Chapter 733: Knowing the Roots [Thank You! Bow Again! 37k Chapters Owed]

Just as he was about to unroll the scroll, Xiangyang Marquis frowned and waved his hand, speaking with a hint of reprimand:

“Tsk! You’re a father now—how can you be so clueless?”

“Can’t you see the elder is speaking with Jing Ge?”

“Ah, yes, Marquis Gu is right—I was impolite.” Rong Xian quickly bowed and clasped his hands.

The Xiangyang Marquis scanned Rong Xian up and down, then nodded. “Hmm. Be more careful next time.”

Rong Xian hurriedly replied, “Yes, sir.”

With that, the Xiangyang Marquis’s expression shifted like turning a page—he smiled and turned to Xu Zaijing. “Hehe! Wu Lang, what do you think of my calligraphy?”

As he spoke, he unfurled the scroll in his hand.

The Xiangyang Marquis came from a long line of meritorious nobles; in his youth, he studied under renowned masters and practiced calligraphy diligently.

In recent years, with few wars, he had spent much of his time refining his brushwork, and his characters were now truly pleasing to the eye.

“Excellent characters!” Xu Zaijing smiled in praise.

“In what way?” the Xiangyang Marquis tested him.

Xu Zaijing studied the characters closely.

Beside him, Rong Xian feigned interest, standing close and glancing at the scroll with a half-understanding stare.

After a moment,

Xu Zaijing nodded and praised: “Your Excellency’s characters have a square, upright structure; the horizontal strokes are smooth and warm, the short strokes sharp and crisp.”

Rong Xian’s eyes lit with agreement—he nodded vigorously, as if he understood calligraphy deeply.

The Xiangyang Marquis stroked his beard with one hand, barely suppressing a grin. “Hah! Wu Lang, you truly understand characters!”

“But—” Xu Zaijing hesitated.

At once,

Rong Xian stopped nodding, frowned at the scroll, and pursed his lips.

The Xiangyang Marquis’s hand paused on his beard. “Hmm? Wu Lang, is there something wrong with my writing?”

Xu Zaijing gave a slight nod, stepped forward a few paces, and stood before the scroll. He mimicked the first stroke with his finger, then shook his head. “Your Excellency, I sense in your first character—perhaps due to habit—a faint air of melancholy.”

Rong Xian glanced at Xu Zaijing, his eyes wide with awe: *He actually noticed that? He truly has culture!*

He turned back to the scroll, his expression blank—he shook his head slightly, his confusion plainly visible: *I can’t see anything at all.*

“The later characters, however, grow increasingly open and fluid!”

Xu Zaijing looked at the Xiangyang Marquis. “Your Excellency, this is merely my crude observation—please take it as you will.”

“Good! Excellent! It seems I didn’t misgive this scroll!” The Xiangyang Marquis rolled it up and handed it to Xu Zaijing.

Xu Zaijing smiled as he took it. “Your Excellency, about what I just said—”

The Xiangyang Marquis: “Hmm? What is it?”

Xu Zaijing: “You’re getting older—please take better care of your health.”

The Xiangyang Marquis turned and walked out, saying as he went: “I know my limits. Rong’s boy doesn’t need to pay—the fee’s already been settled.”

The page trailing behind the Marquis stepped outside and, with Qingyun, closed the door.

“Jing Ge, how did you notice all that? Teach me, brother!” Rong Xian asked, feigning earnest curiosity.

Xu Zaijing walked toward his seat. “Xian Ge, this you must figure out yourself.”

“Figure it out?” Rong Xian scratched his head, troubled.

Along the corridor leading outside, lanterns hung overhead, casting light.

Madam Ruan walked ahead, smiling warmly.

The Xiangyang Marquis cast a sidelong glance at the page behind him—the boy’s gaze wandered distractedly, sweeping the courtyard.

“What’s wrong?” the Xiangyang Marquis asked sharply.

The page immediately lowered his eyes. “My Lord, n-nothing…”

“Hmm? Don’t make me ask again.”

The page bowed deeply, clasped his hands. “My Lord, when I came to deliver the message, I saw the maid beside Madam Ruan—she’s stunningly beautiful. I just wanted another look! I—”

The Xiangyang Marquis waved his hand. “I see. Madam Ruan, how much silver does it take to redeem the maid who served you tonight?”

Madam Ruan, walking ahead, turned in shock. “What? My Lord, are you—?”

“If my page likes her, then buy her for him,” the Xiangyang Marquis said indifferently.

The page stared at the Marquis, dumbfounded—he only wanted to look again!

In truth, he’d never dared dream of such a thing.

“My Lord, please let me explain,” Madam Ruan stepped close and whispered, “That girl is the most outstanding among the new girls I’ve trained. It’s said that today, when Xu’s Fifth Son came—”

“She tried to compare herself to the maid from your household, but one glance from that lady left her humbled.”

Hearing this, the Xiangyang Marquis nodded—proud, yet pained.

The page beside him exhaled softly, his eyes filled with *So that’s why!*

“When this boy came to deliver the message, my daughter had not yet put on her veil, so—”

Madam Ruan added more, glancing constantly at the Marquis’s expression.

When she saw curiosity flicker across his face, a fleeting sigh passed through her eyes.

“My Lord, shall I have my daughter come out?”

“Hmm.” The Xiangyang Marquis nodded, then looked at the page. “Such a girl—you must forget her.”

“As you say, My Lord,” the page bowed.

After the Marquis nodded, Madam Ruan hurried to a room and spoke two words.

Soon, the girl who had been beside her—Shishi—emerged, veiled, holding a rolled scroll in both hands.

“Daughter, this is the Xiangyang Marquis. Remove your veil,” Madam Ruan said.

Shishi’s eyes flashed with surprise, then she quickly obeyed, lifting the veil.

The page’s eyes locked onto her, wide and fixed.

The Xiangyang Marquis, too, was struck by her beauty—he nodded in admiration. “Madam Ruan spoke truly—she is truly exceptional. A stunning face! But—”

Shishi glanced at Madam Ruan, puzzled.

Madam Ruan also looked confused.

The Xiangyang Marquis shook his head and turned to the page. “Know this: in the capital, no noble youth will see this girl’s face without spending thousands of strings.”

“You’ve gained a great fortune. Keep today’s sight buried in your heart—if word of it ever leaks, don’t blame me for being ruthless.”

“Yes, My Lord! I shall remember,” the page said earnestly.

Watching the Xiangyang Marquis walk away, Madam Ruan waved for her “daughter” to return inside, then hurried after him.

“My Lord, when you said ‘but’ just now—does my daughter have some flaw?”

“Madam Ruan, you worry too much. I merely noticed your daughter is too slender—she won’t bear children easily.”

“Ah…” Madam Ruan fell silent.

Inside the private chamber,

“Jing Ge, let me pour you another cup!”

Rong Xian raised his cup.

Xu Zaijing smiled, clinked his cup against it, and drained it in one gulp.

After eating a bite, Rong Xian said: “Jing Ge, have you heard about the Nan people and the Prince of Yong?”

Xu Zaijing nodded. “I just received word this afternoon.”

“Sigh.”

Seeing Rong Xian sigh, Xu Zaijing asked: “What’s wrong?”

Rong Xian shook his head. “Today, while on duty in the palace, the Empress sent word—”

Seeing Xu Zaijing listen intently, Rong Xian continued: “With trouble in the south, she’s petitioned the Emperor on my behalf—I may be sent south to serve His Majesty.”

“Xian Ge, the situation in the south is still unclear—how could Empress Rong think to send you?” Xu Zaijing replied.

Rong Xian nodded. “Jing Ge, it’s exactly as you think—the south is even more dire than you’ve heard.”

“How are the Xie heir and the Xiong brothers?” Xu Zaijing frowned.

“No word of trouble yet—but the Imperial Secretariat has received secret reports: the Nong people have offered bribes, and Jiaozhi is stirring.” Rong Xian poured himself another cup and drank it.

Xu Zaijing looked at Rong Xian. “Your daughter was just born—your courtyard still holds a woman heavy with child. How could Empress Rong let you go south?”

“My sister’s pregnant, and seeing how the Xiong family’s boys sent south haven’t suffered much, she—”

Xu Zaijing shook his head. “Peace and war are entirely different. Are you truly going?”

“The Emperor has approved. If I refuse, I defy his order.” Rong Xian spoke, visibly gloomy.

Xu Zaijing sighed. “When do you leave? Who has His Majesty appointed to lead?”

“By month’s end, at the latest. Most likely, Grand Secretary Shen will oversee it.”

Xu Zaijing nodded. “Empress Rong’s intentions are deeply thoughtful.”

Rong Xian grunted.

Xu Zaijing said: “Xian Ge, we’ve known each other for years—I’ll say a few things, don’t think me nagging.”

Rong Xian shook his head. “Jing Ge, what nonsense! Back at Fan Tower, if you, Gu Er, and Zheng Er hadn’t shown up, I’d still be enduring humiliation. Whatever you say, I know it’s for my good.”

Xu Zaijing smiled. “You’re imperial kin, with service in the Forbidden Army—you’ll hold a high rank in the southern troops. I imagine your family’s banner will fly in every formation.”

Listening, Rong Xian’s eyes filled with longing and emotion.

After being humiliated at Fan Tower years ago, Rong Xian had dreamed of joining the army—but he’d never even left Xiangzhou.

"Storming the battlefield is left to our seasoned soldiers, and selecting officers is handled by the Xie and Xiong families," Xu Zaijing continued.

Rong Xian listened as he poured wine into Xu Zaijing’s cup.

"If you truly get the chance to command troops, Brother Xian, do you know how to establish authority?"

Rong Xian nodded. "I do! Kill someone to establish authority."

"Kill whom?" Xu Zaijing pressed.

Rong Xian set down the wine pot. "Brother Jing, is there really a distinction in who you kill?"

"Exactly! When commanding troops, if a nobleman’s son breaks military law—do you kill him or not?" Xu Zaijing asked.

"It depends on the man—his family background, and how close we are. If his family is powerful and we’re close, I naturally can’t."

As Rong Xian spoke, he met Xu Zaijing’s gaze, his voice growing quieter, hesitant. "Brother Jing… are the people you mean to kill exactly these kinds?"

Xu Zaijing shook his head. "Brother Xian, I meant those who committed capital offenses under military law."

"But isn’t that too ruthless? If you kill someone, you’ll keep running into their family in the capital."

Xu Zaijing ignored Rong Xian. He picked up his wine cup, drank, then used his chopsticks to eat a few bites of food. "This dish is good."

"But Brother Jing, I’m asking you for advice—why are you eating and drinking instead?"

Xu Zaijing sipped. "Brother Xian, you’ve served in the Imperial Guards long enough—haven’t you learned any military law? You’re asking me this? I think you’d better not go."

Rong Xian scratched his cheek, embarrassed. "When they taught this stuff, I was on night watch—I was tired and didn’t pay attention."

Xu Zaijing shook his head in disbelief. "You really shouldn’t go. You’ll end up being the one they kill to establish authority."

"The Art of War says: 'Kill one whose death terrifies the entire army.' To establish authority in the ranks, the higher the rank of the condemned, the better. With your status as a Marquis’s heir and imperial relative, if you commit even a minor offense—ah, nothing suits a beheading to raise the banner better!"

"Gulping."

Hearing Xu Zaijing’s casual words, Rong Xian swallowed hard and touched his neck.

"Brother Jing, when you were in the northwest—did you see this happen?"

"Mm."

"Brother Jing, then… what should I do?" Rong Xian hurriedly asked.

"Find a seasoned, sharp-eyed veteran who knows the inner workings of the army, keep him close, settle his family well, and listen to his advice."

After Xu Zaijing spoke, Rong Xian’s eyes lit up.

"Slap!"

Rong Xian slammed his palm on the table. "That’s it! Why didn’t I think of that? If I’d known, I wouldn’t have sent Hua Rong to serve under Marquis Xu!"

Xu Zaijing raised an eyebrow. "When selecting men, investigate thoroughly. I’m sure Imperial Consort Rong will help you consider your options."

"Brother Jing, do you have anyone in mind to recommend?"

Xu Zaijing’s eyes flickered. He leaned over and whispered a few words into Rong Xian’s ear.

The next day,

in the Great Zhou Imperial Palace,

in the Empress’s Hall,

watching Rong Fei sit beside her, the Empress smiled and nodded. "Sister speaks wisely. If you’ve made up your mind, summon him to the palace."

Rong Fei rose at once and bowed with a smile. "Thank you, Your Majesty."

"Sit down! You’re with child—be careful."

"Yes."

After speaking a while longer, Rong Fei took her leave.

Watching Rong Fei’s retreating figure,

the Empress, seated, accepted a hot drink from her personal maid and murmured, "Imperial Consort Rong is clever. I hadn’t said a word, yet she volunteered to have Rong’s second son leave the palace grounds."

The maid replied, "These past days, Imperial Consort Rong hasn’t grown arrogant despite her pregnancy. Instead, she’s become more deferential, asking permission for everything."

The Empress took a small sip. "By the way—was this idea of Rong Fei’s suggested by Xu’s Jing-ge?"

"Yes. In Madam Ruan’s courtyard. That Lieutenant Shen is the younger brother of Lady Zhao Zongquan of Yuzhou. Now he serves beside the Xiong family’s young master. His wife is surnamed Zou, and they live on Quyuanjie with her younger sisters."

The Empress nodded. "Someone with known roots. On Double Ninth Festival, summon Lady Shen and Lady Zou to Huayang Mountain to accompany me on the climb."

"Yes, Your Majesty."

(End of Chapter)