Chapter 256: Concubinage, ten years of simulation ended

【Sister Wu Tong carefully arranged a table of food, including the delicious sea bass given by Hua An, making four dishes and one soup.】

【Before the sunset had disappeared from the sky, the Old Matriarch Xie's personal maid from the main courtyard had already brought food. This time was different from the past, with seven plates and eight bowls, exceptionally rich.】

【The maid looked at the small courtyard with some disdain. According to the old rules, as long as it was a reward from the Old Matriarch, every courtyard had its own madam, and the young masters would have rewards.】

【You signaled Sister Wu Tong to hand over the reward money. The maid reluctantly accepted it, but cursed bad luck in her heart, knowing that the rewards from this courtyard were always meager, envying the rewards of the sisters who went to other large courtyards, and then left in a hurry, not staying for a moment.】

【Not long after, Xie Houer from the second courtyard led several servants, walking in a hurry, and came here.】

【"Young Master Guan, this is sent by my Madam, wishing you health."】

【You let Sister Wu Tong give the reward money. The reward money was not large, Xie Houer did not show any disdain, accepted it sincerely, and left.】

【You were strange, why would there be food sent by Lady Zhuge from the second courtyard.】

【Sister Wu Tong opened the food box, which was even richer than the Old Matriarch's food.】

【"Young Master, you say that people in this world are really snobbish. These maids are respectful to the favored young masters and ladies in the main courtyard, but treat us with cold eyes. There is nothing more cold than the world." Sister Wu Tong was indignant.】

【You were not angry and said: "Knowing the warmth and coldness of human feelings, isn't it a good thing."】

【Inside the Xie Residence, laughter and laughter were endless, even in the remote Chengyuan, you could hear it.】

【Fireworks and firecrackers were set off inside and outside the Xie Residence.】

【The sky outside was occupied by the splendor of fireworks and firecrackers, and beams of light broke open the night sky.】

【The entire city of Above Bianjing was immersed in this splendor, and colorful lights filled the sky.】

【Sister Wu Tong stood quietly at the door of the small courtyard, looking up at the night sky. The young girl's black hair was like a waterfall, her skin was as white as snow, her face was beautiful, and her eyes reflected the brilliance of the sky.】

【She turned her head with some joy and said: "Young Master, it's another New Year."】

【You looked at the fireworks in the sky through the window in the room.】

【There was an empty room in the small house, which was for the mother's spirit tablet.】

【You said softly: "Mother, another year has passed."】

【After a while, the call "Sister Sister Wu Tong" came from outside the courtyard.】

【Sister Wu Tong's face was happy, and she hurriedly greeted her.】

【Only to see a maid in green clothes walking over happily. She was the personal maid of Xie Ying, the fourth young lady of the main courtyard, named Luya.】

【The fourth young lady, Xie Ying, was nineteen years old, and her mother was on good terms with your mother.】

【However, her mother was also an unfavored madam, and Xie Ying's mother was also depressed in the main courtyard and passed away early.】

【Thinking back to when you were blind, Miss Xie Ying sent Luya to send silver to help you get through the difficulties.】

【Sister Wu Tong and Luya entered the residence almost at the same time, and their friendship was deep, like sisters.】

【"Luya, why are you here?" Sister Wu Tong held Luya's hand and asked affectionately.】

【"Miss Ying sends food every year at this time. Today, because of the banquet, it was delayed, so I came a little late." Luya carried the food box, walked into the room lightly, and asked with concern: "Is Young Master Guan's eyes better?"】

【Sister Wu Tong smiled and answered: "Young Master's eyes are all healed."】

【Luya bowed and saluted: "Young Master Guan!", and put the food box on the table.】

【You had already turned around at this time and were naturally very familiar with Luya.】

【You smiled and said: "Thank the Fourth Sister for me."】

【Luya wore a green jacket, her figure was slightly smaller than Sister Wu Tong's, and she looked sweet and cute.】

【She looked at you in surprise, a trace of admiration flashing in her eyes.】

【The two women held hands and walked into the courtyard. Luya glanced at the room you had just sat in and whispered to Sister Wu Tong in a low voice: "It hasn't been long since we last met, how come Young Master Guan seems to have changed into a different person?"】

【"I thought I had misread it, he is simply like a young master of the main courtyard." Luya's words were full of surprise.】

【The two talked about recent situations, and the topic turned to Sister Wu Tong being asked for by Xie Renfeng of the second courtyard of the Xie Residence.】

【"I heard that this Young Master Renfeng has a good reputation and is a seed of reading. His uncles are important officials in the court, and he is about to take the imperial examination." Luya said.】

【"Alas, Sister Sister Wu Tong, you look so good..." Luya's words carried a trace of envy.】

【In Luya's view, the third young master of the second courtyard of the Xie Residence, Xie Renfeng, seemed to be a better destination than Xie Guan.】

【Sister Wu Tong smiled: "Young Master will also start reading next year."】

【If he can read, everything has hope.】

【Luya sighed. She knew that even if Young Master Guan could read, he started his education at the age of ten, and the future imperial examination path must be difficult, and there was no one in the family to support him. The two young masters of the Xie Residence seemed to be worlds apart in the future.】

【Then, Luya's expression was a bit dim. She had a piece of news that she really couldn't bear to tell her good sister.】

【"Sister Sister Wu Tong, maybe I'm going to leave the Xie Residence." Luya said in a low voice.】

【Sister Wu Tong asked suspiciously: "Why is this?"】

【Luya sighed and said: "Lady Yuan wants to marry the young lady to Sima Ting, the Military Governor of Jiannan Dao. People from the Sima family have been visiting the young lady these past few days, I'm afraid it will be decided after the New Year."】

【Sister Wu Tong felt sad in her heart. In the Xie Residence, she rarely had close friends, and now even Luya was leaving, making her feel lonely.】

【Speaking of parting, Sister Wu Tong still cared: "The Fourth Young Lady is kind-hearted, leaving the Xie Residence might be a good thing."】

【Luya nodded: "I think so too, anywhere is better than the Xie Residence."】

【"Sister Sister Wu Tong, there is another piece of news to tell you, don't be sad."】

【Sister Wu Tong was curious, what other news?】

【"The young lady heard from Lady Yuan that Young Master Guan might be married into the Zhao family next year."】

【"What!" Sister Wu Tong couldn't help but raise her voice.】

【"Sister Sister Wu Tong, don't worry, this matter has not been determined yet."】

【"How can this be!" Sister Wu Tong said anxiously, because if the young master married into the family, it would cut off the path of the imperial examination.】

【The Great Qi is deeply influenced by Confucian thought and attaches great importance to filial piety. Marriage matters must follow the orders of parents and the words of matchmakers and cannot be disobeyed. Those who become sons-in-law not only have no right to participate in the imperial examination, but if their wives pass away, they will also be driven out of the house, called "expelled husbands," and their status after marriage is also very low. Their children cannot take their surname, and they cannot even touch property, and will be treated as outsiders.】

【In the army, when rewarding soldiers, beef is distributed, and sons-in-law are not qualified to enjoy it.】

【Therefore, among the common people, especially scholars from poor families, they would rather endure hunger than become sons-in-law.】

【The Zhao family is one of the nine great clans, and its strength is even better than the Xie family.】

【Sister Wu Tong felt the world spinning, and it was hard to imagine how the young master would accept this fact.】

【Luya comforted her for a while and then left.】

【Sister Wu Tong walked into the room, her steps were vain. She originally thought that life was slowly improving, but she didn't expect this sudden blow to make her fall into the abyss again.】

【She didn't want to tell the young master this news, but tears had already welled up in her eyes uncontrollably.】

【You asked: "Sister Wu Tong, what's wrong?"】

【Sister Wu Tong answered reluctantly: "Luya and Miss Ying are leaving the Xie Residence, I'm a little sad."】

【After you went blind, your hearing became abnormally sensitive, and you had already heard the conversation between the two clearly.】

【You smiled: "Sister Wu Tong, things haven't been settled yet, even if it's a son-in-law, what can it be?"】

【Sister Wu Tong could no longer control her emotions, and tears fell: "They are too bullying."】

【"They forced the Madam to death, and now they want to force the Young Master to death..."】

【You slowly removed the white gauze covering your eyes, looked at Sister Wu Tong, and said calmly:】

【"Heaven never deceives people, only people deceive themselves. Don't talk about such discouraging words during the New Year."】

【You smiled: "Crying during the New Year will make you cry for a whole year. Even if you marry into the family, it will be after you come of age."】

【Sister Wu Tong also packed up her mood, fearing that this would affect the young master, and prayed in her heart that this would not happen.】

【You took out a book, opened the Lu Chen chapter of "Zuo Zhuan of the Four Kingdoms," and wrote on the title page.】

【"A gentleman hides his weapon in his body and waits for the time to move."】

【The night is deep!】

【After the New Year's Eve festival, it is the time for the nine great clans to visit relatives.】

【The Xie Residence is exceptionally busy, and the madams of each courtyard need to visit their maternal families.】

【The maids and servants of the three departments in the residence are also busy, running around.】

【You and Sister Wu Tong are leisurely, and there are no relatives or friends to run around.】

【On the seventh day of the first lunar month, the weather is clear, the snow has melted a lot, and Sister Wu Tong cleaned the courtyard.】

【Xie Yuan's teacher, Zhang Yuanlai, actually stepped into the small courtyard early.】

【You were quite surprised and asked: "Mr. Zhang, why did you come so early?"】

【Zhang Yuanlai smiled and answered: "Zhang has few relatives and friends, so fortunately there is nothing to do. I came to study for a day, and the reward is quite generous."】

【He held a gift in his hand and smiled: "It can be considered a late New Year's greeting to Young Master Guan."】

【You did not refuse. This person came here at this time and place, obviously with the intention of making friends.】

【Zhang Yuanlai has the title of a scholar, which is more than enough to serve as a private secretary in other thirteen provinces and prefectures, but in Above Bianjing, it is not rare.】

【The two of you sat opposite each other drinking tea.】

【"Mr. Zhang, it seems you are not yet married?"】

【"I have reached the age of thirty and have achieved nothing, how can I start a family. Houses in Above Bianjing are expensive, to put it bluntly, we outsiders will have to leave here when we get old."】

【You couldn't help but ask: "He Xiao, Mr. He?"】

【"Brother He is also not from Above Bianjing, his home is in Jiannan Dao, he has no wife, but Brother He is quite free and easy, and spent this Spring Festival in Xifeng Tower."】

【You smiled. You naturally know that Xifeng Tower is a brothel in Above Bianjing.】

【"I guess Brother He will come to the small courtyard to study within three days. The expenses of Xifeng Tower are not low."】

【Zhang Yuanlai was quite talkative today. Although there was only one person studying today, he read until the afternoon.】

【The small courtyard welcomed another guest today.】

【Sister Wu Tong didn't need you to remind her, she knew there was a guest, and the old man's coughing outside was quite loud.】

【Sister Wu Tong pushed open the door and said in surprise: "Mr. Dong is here."】

【This Dong Shao is the teacher arranged by the Xie Residence for your initiation.】

【Before the New Year, he just hurriedly threw down a few books and left, letting you study them yourself.】

【Dong Shao stepped into the room. He was over fifty years old, with a hunched figure, dressed thickly, and carrying a heavy book box on his back.】

【His face was full of wrinkles, his hair was gray, a short and hard handlebar mustache hung on his lips, and a pair of brown eyes were deep in his eye sockets, but he was quite energetic.】

【"Young Master Guan."】

【"Mr. Dong."】

【Zhang Yuanlai and Dong Shao seemed to know each other, but they just greeted each other simply and ignored each other.】

【Dong Shao turned to look at you and asked: "Young Master Guan, in these days, have you memorized the "Doctrine of the Mean" and "Zuo Zhuan of the Four Kingdoms"?"】

【"I have memorized them all."】

【Dong Shao heard this, looked up at you, and a flash of surprise flashed in his eyes.】

【"Young Master Guan, is it really so?"】

【"Please test me, sir."】

【Dong Shao did not stand on ceremony and began a series of questions.】

【You responded calmly, and every question could be answered accurately.】

【However, you also found that this Mr. Dong knew you were correct without opening the classics.】

【Surprise gradually appeared in Dong Shao's eyes.】

【"I didn't expect Young Master Guan to have really memorized them all. He is truly intelligent."】

【Dong Shao took out a few more books from the book box, "Imperial Academy," "Xiangzi," "Classic of Filial Piety."】

【"After Young Master Guan memorizes these in half a month, I will come again."】

【"I remember that Young Master Guan has never practiced calligraphy, so I will leave this copybook here."】

【Dong Shao didn't say much and left with the book box on his back.】

【You personally sent Dong Shao out of the courtyard.】

【After returning to the room, Sister Wu Tong's face couldn't hold back, and she complained: "Young Master, every time this Mr. Dong comes, he only leaves books and never teaches us a bit of knowledge, just like a hands-off shopkeeper."】

【You waved your hand and interrupted Sister Wu Tong.】

【You turned to look at Zhang Yuanlai and asked: "Mr. Zhang, you seem to know this..."】

【Zhang Yuanlai heard this, was slightly stunned, and then sighed: "Naturally I know him. This Dong Shao was quite famous in Above Bianjing when he was young and almost worshipped under the Second Master's door. It's a pity that something happened later, and he missed the Second Master in the end."】

【"But even so, he once studied in the Academy, and Zhang also admires his knowledge."】

【You didn't continue to ask. Zhang Yuanlai obviously had dissatisfaction with Dong Shao, and there seemed to be unknown entanglements hidden in it.】

【You looked at the books left by Dong Shao, all of which were works that needed to be studied for academic research, and there was nothing unusual.】

【Only a copybook was quite eye-catching. You opened it slowly, the handwriting was vigorous and powerful, and it did not lose its freedom.】

【Zhang Yuanlai saw the copybook and said: "Dong Shao is good at calligraphy, which is why he was favored by the Second Master. This copybook should be his own imitation."】

【You silently accepted the copybook.】

【In the afternoon, Zhang Yuanlai said goodbye and left.】

【Days passed quietly.】

【On the seventeenth day of the first lunar month, after Physician Hua treated you carefully, you were finally able to remove the white gauze and see the light again.】

【Since then, Zhang Yuanlai and He Xiao did not need to come here to read for you.】

【He Xiao greatly regretted this "sweet gig," and after that, Zhang Yuanlai visited occasionally every once in a while.】

【I don't know when it started, but various rumors about you spread quietly in the Xie Residence.】

【People praised you for being pure and filial, intelligent, having the talent of never forgetting what you hear, and even defeating Xie Yuan with the skill of blind chess.】

【The name Xie Guan began to be mentioned in the courtyards of the Xie Residence.】

【Studying in the small courtyard, the days passed quickly.】

【Spring went and snow melted, the weather became hotter, and in the blink of an eye, April had passed.】

【Xie Yuan often brought servants to compete with you in knowledge, but he returned in defeat every time.】

【The academic assessment originally arranged for you by Lady Yuan at the beginning of the year was forced to be shelved due to a major event that shook the world in the Xie Residence.】

【Your father, the Marquis of Dingyuan, suffered a heavy blow from the Sui army at the border and returned in defeat. The imperial court was furious and stripped him of his Marquis title.】

【Hint: Today's Heavenly Human Reincarnation has ended, please come back tomorrow.】

(End of chapter) ===== CHAPTER 257 =====