Chapter 202

Chapter 202

After seeing off the three relatives, Tong Sui and her brothers-in-law, the Yan family returned to the hall.

Lady Yan said to her husband, "You, at your age, were tricked by two young ladies, and now you can't escape it."

Grandfather Yan sighed, "I know, but Lady Anguo is so eager to learn; I really can't refuse her."

Yan Mingxiu said, "Grandmother, don't blame Grandfather. I also noticed that Lady Anguo truly enjoys listening to Grandfather's explanations. Her demeanor is more serious than when Brother studies."

Lady Yan said, "I heard that she has read up to the 'House of Zheng' in the *Records of the Grand Historian*. If she started with the 'Biographies of the Nobles,' she should have finished the first eleven noble families before the House of Zheng. Who did she ask when she had doubts before, and why can't she continue to consult that person instead of coming to our Grandfather Yan?"

Mrs. Dong said, "It must be Ningfang. Ningfang's knowledge is no less than those famous scholars in Luoyang."

Yan Mingxiu said, "Sister Lin mentioned that she can handle the simpler questions, but there are times when Lady Anguo stumps her."

Lady Yan stared at her granddaughter, "You're always taking their side. Do you want to become their sister-in-law?"

Yan Mingxiu's face flushed, and she said, embarrassed, "Can't I just like them? I've never met the young masters of the Xiao family and have no intention of marrying into their family."

The young girl, feeling shy, ran off in a huff.

Mrs. Dong watched her daughter's back, glanced at her mother-in-law whose thoughts were hard to discern, and remained silent.

Yan Mingxiu smiled, "Judging by Third Master Xiao's appearance, Fourth Master should also be handsome. Apart from the Xiao family's noble lineage, he would be a good match for my sister."

Grandfather Yan snorted, "This family is full of sly people. Don't be fooled by Third Master Xiao's honest demeanor today; he's the one who knocked loose three of Lin Shou's teeth in a fight."

Lady Yan said, "Lin Shou deserved it. If he were any good, why would Third Master hit him?"

Mrs. Dong said, "I'm a bit confused. Mother, are you satisfied with the Xiao family or not?"

Lady Yan said, "Don't be impatient. Let's observe them a bit longer."

Grandfather Yan said, "There's no need to observe. I only agreed to help Lady Anguo with her questions. Just because she comes often doesn't mean I'll marry Mingxiu off to them. This little trick won't make me agree."

Hearing this, Mrs. Dong decided not to worry anymore and left the decision to the two elders.

—

Tong Sui and her brothers-in-law returned directly to the Duke's residence.

Xiao Zhen, Xiao Ye, and Liu Chu were waiting for news.

Xiao Ye asked first, "Third Brother's wife, did Third Brother make a mistake?"

Xiao Yan said, "I really wanted to mess it up just for you!"

Tong Sui smiled, "Fourth Brother, don't be silly. Lady Yan praised Third Brother for his dignified and composed manner."

Xiao Shouyi choked on his own saliva, and Xiao Ye, Xiao She, and Yu Chan laughed in different tones.

Xiao Yan snorted, found a chair to sit, looked at Xiao Ye, and said with schadenfreude, "Don't be proud. At least I'm now considered a nephew-in-law to Grandfather Yan. But from what I see, Grandfather Yan doesn't want to continue teaching Second Sister-in-law, which means he won't marry his granddaughter to you. Hey, Miss Yan looks really good when she smiles, but unfortunately, you won't have the chance to marry her."

Xiao Ye said, "Is she prettier than Second or Third Sister-in-law?"

Xiao Yan: "..."

Xiao Mu pointed outside, "Both of you, leave. Your noise is giving me a headache."

The two fell silent.

Xiao Zhen: "Go out."

Xiao Ye gave his elder brother a look, solemnly apologized to his sisters-in-law, and went out.

Xiao Yan, not needing to apologize, explained: "I was deliberately teasing Fourth Brother. I didn’t pay attention to what Miss Yan looks like. I was being respectful. Since entering the Yan family’s gate, I hardly raised my eyes."

Xiao Mu: "Go tell Fourth Brother outside."

Xiao Yan left, feeling wronged, having to endure scolding for Fourth Brother’s sake. What good was a cousin like that?

Tong Sui carefully explained Mr. and Mrs. Yan’s attitudes to the old man.

Madam He, displeased, said: "So this is what a scholarly family is like, truly..."

Before she could finish, the old man silenced her with a sharp glance.

Xiao Mu said: "When marrying a wife, one marries virtue. A good daughter from a fine family will have many suitors. The Yan family, being scholarly, should carefully select their son-in-law. On the other hand, we are a rural family newly arrived in the capital. Besides the titles and ranks granted by the emperor, what else do we have? Mr. Yan values integrity and considers titles and high offices worthless. I can only ask Aman and Ningfang to make extra efforts for Fourth Brother’s sake, to show our sincerity on his behalf."

Tong Sui: "Grandfather, don’t say that. I’m happy to have another learned teacher to consult. I don’t feel wronged in the least."

Lin Ningfang: "I suggested the marriage because I admire Mingxiu. I wanted us to become even closer."

Xiao Mu: "Grandfather knows you are sensible. We can’t afford to delay Fourth Brother any longer. That’s why this task is given to you. Fifth Brother is only twenty and not in a hurry. Let your Second Uncle and Second Aunt take their time to find a suitable match."

Xiao Shouyi quickly said: "Father, we don’t know any girls here. Let Ningfang and the other sisters-in-law help choose."

Madam He: "Yes, yes, let Ningfang choose, and father can help give his opinion."

Xiao She: "Before I interrupt, Fourth Brother’s matter isn’t settled yet. Why am I involved now?"

——

On the tenth of April, a light drizzle began to fall over Luoyang.

Tong Sui woke up to the sound of rain, rolled over to find a strong arm wrapping around her waist.

Xiao Zhen: "It’s raining. Should we skip it today?"

Tong Sui: "How can we skip it? It’s even more crucial to go when it rains."

Xiao Zhen: "I’m beginning to envy Fourth Brother. You’ve never been this attentive for me."

Tong Sui thought for a moment, pinched the skin on the back of his hand, and let it go, repeating the action. "You're a marquis. Fan Zhao has several beautiful concubines. Should I also pick a few for you?"

The man behind her pressed his chest to hers, and his laughter caused his breath to stir her ear.

Xiao Zhen turned her around, then pressed down on her: "If I really had those intentions, you’d probably skin me alive, wouldn’t you?"

Tong Sui looked at his slightly whiter face, unsure if it was due to his new title as marquis or the luxury of the bed they were in, but Xiao Zhen seemed younger and more handsome now than when they were in Lingshui Village.

Tong Sui seriously said: "I wouldn’t skin you. At worst, we’d divorce and live separately."

Xiao Zhen stopped laughing: "I was just joking. Were you really thinking about this?"

Tong Sui: "Of course. Landlords and nobles keep concubines. How much more a duke or marquis?"

Xiao Zhen: "Not all dukes and marquises are the same. Even our emperor, to this day, has only one empress."

Tong Sui: "A rare gem indeed."

Xiao Zhen: "I am also a rare gem."

Tong Sui tilted her head and laughed.

Xiao Zhen nudged her. "I have the unicorn's horn as well."

Tong Sui: "..."

After a bit of playful banter, the couple got out of bed. The everyday clothes had been prepared the night before. Tong Sui changed into hers, circled the screen, and saw Xiao Zhen adjusting the belt on his waist. He was wearing a stone-blue satin robe. He was tall, and the round-necked robe made him look even more tall and dignified.

Xiao Zhen suddenly looked up, and Tong Sui couldn't avoid his gaze in time, so she gave him a casual once-over.

Xiao Zhen: "How is it?"

Tong Sui: "Too imposing, not as approachable as my fourth brother."

Xiao Zhen looked at her meaningfully. "Sometimes I can’t tell if you really mean it or if you just want me to exert more effort in bed."

Tong Sui: "..."

She left him and headed to the front courtyard first. In the corridor, she let the damp breeze cool her cheeks until Xiao Zhen caught up. By then, her face had cooled down.

This morning, Xiao Ye was particularly attentive, helping his second sister-in-law adjust her chair and serving his second brother.

Tong Sui: "We only stretched our legs and feet. If this matter is successful, you should thank your third sister-in-law the most. Don’t say anything distant again."

They were both sisters-in-law, but Lin Ningfang treated Xiao Yan indifferently and couldn’t be as close to her younger brother-in-law as Liu Chu, who made clothes and shoes for Xiao Ye.

On the surface, she was indifferent, but in her heart, she remembered. That was also a kind of closeness.

Xiao Ye: "Second Sister-in-law, don’t worry. I know what’s right."

He hadn’t interacted much with Lin Ningfang before, but after this, if he didn’t respect her as a true sister-in-law, he would be ungrateful.

After the meal, Xiao Ye held an umbrella and saw his elder brother and sister-in-law off until they boarded the carriage.

As the carriage departed and was about to turn out of the alley, Tong Sui lifted the curtain, looked back, and saw Xiao Ye still standing at the entrance of the Marquis’s residence. She smiled at Xiao Zhen and said, "He didn’t seem eager to marry before, but now he’s quite enthusiastic."

Xiao Zhen: "If the Yan family were eager to curry favor with us, he might not take it seriously, but since they’re not willing, it has piqued his interest."

Tong Sui lowered the curtain.

Xiao Zhen picked up the *Records of the Grand Historian* she brought and asked, "How far have you read?"

Tong Sui opened the book and pointed to a section for him to see.

It was already the chapter on the House of Zhao. Xiao Zhen: "What don't you understand?"

Tong Sui snatched the book and closed it. "I'll ask Mr. Yan about what I don't know. I don't need you to explain."

Xiao Zhen: "I guarantee I can explain it better than him."

Tong Sui ignored him.

Xiao Zhen: "Fine, then don't ask me in the future."

Tong Sui wasn’t swayed by his threat. When she really needed him to explain, she had ways to get him to talk.

The Yan family lived in Deji Fang in northern Luoyang, about six li away from Qinghua Fang. The carriage moved slowly in the drizzle and arrived at the Yan residence in less than two quarters of an hour.

Yan Mingxiu’s father had gone out to meet a friend, so it was left to his mother and sister to accompany the two elders in the hall. When the servants informed them that it was Lady Anguo and the Marquis of Yong'an who had come to visit, all four were surprised.

Madame Yan was the first to react. She rose from her seat and said, "Alright, let’s go out and greet them."

Tong Sui and her husband had already been escorted to the front courtyard by the gatekeeper. The couple stood under an umbrella held by Xiao Zhen.

As a historian, Mr. Yan didn't have to attend court, so he had never had the opportunity to meet Xiao Zhen before. Upon seeing him, the old man raised his eyebrows and finally understood why, among so many military officers, Xiao Zhen, a young man who had joined the emperor midway, was able to become a marquis. His appearance and demeanor were such that even Dou Guokui's son-in-law, Mei Huaixin, who had been highly praised by court officials in the past, paled in comparison.

Madame Yan had always found Xiao San quite handsome, though with a hint of fierceness in his eyes. Today, upon meeting Xiao Zhen, Xiao Si’s elder brother, she became even more curious about Xiao Si.

Standing behind her mother, Yan Mingxiu felt her heart race at the sight of the marquis’s noble bearing. She knew that the Xiao family hoped she would marry Xiao Si, who would likely be similar to his brother.

Introduced by Tong Sui, Xiao Zhen smiled and bowed to the three elders. "It's rare for you to rest, sir. My wife has been troubling you, so I came to apologize and also to express my gratitude."

"You flatter us, Marquis," Mr. Yan responded. "Lady Anguo is a hero among women. It is an honor to assist her in resolving her doubts."

Xiao Zhen stayed in the Yan family’s hall long enough to drink a cup of tea, saying he would return to pick up Tong Sui in an hour.

After seeing him off, Madame Yan and her daughter-in-law returned to the back courtyard, while Mr. Yan remained in the hall to discuss history with Tong Sui, with Yan Mingxiu accompanying them.

In the chapter about the House of Zhao, there was a passage describing how Duke Ling of Jin behaved arrogantly during his reign. Zhao Dun repeatedly advised him, but to no avail. Once, Duke Ling killed a food officer because the bear paws were not cooked correctly. When Zhao Dun encountered the officer's body being carried out, he feared Duke Ling would punish him over this incident. The duke sent people to kill Zhao Dun, who fled. However, before he could escape the country, his cousin Zhao Chuan killed Duke Ling and welcomed Duke Ling’s uncle to ascend the throne as Duke Cheng of Jin. Zhao Dun then returned to resume his duties.

Tong Sui asked, "Zhao Chuan killed the ruler, but Zhao Dun did not punish him afterward. Hence, historians accused Zhao Dun of regicide. What do you think, sir?"

Mr. Yan knew that this kind of discussion was beyond the scope of what Lin Ningfang or other tutors could thoroughly answer for Tong Sui.

He stroked his beard, walked to the window, and gazed at the drizzle falling in the courtyard. "To understand this, we need to start with what kind of ruler Duke Ling was," he said.

Tong Sui followed him to the window and listened intently.

Yan Mingxiu smiled and went to bring them a fresh pot of hot tea.