Dad, open the door. I'll bring your mistress back for you.

As soon as Shen Chuning returned to the mansion, she saw a man standing in the main hall.

The man was tall and straight, with an extraordinarily handsome appearance.

He was wearing a green embroidered robe, a green jade ribbon around his waist, and an exquisite jade crown with cloud patterns on his head. His face was as white as jade, his eyebrows were as sharp as swords, he held a silver folding fan in his hand, and there was a faint smile on the corner of his mouth. He looked gentle and elegant.

"If you are looking for Lord Wang, please go to the west courtyard." Shen Chuning said softly.

They had just moved into the mansion, and she mistakenly thought that the man was looking for Wang Haiquan.

However, when the man's eyes fell on Shen Chuning, his cheeks flushed slightly.

He quickly bowed deeply to Shen Chuning and replied gently, "I am Xie Xiuqi. I have come here specifically to visit Master Shen Qinghe."

Shen Chuning nodded slightly, indicating that she understood, and then said, "Then please wait here for a while, my father will be back soon."

After saying that, she turned around and told the maid beside her to serve tea to Xie Xiuqi.

At this moment, Shen Chengliu and Shen Chengbai walked into the gate together.

"Xiuqi! Why are you here suddenly!" Shen Chengliu shouted with surprise on his face.

Xie Xiuqi turned around upon hearing the voice and replied with a smile, "Cheng Liu, I heard that my uncle had succeeded me as the Governor of Shandong, so my grandfather sent me here to pay him a visit."

"Sixth brother, do you know each other?" Shen Chuning looked at the two of them curiously, her eyes full of doubts.

Shen Chengliu smiled and pulled Xie Xiuqi in front of Shen Chuning, then said, "Xiaojiu, come here, let Sixth Brother introduce you. This is the grandson of the dean of Taishan Academy, Xie Xiuqi of the Xie family."

He then turned to look at Xie Xiuqi and continued to introduce him, "Xiuqi, this is my sister, Shen Chuning."

When Shen Chuning heard the words "Taishan Academy", she was slightly surprised and couldn't help asking, "Taishan Academy, the top academy in the world? Master Xie must be very knowledgeable, right?"

Xie Xiuqi quickly said modestly, "Miss Shen, you are too kind. It was Cheng Wu who always praised Miss Shen. After meeting her today, I can see that she is indeed worthy of her reputation."

"You actually know my fifth brother?" Shen Chuning asked in surprise.

Xie Xiuqi nodded. "Yes, compared to Cheng Liu, I'm more familiar with Cheng Wu. We often exchange letters, and he often mentions things about the Shen family to me. When Miss Shen was first adopted into the second house, Cheng Wu wrote to tell me."

Shen Chengliu smiled and said, "I was wondering why you weren't surprised that I had a younger sister. It turns out that Fifth Brother had already told you."

Shen Chuning said softly: "Anyone who can share family matters with him must be a very good friend."

Xie Xiuqi nodded and replied firmly, "We are inseparable friends."

"I should be the one visiting Master, why did Master ask you to make another trip?" Shen Qinghe's voice came from the door.

"father."

"father."

"Second uncle."

"Shibo."

The four of them stood up and saluted Shen Qinghe.

Shen Qinghe waved his hand, motioning them to sit down, and he walked to the main seat and sat down steadily.

He asked with concern, "Is Master in good health?"

Xie Xiuqi replied respectfully, "Uncle, my grandfather is in good health, but he drinks a small pot of wine every day."

Shen Qinghe couldn't help but burst into laughter, and said with emotion: "When I was in the academy, my master's wife would twist my master's ear every day to make him stop drinking. I didn't expect that after so many years, he is still the same!"

Xie Xiuqi's voice dropped as he slowly said, "Grandfather had given up drinking when Grandmother was alive, but it was only after Grandmother passed away that he started drinking again."

The atmosphere in the hall suddenly became solemn.

The room was silent, and Xie Xiuqi was the first to break the silence.

He began to speak, "Uncle, my grandfather asked me to compile a list of the capabilities of officials at all levels in Shandong and the forces behind them, saying it might be useful to you."

After saying that, he respectfully presented two thick booklets to Shen Qinghe.

After Shen Qinghe took the booklet, he carefully read the contents inside.

These materials were undoubtedly a precious gift for him, the newly appointed governor.

He said gratefully, "Master, this is truly thoughtful. This gift is truly invaluable to me. Xiuqi, please thank Master for me. Once I have finished dealing with matters at the yamen in the next few days, I will definitely pay a personal visit."

Xie Xiuqi quickly replied, "Grandfather told you to focus on your official duties and not come all that specially to visit. If there's anything you need help with, please send someone to the academy to let us know, and we'll do our best to help."

Shen Qinghe nodded and then asked, "Has Xiuqi considered taking the imperial examination this year?"

Xie Xiuqi replied modestly, "Grandfather thought my chances of success this year were uncertain, so he suggested I wait another three years."

Hearing Xie Xiuqi being so humble, Shen Qinghe couldn't help but become curious and wanted to test his knowledge.

So he asked a few questions from the book on the spot.

Xie Xiuqi was able to answer all the questions fluently, demonstrating his solid knowledge and outstanding talent.

Shen Qinghe nodded in agreement with Xie Xiuqi's answer, and then continued to ask him about his views on other current affairs.

Xie Xiuqi was not only able to deeply analyze the essence of the problem, but also proposed unique and practical solutions.

Shen Chuning, Shen Chengliu and Shen Chengbai sat quietly by the side, listening to their conversation, fascinated.

Shen Qinghe smiled and praised: "Master didn't let you leave this year, so that you can strive for the top prize in three years!"

Hearing this, Xie Xiuqi's face showed a hint of shyness, but he still responded firmly: "Three years later, I'm pretty sure I'll be in the top three."

His voice radiated confidence and determination.

"Okay, okay!" Shen Qinghe laughed excitedly, with a proud light in his eyes.

"Tsk, tsk, look at others, and then look at you two." Shen Chuning whispered to Shen Chengliu and Shen Chengbai beside her, with a hint of ridicule in her tone.

Shen Chengbai: "That's not my ambition."

Shen Chengliu: "I've given my brain to my fifth brother."

Shen Chuning glared at Shen Chengliu, "Sixth brother, why are you still holding a grudge?"

Shen Chengliu: "I have also given my heart to Fifth Brother." The interaction between the two was filled with a relaxed and happy atmosphere.

"What are you three whispering about?" Shen Qinghe noticed their little movements and asked.

Shen Chuning quickly turned her head and said, "No...nothing...we are just expressing our admiration for Master Xie."

Xie Xiuqi clearly heard their conversation just now and couldn't help but chuckle with his hands covering his mouth.

He asked, "Miss Shen, you just arrived and probably haven't had a good look around Jinan yet. I'm going to take Cheng Liu for a good walk. If Miss Shen doesn't mind, please come along."

"Will it be inconvenient?" Shen Chuning asked.