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The small hall in the backyard of Baili Academy.

The wisteria chair is simple and majestic, which is also in line with the profound weight of old masters, but there is only one wisteria chair in this small hall, and Mr. Chen Yin, Mr. Xiao Moting, is sitting quietly on the wisteria chair, looking at the young man in front of him.

Xue Poye really felt a bit restrained, only him and Xiao Moting were left in this small hall, if it was in the past, he could deal with it calmly, but in the current situation, the old guy in front of him is very likely to be his master Even the future father-in-law, which made Xue Poye a little jealous. After all, no matter whether he was a disciple or a son-in-law, he had to have a kind of respect and even awe for the serious-looking old man in front of him.

For the same person, once the identity changes, the feelings they convey will also change. This is the most interesting thing for human beings, although it is not necessarily interesting.

"Unexpectedly, you turned around, and finally you stood in front of me." Mr. Chen Yin's voice was calm, and Xue Poye had no way of tasting Xiao Moting's current state of mind from this flat voice.

Xue Poye could only try his best to look like a gentleman, respectful but still dignified: "Students have always hoped to be taught by Mr., today is lucky, it is very glorious."

Mr. Chen Yin smiled lightly: "Teaching? Hehe, Xue Poye, you are too modest. In your heart, I am afraid that no one can teach you."

Xue Poye smiled lightly, this old man has never had a good impression of himself, and this subjective impression cannot be changed in a short while, so he is very accepting of Xiao Moting's bland words, calmly He replied: "Poye has never dared to blaspheme Mr.'s knowledge in the slightest. The survival of human beings always needs the guidance of culture, and Mr. is the guide of culture. Don't let Poye say this, everyone in the world knows it. .”

Xiao Moting waved his hand, sighed, and said: "Don't lift me up so high, I'm old, and I can't bear to be lifted up too high." He picked up the tea bowl next to him, and took a sip , then said softly: "I know your heart, so you don't need to say some nonsense."

The small hall is very quiet. Although there are faint noises from outside, those sounds have almost zero influence on the conversation in the small hall. Xiao Moting and Xue Poye will definitely not be affected by those scattered sounds. Computing thoughts.

Xue Poye couldn't figure out Xiao Moting's real intention, so he didn't answer the conversation, but stood in front of Xiao Moting honestly.Although he is now an official of the imperial court, even the Viscount of Da Chu, Xiao Moting would turn his head to salute him according to his official rank, but in this situation, Xue Poye knew that he had no reason to put on any official airs. In front of the old man, it is better to behave respectfully and respectfully as a junior.

After all, it was for Xiao Suzhen.

He even felt that the more he approached Xiao Moting as an ordinary person, the more he would be favored by the old man. At Xiao Moting's current age and qualifications, he had never seen anything, even if there were really officials. If the coercion goes up, the old man probably won't frown.

"Did you meet Suzhen a few days ago?" Xiao Moting asked suddenly.

Xiao Moting asked a little suddenly, Xue Poye was taken aback, but immediately nodded and said: "Yes, I have seen it!" That day, I almost had a misunderstanding with Xiao Suzhen, and it took me a lot of effort to explain it clearly.

Xiao Moting asked immediately: "Did you know the real intention of my apprenticeship at that time?"

The real intention of Xiao Moting to recruit disciples is to choose a son-in-law who can ride the dragon quickly, Xue Poye knew this very well at that time, so when he heard such a question, Xue Poye could only nod slightly.

It is of course unnecessary to say some false words in front of Xiao Moting.

"So you took this exam just for Suzhen, not to become my student?" Xiao Moting didn't blink, and looked sternly, staring straight at Xue Poye's face.

Xue Poye didn't know how to answer such a straightforward question.

Is it possible to admit it like this, then I would take Xiao Moting too seriously. After all, Xiao Moting's reputation is so loud that many literati flock to become his disciples. If I say that I only participated for Xiao Suzhen Examination, it would be too underestimating the status of "Mr. Chen Yin's disciple", and the old man might lose face.

Now there is no matchmaker talk with Xiao Suzhen, offending the future father-in-law like this, it will not do any good.

It's just that if Xue Poye denied it, he would be too sorry for his sincerity. This time he took the exam, he really stood up for Xiao Suzhen, which cannot be denied.

He hesitated and didn't answer for a moment.

Seeing Xue Poye's serious expression, Xiao Moting didn't answer, stared at it for a moment, finally let out a long sigh, and said slowly: "Xue Poye, it seems that you really have affection for Suzhen."

When Xue Poye heard Xiao Moting's words, he felt very gentle, he was slightly happy in his heart, he looked up at Xiao Moting, and said: "Sir, I...I like Suzhen, I really want to marry her. "

Xiao Moting picked up the teacup again, took a big sip this time, and said: "Xue Poye, it's normal for men to get married and women to get married. But...hehe, you are now As the Viscount of Da Chu, do you still think highly of our Suzhen?"

Xue Poye was startled, only then did he realize that Xiao Moting knew about his encounter in the capital long ago.

Thinking about it, with Xiao Moting's prestige and network of contacts, Xue Poye has flourished in the capital, if he doesn't know, it would be a strange thing.

"Sir, you were joking." Xue Poye tried his best to keep himself calm, and even tried his best to show the respectful attitude of a junior to his seniors. , this life will not change."

Xiao Moting knew that Xue Poye was the Viscount of Da Chu, but in his face and bones he didn't show awe and embarrassment towards the Viscount at all. What he had was just a kind of worry and scrutiny. He seemed to want to treat Xue Poye from the skin to the bone. Go inside and see clearly.

Just relying on his discerning eyesight, he really couldn't see clearly what was in this young man's bones.

In other words, he just saw the flaws and acumen that a young man should have, and even the restraint and composure of Xue Poye's own age. Apart from that, he really couldn't see anything else.

Of course he also wanted to know, how could such an ordinary young man, such a small businessman based in Hangzhou, become the Viscount of Da Chu, and even serve as the deputy general guard of Habayashi and the servant of the household department?

luck?That luck is too good, it's unbelievably good, and it violates the rules of the game of power.

If it wasn't luck, what else could it be?

After a while, Xiao Moting's voice sounded softly again: "You should know that when Hefeng wanted to marry Suzhen, I rejected him." After a pause, he continued; "You are a smart person, you should understand I mean, from the very beginning, I didn't want Suzhen to get involved in the officialdom, and I didn't want her to be burdened by the power struggle in the officialdom."

Crane Wind is Liu Tuo.

Liu Tuo's marriage proposal was rejected by Xiao Moting at the beginning, it seems that the forces behind Liu Tuo are too complicated, Xiao Suzhen may be troubled by it when she enters the Liu family.

For Xiao Suzhen's future, Xiao Moting even cheated, letting Xiao Suzhen pretend to be sick to deceive Liu Tuo.

"Now that you are in the officialdom, do you think I can safely hand over Suzhen to you?" Xiao Moting caressed his long beard, his eyes were surprisingly clear, and he couldn't leave Xue Poye's eyes for a moment.

If it's an ordinary person, I'm afraid they will be scared away by Xiao Moting's clear and stern eyes.

But Xue Poye knew that Xiao Moting was formally discussing some matters with him, and there were worries about Xiao Suzhen and even Xue Poye buried under this look.

"I'm different!" Xue Poye finally uttered three words. He said these three words very carefully, as if they were very heavy, as if he was afraid of making mistakes.

"Are you different?" Xiao Moting's eyes flashed a strange color, and he asked calmly: "I would like to hear, how are you different?"

Xue Poye organized his thoughts in an instant, and slowly said: "I am different from Liu Tuo. Liu Tuo has a deep court background, but I don't. Liu Tuo will fall sooner or later, but I won't." He is full of confidence, Word for word.

"You won't fall?" Xiao Moting sneered: "You are too confident, who in the officialdom dares to say that he will not fall."

Xue Poye said calmly: "What I mean is that if Liu Tuo falls, Suzhen will definitely be implicated, but if I am also in danger one day, I can guarantee that Suzhen will never be implicated. On this point, sir, please believe me .”

Xiao Moting looked at Xue Poye's eyes, those eyes were very clear, like the stars in the dark night, but they seemed so confident, even a seasoned elder like Xiao Moting saw such eyes, unexpectedly gave birth to a smile. A strange feeling, it seems that Xue Poye is really capable of protecting Xiao Suzhen.

Xue Poye didn't finish his words. In the small hall where the two of them were alone, he was very frank and straightforward: "I dare not say how many conspiracies he has in marrying Suzhen, but the husband knows it himself. I'm afraid there is a relationship of interest, but I, Xue Poye, can swear to God that there is not a trace of filth in my love for Suzhen."

Xiao Moting snorted coldly, but did not refute, obviously from the heart, he also acquiesced to Xue Poye's statement.

"I can guarantee with my life that as long as I live, Suzhen will not suffer any harm, and I will do my best to protect her." Xue Poye said firmly: "On this point, sir, please rest assured."

Xiao Moting couldn't help touching the corner of the table next to him with his fingers, and said calmly: "Just based on your two words, do you want me to hand over Suzhen to you?"

Xue Poye reminded with a smile: "Mr.'s words are wrong. My words are just to show my heart. I can marry Suzhen, which is my own promise." Smile: "Sir, don't forget, I have passed three checkpoints."

Of course Xiao Moting can't forget that he made a statement in front of everyone that whoever can break through the three barriers will be accepted as a disciple, and even more so, he will be accepted as a son-in-law. This is what everyone has heard and can testify to.

Xiao Moting frowned, and then opened it, with a strange smile on his face, and said: "Xue Poye, are you trying to remind me?"

Xiao Moting, as a great writer in the Great Chu Kingdom, although he is not like the emperor who promises everything, but he still wants to say something. With his reputation, what he says is naturally a golden rule, which cannot be changed, let alone go back on his word. Yes, otherwise people in the world will despise Xiao Moting in their hearts for turning back on his promises.

And deep down in Xiao Moting's heart, he also intends to marry Xiao Suzhen, the time must be getting closer, if Xiao Suzhen is still safe and sound by then, Liu Tuo will definitely make a comeback when he gets the news.

Marrying Xue Poye is obviously less risky than marrying Liu Tuo.

Xue Poye chuckled, took two steps forward, knelt down on one knee, and said respectfully, "Poye has seen... old man!"

Xiao Moting was stunned for a moment, his expression was extremely complicated, the corners of his eyes twitched, the old man sees through the world situation, although he can deal with many things lightly, but this matter... is really enough.

Xiao Moting stood up, pondered for a long time, and then said lightly: "Bring your betrothal gift, and come to the door gracefully!" After saying this, the old man put his hands behind his back, and under Xue Poye's excited eyes, he walked out slowly into the small hall.