My Fulang is a Delicate Flower Chapter 135 Part 3

"Tsk, I wonder who this remarkable person really is, to make our always dignified Young Master Shen so reluctant to part."

Shen Qingyue, startled by the voice, turned around and saw a person who had appeared behind him at some unknown time.

When he saw it was a familiar face, his brows relaxed again: "Second Brother, you didn't attend court today? Be careful of reprimands."

"I was handling external affairs today, didn't go to court. Knowing you'd arrive in the capital today, I came specifically to pick you up."

Shen Qingxue looked at his younger brother, whom he hadn't seen for nearly a year, his eyes visibly smiling: "Some people really don't recognize a good heart."

Shen Qingyue chuckled softly: "Then I thank Second Brother."

"It's a pity Second Brother came a bit late, otherwise you could have caught a glimpse of my friend."

Shen Qingxue rubbed his chin and said: "Since you've already come this far, why didn't you invite him to our home for a short visit, little brother? That seems somewhat impolite."

Shen Qingyue did not respond to Shen Qingxue's teasing and returned to the carriage by himself.

He spoke to Shen Qingxue from the window: "If I'm subjected to such questioning even before reaching home, who would dare to come to the house?"

Shen Qingxue laughed upon hearing this and quickly lifted his robe to get into the carriage.

"Where is he from? What is his family's scholarly background? Is he a scholar?"

"Why must a family have some prestigious scholarly lineage? Must one necessarily be a scholar?"

Shen Qingxue said, "I'm only asking because I'm genuinely surprised that there's someone who's caught my younger brother's eye. Quickly, tell your Second Brother all about him!"

Shen Qingyue closed his eyes: "The journey was tiring, I'm somewhat weary."

"Qingyue, if you're like this, don't blame Second Brother later for not speaking up for you."

"Then I'll have Big Brother and Third Brother speak for me."

"Hey, I thought your temper had improved after this trip, never expected it to still be like this."

____

When Huo Anding returned to Tongzhou, it was already the twelfth month. Huo Shu and Ji Taoyu, who originally should have returned to Tongzhou later than him, had actually come back earlier than him.

It had been nearly a year since they last saw him. While Ji Taoyu missed his son, seeing that the kid could still stir up trouble even on his way back made it hard not to be angry.

"Where have you been running wild again?"

"You left the academy but didn't even stop by your Brother A-Pan's place. I thought you were hurrying home, but this hurry actually made the trip longer."

Huo Anding didn't mention that he had wandered to the capital, only saying: "I was just delayed a bit on the road, I wasn't running wild."

After speaking, he immediately dashed back inside.

"Hey, you kid, explain yourself clearly!"

Just as Ji Taoyu wanted to grab him, Ji Yangzong and Huang Manjing stopped him first: "Ah, he's been away for so long and has finally come back safely. It's fine as long as nothing happened."

Huo Shu patted Ji Taoyu's back: "Let him rest for a bit, I'll ask him later."

Ji Taoyu sighed: "Alright then."

The whole family reunited, and it was naturally very lively.

After eating the reunion meal with the family, several uncles, aunts, and cousins heard he was back and came over. Huo Anding, who has a good alcohol tolerance, still got drunk.

By the time the family feasts were finished, it was already three days later.

He took the letter he had written some time ago and hurried to the courier station. He gave the courier a heavy packet of silver: "Make sure this is delivered as quickly as possible."

"Of course."

At the end of the year, Tongzhou was exceptionally lively. By the twelfth month of the lunar calendar, the streets were already lined with red lanterns. With the world at peace and life stable, the festive atmosphere was especially strong.

Huo Anding felt that despite the liveliness, something was missing.

Naturally, he knew in his heart what was missing.

Because of this, when he returned to the estate, he didn't go to his own courtyard but went straight to his father's study.

"It's just not like this, look at the strange thing you've written."

"I clearly taught you how to write this character before. You're even harder to teach than when Xiao Taohe first started writing."

He peeked through the window with both eyes and saw his little father sitting at the desk, holding his father's large hands, writing something.

His little father wore a stern expression, scolding his father beside him so fiercely that the latter hardly dared to breathe too loudly.

Huo Anding shook his head slightly. To still be so afraid of his wife at his father's age—what was to be done about him?

He thought it better not to interrupt the couple's good mood for now, but just as he was about to slip away, a pine nut hit him on the top of his head.

"Come in."

Huo Shu's stern voice came from inside the room. Huo Anding winced and rubbed the sore spot on his head.

No wonder his father got scolded by his little father. Even while being lectured, he could still split his attention like this—of course he would get an earful.

"How old are you now, still climbing windows like when you were a child?"

Ji Taoyu put down the brush and looked at the tall, straight young man who walked in. He had grown a lot taller in a year, almost catching up to Huo Shu.

"I was checking if Little father was here or not."

Ji Taoyu rested his chin on his hand: "You were at Changshan Academy for so long, and after coming back you didn't even go out to have fun. Why are you checking if I'm here? Did you cause trouble again?"

Huo Anding walked up with a smile and sat down next to Ji Taoyu in front of the desk.

"No, I've grown up now, how could I still cause trouble?"

Ji Taoyu found the young man's behavior rather unusual: "Then what were you doing sneaking around outside the study?"

"Little father, do you know the Shen family from the capital?"

Ji Taoyu frowned slightly and looked at Huo Shu beside him: "Hmm?"

Huo Shu said: "There's more than one or two families named Shen in the capital. How would we know which Shen family you're talking about?"

"The Shen family of Cabinet Minister Shen Jinyu."

Huo Shu's brow tightened: "Did you offend Shen Jinyu?"

Ji Taoyu's eyes widened in surprise. Though he wasn't thoroughly familiar with capital affairs, his frequent correspondence with Tian Yin—who lived in the capital—had naturally acquainted him with certain matters. 

But even without his contact with Tian Yin, he would know of Shen Jinyu.

After all, there were only a handful of grand secretaries in the cabinet, and second-rank officials were exceedingly rare. With family members serving in the court, how could anyone not know of him?

Moreover, the Shen family had produced officials for generations, with seven or eight members having served in the cabinet. The number of students they had mentored and taught over the years was beyond count.

He remembered that years ago, before Shen Jinyu had entered the cabinet, he had once given guidance to Zhao Pan during a lecture. Even after all these years, Zhao Pan still spoke of it fondly and mentioned it from time to time.

To speak of this Shen family, it can be called a true renowned and aristocratic family.

Huo Anding saw their expressions suddenly turn serious and quickly explained: "No, why would I possibly offend Minister Shen for no reason at all?"

Ji Taoyu slightly relaxed: "Then why are you asking about the Shen family?"

Huo Anding gave a dry cough: "That... it's just to say, with our family's social status..."

"Is it possible for us to be a match for the Shen family?"