AWB Chapter 405 Xie Jing 1 has always been a man of his own mind.
Chapter 405 Xie Jing 1 has always been a man of his own mind.
Qin Jiu stared into Xie Yanli's eyes, and a strange feeling rose in her heart in an instant.
If it weren't for the fact that he and Gao Xian had known each other since childhood...
He would probably not hesitate to kill the king.
Qin Jiuwei's heart skipped a beat, but she didn't say anything more.
She looked up and pressed her soft lips against his cheek.
The movements were gentle and soothing.
Xie Yanli's gaze suddenly softened, and he began to return her kiss.
-
In Qinglan Courtyard.
A maidservant slowly entered carrying a tray and placed the dishes one by one on a lacquered red pear wood table.
Steam rose in the air, and several delicate dishes were laid out on a small table.
The maidservant, holding an ivory spoon, carefully adjusted the temperature of several bowls of soup, and only stepped back two paces after confirming that it was at the right temperature.
"Young Master, Young Madam, the meal is ready. Please enjoy your meal."
The sound of bowls, spoons, and porcelain shards clattering filled the air as everyone began their meal.
Xie Jue was engrossed in eating breakfast, picking up food with his chopsticks while taking small bites.
Suddenly, he looked up and his gaze fell on Qin Jiuwei's hair bun.
He swallowed the food in his mouth and couldn't help but ask, "Mother, are you going out today?"
Qin Jiuwei was slowly sipping her soup when she heard this. She put down her spoon and looked at him: "Why do you ask that?"
Xie Jue put down her chopsticks and raised her little hand.
She held her head high and said in a childish voice, "Because you always tie your hair up in a high bun when you go out."
After he finished speaking, he lowered his hand and made a low gesture near his ear.
"If I don't go out, I'll tie my hair in a low bun."
Qin Jiuwei paused for a moment, then smiled helplessly.
"You've observed quite carefully, and you guessed right. I do need to go out today."
"Where is Mother going?" Xie Jingchun asked.
Qin Jiuwei glanced at Xie Yanli, "Your father and I will take Zou Jingwen to Jingyuan Academy to pay our respects to Master Gu."
This was something they had promised Madam Zou, and naturally they had to fulfill it.
Fortunately, this matter is not difficult.
Upon hearing this, Xie Jing paused in his soup-drinking, then raised his dark eyes.
"Mother, can I come with you?"
Qin Jiuwei's gaze lingered on Xie Jing for a moment.
After a brief moment of thought, he slowly nodded: "Alright, then you can come along."
Xie Jing has always been a man of his own mind.
Since he wants to go, he must have his own reasons.
All she needs to do is help him.
Afterwards, Qin Jiuwei instructed Xiaohe to go to the academy to ask Xie Jing for a day off.
I had just finished breakfast when a voice announced my arrival at the door.
A maid entered the hall and whispered, "Lord Zou and Young Master Zou have arrived."
A moment later, Zou Qinghe entered the house, followed by Zou Jingwen.
As soon as Zou Qinghe saw Qin Jiuwei and Xie Yanli, he quickly stepped forward.
With a sincere smile on his face, he said, "Thank you so much for your help this time."
“I had heard that Master Gu had an eccentric temperament and was not easily understood by outsiders, but you were willing to personally take Jingwen there. I will remember this kindness.”
"Uncle, you're too kind," Xie Yanli replied calmly.
Zou Jingwen, who was standing to the side, also bowed his head obediently and said respectfully, "Thank you, Uncle and Aunt."
After exchanging a few more pleasantries, the group set off.
The carriage moved slowly along the smooth stone road, and the interior was quiet.
Xie Yanli and Qin Jiuwei sat close together, while Zou Jingwen and Xie Jing sat on either side.
Zou Jingwen would occasionally lift the curtain to look out the window, his whole being visibly excited, almost unable to sit still.
"Jingwen?" Qin Jiuwei called out.
Their eyes met, and Qin Jiu asked with a slight smile, "You seem very happy?"
Zou Jingwen nodded vigorously, his voice filled with undisguised excitement.
“I have always admired Master Gu. I have heard his name since I was a child. In particular, his theory on the integration of Confucianism and Taoism and his advocacy of the integration of various schools of thought are truly admirable.”
He looked up at the two of them, his face showing a shyness and longing unique to young people.
"And there's the matter of how he helped people in Lingnan back then... During that drought, the people suffered terribly. It was Master Gu who suggested building canals to irrigate the fields, which saved many people from starvation. I think he was not only very knowledgeable, but also a truly wise man who spoke up for the people."
As he spoke, his eyes gleamed, and he tightened his grip on the book slightly.
"It has always been my wish to meet Master Gu. My father and grandmother knew this, which is why they brought me along on this trip to the capital."
"I never expected that I would actually be able to meet Master Gu!"
Qin Jiuwei gave him a deep look.
Silly child, do you really think meeting Master Gu was just a coincidence?
Do you know that your grandmother was willing to spend 100,000 taels of silver to find this opportunity for you?
Neither Qin Jiuwei nor Xie Yanli spoke up.
It's their family matter after all.
Knowing that Xie Yanli was a student of Master Gu, Zou Jingwen asked him about it.
Xie Yanli is usually a man of few words when he is away from home, and he didn't say much this time either.
When asked, he only said a few words, but that was enough to excite Zou Jingwen.
They chatted like this the whole way. Zou Jingwen was talking enthusiastically when he paused when he mentioned a book.
He frowned slightly, unable to recall the book's title for a moment.
"That book, it's called... the one that explores the integration of Confucianism and Taoism..."
"The Comprehensive Meaning of Spring and Autumn Annals".
Xie Jing, who had been silent until now, suddenly spoke up.
Everyone on the bus couldn't help but look at him.
Zou Jingwen gave an embarrassed smile: "Yes, that's the one!"
Qin Jiuwei turned to look at Xie Jing, a hint of surprise in her eyes.
She knew Xie Jing loved reading, but she never imagined he had even read books like this.
Feeling the gazes of the crowd, Xie Jing lowered his eyes slightly and said casually, "I just happened to flip through it and remembered it."
Everyone nodded and didn't ask any further questions.
An hour later.
"Young Master, we've arrived."
The coachman's voice rang out, and the carriage gradually came to a stop.
Xie Yanli lifted the curtain and then carried Qin Jiuwei out of the car.
Following them, Zou Jingwen and Xie Jing went down in turn.
"The scenery here is truly beautiful," Zou Jingwen exclaimed.
Before me lies a path paved with bluestone, with drooping willow branches swaying gently in the wind, their verdant greenness almost dripping.
The path leads to a quaint courtyard with low walls, green tiles, and dark eaves. Several tasseled wind chimes hang under the eaves, making a series of crisp sounds when a breeze blows.
The courtyard is filled with bamboo and pine trees, and the pomegranate leaves are lush and green. Although no fruit is in sight, the fragrance of the pomegranate is already overflowing.
The entire place was completely quiet, with only the sounds of wind, flowing water, and birdsong, creating a secluded and tranquil atmosphere.
At that moment, a little boy quickly walked out.
He was dressed in a simple short shirt, and with a respectful expression, he stopped in front of the crowd and bowed deeply.
“Distinguished guests, you have come from afar. Please follow me.”
He slightly raised his head and gestured for him to proceed.
He then led everyone through the bluestone path.
The group followed the boy into the hall, where Master Gu was reading at his desk. Upon seeing them, he rose and went to greet them.
His hair and beard were slightly gray, and his face was handsome. When he saw Xie Yanli, a smile appeared on his face, and his tone became even more familiar.
"Yanli, it has been so long since we, master and disciple, have seen each other."
Xie Yanli bowed.
"I am very happy to see you, sir."
In recent years, Master Gu has long since withdrawn from the world.
On the day of his marriage, Master Gu only sent a gift and did not come.
He wouldn't have bothered them if he hadn't promised the Zou family.
After exchanging a few pleasantries, Xie Yanli turned to Xie Yanli and said in a gentle voice, "Sir, this is my wife, Qin Jiuwei."
Qin Jiu bowed slightly, his posture dignified, his tone carrying just the right amount of respect.
"Jiuwei greets you, sir. I hope you are well."
Master Gu sized her up for a moment, a hint of appreciation in his eyes, and nodded slightly, saying, "Madam, there's no need for such formality."
"This is Zou Jingwen, a junior member of the family, who intends to study at the academy. This gentleman next to me is my second son, Xie Jing, who has come with me today to pay his respects."
Xie Yanli introduced them one by one.
The matter of Zou Jingwen had already been explained in the letter Xie Yanli had sent earlier, and he was aware of it.
Master Gu's gaze lingered on Zou Jingwen for a moment, a faint smile on his face.
"The Zou family has always been known for its martial arts skills. I wonder why you want to enter the academy to study the classics and history?"
Everyone knows that the Zou family of Linyang produces military generals.