Dao Yun's final glance at Liang Shanbo and Zhu Yingtai exchange new bows

Chapter 89 Dao Yun's final glance, Liang and Zhu exchange new bows

The Xie siblings are about to depart, and Meng Wenlang will also be going to Zhuyun Villa with them.

Outside the quiet dwelling, two oxcarts were ready, the two oxen swaying their tails slowly, occasionally snorting.

With Qingxiao's help, Xie Daoren boarded the oxcart.

After she got into the car, Meng Wenlang led Liang Shanbo over.

As Xie Daoyun sat in the car, her curiosity grew stronger.

Just now in the quiet room, she examined Liang Shanbo through the blue silk curtain, listened to his calm discussion of history, read his poem "Ode to the Cold Pine" written in a short time, listened to his military strategy and his discussions on the world, and listened to Xie Xuan talk about how he defeated He Meng in a wrestling match and how he hit the bullseye with ten out of ten arrows.

From beginning to end, she never actually saw his face.

She couldn't resist meeting him after all.

In her opinion, taking a quick look through the window before parting was nothing out of the ordinary.

Thinking of this, she stretched out a slender hand, her fingertips lightly touching the blue curtain of the window. After hesitating for a moment, she gently lifted a corner of the curtain.

The autumn sun shines brightly outside the window.

Liang Shanbo stood near the carriage window, his posture as upright as a pine tree. Sunlight shone on his face, revealing a clear and bright appearance with delicate eyebrows and bright eyes.

Just as Qingxiao had said, he was handsome and tall, and even in his simple clothes, he possessed a unique and refined air.

As Liang Shanbo watched Xie Xuan board the carriage, he suddenly noticed something, turned his gaze, and looked towards the carriage window.

In an instant, his eyes met Xie Daoyun's.

In just a moment, Xie Daoyun saw his eyes, clear and deep.

She hurriedly lowered the green curtain, which swayed gently as it fell before coming to a complete stop, and her heart skipped a beat.

Neither Xie Xuan nor Meng Wenlang noticed this scene, nor did Aqi.

However, the autumn wind saw it, and the autumn sun saw it.

Liang Shanbo only caught a glimpse of Xie Daoyun's face. The gap in the green curtain was small, and he could only see one eye, clear and bright, with slightly upturned corners, exuding an inexplicable elegance; a curved eyebrow, its color like distant mountains, with just the right amount of thickness; and half of her face, graceful and beautiful.

Although he hadn't seen her in full, this brief glimpse was enough for him to judge that Xie Daoyun was no ordinary woman.

Although Xie Daoyun only caught a fleeting glimpse of him before parting, his appearance and demeanor were immediately and deeply imprinted in her mind, unforgettable.

Some people you can see a hundred times and still not remember, while others you can't forget after just one glance.

For her, Liang Shanbo was undoubtedly the latter.

When Liang Shanbo saw Xie Daoyun, Xie Xuan, and Meng Wenlang off, Zhu Yingtai was still listening to a lecture in the Jiazhai Lecture Hall.

He did not go to the lecture hall, but returned to the dormitory alone.

Not long after, the door was pushed open, and Zhu Yingtai returned.

Zhu Yingtai had already learned from Liang Shanbo that morning that her brother Liang would be tested by Xie Xuan today. As a result, she hardly paid attention in class this morning, and it seemed that she hadn't really absorbed a single word of the scriptures the teacher was talking about.

She was constantly thinking about Brother Liang's examination. What was the exam like? How did he do? What was Xie Xuan's attitude? Would he make things difficult for Brother Liang?

These thoughts swirled in her mind.

As she returned to the schoolhouse, she immediately saw a sword placed at the foot of Liang Shanbo's wooden couch.

She paused slightly, her eyes suddenly sparkling.

She sat down on her wooden couch, leaning forward slightly, her hands resting on the edge of the couch, her eyes full of curiosity and concern: "Brother Liang, how did the test go today?"

Looking at her anxious and nervous face, Liang Shanbo smiled slightly and then recounted the entire story of today's examination.

It describes how Xie Xuan and Xie Daoyun tested him on philosophical discussions, how they made him compose poems, and how they questioned him on military strategy.

He recounted how Xie Xuan gifted him a sword named "Waiting for the Time Sword," explaining its significance and importance.

It describes how he defeated He Meng in a wrestling match, and how his archery skills were so impressive that he hit the target with ten arrows out of ten, including five that hit the bullseye.

It also recounts how Xie Daoyun gifted him a "Pine and Cypress Style Letter Paper".

He even went into detail about how he had gotten Xie Xuan's permission to ask Xie Xuan for something in the future.

After hearing this, Zhu Yingtai breathed a long sigh of relief and her face lit up with joy: "Brother Liang, this is the strong wind you were talking about! With a powerful family like the Xie family of Chenjun willing to recruit and support you, you will surely be able to transform into a roc, spread your wings and soar high, flying thousands of miles."

Seeing her overjoyed expression, Liang Shanbo felt a surge of warmth in his heart, and then handed her the Pine and Cypress Leaf Letter and the Waiting Time Sword.

She examined the letter describing the pine and cypress trees again and again, then smiled at Liang Shanbo and said, "The pine and cypress trees. This Madam Xie has excellent taste."

Then she put down the note, picked up the Waiting Sword, and examined it over and over again.

After reading it, she returned the sword and letter to Liang Shanbo. After hesitating for a moment, she finally couldn't help but ask, "Brother Liang, what is it that you need Mr. Xie's help with?"

She quickly added, her voice softening, "If Brother Liang feels it's inconvenient to talk to me about this now, then I won't say anything. I'm just a little curious."

Liang Shanbo remained silent for a moment before speaking, his voice tinged with apology: "Brother, it is indeed inconvenient to tell you about this now. When the time is right, I will tell you."

Zhu Yingtai hummed in agreement and nodded gently.

She wasn't angry.

She knows how to be tactful and understanding. Since Brother Liang said it's inconvenient, there must be a reason for it.

But her curiosity only grew stronger.

What could be so mysterious? Brother Liang had always been very open with her, sharing everything from his background and education to his hobbies and aspirations; she knew almost everything about him. Yet, this was something he couldn't even reveal to her.

Liang Shanbo looked at her thoughtful expression, but he was secretly thinking about something else.

If Mr. Meng were to ask him, would he confess to Mr. Meng or not?

Thinking of this, he felt somewhat troubled.

A few days passed in the blink of an eye.

In the past few days, Meng Wenlang has not asked Liang Shanbo about that matter.

It wasn't that Meng Wenlang wasn't curious; he was indeed curious about this matter. However, after much thought, he ultimately decided not to ask. Since his disciple had said it was "inconvenient to discuss now," pressing him would put his disciple in a difficult position. Between master and disciple, some things didn't need to be rushed. He would naturally find out in the future.

On this day, Zhu Tao suddenly sent someone to deliver an invitation to Meng Wenlang.

The letter was written by Zhu Tao, with vigorous and powerful strokes. It said that a banquet would be held at Zhuyun Villa the next day, inviting Meng Wenlang and his disciple Liang Shanbo to attend. The letter also said, "There are no other guests, only you and your nephew Liang."

After reading the invitation, Meng Wenlang summoned Liang Shanbo to his study and explained the meaning of the invitation.

-

Liang Shanbo listened, and he already understood. A few days ago, Xie Xuan stayed at Zhuyun Villa for two days, and Zhu Tao entertained him the whole time, fulfilling his duties as a host. Mr. Meng also attended the banquet. Zhu Tao naturally knew that Xie Xuan greatly appreciated him. And a seasoned person like Zhu Tao would not invite only the master and disciple without a reason.

Meng Wenlang smiled and said, "Lord Zhu's invitation to this banquet is mostly because you have gained the favor of the Xie family of Chenjun, and he wants to befriend them. Lord Zhu is a discerning man; he took a liking to you at the 'Winter Solstice Qingyin Gathering' last year. When you go this time, you must observe the proper etiquette, but you don't need to be too reserved."

Liang Shanbo respectfully replied, "This disciple understands."

The following day, a casual banquet was held at Zhuyun Villa.

A gentle autumn breeze ripples across Qiantang Lake, its surface shimmering with clear blue light, while distant mountains appear as dark green hues.

In the villa, the osmanthus flowers are in full bloom, filling the garden with fragrance.

Meng Wenlang brought Liang Shanbo to the banquet. Zhu Tao also attended with his grandson Zhu Yan. These were the four people present.

After the guests and hosts had exchanged greetings, they took their seats. Zhu Tao sat in the host's seat, Meng Wenlang sat in the head seat of the guest, and Zhu Yan and Liang Shanbo sat below their respective elders.

During the banquet, Zhu Tao remained composed, sometimes discussing recent events at court with Meng Wenlang, and other times exchanging a few words with Liang Shanbo about classical texts and history. Zhu Yan would occasionally chime in, his gentle words perfectly balancing the atmosphere of the gathering.

The atmosphere was relaxed and harmonious, unlike the formality of a banquet, and had a more homely feel.

As the banquet drew to a close, Zhu Tao looked at Liang Shanbo and suddenly became somewhat solemn: "Nephew Liang, I have held you in high regard since the 'Winter Solstice Pure Music Gathering' last year. I have also heard of Xie Youdu's high praise for you after meeting you a few days ago."

His tone softened: "I am willing to give you 20,000 coins. With this money, you can be free from the burden of making a living and focus on your studies, so as not to disappoint Mr. Meng and me."

Neither Liang Shanbo nor Meng Wenlang were surprised by this scene. Before coming, they had already guessed what was going on. A man like Zhu Tao wouldn't invite someone to a banquet without a reason. The banquet was just a prelude; the real purpose was to build a relationship.

Liang Shanbo looked at Meng Wenlang, his gaze questioning. Meng Wenlang hesitated slightly, then nodded gently and said, "Since it is the Prefect's kindness, you shall accept it."

Liang Shanbo stood up and bowed respectfully to Zhu Tao: "Your Excellency's generous gift is too much for me to bear. I will diligently pursue my studies and dare not fail your expectations today."

A thought quietly flashed through his mind: these 20,000 coins can be saved for his future marriage.

Zhu Tao smiled and nodded.

Zhu Yan watched from the side, feeling somewhat dazed. Last year at the "Winter Solstice Poetry Gathering," he and Liang Shanbo had engaged in philosophical discussions and composed poems together. At that time, he was Zhu Tao's grandson, while Liang Shanbo was merely a poor student from Wansong Academy. Now, in less than a year, his grandfather was going to specially host a banquet for Liang Shanbo and give him 20,000 coins, clearly intending to cultivate a relationship with him and treating Liang Shanbo as someone who needed to be treated with great respect.

The banquet ended in high spirits.

When Meng Wenlang and Liang Shanbo bid farewell, Zhu Tao instructed Zhu Yan to escort them out of Zhuyun Villa. Zhu Yan bowed deeply to Meng Wenlang at the door, saying, "Have a safe journey, Mr. Meng," and then cupped his hands to Liang Shanbo, displaying impeccable manners.

Then, Zhu Yan returned to Zhu Tao and couldn't help but ask, "Grandpa, is Liang Shanbo truly worthy of such treatment from you?"

Zhu Tao picked up the wine cup on the low table, took a small sip, and then nodded, saying, "It's worth it."

He put down his wine cup and spoke slowly and deliberately: "The Xie family of Chenjun is at the height of its power in the court. Xie Anshi is in charge of the central government, and Xie Youdu is deeply trusted by his uncle. They will surely assume great responsibilities in the future and are by no means ordinary people."

Liang Shanbo is skilled in both literature and martial arts, and is highly praised by Xie Youdu. Although he comes from a poor family, his talent and opportunities are beyond the reach of ordinary people. Even if he does not become a high-ranking official, it will not be difficult for him to become a low-ranking official, and he is even expected to become a middle-ranking official.

My Zhu family, though considered a prominent clan in Wu Commandery, ultimately cannot compare to the Wang family of Langya or the Xie family of Chen Commandery in the broader Jiangnan region. Before this young man rises to prominence, it is wise to establish a good relationship with him. If he achieves success in the future, it may benefit my Zhu family. This is a worthwhile calculation.”

Zhu Yan remained silent upon hearing this, looking at his grandfather's aged face, a face that held a familiar air of deep wisdom.

He nodded, agreeing with his grandfather.

However, Zhu Tao had something else on his mind that he didn't say aloud.

Based on his understanding of the current political situation and the general trend of the world, he had a vague premonition that the Eastern Jin Dynasty might be in turmoil in the not-too-distant future.

The pressure from the north was like a dark cloud looming over the city; the infighting within the court never ceased; and the open and covert struggles between powerful clans intensified. All these seemingly stable things could crumble at some unexpected moment in the future.

Having lived to such an old age and witnessed countless rises and falls, he knew all too well that peaceful and prosperous times were never a given.

Liang Shanbo possessed both literary and martial talents, was calm and composed, and had the powerful backing of the Xie family of Chenjun. In times of peace and prosperity, such a person might be just an ordinary official from a humble background, climbing the ranks step by step, ultimately limited by his birth. But in times of chaos, he could become a pivotal figure who could turn the tide.

In chaotic times, while family background matters, true ability is valued even more. And Liang Shanbo possessed precisely this true ability.

Today's banquet and the 20,000 coins represent an additional investment he made in Liang Shanbo. It's an investment in adding to the good life during times of peace, and even more so, a precautionary measure for times of chaos.

Zhu Tao couldn't say these things.

Even his eldest grandson, on whom he had placed high hopes, could not speak out at this moment.

He finished the last sip of cold wine in his cup, his Adam's apple bobbing as he swallowed the words he hadn't yet uttered.

September arrived in the blink of an eye.

Wansong Academy once again welcomed its annual Autumn Archery Competition.

Outside the back gate of the academy, the open field was bustling with noise. All the students had gathered there, some drawing their bows and shooting arrows, others watching and cheering. The atmosphere seemed even more enthusiastic than last year.

Last year at the autumn archery competition, Liang Shanbo and Xiao Hu exchanged three arrows before a winner was decided. That scene is still fondly remembered by the students at the academy.

Talk about it with pleasure.

This year is different.

Liang Shanbo's archery skills had improved significantly since last year, allowing him to decisively defeat Xiao Hu and Wang Shu, once again claiming the top prize. He received his reward from Meng Wenlang, which was still a brand new bow and arrows.

Perfect timing. The bow that Zhu Yingtai had received was a gift from him when she won the autumn archery competition last year. After a year of frequent use, the bow was worn out. This new bow and arrows arrived just in time, and he gave it to Zhu Yingtai again.

Zhu Yingtai accepted it again.

However, on her day off, she went to the county town and bought a new bow and arrow set, exactly the same as the ones Liang Shanbo had won in his two autumn archery victories. Both were made of mulberry wood, with bowstrings made of twisted deer sinew. The quiver was made of leather, with a leather rope binding the opening, and contained twelve arrows.

She then gifted the new bow and arrows she had personally purchased to Liang Shanbo. Liang Shanbo's old bow, after more than a year of frequent use, had naturally worn down, and the bowstring had been replaced more than once.

In this way, both of their new bows and arrows were gifts from each other, giving them an unusual significance.

As for the old bow that Liang Shanbo gave to Zhu Yingtai, Zhu Yingtai certainly wouldn't throw it away.

This old bow held immense significance for Zhu Yingtai. Even though it was old and inconvenient to use, she would still cherish it with utmost care.

Perhaps, I'll cherish it for a lifetime.