Chapter 199

Chapter 199

In the evening, Xiao Zhen and Xiao Ye returned home together.

Before they even reached Xianhe Manor, they could hear the sounds of laughter coming from the front courtyard, belonging to both the Sun family’s eldest and second sons, as well as Tong Shan and Mianmian.

For a moment, Xiao Ye forgot about the troubles outside. He walked ahead with his brother and said, “Second Brother, there are quite a few kids around here. When are you planning to give me a nephew or niece? Speaking of which, you and Second Sister-in-law have been married for two years now. Why haven't we heard anything yet?”

Xiao Zhen replied, “It’s been two years, but we’ve been apart for more than a year of that time. Besides, I’m not in a hurry, so why should you be?”

Xiao Ye said, “I’m not in a hurry. I was just asking casually.”

Xiao Zhen continued, “We've just arrived in Luoyang and haven't even settled in yet. Having a child too soon would be a burden; it’s better to wait.”

There were still some local forces that didn’t fully submit to the imperial court, and to the south, two pretenders to the throne were waiting for a chance to rise again. In such uncertain times, who can guarantee that even adults will live long, let alone children?

Xiao Zhen truly wasn’t in a hurry. The couple was far from the age where they needed to worry about being unable to have children. Especially Tong Sui, who was only twenty. The six years when she should have been growing coincided with years of war. While hiding in the mountains, she often went hungry. Only in the past two years has she started growing taller, thanks to better nutrition. Xiao Zhen wanted to take care of Tong Sui first.

As they reached the west corridor of Xianhe Manor, the brothers understood why the children were laughing.

Zhang Chao had a black cloth tied around his eyes, while the other four children stood scattered in the courtyard, waiting for Zhang Chao to slowly feel his way towards them.

Tong Sui and Liu Chu stood under the eaves, watching and smiling.

Xiao Ye gestured for the maids to skip the formalities. He quietly walked a few steps ahead of Zhang Chao and crouched down.

Zhang Chao felt Xiao Ye’s head and paused for a moment on the cloth binding his hair. He said confidently, “It’s the Fourth Master.”

The eldest son exclaimed, “How did you know? You only touched the top of his head!”

Zhang Chao pulled off the black cloth covering his eyes, looked up at Xiao Ye, who had now stood up, and said, “The Fourth Master’s headband is different from ours.”

Xiao Ye teased, “You're so clever, why didn’t you guess it was the Marquis?”

Zhang Chao looked over at the Marquis, who was now standing next to his wife, and said with a smile, “The Marquis wouldn’t trick me.”

Liu Chu couldn’t help but praise, “Brother Chao is really smart to figure that out so quickly.”

Tong Sui also liked Zhang Chao very much. He was clever and sensible, much like Zhang Wengong. As the grandson of the village headman, Zhang Chao was far better than the eldest and second sons.

“Go inside and wash your hands. Dinner is about to be served.”

The five children went inside to wash their hands.

The maids also brought a basin of water for Xiao Zhen and his brother.

Despite the many children, the dinner table wasn’t much livelier because the eldest and second sons were somewhat afraid of Xiao Zhen, and Zhang Chao was reserved and spoke little. Only Mianmian and Tong Shan felt comfortable speaking.

Xiao Ye liked to tease the eldest son, “Did you listen carefully to Mr. Cen’s lesson today?”

The eldest son glanced at Xiao Zhen and nodded. The Marquis often quizzed them on their recitations. If they couldn’t recite properly, they would be scolded. How could he dare to play around?

Xiao Ye asked, “How long did you hold the horse stance?”

Liu Chu interjected, “That’s enough. If you have any questions, ask them after the meal. Let’s eat first.”

Tong Sui also said, “Yes, focus on eating during the meal.”

Xiao Zhen said, “Since you’re so concerned, why don’t you take them to the training ground after dinner and check their spear and archery skills?”

Xiao Ye remained silent.

After the meal, Xiao Ye took the children away, and Liu Chu followed to join in the fun.

Tong Sui leaned against the sitting cushion in the eastern secondary room, planning to read a few more pages by the sunset.

Xiao Zhen had bathed in the west bathhouse and walked over wearing only a white silk robe. He climbed onto the bed, saw the page in her hand, and lay down beside her, resting his head on Tong Sui’s lap.

Tong Sui found him too heavy and gave him a pillow.

Xiao Zhen changed his position to face her and, after gazing at the clouds for a while, said calmly, "The military inspector sent to Liangzhou was ambushed and killed by a local garrison commander."

Tong Sui immediately put down her book and looked at him.

Xiao Zhen played with her hand and continued, "The Emperor asked for a new candidate to be recommended... Fan Zhao beat Grandfather to recommending Pan Yong."

Tong Sui: "Now that Zhang Kuo is dead, it shows how difficult Ren Xun is to deal with. For such dangerous missions, if our family can handle it, Grandfather won’t send anyone else. Since the younger ones are not suitable, the only candidates we can recommend are Second Uncle and Pan Yong. Is Fan Zhao in such a hurry because he’s afraid Grandfather won’t give Pan Yong a chance? I really don’t know if he’s always underestimated Grandfather or if Pan Yong said something bad about him while flattering Fan Zhao."

Xiao Zhen: "With Fan Zhao’s brain, Pan Yong doesn’t need to directly slander Grandfather. Just a few hesitations would be enough for Fan Zhao to act smart on his own."

Tong Sui: "But by recommending someone close to Grandfather in the court, he’s openly telling the officials that Grandfather is nepotistic, and Pan Yong only has a chance because Fan Zhao has to help. Is it worth it? Pan Yong has only accompanied him for a few drinks; his comradeship with you on the battlefield runs deeper. Why does he want to make us his enemies?"

Xiao Zhen smiled: "No, Fan Zhao probably hasn’t thought that much. He thinks he’s just being objective. When I invite him for a drink later, he’ll still come happily."

Tong Sui: "..."

Xiao Zhen: "If he weren’t like this, Pan Yong wouldn’t have chosen to flatter him."

Even if Feng Ji and Lu Gong weren’t seasoned politicians, they would understand this basic human interaction and wouldn’t offend their own family for Pan Yong over just a few meals.

Tong Sui: "Forget it, anyway, our relationship with the Pan family is only a recent acquaintance. If he wants to leave, let him go. Our conscience is clear. What does Grandfather think about Fan Zhao?"

Xiao Zhen: "We continue as we have in the past. There’s no need to fuss over such a small matter."

—

On the twentieth of March, the Xiao family men who were on duty finally got another day off.

On the way to have breakfast at the Duke’s residence next door, Xiao Ye asked, "Second Brother, what are your plans for today?"

Xiao Zhen: "I’m going shopping."

Xiao Ye: "Which street are you going to?"

Xiao Zhen: "Tongtuo Lane. There are rows of peach and plum trees lining the riverbanks. If we don’t go soon, the flowers will start to wither."

Xiao Ye glanced at his second sister-in-law behind them and suddenly realized, "Oh, you’re going for a walk with your wife."

Xiao Zhen just smiled.

Xiao Ye gritted his teeth and turned to ask his niece, "Come on, Fourth Uncle will take you shopping later. We’ll go to the North Market in the morning and the South Market in the afternoon. You can pick anything you like, and Fourth Uncle will buy it for you."

Mianmian looked at her mother for approval.

Liu Chu smiled: "If you want to go, feel free to go. Once Fourth Uncle gets married, he won’t have time to take you out anymore."

Xiao Ye: "That’s impossible. I’m not like some people who forget their family once they get married."

He was wary of his second brother’s feet but didn’t expect a hand to suddenly reach out from behind and pinch his ear.

Xiao Ye was just about to complain when Xiao Zhen quickly pulled Tong Sui's hand away and said after letting go, "His ears are greasy, don't get your hands dirty."

Tong Sui: "..."

Xiao Ye: "..."

Liu Chu and her son laughed.

Upon arriving at Zhongzheng Hall, Xiao Ye first complained to the old man about his brother's "coldness."

The old man ignored him.

Xiao Yan felt a sudden urge and quietly asked Lin Ningfang, "Would you like me to accompany you there?"

Lin Ningfang: "I need to return to JingShan Ward."

Xiao Yan: "Sure, I'll go with you."

Lin Ningfang remained silent.

——

Qinghua Fang was four li away from Coppersmith Ward. On a bright spring day, Tong Sui and Xiao Zhen set off on horseback, since they were out for a casual ride. They rode slowly, and after leaving Qinghua Fang, they headed south to the Luo River, then slowly rode east along it.

The willows were gently swaying, and there were people by the riverbank carrying baskets selling small items to tourists. Boats drifted leisurely on the river.

Xiao Zhen looked at Tong Sui, "Would you like to take a boat ride?"

Tong Sui smiled, "I've already done that."

That was at the beginning of the month when the peach blossoms had just started to bloom. The children were at home studying, and the three daughters-in-law had invited Madam He and Xiao Yuchan to go out for a stroll together.

Xiao Zhen: "You're quite leisurely. Are there any places in the city you haven't visited yet?"

Tong Sui: "I've been to a few places, but Third Brother's wife said there are many more interesting places outside the city, but we don't dare to leave the city rashly right now."

She herself would be fine, but bringing along people like Lin Ningfang and Liu Chu, who lacked self-defense abilities, what if they encountered remnants of the old regime who harbored grudges against the new dynasty?

Xiao Zhen: "Great, I'll accompany you when I have time off at the end of the month."

Tong Sui: "It's more fun when Third Brother's wife leads the way."

Xiao Zhen: "Then let's invite her and Third Brother too."

Tong Sui finally agreed.

When they reached Coppersmith Ward, the couple handed their horses to the attendants following behind and walked to admire the flowers.

The Luo River flowed from east to west, and near Coppersmith Ward, it branched off to the north. Following this branch for three li, they arrived at North Market.

The peach and plum trees were in full bloom, and although Tong Sui had already seen them, the beautiful scenery still made her eager to explore.

Xiao Zhen suddenly took her hand.

Tong Sui instinctively glanced around.

Xiao Zhen: "We're not unmarried men and women, there's nothing wrong with holding hands."

Tong Sui: "I'm just afraid someone we know might see us."

Northern Luoyang was home to many newly appointed military officers.

Xiao Zhen: "What are the odds of such a coincidence?"

He refused to let go, so Tong Sui complied.

Passing by a tea stall, the couple chose a riverside table to sit down, resting, drinking tea, and enjoying the river view.

The tea patrons around them were discussing the first round of the recently commenced Imperial Examination.

"I heard that each county magistrate can now recommend up to three talented individuals below the juren rank to participate in the exam. These people are really lucky."

"Hmph, who knows if they’re genuine talents? Maybe they bought the spots from the county magistrates. Such things are not uncommon."

"Hehe, if you can think of that, do you think the Emperor couldn't? It’s said that if these specially recommended talents pass the imperial exam and become jinshi, it counts towards the magistrate's performance evaluation. The more who pass, the higher the evaluation. If a magistrate wants a promotion, they’ll definitely recommend the best candidates. However, if someone is caught recommending mediocre candidates for bribes, they will lose their position."

Tong Sui had a brother planning to take the imperial exam route, so she listened intently, quite interested, not even noticing when Xiao Zhen refilled her teacup.

While she drank her tea, Xiao Zhen placed a willow leaf on the edge of her bowl.

Tong Sui touched the willow leaf, glanced down, then glared at the person across from her.

Xiao Zhen: "So engrossed, do you know anyone participating in the exam?"

Tong Sui: "How could I? The people I know are all military officials."

Xiao Zhen: "Forgot about your mentor’s son?"

Tong Sui took a moment to recall who her mentor was, then realized Xiao Zhen was referring to Song Zhishi.

She asked back: "Is he taking part?"

Xiao Zhen: "I heard that Prime Minister Song didn’t intend to let him take the exam, but the Emperor, valuing his talent, personally named him to participate."

Tong Sui nodded in understanding.

Xiao Zhen: "Since you’re familiar with him, what do you think—will he pass?"

Mentioning this brought back memories for Tong Sui—images of Song Zhishi reciting poems while sitting on a stone by the river, and the sight of him diligently writing inside the private school when she delivered meals.

Although Song Zhishi later did some detestable things, he must have some genuine talent, right?

"Hard to say."

Tong Sui still lacked confidence; she had no idea how difficult the imperial exam was.

Xiao Zhen smiled.