fake gentry

"Is this thatched hut something you built?"

Xie Kun looked up and saw the three characters "He Lou Ju" (何陋居), and his eyes lit up: "It is said that Ge Zhichuan's flying white calligraphy is ancient, simple and natural, showing transcendence. But I think it has reached the realm of embracing simplicity and preserving truth. What a fine piece of calligraphy, a masterpiece!"

Ge Hong, with his hair disheveled and chest exposed, hurried out, only to run into Xie Kun praising his calligraphy.

"Ge Hong of Danyang pays his respects to Your Excellency."

Ge Hong, still disheveled, bowed to Xie Kun.

Xie Kun's face immediately lit up with smiles, and he laughed as he returned the greeting, saying, "Everyone says that Ge Zhichuan is introverted and has few friends, but I only realize today that he is a true scholar. Xie Youyu of Chenjun is fortunate to have met Marquis Ge."

Ge Hong returned the greeting, saying, "I wouldn't dare."

Although marquises were commonplace during the Jin Dynasty, Ge Hong was a Marquis within the Passes and Xie Kun was a Marquis of a different rank, so they were naturally a step below him.

Xie Kun was originally a carefree person, and after studying metaphysics, he became even more disrespectful of etiquette and law; otherwise, he would not have become a famous scholar.

Ge Hong's disheveled appearance was exactly what he liked. The two of them actually left Xie Hong and Xie Shang behind and walked into the main hall of He Lou Ju together, looking like they were having a good time.

The main hall was almost fully furnished, with many of the items being gifts that Tao Mao and Zhou Guang had sent last time.

Xie Kun nodded secretly as soon as he entered the main hall.

The ground was covered with bamboo mats made of peach branches. These were bamboo mats used exclusively for entertaining guests in the main hall of aristocratic families, and they were refreshing and elegant to sit on.

The main seat has a single-seat square couch, while the guest seats have connected couches, and the tradition of sitting on the floor is still preserved. Behind the main seat is a screen with Xie Hong's "Inscription of the Humble Abode" written on it, which has just been framed.

A curved-legged table stands in front of the hall, while a small, arched couch is used to place books, Go sets, and a zither. On the table are flower vases, incense burners, screens, and a celadon chicken-head teapot, all in an elegant style.

The main hall is spacious and airy, perfect for the daily secluded activities of the gentry, such as engaging in refined conversation, playing the zither, playing chess, and reading.

Xie Kun instantly fell in love with this place.

When Xie Hong and Xie Shang walked in, Xie Kun was already sitting calmly in the main seat, chatting enthusiastically with Ge Hong.

Xie Shang was also quite surprised, and chuckled softly, "Brother, what's so shameful about it?"

Xie Hong didn't expect Xie Shang to be such a friendly person.

"I heard from my father that my brother's place was extremely simple, but I didn't expect my father to lie to me."

Xie Hong thought to himself, "Your father didn't lie to you. I'll take you to see the cave in a bit. We just improved our living conditions these past few days."

"What are you two standing there for? Take a seat! Where's the ice cream? Where's the wine? Bring it here quickly!"

Xie Hong...

"Uncle, please wait a moment."

He didn't need to give any instructions; Chen San and Li Shi had already gone to make preparations.

Before long, Chen San brought in Ah Heng and Ah Ling carrying a tray. They first bowed to Xie Kun, then to Xie Shang, and then served the ice cream.

Xie Kun's eyes widened; he was even more shocked than Xi Zhongzhou and the others.

It should be noted that he had always been in Wang Dun's staff and held a very high position. He could be said to have been by Wang Dun's side almost every day. Even Wang Dun, who now held immense power, did not have the luxury of eating chilled fruits every day in the summer.

It's good if you can enjoy it once every ten days.

"How strange, it really is ice."

Xie Kun took a bite, then immediately closed his eyes with a look of pure bliss: "It has the fragrance of cheese and rock honey, truly a delicacy for cooling off in the summer."

As he spoke, he opened his eyes, his gaze falling on Ge Hong, and his expression changed slightly.

Ge Zhichuan was a famous immortal. The Five-Stone Powder he refined was a rare treasure, sought after by many scholars. It could make people strong and healthy after consumption. It was not exactly the same as the Five-Stone Powder of He Yan that was popular among scholars at the time. Not only would it not cause heat and poison, but it could also prolong life and delay death.

Therefore, Xie Kun directly attributed this summer ice-making technique to Ge Hong's alchemy.

But Ge Hong ate with even more gusto than Xie Hong, while Xie Hong slowly savored his food on the side, his expression seemingly showing some disdain.

Can you please not find it offensive?

Compared to the wide variety of flavors of ice cream, this is basically just a sugary popsicle.

Xie Shang ate with an elegant demeanor, but his speed was astonishing. He quickly finished a bowl, licked his lips with a hint of lingering satisfaction, and Chen San immediately served him another bowl.

The group ate like that. Xie Hong had just eaten half a bowl, Xie Kun and Ge Hong had already finished two bowls, and Xie Shang was showing off his third bowl.

"The greatest joy in life is..."

Xie Kun sighed, and his gaze towards Xie Hong became much deeper. He smiled and said, "How can we be without wine? Bring the wine. I want to play chess with Ge Zhichuan. Jianshi, bring your pipa. Your brother is also skilled in music. You can compete with him."

Xie Hong blinked a few times before realizing that Jianshi was Xie Shang's nickname.

Well, who told Xie Kun that he could play the piano?

He knew that Xie Shang was proficient in music. Historically, he was skilled in various musical instruments, and it is said that the music of bells and stones in Jiangnan began with him.

This statement enraged the Jiangzuo gentry at the time, who collectively cursed, implying that without Xie Shangzhi, they were nothing but barbarians from the south who lacked even basic etiquette and music.

However, this statement reveals Xie Shang's musical talent and his contribution to the development of Jiangnan court music.

It turns out that Xie Shang was indeed a master; if he were born in modern times, he would definitely be a rock musician.

With the pipa in his hands, he seemed like a different person. Xie Hong appeared to be watching him play attentively, but he was thinking about other things.

Is this the Qin pipa? Or the instrument later named the ruan?

The facts also proved that Ge Hong was indeed a terrible chess player. He and Xi Zhong played a close game, but Xie Kun only played half of the game before refusing to continue playing with Ge Hong.

Ge Hong, however, did not feel embarrassed at all. He even smiled and held onto Xie Kun's sleeve tightly, insisting on finishing the game.

"My lord, please continue! How can we give up halfway?"

Xie Kun was extremely frustrated.

Xie Shang played a piece and noticed that Xie Hong's attention had been completely focused on the chessboard. He felt a surge of resentment and said, "Brother, please give me some pointers."

Xie Hong didn't even look up, and laughed, "Not bad, not bad, very good, very good."

Xie Shang was furious.

Being slighted in his most prized field, and being only fourteen years old, he immediately became upset.

Xie Hong turned around and glanced at him.

What's wrong? Not convinced?

"You played very well, but you're still so young. You should practice the basics more. Why show off your skills?"

As he spoke, he reached out and took the pipa from Xie Shang's hand.

Ge Hong smiled and said, "Feng Zhi is also skilled at playing the pipa?"

Xie Hong said calmly, "I know a little."

Ge Hong burst into laughter: "Your Excellency is fortunate to hear this."

Xie Kun glanced at Xie Shang, his face remaining expressionless.

He devoted almost everything to raising his son, Xie Shang, who lived up to expectations and was almost the most outstanding among his peers.

In fact, Xie Shang was really amazing. After Xie Kun died the following year, he inherited the title and became the clan leader. Under his leadership, the Xie clan of Chenjun began to rise to prominence.

Unfortunately, he encountered a cheater.

Xie Hong picked up the pipa and began to tune it. Xie Shang's pipa had a significant problem with its pitch, and it should be said that all musical instruments of this era had this problem.

Xie Shang's expression changed as he looked at it.

An expert can tell a lot just by looking at their hands.

At first, he was indignant and resentful, then gradually shocked, then thoughtful, and finally knelt down obediently to one side, watching Xie Hong's gestures intently.

After tuning it, Xie Hong shoved the pipa back in: "Try it again."

Xie Shang was taken aback, and with some suspicion, he reached out and plucked the strings a few times. His eyes immediately lit up, and he excitedly put down the pipa and bowed to Xie Hong: "Thank you, brother."

Ge Hong couldn't help but smile as he looked at Xie Kun: "My lord, the Xie family has obtained such a gem, and has such a son. Let alone Jiangzhou, even looking across Jiangzuo, which noble family can compare with the Xie family's twin treasures? The Xie family of Chen Commandery may very well be the next Wang family of Langya."

Xie Kun was momentarily dazed as he listened to Ge Hong's flattery.

It was no easy feat for the Xie family of Chenjun to achieve its current status.

Now that he has offended Wang Dun, he constantly feels that his life is in danger. If it weren't for his status as a renowned scholar, he would probably have followed in Dai Yuan's footsteps.

Of course, Wang Dun would not allow him to be disgraced; instead, he would kill him by other means.

It's not difficult to find an excuse after poisoning someone.

Xie Hong also admired Ge Hong, thinking that Ge Zhichuan was quite capable.

During the Eastern Jin Dynasty, only five families could be considered top-tier aristocratic clans.

The Wang clan of Langya, the Xi clan of Gaoping, the Yu clan of Yingchuan, the Huan clan of Qiao, and finally the Xie clan of Chenjun.

The four families of Wu County were simply no match for them.

"Xie Hong, kneel down!"

Xie Kun's expression suddenly turned very solemn, and Xie Hong's heart skipped a beat, knowing that the crucial moment had arrived.

He immediately straightened his clothes and knelt down.

Do you know why I've come here today?

"I don't know."

"After I returned to the county seat, I checked the family genealogy and found that, as you said, the family history records that Bo Deng Gong had a son named Ji. According to the lineage, you belong to the main branch of the Xie family."

Xie Hong's heart, which had been hanging in suspense for so many days, finally settled down.

It is neither a minor branch nor a collateral branch.

It's a large quantity.

"I have already included you in the Xie family genealogy and have also submitted a petition to the court to amend the Xie family genealogy. From now on, no one will dare to speak of your background. Anyone who does will be an enemy of the Xie family of Chenjun."

Xie Hong's throat suddenly tightened.

He knew what this meant.

From now on, he will no longer be the transmigrator who impersonated a noble family member in the wilderness to survive.

From now on, whenever anyone mentions him, they will add the four characters "Chenjun Xie Shi" before his name.

It was a sense of belonging that belonged exclusively to him.

He finally fully integrated into this era.

But he himself needs to do one more thing.

Xie Hong kowtowed respectfully to Xie Kun: "Hong humbly requests the clan leader's assistance."

Xie Kun acknowledged him and changed the genealogy, but this did not mean that Xie Kun had no lingering resentment.

Xie Kun, as the patriarch of the Xie clan, needed an answer that was absolutely beyond doubt. Xie Hong had to seize this opportunity to untangle this knot.

"What is it?"

Xie Hong slowly stood up, then beckoned Chen San in and whispered a few instructions to him.

Chen San was taken aback at first, then nodded, turned around and walked out. After a short while, he brought out a lacquered wooden tray with a celadon bowl on it, which contained a small half bowl of water. Chen San placed the lacquered tray on the table, then stepped aside and stood with his hands at his sides.

Xie Kun frowned slightly.

"Nephew, please ask your uncle to perform a blood test to determine kinship."