Don't be tempted, sir

"I haven't come here specifically to meet you, but I've attended a lot of parties for young ladies in the capital. It's great that you've reached the age of marriage! We can go together."

In the capital city, young ladies and gentlemen from official families who have reached adulthood would from time to time receive invitations to banquets for flying flowers, poetry banquets, flower-viewing banquets, etc. These were actually blind date banquets chosen by the young men and women to meet people of equal social status and who they were happy with.

"Well, I will go with my sister, but I don't know if we will receive the post at the same time."

"Of course! With your stunning beauty today, all the guests and friends who came here praised you, especially since Lord Song combed your hair for you. The young ladies in the capital must be curious about you. Just wait, the invitations will come one after another after today."

——————Shen Changjun's study

"Xiao Yuan, what you said about cotton is true!"

Song Xiaoyuan replied, "According to the memorial, it is somewhat true, but I am still worried, so I would like to trouble you to ask the military camp over there to investigate. I have already reported this to His Majesty, please feel free to investigate, and if it is true, please send someone to protect Magistrate Zhang."

"Well, if it's true! This will affect the fortunes of many people. I will live up to your majesty's trust and protect Magistrate Zhang well."

Song Xiaoyuan bowed: "Thank you very much, I'll take my leave now."

Shen Changjun: "We are all brothers since childhood. Why should we be so distant from each other when we are working for the Liao together? This matter concerns the winter food and clothing of our army. I will definitely pay attention to it! Xiaoyuan, why don't you drink a few cups of wine to celebrate your youngest sister's coming-of-age ceremony before you leave?"

"Thank you. I still have some memorials to review, so I'll leave first." Song Xiaoyuan stepped out of the study.

Shen Changjun said, "Just now I said that we don't need to be distant, Xiaoyuan, you... well, you have always been so aloof. Today I also want to thank you for coming to be the guest of honor for my youngest sister."

As soon as he left the house, Madam Shen came over with her maidservant and said, "Master Song, thank you so much today! I saw that you are not at the table, so I guess you are here with Changjun. I have prepared some snacks and gifts and have placed them in Master Song's carriage."

Song Xiaoyuan bowed and said, "Thank you, Madam Shen. Xiaoyuan has something else to do, so I'll take my leave now."

"As you should. Sir Song, take care."

Song Xiaoyuan got on the carriage. Madam Shen said with regret, "What a good man, how come he doesn't understand love... Changjun, you grew up with Lord Song, and now you are married, but Lord Song is still single. A few days ago, I went to Chang'an Temple to burn incense and met Madam Song. From Madam Song's tone, I felt that she was relieved. She said that maybe it was not fate yet and she would not force it. But the Song family has only this one son, so how could they really let go?" Madam Shen sighed.

Shen Changjun sighed: "I have talked to him about this a few times, but he always smiled and said, we are all alone from birth to death, why bother asking for company."

"Forget it, you youngsters are so idle." Madam Shen sighed and turned back to the banquet...

The carriage of the Song Mansion turned the corner of the alley. Ah Wu outside the carriage was curious: "Sir, there is no woman around you except Madam Song, why do you wear your hair in a bun?"

No one in the carriage said a word.

Little did people know that Song Xiaoyuan was a studious person. After receiving the entrustment, he specially consulted his mother. At that time, Mrs. Song was so excited that she taught him carefully for a long time. She was so happy in her heart. Perhaps this was the cause and effect that the master mentioned!

Song Xiaoyuan was born on the Lantern Festival, which was supposed to be a day of celebration and reunion, but he had no emotions since birth. Seeing her son who devoted himself to the court and had not yet found a marriage, Song's mother was also worried. After much persuasion, she got Song Xiaoyuan's consent to go to Chang'an Temple to ask for fate or change his name to Song Yuanxiao. Mrs. Song felt that it was because she had reversed the two words "Yuanxiao" that her son became like this, but in the end, the master only said: "The fate cannot be broken, and the end and beginning of the fate have their own cause and effect."