Xie Yanfang's voice carried a hint of laughter, but no one thought he was joking.
The younger generation surrounding him looked at Xie Yanfang without a trace of mockery, only admiration and fear. Back when Xie Yanfang was just a teenager, he had accomplished things no one else in the entire Xie family could achieve.
His ability to act as he pleased came from his genuine capability.
The opportunities the Xie family enjoyed today were also earned through his efforts.
"I sent you from the Imperial Guard Camp to the Courier Soldier Camp to experience the hardships of life," Xie Yanfang said, looking at A Jiu. "But I forgot—your life was already difficult to begin with. These challenges mean nothing to you. Perhaps in your eyes, this kind of life is even comfortable."
He let out a soft sigh.
"Yan Lai, one cannot live solely for their own comfort. Since that's the case—"
A Jiu interrupted him, his expression indifferent. "What I mean is, marriage is the most useless endeavor. It can be left to the less capable members of the family. I have no need for it."
Xie Yanfang was taken aback, then burst into laughter, pointing at the others around them. "Like Xiao, for example?"
Xie Xiao and the others had been listening to their conversation. Unable to hold back, Xie Xiao cursed, "Xie Yanlai, you son of a—"
"How dare you speak to me like that!" A Jiu snapped, turning to point at Xie Xiao. "Is this how the Xie family taught you manners? Where is your respect for your elders?"
Xie Xiao grew even angrier, swearing under his breath as he stepped forward. "What nonsense! Who exactly lacks respect for their elders? What have you ever brought to the Xie family besides shame and ridicule? How dare you boast about your abilities! Who do you think you're better than?"
The other young men joined in the uproar.
"Enough!" Xie Yanfang struck his fishing rod against the ground, scattering the fish in the stream and silencing the noisy youths.
He first looked at A Jiu and said, "You must not speak of family members in such a way. In this family, we do not measure one another by ability alone."
Then he turned to address the others.
"Not everyone in the family needs to strive for excellence or become exceptionally learned. Since we are born as human beings, each of us has a purpose. This is especially true for the descendants of the Xie family. No matter who they are, it is the family's responsibility to ensure that everyone lives without worry for food or clothing. In the future, you must treat your own children the same way. This is the meaning of a family's existence."
The young men were stirred and delighted. Xie Yanfang was both strict and tolerant, treating everyone with sincerity and never looking down on anyone. This was something the older generation, who only knew how to put on airs, could never achieve. This was the kind of family leader they admired.
Xie Xiao pointed at A Jiu and declared, "I, Xie Xiao, may be useless, but I've never relied on you for food or drink. Who are you to look down on me!"
Faced with the increasingly hostile glares of the young men, A Jiu showed no fear and sneered, "If you're useless, why shouldn't people look down on you?"
As the clamor and arguments threatened to erupt again, Xie Yanfang tapped his fishing rod once more.
"Alright, alright," he said. "I don't expect you to pretend to be affectionate and respectful brothers, but I warn you."
His gaze swept over the group.
"You can quarrel as much as you want within the family, but do not bring shame upon us outside."
"Third Uncle, don't worry," Xie Xiao immediately called out, patting his plump belly. "I won't stoop to his level outside."
The others chimed in with similar assurances.
For once, A Jiu also called out, "Third Brother, don't worry. I'll test them outside to see if they can keep their word."
Damn it! Xie Xiao glared furiously. What did he mean? Was this brat planning to deliberately pick fights and provoke them outside?Xie Yanfang looked at A Jiu and was amused by his reaction.
"Alright, since you're unwilling, let's drop this matter," he said with a faint smile. "We'll do as you suggested—keep you for more important tasks."
His smile was as gentle as a spring breeze, but A Jiu clenched his hands at his sides and averted his gaze.
"Go rest now. From now on, you'll live at home," Xie Yanfang said. "There's no need to return to the Courier Soldier Camp. Focus on training properly in the Imperial Guard Camp."
A Jiu grunted in acknowledgment and turned to leave. Several maids waiting near the distant pavilions and corridors rushed forward upon seeing him.
"Young Master Jiu!" "Young Master Yan Lai!" They swarmed around him joyfully—some supporting his arm, others grasping his hands, while those who couldn't reach simply tugged at the hem of his robe from behind. "Hot water is ready!" "Your favorite dishes are prepared!" "Young Master, your hands have become so rough—let me apply scented balm for you!"
Amid their chirping and bustling, they escorted A Jiu away.
The other young men watched with a mix of anger and envy. They too had beautiful maidservants who were obedient and submissive, but none compared to Xie Yanlai's attendants—so genuinely delighted, so unrestrained and unreserved in their affection.
"Pah!" Xie Xiao spat bitterly. "He only relies on that face of his."
"What use is a pretty face alone?" another scoffed. "Without the status of a Xie family young master, I doubt anyone would cling to him so desperately."
Someone found this remark inappropriate and glanced back at Xie Yanfang seated in the pavilion. Dressed in plain robes, with ink-black hair and jade-pale skin, he resembled a startled swan in elegance—
Though Xie Yanfang might fall slightly short of Xie Yanlai in looks, his character and temperament surpassed ten A Jius combined.
Firmly, the young man declared, "Even without the Xie family name, women would still follow Third Brother to the ends of the earth."
The others immediately chimed in agreement, with Xie Xiao shouting the loudest: "My wife often says she only agreed to marry into our family because she could see Third Uncle frequently."
Xie Yanfang didn't know whether to laugh or cry. He shooed them away, telling them to stop their nonsense.
Once the nephews had retreated, tranquility returned to the streamside.
An elderly servant emerged from the crowd and asked, "Young Master, shall we select another match from the Liang family for the marriage alliance?"
Xie Yanfang shook his head. "No need. Substituting someone would create enmity, not kinship—rendering the alliance meaningless."
The old servant frowned in complaint. "Then what should we do? You really shouldn't indulge him, Young Master. He truly thinks he's here to live as a noble son."
"It's fine. Since he's unwilling, let it be. Some people may seem unrestrained, but they are exceedingly particular about lifelong partners," Xie Yanfang said. "He's likely the type who rarely forms attachments, but once he does, he'll cling through life and death."
The old servant chuckled. "How absurd."
How could anyone cling to another through life and death?
"Don't laugh," Xie Yanfang said with a sigh. "You and I aren't such people. It's a pity we cannot understand it."
The servant found this even funnier and laughed heartily. "Young Master, you must be joking."
Xie Yanfang smiled faintly.
"Even if he's disobedient, he still has his uses," he said. "Besides, Minister Liang has just angered His Majesty—had tea thrown at him. I initially thought he could last another two years, but now it seems he might not even make it one. This marriage alliance is no longer suitable."The old servant was astonished; he hadn't heard about it in the capital yet, but the young master had just arrived and already knew. After his surprise, he felt somewhat ashamed: "This old servant is useless, failing to gather such information."
Xie Yanfang shook his head: "You are by the Crown Princess's side in the capital—it's natural not to be too well-informed about palace affairs."
The old servant acknowledged this, then thought of Minister Liang and added: "Minister Liang was reprimanded because of Chu Ling's daughter." He recounted the incident from some days ago where Miss Chu had clashed with Miss Liang.
It was a minor matter that had initially gone unnoticed, yet it ended with Minister Liang being punished.
Looking at Xie Yanfang again, his eyes brimmed with even greater admiration: "Chu Ling truly holds a special place in His Majesty's eyes. I wonder how he will respond to the letter you sent him."
"I have expressed the Xie family's goodwill; how General Chu responds is entirely his decision," Xie Yanfang said.
The old servant acknowledged this and asked further: "Should we learn more about Miss Chu Zhao then?"
Xie Yanfang shook his head: "No need. That girl is merely Chu Ling's daughter."
His aim was to befriend Chu Ling; a mere young girl was not yet worth his attention.
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