The Cui family of Qinghe was a prominent family for a century. Among the officials in the current dynasty, one out of every ten officials was from the Cui family of Qinghe. Among the officials from poor families below the sixth rank, one out of every four was recommended by the Cui family, which shows how powerful they are.
In addition to the children of aristocratic families, there were also many well-known children from poor families attending the banquet. However, most of them came because they did not want to offend Grand Duke Cui or to repay a favor.
Every official child of an aristocratic family brought precious gifts, firstly to show off the wealth of the family, and secondly to please Taigong Cui, hoping to use the gifts to marry the Cui family's daughter, so as to climb the high branch of the Cui family in Qinghe.
After Xie Yuan arrived, Lu Zhong followed his instructions and went to find the head of the Lu family to reunite with him. He carried a wooden box on his back and took Huo Qubing to visit Taigong Cui.
Birthday gifts have to be opened in person, and those who show off their wealth are in the yard, wanting to see which ones are not as good as themselves, so as to ridicule them.
When Xie Yuan entered, the servant announced at the top of his voice——
"Thank you from Longgang Academy!"
As soon as the words fell, the entire audience fell silent. After hearing the word Xie Yuan, everyone turned their attention to the door.
Not far away, there are two young men in cloth clothes and scarves. The one behind them is full of nobility, and the one in front is handsome and gentle.
Cui Taigong, who was sitting in a high position, recognized Xie Yuan at a glance.
She is somewhat similar to Xie Qi, especially her eyes.
As for the latter one, he looks like the governor of the Huo family. He is probably the young man of the Huo family, Huo Qubing.
"Junior Xie Yuan, please pay homage to Taigong Cui." Xie Yuan and Huo Qubing both bowed their heads and bowed.
"No need to be polite." Cui Taigong waved his hand.
"I heard that Taigong Cui was celebrating his birthday, and I brought him here to celebrate his birthday. I specially gave him a map of Qinghe Kanyu." Xie Yuan lowered his eyes and spoke warmly.
Qinghe Kanmap?
Everyone was stunned, and then burst into laughter.
The Cui family made their fortune from Qinghe, so how could they not be familiar with the topography of Qinghe? What would they do with such a poor map?
Grand Duke Cui narrowed his eyes and asked Xie Yuan and the others to submit the map.
The Kanyu map is exquisitely made, with a line of small words on the edge——
"Given to the Cui family of the Jin Dynasty..."
He was smart enough to use this method to remind him that the Cui family was a member of the Jin Dynasty and should not override the imperial power.
In fact, when he resigned and went into seclusion, he realized that Emperor Tianwu was jealous of the overwhelming power of his Qinghe Cui family and was afraid that his Cui family would become the second Qi family.
He didn't want Cui to follow in the footsteps of Qi, so he decided to resign.
Although there are still children of the Cui family in the court today, under his secret instructions, they no longer compete for power with the major families.
Although Xie Yuan is just starting out, he already has many disciples. If he is allowed to rise in time, he will definitely become the leader of the Han family. If he wants the Cui family to stay away from the court and not be controlled by the royal family, he can join forces with the Han family.
Therefore, wooing Xie Yuan is the best choice.
This was the purpose of his invitation to Xie Yuan.
When he met him today, he found that Xie Yuan was indeed as expected, a sharp-edged and restrained person.
It can help a little or two.
"Thank you, Mr. Xiaolang, for this gift. I really like it." Taigong Cui became more and more satisfied as he looked at Xie Yuan. He stroked his long beard and laughed loudly.
Everyone: "??"
What's wrong with Mr. Cui? The Xie family of Chenjun and the Wang family of Langya gave him so many gifts just now, but it's not surprising that he was smiling like this.
After Xie Yuan left, he was not taken to the guest banquet, but was invited to another attic by a servant.
The banquet started in the evening. During the day, most of the guests were happy to chat or play with the water bottles——
Since the Wang family who wrote the preface to Orchid Pavilion became famous in the Central Plains, Qu Shui Shui Shang became popular among the nobles.
Although he didn't understand the purpose of being brought here, Xie Yuan was happy to be at ease.
Those people who play music and drink wine and compose poems mostly pursue gorgeous rhetoric and sound grand, but in fact there is no real moral connotation - in short, Xie Yuan finds it very boring.
Furthermore, most of the people coming today are the younger generation of the noble clan, who want to use the birthday banquet to marry the Cui family, so they will fight over strange things and even have a small talk.
Xie Yuan also couldn't bear to listen to plain talk.
He wouldn't believe those mysterious and mysterious things.
He is a materialist.
"My lord, why did Cui's servant bring you to this secluded place?" Huo Qubing looked around and asked in a low voice.
"Probably Mr. Cui wants to see me." Xie Yuan thought for a while.
The only Cui he knew was Taigong Cui whom he met today.
"oh."
The two waited for a while and saw an old man slowly approaching with a pear wood cane.
It's Taigong Cui.
"Junior, I have met Mr. Cui." The two of them bowed.
"You two gentlemen, you don't need to be polite. Please sit down." Cui Taigong pointed to the small pavilion next to him.
"Thank you Mr. Cui."
The three of them were seated, and the maid brought them fragrant tea and a chessboard.
"Xie Xiaolang, do you know how to play chess?" Cui Taigong took a sip of tea and asked with a gentle face.
"Junior knows a little bit about it."
"There are young people outside, and I can't listen to the conversation. Why don't you talk with your hands?"
"good."
In this way, Xie Yuan and Cui Taigong each held their chess pieces and began to play the game.
Huo Qubing looked behind them.
After a moment, the little boy who couldn't understand silently looked away.
I am bored……
After burning the incense, looking at Xie Yuan's child falling slowly, Cui Taigong's eyes flashed with approval.
This game of chess seemed to be retreating step by step, but in fact it was retreating in order to advance. By the time he realized Xie Yuan's huge layout, he was deeply trapped in it and could no longer escape.
It’s good to know how to be patient.
"I lost." He put down the chess pieces and admitted defeat gracefully.
"It was Cui Gong who gave way to this junior." Xie Yuan smiled.
"Xie Xiaolangjun's chess skills are superb, and he can compete with that boy from the Wang family. I don't feel ashamed if I lose to you. You don't have to be humble." Cui Taigong waved his hand.
Xie Yuan drinks tea.
The young man of the Wang family mentioned by Cui Taigong was the Wang Xizhi who wrote the preface to Orchid Pavilion and attracted the admiration of countless nobles.
He is truly the best in the Central Plains.
"Thank you, Mr. Xiaolang, have you ever promised marriage in your family?" Cui Taigong stroked his long beard and asked with a smile.
Marriage?
Could it be...
Huo Qubing's ears immediately stood up.
"My mother died young and never arranged a betrothal for the younger generation." Xie Yuan shook his head.
There is no marriage.
Cui Taigong's eyes flashed and he clapped his hands.
Soon, a young girl was brought by the maid and bowed politely to the three of them.
The girl is gentle, her eyebrows are crooked and she smiles very beautifully.
"I have a daughter at my knees - she is about to have haircuts and has never been married. She just fell ill when she was young and cannot speak. I wonder if the young man from the Xie family is interested in my son?" Cui Taigong asked straight to the point.
Dumb?
Huo Qubing looked at Cui Xunzhi with curiosity in his eyes.
Cui Xunzhi glanced at Xie Yuan.
Xie Yuan said warmly: "This junior comes from a poor family and is not worthy of Cui's daughter."
"I choose a son-in-law regardless of his family background." Cui Taigong said calmly.
Xie Yuan: “??”
Ah, you don't play according to the routine?
But he doesn't want to get married.
If he really marries the daughter of the Cui family, the future career of the academy and even his disciples will probably be linked to the Cui family.
He was just thinking about how to refuse, when he heard Taigong Cui say again——
"If the young man from the Xie family has no intention of marrying a wife, he might as well accept her as his disciple. The Cui family has thousands of books. You can give a copy to Longgang Academy."
"...If this is the case, then the junior will be more respectful than obedient."
It's not that he doesn't want to refuse, it's that he gave too much.
A collection of thousands of books! This chapter has been completed!