Chapter 49

Hu Buwei really thought his son didn't want to leave his side, and he said softly: "Tian'er, everyone must grow up one day. Staying in the capital, staying by my side, you'll always be like a flower in a greenhouse, unable to truly grow, and I can't truly let you go either, son! Dad, though old, is not senile; Dad knows only by letting you go can you fly."

Hu Xiaotian's heart jolted; he suddenly realized his father's educational philosophy was not feudal at all, absolutely in line with modern education. Yes, only by letting go can one fly; flowers in a greenhouse simply cannot withstand wind and rain. Hu Xiaotian nodded and said: "Dad, I understand!"

Hu Buwei didn't know whether this kid truly understood or was just placating him, but hearing him say that already made him feel greatly relieved. He sighed and said: "I've heard about your matter with the Shi family's young man."

Hu Xiaotian said: "The matter has been settled, and I even became sworn brothers with him!"

Hu Buwei said: "Feelings cannot be measured by whether one is sworn brothers or not; loyalty and righteousness are not absolute either. Even if they are blood brothers, what then? As an official for many years, I have seen countless blood brothers turn against each other; in life, one must first consider oneself!" Hu Buwei's words, though not noble, are very realistic—human nature is just like that; those who do not act for themselves invite heavenly wrath and earthly annihilation.

Hu Xiaotian said: "Dad, I'm sorry this time for causing you such trouble."

Hu Buwei smiled and said: "A loss may be a blessing in disguise; everything has two sides. You are my son, so we father and son should never speak politely."

Only when the time to leave truly arrived did Hu Xiaotian realize he was not familiar with the capital; he had never properly toured it, and the few outings he had each involved some incident.

He had hoped to spend these three days sightseeing in the capital, but he hadn't expected the weather to be so foul—continuous overcast rain—making the best choice simply to stay home honestly.

Everything about the departure required no extra worry from Hu Xiaotian; he didn't even need to personally go to the Ministry of Personnel to collect documents and seals, but he still took some time to browse the documents, learning about his future treatment. According to the Ministry's regulations, officials' salaries are usually divided into three parts: grain stipend, land, and provisions. As a ninth-rank official, Hu Xiaotian receives only the grain stipend: thirty shi, with 120 catties making one shi, one shi equaling ten dou, which works out to 3,600 catties. This stipend amounts to ten catties a day—enough not to starve, more than one could eat, and the surplus grain could be exchanged for silver, probably just enough to meet daily living expenses. In contrast, his father's stipend alone in grain is four hundred shi per year, 48,000 catties—no wonder they say a higher rank crushes you; just the grain from multiple posts could bury a person.

Dakang's official system divides into nine ranks and thirty grades; each rank from first to ninth is split into principal and secondary, and from principal fourth down to secondary ninth each further splits into upper and lower levels. If Hu Xiaotian counts down from principal first, it's hard to figure out his exact number, but counting upward from the bottom makes it crystal clear: he is principal ninth lower. The ranks below him are secondary ninth upper and lower. Counting backward, he is third from the bottom. If we view the thirty grades as steps, he still needs twenty-seven steps to climb to the top—just thinking about it gives me a headache.

Fortunately, Hu Xiaotian is not an official-obsessed person; after his rebirth, his greatest wish is to enjoy life, not chase fame and profit. Although his marital prospects are not favorable, the wedding day will be postponed by two years, and there are still many variables in that. His biggest advantage now is his youth—still under seventeen in physiological age—meaning he has plenty of time to squander. Taking up a post in Qingyun is equivalent to grassroots training; the ancients also valued gilding. His father sent him to this remote southwestern county precisely to keep him away from the possible political turmoil of the next two years due to imperial succession, and to let him gain some political achievements and experience. It seems his father wants him to follow in his footsteps and walk the long road of officialdom.

Even though Hu Xiaotian is the son of the Minister of Revenue, and even though he has recently done a few things that could be considered somewhat sensational, the number of people in the capital who know him is still too small; Kangdu is huge, and most people's attention is focused on the imperial palace, so few notice that the Minister of Revenue's son is about to leave the capital for an official post. Of course, this is also because Hu Buwei deliberately wants to keep a low profile—he doesn't want too many people to know about his son going out to serve as an official. The more secretive such matters are, the better, since he has served in the court for many years, offended many people, and his son has always been his weakest link, as well as the one he cares about most; he doesn't want enemies to set their sights on his son.

Although the capital is not Hu Xiaotian's hometown, leaving still inevitably brings a hint of parting sorrow; the continuous overcast rain always affects one's mood somewhat. Hu Xiaotian recalled some things and forgot others, and because there were too many things, he actually forgot to send gold to the Fang family father and daughter.

Some forget, some remember; Hu Xiaotian never expected Murong Feiyan to come to his mansion on her own to find him, let alone that this girl would come to collect a debt from him.

Upon hearing that Murong Feiyan had come to see him, Hu Xiaotian immediately had Liang Da Zhuang usher her in. At the time of departure, he finally realized he had no friends in the capital; although Murong Feiyan couldn't be called his friend, she was at least an old acquaintance, and having someone to chat with before leaving was a good thing.

Murong Feiyan wore a set of deep blue warrior attire; in fact, Hu Xiaotian had known her for a while, and the only time he had seen her in women's clothing was that day when she was ambushed on Tuo Street.

Murong Feiyan bore a rare spirited and heroic bearing for a woman of this era; the red folding umbrella in her hand was extremely vivid, like a gorgeous flower blooming in the rain, with rainwater dripping down its edges in fine threads, resembling a bead curtain that veiled her lovely figure.

Hu Xiaotian sat in the waterside pavilion, smiling as he watched Murong Feiyan walk from the rain; her appearance added a splash of brightness to this gloomy world.

Murong Feiyan entered the corridor, put away her umbrella, leaned the folding umbrella against the column, and her clear, deep eyes sought out Hu Xiaotian in the waterside pavilion.

Hu Xiaotian lay half-reclined on the bench of the waterside pavilion, his body half leaning against the rear wall; his expression was languid, as if he had just woken up, his eyes half-open, half-closed, lacking energy. In Murong Feiyan's view, this expression was full of languor and weariness—only a carefree young master with food and clothing provided and nothing to do could have such an expression.

Murong Feiyan walked slowly toward Hu Xiaotian, who just stared at her without moving his gaze or his body; only when she stood before him did he say: "Captain Murong, what advice do you have?"

Murong Feiyan said: "I just happened to pass by the Minister's residence, so I came to remind you of something."

Hu Xiaotian exclaimed in surprise: "What matter?"

Murong Feiyan extended two slender jade-like fingers and waved them in front of Hu Xiaotian's face.

Hu Xiaotian said: "Two! I know you; I said Captain Murong, do you have to insult me the moment we meet? Did we have a grudge in a past life?"

Murong Feiyan glared at him and said: "Stop pretending to be dumb; who promised to give someone five taels of gold?"

Upon hearing this, Hu Xiaotian finally recalled that, because of his impending departure from the capital to take up a post in Xichuan, he had actually overlooked this matter, completely forgetting to send money to the Fang family father and daughter; he couldn't help but pat his head and sit up straight on the bench: "Oh dear, if you hadn't said anything, I really would have forgotten!"

Murong Feiyan stood there, looking down at him with a look of contempt; she didn't believe Hu Xiaotian had simply forgotten by accident—this guy was very sly.

Hu Xiaotian beckoned to Liang Da Zhuang, who hurriedly nodded and bowed his way over.

Hu Xiaotian said: "Da Zhuang, go to the accounts office and withdraw five taels of gold, then immediately take it to Master Yuan of Yiyuantang to have him pass it on to the Fang family father and daughter."

Liang Da Zhuang said: "Young master, five taels of gold is not a small sum; I'll go ask, but the accounts office might not give it."

Hu Xiaotian snapped: "What nonsense—if he dares not to give it, have him come see me, and I'll tell him straight to his face!"

Liang Da Zhuang acknowledged with a sound and left.

Murong Feiyan, hearing their master-servant exchange, finally believed Hu Xiaotian might really have forgotten; in fact, since Hu Xiaotian helped her extract the canine-tooth hooked arrow, her impression of him had unconsciously changed considerably, and she thought this guy wasn't as bad as she had initially believed. That day at the Yan Yun Lou, if Hu Xiaotian hadn't intervened, the trouble for the Fang family father and daughter would surely have been great; in that incident, Murong Feiyan had deliberately dragged Hu Xiaotian into it, and afterward she still felt some guilt. Seeing Hu Xiaotian had already fulfilled his promise, Murong Feiyan said: "I'm leaving!" Again, please vote for the Dream Cup~!

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