Chapter 431: Chapter 415: Like
Fengyu noticed that Xie Xun was unusually silent—silent during dinner, silent while accompanying her for tea and painting, and now, while reading, he hadn’t turned a single page in a long time.
Fengyu added some silver charcoal to the brazier, warmed a pot of wine on the heater—Xie Xun liked drinking a little wine before bed. The snowy days in West State were bitterly cold, and a sip of wine could warm the body.
She had just checked on Ruyi; perhaps having played outside all day, her child seemed tired and had gone to sleep early without fussing. Why did Xie Xun appear so preoccupied?
"Did something happen while you were out today?"
"I was thinking about Second Brother’s marriage," Xie Xun replied. "Bring those scrolls over."
Fengyu raised an eyebrow and pointed at the rack behind him. "They’re all behind you."
The scrolls sent by Xue Yu featured portraits of various daughters from aristocratic families for casual selection. Although the Xie brothers were still in their mourning period, it didn’t deter people from introducing them to eligible women. If a match was deemed suitable, the woman could be kept at home for grooming, and the wedding could be held by the end of the year or the next. The clans from Jinzhou had largely given up on Xie Xun—most believed that, even if their daughters managed to squeeze into Xie Xun’s back courtyard, they wouldn’t stand a chance against Fengyu. Thus, the target shifted to Xie Jue, who was unmarried, high-ranking, accomplished, tall, and strikingly handsome—a prime candidate for marriage in the eyes of the clans.
The clan leaders from Jinzhou frequently traveled to Jiaozhou with ulterior motives hidden behind polite fronts.
Fengyu had already received sixteen scrolls this year.
Xie Xun opened a scroll—it contained portraits of young women, along with their ages and family backgrounds. After reviewing three scrolls, he puzzledly asked, "Aren’t their heights listed?"
"...No." Fengyu was just as baffled by his remark. "Why would the height matter?"
"Second Brother prefers tall women."
Fengyu commented, "The women in West State are quite tall."
Each region nurtures its people differently. The sixteen-year-old daughter of one of the women sweeping in Fengyu Courtyard was already much taller than Fengyu. Women in the twelve states generally tended to have greater height.
"Have you ever seen a woman taller than Second Brother?"
"...No, can’t say I have."
The three brothers of Marquis Zhenbei Mansion were all tall. If a woman matched their height, it might be difficult to find her a husband—she’d likely have to start her own household. Influenced by Fengyu, more women in the twelve states had been establishing their own households in the past two years. Some ran small businesses or sought ways to make a living independently. These women didn’t depend on men but instead took husbands—so long as the suitor was hardworking, their days often turned out well.
Xie Xun closed the scrolls and poured a cup of wine. "Second Brother says he likes women taller and stronger than him. That must be his petty way of blocking me from pestering him about marriage. Based on that standard, I’d have to find him a man instead."
Fengyu fell silent in an oddly amused way, then she took off her shoes and socks, excitedly climbing beside Xie Xun. He smiled and wrapped her in his arms. Fengyu asked, "Second Brother says he likes tall women? Strong women?"
"Taller than him, stronger than him. How is that possible!" Xie Xun replied. "Compared to me, Second Brother is definitely weaker, though he’s tougher than the average military general. It’s just that he has Shadow Guards at his side and is used to staying untouchable—he doesn’t like to handle things himself. Based on his criteria, I’d only find him a General in the army, not a wife."
Fengyu secretly thought, Maybe someone already has a place in his heart, and he’s just keeping it from you!
"Zhixu, is it possible..."
"But Second Brother doesn’t like delicate and dainty women; he might prefer those with a spirited, valiant demeanor," Xie Xun mused. Among the female generals in the army, some were tall, skilled in combat, and had lively personalities—Second Brother might find such a woman appealing.
Fengyu angrily punched him, only for Xie Xun to catch her fist and kiss it. Fengyu snapped, "Don’t interrupt me!"
"Alright, what do you want to say?"
Fengyu felt her speculation was outrageous. Years ago, when she was at Xiyanshan, she had noticed that Fang Chuning seemed to harbor a faint affection for Second Brother. But Second Brother’s demeanor was cold and impenetrable, revealing nothing. For two years, he hadn’t mentioned Fang Chuning once. Fengyu couldn’t read him—she wasn’t fond of gossip herself, but when it came to Xie Jue’s affairs? That was a whole different story.
"Second Brother says, taller than him, stronger than him!" Fengyu cautiously tested the waters. "What if such a person truly exists?"
"That would be a man, not a wo—" Xie Xun froze, suddenly stiffening all over.
Outside, the wind howled fiercely and snow fell heavily. Xie Xun felt as though someone had poured cold snow over his head, muttering to himself, "What do you mean?"
"Don’t panic, don’t panic..." Fengyu soothed, patting his chest to calm him down. "I mean, what if there really is a woman taller and stronger than Second Brother?"
"Impossible!" Xie Xun rejected outright but then remembered something from long ago. "When my Second Brother went undercover in Beiman, Fang Chuning went there too."
"What? I haven’t heard Junjun mention this!"
"It’s classified. Even Second Brother might not know about it," Xie Xun replied, heart racing. "I overheard Father talking about it—Fang Chuning lived in Beiman for two years, disguised as a woman, to protect Second Brother."
Fengyu was stunned. "?"
She couldn’t even imagine the sight of Fang Chuning dressed as a woman.
Her eyes widened in disbelief!
For Second Brother, did he sacrifice that much? Did no one in this world matter to him?
Xie Xun, confused and hesitant, asked, "Could Second Brother possibly... think he fell for a Beiman Woman?"