webnovelfull Chapter 426: I didn't see anything particularly outstanding about him (Bonus Chapter)
Chapter 426: I didn't see anything particularly outstanding about him (Bonus Chapter)
“Your father is in the study, Chun-ge is reading military books in the room, and your third brother has not returned yet.”
Xie Jing said gently, "Father and Mother haven't eaten yet either, have they? I'll eat with you later."
"No need. You've had a long day outside, so it's fine to eat first. We don't need to go through all this formality."
Before she could finish speaking, a maid's voice suddenly came from outside.
"Young Madam, the Old Madam has sent word that you, the Young Master, and several other young masters are to have a meal together at Yi'an Courtyard."
Yi'an Courtyard.
Inside the main hall, candlelight illuminated the window frames, and the table was laden with exquisite dishes.
Qin Jiuwei's gaze fell on Old Madam Xie and Marquis Xie.
During this period, she only went to Yi'an Courtyard occasionally to pay her respects.
Lord Xie rarely makes public appearances.
Looking at them now, I realize they've both aged quite a bit.
The veins on Madam Xie's hands were bulging, and even the act of holding a teacup seemed somewhat strenuous.
His eyes no longer had the brightness they once had.
Lord Xie sat next to Old Madam Xie, his back no longer as straight as before.
His hair and beard were turning white, and a hint of weariness was evident between his brows.
Xie Yanli and Qin Jiuwei sat down, while Xie Jingchun and Xie Jing sat quietly on either side of them.
Lord Xie took a sip of tea.
He then looked at Xie Jing with a beaming smile, his tone filled with satisfaction.
"I've heard about what happened today. When did you enroll at Jingyuan Academy?"
"If I hadn't heard about this from others today, I, as your grandfather, would have known nothing about it."
Xie Jing replied in a deep voice, "Grandfather, I happened to meet Master Gu a few days ago and was fortunate enough to be chosen by him to be his disciple. It was just a small matter, so I didn't think of telling him specifically."
"This is no small matter!" Lord Xie shook his head and laughed heartily.
"It's wonderful news that you've been chosen by Master Gu! Master Gu hasn't taken on any disciples for many years, and now he's accepted one from our Xie family. Next time you have such good news, be sure to tell us as soon as possible so the whole family can share in the joy."
Xie Jingchun listened, then glanced over with a half-smile, her phoenix eyes sweeping across the room.
“My second brother is always polite and well-mannered. Since our grandfather prefers quiet, he naturally wouldn’t dare to disturb him.”
Although the words were gentle, they carried a subtle hint of sarcasm.
Those around him understood the implied meaning and couldn't help but chuckle.
Qin Jiuwei's lips curled into a cold smile.
Previously, they had ignored the children as if they didn't exist.
When Xie Siyuan was alive, he only favored him.
Now that the children have become successful, they come back to be close to them.
It's really annoying.
Lord Xie glanced at Xie Jingchun, a hint of helplessness in his eyes: "You child, that's not how you say it."
"Now that Xie Siyuan is gone, the next generation of our Marquis's family still depends on you few."
Xie Jingchun listened indifferently, as if the words had passed by in a dream.
Lord Xie looked at Xie Jing and continued, "Jing-ge'er, your enrollment in Jingyuan Academy this time has brought honor to our Marquis's family. But this is just the beginning. From now on, you brothers must work even harder and live up to the family's expectations."
He gave them earnest and heartfelt advice.
"Yes," Xie Jing said calmly.
Lord Xie raised his hand, and the servants behind him immediately brought out three exquisite mahogany trays.
He smiled kindly, his tone full of affection: "Since everyone is gathered here today, I have prepared a small gift as an encouragement to you all."
The servants presented the trays one by one.
Before Xie Jingchun was a set of exquisite armor, its craftsmanship intricate, and its value evident from its color alone.
In front of Xie Jing was a set of fine writing implements.
The writing brush is made of top-quality rosewood, and the inkstone is made of old Duanxi stone. The entire set of writing implements is carefully crafted by artisans.
Xie Jingchun and Xie Jing looked at the gifts in front of them without saying a word.
Instead, he turned to look at Qin Jiuwei.
Qin Jiuwei looked at them with a gentle smile on her face.
"Please accept this gift that your grandfather carefully selected."
Upon hearing this, the two accepted the gifts and thanked Lord Xie in unison, saying, "Thank you for your generous gift, Grandfather."
Lord Xie was looking on with satisfaction as he received the gifts from everyone. His gaze then shifted downwards, and he noticed a brocade box on another wooden tray, which no one had taken.
He frowned slightly and pointed gently: "Why is there still one?"
The attendant beside him whispered a reminder: "This is what you instructed us to prepare for Young Master Jue."
Upon hearing this, Lord Xie glanced around the hall, his expression shifting slightly: "Where's Jue-ge'er? Why didn't he come?"
Qin Jiuwei replied softly, "Jue-ge'er hasn't returned from the academy yet."
"Jue'er went to the academy? Wasn't he studying in the front yard just a few days ago?"
Lord Xie was taken aback upon hearing this, his tone revealing a hint of doubt.
At that moment, a maid's voice came from the doorway, "Greetings, Young Master Jue."
Everyone looked in the direction of the sound and saw Xie Jue running in happily with a bright smile on his face.
He was wearing a blue robe with a small jade pendant at his waist.
As he moved, the small jade pendant swayed back and forth.
Upon entering the room, Xie Jue stood properly and bowed respectfully to the elders present.
He was still as well-behaved as she remembered, and a smile appeared on Lord Xie's face.
He beckoned to Jue-ge, "Come here quickly."
Xie Jue glanced at Qin Jiuwei, and only approached after seeing her nod.
Lord Xie sat at the head of the table. "I heard from your mother that you went to the academy today. Which academy was it?"
Xie Jue nodded, "Grandfather, it is Jingyuan Academy."
Upon hearing this, Lord Xie's gaze suddenly sharpened.
A look of obvious shock appeared on his face.
He stared at Xie Jue for a long while before speaking incredulously, "Jingyuan Academy? You mean Jingyuan Academy?"
Xie Jue nodded blankly, "It's Jingyuan Academy, Grandfather. My second brother took me there."
“He said there was a Master Shen there who was particularly good at abacus calculation, and that I could learn a lot of things I had never encountered before. Master Shen looked at my calculation problems, thought I was alright, and took me as his student.”
“Master Shen…” Lord Xie repeated the name in a low voice.
His gaze fell on Xie Jue, as if he wanted to confirm something.
"You've really been accepted as a disciple by Master Shen?"
Xie Jing is fine, that child has always been good at studying.
However, Xie Jue, being so unruly and unreliable, showed no outstanding qualities whatsoever.
How did I end up being accepted as a disciple by Master Shen?
“Grandfather, my third brother was indeed accepted as a disciple by Master Shen. I was there that day.”
Upon seeing this, Xie Jing spoke up.
"Although my third brother is young, his sensitivity to numbers is truly unexpected."
“Master Shen gave me an extremely complicated abacus problem. I thought he would need some time, but I didn’t expect him to figure it out in just a moment.”
"Master Shen and Master Gu were both present at the time, and they both praised the third brother for his keen insight and talent."
Lord Xie's brows twitched slightly upon hearing this.
What's the use of a talent for math?
It's just a trivial trick for bookkeeping.
Ultimately, one's future in officialdom depends on literary talent and reputation.
Even if a child is a fast calculator, so what? Can they become famous throughout the world just by relying on abacus calculation?