Chapter 53 Zhang Siliang Zhang Siliang is twelve years old...
When Zhang Siliang was twelve years old, the Prince of Pingnan invited him to travel south of the Yangtze River.
The twelve-year-old boy stood tall and elegant, with a maturity on his face that was different from the childishness of his peers.
The boat traveled for half a month before reaching Jiangnan, where it was springtime and peach blossoms were in full bloom everywhere.
Zhao Linzhang personally met him at the ferry. Zhang Siliang was too young when he left, and he had already forgotten his godfather's appearance and voice.
"Siliang, your godfather has come to pick you up!"
The man's broad hand patted his shoulder. Although they hadn't seen each other for many years, the familiarity deep in his memory still brought tears to the young man's eyes. He took a step back, knelt down, and bowed: "Siliang greets his godfather!"
"Good child, get up quickly!" In the blink of an eye, that little baby has grown so big.
"Your godmother often talks about you, but the journey is long and you are too young to be called over!" Zhao Linzhang said with deep emotion.
"How are your godfather and godmother?" He had no memory of his godfather, but he had a vague memory of his godmother. She was a gentle woman who would softly sing lullabies to lull him to sleep.
"Father, is this my big brother?" Zhao Ruosheng is nine years old this year. Today, he insisted on coming with his father to pick up the big brother they had been talking about. As soon as he got off the carriage, he curiously walked around and looked at everything. The guards followed closely behind him.
"Ruosheng, this is your brother Siliang!" Zhao Linzhang grabbed his youngest son's hand and pulled Zhang Siliang with the other.
"Let's go home!"
The carriage rolled through streets strewn with pink petals and came to a stop in a courtyard with high gates and deep walls.
As soon as the carriage stopped, Zhao Ruosheng rushed out like a little firecracker: "Mother, sister, big brother is back!"
"Siliang!" Upon hearing Zhao Ruosheng's voice, a beautiful woman stepped out, her eyes filled with tears, as she scrutinized the young man before her.
The baby who nursed in her arms has grown so much.
"Godmother, please accept Siliang's bow!" The boy choked as he knelt down, but Shen Yunrong pulled him up.
"We're all family, no need to stand on ceremony!"
"Hello, big brother!" A sweet and innocent voice rang out, and Zhang Siliang looked up.
The girl, who was the same age as him but a head shorter, timidly tugged at her adoptive mother's sleeve and stared at him with wide, curious eyes.
Those eyes were like a deer running in springtime, suddenly stopping to look at you.
"Ruoyu, my little sister!" After so many years, the little girl who used to keep him company has grown up and is now graceful and elegant, like a lotus bud just beginning to emerge.
"Look, I'm so happy I'm practically dizzy. We've been chatting here at the door, Siliang, come inside!" Shen Yun said, taking the boy's hand.
The reason Zhang Siliang was brought here this time was because his grandparents had both passed away, and the child was living with his uncle. His life was neither good nor bad, but no one seemed to care about his studies.
After much deliberation, Shen Yunrong invited the most learned scholar in Jiangnan to tutor him.
The Zhang family dared not disobey the Prince of Pingnan and were happy to get rid of this burden. A small boat immediately brought him over.
“Yes, yes, Siliang must be tired from the journey, let’s have a meal first!” Zhao Linzhang pulled his youngest son and embraced the boy as they entered the inner courtyard.
Zhang Siliang sat at the table, his rice bowl filled with dishes. Shen Yunrong, still worried that he might not like it, asked, "This Jiangnan cuisine tends to be sweet. If Siliang doesn't like it, we'll find a cook from the capital tomorrow."
"No, Siliang likes it very much!" This feeling of being loved made his eyes well up with tears. In his uncle's house, he was also pampered. The care and pampering seemed to be for show. He was never short of food or clothing, but no one asked him what dishes he liked.
"You don't need to be so reserved, this is your home too!" Zhao Linzhang's simple words made the boy bury his face in the bowl. He had always thought he was superfluous, and that home wasn't home.
Zhang Siliang stayed there under the guise of seeking knowledge. In addition to teaching him, Zhao Ruoyu also attended the classes. Her adoptive parents said that they did not expect Ruoyu to be very learned, but only that she could learn a few more characters.
Ruoyu's younger sister didn't like studying. Every time the teacher assigned homework, after he finished his own, he would use his left hand to help his sister write.
For over a year, the experienced craftsman didn't notice a thing.
When Zhao Ruoyu was fifteen, a matchmaker came to her door to propose marriage.
Zhang Siliang sat in silence all night after learning the news. Everyone has the right to be jealous, but he has the least right, as he is her brother.
But as soon as he closed his eyes, he could see the girl's wet eyes looking at him, gently shaking his sleeve: "Brother, help me!"
Upon learning that Zhao Ruoyu was unwilling to discuss marriage, he breathed a sigh of relief and studied even more diligently every day.
He wanted to pass the imperial examinations so that he would be worthy of the girl in his heart.
Three years later, he won the top score in the imperial examination. When the emperor asked him what his wish was, he tremblingly revealed his wish: to marry the daughter of the Prince of Pingnan.
When the imperial decree for marriage was issued, he became nervous again. Ruoyu didn't know if she was willing to marry him!
As soon as he arrived at the Prince of Pingnan's residence, a figure rushed towards him: "Big brother, you're finally back!"
The imperial decree bestowing marriage upon Zhang Siliang was burning hot, like a red-hot coal. He mumbled, "His Majesty has granted me marriage!"
The young woman leaned against his chest as they left, sniffling and fighting back tears: "Which family's daughter is she? Does big brother like her?"
"I love her, I love her so much!" Zhang Siliang wished he could meld her into his body; he had loved her for so many years.
"Congratulations, brother!" Zhao Ruoyu said, tears streaming down her face. She also really liked this older brother.
"Why are you crying?" Zhang Siliang had an answer that was almost obvious in his heart, but he wasn't sure.
"No, there's sand in my eyes!" Zhao Ruoyu took a step back. They were siblings, and he had always treated her like a younger sister. How would he see her if he knew her feelings?
"Do you know who the woman the Emperor has betrothed to?" Zhang Siliang approached her.
"That must be the girl Brother He is matched with!"
They are not related by blood, but because her father is his godfather, she wants to recognize him as her brother, but she doesn't want to just be his sister.
"Yes, she's also the girl my brother likes!"
Zhao Ruoyu didn't want to hear him continue; her heart ached so much she could hardly breathe.
"Don't you want to know who she is?" Zhang Siliang grabbed her, his hot breath brushing against her ear: "Her name is Zhao Ruoyu!"
Zhao Ruoyu felt like she was dreaming. She took a step back, met her sworn brother's dark eyes, and asked in confusion, "What did you say, brother?"
"I begged the Emperor to grant me a marriage and to betroth you to me!" Zhang Siliang could no longer hold back and confessed everything.
“Your adoptive parents can scold me and blame me, but Ruoyu, I won’t let you marry someone else!” The thought of her marrying someone else made Zhang Siliang’s heart ache.
"What did you say, brother?" Zhao Ruoyu couldn't believe how fast the reversal had happened.
"I love you, Ruoyu!" Zhang Siliang grasped the woman's shoulders and couldn't help but express his feelings!
The girl's wide eyes were exceptionally adorable, and Zhang Siliang couldn't help but kiss her temple: "My dear sister, I've always admired you!"
"You, you, big brother, are you telling the truth!"
"The imperial decree has been issued, what do you say?" Zhang Siliang was overjoyed, his heart pounding even faster than the day he became the top scholar in the imperial examination.
"What about Father and Mother?" Zhao Ruoyu had always kept her love hidden, knowing that it was a love that the world could not tolerate.
"Don't be afraid, I'm here!"
Zhang Siliang held the girl tightly. He would go through fire and water for her if she was willing!
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