Chapter 18: You Are Both Talented and Beautiful

No matter how much fury Nian Songyu harbored, would he dare to openly strike at him here?

The two stared each other down like fighting roosters for a long time. He Yue ignored it, leaving only Sun Fuping to step in and smooth things over: "How could Commandant Nian know the details of the servants' affairs? He will know once he returns to ask. More importantly, how exactly was Young Master He injured? This is a grave matter; let us not be distracted by trivialities."

He Lingchuan sighed. "About fifty days ago, I went hunting in Gulu Mountain. I was attacked by a sand leopard and fell off a cliff. I was carried back and remained unconscious for several days before waking up."

Nian Songyu’s eyes nearly spat fire. "Why didn't you say so yesterday?" Was this kid putting on an act?

Sun Fuping, however, only asked the crucial point: "And the sand leopard?"

"It's dead. It was carried back with me." He Lingchuan shrugged. "Once I woke up, I ordered someone to dismember it. That thing nearly killed me; I had to tear it to pieces. The parts have already been taken to the market to be sold." He pointed casually toward the east. "There are plenty of merchants here who are interested in the fur, claws, teeth, tongues, eyeballs, and inner cores of monsters. They are willing to pay a high price."

"We know what you two are thinking." He Yue spoke up at the opportune moment. "Yesterday, when we learned that the sand leopard that ambushed my brother was wounded by you, my father, though he has not made an official statement, has already sent men to track down the whereabouts of the leopard's carcass."

The barb in those words was sharp, but unfortunately, it didn't sting the two men opposite them. Sun Fuping rolled his eyes. "Can Governor He truly investigate it?"

He Yue smiled. "He will certainly do his utmost."

As if. One could never truly guarantee such a thing.

Sun Fuping fell silent for a moment before saying, "By the way, before this trip departed, the Grand Marshal sent a letter mentioning that if the crisis in the capital could be resolved, Lord He's talents would not need to be wasted in these desolate lands."

The He brothers were both visibly moved. "Are you saying—no, is the Grand Marshal saying...?"

"To be reassigned to the capital, and recommended for promotion to Supervising Censor of the Imperial Library!"

When had these old bureaucratic foxes ever been so blunt? He Lingchuan stood up abruptly. "The Grand Marshal has keen eyes and speaks with the weight of gold!" As he spoke, he leaned toward Sun Fuping and extended his hand.

Sun Fuping handed over a letter; the wax seal had not even been broken.

Clearly, this was a letter prepared by the Grand Marshal long ago, specifically to be delivered to He Chunhua.

Although promoting officials was not within the Grand Marshal's direct authority, his prestige and influence in the court were immense; making this happen would not be difficult.

Sun Fuping said indifferently, "I hope Governor He does not fail the Grand Marshal's high expectations."

He Lingchuan beamed. "Of course not."

He Yue added, "We will pursue the clues regarding the sand leopard with all our might. I believe there will be news soon."

The two stood up. "Then we shall await Governor He's good news."

Just as Sun Fuping was about to walk out, Nian Songyu turned to size up He Yue. "Second Young Master He, how old are you this year?"

"Fourteen."

"I heard in Wangjin that the second son of Governor He of Qiansong County was intelligent and composed, but I did not expect him to be so elegant and refined. Truly, seeing is believing."

What was this guy doing, suddenly critiquing the second brother? He Lingchuan pointed to himself and took over the conversation. "And what about me? Do outsiders have any comments?"

Nian Songyu smiled. "They do. They say you are 'beautiful on the outside, but hollow within.'"

Everyone knew the point lay in the unsaid second half of the sentence, but He Lingchuan merely looked pleased with himself. "You have vision, you have vision."

He Yue cleared his throat. "Brother, see our guests out."

Before He Lingchuan could turn around, Nian Songyu suddenly said, "The inn where the State Preceptor and I are staying is cramped and substandard. I see that Governor He's manor possesses the grandeur of the capital with many spacious rooms. I wonder if it could accommodate two more guests?"

The He brothers and Sun Fuping were all taken aback.

"That is, naturally..." acceptable.

There were many empty rooms in the He residence. He Yue quickly notified Madam Ying to arrange separate guest quarters for the two distinguished visitors.

Servants rushed to the inn to fetch their belongings, marking their official move-in.

After a flurry of activity, the two guests were settled.

Once the servants had dispersed, Nian Songyu looked at the tightly closed gates of the courtyard. "The leopard really did fall into their hands. That He fellow hasn't told a single truth; the leopard's carcass might even be in his house."

"Even if it is, it's been well hidden." Sun Fuping met his dark gaze. "Don't tell me you're thinking of climbing the wall to kill them and steal the treasure? It won't work. You must think of the subsequent plan. The Grand Marshal's assessment was correct; He Chunhua will use this opportunity to exert leverage and bargain."

If He Chunhua had simply bowed to orders, he wouldn't have produced the envelope prepared by the Grand Marshal.

Nian Songyu sneered. "A mere frontier governor, a tiny little official, and he dares to demand such a huge price?"

"At this critical juncture, he might just dare. The Grand Marshal has praised him several times; this man is different from your average mediocre official."

Nian Songyu said resentfully, "A pity this isn't Wangjin City!"

Wangjin was the capital of Xunzhou, his territory.

Sun Fuping shook his head. "Business comes first. What these minor officials want is nothing more than promotion and wealth; they aren't hard to settle."

"Though the Supervising Censor of the Imperial Library is only a rank five official, it allows one to monitor the bureaucracy—it's a coveted position. In the past, I might have been envious." Nian Songyu gave a mocking smile. "But now..."

Sun Fuping's face darkened. "Watch your tongue!"

...

In the blink of an eye, night fell.

He Chunhua had not yet returned; he was truly busy.

The Baling delegation had arrived at Blackwater City, and the local officials were responsible for their reception.

During this time, He Lingchuan had made a trip to the government office to personally deliver the Grand Marshal's letter to his father.

He Chunhua, who always presented a gentle and mild persona, could not help but strike the table and burst into three loud laughs.

Twenty years! After enduring the wind and sand of the frontier for twenty years, he was finally going back to the familiar capital!

The place that gave him life and nurture, the place of the He family's former glory.

He Chunhua even brought out his hidden wine, selected two cups, and drank three rounds with his eldest son, feeling an indescribable sense of refreshment.

Only then did He Lingchuan realize that his father had been secretly hoarding fine wine in the official residence, and it was better than any wine he had ever tasted.

He deliberately put on a look of confusion. "Dad, our days in Blackwater City aren't bad either. Why are you in such a hurry to go back?"

This was the kind of question the original owner of the body would have asked.

He Chunhua looked at him, and his smile suddenly vanished.

When he stopped smiling, his expression became somewhat sinister.

"Silly child, of course we cannot stay here." He spoke softly and slowly. "I have endured humiliation and carried heavy burdens on the frontier for twenty years, waiting for this very opportunity—the opportunity to go back, the opportunity to rise!"

A strange light flickered in He Chunhua's eyes, something indescribable that made He Lingchuan feel a bit uneasy.

"The He family cannot stay on the frontier, otherwise, our descendants will merely be frontier folk forever." In an instant, He Chunhua returned to his normal self. "Only by returning to the capital will we have a chance."

He Lingchuan gave an "oh" that was half-understanding.

The word "opportunity" was repeated by his father several times.

What opportunity? What did he want to do with it?

He Chunhua seemed to regret his loss of composure; after the three cups, he dismissed his eldest son to go home.

There were surprisingly few people on the road. He Lingchuan kicked a pebble, contemplating his current situation.

How could a father who was both ambitious and capable raise a profligate, reckless second son like the original owner?

Thinking back carefully, it seemed as though it had all been He Chunhua's intentional indulgence.

That was a bit strange.

But in dealing with Nian Songyu and Sun Fuping, the father and son should undoubtedly be working together.

At this moment, it seemed his father really needed him to play up this personality.

In that case, he would continue to be a playboy; after all, if the sky fell, He Chunhua would be the one to hold it up.

It was already very dark, well past mealtime, and the He residence was as quiet as usual.

Knowing no one would be waiting for him to eat, He Lingchuan planned to head to the kitchen to find some snacks to tide him over. The cook always hid something good in a low cabinet; today it should be honey-glazed apple pastries. If he stole some to eat, she wouldn't protest.

He walked past his second brother's quarters.

At this hour, He Yue was either studying by candlelight or reviewing documents; he rarely wandered around the He residence.

However, He Lingchuan happened to hear the voices of two people coming from the bamboo grove.

Two men.

One was He Yue: "...I don't think it's necessary, Commandant Nian!"

Commandant Nian? He Lingchuan crept closer.

Sure enough, the other person was Nian Songyu. He Lingchuan saw that his cheeks were flushed, clearly having had quite a drink. "Why is it not necessary? The capital is filled with great clans, and the nobility hold themselves in such high regard. Even if your father is promoted and returns, he will only be a rank five official. How long will you have to wait to make something of yourself?"

He leaned in and smiled. "You possess both talent and looks. If you were to receive a recommendation from my father..."

(End of Chapter)