Chapter 249: Chapter 249: Elopement (Part 4)
"Oh? Did Elder Brother praise you too? How did he praise you?" Tong Shen Zhi had been resting at home for four days without going to the study hall. It was said that Scholar Liu had sent a student to the outer courtyard yesterday, saying that Tong Shen Zhi should return to the study hall tomorrow.
Tong Minzhi’s big eyes sparkled brightly, blinking lively and mischievously: "Elder Brother said that my calligraphy has improved, and Cousin said that I have a particularly good understanding of the Zhongyong... would you say that’s praise for me?" Xiqiu burst into laughter and stopped Tong Minzhi: "Yes, Minzhi is really great!"
Tong Minzhi laughed happily, but suddenly her smile disappeared, replaced by a look of sadness: "I heard from Caixia that the fiancé you were betrothed to, that gentleman, has died, right? Don’t be sad, Cousin said that gentleman was not a good person, it’s actually a relief that he died, avoiding the trouble of breaking off the engagement!"
Xiqiu’s smile paused, how could Xu Tianqing be discussing these things with Tong Minzhi, she thought for a moment and then said: "Mm, got it, sister is not sad!" Tong Minzhi nodded solemnly: "When I grow up, I will take care of you!" Xiqiu smiled and nodded, but Tong Minzhi’s gaze shifted again: "Sister, I want to discuss something with you!"
Xiqiu showed a serious look: "Go ahead!" Tong Minzhi lowered her face and said to her: "I also want to go to Qianshan Academy to study." Fearing Xiqiu might overthink, she waved her hands: "I mean nothing else, just that Qianshan Academy is very good and I want to study there, and our teacher also supports me going!"
"Qianshan Academy? What made you think of going to study at Qianshan Academy?" Xiqiu asked puzzled. Tong Minzhi scratched her head and said: "I often hear Cousin talk about how talented and noble Third-Ranked Scholar Jiang is..."
Xiqiu laughed: "So you want to go to Qianshan Academy and study under Third-Ranked Scholar Jiang?" Tong Minzhi nodded, then suddenly shook her head: "It’s not only me who wants to go, even Third Brother wants to go... but he doesn’t have it as easy as I do. I wrote to Father about my thoughts, and he said if I wanted to go, he would write to colleagues to recommend me, but it’s not the same for Third Brother. Second Master and Third-Ranked Scholar Jiang might seem fine on the surface, but privately, Second Master does not even allow Third-Ranked Scholar Jiang’s name to be mentioned, so Third Brother doesn’t dare to bring it up with Second Master!"
Unexpectedly, Tong Minzhi had been corresponding with First Master all along. Judging by how frequently the letters must have gone back and forth and seeing how Minzhi seemed to get along well with First Master, she was happy for him, and nodded: "I don’t object to this matter, but perhaps it will have to wait a little longer, let’s talk about it next year. Moreover, Lady is still ill at the moment, it’s always inconvenient to talk about school matters during such times."
"I know!" Tong Minzhi nodded repeatedly: "I was thinking to wait until next year anyway, after I finish learning the Analects from our teacher before going over there." Xiqiu nodded slightly, and Tong Minzhi stood up: "With fewer people in the mansion, I’ll go see Concubine again."
Xiqiu pulled him: "Take care!" Tong Minzhi ran off without looking back: "Got it, sister, take care of yourself!" With that, his small frame bounced out the door.
Thinking of Jiang Shilin, Xiqiu no longer felt like doing embroidery. She stood up and slowly walked out of the courtyard. In the bamboo forest in April, a gentle breeze blew, flowers bloomed in spring. She still remembered coming here in February to celebrate Tong Xiyan’s birthday; they had drunk wine and admired the spring. In just a year, so much had happened. She found herself sitting on the stone stool where Tong Shen Zhi and Xu Tianqing used to play chess, watching the leaves flutter and bamboo sway, her heart seemed a little lighter. Though Young Master Hong was far away in Shandong, even in those days when communication wasn’t advanced, Lord Hong had served in the court after all. Such matters couldn’t easily be hidden, not when rumors of a marriage arrangement between the Marquis Mansion and Tong Mansion had already spread throughout the Capital. The matters of Tong Mansion, therefore, attracted extra attention. Her marriage became the talk of the town as expected.
Yes, with the fiancée dying before the marriage, it was a great blow to a young lady’s reputation in the boudoir!
Her marriage prospects would probably become even more difficult!
But to her, whether she marries or not doesn’t really matter. Being married is just like a bird changing its cage; flying back and forth would still only be in that small square in the backyard.
But it burdens Madam Xia with worry. It could affect Tong Minzhi’s future marriage proposals too, it troubled her greatly!
Xiqiu sighed deeply, suddenly she heard light footsteps in the bamboo forest, a crisp sound on the leaves, she turned back startled: "Cousin?"
Xu Tianqing, wearing an ice-blue straight robe, was taller compared to last year, standing gracefully like jade, distant yet close-mouthed and smiling lightly at Xiqiu, as radiant and captivating as the first spring sun...
"...Sixth Sister." Xu Tianqing took a few steps towards Xiqiu, who also stood up, glanced behind him and asked: "What are you doing here?"
Xu Tianqing smiled: "I was about to go out, but I saw the Seventh Brother sneaking in, I grew curious and followed him... I didn’t expect to see Sixth Sister here." Xiqiu didn’t believe his words; Xu Tianqing seldom came to the inner courtyard, and these days she heard from Tong Minzhi that Xu Tianqing was not always in his room reading as before. Instead, he went out early and returned late, even went out alone for two days. She asked a few times but Xu Tianqing didn’t tell her.
What could he be secretly busy with?
"Does Cousin have something to say?" Xiqiu also smiled and asked. Although they saw each other often this past year, every encounter was just a nod without really having spoken, and Xiqiu couldn’t imagine what he would have to say here.
Xu Tianqing’s eyes flickered slightly as he looked at Xiqiu. She was wearing a light green overcoat with a crossed collar, as always without makeup, no surplus ornaments in her hair, like a water lily, elegant and serene, standing with poise. The person in front of him overlapped with the figure in his mind that he thought of every day, tightly clenching his fists: "Sixth Sister, I have something to tell you."
Xiqiu raised her eyebrows slightly upon hearing this and nodded: "Cousin, please speak." Xu Tianqing’s solemn manner made her a bit curious.
He saw Xu Tianqing’s face become grave, as if he had rehearsed countless times, but he said fluently: "Sixth Sister, I remember what you said to me last year; you’ve always avoided me, and now I understand your good intentions, which is why I wanted to strive to study hard and earn fame; only then could I have the qualification to stand before you, to tell you that I have the ability to give you a stable future. But... having failed the spring examination, I intended to wait another three years, but Aunty has arranged your marriage... Sixth Sister, I can’t wait any longer. I’ve met many friends over these days and obtained new documents for our identity; come with me, we shall wander anywhere, I will certainly protect you as my eyes and never let you suffer any grievances!"
Xiqiu was so shocked she couldn’t speak, staring blankly at Xu Tianqing... Xu Tianqing thought his idea was too outrageous that it frightened Xiqiu. So, he took a step toward her, and said with renewed urgency: "Sixth Sister, I know how hard it is for you. Aunty oppresses you everywhere, you live with difficulty, and I..." He lowered his eyes showing a touch of defeated sadness: "I also brought you up with Mother, but Mother refused without even thinking about it, she even said that as long as she’s alive, she would never agree... That’s why I thought of this last resort, although it’s too unconventional, it’s been carefully considered. We’ll head west from the Capital, we can go to Miaojiang, the Western Regions, to any place where no one knows us. As long as we’re together, we’re sure to live happily and beautifully."