Chapter 34 Fan Xian: It’s just that Ruoruo and I have a deep brotherly love, and I have a few words to tell my brother-in-law alone
After a moment of mixed emotions, he recalled what happened in the Qing Temple today. When he looked at his sister again, all he had in his heart was blessings.
It’s great that she found someone she likes.
"Tell me about him, the Ye family? Dukes, princes, important officials in the court?" He looked relaxed and asked with a smile.
Fan Ruoruo heard the change in his tone, pursed her lips and smiled, her eyes a little absent-minded, as if searching her memory, and suddenly frowned in distress, as if she didn't know how to summarize it.
"He is... very talented, poetic, and will speak up for justice when he encounters injustice. He is strategic and a bit thick-skinned."
"Uh…"
Once again feeling his sister's concern for this person, Fan Xian became more and more curious.
"What about his appearance? A young man with red lips, white teeth and a beautiful face like a flower?" Fan Xian teased.
"Handsome... Brother, what kind of description is that? He... looks okay." Fan Ruoruo laughed angrily, then felt shy.
Fan Xian understood in his heart that it might be more than just "okay".
"We've talked for so long, and you haven't even told me his name," he asked.
Fan Ruoruo's face flushed, and she lowered her brows and whispered, "His given name is Zheng, which means "remarkable". He is in father's study now, and will have dinner with us later."
"Zheng, tall and extraordinary. It seems that my father is very satisfied with my brother-in-law." Fan Xian nodded and said, "You said he is talented and poetic. Does he have any works? Let me see."
Fan Ruoruo stood up and pulled out a manuscript from under the jade paperweight on her desk.
He took it with great anticipation, and the moment he saw the words, Fan Xian's pupils trembled violently.
More chaotic emotions than before!
There was a voice inside him...
"Ruoruo, where do you say he is? I want to see him."
……
At this moment, in the Fan Mansion Study
Ye Zheng and Fan Jian sat opposite each other.
On the horizontal table made of fine yellow pear wood, a small stove occasionally emits one or two wisps of flames, licking the bottom of the tea stove. There is a complete set of tea sets produced by the official kiln, and two teacups are filled with tea. Wisps of green smoke waft out of the lotus copper incense burner next to it, and the aroma of agarwood is sweet and rich.
"Zheng'er, do you remember Hong Ying?" Fan Jian slowly put down the teacup and asked.
If we ignore the tough appearance of Old Taishan and only consider his demeanor, it is not an exaggeration to describe him as "light as a cloud and a breeze".
"Master Hong, the Censor, I remember." Ye Zheng nodded.
Coincidentally, when Ye Zhengchu was on his way to Fan's residence to deal with the matter of the clerk of the South City Military Department's 'borrowing' bows, he happened to meet Lao Taishan's carriage.
Two people, one sitting in a carriage and the other driving a horse, traveled slowly and chatted for a while.
He informed Lao Taishan of the matter and also told him how he handled it.
"I still remember that day in Nanshi, when you started to scold those knights, Hong Ying asked me to get off the carriage and stop you, fearing that things would get out of hand. I saw that you wanted to make things worse, so I ignored him."
"Uncle Shi has sharp eyes and can see through things like seeing through fire."
Fan Jian glanced at him and shook his head.
Just based on this clever flattery, he didn't agree that his son-in-law was like a stinking stone in the toilet like the Censor.
"I know you are not a cunning and slick person, nor are you a person who seeks fame by being blunt and honest. It's just that you take risks every time and try to get something out of the fire. Your Majesty has a good eye, how can you not see it? Moreover, this behavior can easily create rifts with some people in the court and among colleagues."
"I know it's a bit cliché to advise you to 'harmonize with the world', but that's how officialdom is. You're still a little hasty about this matter." Fan Jian said earnestly.
Lao Taishan's concern is purely heartfelt.
"Thank you for your guidance, uncle." Ye Zheng stood up, bowed and thanked him, then sat down, smiled and said, "If I am mature and prudent, and take it slowly, I am afraid that some people will be even more restless, Your Majesty..."
Fan Jian paused as he stroked his beard.
What kind of person is he?
It only took a quick thought to understand.
"It's me. I judge others by my own standards."
Fan Jian was implicitly admitting that he was wrong.
Ye Zheng is right.
He is still a young man.
His famous work, half of which is titled "Six States Song. Young Man's Chivalrous Spirit", is so moving that the words are still ringing in my ears when I think of it.
How can young people not be passionate and full of energy?
"Uncle has a far-sighted vision and every word he says is insightful." Ye Zheng said hurriedly.
"Hey, I just said that I was wrong. You are a little impatient about this matter."
Fan Jian raised his chin, this action was somewhat inherited from father and daughter.
Ye Zheng cupped his hands, "Please give me some advice, uncle." "Your father has also told you that there are unusual movements among the troops in the northern border."
Ye Zheng looked at Lao Taishan, thought for a moment, and nodded neatly, "It was indeed mentioned."
There is no need to deny it, secrets are indeed secrets.
If he didn't admit it, Old Taishan would mistakenly think that he didn't trust him.
Fan Jian nodded, "The food and fodder must go before the troops move."
"This time, I'm afraid there will be a national war."
With Lao Taishan’s words, it was basically a done deal.
Old Taishan is in charge of the Ministry of Households.
Ye Zheng thought for a moment and said, "Uncle Shi means that beheading a general on the battlefield will affect morale?"
"That's about right. The missing weapons must be investigated. Who will investigate? How will it be investigated? How long will it take? What will be the result? There are still some disputes."
After saying that, Fan Jian looked at him and said, "I'm afraid someone will attack you in the court tomorrow. This is not as insignificant as the last assassination of Wu Xi in Xiliu Lane. You have poked some people this time, and they are going to bite you. You should be mentally prepared."
"Don't worry, uncle. I can handle it. Besides, I do have some preparations."
"it is good."
Having said that, Fan Jian stood up and said, "Let's go. I'll take you to meet Xian'er."
Ye Zheng stood up first and walked to Old Taishan to give him a hand.
Suddenly, he glanced at the lattice door.
People are coming.
"Father."
When he and Lao Taishan walked to the door, someone shouted outside.
The lattice door opened, and with anxiety in Fan Xian's eyes, two faces entered his field of vision one after another.
The first face is resolute and tough, with a sense of vicissitudes, but also a hint of past charm. This must be his father Fan Jian.
The second face...
Many poems and idioms popped into Fan Xian's mind at once.
He always thought that he was of extraordinary appearance and character, and no matter who was in front of him, he would dare to call himself "handsome".
Today, I really met my match.
This brocade robe, this eyebrow, this black hair, this figure...
Finally, he thought the three words "beautiful boy" were the most appropriate.
Retracting his gaze, he suppressed his emotions and many thoughts in his heart, took a step back, knelt on the ground with great respect, and said loudly, "Son Fan Xian, I pay my respects to my father."
Ye Zheng gave way in time.
There is no point in taking advantage of this.
He was also observing Fan Xian.
His temperament is different from that of a young man who has been living in a wealthy family for a long time.
This is not irony.
It's more that although he has already integrated into this world to about 80%, there are still some things in Fan Xian that are inconsistent with this world. These things are very eye-catching, and at first glance, people will think: Hmm... this person is very special.
"Get up." Fan Jian nodded. After Fan Xian stood up, he gestured to Ye Zheng beside him and said, "This is Ruoruo's future husband, the third brother of the Ye family, Ye Zheng. He is younger than you."
"Greetings, Brother Shi." As a junior, Ye Zheng bowed first and said, "Brother Shi is a great talent. I read the wonderful book "A Dream of Red Mansions" many times and it is always new and enjoyable. I hope you can give me some advice in the future."
"No problem." Fan Xian returned the greeting and said, "It's better to do it today than to choose a day. I've also read your book 'Meeting Joyfully' at Ruoruo's place. Let's go find a place and discuss it."
As he said this, he reached out and put his arm around Ye Zheng's shoulders.
"Uncle Shi, this..." Ye Zheng was caught off guard and looked at Old Taishan in a daze.
"Don't make trouble. The marriage between Zheng'er and Ruoruo was decided by Zheng'er's parents and me." Fan Jian thought that Fan Xian's anxiety was hostility towards Ye Zheng.
In fact, Fan Xian was feeling anxious at the moment.
"I understand. I have no objection. It's just that Ruoruo and I have a deep brotherly love, and I have a few words I want to tell my brother-in-law in private." Fan Xian was quick-witted and found an excuse quickly.
Urgent, he is so anxious.
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(End of this chapter)