Chapter 1399 - 1314: Fighting at First Sight

"Really," Xie Xiangrong nodded firmly, "Although it is not finalized, I believe my chances are quite good."

Father Xie: "...Not yet decided."

Xie Xiangrong: "Father, this is Prince Qin, the emperor’s younger brother."

"Indeed, though your cousin is capable, he is just an Earl." Father Xie quickly read the letter, frowning.

Xie Xiangrong explained, "The notes in the middle are his replies to me, as you don’t like reading them, I removed them."

Father Xie’s brows relaxed, and then tightened again, "Our family status is too low, after all, your cousin is a layer above us. Just relying on his recommendation, I’m afraid it won’t work."

Xie Xiangrong said, "Whether it works or not, we must go to the capital city. After all, it’s our cousin who’s mediating this proposal, and it wouldn’t be polite to refuse. Even if it doesn’t succeed, we can inquire about the Luoyang Academy."

"No, I do not agree." Mrs. Xie walked in, her face stern, "A girl should not show herself publicly. I will never allow you to teach at the academy."

Xie Xiangrong’s expression didn’t change, only the curve of her mouth slightly dropped, but she still smiled, "Mother does have a point. Then I will write back to our cousin and decline this matter."

"No!" Father Xie and Mrs. Xie said in unison, and Xie Xiangrong quietly watched the two of them.

Mrs. Xie said, "I meant you should not show yourself in public, but this marriage proposal still can proceed."

So she decided to have Father Xie take Xie Xiangrong to the capital city, and naturally, she would also go since her daughter was going.

"Originally, marriages are mandated by the parents and mediated by matchmakers, so you don’t need to go, but considering it’s Prince Qin, the Empress Dowager might want to see you, so you’ll go," Mrs. Xie said, "But when we arrive in Luoyang, you must adhere to the rules and always wear a veiled hat when going out to prevent any outsider men from seeing you."

Xie Xiangrong respectfully agreed, "I wonder if His Majesty wears a veiled hat during court meetings."

Mrs. Xie: "How dare you compare yourself to His Majesty? The emperor has a divine presence and is not like ordinary people, naturally different from us."

Xie Xiangrong knew her mother’s stubborn nature and was displeased but did not express it.

Xie Xiangrong lowered her gaze to the letter in her hand, realizing that her mother was becoming less persuadable. It seemed setting up a female household needed to be accelerated.

This trip to Luoyang, if unable to resolve urgent issues, she must find a way to establish a female household there.

Her cousin and his wife had paved the way for her; she couldn’t just blindly charge into a thicket of thorns.

The Xie family of three packed and set off for Luoyang.

Yangxia was not far from Luoyang, a journey of two days.

Xie Shi sent a telegram in advance to Zhao Erlang, asking him to meet them at the city gate.

Zhao Erlang eagerly went, and upon meeting, he called out, "Greetings, Master Aunt."

Xie Xiangrong: ...

Father Xie and Mrs. Xie hadn’t realized anything was amiss yet, asking Zhao Erlang, "Are you Mr. Xie’s student? Could it be you are a subordinate of Prince Qin?"

He should be someone studying with Prince Qin, right?

Father and Mother Xie discreetly assessed Zhao Erlang, showing a slight disdain.

Xie Xiangrong: "...Father, Mother, this is Prince Qin."

Zhao Erlang nodded repeatedly, "Yes, I am Prince Qin."

Father and Mother Xie panicked, hurriedly bowing and refusing Zhao Erlang’s address, "How can Your Highness call our little daughter this way? You should call her... Wuniang, as she is ranked fifth in the clan."

Zhao Erlang shook his head seriously, "No, how could I be disrespectful? Master Aunt studied together with my teacher and was educated by the elder of elders. I calculated carefully, and there’s no mistake in the rank."

Father and Mother Xie: ...The rank is correct, but how can they still be relatives like this?

Zhao Erlang obviously hadn’t grasped Xie Shi’s intention, Zhao Cai and Lv Hu exchanged glances, and they walked him aside to softly remind him, "Young master, Mr. Xie is mediating a marriage proposal for you..."

Zhao Erlang looked at the Xie family group, scanned and didn’t see anyone of suitable age, then quietly asked, "Who is it?"

"It’s the young lady from the Xie family."

Zhao Erlang widened his eyes and directly refused, "No way, she is my Master Aunt."

No one expected Zhao Erlang, who did not study, to particularly care about rank, and even if they were of similar age, he absolutely wouldn’t agree.

"An aunt is an aunt, how can you propose marriage just because we are of similar age?" He directly took the Xie family of three back to the Zhao Mansion, had Uncle Cheng take them to the guest rooms, and ran into the palace to use the wireless to report to Xie Shi.

It must be a misunderstanding by Zhao Cai and the others; how could his teacher do such an improper thing?

Xie Shi, upon receiving the telegram: ...

Remembering his disciple’s straightforward nature, he did not persuade him but instead said, "Your Master Aunt is extremely intelligent and knowledgeable. She came to Luoyang this time in pursuit of study and career, she just wants to become a teacher or engage in literary work like editing books. Please entertain her well for me."

Zhao Erlang squinted and patiently deciphered the words on the paper, reluctantly putting them together, then threw it back to Zhao Cai, "See, I was right, you misunderstood yourselves, and still thought of arranging a blind date with my Master Aunt."

Zhao Cai said, "Young master, you should ask His Majesty again; His Majesty knows about this matter."

If Lv Hu had said this, Zhao Erlang would still be skeptical, but Zhao Cai was reliable and wouldn’t comment lightly, so if he said so, it must be based on accurate information.

Zhao Erlang was unhappy, grabbing the telegram and running towards the Taiji Palace.

The guards at the Taiji Palace said, "Today is a holiday, His Majesty is not in the Taiji Palace."

Zhao Erlang then ran towards the harem, and running around a lot without finding anyone still made him angry, and his face showed it.

In his anxiety, he disliked following paths and took shortcuts. When blocked by stones, he just sprang off them like an eagle, soaring over them.

Beigong Tuanyuan who was obediently carrying the gift box sharply turned her head, her gaze fierce, and shouted, "Who’s there?"

Seeing a figure leap over, about to jump over the wall and head to the main hall, she quickly shoved the gift box into a palace maid’s arms and flew upward, sweeping a kick towards his lower body.

Zhao Erlang was startled, performing an aerial somersault to dodge, then landed steadily on the ground, ready to turn and rebuke, only to be met with a punch. Zhao Erlang swiftly tilted his head to avoid it, now angry, he clenched his fists to retaliate.

The palace maid was shocked, quickly crying out, "Miss Beigong, this is Prince Qin, stop!"

Beigong Tuanyuan had already guessed his identity upon kicking, but she didn’t hold back at all. At this moment, she pretended not to hear, every punch and kick striking towards Zhao Erlang’s vitals.

Zhao Erlang also moved from defense to offense quickly, avoiding hitting her vitals. Even so, the two of them were well-matched in their fight, soaring over the wall together, landing in front of the main hall and continuing their battle.

The commotion was substantial, attracting the attention of Mrs. Wang and Mrs. Beigong from inside the hall, while Zhao Hanzhang had already given Ting He a look.

Ting He went out to stop the guards who were about to intervene, telling them to let the two fight.

Zhao Hanzhang watched with great interest. Mrs. Beigong was secretly anxious, wondering why the child was fighting with Prince Qin in the palace.

Mrs. Wang, however, watched with bright eyes, her gaze vivid and spirited, feeling the scene more pleasing to the eye than the musicians performing with swords and fists at the palace banquet.