Kong Xuzhe drank tea and looked around. He really couldn't see what was so good about this place that could make three generations of grandparents and grandchildren linger here for more than a month and still be reluctant to go home.
"I heard you were looking for me. What's going on?" the old man asked directly. He wanted to get to the point as soon as possible so he could get rid of the person. The old man had developed a habit of seeing young people. His first reaction when he saw them was, "Is this guy trying to get my granddaughter?" and then he would think of other things.
Kong Xuzhe thought to himself, even if you don't like me, you should at least be a little more polite. It's so hurtful to say such things! At this moment, he admired Yun Yichen's perseverance. How did this man persist until now under the suppression of the old man?
If he knew that the competition between Yun Yichen and the old man had started more than ten years ago, I wonder if he would be full of admiration!
"Are you okay?"
"Yes, don't worry! Did you see any strangers when you were outside?"
"So what? Do you know who he is?"
"Northern Jin Qin Wang's men, Prince Yun and I were originally in Kyoto. We rushed here after hearing spies report that the Qin Wang had entered the capital. Someone close to the Qin Wang told him that they encountered an old man leading two young girls on the road. The Qin Wang became suspicious and wanted to pursue you. Prince Yun and I had no choice but to split up. He was responsible for luring the Qin Wang away and bringing him to the capital, while I was responsible for reporting to you and staying behind to protect you."
His brain was too smart and more than enough. If he wasn't afraid of revealing his true nature in front of the old man, Kong Xuzhe really wanted to applaud himself.
"Thank you, young prince, for tipping us off, but we dare not trouble you for protection. I have brought your letter, and it is getting late. If we set off now, we can still get back to Kyoto before dark." This was the first time the old man spoke so tactfully. If it weren't for Kong Xuzhe coming to tip us off, he would have probably called him a little bastard.
The old man was already clearly trying to get rid of them, so even someone as thick-skinned as Kong Xuzhe couldn't resist. He asked several times, "Do you really not need me to stay and protect you? I don't ask for anything in return." Seeing that the old man really had no intention of keeping him, he could only slowly move towards the gate of the villa with infinite attachment and reluctance.
"Kong Xuzhe, come here, I want to ask you something." A little girl in a red dress walked out from the shadow of the trees beside the gate of the villa.
She has curved eyebrows, slightly parted red lips, and her fangs are exposed when she smiles. She is so lovable that my mood naturally improves just by seeing her.
"Xiao Ruyi, are you waiting for me?" Seeing Xiao Yuan standing under the tree, Kong Xuzhe had already thrown the old man's coldness and alienation out of his mind. What could be more joyful than meeting your sweetheart alone? What does it mean to be overjoyed and to be overjoyed? Just look at Kong Xuzhe now and you will know the answer.
"I want to ask you for a favor. I have finished reading all the picture books. Also, if Yixiang Garden has new snacks, please bring some for me. How about doubling the price?" Xiao Yuan believed that the money in his pocket was enough to pay the bill. Although he felt a little embarrassed to trouble Kong Xuzhe, it was his fault that he couldn't go back to Beijing, and he happened to be here!
"Of course I'm willing to help, but I also have a request."
"you say."
"Can you please keep the money you owe me and give it to me later when I need it?"
Xiao Yuan looked at Kong Xuzhe in confusion, "Just keep the money for yourself, why do you have to put it with someone else?"
Kong Xuzhe approached Xiao Yuan and whispered, "I want to save money to get married."
How long will it take to save the money from selling sketchbooks to marry a wife? Xiao Yuan was worried about Kong Xuzhe. Xiao Yuan wanted Kong Xuzhe to save it himself, but he said that he would spend the money as soon as he had it, so it was better to leave it with Xiao Yuan.
"I'll keep a record and give them to you together later, okay?" Xiao Yuan felt that she was going to collapse if she couldn't see the new sketchbook again. After comparing them, she decided to choose the sketchbook first and talk about repaying the favor later.
After getting a satisfactory answer, Kong Xuzhe told Xiao Yuan not to go out recently, and said that he would send a carrier pigeon over the next day so that she could directly send her what she wanted.
Xiao Yuan waved her hand and refused. She absolutely couldn't have private correspondence with a man. Her sister had taught her countless times that she must keep her distance from boys. Although she had asked Kong Xuzhe to help buy the book, she had already paid for it. At worst, she could double the money later.
Seeing that Xiao Yuan was unwilling, Kong Xuzhe didn't want to make things difficult for her. However, he was afraid that the old man would get angry if he found out that he was still staying here. After weighing the pros and cons, he rode back to Beijing reluctantly.
The old man was busy reorganizing his staff. He reduced the number of guards in public by half and sent out a few more people dressed in ordinary clothes, like ordinary people, to patrol the manor. He knew that now was not a good time to return to the capital. The best course of action was to find out Luo Yan's intentions and wait for news from home.
At this moment, he absolutely could not joke about his granddaughter's safety and reputation. Fortunately, with the support of Prince Jing's Mansion, he no longer had to panic. In fact, the old man knew better than anyone that his granddaughter's marriage was the right one. Without the protection of Prince Jing's Mansion and Prince Jing and his son, his granddaughter would have had only two outcomes when she reached marriageable age: entering the palace or marrying for Tianyu.
Neither of these two results is what she wants, and the Xiao family is powerless to stop it. Only King Jing and his son have the ability to reverse the situation. It seems that she has to be more restrained in the future and let Yun Yichen see her granddaughter occasionally.
Xiao Jingkang was stunned when he received the news from Yun Yichen. Why did this King Qin suddenly come? For the Xiao family and his daughter, his appearance was definitely a disaster, not a blessing. This matter still needed to be discussed with Prince Jing and his future son-in-law. They had the same right to participate in this matter as he did, and Yun Yichen had even more authority to handle it.
That night, Qin Wang, who was supposed to stay at the post house, unexpectedly stayed at Princess Xiyue's residence, which was only separated from the Zhongyong Marquis's residence by a wall. What exactly did he want to do? The Xiao family gathered together to discuss countermeasures.
The next day, before sunrise, when the sky was gray, Xiao Yi quietly left the Loyal and Brave Marquis's residence through the corner gate, accompanied only by Qing Fang. The master and servant left Qiguan Street, ate breakfast in a private house, changed their clothes, and then rode straight out of the city.
Xiao Yi walked around the villa very carefully, and after making sure that no one was following him, he ordered Qing Fang to go and knock on the door.
When the old man saw his grandson’s serious face, he knew that the situation was not good. This Luo Yan was probably coming for his granddaughter.
The grandfather and grandson arranged a carriage and sent Xiao Yao out of the villa at noon when there were fewer people. There was absolutely no way for her to return to Beijing, so the old man chose a villa not far from the royal villa to accommodate his granddaughter. One group of people left first, one group followed Xiao Yao, and some would follow in the evening.
"I still can't feel at ease with this. Let's send some more people over after returning to Kyoto!" Xiao Yi wished he could stay by his sister's side in person. No matter how many guards there were, they could not be as attentive as his own family. If there weren't so many things to do in the mansion, he would definitely ask to stay.
"Have you heard of the Silver Dragon Guard?" the old man patted his grandson on the shoulder and said.
"I heard that the secret guards of Prince Jing's mansion are extremely skilled in martial arts. They come and go without a trace and are extremely mysterious."
"There are at least five such people around your sister." This is still a conservative estimate. If a whole team is required to go on a mission, the number of Silver Dragon Guards around his granddaughter should be doubled.
Xiao Yi didn't know how to react. These were the Silver Dragon Guards! They weren't secret guards, let alone ordinary guards. It was unbelievable that Prince Jing's Mansion had sent so many experts to his sister at once.
"Only by letting Ping An marry Yun Xiaozi can she live a stable life and her family can feel at ease."
Xiao Yi nodded in agreement. In fact, he had no choice but to object because every word the old man said was correct.
After settling Xiao Yao, they stayed outside for another night, and the next afternoon, they followed the crowd into Beijing to return to the Marquis of Loyalty and Bravery's Mansion. Five days later was Xiao Rui's wedding day, so it made sense for them to return to Beijing at this time.
Xiao Yuan got off the carriage by herself, followed by a graceful girl wearing a veil. The Xiao family members surrounded the two girls all the way to the door of Yaoyuan Building.
Entering Yaoyuan Tower, the girl wearing the veil quickly took off her clothes. She turned out to be Xiao Yuan's maid Qianxiang. Because she had a body similar to Xiao Yao, she was chosen as a substitute.
The same evening the old man returned, he received a personal letter from King Jing. The letter outlined a banquet to be held in the palace in three days to welcome King Qin of Northern Jin. King Qin, claiming he had yet to marry a princess and wanted to see the elegant ladies of Tianyu, requested that all girls thirteen or older from officials' families attend the banquet.
The emperor had no reason to refuse. After all, maintaining friendly neighborly relations between Tianyu and Beijin was very important.
However, the emperor also made it clear that engaged daughters of officials were not among the invited guests.
Prince Jing's Mansion sent two female guards with excellent kung fu skills, hoping that the Xiao family would agree to have these two people serve Xiao Yao. Even if they cannot serve her personally, it would be good to take them with her when she goes out!
At the end of the letter, Prince Jing suggested that Xiao Yao move to the royal villa. If the Xiao family agreed, Yun Ruonan was willing to go there to keep Xiao Yao company.
"Tell me what you think!" After reading the letter, the old man asked his sons what they thought.
"Son, I think we should just do as King Jing says!" Xiao Jingkang couldn't think of a better way. Besides, King Jing had already arranged everything that needed to be done. What else could he do?
"Fourth brother, you should pay more attention to the movements of King Qin. Before we are ready, it is better not to let him know that Yun boy and Ping'an are engaged. We don't know yet what his purpose is in coming to Tianyu, so don't ruin the emperor's plan." It is better not to provoke Luo Yan if possible. Since the emperor and King Jing have arranged everything, our family just needs to obey their orders.
"The palace banquet will be held in three days, and Arei will get married in four days. Even if there's anything else, we have to wait until these two things are over." The old man thought for a while before making a decision: "Have Yun send the two female guards to our villa. When the princess visits the royal villa, have Ping'an move there too. That way, we won't have to worry about Ping'an's safety."
The old man agreed to let Yun Yichen meet his granddaughter. He really accepted him from the bottom of his heart and acknowledged him as his granddaughter's son-in-law, right? Several grown men looked at each other, confirming the authenticity of the news with their eyes.
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