Qu Yunmie has lived for twenty-four years, but this was the first time he had been held in a woman’s arms.

This wasn’t entirely accurate, since Chen Sheyu was very short. After reaching middle age, she had shrunk even more, and now she only reached Qu Yunmie’s chest. So, rather than her holding him, it was more accurate to say he was holding her.

Qu Yunmie opened his eyes wide. For the first time in his life, his gaze revealed a plea for help.

Xiao Rong: “…”

He’d been quite nervous, but now he felt a bit amused.

He quickly walked over to Chen Sheyu, trying to sound cheerful, “Grandmother, it’s me, Rong’er.”

Everyone except Xiao Yi was nearly petrified. Hearing this, they snapped back to reality and hurried over, chiming in, “Yes, yes, he’s your grandson!”

Upon hearing this, Chen Sheyu loosened her grip on Qu Yunmie a little but still clung to his sleeve. She looked at Qu Yunmie’s stiff expression before turning to Xiao Rong with confusion. “You are also called Rong’er?”

Xiao Rong sighed helplessly. “Grandmother, there is only one Rong’er, and that’s me.”

Xiao Yi, sensing that Qu Yunmie wasn’t someone to mess with, quickly pulled Chen Sheyu to face Xiao Rong. “Grandmother, this is my Eldest Brother!”

Chen Sheyu looked even more bewildered. “But he looks exactly like your grandfather.”

Xiao Yi: “…”

Grandmother, when grandfather was alive, wasn’t he about the same height as you?

After much commotion, they finally managed to make Chen Sheyu realize that she’d mistaken someone else for her grandson. Once she accepted that Xiao Rong was indeed her grandson, she couldn’t stop staring at him, making him feel quite uncomfortable. She didn’t relax until they crossed the threshold of the Marquis’ mansion, where she finally said something that eased Xiao Rong’s mind.

Chen Sheyu whispered to Xiao Yi, “I remember now, Eldest Brother looks like your aunt.”

Xiao Yi smiled and nodded. “Yes, you finally remembered.”

However, what he thought was, Remembered what? You only had sons, no daughters.

…

After accepting that her grandson looked the way he did, Chen Sheyu looked at Xiao Rong with great joy. She kept touching his face, lamenting how thin he was. Xiao Rong just awkwardly smiled without saying much. As they passed through the first corridor, Gao Xunzhi had already heard them approaching and came out to greet them.

Among this group, Gao Xunzhi was probably the most sociable and was able to interact with people of any age or status. He had already selected a small courtyard for them, which was originally supposed to be the residence of the heir to the Marquis. It was spacious with many rooms and had a clear layout. The courtyard was divided into front and back sections, ensuring that people coming and going wouldn’t disturb the old lady. Gao Xunzhi asked Xiao Rong if this arrangement was suitable, and Xiao Rong, of course, had no objections. Gao Xunzhi then led them inside.

Although Xiao Rong was supposed to go in as well, he was mentally exhausted. He stood by the rockery outside the courtyard to rest, puffing out his cheeks and letting out a long breath. Only after exhaling did he realize that Qu Yunmie had been standing on the other side of the rockery, watching him.

Xiao Rong: “…”

Qu Yunmie’s expression was unreadable, making it hard to discern his thoughts. Feeling uneasy, Xiao Rong awkwardly tried to make conversation. “This is my grandmother. I hope Your Highness will take care of her.”

Hearing this, Qu Yunmie raised an eyebrow. “I’m not so unreasonable.”

Xiao Rong mentally scoffed but maintained a neutral expression. He simply averted his gaze and looked at the waterfall beside the rockery.

There was even a waterfall.

No wonder when refugees stormed into the mansions of nobles, the first thing they did was kill everyone inside. The contrast in their lives was like night and day.

Feeling a bit more energized, Xiao Rong straightened up and was about to look for Gao Xunzhi and the others when he noticed that Qu Yunmie was still there, staring at him. Puzzled, Xiao Rong asked, “Why does Your Highness keep looking at me?”

In response, Qu Yunmie smiled slightly. “So, you do get scared sometimes.”

Xiao Rong: “…”

Seeing Xiao Rong’s surprised expression, Qu Yunmie felt even better. Without waiting for Xiao Rong to ask anything else, he turned and left, but the smile on his face lingered.

Xiao Rong watched him leave with displeasure, let out a real huff, and then entered the small courtyard.

Though there was only one old lady there, she was still a woman. So, after arranging their living conditions and leaving instructions to contact him if needed, Gao Xunzhi left. Zhang Biezhi, who had brought Xiao Yi and Chen Sheyu, had also slipped inside unnoticed. It wasn’t until Gao Xunzhi and the guards left that Xiao Rong realized a stranger was in the house.

This stranger looked at Xiao Rong with a hint of resentment, and seemed to want to say something, but upon seeing Chen Sheyu contentedly inspecting the bedding, he decided against it.

Forget it, don’t make trouble for yourself.

Then, he clasped his hands in a salute to Xiao Rong and left, visibly dejected.

Xiao Rong: “…”

Who was that?

After everyone left, only the four of them remained. The room they were in was Chen Sheyu’s bedroom. The old lady, now acting like a young girl, was busy inspecting every corner. This place indeed reminded her of her maiden days. When she married, her husband’s family was still well-off, so she had been a proper noblewoman. However, soon after the marriage, her husband’s family fell from grace, and she hadn’t had a comfortable day since.

Now, being able to enjoy fine silks and satins again, and with more than just a bed and a repeatedly mended table, she was overjoyed, and simply looking at these things kept her busy.

Meanwhile, Xiao Yi looked expectantly at Xiao Rong. The latter paused slightly before instructing Ah Shu, “Ah Shu, stay here with the old lady. I’ll have a word with Yi’er.”

Ah Shu responded cheerfully. Ever since reuniting with Xiao Rong, his face had been full of smiles. Xiao Rong hadn’t realized Ah Shu loved to smile so much.

When Xiao Yi had asked Ah Shu to follow Xiao Rong, Ah Shu hadn’t hesitated, and Xiao Rong only now understood that Ah Shu had seen this journey to join the Northern Army as a suicide mission. He had been prepared to never return or see Xiao Yi and the others again, which was why he had followed Xiao Rong.

Leaving the two happy people behind, Xiao Rong took Xiao Yi back to his own room.

…

The Governor of Chenliu had been forced out by the Northern Army under their watchful eyes. Under such scrutiny, he hadn’t dared to take all the good things with him, but knowing that the Northern Army couldn’t recognize valuable items, he left behind large pieces of furniture while taking smaller items like porcelain and ornaments with him.

These items, however, weren’t the property of the Chenliu governor but belonged to the previous Marquis. That Marquis had died even earlier than the Emperor of Taining. The imperial property had remained untouched, and the Marquis’ mansion was supposed to belong to the Chenliu Prince. However, the Emperor of Taining never made an official decree, so it had been left to gather dust. After the Emperor passed away and chaos erupted across the land, the mansion was seized by powerful individuals, changing hands over twenty times before finally falling into Qu Yunmie’s possession.

Despite all the turmoil, a surprising amount of valuable items remained. This was the kind of luxurious life that everyone dreamed of.

In contrast, Qu Yunmie, as the Northern King, lived in relative poverty. Xiao Rong had always known this, but he hadn’t truly understood the extent of it until now.

The Marquis’ mansion wasn’t as large as the palace in Yanmen, but it had a hundred and ten rooms, with eight separate reception halls. The rooms were far apart, with pavilions, rockeries, and lakes scattered throughout. These rockeries weren’t just piles of stones; they were built-up mounds of earth, surrounded by lakes, and planted with greenery, complete with staircases and pavilions.

Not to mention the zigzag bridges over the lakes, leading to shadow walls and corridors with six doors, each leading to a different place.

Xiao Rong didn’t know if this mansion violated any regulations, but if it did, he could understand. If it didn’t… then how much money would be needed to build a palace or an imperial palace if even a Marquis’ mansion was this extravagant?

At this time, the Four Gentlemen of Plum, Orchid, Bamboo, and Chrysanthemum hadn’t yet become popular, but the appreciation of flowers and the planting of bamboo were already fashionable. A century and a half ago, when chaos began, so did an era of cultural exchange and awareness of the concept of the individual. Five-character poetry flourished, seven-character poetry emerged, and masterpieces were created one after another. The hobbies of great writers could easily influence how people lived. In the past, society focused on status and hierarchy, but now, reputation and elegance were more important.

This might not seem significant, but it meant that life was governed by an increasing number of rules that had to be followed. Feudal rulers imposed many rules, such as only allowing the Emperor to live in a nine-bay house, with those lower in status not allowed to violate the regulations, thus distinguishing the royal family from ordinary nobles. As the scholar class rose, they added even more requirements to distinguish scholars from common people. For instance, scholars loved bamboo, so they had to plant bamboo in their homes. If they didn’t have bamboo, it indicated that the person was illiterate and unworthy of close association.

This included ornaments and decorations. What to display and how to display it also represented one’s pursuit of art. When everyone else conformed, one could not stand out. After all, neither Qu Yunmie nor Xiao Rong had a reputation so great that it would inspire a unique following. The solidarity among the scholar class was beyond imagination; if you weren’t one of them, you had no chance to introduce new things or change their ways.

Xiao Rong’s principle was that if he couldn’t defeat them, he would join them. Infiltrating the enemy from within and dismantling them from the inside was also a good strategy.

…

After walking through a short corridor, Xiao Rong returned to his own room. He casually glanced at the room’s furnishings before turning to look at Xiao Yi, whom he hadn’t seen in a long time.

Xiao Yi was now fourteen years old. He was about the same age as Ah Shu but was three months younger and not as tall as Ah Shu.

As for his appearance, Xiao Rong didn’t quite know how to describe it. He always felt that Xiao Yi looked like a scholar. Although his family wasn’t well-off, his temperament was unmistakably that of a nobleman’s son. When he neither smiled or spoke, he had a natural sense of aloofness, as if he was superior to others. Despite his young age, he gave the impression of someone who had spent a lifetime reading, making others subconsciously accept his superiority and habitually respect and favor him.

Xiao Rong only fully understood this feeling after meeting several high-ranking aristocratic families. This was the essence of a noble family—a legacy passed down through ten generations, to the point where even their facial features had changed. Of course, no matter how much a face changes, its essence remains the same. Not everyone who looked as gentle as Xiao Yi was pure-hearted; some looked even more refined but committed heinous acts in secret.

It was strange—on the journey to Chenliu, just thinking about Xiao Yi made Xiao Rong feel nervous. Now that they were face to face, Xiao Rong felt more at ease.

He asked, “Has anyone caused you any trouble this month?”

Xiao Yi shook his head. “No, I don’t cause trouble, so no one troubles me. Ah… Ah Xiong (brother)…”

When he said this title, Xiao Yi stuttered a bit. Xiao Rong paused for a moment, then interrupted him, saying, “From now on, just call me Big Brother.”

People at the time referred to “A-brother” as their biological elder brother, whereas “big brother” was a term used either among sworn brothers or within large families. However, even if these terms were mixed up, no one would say anything.

Xiao Yi felt a pang of emotion upon hearing this, understanding Xiao Rong’s intention. “A-brother” and “big brother” were different; even though Xiao Yi acknowledged Xiao Rong as his big brother, it didn’t mean he had to completely erase the memory of his original elder brother.

Xiao Yi sniffled, a dimple appearing on his face as he smiled. “Yes, Big Brother. Are you well? I heard from Ah Shu that you coughed up blood?”

Xiao Rong: “…”

This was the last thing he wanted to hear.

Waving his hand dismissively, Xiao Rong said, “It’s nothing, just a minor issue. I know my own body well. Others might make a fuss over nothing, but there’s really nothing wrong with me.”

Xiao Yi: “…”

He wasn’t convinced, but Xiao Rong indeed had many peculiarities. Xiao Yi had secretly speculated that he might’ve been taken as a disciple by a reclusive master, and that he only came down from the mountain to save the world after the current chaos broke out.

That Master… might even be a celestial being.

As he thought more, Xiao Yi’s face filled with admiration as he gazed at Xiao Rong, which made Xiao Rong feel rather uneasy.

With a sudden shiver, Xiao Yi snapped out of it, his face instantly flushing with embarrassment as he stammered, “B-Big Brother, the task you assigned to me, I have completed it. When we arrived in Liyang City, the scholars there were already discussing it.”

Xiao Rong raised an eyebrow.

Liyang was only a little over a hundred li from Jinling, a very short distance. If Liyang had received the news, Jinling likely had as well.

Thinking of the possible reaction from the Nanyong court, Xiao Rong chuckled softly and then praised Xiao Yi, “You did well. I trust you, which is why I entrusted this matter to you.”

Xiao Yi was so flustered by the praise that he lowered his head shyly.

Xiao Rong then pressed on, “I suppose during this time, you haven’t neglected your studies either. The ‘Thousand Scholars Literary Collection’ will be held before the King goes on his campaign. When it begins, why don’t you participate as well, Yi’er?”

Xiao Yi was taken aback and quickly waved his hands. “The ‘Thousand Scholars Literary Collection’ is a grand event in the literary world! I’ve read too few books; how could I embarrass the Xiao family and you, Big Brother!”

Xiao Rong: “…”

Failing because of insufficient knowledge is one thing, but how does that turn into an embarrassment for me?

After a moment of silence, Xiao Rong said, “Precisely because it’s a grand event, you must participate. This event is hosted by the Northern King, and I planned it. Chancellor Gao is setting the questions. Should we let the scholars of Nanyong steal all the glory? Besides, if there’s no one from our side who can even stand out, what’s the point? Might as well let them keep fighting amongst themselves. Yi’er, do you know what ‘presentation’ means? Even if we don’t have a true genius, we need to create one—a genius that will make the scholars of Nanyong envious, one that they can’t stop thinking about and are eager to debate with every day.”

Xiao Yi: “…”

His expression turned to one of horror. “But Big Brother, I’m not a genius!”

Xiao Rong laughed. “If you’re not one now, then pretend to be one, and in the meantime, keep studying hard. Eventually, you might actually become one. The King’s treasury has many books, along with bamboo scrolls collected from other places. I’ve already spoken to the King; you can read them freely. If you thoroughly understand them, you’ll be more knowledgeable than ninety percent of the scholars in the world. As for the remaining ten percent, don’t worry. After all, you’re my little brother—I won’t let you be at a disadvantage.”

Xiao Yi stared at him blankly, not understanding his meaning. “Big Brother, do you mean—”

Xiao Rong smiled slightly. “The literary collection is set to begin in late June. There’s still a month and a half left. I’ll give you the three topics now, and you should use this time to write answers that will satisfy me.”

Xiao Yi was stunned and blurted out, “Big Brother wants me to cheat?!”

Xiao Rong: “…”

He was displeased and retorted, “This isn’t cheating. Winning a prize or gaining a ranking would be cheating, but I know that Yi’er is still young, with limited knowledge. Even if you were given half a year, you wouldn’t be able to write an essay capable of winning. So I’m not expecting you to take first place in this ‘Thousand Scholars Literary Collection.'”

Xiao Yi: “…”

This blunt honesty made him feel quite downhearted.

Xiao Rong continued, “So, what I’m asking you to do is serve as a catalyst to inspire others. Your age will compensate for any shortcomings in literary talent. People will be more lenient with you. When they see that a fourteen-year-old boy can write such an essay, those who usually pride themselves on their literary talent won’t be able to sit still. In this way, you can both inspire others and make a name for yourself. Haven’t you always wanted to find a Great Master? After the literary collection, you’ll be able to do just that.”

Xiao Yi hesitated. “But, but that wouldn’t be my true ability…”

Xiao Rong raised an eyebrow. “Why not? Even if it takes you longer, every word in that essay will be written by you. No one will help you. If you think it’s unfair, consider this: from the moment they were born, the difference in learning between the sons of noble families and those from humble origins has been established. They may receive the same question at the same time, but true unfairness has been set from the start. Let me also tell you, this literary collection isn’t just about showcasing your talent; it’s also about identifying those with genuine ambition. If everyone agrees on who the winner should be, but they can’t win the King’s approval, then it doesn’t matter how much attention they get during the collection. Those who gain the most fame may not necessarily have the longest-lasting impact.”

After a pause, Xiao Rong looked at the stunned Xiao Yi and sighed softly. “Yi’er, this literary collection isn’t being held for your sake, but to give more people a chance to express themselves. If your essay can truly have such a strong impact, inspiring countless others to participate, then you’ll be doing them a favor. These people don’t believe that the King is truly recruiting scholars. They don’t realize they’re letting an opportunity slip by. How many times in a person’s life can they encounter such a chance to change their destiny? Can you really bear to see them miss such a great opportunity?”

It was as if Xiao Yi had been struck on the head. He stared blankly for a moment, then his face lit up with realization.

He looked at Xiao Rong with admiration and said, “Big Brother, your guidance is enlightening! I won’t disappoint your expectations!”

Xiao Rong looked at him with affection. “Good child. Now, go read your books.”

Xiao Yi replied, “Yes!”

With that, he turned and ran off, looking eager to dive into the sea of knowledge.

Xiao Rong intertwined his fingers and placed them on his lap, contentedly watching the door. He thought to himself that having a younger brother was quite nice—just look at how easy it was to convince this child.

Xiao Yi completely overlooked the fact that Xiao Rong had never actually explained the issue that bothered him. Instead, Xiao Rong had skillfully diverted the topic, successfully leading Xiao Yi away from it.

In a good mood, Xiao Rong decided he wanted some tea, but then he realized there wasn’t a teapot in the room. Silently, he remembered that his belongings hadn’t been brought in yet, so he went out to find his bags.

….

Living in a large place with many people meant there were more things to be done, but fortunately, Xiao Rong had a guard dedicated to protecting him, who sometimes also acted as an attendant.

After unpacking his belongings, Xiao Rong took a short nap, woke up to have a meal, and by nightfall, everyone gathered together for a meeting.

The literary collection could be discussed later, as they hadn’t yet met with the local elites or elders in the city, so planning it was premature.

At that moment, they were discussing matters related to their arrival in the city. Everyone sat together, casually sharing their opinions without standing on ceremony.

After Gao Xun finished speaking, Xiao Rong also brought up a topic. “My lord, what are the troops stationed outside the city doing these days?”

Qu Yunmie paused briefly. “Setting up camp and conducting daily drills.”

Xiao Rong nodded. “Could we pull out five thousand soldiers?”

Everyone looked at Xiao Rong.

Qu Yunmie asked, puzzled, “Who do you want to fight?”

Xiao Rong: “…”

Requesting troops doesn’t always mean fighting. Can’t this brute think of anything other than war?

Silently swallowing his complaint, Xiao Rong smiled brightly at Qu Yunmie. “Not to fight anyone. It’s just that our arrival has inevitably caused some inconvenience to the citizens. I was thinking, we could deploy a thousand soldiers to help the people—maybe repair some houses, dig a well for them, or even just help harvest crops. Just make sure they don’t take anything from the people!”

Qu Yunmie: “…”

He understood that!

Gao Xunzhi reacted by slapping his thigh and saying, “Great! While other armies harass the common people, our Northern Army not only doesn’t harass them but also helps resolve their troubles. However… the soldiers might have some complaints.”

Xiao Rong smiled, “So, find an honest soldier who will quietly do the work without needing to talk much with the people. Besides, once they start working, they’ll see the benefits. By then, they might even be eager to do it.”

Xiao Rong smiled like a fox, but the others, watching him, had no idea what he meant. Work was just work, and it was tiring—who would be eager to do it?

Yu Shaoxie seemed to have understood his meaning and was about to ask something when suddenly a guard rushed in from outside.

“My Lord, a man has arrived outside the city, claiming to be Huang Yanjiong, the Governor of Jianning. He says he has come to see you at your invitation!”

Upon hearing this, everyone in the room was momentarily stunned. They had all heard about Huang Yanjiong’s visit, and they knew it was Xiao Rong’s idea.

They looked at Xiao Rong, who was also surprised because he hadn’t expected Huang Yanjiong to arrive so quickly.

So eager?

That wasn’t expected.

 

Edited by: Antiope

 

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