"Xie San?" Zhao Jin called out in surprise.
Was he seeing things?
"A Jin?" Xie Chen stood up excitedly.
Well, the two of them put on a show of old friends reuniting after a long separation, both with teary eyes.
After a while, they each composed themselves and sat down for tea.
"How many years has it been? Did you miss coming back?" Zhao Jin punched Xie Chen.
Xie Chen punched him back, "I'm older now, and I realized I still can't let go of my homeland. So, I've returned."
Zhao Jin gave Xie Chen a knowing look, and Xie Chen smiled, "You're the lucky one, your son is already this old."
"What luck? He's a rascal, and he's made me worry myself sick. He's twenty already, and there's no sign of him getting engaged. A Mu'er is already engaged, and I don't even know where his wife is." Zhao Jin sighed, "When I was his age, he was already running all over the place. Master, I came here this time hoping you could take a look at this rascal and tell me if he can still get married!"
Zhao Qingcheng felt a wave of heat wash over him, his own father being so unsupportive.
"One cannot rush fate. The Crown Prince's red phoenix star has not yet moved. It's no use for the Prince to worry," Yuan Jue said slowly, clasping his hands together.
"Will it move?" Zhao Jin pressed.
Yuan Jue glanced at the dejected Zhao Qingcheng, "Of course, it can move, but the Crown Prince's marriage is something he must find himself. If he always stays in the capital..."
His words were concise and to the point: Zhao Qingcheng wouldn't find a wife by staying in the capital.
Zhao Jin suddenly stood up and kicked Zhao Qingcheng, "What are you standing there foolishly for? Hurry up and pack your things and leave."
"Oh, right, Master, in which direction is my daughter-in-law?" Zhao Jin asked again.
"Southeast."
"Did you hear that? Go southeast. If you don't find your daughter-in-law, you don't need to come back," Zhao Jin huffed.
Zhao Qingcheng: What did I do wrong? Where am I? Is this my real father? Is it my fault I can't find a wife?
"Father, it's getting late. I'll stay a night on the mountain before I leave. Besides, I need to go back and pack. Bringing only these two sets of clothes isn't enough, is it?" Zhao Qingcheng asked pitifully.
"Don't you have a hundred taels of silver on you?" Zhao Jin retorted.
"What can a hundred taels do? Not to mention my food and lodging along the way, but what if my wife sees me as a pauper and doesn't want to be with me?" Zhao Qingcheng decided to throw all shame aside.
"You're asking me what to do? Is it you who doesn't have a wife, or me? If you don't have money, earn it yourself. I raised you this big, do you have the nerve to spend my money to get married?" Zhao Jin glared at him.
Who was it that said there was a share for him in the private treasury?
Who was it that collected so many things when his younger cousin got engaged?
Zhao Qingcheng just wanted to ask, was he really his own son?
With Xie Chen and Master Yuan Jue mediating, Zhao Jin didn't immediately chase him away, agreeing to let him stay a night on the mountain before leaving.
A Mu'er looked at his cousin's pitiable state, and his earlier anger vanished, replaced by sympathy for Zhao Qingcheng.
"Cousin, don't worry. Tomorrow I'll have Xuanxuan make you some food to take with you. Xuanxuan makes a kind of hard biscuit that can last for four or five days even in this hot weather. I'll also bring you some dried roasted meat. It's quite filling when eaten with the biscuits," A Mu'er said earnestly. "Oh, and I have some money on me, I'll give it all to you. Take good care of yourself when you're out there. Don't come back until you find your cousin-in-law, or Uncle will get angry at you again. Don't worry, I'll keep an eye on the manor for you and won't let that Zhao Qingyun fellow snatch your position as Crown Prince."