It seemed that Si Yakedun’s position in Han Chier’s heart was higher than everything else; a single glance from her even made him unable to sleep…
Xiao Jinheng smiled faintly, “I hope the Khan can keep his promise. If our two countries can have friendly exchanges, it will be a great blessing for the common people!~”
Coincidentally, his uncle was far away in Suicheng. After Han Chier and Si Yakedun returned, his uncle could represent the court and have a good talk with them…
Han Chier sighed and murmured softly, “Do you think I want to go to war? Currently, the tribe is divided into two factions: one faction advocates for peace, and the other advocates for attack. The two major factions are fighting each other, with many contradictions. Therefore, the matter of a ceasefire still needs to be considered carefully…”
Xiao Jinheng frowned slightly upon hearing this, “What does the Khan mean by that?”
As the leader of the barbarians, did no one listen to him?
“Young Master Xiao, please rest assured!~” Han Chier lowered his voice, “After I return, I will rectify the internal contradictions. From now on, our two countries will be friends for generations and will never go to war. I, Han Chier, guarantee it with my personal integrity…”
If the fighting continued, not only would his wife turn against him, but the common people would also grumble, accusing him of greed and being a warmonger.
“Good!~” Xiao Jinheng nodded and shook hands with Han Chier, “This is a gentleman’s agreement between us. I believe in the Khan…”
Gu Shi exchanged a few pleasantries with Si Yakedun. Then, Han Chier’s family got into their carriages and slowly set off.
Xiao Xinling sat on a small stool by the main gate, her expression shifting between cloudy and clear, appearing to be in a very bad mood.
Seeing this, Xiao Jinheng walked over and asked, “What’s wrong? Sister, you usually bicker with Princess Han, even fighting over a string of candied hawthorns. Now that she’s suddenly gone, you should be happy…”
Why frown like this?
Xiao Xinling glanced at Xiao Jinheng upon hearing this, “Who said I’m not happy? Let her go wherever she wants. It’s best if she never comes back, humph!~”
Han Chijiao, you damn girl, you said goodbye to everyone before leaving, but you didn’t speak to her…
Even a simple goodbye would have been nice.
Never mind, why should she argue with someone so petty?
Xiao Jinheng pouted, “If Sister misses her, you can go to the grasslands to see her. I won’t laugh at you!~”
Xiao Xinling: “……”
What a joke?
Going to see her would be no different than going to Beijiang to find Yun Lao Si.
Watching Xiao Xinling’s sulky retreating figure, Xiao Jinheng smiled helplessly and took Xiao Xi Tian to the study in the west wing for lessons…
Gao Jingde and Yun Xiao Bao were also called to attend the lesson.
Xiao Xinling returned to her guest room, intending to fall asleep, when she suddenly saw a letter placed on the kang table.
She opened it and scanned it. It turned out to be left by Han Chijiao for her…
The letter was very brief. It read: Xinling, I’m leaving. Don’t worry. If you have a chance, come to Beijiang. I’ll catch toads for you to drink with. I know you girls from the Central Plains love to cry, so I didn’t say goodbye in person, afraid you’d cry like a little tearful person. You’re a brat, goodbye…
After reading the letter, Xiao Xinling could no longer hold back her tears and sobbed, covering her mouth.
“Wuwuwu, Han Chijiao, you’re the one being sentimental, and you won’t let me cry. Why are you so bossy? Wuwu, you brat, just you wait. When I get to Beijiang, I’ll personally strangle you, wuwu…”
Outside the door, Du Tieshan walked over with a pot of tea. Hearing the crying inside, Du Tieshan smiled slightly and turned away.
Some friendships fall into people’s hearts inadvertently. When you realize it, that person might have already gone far away…
West Wing, in the study.
Scholar Jiang stood behind the desk and looked at the four little buns in front of him. “I heard that both the old and young of the Yun family are literate, so we will skip the literacy part and directly study the Analects…”
Children with a good foundation are easy to teach, especially child prodigies like the little county princess. They grasp anything they learn instantly.
Yun Xiao Bao, attending class for the first time, seemed a bit excited. “Mr. Jiang, I’ve read the Analects! Can you teach something else?”
Scholar Jiang: “……”
Good heavens, such a young child has already read the Analects?
The Yun family’s educational methods are quite advanced.
Gao Jingde weakly raised his hand, “Mr. Jiang, I’ve also read the Analects. Not only that, but I’ve read all the Four Books and Five Classics!~”
Scholar Jiang: “……”
No, if you’ve both read them, then what am I supposed to teach as a teacher?
Can’t you leave me some dignity?
“Since that’s the case, recite a passage for me then!~” Scholar Jiang put down his ruler, lifted his robes, and sat on a stool.
Gao Jingde rolled his eyes, raised his eyebrows, and recited, “The Master said, ‘If a man be poor and without position, and yet is not pleased with the ways of the government, he shall be called a man of virtue.’ Ah, no, that’s not right. The Master said, ‘If a man be content with coarse food, and a drink of water, with bent arm for a pillow, happiness may be found in the midst of these things. Riches and honours obtained by unrighteousness are to me as floating clouds!’”
Scholar Jiang’s mouth twitched after hearing this, “Then do you know the meaning of this passage?”
It’s not enough to just recite; one must also comprehend the inner meaning and thoughts…
Yun Xiao Bao immediately jumped up upon hearing this, raising his hands, “Mr. Jiang, I know, I know!~”
Ah, I really want to show off!
Seeing this, Xiao Xi Tian exchanged a look with Xiao Jinheng and couldn’t help but smile…
“Alright, then you tell me!” Scholar Jiang nodded.
Yun Xiao Bao imitated Scholar Jiang’s posture, with his hands behind his back, and said in a childish voice, “Sage Confucius said, eating simple food, drinking water, and sleeping with your arm as a pillow, happiness is found in these things. As for those riches and honors obtained through wicked means, they are like floating clouds to me…”
Scholar Jiang chuckled, “Haha, the general meaning is correct. You can sit down!~”
Oh my, this little village child is so amusing. Not only is she intelligent and clever, but she’s also very endearing…
After sitting in the study for the entire morning, Xiao Xi Tian felt as if she had been dragged into hell. Listening to Scholar Jiang’s droning lectures was like being back in her previous life’s classroom.
A nightmare, this is definitely a nightmare. She never wants to go to school again…
Xiao Xi Tian decided that in a couple of days, she would tell that brat that she wanted to be a bad student and skip class, play truant, be absent, leave early, and act shamelessly every day.
As long as she didn’t have to study, she didn’t care what she did.
“Daughter, why are you so listless and lacking in spirit today?”
At lunchtime, Gu Shi saw that Xiao Xi Tian had a poor appetite and was yawning frequently. Thinking she was sick, she reached out to feel her forehead. “You don’t have a fever. Do you want to go to the county clinic to see a doctor?”
Xiao Xi Tian blinked her big eyes, “Mother, I’m fine. It’s just… I just don’t want to go to class anymore!~”
It was simply torture!
“Oh, that won’t do!~” Old Man Yun quickly interjected, “Daughter, you are now the Princess of Dongping. You cannot be uncultured!”
“Tsk, you old rascal!” Gu Shi tapped Old Man Yun with her chopsticks and said irritably, “Does our daughter look like someone uncultured?”
After raising her for so long, haven’t you seen the many miracles she’s created?
Old Man Yun chuckled and nodded repeatedly, “That’s true, that’s true. Even if our daughter doesn’t study, she’s still incredibly smart…”
Just then, the sound of horses’ hooves came from outside the main gate.