fake gentry

Zhou Guang snapped out of his daze and, slightly embarrassed, said, "Young Master Xie's calligraphy is indeed worthy of a master."

Tao Mao nodded repeatedly, but he didn't see what was written on the papers that Ge Hong took away.

Just then, Dong Xuan's voice came from the cave entrance: "Young master, you've emerged from your bath? The prefect and magistrate have been waiting for you for quite some time."

Xie Hong's voice was a mix of amusement and exasperation: "You just got out of prison."

Upon hearing the sound, Zhou Guang immediately stood up, and Tao Mao followed closely behind. There, a handsome young man with flowing hair walked gracefully towards them, followed by a burly young man. It was the same boy who had shouted yesterday that he was the son of Dai Yuan.

Tao Mao and Zhou Guang couldn't help but feel somewhat ashamed of themselves.

Born into humble families, they greatly admired the refined manners of aristocratic families like Xie Hong, and dreamed of associating with gentlemen from prominent clans.

Zhou Guang, the prefect, surprisingly took the initiative to bow to Xie Hong and said with a smile, "Young Master Xie, do you still remember me?"

Xie Hong smiled and returned the greeting, saying, "This junior has met the Prefect and the County Magistrate. Please forgive me, this junior did not mean any disrespect."

Zhou Guang and Tao Mao both said it was alright.

"Yesterday I had the pleasure of seeing Xie Lang's appearance, demeanor, and talent. I was amazed and stayed up all night in awe. I never imagined that seeing Xie Lang's calligraphy today would be even more impressive."

Zhou Guang immediately began flattering Tao Mao, which surprised Tao Mao. Wasn't the magistrate being a little too obsequious?

Just then, a clear, delicate voice came from behind: "Thank you, brother. Thank you, brother. Quickly prepare some ice cream. Sister wants some."

Xie Hong turned around and saw a young child running towards him. Who else could it be but Xi Yin?

A dozen or so guards escorted two oxcarts as they slowly approached. Xi Zhong waved and laughed from afar on one of the carts, "Feng Zhi, I've arrived! Where is Ge Zhichuan? Hurry up and come out to greet me!"

Zhou Guang was surprised that Xie Hong had such a good relationship with the Xi family. Xi Yin was the son of Xi Jian, and his close relationship with Xie Hong was almost like that of family confidants.

He said to Tao Mao with a sigh, "If you don't hurry and send a letter to Guangzhou, I'm afraid the Xie family's son will enter Yanzhou."

Tao Mao, however, looked somewhat smug and said softly, "Rest assured, my lord, the letter has been sent out overnight. My father will surely be the first to recruit Lord Xie. Even the imperial envoy could not have been as quick as my father."

Ge Hong was overjoyed to see Xi Zhong and said with a smile, "I will introduce you to Lord Xi."

Zhou Guang and Tao Mao hurriedly stepped forward to greet them.

Although the status of the Xi family of Gaoping was elevated to a high position entirely by Xi Jian alone, it was still incomparable to that of the Zhou and Tao families, since they were originally aristocratic families.

Therefore, when Xi Zhong passed through Xunyang and Yuzhang, he visited Tu Qin but did not visit the Zhou and Tao families.

On the second carriage, Xi Xuan stepped down under the careful protection of several maids, with her two personal maids, Caiwei and Zhishu, following closely behind.

Today, Xi Xuan wore a plain-colored ruqun (a type of traditional Chinese dress) and still wore her hair in a drooping bun. Her face was no longer veiled, but she seemed to be wearing makeup, giving her a bright and expressive look. Especially when she saw Xie Hong, her eyes were brimming with tears and seemed to be able to speak.

She was already quite familiar with Xie Hong, but seeing him again today still gave her an indescribable feeling.

What happened at the gathering yesterday was quite dramatic and thrilling.

Xi Yin suddenly grabbed Xie Hong's sleeve and pulled him away, saying, "Brother, why don't you hurry up and go greet my sister?"

Xie Hong...

During the Wei and Jin dynasties, the social etiquette was extremely lax, and there was no longer the strict separation between men and women of the aristocratic class. As a result, it was common to see young men and women of the aristocratic class traveling together.

Zhou Guang and Tao Mao exchanged a quick glance, while Ge Hong watched Xi Zhong with an expression of amusement. Xi Zhong laughed heartily, grabbed Ge Hong, and pulled him away, saying, "Hurry up, hurry up! Is the ice cream I've been craving ready yet?"

Li's side had already made preparations. Chen Sanfu welcomed the group into the cave, leaving Xie Hong, Xi Xuan, Xi Yin, and Liu Chong as third wheels. Liu Chong ignored Aheng's repeated winks, which infuriated Aheng.

Xie Hong smiled and greeted Xi Xuan, "Greetings, young lady."

Xi Xuan wasn't particularly shy. She sized up Xie Hong, a smile playing on her lips. "Young Master Xie, you certainly stole the show yesterday. Were you feeling quite pleased with yourself?"

Xie Hong was naturally pleased, but he couldn't say it out loud, because he knew that this girl was actually quite proud.

"The young lady doesn't know that I was trembling with fear at the time, sweating profusely. It was an extremely dangerous situation, and I had no time to feel smug."

Xi Xuan chuckled and quickly covered her mouth with her hand: "You're saying things I don't understand again. Is there any story behind it?"

Xie Hong said with a smile, "It means I'm extremely nervous."

As he spoke, Xi Xuan stared at him with her big eyes, and even though Xie Hong had long been subjected to the torment of modern industrialized assembly line beauties, he still felt a tickle in his heart from Xi Xuan's gaze.

"You're nervous?" Xi Xuan pouted slightly and said, "I didn't notice at all."

Xie Hong blurted out, "Do you want me to cut me open and show you?"

Xi Xuan blushed instantly, glared at him, and shouted, "You lecherous scoundrel!!"

Xie Hong...

I'm innocent!

Caiwei and Zhishu stood behind Xi Xuan, covering their mouths to suppress their laughter, but their eyes were fixed on Xie Hong.

They were Xi Xuan's personal maids, and they would have two choices when Xi Xuan got married in the future.

One type was servants or maids whom the master could arrange to marry into the Xi family. Of course, only those who were leaders of servants or stewards were qualified to marry them.

Another option is to marry along with the young lady and become a concubine. If she gives birth to a son, her status will rise accordingly.

These two options naturally no longer apply when facing Xie Hong.

A handsome young man like Xie Langjun comes from a prestigious family, is famous throughout the land, and is also so interesting. Of course, he should become his concubine.

Xi Xuan seemed to realize she had spoken too harshly, raising her eyebrows slightly as she said, "Thank you, my lord. I truly cannot think of a good name for the zither piece you gifted me. Could you help me choose one?"

Seeing that Xie Hong remained silent, Xi Xuan felt a slight pang of panic, thinking that she had offended Xie Hong by calling him a lecherous man: "Young Master Xie, are you unwilling?"

Xie Hong snapped out of his reverie and said with a smile, "How about calling it 'A Gift to Zifang'?"

Xi Xuan's face flushed crimson again, a wave of panic washing over her: "How do you know my courtesy name?"

Xie Hong found it somewhat amusing, and looking at Xi Xuan's beautiful face, he said matter-of-factly, "It was the little guest who told me."

Xi Yin immediately shook her head in alarm: "Sister, it's not me, it's not me! Thank you, brother, for wronging me. Please don't punish me by making me practice calligraphy."

Seeing that Xi Xuan was staring at him intently, Xie Hong spread his hands and said, "Alright, I admit that I secretly asked Lord Xi, and he told me."

Xi Xuan let out a soft hum, feeling a surge of shyness mixed with a strange pang of sorrow.

Despite her noble status, she had no say in her own marriage. Even if Xi Jian loved her dearly, he would not hesitate to send her away for a political marriage if necessary.

The best choice would naturally be the Sima family. If the Crown Prince hadn't already had a wife, Xi Jian would definitely have sent her to be the Crown Prince's wife.

Besides the Sima family, there were only a few other families left. The Xie family of Chen Commandery was never among Xi Jian's choices.

Even if Xie Hongming becomes famous in Jiangzuo, his chances are slim.

Xi Xuan appears quiet and reserved, but she is actually extremely resilient and proud, and a very opinionated person.

For the sake of her family, she wouldn't allow herself to be willful.

Even if she realized that she seemed to have fallen in love with Xie Hong, there was no way she could secretly commit to a lifelong relationship.

She composed herself and solemnly bowed to Xie Hongsu, saying, "Thank you for the song, my lord."

Xie Hong will undoubtedly be remembered in history in the future, and she will leave her mark on history because of this song "To Zifang".

Although I don't know her status, perhaps she's someone else's wife.

Xie Hong inexplicably sensed that Xi Xuan seemed somewhat sad.

Did I offend her?

Thank you... my lord?

Okay, you're welcome.