Tie Kui returned to his own residence. He lived in a three-courtyard house. As the previous owner was a civil official, the house was decor...
Tie Kui returned to his own residence. He lived in a three-courtyard house. As the previous owner was a civil official, the house was decorated in an elegant, refined style.
When the steward, Zhong Shan, saw Tie Kui, he handed him an invitation card. "Someone delivered this invitation today." Tie Kui trusted this steward; otherwise, he wouldn't have entrusted him with managing his household affairs.
Tie Kui took the invitation and saw the signature 'Qiu Jian'. His expression darkened. 'Qiu Jian' was the alias that Han Jianming had used when he left the city. As far as Tie Kui knew, Han Jianming was far away in the northwest. Therefore, whoever had sent this invitation was either testing him or was genuinely one of Han Jianming's people.
Tie Kui knew that Yan Wushuang was highly capable—being able to build such a powerful force while remaining hidden was proof enough. However, the man was overly suspicious and had a dark, inscrutable temperament, making him difficult to understand. Tie Kui was unwilling to serve someone like that. Yet, he also didn't dare to betray Yan Wushuang. If he were discovered, Yan Wushuang would make him wish he were dead. There had already been precedents.
After a moment's thought, Tie Kui called Zhong Shan into the study and told him, "This 'Qiu Jian' is Han Jianming's alias." Zhong Shan and Tie Kui joined the army at the same time and were very close because their personalities suited each other well. Later, Zhong Shan ended up assisting Tie Kui after something happened to him.
Zhong Shan also knew Han Jianming's true identity and wondered aloud, "Is it because you unintentionally let him go back then that he now wants to recruit you?" Zhong Shan thought that Han Jianming was extremely bold—he had actually dared to send someone to approach Tie Kui without even fearing that the messenger might be captured.
Tie Kui corrected Zhong Shan, saying, "I didn't let him go unintentionally. Although I hadn't seen him for nearly twenty years, Han Jianming hadn't changed much from how he looked as a child." His facial features were largely the same, so Tie Kui recognised him after just a few glances. That was why he let him go.
Zhong Shan did not ask Tie Kui, who had grown up in Anshan, how he had met Han Jianming, because he knew this brother of his had secrets. For instance, Tie Kui's father was just an ordinary hunter in Anshan, and his family was not well-off. Yet Tie Kui could write beautifully and also spoke the official dialect fluently—exceptionally well, in fact. Zhong Shan only knew these things because they were so close, but he had never asked about them.
Zhong Shan smiled and remarked, "Your memory is really impressive, as you can still remember someone you met when you were five. Now that Han Jianming's people have come knocking, they're clearly trying to win you over to their side. How do you intend to handle it?"
Tie Kui shook his head. "I haven't decided yet."
After a moment of silence, Zhong Shan suggested, "Kui-zi1, how about this? I'll go to Hongfu Restaurant to meet this person and test him." In the capital, many people knew Tie Kui, but very few knew Zhong Shan.
Tie Kui pondered for a moment, then shook his kuihead. "No. What if this is a trap set by Yan Wushuang? If you go, we might both lose our lives." Yan Wushuang's agents were extremely formidable, and Tie Kui was worried that this was a setup. If Zhong Shan went, both of them might die horribly. Having survived many hardships to reach this point, he had to be cautious.
Zhong Shan grew worried as well and asked, "Then what should we do?"
Tie Kui thought for a long time before finally deciding not to go. "Burn the invitation. If someone sends another one next time, capture and interrogate that person."
Zhong Shan nodded. "That's for the best. There are too many spies and informants in the capital, so we must be cautious." It would be pointless to contact Han Jianming, and if the Imperial Court caught them, their lives would be at risk. So it was better to keep their distance.
Zhong Shan hesitated for a moment, then asked, "Kui-zi1, did you let Han Jianming leave the city just because you know him?" Zhong Shan felt there must be other reasons.
Tie Kui didn't answer the question. "I'll tell you when the time is right." Yan Wushuang was extremely suspicious by nature—if he were to learn Tie Kui's true background, even if Tie Kui had done nothing wrong, he wouldn't end well. Therefore, the fewer people who knew his identity, the safer he would be.
Tie Kui's caution was indeed justified. The messenger was undoubtedly Han Jianming's man, but he was already under surveillance. If Tie Kui or Zhong Shan had gone, they surely would have been discovered by the imperial court. At that point, things certainly would not have ended well.
The capital suddenly became lively because the Emperor was selecting consorts. There were two requirements: first, the candidate had to be the daughter of an official of at least the fifth rank; and second, she had to be at least 15 years old. Usually, families who doted on their daughters would arrange engagements before they came of age. However, this time the criteria had changed—since the selection was limited to the capital, daughters of seventh-rank officials were also included.
The Ministry of Rites worked very efficiently, registering all eligible candidates in the capital and submitting the list to Yuchen within just three days.
Yuchen casually flipped through the list and told the Minister of Rites, "Proceed according to the rules." Those who wished to enter the palace as consorts still had to undergo examinations. Only after passing and being granted a rank would they officially become Imperial Concubines.
Momo Gui brought over a cup of tea and handed it to Yuchen. "Niangniang2, have some tea." Ever since Yuchen had learned that the Emperor was going to select consorts, she had been unhappy. Momo Gui understood—what woman would be happy to share her husband with others?
Yuchen took a sip of tea and set the cup down, her gaze resting on the blue-and-white lotus pattern on it. The elegant glaze was soothing to look at. "Once these women enter the palace, these peaceful days will be gone." With more women, there would be more trouble.
Momo Gui advised, "Niangniang2, don't take it to heart. No matter what, those people can't overturn the sky3." Yuchen not only managed the harem but also enjoyed the Emperor's favour, so there was no need to fear the newly arrived concubines.
After saying this, Momo Gui lowered her voice and added, "Niangniang2, perhaps it's time to have Imperial Physician Le take a look." It had been quite some time since the mourning period had ended, yet Yuchen still showed no signs of pregnancy. With new concubines about to enter the palace, Momo Gui felt that this matter should be addressed urgently.
Yuchen originally didn't want another child, but times had changed. If she were still in the wangfu4, even without bearing another child, she would have been confident that her son's position would remain secure. But now, she no longer had that confidence. After all, the struggle for the throne has always been the most brutal.
As they were speaking, Shi Qin entered from outside and reported, "Niangniang2, the Emperor has already agreed to confer the title of Pingxi Wang5 upon Yun Qing."
Yuchen asked, "Is this news confirmed?" Seeing Shiqin nod, Yuchen's expression turned extremely grim. Although Yun Qing and Yuxi had previously seized the northwest, the public still regarded them as rebels and traitors. However, the Emperor's agreement to Yuxi's request and granting of the title of Wang to Yun Qing had effectively legitimised their actions.
Even Momo Gui couldn't remain composed. "How could the Emperor agree to this?" By granting Yun Qing the title of Wang, the Emperor was essentially approving the handover of governance of the northwest to Yun Qing and Yuxi.
Yuchen fell silent.
Yuxi, however, did not yet know that the Imperial Edict granting Yun Qing the title of Wang had already been issued. At that moment, she was hearing from her subordinates that Yun Qing had sent a young woman back.
Upon hearing the news, Xu Wu was concerned that Yuxi might misunderstand, so he hurried over to explain to her: "On his way to the military camp, the General came across this young lady having an episode. So he had someone send her back here."
After hearing this, Yuxi asked, "What is this young lady's background?" Yun Qing hadn't behaved unusually lately, so even though a young woman had been brought back, Yuxi wasn't anxious or upset. As long as her husband didn't intend anything, she had nothing to worry about.
Xu Wu replied, "It's already been confirmed. This woman is from the second branch of the Xie family, ranked seventh among the daughters, with the given name Xiaoyun."
Upon hearing this information, Yuxi immediately sensed that something was amiss. "Since she's a Xie family daughter, why wasn't she sent back there directly? Why was she brought to the Yun residence instead?"
Xu Wu shook his head. "I'm not sure about that either." In truth, he found it quite strange—his General was not someone who cherished flowers and treasured jade6.
Yun Qing wasn't cold-hearted by nature. It was because in the past, an assassin had disguised herself as a noble young lady being harassed by hooligans, and he had nearly lost his life because of it. From then on, even if he saw a celestial beauty in trouble, he wouldn't step in to help.
Yuxi said, "In that case, let Physician He examine her. If it's nothing serious, then send her back to the Xie family."
After speaking, Yuxi added, "Go and find out if this was a coincidence or if it was deliberately arranged." If it was just a coincidence, that was fine, but if Xie Xiaoyun had ulterior motives, Yuxi wouldn't hesitate to be ruthless. Anyone daring to covet her husband should be prepared to face her wrath.
Xu Wu nodded. "I'll investigate right away." Although Madam had a strong vinegar intensity7, this incident showed that she cared deeply about the General, which was a good thing.
After half a day had passed, Xu Wu entered the study and reported, "Physician He said that the rash on Seventh Young Miss Xie isn't an illness. It was caused by coming into contact with something she shouldn't have. She's already applied the medicine, so it's no longer a problem." The so-called rash was essentially an allergic reaction.
Upon hearing that Xie Xiaoyun wasn't pretending to be ill, Yuxi's hostility towards her decreased significantly. She instructed, "Since it's nothing serious, then send her back."
A shichen8 later, Xu Wu reported his findings to Yuxi. "This Xie Xiaoyun is the legitimate eldest daughter of the Second Master Xie. Today is her mother's death anniversary, and she went to the temple to light an eternal lamp for her birth mother." He then added, "Sending her to the Yun residence wasn't the General's idea either. Gao Song saw that she was covered in rashes and, knowing Physician He was at the residence, he had someone bring her here." Just as he had thought, his General was not the type to dote on women.
Yuxi let out a soft exclamation. As far as she knew, Gao Song wasn't a warm-hearted person. A thought crossed her mind, and she asked, "What does this young lady look like?"
Xu Wu didn't expect that even after such a clear explanation, Madam still wouldn't let it go. Women could truly be quite petty. "This Miss Xie looks average." He was telling the truth—compared to his own Madam, Xie Xiaoyun simply didn't measure up.
Yuxi then asked, "Is she betrothed?"
Xu Wu replied, "She was once engaged, but something happened, and that man ended up marrying her concubine-born younger sister, who was the same age as her." There hadn't been time to investigate more thoroughly in just a shichen8.
After hearing this, Yuxi smiled and said, "Look into this young lady's background. If she's a good person, then tell Gao Song what you just told me." Gao Song was still a bare stick9—if this chance encounter could lead to marriage, it would be a kind of fate.
The topic shift was so sudden that Xu Wu froze for three seconds before coming back to his senses. "Alright, I'll tell him when he returns." When he himself got engaged, Gao Song had been very envious. If this could resolve his lifelong matter, it would be a great joy.
Yuxi coughed lightly and said to Xu Wu, "Don't tell the General about what happened today." Since it was just a misunderstanding, there was no need for Yun Qing to know—it would be too embarrassing.
Xu Wu smiled and nodded in agreement.
Footnotes Full List
- 奎子 (Kuízi) follows a very common Chinese naming convention for close friends, subordinates, or younger males by adding zi (子) to their name.
- 娘娘 (niángniang): addressing or referring to an empress or an imperial concubine
- 翻不过天去 (fān bù guò tiān qù): nothing too serious or uncontrollable will happen.
- 王府 (wángfǔ): king's residence
- 平西王 (Píng Xī Wáng): King Who Pacifies the West
- 怜香惜玉 (lián xiāng xī yù): to show tenderness or gallantry toward women
- 醋劲大 (cù jìn dà): very jealous (vinegar symbolises jealousy in Chinese culture)
- 时辰 (shíchen): 2 hours
- 光棍 (guāng gùn): bachelor, unmarried man
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