Chapter 45: A Conversation Between Father and Son

The rumor that the Marquis of Yichun intended to form a marriage alliance was true.

In fact, it wasn't just the Marquis of Yichun. Ever since thirteen-year-old Zhu Yunxiao had emerged victorious in the ten-arrow consecutive shot formation during His Majesty's inspection of the Capital Camp, countless families had set their sights on this brilliant young talent.

Although many withdrew upon hearing there was already an engagement, others remained undeterred, believing there was still a chance as long as the marriage hadn't been solemnized—especially those from powerful and prominent families.

Of course, the Earl of Yongwu was not an ordinary family; they were not in such dire straits that they would betray their word to seek a better match, so they refused all offers.

However, when the Marquis of Yichun also expressed his intentions, the Earl of Yongwu was tempted.

The Chai clan of the Marquis of Yichun had rendered great service in assisting the Emperor. His daughter was the Empress, and she had given birth to the legitimate eldest son, the Prince of Donghai. The next Emperor would undoubtedly be the Prince of Donghai, meaning the prominence of the Chai family would be extraordinary.

But Zhu Yunxiao refused resolutely.

"Father, do not be impulsive. The next Emperor is a matter for the next generation," he said. "The current Emperor will absolutely not allow Uncle Jiang's daughter to suffer any grievances."

Jiang Feng had been a major contributor to the Emperor's successful ascent to the throne in the capital.

And he was a fallen hero.

In the heart of an Emperor, a deceased meritorious official remains an eternal debt of gratitude.

To mistreat the descendants of a loyal official and a great general was to insult His Majesty himself.

The Earl of Yongwu naturally understood this, and Jiang Feng had also been his benefactor; it should have been him who fought against the Governor of Zhuozhou and the Xiongnu back then.

The Earl of Yongwu let out a long sigh. "I am not betraying our word for wealth and status. Now that the world is at peace, one must make long-term plans for one's descendants. If only the Jiang family had a son; as it stands, the Jiang family is destined to decline."

Zhu Yunxiao said with a smile, "You said it yourself, Father, those are long-term plans. There is no need to rush. Let us look at the present first. Currently, there are many benefits to my engagement with Jiang Rui."

Beyond a reputation for righteousness and affection, there was also the continued following and trust of Jiang Feng's former subordinates—the Earl of Yongwu knew this very well.

"Furthermore, Jiang Feng earned his merits through real combat with real weapons. Even for the next Emperor, the officials and aristocratic families in the imperial court cannot afford to neglect or look down on her. Wherever A-Rui goes, she will be respected," Zhu Yunxiao continued. "Even the princesses will have to treat her with kindness."

The Earl of Yongwu nodded, then smiled. "Indeed. Although the Jiang family holds no ducal or marquisate titles, they are not to be underestimated. Meanwhile, some dukes and marquises are nothing more than a joke."

Zhu Yunxiao asked curiously, "Whom did Father see being a joke?"

"I passed by the Marquis of Yichun's manor today and saw Yang Bin sitting in the gatehouse," the Earl said. "It looked as though he had been waiting for quite some time."

He let out a sneer at this.

"A dignified Duke, yet he lingers in someone else's gatehouse like a servant or a lackey."

"Yang Bin, the Duke of Ding'an," Zhu Yunxiao said. "Perhaps there are unavoidable circumstances that force him to humble himself."

"That is what happens when one lacks real merit to build a foundation; one lacks confidence," the Earl said. "They look glamorous on the outside, but in reality, no one takes them seriously."

Zhu Yunxiao had a different view as he swirled his teacup. "It is impossible to be granted a title without real merit; it is impossible to lack confidence. That confidence must come from His Majesty. Father, do not look down on the Duke of Ding'an when you are out in public."

Being lectured by his son did not upset the Earl of Yongwu.

In truth, he had been lucky. Because he had been in the same military camp as the Emperor, they had naturally rebelled together.

Amidst the conquest of the world, led by a brilliant mind like the Emperor and supported by capable subordinates like Jiang Feng, he had survived smoothly and even obtained a title.

Now that the world was at peace, the Emperor had ascended to a high, unpredictable position. Former comrades-in-arms had either died or moved into different social strata with different motives. Fortunately, his son was exceptional.

During the previous several shifts in the imperial court, the Earl had failed to notice them, but the young Zhu Yunxiao had told him exactly what to do, and he had been right every time, avoiding several disasters.

It seemed his luck was still good; he had gained a brilliant son.

Listening to his son was the right move. The Earl of Yongwu nodded with a smile. "I understand."

Having said that, he stood up. Thinking that his son was so outstanding yet could only marry a daughter of such modest standing, he felt somewhat guilty.

It was all his fault for being so impulsive when Jiang Feng had carried him out of a pile of corpses; having survived a great disaster, he had immediately arranged the marriage.

The daughter of the Jiang family took after Jiang Feng, possessing only mediocre looks.

He felt he had failed his son.

"A few beautiful new maids have joined the household," he said softly. "Pick two to serve you by your side."

Zhu Yunxiao smiled.

"Thank you, Father," he said. "But there is no need. Since I have my aims, I will not indulge in fleeting pleasures."

The Earl of Yongwu smacked his lips. "Then I won't interfere with you. Do as you wish." With that, he left happily.

Silence returned to the room. Zhu Yunxiao drifted into thought for a moment, feeling as though he had forgotten something, until a sharp pain shot through his leg.

Zhu Yunxiao hissed, taking a few breaths to ease the pain. This was what people called bad luck, he thought; he hadn't expected to encounter it too.

***

As night fell, lights flickered in thousands of households across the capital.

Watching the silhouette at the window, Mo Zheng stood outside the door and called out, "Miss, you need to wake up early tomorrow. Don't study too late tonight."

Yang Luo, acting as the inner attendant, acknowledged her. He opened the window and saw the youth holding an axe.

"I'm going to chop wood for Brother Zhang next door," Mo Zheng said. "The rented carriage is kept at their place, so I'll help them with some work."

Their courtyard was small and lacked a stable, so the rented horse and carriage were kept in the larger courtyard next door.

They had become familiar with the neighbors over the past two days—a married couple who ran a braised meat shop on the street.

Yang Luo said "alright," then added in a low voice, "You could just give them some money to use the space; you don't have to work hard for them."

"You can't rely solely on money to get along with neighbors," Mo Zheng said, waving him off as she walked out. "Go to sleep early. I'll lock the door."

Hearing the sound of the lock from outside, Yang Luo couldn't help but smile. This guard, A-Sheng, was truly reliable. He closed the window, extinguished the lamp, and went to sleep peacefully.

*Thud.* The somewhat dull sound of chopping wood echoed in the courtyard.

Mo Zheng tossed a piece of wood into the stove; the meat braising in the large pot was bubbling away.

"Uncle Hong was almost discovered?" she asked.

Zhang Shengyou gripped the axe and split another piece of wood, nodding. "Uncle Hong said he was lucky to hide quickly and avoid capture, but he crossed paths with one of those people—and it was someone he recognized."

"Recognized?" Mo Zheng asked. "Who?"

"It was Qi De'an, a former strategist for the Qi clan and also a eunuch from the palace," Zhang Shengyou said. "Does the Young Mistress remember him?"

When Zhao Tan had escaped the capital years ago, many eunuchs from the old imperial city had also fled. Some returned to their hometowns, some blended into the common folk, and others sought out new masters.

Being eunuchs from the imperial city, they often possessed certain marketable skills.

This Qi De'an did not originally bear the surname Qi. Eunuchs in the imperial city had no descendants and thus no surnames. They took on the surname of their new master upon serving them to show loyalty.

Mo Zheng hadn't recognized him; after all, the imperial city was vast, there were many eunuchs, and she had been kept hidden from the world since childhood.

At the time, the Qi clan had wanted Qi De'an to replace Old Eunuch Zhang to look after her, but Old Eunuch Zhang had dismissed him easily.

Being fellow palace eunuchs, Old Eunuch Zhang was older and more capable.

Not long after, the Qi clan had perished, and Qi De'an's whereabouts had become unknown.

So it was him.

A cold smile touched the corners of Mo Zheng's mouth. "No wonder he knows Mr. Jiang."

She had also met Jiang Wangchun through the Qi clan.

"It seems he has found a new master."

Zhang Sheng nodded. "Although Uncle Hong wasn't caught, his movements were exposed. They've guessed you are coming to the capital. Young Mistress, let's leave."

Mo Zheng shook her head. "No need."

Zhang Shengyou looked worried. "Young Mistress, don't go head-to-head with them." He gave a bitter smile. "If your identity is exposed and draws the attention of the imperial court, things will become even more troublesome."

The world is vast, but there is no place for a prince of a fallen dynasty to hide.

Mo Zheng fell into thought, then suddenly smiled and nodded. "Don't worry, I know what I'm doing." She then looked inward. "Is Sister Taohua at the meat shop?"

Zhang Sheng nodded. "Didn't that list for the imperial study companions come out? Taohua was afraid they might hear something, so she's guarding them personally under the guise of looking after them."

Mo Zheng stood up. "Guarding them constantly isn't a solution. I'll go over to give them instructions and try to persuade them."

Persuade the real Miss Liu not to pursue the charges against Miss Yang, who had committed the capital crime of impersonation and deceiving the Emperor?

Zhang Shengyou felt somewhat helpless. "This Miss Yang is truly a handful; you end up doing everything for her."

She really was being used like a guard or a servant.

Mo Zheng smiled and raised an eyebrow at Zhang Shengyou. "Brother Shengyou, I believe that good deeds are rewarded, and helping others is helping oneself."

With a wave of her hand, she vaulted over the wall.

Zhang Shengyou gripped his axe, watching Mo Zheng leap from the wall onto the roof, before she disappeared into the night with a few agile bounds.

He reached up and scratched his head.

He understood "helping others is helping oneself," but as for "good deeds are rewarded"...

Was what the Young Mistress was doing considered being a "good person"?