Chapter 195 Who is the timid one in this family?
Although Xiao Ji was immersed in his "internship" in the Ministry of Chancellery, he was not completely oblivious to what was happening outside. Being in the whirlpool, he could not escape the splashing waves no matter what.
However, he felt that it was better than before. As the crown prince, he was not close to the Yang family because of his grandfather's oath. But now he is just one of the princes, and he should have the power he deserves.
Half a decade after returning to Beijing, it was also Lord Yang's birthday, and Xiao Ji finally brought Qingwu to formally visit Lord Cheng'en's mansion.
Although it was a birthday, it was not a full birthday celebration. Yang Gong had always been low-key, so he did not invite guests to a banquet and only invited relatives.
When Xiao Ji and Qing Wu entered the Cheng'en Mansion, everyone in the Yang family had already lined up to greet them. Grandfather Yang Gong stood at the front, but his gaze passed directly over Xiao Ji and fell on Qing Wu.
Looking at the woman in front of him who had always been by his grandson's side and was solemnly asked by his grandson to be his principal wife, Yang Gong's old eyes couldn't help but show some genuine gratitude and approval.
He had experienced many hardships and knew that when people are down and out, they can still grit their teeth and endure external pressures, but the most heartbreaking thing is often the betrayal and abandonment of their loved ones. If the female relatives had also abandoned Xue Nu at that time, Xue Nu would probably be devastated and would have been difficult to recover from.
"Good boy, don't bow. It's our family who should bow to you. We all heard what Xue Nu said. It's all thanks to you."
Yang Gong personally stepped forward and helped Qing Wu, who was about to bow, to her feet. He carefully examined her face and said, "There's a tenacity between her brows. She's truly capable of taking on responsibilities."
Qing Wu was slightly startled when he heard this, but then he smiled and said calmly, "Grandfather, you are too kind. Aji has treated me well, and I will never abandon him."
After she finished speaking, she inconspicuously took a half step toward Xiao Ji's side. Yang Gong saw this little movement clearly, and his smile deepened. He stroked his gray beard and said with a smile, "As expected of a noble family like the Xi family, Master Xi has raised his daughter well."
As soon as the words fell, Qingwu and Xiaoji couldn't help but stiffen slightly, but they had expected it, and Qingwu didn't show any strangeness. He just nodded and lowered his eyes modestly, but he felt a little uncomfortable in his heart.
She secretly thought that this was all thanks to her grandmother and had nothing to do with her family background. However, she still had to bear the name of Xi Qingtong, and she was helpless. She could only hope that the day would come when she could restore her identity.
Although Mr. Yang was the elder, he was also a man. After taking the lead in praising, he stepped aside. Uncle Yang and his wife were about to greet them, but Xiao Ji quickly refused, "We are all family, there is no need to be so distant."
The couple knew Xiao Ji's temperament, so they gave up. Aunt Zhang smiled and said to Qing Wu, "Princess, my eldest son and second son are both serving as officials away from home and cannot come back to see you. This is my youngest son, he is only fifteen years old."
Before coming to the palace, Xiao Ji had told her that Yang's uncle had only three sons, the first two were cousins, and the last one was a younger cousin.
A young man in an indigo Confucian robe stood out. He had a handsome face and was full of spirit. He was quite similar to Uncle Yang.
"Yang Jingshuo greets the prince and princess." The young man bowed politely, but his tone was a little lively, and it was obvious that he was still a teenager.
"Aji has already said that we are all family, there is no need to be so distant. Just call me cousin or cousin-in-law."
Yang Jingshuo responded promptly, a smile immediately appearing on his face, revealing his true nature as he called out sweetly, "Cousin, Cousin-in-law."
The tone made Uncle Yang shake his head. His family were all introverted and upright, and he didn't know how he came up with such a sweet mouth. It's not that he was bad, but he was really unique.
Qingwu and Xiao Ji agreed, and the three people who were not much different in age smiled together. Looking at this scene, Yang Xuchuan felt that his youngest son had a good temper. It would be even better if it was a girl. This kind of temper should be born in a daughter.
The group didn't know what Uncle Yang was thinking, so they went to the hall together. There was still some time before lunch, so the men and women separated into two sides. Aunt Yang took Qingwu to visit the Yang Mansion, while Xiao Ji followed his grandfather and uncle to chat.
Xiao Ji had been to the Yang Mansion about ten times when he was young, so he was quite familiar with its layout. Seeing that it was getting further and further away, he couldn't help but wonder, "Where are we going?"
Yang Gong did not answer, but only said: "Just follow your grandfather."
Yang Xuchuan's heart was pounding at the side. He didn't know where to go, but since even his son hadn't been informed in advance, the place he was going to must be different.
After a while, the three of them arrived at a courtyard at the back of Yang's mansion. The courtyard was remote and quiet, surrounded by lush flowers and plants, and it was a great place to live in seclusion.
"Is there...someone living here?"
This backyard has always been where the women of the Yang family live, but now there is no female member of the Yang family except Aunt Yang, so who lives there? Yang Xuchuan only then realized that there was not a single servant with him.
Yang Gong didn't answer. He pushed open the gate and said to Xiao Ji, "Go in."
Xiao Ji didn't understand at first, until his eyes passed through the two half-open doors and fell on the figure under the bamboo inside, Xiao Ji's gaze suddenly froze.
His eyes were fixed on the silhouette - the blue-gray cloth robe, the slightly hunched shoulders, and the posture of holding the scroll.
A breeze was blowing under the bamboos, and a bamboo leaf fell on him. The old hand flicked slightly, revealing more of the face. The hand in Xiao Ji's sleeve began to tremble uncontrollably. That was... the teacher.
The bamboo chair creaked. The old man glanced over. "Isn't today your birthday? Why are you here at this hour..." His words trailed off. The book slipped from his lap, hitting the blue bricks with a dull thud.
Yao Chongchun didn't expect to meet Xiao Ji. He thought that being able to take a glimpse of him from the secret room that day was a sign of Yang Gong's forgiveness, but he didn't expect to see his disciple in broad daylight.
He was startled for a moment, but quickly reacted. He quickly stood up from the stool and walked towards the door. He was usually cautious and calm, so he didn't care if he knocked over the stool. Xiao Ji rushed in directly, like a young swallow flying into the forest.
When Xiao Ji was born, Zhongzong had been dead for many years. If Yang Gong was his maternal grandfather, then Yao Chongchun, in addition to being his teacher, undoubtedly also played the role of grandfather invisibly.
The young man was so excited that he completely forgot to hide his movements. His swift running appearance caught the eyes of Yang's father and son, who couldn't help but think deeply.
Xiao Ji almost stumbled into the yard. He grabbed the teacher's skinny wrist, but felt bony joints.
"The teacher has lost weight..." A half sob rolled out of his throat, and he kept stroking the pair of old hands.
He is already old, has been in prison, and is now a criminal, hidden in a small courtyard and living in anonymity. How could this once world-famous scholar not lose weight?
Yao Chongchun smiled. The old man rubbed the corner of his eye with his scarred thumb, leaving it wet. "Why are you crying? You're already grown up."
Before he finished speaking, Xiao Ji had already rested his forehead on his shoulder, his clothes soaked with tears.
Mr. Yang coughed lightly outside the door, then walked in. Uncle Yang followed closely behind him and closed the door. When he closed the door, his hands couldn't help shaking. His father actually did such a big thing behind his back.
He thought his father was too timid to get involved in any court struggle, but he ended up setting him up as a prisoner behind his back?
Who is the timid one in this family?
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