Chapter 71
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A sharp sound resonated as the dagger sank deeply into the wood.
Xue Yuan lowered his voice, smiling, “Chang Yuyan, you better tell me the truth.”
Cold sweat broke out on Chang Yuyan’s forehead.
Xue Yuan flicked the dagger, producing a clear, crisp tone. His voice, slightly hoarse from recent illness, already carried a gritty edge, making even neutral statements sound threatening, let alone his current tone, which was anything but pleasant.
Xue Yuan laughed lightly, “If the Emperor hadn’t mentioned me, you wouldn’t have rushed here to see me.”
Chang Yuyan tried to stay calm, “You used to always be at the Emperor’s side, making people envious. Now that I’ve had a private audience with the Emperor, can’t I come to boast a bit?”
Xue Yuan squinted at him, his gaze heavy.
“What could the Emperor possibly say about you?” Chang Yuyan bitterly smiled, “If the Emperor mentioned you, why would I hide it?”
His heart pounded.
All he felt was tension and unease.
He didn’t understand why he wanted to hide his conversation with the Emperor, but looking back, he realized most of it was about Xue Yuan.
This realization instinctively made Chang Yuyan reluctant to reveal the truth to Xue Yuan.
He opened his folding fan, elegantly fanning himself, and after the cold sweat subsided, he smiled, “Xue Jiuyou, why are you acting so strangely today?”
Xue Yuan continued to stare at him.
His outer robe draped over his shoulders, his sharp features undiminished by his disheveled hair. The dagger on the table still gleamed coldly, its vibration gradually subsiding.
Xue Yuan looked away, pulled out the dagger, and continued carving the wood, mumbling, “Colder than I thought.”
Chang Yuyan didn’t catch that, “What?”
“Nothing,” Xue Yuan lazily replied, “Right, I have something to show you.”
Xue Yuan called over a servant, who nodded and ran off after hearing the instructions. Shortly after, the servant returned with a curved blade, presenting it to Xue Yuan.
Xue Yuan picked up the blade, and Chang Yuyan couldn’t help but move closer to inspect it. The scabbard of the curved blade was adorned with gold filigree and thousands of meticulously set jewels. The gold threads were distinct and evenly spaced from end to end. Just from the scabbard, it was clear that this curved blade was extraordinary.
The finer the gold filigree, the more likely it belonged to the royal family. Chang Yuyan blurted out, “Is this a reward from the Emperor?”
Xue Yuan grasped the handle and partially drew the blade. With a sharp “zing,” the keen edge of the blade made a resonant sound as it met the scabbard.
“This was a prize for taking first place during the spring hunt,” Xue Yuan said, caressing the blade. “Isn’t it beautiful?”
Chang Yuyan could hardly take his eyes off it. “It’s extremely beautiful.”
Xue Yuan smiled inexplicably and, after drawing the curved blade, slashed it across the stone table. A white scratch appeared on the gray stone surface.
Chang Yuyan clicked his tongue, “It’s incredibly sharp.”
“It’s truly beautiful, and it’s also truly sharp,” Xue Yuan said, twirling the curved blade in his hand, making Chang Yuyan’s heart race with fear. Finally, Xue Yuan sheathed the knife and turned back with a smile, saying, “A fine blade like this should be in the hands of someone who knows how to use it.”
Chang Yuyan sighed, “Indeed.”
Two quarters of an hour later, Chang Yuyan rose to bid Xue Yuan farewell. As he was leaving the Xue residence, he encountered Madam Xue, who was hurrying in.
Madam Xue, with her makeup perfectly applied, sighed in relief when she saw Chang Yuyan hadn’t left yet.
Chang Yuyan greeted her, and she quickly bade him to rise, asking, “Yan Ger, you are close with Jiuyou. Do you know if he has made any extraordinary new male acquaintances?”
Xue Yuan would insist on going out every day, even when severely injured. Clearly, the person he wanted to see wouldn’t easily come to the Xue residence, and it certainly didn’t seem to be Chang Yuyan.
Madam Xue looked anxious and worried, and Chang Yuyan was puzzled, “Why do you ask, Madam?”
“I see that only you visit our home,” Madam Xue forced a smile. “I thought Yuan Ger might be lonely, so I wanted to know if he had befriended anyone else.”
Chang Yuyan thought to himself, with Xue Jiuyao’s temper, who could possibly get along with him?
Only someone like Chang Yuyan, birds of a feather, could be in cahoots with him. After pondering for a moment, Chang Yuyan hesitated and said, “As for friendship, I wouldn’t know. But if you’re talking about an exceptional man, there is one. It’s the son of Lord Chu from the Ministry of Works, Chu Wei, who was the top scholar when we were classmates.”
“The top scholar,” Madam Xue mused, “I understand.”
When Chu Wei returned home that day, he heard about Madam Xue’s visit.
Chu Wei paused and looked at his mother, frowning, “The Xue residence?”
“Yes,” Madam Chu said. “Madam Xue is looking for a match for her son. She heard you’re still single and came to discuss a possible marriage.”
Chu Wei replied, “Our families are not close.”
Madam Chu scolded, “Talking can make us closer! Madam Xue must be really anxious, and I understand her feelings well. Just like you, you’ve been avoiding marriage under the pretext of studying abroad for seven years. Now that you’ve returned as the top scholar and hold a prestigious position, matchmakers are flocking to our door, but you refuse them all, not caring about your old mother’s feelings.”
Chu Wei pondered.
So Xue Yuan was considering marriage.
For someone with improper thoughts about the Emperor, this could be the perfect way to make him give up.
Chu Wei’s lips barely curved in a smile as he listened to his mother’s lecture, but his thoughts were already on how to help Madam Xue secure Xue Yuan’s marriage.
The next day, Chu Wei accompanied the Minister of the Censorate to a meeting with Gu Yuanbai.
The matters of the Censorate had been concluded. After the Minister left, Chu Wei, as a compiler at the Hanlin Academy, stayed behind with Gu Yuanbai.
After finishing his official duties, Gu Yuanbai, taking a sip of tea, smiled and said, “Minister Chu has been very busy.”
Chu Wei felt slightly embarrassed, “I am ashamed, Your Majesty.”
Gu Yuanbai, his lips dry, drank more tea. The warm tea added a healthy tint to his pale lips. He smiled gently, “Since we have some free time, why don’t you tell me about your travels?”
Chu Wei collected his thoughts and replied earnestly, “What would Your Majesty like to know?”
Gu Yuanbai asked, “How many places have you visited?”
Chu Wei replied, “I traveled south along the Grand Canal and visited most of the prefectures and counties along the way.”
“Did you delve deeply into these places?”
Chu Wei smiled modestly, “I spent seven years on this journey.”
Gu Yuanbai was impressed, “Tell me about your experiences then.”
Chu Wei pondered for a moment before beginning his story. Though known for his aloofness, he had learned much from the scholars and hermits he visited.
These great scholars had varied expertise and different perspectives on the world and its problems. Chu Wei, seeing so much, forgot his youth and focused on the hardships they described, neglecting the good aspects.
As he spoke, his tone slowed, showing a hint of confusion. Gu Yuanbai, removing some tea leaves from his cup, smiled, “Why did you stop?”
Chu Wei pursed his lips, “I don’t know what more to say.”
The problems in various places seemed repetitive and redundant.
Gu Yuanbai asked, “Why not talk about the local customs and food? Or the prevalence of merchants and the state of schools in the prefectures compared to the capital? If there are differences, what are they? What benefits can be taken, and what can be improved? Do you not know about these things?”
Chu Wei was stunned.
He remained dazed for a long time before coming to his senses, a bit absent-minded. “Your Majesty, I didn’t notice those things.”
Gu Yuanbai put down his teacup and suddenly sighed.
The sigh made Chu Wei’s heart race. Was the Emperor disappointed in him?
Chu Wei’s lips turned pale as he lowered his eyes. “Your Majesty, I…”
“Minister Chu, you should know the purpose of studying abroad,” Gu Yuanbai said gently. “It’s to see both the flaws and the strengths of each prefecture. Take Jinghunan, for example. It has many mines. Knowing this, you can tailor its development based on its specific strengths.”
Chu Wei pondered this for a while and then said, “I understand.”
In hindsight, it seemed he had learned nothing in his seven years of travel.
Chu Wei felt a bit dejected but also somewhat relieved. He suddenly smiled, “If possible in the future, I would like to revisit these places with Your Majesty.”
Gu Yuanbai laughed, “That would be very good.”
Chu Wei smiled and suddenly recalled what his mother had mentioned. Feeling a slight stir in his heart, he lowered his eyes and said, “Your Majesty, speaking of my travels, I remembered something amusing.”
Gu Yuanbai raised an eyebrow, intrigued, “Tell me about it.”
“In the countryside, there was an old woman whose youngest son was of age but refused to marry. The old woman, in her anxiety, dragged her son from house to house, visiting families with daughters, and asked everyone she met: ‘Can my son marry your daughter?'”
Seeing the Emperor laugh casually, Chu Wei continued, “Recently, my mother told me that Madam Xue has also started to worry. She seems to be gathering information, preparing to arrange a marriage for Lord Xue.”
Gu Yuanbai suddenly realized that Xue Yuan was already twenty-four years old, an advanced age for an unmarried man in ancient times.
Moreover, unlike Gu Yuanbai, Xue Yuan was in perfect health. He indeed should get married, and Madam Xue’s urgency was understandable.
“That’s good,” Gu Yuanbai said. “Starting a family and establishing a career is a good thing.”
Seeing no change in the Emperor’s expression, Chu Wei felt reassured. He smiled and said casually, “If Madam Xue finds a suitable match, General Xue is currently on his way to the northern frontier. He might not be able to do anything about it. Perhaps Your Majesty might have to grant the marriage yourself.”
Gu Yuanbai opened a memorial and smiled, “We’ll see.”
Granting Xue Jiuyou a marriage?
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