“Speaking of which, the Xu family was a wealthy household back in the day.”
Prime Minister Wang sighed suddenly out of nowhere.
Xu Xinnian’s eyelids twitched, and after a moment of silence, he said: “What does the court intend to do about the situation in Yunzhou?”
After Emperor Yuanjing had been executed, two dossiers had been classified as confidential and sealed in the cabinet’s secret chamber.
One of them could only be accessed by officials of at least the full third rank, and Grand Academicians.
This dossier detailed how the top scholar of that year, the Jianzheng’s second disciple, Xu Pingfeng, colluded with the royal bloodline from five hundred years ago to establish a base in Yunzhou, develop secretly, and ferment rebellion.
The reopening of these old cases also brought up former Qi Clique’s collusion with the Church of the Warlock God, supporting the Yunzhou mountain bandits; the Yuzhou iron mine smuggling incident caused by Emperor Yuanjing selling official posts and titles, and so on.
At present, Nightwatchers, censors, and the High Court were all secretly investigating every capital official thoroughly, screening for possible spies.
Local officials were likewise subject to secret investigations.
The other dossier recorded the truth that Emperor Yuanjing, the Zhenbei King, and Emperor Zhende were all one and the same person.
This dossier was not made public, very few knew of its existence.
The Crown Prince—rather, Emperor Yongxing—planned to keep this secret a family secret.
“The defences have already been set up along the border between Qingzhou and Yongzhou. The court has issued several imperial decrees to Yunzhou, instructing Provincial Commander Yang Chuannan to return to the capital to report, but there has been no word from him.”
Prime Minister Wang, said in a grave tone:
“Yunzhou has not rebelled yet, but it is only a matter of time. The Nightwatchers’ agents are still in Yunzhou, and the Yunzhou army and administration have yet to make any move for now. But the court has already lost control over them.
“Your uncle has worked in Yunzhou for many years, his preparations are deep.”
Xu Xinnian frowned: “So the court’s intention is to wait and see?”
Prime Minister Wang, nodded: “His Majesty intends to raise arms next autumn against the royal bloodline of five hundred years ago. But before that happens, Yunzhou may rise up first. The court is already prepared.”
Xu Xinnian understood: “So the Treasury has no surplus funds or grain for disaster relief.”
Prime Minister Wang fell silent.
…
In the spacious house, a period of silence fell.
Second Sister-in-law Zhao Yurong cleared her throat, and in the tone of giving a child an educational lesson, said:
“Young miss, the charcoal your family uses is different from this kind. This is imperial shoujin coal, which only the palace uses.”
Actually, given the current rampant corruption in the Great Feng, it was common for shoujin coal to be sold on the black market. Most high-ranking officials and the wealthy had some at home, though it was rarely used when entertaining guests.
It was usually enjoyed in secret.
Only families like the Wangs, who had received it as an imperial reward, could use it openly and proudly.
Eldest Sister-in-law Li Xianghan picked up a piece of preserved fruit and put it in her mouth, then glanced at Xu Lingyue, who sat diagonally opposite, and smiled:
“We are all family. In a moment, I’ll have the servants pack two pounds of shoujin coal for you. It’s nothing rare, after all.”
Her words implied that, although it was a reward from the emperor, it was of little consequence to the Wang family.
Even a tiny bit of what spills through the fingers of a top aristocratic family was something an ordinary household could never dream of enjoying in a lifetime.
Madam Wang smiled serenely as she sipped her tea. She needed her two daughters-in-law to ‘show off’ the Wang family’s foundation, thus highlighting her own daughter’s noble status.
Xu Lingyue said softly: “Thank you, big sister, but our family already has sixty pounds of shoujin coal. It should be enough for this winter.”
Her voice was gentle, her expression sincere, giving no hint of boasting.
Suddenly, the room fell silent, and the female members of the Wang family wore odd expressions. The status-conscious eldest sister-in-law asked in a low voice:
“Did you buy it on the black market? Sixty pounds, how much silver must that have cost…”
Madam Wang coughed softly, stopping her daughter-in-law with a glance, and said lightly:
“Lingyue, shoujin coal is for imperial use. Though many wealthy families do buy it secretly, it is the sort of thing to do but never speak of. If word spreads, the crown will punish you. In future, do not mention it outside. Do you understand?”
Madam Wang’s words were not exactly tactful; they were a direct warning.
The Xu family is just too bold. Sixty pounds of shoujin coal is no small sum, and to buy so much… just because the Xu Family are newly risen, they must be swollen with pride. They would likely become a troublesome relation…
Second Sister-in-law’s father worked at the High Court, making her particularly sensitive to such matters.
In the capital, newly risen families who became arrogant after gaining favour, and acted as if they were walking on air, rarely met a good end.
Xu Lingyue shook her head and said with naive innocence: “It was a gift from Princess Huaiqing and Princess Lin’an.”
? Madam Wang was visibly taken aback, but quickly regained her composure and said nothing.
Eldest Sister-in-law asked in surprise: “Gifts from the two princesses?”
The confusion was plain in her and Second Sister-in-law’s eyes. As the reclusive wives of a leading clan, they knew little of the outside world, just that the Xu family’s eldest son was impressive, even then not the details.
For example, Xu Dalang was slave to three surnames, among which two were: the Great Feng’s most talented imperial eldest daughter, and Princess Lin’an, once most favoured by the emperor.
Xu Lingyue explained: “On big brother’s reputation, the two Princesses often look after the Xu family.”
Oh Xu Dalang…
Whether they were thinking of Xu Dalang’s legend or not, the two sisters-in-law immediately became a great deal more polite, their smiles much warmer.
Madam Wang’s expression grew solemn. “I heard from Simu that Silver Gong Xu is not in the capital?”
“Big brother has gone travelling,” Xu Lingyue replied.
During the ensuing small talk, the two sisters-in-law continued to “show off” their wealth, constantly revealing the high status of their aristocratic family, using this to highlight the Wang family’s prestige.
Eldest Sister-in-law said, “Erlang serves at the Hanlin Academy. Though it is a top scholarly post, it does not come with much real power. Once he is married, we shall strive to arrange an external appointment after the New Year.”
Xu Lingyue said, “Before big brother left, he had already arranged everything for second brother.”
Second Sister-in-law said, “Erlang is from the Cloud Deer Academy, and is extremely talented, but, in officialdom, skill in dealing with people matters most, and that takes silver to achieve. No matter, I am sure Father has arranged everything.”
Xu Lingyue said, “There is still a ten-percent share left by big brother in the chicken bouillon industry, that brings in several dozen thousand taels each year.”
Eldest Sister-in-law said, “You aren’t married yet, are you, younger sister? Allow me to recommend a few young men from top families with outstanding looks and talent.”
Xu Lingyue said, “Thank you, big sister. If he has half big brother’s abilities, that is enough.”
Eldest Sister-in-law: “…”
After a round of sparring, the two sisters-in-law admitted defeat.
They suddenly realised that, in terms of wealth, connections, and family prestige, the Wang family did not seem to have much advantage over the Xu family at all?
That sense of superiority vanished in an instant.
Fools… Wang Simu secretly shook her head.
The two sisters-in-law had been lured into Xu Lingyue’s rhythm. Every time they tried to flaunt their superiority, Xu Lingyue brought up Xu Qi’an. What was supposed to be a comparison of the Wang and Xu families’ overall strength became a contest between the Wang family and Xu Qi’an.
How could they compare?
Yet both sisters-in-law, fooled by Xu Lingyue’s seemingly harmless appearance, thought they had everything under control, and their repeated loss for words came simply because, indeed, the Wang family was no match for the Xu family.
At that moment, the sound of silver-bell laughter drifted in from outside.
In a moment, two children came running in, a boy and a girl.
The boy was sturdy, wearing a brocade jacket and a fox-fur hat, his skin slightly dark, about ten years old.
The girl was soft and cute, her face round, her eyes big, it was clear at a glance she’d be a beauty in the making, about seven years old.
“Grandmother!”
The two children immediately composed themselves and greeted her respectfully.
“Hao’er and Die’er have come.”
Madam Wang’s face lit up as she called the two children to her side.
Wang Simu took the opportunity to introduce them: “These are big brother’s son and daughter.”
Xu Lingyue nodded.
The two children sat by Madam Wang, the little girl turning her bright black eyes on the chubby peer before her.
The boy, too, was sizing up this unfamiliar little girl.
Eldest Sister-in-law’s eyes brightened, and with an “oh!” of displeasure, she said, “Hao’er, Die’er, quickly greet your little sister.”
At once the two children greeted Xu Lingyin.
Xu Lingyin was focused on eating pastries, nuts, and preserves, wholly absorbed in her own world.
So silly, and so greedy… The two sisters-in-law secretly shook their heads.
Madam Wang’s face had gained a little more smile.
Eldest Sister-in-law asked with a smile, “I haven’t asked yet, has young Miss Lingyin begun her studies?”
Xu Lingyue shook her head, and softly replied, “Not yet. Lingyin is slow-witted; she hasn’t even memorised the ‘Three Character Classic’. There’s no use sending her to school.”
A bigger smile appeared on Eldest Sister-in-law’s face.
“That won’t do. Though us women need not sit the civil service examinations, we should still be skilled in zither, Go, calligraphy, and painting. I think we can send Lingyin to our Wang family’s private school.”
Madam Wang nodded with warmth, “Every month, there are two days when she can go to the palace and study with the princes, listening to the Grand Tutor’s teaching.”
“Cough, cough…”
Wang Simu choked on her tea, coughing until her eyes watered.
“What’s wrong?” Lady Wang looked at her daughter.
“Our Mr Zhang and the Grand Tutor are both getting on in years…” Wang Simu said softly.
So, mum, just let them off.
“Very well!”
Xu Lingyue gave a sweet smile, “Thank you, Lady Wang.”
After a pause, Xu Lingyue said, “Actually, Lingyin has been practising martial arts lately, so she’s neglected her studies. I also think she should read and learn more characters.”
“Practising martial arts?”
All the women in the room wore expressions of “how uncouth”, martial artists were already considered coarse, so for a girl to take up martial arts, it was the coarsest of the coarse.
Wang Hao, whose skin was tanned, suddenly brightened, stood up and glared at Xu Lingyin, saying,
“You practise martial arts too? Let’s have a match.”
His proposal was immediately vetoed by his mother, and his eldest sister-in-law scolded, “Stop talking nonsense. You’re quite a promising talent, but Miss Lingyin is different from you, are you trying to bully her?”
Then she turned to Xu Lingyue and said, “Hao’er has strong bones. The guest expert at the residence praised him as a good prospect and took him as a disciple. Father-in-law also said that practising martial arts strengthens the body, which is a good thing. In future, Hao’er will excel both in civil and martial arts.”
Her tone was rather proud.
Xu Lingyue lowered her head, “My little sister only has some strength.”
She seemed quite self-conscious.
Wang Hao usually couldn’t find a peer opponent, and now that he saw one, he grew excited and hurriedly said,
“Grandmother, I know what I’m doing. Let me compete with her. If you’re worried I’ll hurt her, a guard can supervise.”
Lady Wang still felt it was inappropriate, and was about to refuse when Xu Lingyue said, “All right.”
Hmm? Lady Wang glanced at her, and could only say, “Very well, then.”
She immediately sent a maid to call a guard.
Wang Hao and Xu Lingyin then left the room and entered the courtyard.
Xu Lingyue, Wang Simu, the two sisters-in-law, and Lady Wang all donned capes and gathered under the eaves to observe.
The middle-aged guard rested one hand on his sabre, looking at the children, and said, “Before you spar, let me check your strength.”
As he spoke, he pointed to a stone stool to the side. “Move the stool.”
For him, this was just children playing; there was no risk of “sabres being blind,” but just to be safe, it was best to test their strength first.
If the difference was too great, there would be no point in a contest.
Wang Hao went to the stone table first, crouched down, grabbed the stone stool by its edge and, shouting, managed to lift it up.
His little face turned bright red, veins bulged in his forehead, and after ten steps he was exhausted. During the process, Lady Wang kept saying from the side,
“Go slower, take it slow…”
Second sister-in-law praised, “Hao’er is very capable.”
Eldest sister-in-law beamed. “Actually, studying is still more important. I didn’t want him to do martial arts, but Hao’er’s bones are just too good.”
Eldest sister-in-law had perfected the art of humble bragging without a teacher.
The middle-aged guard, impressed, said, “Young master has a promising future.”
Then he looked at Xu Lingyin. “Don’t force yourself.”
Xu Lingyin finally finished the candied fruits in her hand, licked her palm, and under everyone’s gaze, walked up to the stone table.
She reached out and grabbed the edge of the stone table.
The middle-aged guard was just about to say “not that one,” when suddenly his eyes widened in shock. The stone table seemed as light as a feather, as the little girl grabbed it with one hand and hoisted it above her head.
Raised above her head…
With one hand…
The scene instantly fell silent.
Eldest sister-in-law stared, mouth agape, her whole body frozen, as if struck by a blow she could not withstand.
Lady Wang was moved.
The young Wang boy was stupefied.
Bang!
Xu Lingyin tossed the stone table back in place, then dumbly looked at her sister, “Can we fight now?”
Once it was over, she still wanted to go back to eating.
“No!”
“We’re not fighting!”
Lady Wang and eldest sister-in-law screamed at the same time.
At this point, Xu Lingyue still looked like a gentle, harmless young lady, feeling inferior as she said,
“Lingyin can’t do anything; she just has a bit of strength. Big brother also thinks she isn’t very talented.”
The Eldest sister-in-law just stared at her, lips trembling, unable to speak.
This… Lady Wang and second sister-in-law were also silent.
…
Xu Xinnian had lunch at the residence. After bidding farewell to Prime Minister Wang, he headed for the back courtyard. At the entrance to the inner hall, he saw his two younger sisters waiting, with the family servants carrying a large pile of gift boxes, the presents from the Wang family.
He didn’t go into the inner hall, but nodded from a distance, waiting for the girls to come over with the servants before the three siblings left the Wang residence.
Once inside the carriage, the wheels clattering along, Xu Xinnian glanced at his sisters and asked,
“How did it go?”
Xu Lingyue smiled, “Not bad. Sister Simu is a stickler for etiquette.”
Stickler for etiquette? Xu Xinnian looked at her, puzzled.
Xu Lingyue smiled sweetly.
She still felt it was a pity. If Wang Simu had joined in the fray, it would have been much more interesting.
…
After Xu Xinnian left, Prime Minister Wang drank a cup of tea alone before going into the inner hall.
The atmosphere was somewhat heavy. His wife Lady Wang, two daughters-in-law, and his daughter Wang Simu were sitting in silence.
The daughter was fine, but his wife looked grim, and the daughters-in-law could not hide their discouragement and disappointment.
Prime Minister Wang said mildly, “Was there some unpleasantness?”
The daughters-in-law said nothing.
Lady Wang hesitated, “Dear, I just feel that marrying into the Xu family is not really marrying above our station.”
The Eldest sister-in-law nodded repeatedly, “Exactly, exactly.”
She wanted to send Hao’er to the Xu residence to learn martial arts.
Second sister-in-law said, “Simu and Erlang are actually very well-matched.”
She decided to take the Xu family even more seriously and quietly let go of her sense of superiority.
Wang Simu suddenly said, “Dad, eldest sister-in-law agreed for the young lady from the Xu family to come here to study.”
Prime Minister Wang retorted, “Is there a problem?”
Such trivial matters did not need consultation with him.
Wang Simu said distantly, “If we go back on our promise, let big brother handle it himself at the Xu residence. I won’t play the villain.”
Prime Minister Wang waved his hand, “It’s just a small matter.”
At this point, Prime Minister Wang still hadn’t realised the seriousness of the situation… What puzzled him more was why the female relatives at home looked as though they had suffered a defeat and lost all their fighting spirit.
…
Back at Xu Manor, Xu Lingyin put her hands behind her waist and dashed off to look for her master, Lina, to share all the delicious foods she had tried at the Wang residence.
Xu Lingyue went to the eastern wing to report to her mother.
Auntie, seeing her daughter return, immediately asked, “Did anyone bully you? Did the Wang family look down on us? Did you suffer any grievances?”
Xu Lingyue shook her head, “Nothing of the sort. Lady Wang and the two sisters-in-law were very polite.”
Auntie was sceptical and poked her daughter’s forehead, “You, child, even if you were bullied you’d stubbornly grin and bear it.”
She called her daughter to sit down at the table, and, in earnest tones,
“Tell me everything that happened at the Wang family. I’ll help you analyse what was done well, what wasn’t, and how things should be handled.
“You should remember all of this. When you marry in future, use what I’ve taught you to deal with your mother-in-law.”
Xu Lingyue nodded obediently, “Is that how you treated grandma back then?”
Auntie pursed her lips, “Have you forgotten? Your grandma passed away before I married your father.”
Xu Lingyue sighed, “Mum, you really have good fortune.”
…
Xiangzhou, Chai Manor.
The eight foot tall Vajra Du’nan, clothed in a red and yellow kasaya, arrived at the gate to the middle courtyard.
“Please announce me. This humble monk is Du’nan.”
The burly monk pressed his palms together.
At present, Vajra Du’nan had concealed all his aura. Apart from his towering frame, he looked no different from an ordinary person, and even the fire ring behind his head had been subdued.
The gatekeeper glanced in terror at the giant and stammered, “P-p-please wait here, Master…”
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