Xie Ming

Using the illness of Yu'e and Yan Ge'er as a pretext, I would like to inform Zhong Zhuanyan that I have visited the residence of Xu Jingyi.

His advice was reasonable and persuasive, and there was nothing to be ashamed of.

"Look, this time, both Brother Yan and his sister-in-law have had high fevers for several days in a row."

"From the steward to the maids and servants, no one in the household can have a moment's peace."

"But if we're talking about real strength, someone who's willing to go to great lengths and put in a lot of effort without a single complaint, then Hongyu and Jingyi are probably the two best."

He tapped the table with his finger to emphasize his point.

"Well, Hongyu, needless to say, after all, she is the result of being a maidservant in the dowry, so this is how it should be."

“But Jingyi is different.”

“You’re an officer in charge of troops on an external assignment. You can leave for a month or two without ever coming home.”

“Your Changyan, ever since he was born, has always been raised by Jingyi as her own son.”

"Human hearts are made of flesh and blood."

"Even if you're the hardest rock in a latrine, your heart should be warmed up by now."

“A perfectly good young woman, traveling a thousand miles to find you.”

"After such a huge upheaval, and now that his injuries have healed, you're just going to leave him hanging in the mansion, ignoring him completely and leaving him unclear about the situation?!"

"You'll be off to Nanjing again in a flash. If this goes on for a long time, how will Jingyi manage to get along with the family?"

"You know, spit can sometimes kill."

It is rare for Zhizhong to bring up Xiao Lang's family affairs; today's discussion is unprecedented.

Seeing how readily they were helping him, Xiao Ye looked bewildered, not understanding the details.

"Uh, you, you..."

He hesitated, unsure of what to say.

On the other hand, Qiu Lai was adamant about the matter, and when he saw Xiao hesitate, he even had a sarcastic remark to follow.

"What do you mean, 'you'?!"

"Don't pretend you don't know."

“Old Xiao, it’s not that I, Qiu Zhizhong, like to meddle in your business.”

"This is a blessing, so let's be happy about it."

"Even as an outsider, I feel so jealous for you."

"You were always at the forefront of battles, big and small, amidst mountains of corpses and seas of blood."

"What?"

"Are you being all long-winded and fussy now?"

It seems that Chiu Chih-chung really took this provocation seriously, otherwise he wouldn't have gotten involved like this.

Upon hearing this, Xiao Jingchuan looked embarrassed, while Ye Wei shook his head, speechless.

However, seeing that he still didn't understand the meaning, Zhizhong simply explained it more clearly.

"Moreover, this matter of interpreting is not entirely as simple as romantic love."

"Old Xiao, you know that Jingyi was kicked by Gong Yonggu while taking a kick for Xiao'e and can no longer have children."

"From both a moral and logical standpoint, you should give an explanation so that the girl's sincere feelings are not in vain."

"Furthermore, even if you don't care about the monks, you should at least consider the Buddha's feelings in Kowloon Town."

"Putting aside everything else, just take your army, Jizu and Wenze, they are all brothers of our own."

"But they all share the surname Xu."

"If you're capable of handling this, then take Xu Jingyi as a concubine."

"That would be entirely beneficial and without any harm."

"Having won over the hearts of the troops, the officers and soldiers are also willing to be loyal and die for their cause."

"At the same time, because of Jingyi's health accident, it is unlikely that her relatives will suffer from cholera in the future."

"Look, this kills two birds with one stone! Where else can you find such a good deal?"

"I really don't understand what you're still hesitating about."

"I'm disappointed that he's not living up to his potential," Zhi Zhong's words were those of a seasoned and wise strategist.

Yao Zuyin, who was listening silently, did not chime in or chime in with any idle chatter.

He could sit comfortably in the bamboo chair, and nodded repeatedly to indicate that this was the proper way.

Then, Zhizhong spoke again, earnestly and patiently, fearing that Xiao might still be hesitant.

"Oh, right."

"And I'll tell you something else." "Jingyi ran away from home and threw herself at you. A month or so has passed in the blink of an eye."

"The clan chief of that family is frantic with worry, as he has no idea where she is."

"As an old father, I had no choice but to beg and plead with others to ask for help from the local people I had left behind."

"A letter was sent to me by express mail to inquire about Jingyi's whereabouts."

Zhi Zhong straightened his body, added fuel to the fire, and brought out Chief Xu, who then accelerated the matter by increasing the stakes.

After all, when Xiao first led his team out of the mountains, Jiulong Town had done its utmost to help him, and Xiao owed them a great debt of gratitude.

Bringing out Xu Jialin is like offering a sacrifice for humanity; we're not afraid that Xiao Jingchuan won't surrender.

"So, if I had to say, I had no choice but to do this for you."

"That letter is still with me."

"I don't know how to answer."

"Before she came out, she was a perfectly fine young woman."

"I entered your household without any explanation, and my body was injured, leaving me unable to have children."

"If you don't want her, and you kick her out, what will the Xu family do then?"

"Think about it carefully yourself."

After he finished speaking, his incessant chatter made Xiao Lang's ears ring, and he could hardly stand it.

So, in order to have some peace and quiet, Xiao Ye hurriedly came to beg and admit defeat.

"Okay, okay, okay."

"I'll beg for mercy, begging for mercy won't be enough."

"It was I, Xiao, who acted foolishly."

"you"

"call--"

He let out a long breath.

In truth, Yuan Xiao harbored feelings for Jingyi.

Needless to say, there's no need to talk about romantic love between a man and a woman; just look at the girl's persistence and how she risked her life to protect Xiao'e.

Regardless of who goes there, wouldn't they be moved?

Lai, entirely due to the numerous and complicated matters at hand, and the large army pressing in from the north, he simply couldn't spare the energy to deal with these trivial household affairs.

Ye Quan finally managed to return to Hangzhou, but he had no choice but to do so because his wife was seriously ill.

Now that our relatives have come to offer their assistance, there is no reason for them to make excuses or deny their obligations.

So, he stopped talking to Zhizhong and rushed over. Xiao Lang also straightened his face and said his words seriously.

"Okay, I understand."

"Right before my eyes, Xiao'e is still recovering from a serious illness."

"You, you should give me some more time."

"Well, it would be best if I waited until Xiao'e was fully recovered before discussing this matter with her."

Thus, it can be considered that Xiao Lang has accepted it.

Having made up his mind, Qiu Zhizhong let out a long sigh and softened his tone.

"Okay, as you wish."

"You know the pros and cons, so it's good that you understand them. You can decide for yourself."

Upon hearing this, Xiao, unwilling to dwell on the matter any longer, quickly changed the subject.

"Alright, alright."

"Let's drop this matter."

"Feiyu, you're in such a hurry to come find me, it can't be just for this matter."

"I've come to ask you, what's the latest situation regarding the civil unrest in Southern Zhili and Zhejiang?"

The flying snow stopped the howling wind.

At this time, the snow in Hangzhou finally stopped.

The sky remained overcast. In the front hall of the Chen residence and Xiao mansion, Xiao, Qiu, and Yao still had many important political figures to discuss.
Her cloud-like hair and misty tresses surpass even the most beautiful crows, her golden lotus feet barely visible beneath her crimson gauze. She's unlike any ordinary flower blooming outside the wall. I'll scold you, you pretty rascal, half of it is hard to bear, half is just teasing.

Outside the green gauze window, all was quiet and still. Kneeling before the bed, she eagerly sought a kiss. I cursed her for being unfaithful and turned away. Though my words were angry, they were half-rejection and half-acceptance.

The silver lamp on the altar is extinguished, the incense smoke lingers; alone I enter the silken curtains, concealing my tearful eyes. The sudden solitude makes me feel listless. The thin quilt is just enough; half warm, half cold.

That fickle, sentimental young man, so teasing, he makes us haggard; he hides his true feelings from us at first. Who knows, half of what he says is true, and half is false. (End of Chapter)