Chapter 5: Encounters

The little girls were all acquainted with each other, and suddenly having two new faces appear inevitably aroused curiosity, leading to constant observation.

Xie Zhen and Xie Xian were accustomed to such attention since childhood, making them appear unaffected and carefree. They played on their own, completely unaffected by the others. Most of the little girls thought they were too beautiful and didn’t dare to approach, except for Ye Zhiying, who, under her mother’s instructions, shyly greeted them.

Unexpectedly, Xie Zhen was very friendly, “I’m Ah Zhen, and this is my sister Ah Xian. What’s your name?”

Ye Zhiying was moved and quickly introduced herself.

The three little girls started playing together, and others, envious of the scene, gradually approached, eager to introduce themselves. The desire for beauty is universal, even the children who were merely four or five years old.

Before long, a large circle formed around Xie Zhen and Xie Xian, with even the two younger sisters of Gao Tongtong sticking close. Gao Tongtong stomped her foot in frustration, glancing angrily at Xie Zhen in the center of the crowd.

To her surprise, Xie Zhen turned around and gave her a smile, innocent and carefree, as if she had no idea why she was upset. She turned her head back to Gao Old Madam, deciding not to play with these little rascals in the future.

Soon, it was time for the feast, and Xie Zhen and Xie Xian returned to Madam Xie’s side. Xie Xian danced around, saying, “Mother, mother, I’ve made friends with many people.”

Madam Xie touched her head, smiling, “Who are they?”

She lowered her head and counted on her fingers one by one, “Um… um.” After a while, with her face all red from the effort, she said, “I forgot…”

Xie Zhen chuckled on the side, finding her sister incredibly cute. She couldn’t resist rubbing her little chubby cheeks, “What can you remember? You only remember to eat.”

Defiantly, Xie Xian asked, “Does Sister remember them all?”

Of course, she did. Xie Zhen had a good memory and promptly recited the names of the few little girls they met, including their fathers’ official ranks. Seeing Xie Xian stare in admiration, her eyes shifting from disbelief to admiration, she looked at her with shining eyes, almost jumping up to say, “Sister is amazing, amazing!”

Madam Xie held one precious bundle in each arm, kissing one, patting the other, overflowing with love.

Unexpectedly, Gao Tongtong witnessed this scene and stepped forward, asking, “Ah Zhen, your memory is so good. How about I quiz you?”

Xie Zhen was busy acting coquettish in the arms of Madam Xie, thinking she was talking to someone else and paid no attention. Gao Tongtong’s face looked a bit unpleasant, and she asked again.

Madam Gao did not stop her, appearing proud of her daughter.

Gao Tongtong was a young talent with some fame in Qingzhou. Although she was only seven or eight years old, she could read, write, and paint. Even the old teacher praised her intelligence; she must be smart.

Finally turning around, Xie Zhen asked, “What are you testing me on?”

Gao Tongtong raised her head, showing a bit of pride, “Have you studied the Analects? What is the twelfth sentence in the fifth volume?”

The Analects was typically studied by children older than Xie Zhen, who was only five and had not reached that level of learning. It was clear to everyone that Gao Tongtong was intentionally trying to embarrass the eldest daughter of the Xie family, but no one dared to intervene. Madam Xie’s face changed slightly, and she was about to help little Zhen out of the situation, but unexpectedly, Xie Zhen cutely asked, “Why is Senior Sister asking me this? Is it because you are this kind of person too?”

Gao Tongtong was stunned, “What?”

Xie Zhen confidently recited, “Zigong said: ‘I do not want others to impose on me what I do not impose on them; I also want to avoid imposing on others what I do not want imposed on me.’ Confucius said, ‘Zigong, you have not attained that.’”

In fact, Xie Zhen had never formally studied the Analects. It was just that, once in Xie Liqing’s study, when she was looking for a picture book, she happened to come across this book. Xie Liqing, being a scholar, casually explained a few sentences to her, allowing her to take it as a lesson. Coincidentally, there was this particular sentence among them.

The general meaning of this sentence was that Zigong said he didn’t want others to treat him unfairly, and he didn’t want to treat others unfairly either. Confucius then remarked that Zigong hadn’t reached that level yet.

Gao Tongtong, casually asking a question, unexpectedly found herself being countered by a five-year-old girl. She was instantly furious, blushing and with a thick neck, before reluctantly admitting, “You got it right.”

Madam Gao’s face froze into a smile, praising, “Madam Xie’s daughter is truly quick-witted.”

Leng Shi responded with a smile.

*

The banquet in the front yard has been arranged. The steward and Lord Gao came to invite the old lady to the front yard.

All the female family members stood up and walked towards the front yard. Xie Zhen and Xie Xian followed Leng Shi. The two little ones stood on either side, making faces behind their mother, playing like hiding and seeking. The atmosphere was lively, but Gao Tongtong behind the old lady didn’t look too good.

Probably it’s because a leaky roof happening during continuous night rain. Her two sisters behind her were playing without boundaries, pushing and shoving each other. One misstep, and she was pushed out. Gao Tongtong staggered two steps, standing right under the moon gate. She didn’t notice the person coming from behind and bumped straight into them.

After steadying herself, she glared at her two sisters, “How do you walk?”

The two little girls stood timidly, knowing they were wrong, not daring to talk back.

The maid beside the old lady came over to check. Seeing that Gao Tongtong wasn’t injured, she thanked the person behind her, “Thanks to the young master for saving my daughter.”

Xie Rong came to pick up his mother and sister, unexpectedly got bumped, shook his head and said, “No need to be polite.”

His voice was clear and pleasant, exuding an elegance. Gao Tongtong then remembered there was another person, turning to thank him, “Thank you…”

Before she could finish her sentence, she was completely captivated by him.

Don’t be fooled by Xie Rong’s ten years of age; he was taller than his peers, with a slim and elongated figure like a pine or bamboo. Especially his handsome features, extraordinary and striking. If he grows a bit older, he will undoubtedly be the object of many girls’ dreams.

Gao Tongtong blushed suddenly without warning, completing her words, “Thank you, young master, for your assistance.”

Xie Rong was about to say you’re welcome when Xie Zhen excitedly came forward, tilting her neck, and asked, “Brother, why are you here? To see me and Ah Xian?”

Bending down, Xie Rong rubbed her forehead, “Father said you took a nap on the way, afraid you might catch a cold, so he asked me to bring you some clothes.”

Saying this, he had his attendants bring a cherry-colored embroidered magnolia jacket. It was Xie Zhen’s favorite, indicating that Xie Liqing had ordered it to be brought from home.

Xie Xian helped her put it on, and she happily opened her arms, “Brother, hug me.”

Xie Rong smiled, “Hug you when we get back.”

The conversation between the siblings surprised Gao Tongtong greatly, her eyes widening in disbelief. She hadn’t expected him to be Xie Zhen’s brother.

This… how lucky is Xie Zhen? Not only is she beautiful, but her brother also outshines others.

She became angrier, but her gaze involuntarily fell on Xie Rong.

Grandmother and mother thanked him, and even his gesture of returning the courtesy looked so graceful.

*

The banquet was set with a whopping seventy tables, matching the old lady’s advanced age.

With such a grand occasion, if the yard wasn’t spacious enough, it would have been difficult to accommodate. The Gao family was considered prestigious in Qingzhou, and for the old lady’s birthday, they not only invited officials and wealthy merchants from Qingzhou but also set up seventeen additional tables to entertain the nearby villagers. It can be said that they were sharing joy with the common people, wishing for blessings and longevity.

Leng Shi sat at a table with her two daughters and Madam Gao. Since they had just made acquaintances in the pavilion, it wasn’t a lonely setting. Moreover, Song Shi sat on her left, providing mutual support, occasionally chatting, creating a harmonious atmosphere.

Xie Zhen emerged from behind Leng Shi, revealing a pair of watery eyes, “Aunt Song, didn’t little brother Yu come?”

Even at this moment, she was still thinking about Li Yu.

In the past two months, Song Shi had completely melted due to Xie Zhen’s cuteness. She couldn’t help but pat her head, “Yu’er is here; he should be with Gao Xun now. Why, little one, miss him?”

Gao Xun was the third son of the Gao family, born to the second wife, Madam Xu, and he was seven years old this year.

The Li family often visited the Gao family, and Gao Xun and Li Yu, being close in age, had a good relationship.

Even though Xie Zhen was still very young, she could sense something. She asked innocently, “Why does little Yu always hide from me? Does he dislike me?”

Song Shi reassured her repeatedly. Who could bear to dislike such a beautiful child?

“Yu’er is just not familiar with you yet. How could he dislike you?”

Comforted, Xie Zhen quickly forgot her questions. She picked up food for Xie Xian at the table. Xie Xian was not skilled with chopsticks and was a bit greedy; without her help, she wouldn’t eat properly.

As a result, after the meal, Xie Zhen had eaten very little herself, while Xie Xian had eaten her fill.

Leng Shi used a silk handkerchief to wipe Xie Xian’s mouth and said, “Next time, don’t trouble your sister. Sister also needs to eat.”

Xie Xian widened her eyes, seemingly understanding.

The little one grabbed Xie Zhen’s hand, guiltily pulling her aside. “Mother, I want to take sister somewhere.”

The banquet was not over yet, as Leng Shi still had to stay and chat with the old lady. Concerned, she asked the two maids, Shuangyu and Shuangyan, to keep an eye on them. “Don’t go too far, remember to come back later.”

They agreed and quickly ran off.

Walking along a small path and stopping in front of the moon gate, Xie Zhen asked puzzledly, “Where are you taking me?”

Xie Xian raised her head proudly, “Sister hasn’t eaten enough. I want to take you to find something delicious!”

On the way to the front yard earlier, Xie Zhen caught a whiff of a delicious aroma. Seeing servants carrying dishes out from there, she was sure it was the kitchen. Following her sister seemed like the surefire way to find something tasty.

Xie Zhen was being pulled along by her sister. “Mother will get angry if she finds out.”

She did hesitate for a moment but then decided to go all out for her sister. “If we don’t tell, Mother won’t find out!”

The maids Shuangyu and Shuangyan behind them remained silent. Should they pretend not to have heard anything?

After walking for a while, it turned out that Xie Xian overestimated her ability to lead the way. The two little round figures were wandering around, completely lost after just fifteen minutes.

Xie Xian had a sad face. “The fragrance was still there!”

Xie Zhen, fearing her sister would really cry, comforted her, “We can ask for directions, and Shuangyu and Shuangyan are with us. We’ll definitely find it.”

Shuangyu and Shuangyan followed them all the way, just to prevent the two from getting lost.

Just as Xie Zhen finished speaking, they heard a questioning voice from behind, “Who are you?”

Turning around, Xie Zhen saw a young boy in a lake-blue brocade robe standing near the artificial hill. Initially serious-looking, he froze when she turned her head.

The young boy, Gao Xun, instantly forgot to be angry, staring straight at her.

Xie Zhen’s eyes lit up, and she happily exclaimed, “Little brother Yu!”

Li Yu’s small face remained stern as he turned his head away.

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