Chapter 18: Eighteen, No Regrets

Eighteen, No Regrets

Xie Ling today wore male attire again.

She was tall and slender, her face pale and fair, dark hair exposed, wearing a black silk folded cap, a rich blue narrow-sleeved robe with a turned collar, a purple silk jade belt at her waist, and high-heeled brocade shoes.

Even the discerning Ouyang Rong had to admit: this Xie woman truly possessed exquisite grace—dressed as a man, she outshone most males in elegance, the only odd thing being her unusually large pectoral muscles, enough to make any man jealous.

Such female cross-dressing was not unusual in the Great Zhou; this trend had spread since the founding of the Great Gan, originating among noblewomen of Chang’an and Luoyang, becoming an imperial fashion among women.

Perhaps it was due to the Di bloodline of the Li imperial clan fostering an open and tolerant culture, or perhaps because too many men had perished in the prolonged wars between North and South, leaving women to take part in all manner of social production and activities, elevating their status dramatically. Among common families, women could hold up half the sky; among the imperial elite, noblewomen actively participated in politics, eventually giving rise to the formidable Wei Empress, who crushed the Li Gan imperial clan without mercy.

So for a young lady like Little Sister to wear male attire daily, attend the academy, and kick two large men away in one continuous motion—this was nothing out of the ordinary.

Then what would be out of the ordinary?

Suddenly being betrothed to you would be out of the ordinary.

“Master, I… don’t quite understand,” Ouyang Rong said, meeting Xie Xun’s smiling gaze. “Why does Little Sister stay to accompany me? The county office is busy—I fear I won’t be able to care for her properly.”

“Hey, how can you talk like that…” Zhen Shi reached under the table to pinch her clumsy nephew’s thigh, but he pulled his legs together and shifted away.

Xie Ling’s gaze turned to him, her expression solemn as she shook her head: “It’s not you taking care of me—it’s me taking care of you, Brother Lianghan.”

Is there a difference?

Huh, there really does seem to be a difference.

It seems the Xie lady prefers to be on top—but then again, letting the beloved one be underneath isn’t impossible. If he endures being beneath during the day, he can surely turn the tables at night… Zhen Shi mused inwardly.

Seeing her student fall silent without reply, and sensing that Madam Zhen had misunderstood something,

Xie Xun first addressed the woman in the silk skirt:

Thank you, Madam, for your concern yesterday. But Wuanwan is currently focused on her studies and examinations. I, too, hope she will one day inherit our family’s scholarly tradition, and for these years, I wish to spare her from other distractions.

This was a polite refusal.

“But Lianghan cannot follow his Little Sister’s example. Since you’ve already entered officialdom, you must consider matters of life and marriage. Harmonizing a household is also a form of cultivation. Madam, your remark yesterday was half-right: I’m uncertain whether the Jiangzu scholar clans still value character, but our Chen Commandery Xie clan certainly does. When I return home, I’ll look among the other branches for a suitable young lady of marriageable age to be a worthy match for you.”

This was a retreat followed by an advance.

Or perhaps, just a pie in the sky.

Zhen Shi stiffened, fell silent for a moment, then tucked her sleeve bracelet back in, her face hesitant as she asked: “That’s truly a pity… are these other branches direct or collateral?”

Xie Xun’s expression remained unchanged as he patiently explained: “To outsiders, they may be called collateral branches, but within our clan, we regard them all as one family—there is no distinction between direct and collateral. Madam, rest assured: what matters is suitability, not lineage.”

“Oh, I see…” Zhen Shi slowly lowered her eyes, gazing at the cold porridge on the table.

Zhen Shi’s disappointment made Xie Xun’s expression slightly apologetic. In truth, the Nanjing direct branch did have eligible young Xie women—but none were suitable. Those girls lacked even half of Wuanwan’s qualities or talent, yet each carried herself with arrogance and pride; unless one were a current high-ranking official, they wouldn’t even spare a glance for a man bearing the Xie surname.

Yet compared to Zhen Shi’s forced cheerfulness, Ouyang Rong quietly exhaled in relief, thinking: This makes sense.

Xie Ling, who had been quietly sipping porridge with lowered eyes, suddenly lifted her head to glance at her senior brother across the table.

She wasn’t being mischievous—she was simply curious about his reaction.

But she noticed: this senior brother showed no anger or embarrassment, no loud laugh dismissing it, no pretended chuckle or feigned aloofness, nor did he remain silent with detached calm.

He simply… listened intently to her father’s words while finishing off both large bowls of thick porridge, even clearing the two small jars of pickled radish without a word—picking them clean with chopsticks. Had her father and she not barely touched their chopsticks, the last jar of pickled radish would surely have vanished too.

Xie Ling was speechless, yet immediately curious. She picked up a pair of chopsticks, lightly tapped them together on the table—“ding”—then reached for a piece of pickled radish.

Were these pickled radishes from Donglin Temple really this good?

“Lianghan.”

“Hmm, I’m here,” Ouyang Rong set down his chopsticks and bowl.

Xie Xun turned his head slightly toward Xie Ling and explained:

“It’s like this: your Little Sister staying is her own suggestion. Before coming up the mountain, she saw the severity of the Longcheng floods and felt compassion. She wishes to stay and assist you. I also believe she has studied enough at the academy—it’s time she stepped out for practical experience, to shed her youthful naivety.”

Ouyang Rong opened his mouth, then closed it again.

Xie Xun added: “Let her stay by your side as an advisor. Don’t treat her specially—she’ll take care of herself. In fact, your Little Sister… has some martial skill. She might even help you when needed.”

Ouyang Rong had wanted to say he had the county’s Yan constables to protect him, and didn’t need Little Sister’s help—but he immediately recalled her leg from yesterday at Sanhui Courtyard, and fell silent. To be fair, those long legs were deadly—on every level.

Still, Ouyang Rong felt having Xie Ling stay as an advisor was like a joke.

Yet faced with his master’s kind and earnest gaze, he nodded.

“Fine. But Little Sister must promise to obey me.”

Xie Xun nodded in satisfaction. “Wuanwan, don’t trouble your senior brother. Observe carefully and learn well.”

“Mm,” Xie Ling nodded absentmindedly.

Her mind was entirely on the pickled radish—truly delicious, crisp and refreshing.

Looks like she had another reason to stay.

…

“Your aunt told your father this afternoon—what do you think?”

“Father, do you want your daughter to marry out?”

“Men marry when grown, women wed when mature—what’s there to want or not want?”

“Are you quite satisfied with this Ouyang senior brother?”

“Whether I’m satisfied or not means nothing—it’s your choice. I can only offer you my perspective. The decision is yours.”

“Your mother held this same attitude. I hold it now. If you marry, I’ll prepare your dowry. If you don’t, your home will always have a place for you.”

“Did Father and Mother choose each other?”

“No. We were ordered to marry. Before our wedding night, we didn’t even know what the other looked like—only each other’s childhood names.”

“Yet later, Father and Mother became deeply devoted, harmonious as mandarin ducks.”

“That’s why your mother and I understand how rare and precious it is to love after marriage. So we won’t interfere in your major life decisions—we’ll only prepare your dowry and offer our blessings.”

“Then what do you think of Ouyang Lianghan?”

“I think… he’s quite good. Hmm. You decide.”

“Father, I don’t look down on him because of his family status.”

“I simply haven’t finished reading all the books, haven’t fully grasped all the principles, haven’t yet fulfilled my vow—I’m still at the level of ‘Gentleman,’ not yet advanced to ‘Book Turner.’”

“Daughter doesn’t wish to marry yet.”

“Good.”

“Father isn’t angry?”

“Not angry. Your choice, as long as you’re willing to bear the possible consequences, is never wrong. Just… don’t regret it later.”

“Regret?… Daughter won’t.”

“Then I’ll go refuse him tomorrow.”

“Good.”

“But regarding your promotion, you’re already progressing quickly.”

“Not fast enough. In Yunmeng Sword Marsh, there’s a Wu-Yue cultivator named Zhao Qingxiu—she’s faster than I am.”

“Zhao Qingxiu is this generation’s ‘Yue Maiden.’ Don’t compete with her.”

“Why can’t I?”

“Fine. Where there’s will, there’s a way.”

“The family I saw just now descending the mountain… so, Father wants me to stay?”

“Yes. Perfectly suited to serve as Lianghan’s advisor.”

“Should I tell him about this?”

“Not yet. Only if that family permits can you speak. When the time comes, give Lianghan this handwritten letter from me on your desk—he’ll understand after reading it.”

“Father, does that family truly still have a chance to return to Luoyang?”

“I don’t know. It was Di Fuzi who sent me.”

“Daughter understands.”

“Remember: never let your guard down. The water beneath this mountain, in Longcheng County… runs deep.”