Great Zhou Wensheng

Chapter 56 Farewell at the Xue Mansion, [Fallen petals are not heartless things]!

The Duke of Xue's Mansion.

Langhuan Pavilion.

As dusk filtered through the twelve-pane carved window, it cast fine, dappled light on the desk.

Jiang Xingzhou was packing his bags for the Jiangzhou Prefecture examination.
Two pale white robes, washed until faded, were folded neatly and placed in a rattan trunk. A few taels of loose silver were also placed inside a coarse cloth money pouch.

The [Bow Shadow Cup], a cultural relic obtained from the county Confucian Temple, gleamed warmly in the corner of its rattan box under the candlelight.

The [Jiaoxiao Hiding Moon Pouch] lay quietly on the table, shimmering with faint moonlight.

He paused, then carefully wrapped the bamboo jar containing the mayfly into the rattan box.

The bamboo jar had a delicate texture, and one could faintly hear the black jade insect inside making a soft flapping sound.

"All my belongings are here!"

Apart from that, there are only books filling the entire building.

Tens of thousands of books in the pavilion stood silently in the twilight, rows of them standing on the bookshelves, the fragrance of ink filling the air.

I was thinking of bringing two books to read in the prefectural city.

Jiang Xingzhou, holding a lamp, slowly walked up the sandalwood stairs. His slender fingers brushed over the waxed labels on the spines of the books, finally stopping at a copy of "Commentary on the Spring and Autumn Annals" and a volume of "A Study of the Customs and Scenery of Jiangzhou".

"Take these two books with you!"

He whispered to himself.

The Spring and Autumn Annals contain profound meanings and require repeated and careful reading.

"A Study of the Customs and Things of Jiangzhou" records many things in Jiangzhou Prefecture and is worth reading several times.

The two books were already worn out from being turned over so many times, and there were still traces of his annotations from last year between the pages, but he still carefully put them into his rattan trunk.

But then, with a creak, the study door was gently pushed open.

"Jiang Lang!"

Xue Lingqi pushed open the door and stepped across the threshold, lifting the hem of her apricot-red and gold skirt, a gold hairpin swaying slightly behind her ear.

She held a gilded plum blossom food box in her arms, bringing with it the fragrance of newly blooming roses.

Jiang Xingzhou was packing his bags, his pale white robe like a distant mountain in ink, making him appear even more elegant and refined amidst the quietude of the room full of books.

The candle on the table was still lit, highlighting the distinct features of his profile, yet his brows remained as composed and calm as ever.

"Miss Xue, what brings you here?!"

Jiang Xingzhou looked back in surprise.

In the past, it was his maid Chun Tao who would bring him the food box.

"I heard from Xue Fu and the others that you're planning to head to Jiangzhou Prefecture ahead of schedule?"

Xue Lingqi placed the food box on the sandalwood desk, glanced at the rattan trunk that Jiang Xingzhou had tidied up, the clothes were neatly folded, but looked a little thin.

"The spring chill in Jiangzhou is the most biting. Do you have enough clothes? I'll have the sewing shop rush a deerskin coat for you."

"Exactly.

We were originally planning to set off before the start of summer, but we've moved up the time.

Cai Xuezheng said, "I'll get used to Jiangzhou Prefecture beforehand to avoid making mistakes in the rush! I also need to visit some of Jiangzhou's renowned figures and attend several literary gatherings."

Jiang Xingzhou packed the books into the wicker box, the lock clicked shut, and he smiled.

He took the gilded plum blossom box and touched the still-warm bottom of the box.

The moment the lid was lifted, steaming hot air carrying red dates, peanuts, and osmanthus wafted out, creating a misty haze, revealing two bowls of millet porridge.

A bowl of raw rice, a bowl of cooked soup.

"Yeah~!"

Xue Lingqi's embroidered shoes suddenly caught on her gold-flecked skirt, causing her to lose her balance and fall towards Jiang Xingzhou.

Jiang Xingzhou subconsciously stretched out his arms and embraced her.
The girl's skirt sleeves exuded a faint fragrance, instantly filling my embrace.

Eyes facing each other.

The girl's porcelain-white face, with its shimmering eyes, met the composed gaze of the handsome young man.

The twilight glow cast a rosy blush on her cheeks, and her eyelashes trembled like butterflies resting on flower branches.

That touch of crimson is breathtaking and intoxicating.

Xue Lingqi blushed, closed her eyes, tilted her head back, and parted her cherry lips slightly.

but,

She didn't receive a kiss from her beloved.

Xue Lingqi opened her eyes in confusion, only to see Jiang Xingzhou with his arm around her slender waist, a slight smile playing on his lips.

"Miss Xue, what is this?"

Jiang Xingzhou chuckled.

Although he was a spirited young man, his brows showed a maturity far beyond his years. How could he be so easily tempted and lose his composure?

I'm bringing you dinner!

Xue Lingqi watched him tease her, a sly glint in her eyes. "This jujube and osmanthus soup from the Xue family! I wonder if Young Master Jiang finds it 'appetizing'? Do you want it raw or cooked?"

"."

Jiang Xingzhou was immediately speechless by her blatant words.

He was silent for a moment, then sighed and said, "Miss Xue, I am but a commoner from a humble family, while you are the eldest daughter of the Duke Xue, a founding hero of the Great Zhou Dynasty. The difference between us is like heaven and earth. How dare I presume to be your equal?"

Xue Lingqi was held in his arms and shook her head, "It's alright. You passed the imperial examination of the Great Zhou Dynasty, your name is on the golden list, and you have won the moon. How could my father say a word against it? He would love to have another son-in-law who has passed the imperial examination!"

This is not something she made up on the spot.

In the present Great Zhou Dynasty, the only path to officialdom is through the imperial examination. All the noble families and powerful clans of the Holy Dynasty are vying for sons-in-law after the imperial examination results are announced, and some are even fighting each other to win the title of "golden son-in-law".

Although she was the eldest daughter of the Xue family, she could only stay for a few more years. Sooner or later, she would marry someone else and leave the Xue family mansion.

If that's the case, why doesn't she choose her sweetheart as soon as possible and make it a fait accompli?

By the time he took flight, it was too late for her to regret it.

Jiang Xingzhou sighed softly, a look of sorrow on his brow, and said, "The path of literature is vast and uncertain, and the future is unpredictable. I really dare not make any promises lightly."

Thinking of her father, Jiang Yan, she could only sigh. Suddenly, Xue Lingqi pressed her fingertips to her lips as she spoke.

"Go and take the imperial examination."

I won't distract you, and I don't need any promises.

They won't care whether you have multiple wives or concubines outside the marriage.

My father's five concubines, weren't they all daughters of prominent families?

They absolutely refused to leave the Xue residence. Countless women in the Great Zhou Dynasty wanted to enter my Duke Xue's mansion, but none of them had a chance!

Jiang Lang only needs to remember:

She looked up, her eyes seemingly filled with a galaxy of stars, and said, "I'll be waiting for you in Jiangyin."

Jiang Xingzhou suddenly grabbed her slender waist, pulled her into his arms, and lifted her onto the desk.

Xue Lingqi gasped softly as her black hair was spread out on the table, and the poems on the table fluttered like snowflakes.

He leaned down, and the delicate fragrance of orchids wafted from the girl's swan-like neck.

Outside the window, drifting clouds are obscuring half of the shy moon.

The two figures turned into a hazy silhouette.

The moon was bright outside the window, but suddenly a sudden rainstorm arose from nowhere, the rain pattering on the banana leaves.

a long time.

The sudden rain had just stopped.

Xue Lingqi, her body glistening with sweat, nestled in his arms, her long black hair cascading down like a waterfall.

A few drops of blood fell onto the handkerchief.

She spoke softly, her voice gentle, "If I'm pregnant, I'll give birth!"

Jiang Xingzhou laughed and said, "Aren't you afraid of what people will say?"

Xue Lingqi curled her lip, unconvinced: "Once you pass the imperial examination with flying colors, who in the world will not praise you as a romantic and talented man, and who will dare to utter a single word of criticism?"

All she can say is that Xue Lingqi, the eldest daughter of the Duke of Xue's mansion, has sharp eyes and strikes first!

This left the daughters of noble families only able to feel envious!

She suddenly frowned again, "But..."

"Just what?"

"I'm afraid that once you enter the capital, some prince, princess, or imperial princess might take a liking to you and want to find you as their son-in-law. The princess will definitely want you as her first wife!"

She bit her red lips, pouted, and sighed with feigned magnanimity, "Fine, fine, I, a young lady from a humble family of the Duke of Xue's mansion, will accept being a concubine, even if it means some hardship."
Fortunately, whether I'm your wife or concubine, if I'm carrying your eldest son or daughter, there's no escaping it.

You can't treat my mother and me unfairly!

Xue Lingqi looked at Jiang Xingzhou with a pitiful gaze.

Before he could finish speaking, he suddenly felt a sharp pain on his buttocks. "Slap!" Jiang Xingzhou's palm had already landed on that round, firm spot.

"They've only got a tiny bit of progress, yet they're already making things up."

"Yeah~!"

Xue Lingqi winced in pain and pouted, her eyes glistening with tears.

The sound was like a spark hitting dry wood, igniting a fire.

In an instant, the sound of rain pattering on the banana leaves intensified, becoming even more violent than before.

a long time.

A subtle fragrance lingered in the air, and the two were still reluctant to part.

Xue Lingqi had no more strength left and leaned back lazily.

Suddenly, I saw several peach blossoms peeking through the window, swaying in the night breeze.

Her eyes sparkled, and she pointed with her jade-like finger to the few blooming pink peach blossoms outside the window. Pouting her red lips, she stubbornly retorted:

"Jiang Lang!
Look! "A single flower does not make a spring, but a garden full of flowers brings spring!" I was right, there really are many flowers in your room!

"Little girl, you've got a knack for twisting and rewriting poetry!"
Here it should be said, "[Fallen petals are not heartless things, they turn into spring mud to nourish the flowers]!" Or, "[The sound of wind and rain last night, how many flowers have fallen?]"

Jiang Xingzhou smiled and murmured in his ear.

This caused her to tremble slightly.

"Well!"

Her lips parted, about to speak, but were sealed shut.

His toes suddenly tensed.

A soft murmur.

a long time.

The peach branches outside the window rustled in the wind, and a few crimson peach petals fell, landing on her snow-white collar, leaving two red marks.

"I've never been able to win an argument with you!"

Xue Lingqi was covered in sweat, and in a faint, mosquito-like voice, she begged for mercy, no longer daring to argue.

"If I can't bear it any longer, and I really miss you, I'll go to Jiangzhou Prefecture to visit you while you study! Anyway, Jiangzhou Prefecture is right next to Jiangyin County!"

"Ok!"

Outside the Langhuan Pavilion courtyard, the moonlight was as clear as if it had been washed.

The young maid Chun Tao stood guard outside the Langhuan Pavilion courtyard gate, sitting on the bluestone steps, resting her chin on her hand, idly counting the ants on the ground.

She rested her chin on her hand and gazed at the carved door of the study in the pavilion, the door swaying faintly in the candlelight.

"One hour! Two hours! Three hours!"

The young lady is usually very reserved and rarely stays out this late.

When will the young lady finally come out?

Eeya~!

Why does this Langhuan Pavilion keep creaking?
We should ask the accountant to allocate some money for repairs!

(End of this chapter)