“Steward Song is back!”
The house servant at the gate immediately saw the travel-worn Steward Song.
Upon seeing this, he quickly went to greet Steward Song.
“Steward Song, Lord Song and Lady Song have been waiting for you for a long time…”
Saying that, the house servant glanced at He Xiuyuan, who was standing nearby, and then immediately said, “This must be He Gongzi, right? Lord Song and Lady Song have been talking about you for a long time!”
With that, he promptly invited He Xiuyuan inside.
The servant’s enthusiasm made one feel right at home.
Steward Song, observing this scene from the side, felt a sudden relief in his heart. It seemed Lady Song and Lord Song had not thought of doing anything to He Xiuyuan just because of his letter.
But then again, the Song Family in Chang’an was quite a well-known Family, so they naturally wouldn't do anything impolite when receiving guests.
It seemed he would have to explain things to Lord Song and Lady Song in private later.
However, how to explain it was a dilemma for him.
If he were to tell Lord Song and Lady Song that He Xiuyuan was indeed extraordinary, they probably wouldn't believe him, would they?
Thinking of this, he was at a loss for what to do.
He Xiuyuan, on the side, was unaware of Steward Song’s thoughts. Seeing the servant’s warm invitation, he followed them into the Song Residence.
Another servant, meanwhile, had already gone ahead to inform Lady Song and Lord Song.
He Xiuyuan followed the servants into the Song Residence, first Bypass a screen wall, then walked straight through the front courtyard.
Along the way, waterside pavilions, towers, terraces, ornate courtyards, and intricately carved railings came into view.
What impressed He Xiuyuan the most was that when passing through a corridor, he could see a few branches hanging down from the ancient windows of the corridor, adorning the scenery on the wall opposite.
Along the way, unique scenery could be seen opposite the ancient windows opened on the walls.
Seeing He Xiuyuan’s gaze lingering on the garden scenery, Steward Song smiled and said,
“Does this design please He Gongzi?”
He Xiuyuan nodded upon hearing this. “Every part of this place carries a unique charm and a sense of design beauty. It’s very beautiful.”
Steward Song also smiled upon hearing this, saying, “Of course. From the very beginning of the design, the artisans tried their best to achieve a unity of man and nature, integrating everything into it.”
Unity of man and nature?
He Xiuyuan was stunned for a moment upon hearing this, then a hint of realization appeared in his eyes.
No wonder earlier, when he looked at the various sceneries here, he always felt a certain resonance. Was it because, from the very beginning of its design, the artisan cleverly incorporated the idea of the unity of man and nature?
“He Gongzi, Lord Song and Lady Song are still waiting ahead.”
The servant nearby, seeing that He Xiuyuan seemed to want to stop and look more closely, gently reminded him.
He Xiuyuan came back to his senses upon hearing this and immediately continued walking forward.
After the servant led the way for a moment, He Xiuyuan finally arrived at the main hall.
Lord Song and Lady Song were already waiting in the main hall.
Seeing He Xiuyuan’s arrival, both of them warmly came forward to greet him, then looked him up and down with smiles on their faces.
“We received a letter before saying you had fallen into the water and lost your life. Thankfully, you are finally alright.”
Lord Song appeared to be a middle-aged man nearing forty, with a benevolent face.
As for Lady Song, she appeared somewhat graceful and elegant.
He Xiuyuan, seeing their concerned expressions, immediately bowed and said, “Thank you, Lord Song and Lady Song, for your concern. This junior is fine.”
The previous owner had received their kindness and had entrusted him to look after the Song Family.
However, looking at the Song Family, it seemed they didn't need him to take care of anything.
“It’s good that you’re fine, it’s good that you’re fine.”
Lord Song smiled, then pulled He Xiuyuan into the room to sit down.
Then a servant came up to pour tea for He Xiuyuan.
Song Yongsui looked at He Xiuyuan and asked him if he had encountered any dangers or hardships on his journey.
He Xiuyuan answered each question one by one.
After they had chatted for a while, Lady Song subtly glanced at her husband.
Her meaning was clear: it was time to discuss their daughter’s marriage.
They had received the letter sent back by Steward Song earlier.
To be honest, they didn't fully believe the contents of Steward Song’s letter.
They naturally still trusted He Xiuyuan somewhat, but upon seeing the contents of the letter, they thought it might be due to He Xiuyuan being frightened after falling into the water, which caused him to speak some nonsense.
As for fraud, they believed He Xiuyuan would certainly not do such a thing.
But from their recent conversation, they couldn't detect any symptoms of this from He Xiuyuan.
Song Yongsui noticed his wife’s gaze, pondered for a moment, then looked at He Xiuyuan and spoke.
“Esteemed Nephew He, years ago I betrothed my daughter to you, and we were just waiting for the time to come for her to marry. However, after you fell into the water… considering our Song Family daughter had not yet married, the matter was dropped.”
“At the time, considering our daughter’s reputation, we thought of annulling this engagement…”
Originally, since He Xiuyuan had survived and had already arrived in Chang’an, this engagement should have continued.
However, Steward Song’s letter had made both of them change their minds.
This was their own daughter; they couldn't let her marry and suffer.
Steward Song, who was standing nearby, was stunned upon hearing this, then his heart jolted with alarm. This was bad.
Lord Song and Lady Song were going to bring up this matter, but his previous judgment might have been wrong, and this marriage couldn't just be called off like this!
Steward Song thought of this, and his heart immediately became incomparably anxious.
However, the current situation was not one where a steward like him could interject. Thus, he could only stand by and worry.
He Xiuyuan understood their meaning immediately upon hearing this.
Upon hearing this, He Xiuyuan immediately stood up, cupped his hands, and said, “This junior came this time precisely for this matter. This junior has idled away half his life, only achieving the title of a xiucai. After falling into the water, my ambition also dissipated, and I no longer have the desire to continue pursuing official titles.”
“Given this, this junior is not a good match. How about we call off this engagement?”
He Xiuyuan naturally did not want this engagement.
He had been worried that it would be inappropriate for him to directly break off the engagement, but now seeing that Lord Song also had this intention, it was simply perfect.
Immediately, He Xiuyuan went with the flow and said it out loud.
At this moment, a woman hiding behind the screen in the main hall was listening intently to the sounds from the front hall. Upon hearing the young voice say that the engagement was called off, a hint of joy immediately surged in her heart.
