for a moment and said, "I went to Jiangnan after the night of the Mid-Autumn Festival and didn't tell him anything."
Perhaps he was unwilling to accept the situation and wanted to see me.
As for his statement about wanting to marry me, don't take it to heart.
Although I am somewhat attractive, I am not a stunning beauty, and I am far inferior to the young lady of the Wei family.
He wouldn't abandon the golden phoenix to come find a little sparrow like me.
Xie Yunman listened and thought it made sense.
If he and Xiao Ling were in each other's shoes, and after a night of passion the young lady left, he would also have to find a way to find her and explain things to her.
So he said, "Okay, I understand. When are you planning to ask him out? I'll pass on the message for you."
Xie Yunyu asked in bewilderment, "Why are you helping me pass on my message?"
"Hmph, he comes to our house every few days, saying he wants to discuss calligraphy with my older brother, but who knows what shady things he's up to."
"If he hears you're back, how can he possibly resist coming to your door?"
Xie Yunman said irritably.
When Xie Yunyu heard Xie Yunman mention Xie Yuntang, she interjected:
"Second brother, Mother just told me that Zhou Jinlin, the scholar-official above eldest brother, thinks highly of him and wants to marry his daughter to eldest brother."
Do you know this person?
Xie Yunman shook his head: "I haven't paid attention to this person. I'll go see my grandfather later; he should know about him."
Xie Yunyu nodded and said, "Yes. It's best to check this family's home to make sure there aren't any other problems."
Xie Yunman nodded and said, "Okay, don't worry."
Father also had his own ideas about my elder brother's marriage; he had his eye on the granddaughter of Vice Dean Wu of Nanshan Academy.
My parents each had their own version of events, so ultimately it depended on my grandfather's opinion.
Xie Yunyu sighed and asked, "Second brother, Mother said you've been at the academy for the past month?"
"Well, I should be taking the exam around this time next year. Is there any problem with me going back to school?"
"No problem, you can go to the academy tomorrow. My grandfather and I will be at home, and I will handle the household chores."
You shouldn't get distracted by these things anymore.
The two chatted for a few more minutes, and Xie Yunyu gave Xie Yunman the things she had bought for him in Jiangnan.
After dinner, Xie Yunman went to Grandpa Xie's study for a chat.
Xie Yunman brought up Xie Yuntang's marriage.
To everyone's surprise, Old Master Xie frowned and said:
"Zhou Jinlin? No, no, no. Who introduced him?"
When Xie Yunman saw that Old Master Xie said "no" three times in a row, he immediately sensed something was wrong:
"Yes, my mother said that Zhou Jinlin took a liking to my older brother and personally sent someone to say so."
After hearing this, Old Master Xie stared at him and asked:
"Has the wedding been arranged?"
"I don't think so," Xie Yunman said uncertainly.
"Sigh... Your mother has a bad eye for people. The one she introduced to your sister before, Li Juncheng from your aunt's family."
Tell me yourself, is your cousin good enough for your sister?
Xie Yunman shook her head as she recalled her cousin's appearance.
Then he asked, "When did this happen? How come I don't know about it?"
“On the fifteenth of August last year, your mother sent someone up the mountain to deliver a letter to your sister.”
Your sister is a good child; she couldn't bear to disobey your mother, and she was upset for half a day by herself.
Xie Yunman was surprised to hear that it was August 15th of last year again.
Putting everything together, Xie Yunman finally understood why her younger sister had appeared by the Biyu Pool that night and met Xiao Ling.
So that's where the problem lies.
For a moment, Xie Yunman didn't know whether to blame her mother or not.
"But your mother just happens to think that your sister's relationship with the Li family will work out."
"What's going on at the Lin family's house this week? Your mother hasn't even bothered to find out...sigh..."
Xie Yunman scratched his head and asked, "Grandfather, what exactly is the situation at Zhou Jinlin's house?"
"When Zhou Jinlin was young, he was a womanizer and his household was in chaos. He made a great name for himself in the brothel, Wenroufang."
Because of these things, he was impeached by the censor.
In his household, concubines are favored over wives, and the distinction between legitimate and illegitimate children is blurred. How can such a family be related by marriage?
Moreover, your eldest brother is the eldest grandson of the family.
Xie Yunman shook her head as she listened, knowing that this was definitely not going to work, and then told him about her father's plan.
“My father has taken a fancy to the granddaughter of Vice Dean Wu of the academy. What do you think of her?”
Upon hearing this, the old man stroked his beard and said:
"Hmm... Vice President Wu is much better than that Zhou Jinlin."
Your elder brother is kind and honest, just like your father. He's fine staying in the Hanlin Academy; the imperial court isn't suitable for him.
When I get older, it's not impossible for me to retire and go to Nanshan Academy.
Hmm, this marriage is acceptable.
I'll go to the academy in a couple of days and see that little girl first.
While massaging Grandpa Xie's shoulders, Xie Yunman said, "Then I'll have to trouble you, Grandpa."
Upon hearing this, Grandpa Xie smiled and said, "We'll talk about your marriage with your sister after you finish your exams next year."
Furthermore, your grandfather has given you permission to decide your own marriage arrangements.
I'll talk to your parents about this in the next couple of days.
Xie Yunman smiled and said, "Thank you, Grandfather."
Grandpa Xie chuckled and said, "You don't need to thank me. I was just worried that if I arranged a marriage for you two casually, you two wouldn't be satisfied and would cause a lot of trouble."
Xie Yunman felt somewhat embarrassed after hearing this.
The next morning, Xie Yunyu's father, Xie Yuanshan, returned from Nanshan Academy.
At dinner time, everyone in the family was present, including Xie Yunyu's second uncle Xie Yuanren and third uncle Xie Yuanxian.
The whole family had a meal together to welcome Grandpa Xie back.
After dinner, Grandpa Xie took the three brothers into his study and stayed there until very late.
When Xie Yuanshan returned to the bedroom, Madam Zheng was still awake and waiting for him.
Xie Yuanshan relayed the old man's words to Madam Zheng.
When Zheng heard that the Zhou family favored their concubine over their wife and failed to distinguish between legitimate and illegitimate children, she was filled with dread.
"So my father said he would help look into Tang's marriage."
My father and I currently prefer the granddaughter of Vice Dean Wu of the academy.
Upon hearing this, Madam Zheng said anxiously, "Since Vice President Wu is not in court, I'm afraid he can't provide any assistance to Tang'er."
Although his son was the Minister of the Court of State Ceremonial, Tang'er was not good with words..."
Xie Yuanshan quickly waved his hand upon hearing this: "You know that our patriarch is too honest and kind."
His personality isn't really suited for the imperial court; there's nothing wrong with him slowly accumulating experience in a refined place like the Hanlin Academy.
When one reaches a certain age, one can apply to His Majesty to study at the Imperial Academy or other academies.
In the imperial court, we will still have to rely on Man'er in the future.
This was also Father's wish.
After listening to her husband's words, Zheng felt that they made some sense, and when she heard that it was her father's idea, she remained silent.
Zheng is straightforward and sometimes easily swayed. She doesn't have a long-term vision, but fortunately, she listens to advice.
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