Chapter 90

Zhang Rang was not stupid.

His highest expectation was only that Su Xuan would not directly turn hostile and refuse to recognize him, completely drawing a line with him and standing on the side of the noble clans and He Jin.

At the same time, he could help him when he needed it, pull him up, and that would be enough.

Su Xuan had truly grown up completely.

Zhang Rang knew that as early as after the Battle of Changshe, Su Xuan had secretly engaged to the daughter of Xun Shuang of the Yingchuan Xun family, and was preparing to marry after pacifying the rebellion.

This was no small matter.

This meant that from now on, Su Xuan also had a top noble clan as his backer and was not so easy to bully.

Fortunately, the Xun family was different from top noble clans like the Lord Yuan family and the Yang family. Although they secretly excluded them, the eunuchs, at least there was no open hostility or constant trouble for them.

Even the most outstanding disciple of the Xun family of this generation, Xun Yu, married the daughter of the Regular Attendant Tang Heng.

The relationship with the eunuchs had greatly eased.

Of course, Zhang Rang knew that this was just the result of the Xun family being forced to find a way out and compromising with the eunuchs during the second Proscription of Partisan Prohibitions.

But that was enough.

Therefore, even though Zhang Rang had secretly heard about Su Xuan’s engagement to the Xun family, he didn't spread it, let alone tell the Son of Heaven.

He even secretly helped to cover it up, which led to Liu Hong still not knowing about this matter.

Otherwise, Liu Hong’s attitude toward Su Xuan might have changed and he wouldn't trust him so much.

He felt that when he saw Su Xuan, he had to properly ask him for this favor.

He wasn't a fool who did things without saying them.

If you don't say it, how would others know you helped him?

In Yingyin City, Yingchuan, in the Xun mansion,

Jia Wu led a merchant caravan disguised as Yellow Turban Warriors and specifically passed through Yingyin City.

Then he took the opportunity to bring Su Xuan’s letter and message to seek an audience with Xun Shuang.

After handing Su Xuan’s letter to Xun Shuang, he said: "Lord Xun, my Lord asked me to beg you not to publicly announce or promote the engagement and marriage between him and Miss Xun Cai for the time being;"

"It is best to confuse the public;"

"At the very least, do not promote or announce this matter until my Lord goes to Luoyang and leaves Luoyang after being rewarded."

"The specific reasons and causes have already been explained in the letter."

Zhang Rang could think of this, and Su Xuan could naturally think of it too.

So, he made preparations.

As for the news that might have leaked out before?

It didn't matter; he and the Xun family could completely deny it together, or give ambiguous news to confuse the public.

As long as he could fool the Son of Heaven temporarily, it would be enough.

Of course, Su Xuan also knew that Zhang Rang was a smart man, and since the marriage object was the Xun family, which already had marriage ties with the eunuchs, Zhang Rang and the others wouldn't leak it out even if they knew.

As for the Lord Yuan family and the others?

Hehe, in the situation where they had already reconciled with Su Xuan, they wished the Son of Heaven would know about this news later.

It would be best to wait until Su Xuan was rewarded and everything was settled before letting the Son of Heaven know.

By then, not only could Su Xuan be forced to completely lean toward their noble clan camp, but the Son of Heaven’s calculations and efforts would also fall through;

Making the Son of Heaven uncomfortable.

It was simply killing multiple birds with one stone.

What was the use of telling the Son of Heaven now?

Not only would it offend Su Xuan and the Xun family, it wouldn't be possible to kill Su Xuan with one blow because of this matter.

After all, Su Xuan’s merit was solid, and even if this matter could influence things a little, it couldn't change the overall situation.

Crucially, doing so would also completely push Su Xuan to the side of the Son of Heaven and the eunuchs.

As long as Lord Yuan Feng and the others weren't stupid, they couldn't possibly do this.

Of course, if Su Xuan hadn't reached a reconciliation with the Lord Yuan family through the mediation of the Xun family, that would be another situation.

"Good!"

Xun Shuang quickly finished reading the letter written by Su Xuan.

The letter detailed Su Xuan’s concerns and subsequent plans.

Xun Shuang was not angry but happy, clapping his hands and saying: "I am very gratified that Su Boyuan can consider this problem so maturely and comprehensively!"

"Actually, I had already realized this problem before, so I have consciously suppressed the news of Su Boyuan and Cai’er’s marriage over the past few months;"

"It was just out of worry that it would affect Su Boyuan;"

"After all, Su Boyuan was promoted out of turn by His Majesty step by step; he is a target set up by His Majesty;"

"He is a pawn meant to establish a model while also wanting to strike at General-in-Chief He Jin and even the noble clan alliance led by the Lord Yuan family;"

"Su Boyuan’s situation has always been like walking on a tightrope;"

"If it weren't for his talent, character, and intellect far exceeding ordinary people, making me too satisfied, I wouldn't have decided to let Cai’er marry him in the first place."

"Before, I was quite worried that he was too young and didn't understand the ways of the world, but now I can be completely at ease, hehe!"

He really hadn't misjudged the person; Su Xuan was even more outstanding than he had imagined.

"Your Lordship is far-sighted!"

What else could Jia Wu below say?

He could only echo and flatter him.

He could only say in his heart: "As expected of the Xun family, a noble clan for hundreds of years! They consider things comprehensively enough."

Afterwards, Xun Shuang asked Jia Wu about Su Xuan’s experiences over the past few months in detail, and then let Jia Wu leave.

Then, he looked at Xun Yu and Xun You beside him and asked: "How is it? Tell me your views!"

— Author's Notes —

PS: The new book is out; I am asking for first-time subscriptions, auto-subscriptions, and support!