Chapter 2 Marriage with Xiao Yunqi should be a normal thing...
Xue Zhiying never called Xiao Yunqi cousin before.
She is not a child of the Xiao family, and the title of cousin is just an empty title.
She was still young at that time. After the old lady introduced Xiao Yunqi's identity to her, although she said that she could call Xiao Yunqi cousin because of the relationship between her mother and Madam Xiao, she only called him "Young Master" in a polite manner.
Xiao Yunqi's identity has changed rapidly in recent years, and he has no time to pay attention to what others call him.
But from the moment Xue Zhiying called him "cousin" for the first time, Xiao Yunqi realized something was wrong.
It was when they met last time in the library that she stepped forward to greet him, stammering and calling him cousin.
The name was like a scalding stone, making it hard for him not to notice it.
At this moment, she became skilled again in the blink of an eye, and was as soft as cotton.
A warm spring breeze blew by, and from the corner of his eye, Xiao Yunqi saw the swaying green again where he was sitting.
But Xue Zhiying nodded and lowered her eyes. She didn't see the bushes facing the study window, nor did she see that Xiao Yunqi's brows tightened a little.
She stopped a few steps away from the desk and said softly, "I heard that my cousin was looking for this copy of 'The Great Zhou Law Commentary'. However, when I learned about it, he had already left the capital, so I was delayed in returning the book until now. I hope you won't blame me."
He called me "cousin" over and over again, each time softer than the last.
The study was quiet for a moment.
Afterwards, Xiao Yunqi said calmly, "It's just a small matter, don't worry about it."
Seeing that she seemed to be about to come forward, he said again: "Put it on the bookshelf on the right."
After saying this, he looked away and lowered his eyes to focus on the paper in his hand.
Xue Zhiying responded obediently, glancing at him stealthily while walking towards the bookshelf.
She lingered in front of the bookshelf, putting the books away very slowly, and even after putting them away, she was reluctant to take her hand away.
After hesitating for a while, Xiao Yunqi finally raised his eyes again and set his gaze on her.
"Hasn't it been put away yet?"
Xue Zhiying slowly withdrew her hand and turned to face him: "I have finished reading this volume these days, but I am still not satisfied with the content, so I want to borrow the next volume from you, cousin."
"Can I, cousin?"
Xiao Yunqi wanted to continue lowering his eyes, but his gaze moved slightly and was forced to stop on the slightly red face.
He was silent for a moment.
It was he who initially agreed to Xue Zhiying moving into the Xiao Mansion.
His mother had passed away, so the letter that Xue's mother sent to the Xiao Mansion was delivered to him by the servants.
She was the daughter of an old friend of his mother's. She was still young and alone, so Xiao Yunqi naturally did not refuse.
But that was all. In the following years, he was busy with his studies and government affairs and paid little attention to the affairs of the harem. Xue Zhiying was also well-behaved and polite. From the beginning, she only called him the eldest master, and in the following years, she never tried to get close to him by taking advantage of their old relationship. He had no deep impression of her at all.
Until recently, things started to seem coincidental but actually strange.
First, he saw her more often for unknown reasons, and then she approached him cautiously and called him cousin.
Then to this time.
She suddenly found the courage to go straight to his study.
Xiao Yunqi looked at her quietly, his eyes taking in all the changes in the girl that he had not noticed in all these years.
Her facial features are delicate, especially her eyes, which have lost their former childishness. The corners of her eyes are curved in just the right angle, adding a touch of feminine charm. However, her facial contours are still round, making her look soft, well-behaved and not very aggressive.
However, her intention in coming to borrow and return books was so obvious that her ulterior motives were almost written on her face.
He had never seen such stupid teasing.
Xiao Yunqi calmly withdrew his gaze: "The second volume is on the bookshelf next to you."
Xue Zhiying, who had just turned around, had to turn back, and Xiao Yunqi already wanted to see him off.
Xue Zhiying didn't dare to test it any further. She quickly found the next volume of "Da Zhou Lu Shu" and bowed to Xiao Yun in prayer: "Thank you, cousin. I will finish reading it and return it as soon as possible. I'll be leaving now."
The girl's figure quickly disappeared in front of the door.
*
The dinner was held in Qingqiong Hall, and the spacious hall was brightly lit.
The Xiao family has many branches and a complex network of relatives and old friends. Today's banquet is to welcome Xiao Yun back to the mansion. Almost all the prominent figures in the mansion have gathered here.
Xiao Yunqi changed into a set of cloud brocade casual clothes, tied his hair with a jade crown, and had an elegant temperament.
He sat at the main table, talking calmly with the elders.
"Did the journey go smoothly? I heard there was quite a commotion over there."
Xiao Ningwang had a cold face and spoke in a businesslike tone, but there was no trace of concern in his words.
But Xiao Yunqi nodded and said, "Thank you for your concern, father. A few of these scoundrels colluded with local salt merchants and attempted to embezzle a considerable amount of money from the transportation. Now that the evidence is solid, they have all been apprehended and severely punished according to the law."
Mr. Xiao from the second house was much gentler.
Xiao Mingyuan said earnestly, "Wen Yu has always been decisive in his actions, but this incident involves a wide range of people. I'm afraid this action has also affected the interests of many people. You must be more cautious in the future and not make too many enemies."
"Second Uncle, you're worrying too much. It's Wen Yu's duty to eliminate harm and rectify the root of the problem for the country. How can you say you've made enemies? If anyone harbors resentment because of this," he paused. "That's because their hearts are not right and their actions are not proper. There are laws to deal with. Wen Yu acts with an unwavering sense of justice and is not afraid of evildoers or villains."
The smile on Xiao Mingyuan's face froze slightly, and then he nodded: "That's right, that's right. Wen Yu is fair and just, so he has nothing to fear."
Xue Zhiying sat at the side table for the women, far away from the man who was like a star surrounded by others.
But as soon as she sat down and looked up, she could see most of Xiao Yunqi's body through the gap in the partition screen.
He sat back in a relaxed posture, his slender fingers casually resting on the edge of the table, nodding from time to time, and his thin lips moving from time to time.
Xue Zhiying looked at the handsome man behind the screen and felt that she was lucky.
Whether it was the "Da Zhou Law Commentary" or the gap in the screen at this time, it seemed like God's blessing, creating opportunities for her.
But this is just a small favor from God. If she was really favored by God, how could she be in this situation now?
Xue Zhiying was thinking to herself, her eyes drifting towards the screen from time to time, and she would peek at Xiao Yunqi through the narrow gap.
Looking at that face with a divine and upright demeanor, she couldn't help but start to feel that she was lucky again.
Thinking about Xiao Yunqi should be the most normal thing.
At that time, Xue Zhiying was young and naive. Such a dazzling person easily occupied all her attention. She didn't even know that it was called first love.
But soon, before she understood what it meant to fall in love for the first time, she understood what it meant to be worlds apart.
When Xiao thought about it back then, his mind was no longer pure and he was somewhat wishful thinking.
But how can you know the result if you don’t try?
Anyway, every path is equally difficult.
Besides, she was fantasizing about the best one.
Halfway through the banquet, the hot dishes gradually stopped serving.
Several maids came in one after another carrying red lacquer trays and served soup to the female members of the family.
Xue Zhiying opened the lid, and a fresh, rich and warm fragrance wafted out.
She lowered her head and sipped the soup. Suddenly, she heard the sound of clinking glasses at the main table become softer, and a few sporadic voices drifted over.
She couldn't help but look up again, only to see that Xiao Yunqi's originally calm expression was gone, and his sword-like brows were slightly frowned.
Perhaps because the business was finished, the voices of conversation at the main table became much louder.
She heard the old man say sternly, "Wen Yu, your marriage shouldn't be delayed any longer."
Xiao Yunqi had already keenly noticed the subtle turn of the topic.
But the old man obviously had no intention of beating around the bush and went straight to the point, "You've devoted all your energy to state affairs. Grandfather and your father have seen it all. Family, country, and the world all require 'governing the family, governing the country, and pacifying the world.' Propagating and raising children is also your unshirkable responsibility."
Xiao Ningwang immediately continued, "Indeed, starting a family and establishing a career is common sense from ancient times. You're already over twenty, yet you're still hesitant to discuss marriage. How disrespectful! Those who hold high positions in the court all follow a routine of starting a family and having children. How long are you going to wait?"
The atmosphere at the main table became serious and stagnant, and the undisguised volume of voices caused the voices of relatives at the surrounding tables to become lower.
Xiao Mingyuan tried to smooth things over in a gentle voice: "Don't worry, father and brother. Wen Yu is concerned about the country, so it's understandable that the marriage is temporarily delayed."
He changed the subject and looked at Xiao Yunqi again: "But Wenyu, you should also understand the elders' painstaking efforts. Look, the daughter of the Lin family is both talented and beautiful, dignified and virtuous. She is a perfect match for you. If you are interested, Second Uncle is willing to help you..."
"Uncle, thank you for your concern." Xiao Yunqi interrupted Xiao Mingyuan calmly, his voice clear and emotionless. "Official duties are very busy right now, and the implementation of the new policy is at a critical juncture. I really don't have time to distract myself with my children's personal affairs. Let's discuss this matter later."
"Let's talk about it later? You always evade the question like this!" Xiao Ningwang frowned and spoke in a harsher tone.
A hint of impatience flashed across Xiao Yunqi's eyes.
Since he came of age, such conversations have become more frequent.
At first it was only in private, but now it has been forced into the hall.
Xiao Yunqi became famous very early and had a privileged family background. Over the years, countless people wanted to enter the Xiao family's inner residence.
His mother died early and his relationship with his father was not very close. If family affection is like this, what about the love between men and women?
Xiao Yunqi admitted that he was indeed emotionally poor, but too much emotion would affect his rational judgment. Emotions were useless to him, and his abilities and status did not need to be supported by a bound marriage.
Because of this, Xiao Ningwang was so worried that he brought up this matter every time he saw Xiao Yunqi.
He was not yet old enough to retire, but he could no longer control his son. He tried both soft and hard methods, but there was no progress at all.
The old master asked in a deep voice, "Wen Yu, you have been putting it off until now. Are you planning to remain single for the rest of your life, leaving the eldest branch of the Xiao family without a successor?"
Xiao Ningwang pressed the issue again, "Why are you being so hesitant? Is it possible that among all the famous ladies in the capital, not a single one is worthy of your attention?"
Xiao Yunqi was unimpressed by the coalition's pressure and continued to evade the issue, "Grandfather, my father is too serious. I'm not trying to shirk responsibility, but the new policies are just beginning and there are so many things to do that it's hard to distract myself. Let's discuss starting a family once the government affairs slow down a bit."
After saying this, he casually rubbed his fingertips along the smooth rim of the cup, and his gaze moved horizontally, unconsciously sweeping across the screen in front of him.
Xiao Ningwang was at his wit's end. After venting his anger, he softened his tone and said, "Then at least tell me what kind of woman you like?"
At the same moment, Xue Zhiying just heard the voice of the head of the family, and a light flashed in her eyes, and she was caught off guard by Xiao Yunqi's gaze that came through the gap.
Their eyes met, Xiao Yunqi narrowed his eyes slightly, and clearly saw the snow-white face behind the gap, and his whole face turned red out of self-conceit.
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