vrcanaries Chapter 496 Xie Jingchun's Storyline: The Young Man Grows Up
Chapter 496 Xie Jingchun's Storyline: The Young Man Grows Up
In early spring, the grass and trees in the suburbs turn green.
A cloud of dust billowed from the end of the official road, banners fluttering in the wind.
Xie Jingchun wore a dark gold battle robe, with a long sword at his waist, and stood tall and straight like a pine tree.
Two years of battlefield experience have shed his youthful arrogance, giving him a more composed and stern look.
Now he is twenty-one years old, with a slightly dark complexion and more handsome features. Riding on horseback, his gaze is cold and clear, like a sword drawn from its sheath.
Upon seeing that familiar figure in the distance, he was startled and hurriedly dismounted.
"Father, mother."
Xie Jingchun knelt on one knee, bowed softly, his voice slightly hoarse yet powerful.
Qin Jiuwei stepped forward to help him up, her eyes filled with suppressed excitement, "It's good that you're back, it's good that you're back."
She straightened his clothes with her own hands, her eyes full of tenderness.
"She's lost weight and gotten darker."
"Is it still the same as before, where people don't care about food and drink when fighting?"
A warmth welled up in Xie Jingchun's eyes. "I have worried my mother."
"You've been gone for two years, and I haven't even been able to hold your coming-of-age ceremony," Qin Jiuwei said softly, her tone tinged with apology.
Xie Jingchun shook his head, "I am already satisfied if I can keep the southwest of the Great Jin safe and live up to the Emperor's expectations."
As he spoke, he turned his head, his gaze sweeping around, and asked in confusion, "Second brother, where is third brother?"
Qin Jiuwei smiled upon hearing this, "Your second brother is currently in the palace. The Emperor has asked him to give lectures, so he can't get away."
"Give a lecture?" Xie Jingchun was taken aback.
"He was only fifteen when I left, and now he has become the Imperial Tutor."
"You know that the Emperor trusts your second brother. Last year, Master Gu fell seriously ill and then went into seclusion," Qin Jiuwei explained gently.
"At that time, the ministers argued endlessly about the selection of the imperial tutor. In the end, the emperor personally appointed your second brother, and everyone finally gave up."
After hearing this, Xie Jingchun couldn't help but take a deep breath.
"My second brother is only seventeen years old, yet he is already the Imperial Tutor. He truly lives up to his name."
Before he could finish speaking, he pressed on, "And what about Third Brother? Where did Xie Jue go?"
Qin Jiuwei chuckled softly, "He just left the capital a few days ago with Master Shen, saying he was going to Jiangnan to look at a shop."
"Jiangnan?" Xie Jingchun raised an eyebrow slightly.
"As expected, my third brother is still more interested in the way of business."
Spring breezes are warm, horses trot out on the green grass, and people reunite.
As familiar faces appeared one by one, Xie Jingchun finally felt at ease.
He rode on horseback, his gaze casually sweeping over the crowd.
Suddenly, my gaze fixed on a certain spot.
A young girl accompanied Qin Jiuwei, dressed in a moon-white dress with a lilac-colored soft belt tied around her waist.
Her skin was fair and her features delicate, but not in a strikingly bright way; rather, she possessed a restrained and refined beauty.
Like pear blossoms that bloom silently after a fresh rain outside the window, they are so beautiful that one can't help but take another look.
Xie Jingchun recognized her at a glance.
Nan Nan.
Two years had passed since I last saw her, and she had quietly grown into a young woman.
She was fourteen when she left, and now she is sixteen.
They've grown so tall!
Xie Jingchun's eyes lit up, a smile appeared on his lips, and he gave her a light, raised eyebrow and a smile.
But Nan Nan only met his gaze for a moment, as if she had sensed something.
She quickly turned her head away, leaving him with a snow-white profile.
Xie Jingchun's smile froze on his lips.
He paused for a moment, then looked away, a strange sense of unease rising in his heart.
It wasn't just two years since they last saw each other; she must have missed him.
Even if they don't say anything, they should at least smile.
But she didn't even look at him.
He frowned slightly, gripping the reins tightly with one hand while unconsciously stroking the handle of the whip with the other.
Xie Jingchun turned his head and looked at her one more time.
But Nan Nan listened attentively to the maid beside her, her eyes clear and gentle.
But she ignored him.
He turned his head away, his jaw slightly clenched.
...This girl has changed.
She wasn't like this before!
The group returned to Prince Jing's residence.
After Gao Che ascended the throne, Xie Yanli was appointed to assist in governing, and his family moved here.
The Prince Jing's Mansion covers a vast area and has an elegant layout, making it quieter and more secluded than the Marquis's Mansion.
And this is their own place.
He was much more at ease than when he was in the Marquis's mansion.
Xie Yun was still young and lived in the main courtyard with Qin Jiuwei and Xie Yanli.
The other three children each have their own yards and live alone.
Xie Jingchun lived in Songji Hall, Xie Jing lived in Yanzhai, and Xie Jue lived in Tinghe Pavilion.
When the group entered the Prince Jing's residence, it was nearly noon.
The red beech trees cast dappled shadows under the eaves, and the breeze makes their shadows sway.
Qin Jiuwei turned to look at him, "Chun-ge'er, go back to Songji Hall first, settle your luggage, and then come to the main courtyard later for lunch together."
Xie Jingchun nodded in agreement, but as he turned to leave, he paused.
He couldn't help but turn back and take another look.
Nan Nan was standing beside Qin Jiuwei, her posture proper and gentle, holding the cloak that Qin Jiuwei had handed her earlier on the way.
She was extremely quiet, like a still pool of water, even her breathing was light.
Xie Jingchun looked at her, his gaze falling on her slightly drooping eyelashes, and gently raised his eyebrows.
He deliberately cleared his throat.
But Nan Nan seemed not to hear it.
She remained standing quietly, without ever looking up.
For a moment, Xie Jingchun almost doubted whether he was transparent.
His gaze paused, and the smile on his face faded.
After finishing tidying up Songji Hall, Xie Jingchun went straight to the main house.
He changed out of his military uniform and into a light blue casual dress, the collar of which was plain, with only a dark-patterned jade pendant tied around his waist.
Compared to his imposing and heroic demeanor when he first returned to the capital, he now exudes a greater sense of composure and calmness.
The youthful sharpness in his eyes remained, but it was suppressed behind his brilliance, like a sword sheathed, becoming increasingly restrained and unpredictable.
He stepped into the main courtyard, where sunlight streamed in, and several peonies were in full bloom.
Xie Yun, dressed in a light pink ruqun (a type of traditional Chinese dress), was sitting on the carpet playing with a pom-pom.
Upon seeing Xie Jingchun arrive, she blinked her bright eyes and called out, "Big brother!"
Xie Jingchun smiled and walked over, squatting down to gently pick her up.
The little girl smelled sweet and soft, her tiny hands resting on his shoulders as she giggled.
"Yun'er, did you miss me?"
Xie Jingchun lifted her high, and the little girl laughed even louder.
After playing for a while, Xie Yanli came in.
Xie Jingchun then carried Xie Yun back to the soft couch and settled her down before going inside with Xie Yanli.
The conversation inside the room gradually got to the point, and the two spoke in hushed tones.
When politics were mentioned, Xie Jingchun immediately became focused.
Xie Yanli asked many questions about the Southwest, and Xie Jingchun answered them one by one.
At this time, not far away.
Nan Nan was kneeling in front of a small table, holding a cup of hot tea, and handing it to Qin Jiuwei with both hands.
Her movements were extremely graceful, and she held the teacup steadily in her hand.
Qin Jiuwei took the teacup and smiled, "You brewed it even better than before."
"It's all thanks to Granny Song's excellent teaching," Nan Nan replied, bowing her head.
Xie Jingchun heard Nan Nan speak, but forced himself not to look at her.
Humph.
If she ignores him, then he shouldn't ignore her either!
At lunchtime, a sumptuous spread of dishes was laid out on the long table.
One after another, delicious dishes, each with its own unique color and aroma, were placed on the table, filling the air with their fragrance.
"You're returning to Beijing today. You must have had a tough time. Eat more; these are all your favorite foods."
She pointed to a plate of braised lamb ribs on the table, "This dish is also good. I used to make it often when I was at the Marquis's residence. Come and try it, and see if it has changed in taste?"
Xie Jingchun smiled and said, "If Mother says it's delicious, then it must be delicious."
As he spoke, he raised his hand to pick up the food, only to find that the dish was a little too far away.
He instinctively propped himself up, his arm halfway out, but he was still an inch short.
Seeing this, Qin Jiuwei called out, "Nannan, help your Chun-ge'er set out this dish."
Standing behind her, Nan Nan immediately replied, "Yes."
She got up and walked over to Xie Jingchun, bending down to serve him food.
Just as she bent down, Xie Jingchun suddenly smelled a faint fragrance.
The fragrance was extremely faint and delicate, not powdery, but rather like the scent of plum blossoms after a snowfall.
Xie Jingchun stopped moving.