“Embracing each other?”
Xie Qianmo frowned, his expression ice-cold!
“Are you sure you didn’t misread?”
Fang Jing hastily knelt on the ground. “Your servant saw it clearly, definitely did not misread!”
As soon as these words were spoken, Fang Jing clearly felt the surrounding air grow colder!
His entire body began to tremble!
“Your Majesty…?” Fang Jing called out softly!
“I understand. You may leave.”
“Yes, your servant takes his leave!” Fang Jing shakily stood up and had just reached the palace gate when Xie Qianmo called him back!
“Wait!”
Fang Jing quickly turned around. “Does Your Majesty have further instructions?”
Xie Qianmo leaned back, his gaze drifting elsewhere, a hint of calculation appearing in his eyes!
“Summon Tutor Ouyang to the hall to see me!”
“Yes, Your Majesty!”
After Fang Jing left, Xie Qianmo had no mind to look at the memorial papers!
Recalling Qin Yun’s rejection of him a couple of days ago, and then thinking of Fang Jing’s reply!
Xie Qianmo walked to the dragon-patterned table beside him, picked up the wine pot and a goblet, poured himself a cup of strong liquor, and then drank it in one gulp!
He shouldn't have developed any unusual feelings for that young fellow, yet hearing about her embracing Ouyang Siqing, he couldn’t help but feel angry!
Suddenly!
Xie Qianmo’s mind flashed back to the scenes of Qin Yun getting drunk the previous two times!
Back then, she had mentioned the little bun repeatedly!
Could it be… that the little bun Qin Yun spoke of was Ouyang Siqing?
Xie Qianmo narrowed his eyes!
Holding the wine goblet, his grip tightened slightly!
“Bang!”
The porcelain and jade dragon-patterned goblet in his hand shattered on the floor!
…
Because Lanshan Academy and the Imperial Palace were close!
In a short while!
Fang Jing led Dean Tutor Ouyang to Xie Qianmo’s imperial study!
Upon entering the imperial study!
Fang Jing saw the broken wine cups in the corner and understood Xie Qianmo’s anger!
Without a word, he immediately stepped forward to clean them up!
Tutor Ouyang also saw the broken wine cups nearby!
Assuming Xie Qianmo had accidentally dropped them, he didn’t pay much attention!
“This old man pays his respects to Your Majesty! Long live Your Majesty, long live, long live!” Tutor Ouyang knelt and bowed!
“Please rise, Tutor!”
“Thank you, Your Majesty!” Tutor Ouyang slowly stood up!
“Tutor, please take the seat of honor!” Xie Qianmo had regained his usual demeanor, and there was no sign of anger on his face at the moment!
Tutor Ouyang sat on a soft chair nearby!
“Fang Jing, serve tea for the Tutor!”
Fang Jing took small steps towards Tutor Ouyang and poured him a cup of hot tea!
Tutor Ouyang picked up the teacup and took a light sip!
“Is this top-quality Longjing?” Tutor Ouyang stroked his white beard, nodded, and smiled!
“Your Majesty summoned this old man, not just for drinking Longjing tea, right?”
Xie Qianmo tapped the dragon-patterned desk with his right hand and chuckled! “It’s just that I haven’t seen you for a long time, Tutor. I miss you dearly, so I summoned you to have a good chat!”
Tutor Ouyang narrowed his eyes!
Of course, he didn’t believe Xie Qianmo’s words!
He had watched the emperor grow up!
He never did anything without purpose!
But since His Majesty said so, he couldn’t expose him!
“Yes! This old man should have visited Your Majesty sooner, but… recently the academy has been busy! This old man hasn’t been able to get away!”
“Is that so? If Tutor is so busy, why not let Young Master Ouyang help? I recall that Young Master Ouyang has always been by your side in previous years!”
Speaking of Ouyang Siqing, Tutor Ouyang, as his grandfather, was full of smiles! “Siqing has now entered officialdom. He has his own matters, and I don’t want to influence his thoughts!”
“Oh? What matters could Young Master Ouyang have? As a new official, I haven’t burdened him with any pressure!”
Tutor Ouyang stroked his beard. Xie Qianmo’s words sounded a bit awkward to him!
“That lad is just starting in the imperial court. He needs to get along well with his colleagues and learn some social etiquette!”
Xie Qianmo nodded with a smile! “That’s right! Tutor’s words are not wrong, but I see that Young Master Ouyang is no longer young. I wonder… is he married?”
Tutor Ouyang was stunned!
Why did His Majesty bring up the matter of marriage?
Could it be… His Majesty summoned him to arrange a marriage for Siqing?
“Siqing has just entered the imperial court, there’s no need to rush some matters!”
Xie Qianmo smiled! “Young Master Ouyang is talented and handsome. It is gratifying that our Great Zhou can have such a capable person!”
“I was thinking of arranging a good marriage for Young Master Ouyang. Since Tutor feels there’s no rush, then there’s no rush!”
“Thank you for Your Majesty’s permission!” Tutor Ouyang said softly!
From beginning to end, he hadn’t clearly understood what the Emperor was calculating in his heart!
“While a principal wife can be postponed for now, however… in my opinion, Young Master Ouyang should also take a secondary wife to serve him!”
Tutor Ouyang rubbed his forehead, why another secondary wife?
“Tutor, Siqing is still young, and taking a secondary wife seems inappropriate. Siqing is currently not enthusiastic about matters between men and women!”
“Tutor, what do you think of Shan Xiaoyu, the illegitimate daughter of the Left Prime Minister’s mansion?” Xie Qianmo extended an olive branch!
Tutor Ouyang had intended to refuse!
Upon hearing that the secondary wife was the Left Prime Minister’s granddaughter, a certain part of his heart instantly broke!
If it were any other woman, he would have refused without hesitation, but Shan Xiaoyu was from the Left Prime Minister’s mansion!
The Left Prime Minister Shan Qingyun and the Right Prime Minister Su Tai served in the same court, their ranks were comparable!
Both were individuals second only to the Emperor!
Especially the Left Prime Minister Shan Qingyun, who was upright and incorruptible! Establishing some connection with such a person would be beneficial and harmless to their Ouyang family!
Moreover, this was just allowing Siqing to take a secondary wife! It was indeed a good choice!
Since ancient times, it was normal for men to have three wives and four concubines!
First, let’s arrange a secondary wife for Siqing!
This matter was decided!
“Your Majesty, are you sure the Left Prime Minister is willing to marry his granddaughter to our Ouyang family as a mere secondary wife?”
Xie Qianmo smiled! “I am the matchmaker, don’t you trust me?”
Tutor Ouyang hastily stood up and clasped his hands in a salute! “This old man thanks Your Majesty on behalf of Siqing!”
Xie Qianmo waved his hand, signaling Tutor Ouyang to sit down! “Tutor, weren’t you just refusing? Now you can make the decision for Young Master Ouyang!”
Xie Qianmo sneered!
In the face of power and benefits, no one would resist these two things!
Tutor Ouyang felt a bit awkward! “Your Majesty, why must you hold a grudge against this old man! This matter, this old man listens to Your Majesty!”
“The Left Prime Minister’s granddaughter, Shan Xiaoyu, just reached adulthood this year. She is fair-featured and skilled in music, chess, calligraphy, and painting. She is a rare talented woman. Coupled with Young Master Ouyang’s proficiency in both civil and military arts, the two are a perfect match, a talented scholar paired with a beautiful lady. I think it’s excellent!”
Tutor Ouyang kept nodding, he strongly agreed with Xie Qianmo’s words!
He had met that Shan Xiaoyu once, and she was indeed fair-featured. She was indeed suitable for his grandson!
Moreover, it was for a secondary wife, so he was naturally satisfied!
“Your Majesty, as long as the Left Prime Minister agrees, this old man will have no objections!”
Xie Qianmo curved his lips slightly, his eyes full of a triumphant smile!
“About this matter, shouldn’t Tutor inform Young Master Ouyang?”
Tutor Ouyang smiled! “Since ancient times, it has been parents’ orders and matchmakers’ words! It’s just taking a secondary wife, this matter, this old man can make the decision!”