Chapter 15 The Future Minister

On the street.

There are clusters of flowers, bustling and noisy, and it looks very lively.

Not long after Xie Zhuoning and Xie Zhiqing got off the carriage, several groups of people surrounded them.

"Hey, isn't this the eldest daughter of the Xie family? The girl next to her looks unfamiliar. I wonder which family she is from?"

"She's very pretty and pleasing to the eye. Have you promised her?"

Xie Zhuoning was the designated Crown Princess, and no one dared to make a move on her, so everyone focused their attention on the people around her.

Xie Zhiqing blushed at the compliment and was about to answer.

But Xie Zhuoning got there first and said, "The third sister is still young, and the family plans to keep her for two more years."

As soon as these words were spoken, everyone knew that there was no hope, and they left in a huff after exchanging a few words of greeting.

Seeing this, Xie Zhiqing couldn't help herself and said, "Big sister, the lady just now is the daughter-in-law of Princess Xinde. I heard that her second son is now working in the Yulin Army and has a bright future. Why did you reject her without even thinking about it?"

That’s a great place that you can’t find even with a lantern!

Xie Zhuoning explained to her, "Princess Xinde was used to enjoying life. After she got married, she continued to live a life of luxury and soon squandered all her family wealth. When she ran out of money, she married a merchant's daughter as her daughter-in-law and continued to squander her daughter-in-law's dowry. After her daughter-in-law's dowry was gone, she married her eldest grandson into a wealthy family and continued to use her grandson's daughter-in-law's dowry to make up for the shortfall."

On the surface, he looks glamorous and is a royal relative.

In fact, everything inside is rotten, whoever marries into his family will be unlucky.

"What about Lord Wang's family?" Xie Zhiqing asked again.

Mrs. Wang seemed to be a kind person, and she heard that the third young master was handsome and a good candidate.

"He hangs out at home, has no regard for men or women, and even got a maid pregnant. His mother can't control him, so she's in a hurry to find a woman to marry to clean up his mess. She's definitely not someone you can trust your whole life with."

Xie Zhuoning wanted to find a good husband for her, so he naturally didn't even consider those ugly ones.

After all, she was still young. Seeing so many potential husbands fly away, Xie Zhiqing was a little anxious. "Then, big sister, what kind of person is a good husband?"

"My dear..."

Xie Zhuoning paused, and just as he looked up, he caught a glimpse of someone, and his eyes lit up instantly.

"That's it."

Xie Zhiqing followed her elder sister's gaze and was instantly shocked.

As far as the eye can see, a young scholar is sorting his scrolls on a flower stall.

He was wearing a grey coarse cloth gown, with his hair tied up with a band of the same colour. Although he had a handsome appearance, one look at his clothes, which were white and pilled from washing, told you that his family was definitely not well off.

"Big sister, did you point at the wrong person?"

There are a lot of down-and-out scholars like this on the street, how come he became a good man?

"Third sister, sometimes you can't look at people in front of you." Xie Zhuoning said meaningfully, and walked towards the art stall.

The paintings on the art stalls are of varying styles, but all bear the signature of the same artist.

"Murong Yan..." Xie Zhuoning stared at the name on the painting, "Did you paint all these paintings?"

"That's right," Murong Yan raised his head, his expression gentle and polite, "Miss, do you want to buy a painting?"

Xie Zhuoning has a bright and bold face. Even though she was dressed modestly today, passers-by still turned their heads frequently.

Few people will remain indifferent when they see her for the first time.

Xiao Jinxuan is one of them.

He Murong Yan is one of them.

Flipping through the scrolls on the stall casually, Xie Zhuoning asked casually, "Today, there are competitions set up all over the capital, and there are also many places for painting competitions. Mr. Murong's painting skills are so superb, why don't you show off your skills in front of others? Who knows, there may be many women who will fall in love with you."

"Young lady, you are joking," Murong Yan smiled faintly, "I have nothing and my mother is seriously ill at home. It is not easy for me to stay alive. I dare not delay others."

This guy is really honest.

Xie Zhuoning curled the corners of his lips, turned around and waved at Xie Zhiqing, "Third sister, come and take a look, is there anything you like?"

This is a double entendre, asking her to come over and look at the painting, and also asking her to come over and look at the person.

Xie Zhiqing's face suddenly turned pale.

She subconsciously wanted to escape and was hesitant to take a step forward.

Xie Zhuoning saw her attitude and understood immediately, "Third sister, can you trust me?"

She asked before leaving.

Now, she asked again.

"I..." This time, Xie Zhiqing's answer was no longer as firm as before, and her eyes were evasive.

Needless to say, Xie Zhuoning already knew her answer.

With a slight smile on his face, he said no more, "I know. Go and have fun by yourself."

Xie Zhiqing breathed a sigh of relief and hurried away with the maid.

He moved so quickly, as if he was afraid that his elder sister would go back on her word.

But as they walked a little further, she began to feel uneasy again, and asked her personal maid, "Qiao'er, do you think my elder sister won't be angry if I reject her kindness?"

Qiao'er was furious, "Miss, you are too naive. How can the eldest lady have good intentions? She obviously wants to find someone to get rid of you!"

Not to mention the few families just mentioned, just look at the young masters from wealthy families all over the street. If you pick any one of them, wouldn’t he be ten or a hundred times better than that scholar?

It's hard for the eldest lady to be so attentive and carefully select the worst one, fearing that her young lady would have a good life!

After hearing these words, Xie Zhiqing's guilt disappeared, "Qiao'er, you are right. My own destiny should be in my own hands."

Fortunately, she had made sufficient preparations for today and had practiced dancing for more than half a year in the mansion.

Back then, her aunt was just a dancer, and she was noticed by her father because of her dancing at the banquet.

My aunt said that her dancing skills were unparalleled and better than her master's, and she would definitely be able to find a happy marriage through dancing!

Xie Zhuoning looked at Xie Zhiqing's back and sighed.

The powerful official who will hold sway over the government in the future is right before her eyes, but she is dazzled by the wealth and extravagance of the capital.

I hope she won't regret it in the future.

Turning back, she looked at Murong Yan and said with a faint smile, "My sister is young and ignorant, and can't see the beauty of these paintings. Please, boss, buy them all for me, I want them all."

"You want all...all?" Murong Yan was a little surprised.

Xie Zhuoning raised his eyebrows and asked, "Why, you're not selling it?"

"Sell, sell, sell!" Murong Yan immediately started packing.

The sooner he finishes selling, the sooner he can buy medicine for his mother.

The scrolls on the stall were quickly packed up, and Xie Zhuoning handed him a bag of silver.

He hurriedly postponed, "Too much."

"Not much." Xie Zhuoning looked at him steadily, his expression serious, "Your painting is worth this price."

With a look of shock, Murong Yan was stunned for a long moment before coming back to his senses.

My heart felt like it was hit hard, and the echo was still there.

The corners of his mouth curled up, revealing the most sincere smile, "Thank you."

Xie Zhuoning smiled back and turned around to ask Xia Ju to hand the brand name to Murong Yan.

"You just said that you have a seriously ill mother at home. Take this sign and go to see Doctor Sun of Jishitang. Maybe he can help you out of your urgent need."

But this time, Murong Yan was slow to respond.

If you appreciate his paintings, it makes sense to buy all of them.

But after buying the painting, he was handed a sign asking him to take his mother to see a doctor. What does this mean?

He glanced at Xie Zhuoning with a strange look in his eyes, "I am poor and have nothing to repay you for your kindness..."

I'm just afraid that I can't bear her kindness.

Xie Zhuoning's lips curled up slightly, "Who said there is no such thing? Don't you still have a person like you?"