Chapter 38: Let's Make a Bet

Xu He pressed his palm down on the petition, his gaze burning as it fell upon her face.

"My lady knows a great deal about the affairs of the Xu family. Since you claim you cannot bear to see me plotted against—and your words are left unfinished—why the rush to leave?"

Yuetang curled her lips into a smile. "The Scholar Imperial is indeed perceptive; you are a clever man."

Xu He withdrew his hand and slowly placed it behind his back. "I know this petition is genuine, but your claim that the Du family is plotting against me... I still find it difficult to believe.

"They have conspired with the Xu and Duan families to accuse my maternal grandfather and uncle, all for the sake of trapping me into becoming the Du family's son-in-law. Is that not somewhat unreasonable? A mere man like myself—is he truly worthy of such intense scrutiny and such a grand mobilization?"

"Lord Xu, you are the only Jinshi degree personally appointed by the Emperor. This title of Scholar Imperial was snatched from the hands of the powerful ministers in court by the Emperor himself. Why would you not be worthy?"

Xu He froze.

He was indeed incensed by his knowledge of the Du family's scheme.

But he had never once considered that it might be related to his status in the imperial court.

In the current political landscape, how could he be unaware?

The Shen, Mu, and Chu families were constantly engaged in intrigue, leaving the Emperor caught in the middle, unable to hear the true voices of his subjects. This year's Spring Examination was the first since the Emperor's ascension, and all factions in court were scrambling to recruit talent to build their own influence. His status as Scholar Imperial could indeed be described as something the Emperor had seized from those three families.

Later, the Emperor had directly inserted him into a position within the Secretariat.

If the Du family was targeting his status rather than his talent, then—did that not mean the Du family harbored ambitions?

If he walked into this trap and the Emperor found out, wouldn't the consequences be catastrophic?!

"That is impossible," he said, knitting his brows. "The current landscape is a three-way standoff, not to mention the presence of Prince Jingyang. How could the Du family possibly find an opening to interfere in power struggles?"

"It is possible they truly think that way, and it is also possible they haven't thought of it at all; that is not important.

"What matters is the fact that the Du family has set a trap for you, Scholar Imperial. Now, it depends on whether, having learned the truth, you will continue with the marriage to the Duan family, or pull back from the precipice to avoid falling into the pit of the Marquis of Guangling's estate."

Yuetang glanced at him and spoke unhurriedly.

Xu He fell silent, momentarily speechless.

Indeed, everything else was secondary, but now that he knew the truth, what was he to do next?

Should he continue the marriage negotiations with the Duan family to become the Du family's son-in-law, only to spend the rest of his life burdened by the Du family's "kindness," acting submissively and walking on eggshells before them? Or should he cut his losses now to avoid being bound and exploited by the Du family in the future?

"Master."

Just then, a servant arrived at the door. "The Young Master Du has arrived."

Xu He's cheek twitched, and he stood up.

Yuetang looked at him. "Since Young Master Du is here, if the Scholar Imperial still intends to marry, now would be the time to go."

Xu He bit his lip repeatedly but remained silent.

Yuetang watched him and pushed the petition toward him. "If Lord Xu still harbors doubts about me, you might as well take this with you to verify it."

Xu He unclenched his fists and, without ceremony, took the petition and tucked it into his robes. "Then my lady, please sit for a moment. I shall return shortly."

Yuetang smiled. "Go ahead, Scholar Imperial."

Once he had exited, Yuetang gave a meaningful look to Huo Yun, who was standing at the bottom of the steps, and then lifted her teacup.

...

When Xu He arrived at the reception hall, Du Yu immediately demanded, "What took you so long? Are the betrothal gifts all prepared?"

"Please, sit, Young Master," Xu He replied, not answering directly, but gesturing for him to sit.

Du Yu could not easily press him further, so he sat down with practiced patience.

Xu He sat with his hands clenched. Seeing the servant serve tea, he offered a cup to Du Yu, took one for himself, and then said, "Yesterday, my mother went to the temple to offer incense and sought a divination for me. She said that a star of calamity is hovering over my head, and I am not permitted to marry within the next six months. Regarding this marriage with Miss Duan, I ask the Young Master to pass along a message: we must delay it for a while."

A mouthful of tea nearly sprayed out of Du Yu's mouth.

"What did you say?"

Xu He looked at him. "I said the marriage will be postponed for a time. I ask for your understanding."

"What kind of nonsense is this!" Du Yu slammed his cup down. "We agreed on the betrothal gifts today! The Duan family is ready, and I personally took time out of my schedule to come here on my father's behalf, and you're telling me there's no marriage?"

Xu He stood up and bowed toward the floor. "I beg your forgiveness."

Du Yu stood up, glaring teeth-grittingly at the back of Xu He's head. "Xu He! You dare play me? Do you know what happens to those who dare to play me?!"

Xu He continued to stare at the floor. Then, he pulled the petition from his robes and placed it gently on the tea table.

Du Yu had been looking at him with fury, ready to continue his outburst. But once he saw the official seal and the title on the cover, his face seemed to seize up. After a few twitches, he snatched it up!

Xu He listened to the sound of the papers being flipped through rapidly, remaining motionless, standing with a bowed back like a respectful stone statue.

Du Yu's breathing gradually steadied. Finally, he slammed the petition onto the table and walked out in silence.

...

Just as Yuetang finished listening to Xiao Huo's report, Xu He walked in from the outer courtyard.

She dismissed Xiao Huo and lifted her teacup again.

After entering the room, Xu He stood in the hall and looked at Yuetang. He took a deep breath and bowed. "There will be no betrothal gifts today.

"Thank you, my lady, for telling me the truth."

Seeing Du Yu leave without saying a single word of defense after seeing that petition, what reason did he have to doubt this woman's words?

Yuetang smiled. "Although the betrothal has been postponed, the Du family will not let you go so easily."

Xu He looked up suspiciously. "What do you mean?"

Yuetang tilted her chin toward the courtyard gate, where the sound of horse hooves was once again approaching. "Look."

Xu He followed her gaze and saw that the main gate had indeed opened again. A flash of Du Yu's robes appeared beneath the screen wall!

He stood up, his expression changing. "What is he doing?"

Yuetang said, "Rest assured, he won't do anything to you. On the contrary, he has come to apologize."

"Apologize?" Xu He's suspicion deepened. "He is apologizing to me?"

"Have you forgotten what I told you earlier?" Yuetang said. "The Du family setting a trap to force a marriage with the Duan family was not, on the surface, to win you over. It was because someone instructed him to do so. As for who gave the order, why don't you take a guess?"

The suspicion on Xu He's face froze.

If this were true, he couldn't guess who it was, but he could certainly guess what kind of person it would be!

Who else besides those few powerful aristocratic families would someone command the Du family to obey?

Even they were plotting against him?

He indeed wanted to use the political winds to his advantage; he wanted to climb the ladder, to hold power, and to have people follow his every command. But that did not mean he was willing to be watched like a fly hovering over rotting meat! Nor could he afford the consequences of being misunderstood by the Emperor!

But then again, was he truly being targeted right now?

"I know you still do not trust me," Yuetang said, looking toward the outer courtyard with a smile. "I'll make a bet with you. Go out now and see if he has come to apologize.

"If he hasn't, I am willing to stay here as your servant for three months.

"If he has, then when you return, you must listen to one thing I say. How about it?"