Simulation becomes reality, have I ever looked down upon the eternity?

Chapter 267: The Second Master Returns, and the Bastard Enters the Grand View Garden

Xie Yuan smiled and called the two people who were about to leave, then turned to look at Madam Yuan and said:

"Madam, if this matter is not too urgent, can you let Wutong stay for now? It won't be too late to let her go after the banquet starts."

Upon hearing this, Mrs. Zhuge showed some curiosity on her face.

Xie Yuan continued:
"I wanted to go visit the Sixth Miss, but I can't have someone as impulsive as Xie Hou'er by my side. Wutong and I are familiar with each other, and I feel more at ease with her company."

After hearing this, Madam Zhuge's eyes lit up, and she couldn't help but look at Xie Yuanyuan carefully, and said with a smile:

"Do you really want to go visit the Sixth Miss? Don't deceive mother and go there to act like a scoundrel, scare people away and ruin the reputation of the Xie family. If you do that, the old lady will not forgive you."

Xie Yuan quickly cupped his hands, looking serious: "Of course I don't dare, I hope you can help me."

Seeing this, Madam Zhuge also looked at Madam Yuan with a smile and said, "Sister, it took a lot of effort for the child to have this idea. No matter how I persuaded him at home, it was useless. Now that he has made up his mind, he is just a maid, so just agree to him."

Say it!
She turned to Madam Zhao and said softly, "Sister is a considerate person and knows how hard it is to be a mother. Yuan'er has learned a lot now. Although he may not be able to catch up with Feng'er in the future, I also want to find a suitable and sensible young lady for him. If he can't catch up, sister will just be a housewife."

Upon hearing this, Madam Zhao just smiled faintly and said:
"Sister, you are joking. The sixth daughter of the Li family is well-known for her knowledge and manners."

Madam Yuan looked at Madam Zhao, and then looked at the middle-aged Confucian scholar sitting next to Madam Zhuge, Xie Yuan's uncle Zhuge Jian.

Her gaze finally fell on Wutong, and she spoke slowly: "Since my sister has asked, there is no reason for me not to agree."

"Ganzhi, please go down and find a smart girl from the other courtyard."

"Yes, ma'am!"

Gan Zhi put her hands on her waist, bowed gracefully, and her eyes casually swept over the blue package on the table.

I couldn't help but think back to what had just happened in the courtyard, wondering if the young master of the Xie family had already anticipated this.

This illegitimate son of the Xie family is so smart!

Gan Zhi slowly stepped back, while Wutong stood quietly behind Xie Yuan's seat.

"Why don't you thank me quickly, Auntie?"

Upon hearing this, Xie Yuan immediately bowed politely.

Madam Zhuge also looked at Wutong a few more times. She saw that this maid had a slender and graceful figure, with no makeup on her face, and her eyes, in particular, sparkled with a rare spirituality that was rare for a servant.

Wutong seemed to have noticed something different, and muttered to herself that it was too strange for the three mistresses to speak for a maid like her.

Even the maids serving in the house looked at her with curiosity and envy.

After what happened today, Wutong’s name is likely to spread throughout the Xie Mansion.

However, Wutong was thinking of his own young master at this moment.

Whenever Young Master Yuan had a request, he had his mother to "back him up" and his uncle to "build momentum" for him. In such a large compound like the Xie Mansion, he had never suffered any grievances.

But what about my own young master? He is already twelve years old, but he has never even started to learn. No one even dares to say a word for him.

When Wutong thought of this, he couldn't help but feel wronged and sad for his young master.

at this time!

An old woman with a deer-head cane walked in slowly, holding a very handsome young man by her side.

The old woman had a warm smile on her face. She seemed to have heard the conversation in the main hall. She spoke slowly:
"Brother Yuan, you have learned well recently. In the past, at such gatherings, you would hide by the lake to fight crickets. Today, you can sit in the main hall. Mingshan doesn't like to praise others, but last time he praised you for being a scholar."

When everyone heard this, they all stood up slightly.

The young man who supported the old lady was Mrs. Yuan’s second son, Xie Yu.

During the Hundred Days Banquet, "The Xie family's unicorn child shocked the people of Bianjing."

Wutong looked at Xie Yu, and saw that his hair was as sharp as a knife, his eyebrows were as black as ink, his face was like peach petals, his eyes were like autumn waves, he wore a tall crown on his head, and a silver belt on his forehead. There was a strong scholarly air between his brows, which made people feel good about him.

Wutong thought to himself that this Mr. Xie Yu and his own young master were born on the same day and month.

But all the experiences were very different.

Xie Yu and Xie Yuan were both very much loved by Old Lady Xie.

Back then, the old lady had a dream in which a star fell into the Xie family, and Xie Yu was born the next day.

When the old lady gave birth to Xie Ling, she also dreamed of a lotus leaf falling into her belly.

Therefore, things in dreams always make people imagine a lot, and as Xie Yu grows up and becomes more and more outstanding, people can't help but like him more.

The Xie family had many illegitimate sons, and Xie Ling was particularly romantic. He had eight concubines and more than a dozen sons and daughters.

But in the eyes of Old Lady Xie, these descendants were merely the descendants of the Xie family, carrying on the family line. They were not real relatives, and were not even as good as the kind maids who served her on a daily basis.

Xie Yuan refuted helplessly:
"Grandma, I'm not that ignorant."

Xie Yu behaved well and returned to his mother, Madam Yuan.

Zhuge Jian couldn't help but look at Xie Yu, who looked like a bookworm.

Old Lady Xie sat on the main seat. The Great Qi ruled the world with filial piety. Even the head of the family, Xie Ling, sat first in the seat of honor for his mother.

Old Lady Xie also loved Xie Yuan very much. Although Xie Yuan was naughty when he was a child, he was kind-hearted.

Once, the old lady accidentally fell into the lake. Except for the servants who jumped into the water, it was the dead of winter and the lake was freezing cold. All the young men and women stayed on the shore.

Only Xie Yuan jumped into the lake without saying a word.

The old lady glanced around the room, and saw people who were closely connected with the Xie family.

Apart from a few mistresses, the four people on the right are all from other big families.

Of course, Zhuge Jian has the highest status among these people.

The old lady looked at Zhuge Jian and said:
"Mr. Jingyue, you finally came to the Xie family. I was going to let Mingshan accompany you, but he is often in Qingliang Temple, so I, an old man, had to come forward."

Zhuge Jian said modestly: "Old lady, thank you for your hard work. When I was studying, Brother Mingshan was the preceptor of the academy. You really honored me."

After hearing this, the old lady showed a rare look of worry on her face.

She favored her third son, Xie Hong, the most. Unlike the royal family who favored the eldest son, the common people of the wealthy families favored the youngest son.

Xie Hong entered officialdom relatively late and stayed with her for a long time.

The eldest and second oldest sons became the prince's tutor and joined the army respectively at an early age.

Xie Hong is in charge of household chores, keeps the house in order, and studies at home.

Xie Hong's father passed away when he was young, and he was brought up by the old lady, who was extremely filial.

Even Xie Yu was inferior to the old lady in terms of studying and practicing.

Xie Hong was almost accepted as a disciple by the second master and became the fifth master under the master's tutelage.

But after the palace coup, his mother was heartbroken because of the involvement of his eldest son.

Because Xie Hong was always by her side, after Mr. San wrote the inscription, the word "Hong" appeared in the courtyard, so the old lady simply changed her name to this.

however!
Later, Xie Hong became disheartened and went to Qingliang Temple to practice Buddhism. He only returned home on New Year's Eve. His mother missed her son and was often heartbroken.

Madam Zhao seemed to have seen through the sadness in the old lady's heart and said softly, "Mother, Renfeng will soon take the autumn examination, and Mingshan will also return to the Xie Mansion."

Xie Hong was a man of deep filial piety, but when it came to continuing his marriage, he simply obeyed his parents' orders.

There are only three rooms in the second courtyard, with three sons and two daughters.

In the past, Mrs. Zhao admired and yearned for Xie Hong.

Who in Bian Jing didn't like this world-famous talent?
The daughter of a wealthy family would rather be a daughter of the Xie family than a princess.

However, after getting married, although the two perform the rites of husband and wife, they treat each other like guests.

The old lady regained her composure, knowing full well that the real purpose of today's banquet was to benefit Xie Ling, the former "Marquis of Dingyuan".

If Xie Hong was willing to plead for Xie Ling, why would he need to ask others for help?

"Mr. Jingyue, I believe you have understood the deep meaning of this banquet." Zhuge Jian had already understood it in his mind. After Xie Ling was stripped of his title, he wanted to use him to speak well of him in front of Prime Minister Su, hoping that he could return to the capital.

"Don't worry, old lady. Regardless of the friendship between the Xie and Zhang families, or as Xie Yuan's uncle, I dare not say that this will be accomplished lightly, but I will definitely do my best."

Upon hearing this, Madam Yuan expressed her sincere gratitude:
"I am here to thank you, Mr. Jingyue, for your kindness."

Xie Ling's honor and disgrace actually concern the rise and fall of the compound.

This is the reason why Xie Yuan and his mother are in the main hall today. Zhuge Jian agreed to this matter.

Mrs. Zhuge in the Xie family naturally also saw the rise of status.

The few of them had a pleasant conversation with each other.

Xie Yuan felt bored listening to these stories, as they were all old stories of the Xie and Zhang families. He had been familiar with them since childhood and was already tired of them.

Knowing that several dignitaries from the Zhao and Li families would be arriving in the main hall later, they, the younger generation, should avoid them and wanted to get up, say goodbye and go to the "Hongjingyuan" villa.

This time!

A maid came in hurriedly from outside to report, and walked through several large rooms and broke into the main hall.

Old Lady Xie frowned.

Now that important matters were being discussed in the main hall, the Xie family would not come here for anything!

Madam Yuan also looked unhappy. With Xie Ling away, the responsibility of managing the household fell on her shoulders. There were many distinguished guests present. If this matter got out, she might be suspected of not managing the household well and her reputation would be damaged.

"Why are you so panicked!"

"It's the Second Master, he's back!"

The maid's words made Madam Zhao stand up suddenly, with a hint of surprise on her brows.

"Mingshan, he's back!"

The old lady could not hide the joy on her face.

Zhuge Jian was slightly surprised. Although he didn't know Xie Hong well, he was well aware of his prominent reputation in the academy.

The concept of governing the country proposed by Xie Hong is a further step forward based on the thoughts of the great master, and it is unique and very different from the methods of the three masters and Su Jing, and is deeply supported by some students in the academy.

What's more, he is a spiritual cultivator who has ignited the divine fire.

When the envoy was sent to the Sui Dynasty, the great scholar of the Sui Dynasty sighed:

"Bianjing can't accommodate even a little bit of Xie Hong's talent!"

He is also one of the few people that Zhuge Jian wants to win over.

If Xie Hong enters the court or returns to the academy, he will become an important force that both Mr. San and Su Jing cannot ignore.

The Xie family is the only family among the nine major surnames that remains neutral.

Zhuge Jian's willingness to speak for Xie Ling also has a profound meaning.

Only Mrs. Yuan had a slightly complicated expression. Recalling the scene where Xie Hong rejected her in person not long ago, she was angry but did not show it.

Now that everything is settled, she is afraid that something unexpected will happen.

There have been undercurrents and tit-for-tat between the two houses for a long time.

Xie Hong has returned, but Xie Ling is no longer here, so the compound might have to "bow its head".

Old Lady Xie quickly ordered: "Did Mingshan go to the Second Hospital? Go and invite Grand View Garden."

Madam Zhao had already stood up and said softly, "Mother, I will go with Renfeng. Renfeng has been missing father all the time."

"Good good!"

The old lady was very pleased. Last year, Xie Hong returned in a hurry and left with the monks of Qingliang Temple after just having a reunion dinner.

The maid quickly reported:
"Second Master has come to the Grand View Garden."

"He also brought a woman."

Having said this, the maid couldn't help but pause carefully, and Mrs. Zhao's tone became cold.

"woman!"

Mrs. Zhao was wearing a blue Guiyue robe, a long hairpin with a pattern of fragrant beads on her head, and a little rouge on her face, looking luxurious and dignified.

At this moment her face froze.

"woman?"

Xie Yuan raised his eyebrows and waited calmly for the maid's answer.

"Yes, the second master came back with a woman."

"The woman carried a sword and led a donkey."

Xie Yuan's eyes lit up.

Isn’t this the attire of the knights in the storybooks?
Even Xie Yu looked over with some curiosity.

Wutong, however, had no interest in the matter. She just felt empty inside because the young master was not around.

Xie Hong's visit to Xie Mansion was a surprise today.

~

[After you finish writing the last post, all the anxiety in your heart has settled down. ]

[You changed into a set of neat clothes and prepared to go to the Grand View Garden.]

【Hua An couldn't help but say: "Master Guan, the Xie family cannot go to the Grand View Garden without the old lady's permission."】

[The Grand View Garden is in the backyard, and is where the Xie family entertains distinguished guests and holds banquets. As far as he knows, Xie Guan has never been there.]

[Many unpopular bastards in the Xie family did not have Hongjingyuan. ]

[Zhang Yuanlai frowned and said: "I have a few good friends among the guests in the courtyard. They are familiar with the steward. Let them inform him."]

[“Don’t bother Mr. Zhang. They are all living under someone else’s roof. If they offend the lady of the compound, they will probably be expelled from the Xie Mansion.”]

【Zhang Yuanlai sighed. Being a retainer in a big family is indeed a good job. No one wants to give it up. Even if he begs, these people may not necessarily help an unpopular bastard.】

[You smiled and said, "It's okay, just treat it as a tour of the Grand View Garden."]

[Hua An looked worried. Although he was a descendant of the Xie family and was eligible to attend the banquet, he would inevitably become a laughing stock if he went without an invitation.]

[In the past, there was a bastard who was not invited to Hongjing Courtyard during the reunion, and he had no place to stay and was looked down upon. ]

[This is still considered good. Some people cannot even enter Hongjingyuan and are stopped outside the door.]

[Of course, there are also favored heirs like Xie Yuan, who can go anywhere in the Xie Mansion and can go to the Grand View Garden without the old lady's permission. ]

[There is another situation that Hua An is most worried about. What if you have a quarrel with the children of those big families? ]

[What should I do if an accident happens to Wutong? 】

[Hua An anxiously paced back and forth, looking at the dilapidated courtyard. In the main hall was the memorial tablet for Xie Guan's mother.]

[These princes and nobles are not good people, they are very cruel and crazy. ]

[Who would take a mere bastard of the Xie family seriously! ]

[“Oh my God, you really don’t want us to live.”]

[You paid respect to your mother's spirit tablet and watched the golden leaves of the sycamore tree fall again.]

[Walk out of the courtyard slowly. It seems like you haven't stepped out of this courtyard for several years. ]

【Just reading in the courtyard! 】

(End of this chapter)