The Xie family of Dongyang, the cousin of the Crown Princess, Young Master Xie the Third.
Unlike the ostentatious and imposing Yang and Zhao families, the Xie family was rarely mentioned in the capital. However, this cousin of the Crown Princess was widely renowned.
He was exceptionally talented, handsome in appearance, and, more importantly, of upright character.
The Xie family was a prominent clan in Dongyang, and it was inevitable that some members would act arrogantly. Young Master Xie the Third’s father was the clan leader, and from a young age, he had assisted his father in managing affairs, showing no leniency toward those who bullied others by relying on their influence.
Thanks to his restraint, the Xie family’s prestige in Dongyang grew even stronger. Far from exploiting the Crown Princess’s status, they instead enhanced her reputation.
After exchanging a few words with the eunuchs, Young Master Xie the Third lowered the carriage curtain. The eunuchs bowed and withdrew, taking their leave first. Only after they had departed did Young Master Xie’s carriage slowly begin to move.
The crowd at the city gate resumed breathing, their expressions a mix of shock and admiration.
"So it was a young master of the Xie family," someone murmured, recalling the earlier incident and slapping their hands together with a sigh. "No wonder he could act so boldly and teach those arrogant servants a harsh lesson."
Those servants were arrogant, and Young Master Xie’s servants had every right to be arrogant as well.
After all, true courage must be backed by confidence.
Someone nearby shook their head. "That’s not Young Master Xie the Third’s way. He is humble and gentle—he would never do such a thing."
Indeed, if he had intended to be arrogant, he would not have entered the capital with just one carriage and one servant. In contrast, the earlier group, merely a few young ladies going out of the city for leisure, had put on such a grand display.
The crowd looked ahead, but Young Master Xie’s carriage had already merged into the bustling streets and disappeared without a trace.
Young Master Xie’s carriage did not head to the Eastern Palace. Although he was a cousin, he was still a subject and could not enter the Eastern Palace at will.
The Xie family’s residence in the capital was also located in a secluded area, with an inconspicuous gate. Only two elderly servants came out to greet him. As the carriage entered the courtyard, seven or eight young men were already waiting. When they saw Young Master Xie alight, they surged forward, addressing him variously as "Third Brother," "Third Younger Brother," or "Uncle."
A plump man, clad in brocade robes so tight the patterns seemed strained, pushed through the others and stood beside Young Master Xie the Third. "Third Uncle, why didn’t you let us know earlier? We could have gone to welcome you—"
Young Master Xie reached out and lightly brushed the man’s forehead, then examined the powder on his finger. "Is this the latest fashion in the capital? Xie Xiao, you’ve adapted quite quickly."
The chubby nephew, Xie Xiao, looked embarrassed and scrubbed his face vigorously with his sleeve, muttering, "Why didn’t they wash it off properly? Those useless little minxes."
Young Master Xie did not press the matter further. Instead, he wiped his fingers on Xie Xiao’s shoulder and walked forward unhurriedly.
"Third Uncle, Third Uncle," Xie Xiao hurried after him. "The Crown Princess has asked about you several times. When will you go to see her?"
"Third Brother," another person interjected, "Minister Liang also sent a letter requesting to meet you, but we intercepted it."
Others produced name cards as well—many families, this one and that, all wishing to meet with Young Master Xie the Third.
Young Master Xie continued walking without pause and did not accept the name cards. "Who told you to inform others of my arrival in the capital?"
Xie Xiao chuckled. "Third Uncle, it wasn’t us who spread the news. The moment you left Dongyang, word got out. Everyone has been watching. We’ve been keeping a low profile in the capital, hardly going out or socializing."Young Master Xie the Third had already reached the inner courtyard. Compared to the simple and narrow main gate, the inner courtyard opened up into a vast expanse, with rows upon rows of interconnected buildings and elegant pavilions nestled among them. In the spring, lush greenery and vibrant red blossoms adorned the scenery, and beautiful maidservants gathered in groups.
Young Master Xie glanced at the young men beside him.
The young men grinned at him.
Young Master Xie said nothing, his gaze sweeping over the name cards they held without lingering.
"Where is Yan Lai?" he asked. "Have him come see me."
With that, he stepped inside.
"Third Uncle," Xie Xiao lifted his foot to follow, "when will the Crown Princess—"
The others also raised their name cards, intending to follow, but Du Qi stepped forward, blocking the doorway with his long sword held in his arms. "The Young Master needs to rest."
Xie Xiao and the others immediately halted, not daring to advance further. They craned their necks to peer inside, but in the end, could only shout, "Third Uncle, rest well!"
Reluctantly, they turned and walked out, still clutching their name cards.
"What's going on with Third Young Master?" one of them muttered. "So many important people to meet, and he wants to see Yan Lai first."
"Exactly," another said with a displeased expression—though his displeasure was not directed at Third Young Master, but at A Jiu. "That brat didn't even bother to come see Third Brother on his own."
Another man looked at Xie Xiao and teased, "Why don't you go invite your Ninth Uncle?"
Xie Xiao's face twitched. "Him? He's nothing! If it weren't for Third Brother's kindness, that bastard—"
Someone nearby coughed. "Enough. After all, he also calls Third Brother 'brother.' Calling him a bastard insults Third Brother as well."
Xie Xiao gritted his teeth and swallowed his words, then angrily flicked his sleeve. "I'll go find him and ask if he's learned his lesson and knows what's good for him."
……
……
Outside the Capital Garrison, the wind no longer carried a chill, nor did it cut the face as sharply as it had on the journey and in the Border Commandery.
But Zhang Gu and the others, having completed their duties, still kept their scarves wrapped tightly around their heads and faces. Only after leaving the military camp did they whoop with joy, unwinding the scarves and tossing them high into the air.
"A Jiu," Zhang Gu looked back at A Jiu, who still had his scarf wrapped around his face, "this is our tradition."
Our tradition—A Jiu hated the word "tradition" more than anything, but at this moment, he felt no resentment at all. Smiling, he reached up, unwound the scarf, and threw it high into the air.
"I'm going to see my mother first."
"My wife will love this fur coat I bought for her."
The couriers eagerly shared their hopes for returning home, but A Jiu, usually the most boisterous, remained silent.
"A Jiu," one of the couriers called out, "what are you going to do later?"
Before A Jiu could respond, another courier winked and said, "Miss Chu arrived in the capital long ago. Isn't A Jiu going to pay her a visit?"
The previously quiet A Jiu suddenly raised his phoenix-like eyes. "See her? I don't even know who she is!"
The couriers burst into laughter.
Zhang Gu laughed along, then added, "Right, we don't know any Miss Chu. We only know A Fu."
A Fu was gone forever, and Miss Chu was no longer someone they could casually joke about or discuss.
The couriers understood and dropped the subject.
A Jiu snorted. "So what if we talk about her? She brought this on herself. Can't others say anything?"
Zhang Gu glared at him. "Your temper hasn't improved one bit. Come home with me today. My mother will teach you a proper lesson."
This was an act of kindness—Zhang Gu knew A Jiu had no home to return to and was deliberately inviting him. A Jiu understood this and was about to respond when a soldier from the camp shouted, "A Jiu! A Jiu! Captain Zhu is looking for you!"This was the leader of the Courier Soldier Camp, whom ordinary soldiers like them rarely had the chance to see. Hearing A Jiu being summoned, everyone’s expressions turned sympathetic.
Captain Zhu’s respectful attitude toward A Jiu had startled everyone at first, but every time he sought A Jiu out, it never meant anything good.
This arrangement had been made by A Jiu’s family connections, and no matter how respectfully Captain Zhu treated him, there was nothing to be done about it.
Now, barely back, A Jiu was called again—who knew what kind of grueling task awaited him this time?
What on earth had this kid done to provoke such wrath? Was it simply disobedience?
A Jiu’s expression remained calm as he dismounted and walked away. Zhang Gu grabbed his arm and urged, “Just swallow your pride and admit your mistake. Stop being so stubborn—what’s the point of suffering like this?”
A Jiu smiled faintly but said nothing in reply. With a wave of his hand, he strode off, his long legs carrying him in a carefree, swaying gait.
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