Elder Xiao Arrives

When Shen Qing heard his grandmother say this, his heart sank.

"I am unworthy. I know my days are numbered, and I only wish to stay by Grandmother's side and fulfill my filial duty. Whoever I marry, I would only burden her, and I would never dare marry into a powerful family and bring disaster upon the Grand Preceptor's Residence."

Shen Jingwen felt somewhat reassured by Shen Ting's declaration.

She gazed at Shen Qing and nodded. "I know you are a filial child. Return to your courtyard and rest. We shall talk after I have investigated this matter. Take good care of your health, and pay no mind to the rumors in the Capital. I will deal with them myself."

"Tomorrow I will summon an imperial physician to examine you."

Shen Qing's lips went pale. His health had greatly improved, and he absolutely could not let an imperial physician examine him. He was anxious, but he knew he must not say too much. It would be bad if she noticed something amiss, so he could only take things one step at a time.

"Yes. Thank you, Grandmother."

"You may go."

After Shen Qing left, Grand Preceptor Shen could scarcely contain her fury. She hurled her teacup to the floor.

The reigning empress had yet to name an heir. Although the Third Princess was not born to the imperial husband, she was the eldest daughter, and it was the rule of the current dynasty to name the eldest as heir. Shen Qing was the best match in the family for the Third Princess, and she and the Noble Consort had already settled the matter. Now that things had gone so far awry, it would be difficult to handle.

"Master, why are you so angry? Did the second young master upset you?"

"Mama Sun, send someone to the estate to investigate Shen Qing's poisoning and see whether it is true. Also look into that fine second son-in-law of mine. What exactly has he done? I want the truth tonight."

Mama Sun was startled to hear about the poisoning.

She hurriedly bowed and accepted the order.

"Wait. Have Nanny He send someone to take care of it. The rumors in the Capital cannot be allowed to spread unchecked; they will damage the reputation of my Grand Preceptor's Residence."

"Yes, I will go at once. It is just that the estate is remote. Even riding at full speed, I fear we will not receive word until tomorrow."

"It will be enough to find out before I return to the residence tomorrow."

After accepting the order, Mama Sun hurried off to attend to it.

*

When Bai Jingyao heard that his niece had passed the xiucai examination and placed first, he hurriedly got ready and brought lavish gifts to the Residence of the Earl Who Protects the State.

They had only just sat down when Uncle Fu hurried in to report.

"First husband, the head of the family has returned with Elder Xiao."

Bai Jingyao hurried to his feet. "What timing! I haven't even had a cup of wine, and my wife is already back."

Seeing that her brother was still thinking about wine, Bai Peilan hurriedly brought the conversation back on track.

"Brother, did Sister-in-law manage to invite Elder Xiao? Ha ha, why don't I arrange a courtyard at once and invite Elder Xiao to stay at my residence?"

Bai Jingyao glanced at his brainless younger sister. "Ru'an Commandery is a long way off, and Elder Xiao is advanced in years. Now that she has arrived at my Vice Minister of War's Residence, I will see that she is properly cared for. And you want her to move again? What is that head of yours filled with?"

Bai Peilan thought about it and decided her brother was right.

"Then hurry back, Brother. Don't stay for the meal."

Bai Jingyao was so annoyed he laughed. Was that any way to send someone off?

"Momo, come with your uncle."

He pointed at his foolish sister.

"Are the betrothal gifts all ready? They must be lavish. This concerns the face of our Residence of the Earl Who Protects the State, as well as Elder Xiao's face.

"Also, I've looked over the list Uncle Fu made of my eldest brother-in-law's dowry. Move the things to Momo's place as soon as possible. The proposal will be made in the next day or two, and I'll have the matchmaker pick an auspicious date."

Bai Peilan was not annoyed by her brother's scolding. Smiling, she agreed to everything.

"Uncle Fu, prepare the carriage. Momo, go back with your uncle and meet Elder Xiao. We won't eat here. Come to your uncle's residence, and I'll make you something even better."

Seeing her uncle bustling about, even more attentive than her own father, Bai Mo was delighted.

"Mother, I'll go with Uncle, then. Enjoy your meal."

"Go on, go on. Eat early if you're hungry, and don't wear yourself out. Be sensible and polite when you meet Elder Xiao."

"I know."

Bai Jingyao and Bai Mo had just stepped down from the carriage outside the Vice Minister of War's Residence when they saw Tang Xin standing at the main gate. She was smiling, but her eyes were heavily bloodshot, and she looked exhausted.

Bai Jingyao made no effort to hide his affection. He went up and took her hand. "Wife, what are you doing standing at the gate? Why do you look so tired?

"I came straight back as soon as I heard Elder Xiao had arrived. Her room was prepared long ago. It was a long journey, and Elder Xiao must be tired too. Have you taken her to rest?"

Tang Xin smiled gently. "Don't worry, A-Yao. I'm only a little tired from the journey. I'll be fine after a good rest. I've already seen to Elder Xiao. I knew you would hurry back, so I waited for you."

Bai Mo could see that her aunt and uncle were truly devoted to each other, their eyes brimming with affection.

Geez~~~ So sickeningly sweet! This dog food is going to fill me right up!

Bai Jingyao rolled his eyes at Tang Xin, then turned and led Bai Mo inside.

"You all go and rest. I'll go give the kitchen its instructions at once. I thought you wouldn't be back so soon, and my sister invited me to her residence for a meal, so I didn't prepare dinner. But I had the ingredients ready in case you suddenly came home. It'll be quick; we can eat in a little while."

"Oh, right, Wife, Momo placed first in this Capital xiucai examination. She's very promising."

Tang Xin looked a little surprised.

"Momo is so clever? That's remarkable."

"Thank you, Aunt."

They entered the residence, talking and laughing.

For dinner, Bai Jingyao had the kitchen prepare a whole table of delicacies. To suit Elder Xiao's tastes, he had several specialties from Ru'an Commandery made as well.

Elder Xiao took her seat with the help of the elderly servant beside her. She was in good spirits, though her face showed the fatigue of the past two days' travel.

Bai Mo thought that the old lady was plainly a very cultured person. Her bearing was exactly like Xiao Muzhi's, and she had an air of scholarship about her.

They all bowed respectfully to Elder Xiao.

Elder Xiao was gentle as well. She greeted them casually and had the younger ones take their seats.

Elder Xiao glanced at Bai Mo, a smile in her eyes. "This is your niece, I take it? While I was resting in the courtyard just now, a lively girl spent quite some time telling me how remarkable the young miss was. She said she had placed first in the Capital's xiucai examination today, and that a couple of her poems had made her famous in a single stroke."

Bai Mo blushed at her words and replied respectfully, "My learning is shallow and my talents are meager. To speak of my learning before you is more praise than I deserve."

Bai Jingyao was not one for such modesty. He kicked his wife and hurriedly gave her a meaningful look.

Tang Xin was secretly amused. A-Yao really did dote on Momo.

"Teacher, to tell you the truth, my niece used to be a good-for-nothing, and she has only studied seriously for a little over a month. When she took the examination this time, her mother and I thought she was only taking part for the experience. We never expected her to place first."

Elder Xiao was astonished.

"She has only studied for a little over a month?"

Bai Mo nodded.

"Then tell me, how did you study?"

Bai Mo hid nothing. Her voice was calm and steady. "I can remember anything I see after looking at it once."