These travelogues were quite popular among ladies of the boudoir, as their lives offered very limited opportunities for travel.
The less one had, the more one desired. This was human nature.
"Perhaps something has delayed him."
"The boss insisted he wouldn't write anymore, and I even worried if the old man who wrote the books was ill or had passed away," Yu Mingyue whispered.
"Old man?" Xie Jiayan raised an eyebrow.
"Yes!"
"How did you know the author was an old man?" Xie Jiayan felt like laughing.
"He has traveled extensively, his writing is seasoned and steady, and the illustrations are lifelike yet carry a hint of melancholy. If not an old man, could it be a young gentleman?" Yu Mingyue was very certain.
She was a loyal reader of this old man. Though she had never met him, she felt a deep connection.
Xie Jiayan glanced at her and smiled, "Alright, you are right."
"If I'm right, I'm right. Why the reluctant tone? I'm a good judge of character," Yu Mingyue said proudly.
Xie Jiayan rubbed his forehead. "Yes, Sixth Miss has sharp eyes!"
Yu Mingyue took three books, one for herself and two to give to Youyou and Yuxi.
"Brother Jiayan, do you want one?" Yu Mingyue suddenly remembered Xie Jiayan had been looking at them earlier.
Xie Jiayan shook his head. "No, thank you."
"They are very good reads."
"I know."
"Then I'll give you one."
"I've already read them," Xie Jiayan chuckled softly.
"Brother Jiayan, are you going somewhere else later?"
"Hmm?" Xie Jiayan looked puzzled.
"May I ride in your carriage? My mother and the others have already left."
"Alright." Xie Jiayan's voice was deep and pleasant.
Seeing he agreed, Yu Mingyue curved her lips.
The future Grand Secretary appeared unapproachable, but he was actually quite warm-hearted. He had even agreed to help her second brother enter the Imperial Academy, a difficult task.
Therefore, fostering good relationships, like studying, required consistent effort.
"Are you going to the spring hunt in a few days, Brother Jiayan?" Yu Mingyue asked.
"Yes!"
"The Emperor truly favors you, Brother Jiayan," Yu Mingyue said with a knowing air.
The Emperor always brought his close confidants to the annual spring hunt, either nobles or officials of third rank and above.
Xie Jiayan had only been in office for a year, yet he was already a close confidant of the Emperor.
Perhaps, this time, he might advance even further.
"Hmm?" Xie Jiayan's eyes flickered for a moment.
Yu Mingyue waved her small hand towards Xie Jiayan, signaling him to lean closer.
Several people had entered the study, and Yu Mingyue did not want anyone else to overhear.
Xie Jiayan leaned down. Yu Mingyue stood on her tiptoes and whispered in his ear, "I heard that the Emperor intends to choose you as a consort."
Her warm breath brushed against Xie Jiayan's ear. He was stunned for a moment, then straightened up, raising his hand to press down on Yu Mingyue's head. Yu Mingyue's tiptoes landed back on the ground.
"Absurd!"
"Brother Jiayan, you don't want to?"
Yu Mingyue found his reaction reasonable. Xie Jiayan's talent meant he didn't need the status of a consort, and it would save him from enduring a princess's bad temper later on.
Xie Jiayan walked towards a nearby bookshelf. Yu Mingyue quickly followed, but after waiting for a long time, he did not reply.
"Are you angry? I only heard rumors in the capital. I immediately thought that whoever spread these rumors must be jealous of Brother Jiayan's talent and ability. After all, if someone like Brother Jiayan became a consort, it would be like a precious flower adorning dung..."
Yu Mingyue's voice abruptly stopped.
She seemed to have said something wrong. Comparing a princess of the Great Wei to dung was rather treasonous.
However, compared to being a Grand Secretary, being a consort was hardly worth mentioning.
Xie Jiayan also lowered his head, looking at Yu Mingyue, who was anxiously covering her mouth with her hands, her eyes wide open. She was quite adorable.