Free Web NovelChapter 2257: Chapter 17: Summer in Linzi City (2)
He was silent for a moment and then asked, "You’re not going to have a drink at Zhongxuan Sheng and Shisi’s wedding feast?"
"Are they getting married?" Lin Youxie was slightly surprised, but not overly so.
"It might not be easy, but it will surely happen."
Lin Youxie said, "Then please give them my congratulations."
Jiang Wang nodded and said, "After going to the Triple Punishment Palace, you won’t have to examine corpses regularly, will you?"
Lin Youxie replied calmly, "Each country has its own legal system, so there aren’t that many cases left for the Triple Punishment Palace. Besides, I probably won’t be entering the Executioner Palace."
"That’s good." Jiang Wang nodded again and said, "I hope you live happily there and achieve success in your studies."
Lin Youxie actually laughed at this point.
She laughed and looked at Jiang Wang: "When I was sitting here alone just now, I was thinking about what you would say when I tell you that I’m leaving Qi Country."
Jiang Wang asked, "And what did you think?"
"Just like now." Lin Youxie laughed, "That’s what you would say."
Without waiting for Jiang Wang to say anything more.
She then jumped down from the tree branch and waved her hand, "I’m off!"
Jiang Wang pondered and asked from behind, "Didn’t you say you were leaving tomorrow?"
Lin Youxie’s figure had already gone far.
Only her voice was left in the forest—
"I was wrong. It’s today."
Jiang Wang said nothing more. He sat alone on the extended tree branch, gazing at the light piercing through the gaps in the forest, listening to the rustling sound as the wind swayed the leaves.
Meanwhile, Zhongxuan Sheng and Shisi spoke outside the forest.
They talked until the night fell, and then the day broke.
...
...
Whoosh~
Whoosh~ freeweɓnovēl.coɱ
Ding ding ding ding ring ring~
The wind has different forms, blowing through the forest and under the eaves, making different sounds.
Under the eaves of the Yi Family residence in Linzi, a wind chime adorned with carvings of flying birds hung.
The sound of the wind thus became more tangible.
The large sedan chair was placed down at the front door, and the Imperial Court Adviser’s residence opened its main gates widely.
Jiang Wang was dressed formally today, with a jade pendant and a sword, paired with formal attire.
Deerskin boots, a green jade hair crown.
He was strikingly elegant, walking with a graceful stride.
Just because it was a formal visit with a greeting card.
Yi Xingchen personally stood in the courtyard to welcome him. For someone of his stature, it was a considerable gesture.
Jiang Wang hurriedly stepped forward to pay his respects: "How dare I trouble you to greet me personally?"
"What wind blows today that Marquis Wu’an visits!" Yi Xingchen said with a hint of reproach, "I thought you should have come long ago."
Jiang Wang naturally felt a bit guilty, explaining how he had been busy and unable to find the time.
Yi Xingchen, naturally understanding, simply accepted it, glad that he came now.
Some pleasantries might be tedious, but they are necessary.
Their connection had begun two years ago during the Emperor assassination case involving Cui Zhu.
The genius candidate list for the Yellow River Gathering is always prepared by the Political Affairs Hall. At that time, Cui Zhu’s name was the final selection made by Yi Xingchen.
This matter could be big or small, but it can truly change in a single thought.
Yi Xingchen wouldn’t possibly be toppled because of this matter, but when a purge occurs, he wouldn’t escape some harm. That commander of the Prisoner Electric Army, Xiu Yuan, missed out on many opportunities due to Cui Zhu.
Jiang Wang stepped forward at that time to advise the Son of Heaven to calm his wrath, thereby avoiding a possible purge. Yi Xingchen later showed his gratitude in the Zhang Song case, through his protégé, Deputy Inspector Yang Weitong, offering Jiang Wang support. He also gave Jiang Wang significant guidance at the Pointing Generals’ Stage before going to the Yellow River Gathering.
This established their friendship.
With Zhongxuan Sheng’s management, De Sheng Trading Company would send some gifts to Yi Xingchen’s residence in Jiang Wang’s name during holidays, maintaining this relationship. But going a step further in their relationship hadn’t happened.
It’s simply because their positions are too unequal.
Distance breeds alienation, while fawning breeds contempt; Zhongxuan Sheng managed the balance perfectly.
Things were different now.
Today, Jiang Wang was already the youngest military marquis in the Great Qi Empire, with a fief of three thousand households, qualified to step into the Political Affairs Hall and participate in court discussions.
Though not exactly on Yi Xingchen’s level, he has the qualification for an equal dialogue. Casual tea-drinking, cheerful wine-drinking, discussing state affairs and family matters, are all just fine.
They moved through the central courtyard and sat down separately.
Naturally, they first talked about old times, then chatted about the state of the world, discussed Dao techniques... Yi Xingchen, after all, is one of the most famous technique experts in Linyi City.
After quite a while, Jiang Wang recalled his reason for coming, paused his queries for advice, glanced around, and asked quite suddenly: "Why haven’t I seen your son?"
Yi Xingchen has two sons, one in his twenties, the other in his thirties, both of rather average aptitude, far from matching Yi Xingchen’s charismatic persona.
People often say, "There are few Gentlemen Yulang in the world, hard to find someone like Yi Xingchen."
This refers precisely to Li Zhengshu and Yi Xingchen’s elegance in their youth.
Many say that because Yi Xingchen is so rare, he took too much of the Yi family’s talent, leaving little for the descendants.
Of course, this is merely idle chatter.
Yi Xingchen shook his head, somewhat helplessly said, "The elder son Huaiyong is dull in aptitude; he should still be in the Ministry of Revenue auditing accounts. The younger son Huaiyong, with a free-spirited personality, is unrestrained; at this moment, I don’t even know which establishment he’s sleeping in. I plan to send him to mine in Xuansha in a few days, to save myself the trouble."
No matter how Yi Huaiyong or Yi Huaimin turn out, they aren’t the topic he’d discuss openly with others; discussing them with Jiang Wang indicates a level of closeness. They aren’t to be acquainted with him, because they are destined not to be in the same league. Just like Yi Xingchen’s tone of voice now, there was a sense of casually discussing juniors with Jiang Wang.
The one he currently regards as capable of inheriting his political resources is the Deputy Inspector Yang Weitong. After all, for the transmission of policy, blood relations aren’t useful; talent is what matters. Even if paving the way for future generations, he’d only ensure Yang Weitong and Jiang Wang have a good relationship.
Jiang Wang certainly wouldn’t put on airs, simply saying, "Both of your sons have good character, that’s something I truly know well. In today’s world, character is the most important quality. As for the rest, it’s not so crucial."
Yi Xingchen didn’t know what Jiang Wang intended to express. He took a sip of tea before saying, "Their temperaments aren’t bad."
Jiang Wang continued, "Both of your sons have their duties, and surely have no time to accompany the Doctor..."
Yi Xingchen chuckled.
What makes Jiang Wang say that Yi Huaimin has duties, doesn’t he know his own son? His character is almost the same as that Ming Tu, idle and just getting by.
But he showed nothing on his expression, just looked at Jiang Wang, waiting for him to get to the main topic.
And Jiang Wang truly wasn’t one to speak in riddles. Having spoken this far, he felt he’d prepared enough, so he said, "I suggest you adopt a goddaughter."
Although Yi Xingchen had seen it all, he was momentarily stunned: "You’re suggesting that since sons are hopeless, give up on them?"
For someone like Yi Xingchen, adopting a goddaughter isn’t simple; it’s not just spoken casually. It must be officially recorded in the Yi family genealogy, with the name listed after Yi Xingchen, legally recognized by the Qi Country, truly having the right to inherit Yi Xingchen’s estate.
"No, no, no." Jiang Wang hurriedly said, "I’m saying, daughters tend to be more intimate, don’t you think?"
Yi Xingchen savored his tea, smiling mischievously, "I’m growing increasingly confused. What’s the secret you hold? Do you now understand about sons and daughters, Marquis Wu’an?"
This answer from Doctor Yi completely deviated from the expected course.
Jiang Wang was momentarily speechless.
After a moment of contemplation, he said, "I’m genuinely convinced that there’s a young lady who’s very suitable to be your goddaughter." frёeweɓηovel.coɱ
Yi Xingchen responded with a smile, "I don’t seem to have grown old enough to need a daughter’s care. Even if that day comes, the household has plenty of servants."
"What if your goddaughter is the future Madam Marquise of Bowang?" Jiang Wang asked.
Yi Xingchen finally grew more serious, raising his eyes to look at Jiang Wang: "Oh, really?"
Jiang Wang assuredly said, "And your goddaughter is my close friend."
Yi Xingchen slightly tilted his head, "Hmm... the future Madam Marquise of Bowang, the current friend of Marquis Wu’an."
Jiang Wang said, "Genuine and true."
Yi Xingchen regarded him with deep meaning, "For me, the latter point is particularly relevant."
Jiang Wang bowed respectfully, "I am exceedingly honored."
Yi Xingchen gently sighed, "I think perhaps I really am getting older and fear loneliness. If there were a daughter to accompany me, I reckon things would be much better."
"Surely will be." Jiang Wang said, "Your daughter is quite kind. And your son-in-law... very lively."
He gestured around, seriously adding, "Even this courtyard might find it difficult to contain such liveliness."
"Have tea." Yi Xingchen said.
Ding ding ding ding ring ring~
The wind chime under the eaves seemed to prematurely celebrate.
This was Dao Calendar year 392, May 3rd.
Summer in Linyi City was quite clamorous.
