Chapter 113 Two old men in their forties or fifties...
The Marquis of Andong's residence was a marquisate in the previous dynasty, but the original marquis was a scoundrel and was killed by Ruan Donglin and his men. Afterwards, the Marquis moved in. After being ennobled, he was too lazy to build a new residence, so he used this existing one as a base, making some modifications and expansions. Over the decades, it lost some of its former extravagance and gained a more substantial and refined feel.
The Marquis's residence was large, yet simple. Two of the courtyards had been separated and converted into a large training ground, surrounded by various weapons: spears, longswords, large axes, bows and arrows...
Judging from the various marks on it, it was used frequently.
The couple occupied the main courtyard, the two brothers each had a side courtyard, there was a small courtyard for entertaining guests, and a garden, leaving only one courtyard remaining.
Jin'an Courtyard
Ruan Donglin walked ahead, carefully observing Niu Tielan's expression, and whispered, "This is Jin'an Courtyard, a small courtyard reserved for you. Your mother planted all the flowers and plants here, and no outsiders have lived here for years. We rushed things yesterday, so please make do for now, and we'll add more later."
Niu Tielan did not speak.
She stood on the bluestone slab, gazing at the poplar and locust trees by the wall. Morning dewdrops clung to them, shimmering in the sunlight. Flower buds in the bushes were slightly parted, ready to bloom again soon. Kites and lanterns hung nearby, their delicate strings swaying gently in the breeze.
Looking back on my childhood home, it wasn't actually that big. It was just a small courtyard with a few rooms. But I was so small back then that the rooms seemed huge, and the eaves were so high that I couldn't climb them. I had to stand on someone's shoulder to reach the leaves.
Niu Tielan glanced around the courtyard, her gaze finally settling on the somewhat cautious faces of Ruan Donglin and Tai Qingxin. She pursed her lips, swallowing back the words she was about to say about leaving in a couple of days.
There's no need to spoil the mood right away.
She hummed in agreement, "That's fine, thank you."
Ruan Donglin was both excited and saddened. He said, "We're family, why are you saying such things? Come on, Dad will show you the rooms again. There are six rooms in total, there's enough room for everyone..."
They didn't have much luggage this time, just one suitcase each, which didn't take up much space in the room.
The accommodations were simple: Niu Tielan stayed in the main house, Song Jin stayed in the side house, and Qu Maoze and Qi Zheng stayed in the other house.
As a prince, it would be inappropriate for Qi Zheng, who had no relatives or friends, to live with these women. Living in a side courtyard was also somewhat inappropriate, and staying in an inn would be even more outrageous.
Ruan Donglin suggested, "There's also a guest courtyard at home. If Your Highness doesn't mind, why don't you stay there? It'll be quieter."
Qi Zheng nodded: "I'm sorry to have troubled you."
"Your Highness is too kind," he said politely, then looked at Qu Maoze, reluctantly and sarcastically, "As for you, there are still rooms available in the main house, so you can squeeze in with us."
Qu Maoze chuckled: "I'm so sorry, you two are getting on in years and sleep lightly. It would be bad if I disturbed you. I'll just share a small courtyard with Your Highness. I hope Your Highness won't mind?"
Qi Zheng: "...I don't mind."
As long as you're happy.
Ruan Donglin, humiliated by his provocation, blushed and wanted to curse, but remembering there were other people in the yard, he forced himself to suppress it, forcing a smile: "Shameless wretch."
If his daughter and granddaughter hadn't been there, he would have definitely given him a good beating.
The thought of that bastard taking advantage of his daughter and then abandoning her for over ten years, only to find her again after she was 'dead,' fueled Ruan Donglin's anger and resentment.
If this scoundrel were reliable, he might have found his daughter long ago, instead of wasting over ten years like this.
He glared at Qu Maoze, his eyes wide with malice, like copper bells.
Qu Maoze's expression remained unchanged, a smile playing on his lips. Dressed in white, he stood there with a gentle and upright demeanor, radiating a refined and dignified air. He was a rare and handsome young man, so young and 'thoughtful'.
Tai Qingxin couldn't help but pinch Ruan Donglin's arm, telling him not to target people; what a fine young man he was!
Her daughter is all grown up now, isn't it great to have such a handsome young man by her side? What's with all the fuss? No matter how golden the nest, nothing beats a good-looking man.
Eye-pleasing
She smiled at Qu Maoze and said, "Little Qu is right. We're getting older, so we're light sleepers and get up early every day, especially the kids' dad, who often leaves early and comes home late. I hope we don't disturb you."
Qu Maoze: "Aunt Tai, you're too kind. Speaking of shallow sleep, I brought some calming incense and tea with me on this trip. They're nothing, so please don't mind."
Tai Qingxin was a little surprised, but her gaze brightened even more when she looked at him: "You've come all this way, why bring all this? You're so embarrassed."
Qu Maoze chuckled: "It's just a small token of my appreciation; I hope you don't mind."
As he spoke, he took out a small box that had been hanging on the side of his cloak. The box was only about the size of two palms and was clearly made of precious sandalwood. The patterns on it were inlaid with gold thread, and the lock was also made of pure gold. Inside, there were strips of wrapped spices with a rich aroma that was soothing to the soul.
The gift may be small, but it is of great value.
Tai Qingxin looked at her son-in-law with the utmost care, becoming more and more fond of him. She pushed aside the unpleasant-looking Ruan Donglin and pulled him aside to ask about his situation.
Where are you from? Who are your family members? What are you doing now? What are your plans for the future?
Qu Maoze answered in a very professional manner.
To make things easier, he initially pretended to have amnesia and followed them into the capital. Now, some time has passed, and the capital has been largely cleared out, so he's given himself a new identity.
The Qu family of Lingnan, pharmacists from a small southern town, encountered thieves in the capital and fell off a cliff, suffering amnesia for a period of time, but have now recovered.
Song Jin stood to the side, listening to him spout nonsense with such a straight face, and curled her lip: "He's really good at making things up."
Niu Tielan gently patted her wrist: "Stop fooling around."
Qu Maoze's true identity must not be revealed to anyone. If his change of identity were to cause a stir, it would be no small matter.
So even though Ruan Donglin had already guessed it, he didn't tell anyone else. Now, watching helplessly as his wife was deceived by him, he cursed under his breath, deciding to ignore it. He walked over to Niu Tielan and patted her shoulder.
"Lingling, look, Daddy made you a kite, do you want to play with it?"
Niu Tielan frowned slightly, but before he could speak...
Song Jin slapped his hand away, saying irritably, "What are you doing? She's not made of stone, it'll hurt."
Ruan Donglin awkwardly withdrew his hand: "Lingling, are you alright? Does it hurt a lot? Should Dad go get some medicine?"
Niu Tielan shook his head: "It's nothing."
Ruan Donglin rubbed his hands, looking at her indifferent expression, unsure of what to say. After thinking for a long time, he finally managed to ask, "How have you been these past years?"
Niu Tielan wasn't truly indifferent; it's just that after so many years apart, she wasn't a child anymore, and her personality had become more introverted and quiet, making it difficult for her to suddenly become warm and friendly.
She pursed her lips and said, "It's fine. How about you?"
Ruan Donglin scratched his head: "Not bad. The first few years were a bit tough, but then we got lucky, got manpower, built up some business, and were even granted a title by the Emperor. We're pretty much local big shots here, nobody bothers us, and things have been going smoothly. Later, your mother came back, and we had two more little ones. Oh, and Ah He and Ah Le, come here, come and meet your eldest sister."
Nguyen Kim and Nguyen Kim Lac slowly made their way over.
The two brothers inherited Tai Qingxin's face shape, while their features resembled Ruan Donglin's. They were both tall and thin, and clearly energetic children, except for their faces, which were covered in bruises.
Niu Tielan was somewhat surprised: "What happened to your face?"
Standing to the side, Song Jin's gaze darted around for a moment, then she glared fiercely at the two brothers, her phoenix eyes filled with threat. She wanted to see who dared to complain.
A chill ran down the spines of the two brothers, and a bitter feeling welled up inside them.
Although you've been promoted to a higher generation for no reason, being an elder is not easy at all.
Ruan Jinhe spoke first, respectfully and calmly: "My younger brother and I have practiced martial arts since we were young, and bumps and bruises are common. Please don't take it to heart, elder sister."
Ruan Jinle quickly nodded: "That's right, that's right."
This has absolutely nothing to do with their eldest niece; there's no need to speculate.
real
Niu Tielan nodded: "Learning martial arts is a good thing; it can help you avoid trouble if you run into problems. I came in a hurry this time, so I didn't prepare anything. Please accept this."
As she spoke, she took out two gold bars and handed them over.
Each item weighs one tael, which translates to two hundred taels of silver.
As a regular gift, it wasn't considered expensive, but as a red envelope, the two brothers only received two taels of silver a month.
The two brothers' eyes lit up, and they turned to look at their father.
Ruan Donglin said disdainfully, "You're spineless. Your older sister gave it to you, just take it."
He'll add it later.
The two brothers took the money, their expressions noticeably happier than before, and they became even more curious about her.
This is someone who was with Prime Minister Song! Although she could only be considered a mistress in a strict sense, Song Shang's harem was already empty, and now that he's 'dead,' their child is a princess, she's returned to the Song family mansion, and now she has a young gigolo by her side, and she's even reclaimed her place in the Marquis's mansion.
It's legendary just to think about it.
Niu Tielan didn't mind their curious stares. Seeing that Song Jin had a clear and honest appearance and wasn't the kind of fearless brat, she was somewhat satisfied. She patted Song Jin's hand and said softly, "These are your two uncles."
Although they are young, they are indeed maternal uncles.
Song Jin pursed her lips, said "Oh," and waved lazily, "Hello, just call me by my name."
Nguyen Kim and Nguyen Kim Lor looked at her arrogant expression and the threat in it, and remained silent.
Who dares to shout?
Niu Tielan lowered her eyes, but didn't insist. She simply told her two younger brothers, "Just call her Jinjin."
The two brothers exchanged a glance, and after some hesitation, spoke in unison.
Nguyen Kim Hoa: Kim Kim
Nguyen Kim Latt: Sister Kim Kim
"..."
Ruan Jinhe and Ruan Donglin couldn't help but glare at Ruan Jinle, that cowardly brat.
Song Jin chuckled, glancing at the timid Ruan Jinle with admiration in her eyes.
It has to be said, this kid may look a bit dim-witted, but he's actually quite clever.
Niu Tielan glanced at her, then at their injuries, and instantly understood what had happened. But thinking of the 'grievance' she had suffered yesterday, she paused, and still didn't say a word.
Parents should protect their own children. If they really have opinions, they should speak up themselves. Why should she keep talking?
Niu Tielan glanced at the carefree Ruan Donglin beside her, and decided to indulge in a little bit of her whims.
Anyway, children's affairs are for adults to handle.
She's not an adult yet.
...
Time flies
It gets dark early here. They have lunch, stroll around a bit, and then go to a small night market in the evening before going to bed early.
Amidst the thick fog and winter wind, Song Jin awoke to the sound of wind breaking through the air.
In the somewhat unfamiliar room, a faint candlelight flickered. It was still dark outside. She rose, still wearing her undergarments, walked to the side, opened the window, pinpointed the direction of the sound, casually grabbed a cloak, put it on, and went out with her hair down.
It was dark outside, but fortunately, lanterns and torches hung along the walls, providing a faint light so that people wouldn't be completely in the dark.
Song Jin, draped in a robe, walked slowly and deliberately on the bluestone slabs, like a cat in the night, silent and barely noticeable.
She bypassed the two courtyards and arrived at the Marquis's martial arts training ground.
The area was brightly lit, with large torches burning on all sides and a large furnace standing in the center. The flames flickered gently in the east wind, illuminating the entire martial arts arena and bringing warmth.
On the training ground, Ruan Donglin, shirtless and wielding a long sword, flexed his muscles in defense, his shoulders bulging like hard rocks, delivering powerful blows with tremendous force to his opponent.
Qu Maoze was still dressed in white, holding a heavy sword. Compared to Ruan Donglin's burly build, he appeared somewhat thin, but the strength he exerted was by no means small, and he steadily parried each of his opponent's attacks.
Swords clashed, sparks flew, and with the flickering campfire nearby, they seemed to be engulfed in flames as well.
Each strike landed with force.
Both of them were fighting seriously; with that kind of strength, if either of them wasn't careful, breaking an arm or a leg would be the least of their worries.
Song Jin crossed his arms and slowly walked to the side, watching the two fighting on the stage, and sneered: "Two old men in their forties or fifties, they've got some energy."
Qi Zheng: "...Indeed, he's still going strong despite his age."
Especially Ruan Donglin, who is over fifty years old this year, doesn't look old at all, is strong and healthy, and can still fight for another twenty years.
Qu Maoze then, let's not mention it again.
In reality, it's uncertain who will live longer by then.
Song Jin narrowed her eyes: "Those two seem to have a good relationship."
The day before yesterday, Qu Maoze didn't say anything, yet Ruan Donglin recognized him; and this morning they're out on a 'date' again.
So it's true that mortal enemies can become friends in the end?
Qi Zheng nodded: "There are rumors that Marquis Andong and Chief Minister Song have a bad relationship, but when Chief Minister Song introduced the land reform in the early years, Marquis Andong was the first to implement it, and in recent years it has been the best implemented. The people have reclaimed wasteland and distributed land, and the annual tax revenue is much higher than that of other counties."
Song Jin curled her lip: "At least you have some conscience."
A smile flashed in Qi Zheng's eyes as he looked down at her thin clothes, his voice softening considerably: "Aren't you cold?"
Although Song Jin was wearing a thick cloak over her clothes, she was only wearing a thin undergarment underneath. It was early morning, and a mist was rising around her. While it wasn't as cold as a winter's day in the capital, the dampness was still chilling.
Song Jin yawned: "I'm fine, how about you?"
Qi Zheng nodded: "It's alright."
Song Jin raised her eyebrows and looked up at him, making him a little confused. She turned to the side and nudged him with her shoulder, teasingly saying, "Normally, shouldn't you take off your clothes and let me wear them?"
Qi Zheng looked down at his thin undergarment, speechless.
If that's the case, then the two people on the field should be pointing their swords at him.
Song Jin reached out and touched the firm muscles exposed on his chest, feeling the tension beneath her hand. She chuckled, then withdrew her hand behind her back, leaning against his shoulder as she watched the two on the field exchange blows, their swords flashing.
Qi Zheng had just relaxed when another hand landed on his buttocks: ...
His hands just won't stay still.
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