Chapter 907: Desires and passions are often obstacles

Jin Ling, the old Xue family residence.

Ever since the family of Xue Xue Yima moved to Love Shenjing, this vast and luxurious old mansion had become much more desolate, with only the second branch's quarters retaining some signs of life.

The Xue family's ancestors only held the rank of Ziwei Secretary; in terms of status and power, they were already inferior to the Jia, Wang, and Shi families from the very beginning.

However, the Ziwei Secretary was a central government official, and the duties they held were close to the Imperial family. Furthermore, the Xue family had been imperial merchants for generations, and their wealth and connections accumulated over decades were truly not to be underestimated.

Moreover, the Xue family had intermarried with the Jia, Wang, and Shi families for generations; the four families were inextricably linked—they prospered together and suffered together.

This is the reason why, despite the Xue family's official ranks and titles being far inferior to the three great aristocratic families, they were still listed among the Four Great Families of Jin Ling after the fall of the Du family of Jin Ling.

Even the Zhen family of Jin Ling, who rose to prominence later and earned the reputation of "Half-City Zhen" through their maritime trade, still could not replace the Xue family's position among the Four Great Families.

The Xue family's main branch inherited the ancestral business, which appeared steady and secure to outsiders, continuing the Xue family's wealth as imperial merchants. The second master of the Xue family, Xue Yuan, kept a low profile but was able to blaze new trails.

Many years ago, due to a stroke of fate, he was selected by the palace to travel to the borderlands to handle important matters. Although he only held a post in the Guangchu Office of the Imperial Household Department, he was guaranteed an audience with the Emperor whenever he entered the capital.

Outsiders were unaware of the mysteries behind this, but close relatives like Xue Xue Yima and Xue Xue Baochai knew a few details about Xue Yuan's background.

Although Xue Yuan never spoke a word about it, Xue Baochai was meticulous and deduced that this second uncle possessed considerable hidden influence, which was why she thought to seek help from thousands of miles away.

The Xue mansion had weathered seventy years of storms, but as a wealthy family for generations, it had been repaired repeatedly. The interior of the mansion was magnificent and opulent, fully displaying the bearing of a noble house.

Because of the family business inheritance, the Xue family's second branch had already purchased a high-quality residence ten years ago, only returning to live there for a few days during the New Year and festivals to facilitate family reunions.

However, with Aunt Xue's family moving to the Divine Capital, she worried that the ancestral home would be left vacant for too long, which could easily lead to trouble.

Moreover, her son was a spendthrift and could hardly carry on the family business, so she developed the intention to win over the second branch, writing a letter to instruct Xue Yuan's family to move back to the ancestral home for long-term residence so they could look after the old house.

……

After the fifteenth day of the first lunar month in Jin Ling, the weather began to gradually warm up, especially as it approached noon; the sun climbed higher, and the sunlight was warm and cozy, exuding a lazy comfort.

In the main room of the second branch's residence, under the south-facing glass window, sat an elm-wood carved satin-cushioned lounge chair, where Xue Yuan was leaning, flipping through a book in his hands.

Some time ago, Xue Yuan's old illness had flared up again, and his health was poor; after a long period of recuperation with medicinal soups, he had only just recovered, and his complexion and spirit were much better—it was truly a leisurely time.

Beside the lounge chair stood a black sandalwood tea table inlaid with shells, on top of which sat a small red-clay stove heating a cast-iron kettle of water, along with silver-rimmed white porcelain tea sets and a pottery jar of Cloud Mist tea leaves.

Xue Sister Baoqin sat quietly beside the tea table, washing the tea and scalding the cups; her expression was gentle and quiet, her skin like snow and jade, her brows and eyes like a painting, suddenly stunning and making the whole room shine.

She wore a light blue embroidered plum-blossom cross-collar long jacket, covered by a snow-fox fur vest, and tied with an ivory-white palace-embroidered long skirt, with an eight-treasure jade-and-gold lock hanging on her chest; reflected in the sunlight, she was bright and beautiful.

When the water in the red-clay iron kettle boiled, she reached out to lift the kettle and pour the water; the boiling water poured into the tea bowl, causing the high-quality Cloud Mist tips to tumble up and down, and the intoxicating tea fragrance diffused and overflowed.

She handed one cup to her father, and Xue Yuan took a light sip, smiling: "Excellent." Sister Baoqin smiled happily, picked up the other cup to drink, and the father and daughter enjoyed themselves.

At this moment, a managing matron entered from outside the door and said: "Master, a fast horse has arrived outside the second gate, saying it was sent by the Eldest Lady in the Divine Capital to deliver an urgent letter to you."

Xue Yuan's expression shifted; he put down the tea bowl in his hand and hurriedly took the letter to check it, but after a quick glance, his brows immediately tightened, and his expression became unusually solemn.

Seeing Xue Yuan's ugly complexion, Sister Baoqin asked: "Father, what does the letter from Aunt say? Has something happened in the Divine Capital? Why is your complexion so ugly?"

Xue Yuan frowned and said: "A major event has occurred in the Divine Capital. The Great Zhou's northern military grain depots have been occupied by the remnant Mongols, and now Khan Khan Anda has led a large army to invade the south, even capturing Qiu Xuanfu Town.

The imperial court investigated the cause and discovered that someone had leaked the secrets of the grain depots, which led to this great disaster. Pan'er was bewitched by someone and was actually implicated in the major case, and he has now been imprisoned.

Your aunt cannot handle this matter, so she wrote to me for help, asking me to go to the Divine Capital quickly to mediate for Pan'er. This matter is truly very tricky; the Xue family has encountered a calamity this time.

Xue Baochai wrote in detail that although Pan'er's nature is reckless and absurd, this time it was not intentional but an unintentional mistake caused by being bewitched, yet the involvement is truly not small.

Your uncle has only Pan'er as his bloodline, and your aunt sent a letter from thousands of miles away for help; how can I, as a brother, ignore it? This matter must not be delayed; we must set off as soon as possible."

Sister Baoqin's pretty face lost its color, and she said: "Since my cousin's mistake was unintentional, it is natural that Father cannot sit idly by, but the two places are thousands of miles apart; why would Aunt abandon the near to seek the far?

The Jia family's Count Lord Weiyuan holds a high official rank and is said to be highly valued by the Emperor. If Aunt asked him to come forward to mediate, wouldn't it be much faster and more convenient than Father traveling thousands of miles?"

Xue Yuan smiled bitterly: "Your aunt and Xue Baochai naturally understand this principle, but the situation is not convenient; Brother Cong happens not to be in the Divine Capital, so he is beyond reach."

As Xue Yuan spoke, he handed the letter to his daughter. Sister Baoqin took it and read it carefully, muttering to herself: "So he became a Assistant Regional Commander of the Divine Machine Camp and has already led troops to go on an expedition……"

……

Xue Yuan said: "According to common sense, the trial of such a major case involves complex procedures by the Three Judicial Offices, and it would always take a year or a half to finally adjudicate and close the case.

But now the war between Great Zhou and the remnant Mongols is already intense, and the imperial court wants to cut off the threat of spies stealing secrets; in order to warn others, they will likely investigate and handle this case quickly, and it is common sense to punish severely.

I am afraid Pan'er's situation will be very dangerous. In this situation, saving a person is like fighting a fire; it cannot be delayed for even a moment. After settling the business affairs in these two days, we will set off for the capital the day after tomorrow.

Fortunately, the family's ancestral business has been reorganized, and everything is smooth and proper after eliminating abuses and innovating, and with the mutual help of the Xin Chun Hao, letting your brother manage it carefully is enough to cope with daily affairs.

You and the son of the Mei Hanlin have already set an engagement, and you are about to reach the age of fifteen; since Father was going to send you to be married at the end of the year anyway, just consider it going to the capital a year early, so you can get familiar with human affairs sooner."

Hearing this, Sister Baoqin was somewhat silent. She had followed her father traveling north and south, living her whole life under her father's wings; thinking of marrying thousands of miles away in the future, she could not help but feel anxious.

She had only met that Mei family son twice; he seemed to be a man of talent, and having failed the spring examination last year, he was now studying hard behind closed doors at home, wanting to fight for a bright future in the imperial examinations again.

Master Mei had just turned twenty and had already passed the provincial examination early; among the sons of officials, he could be considered a top-tier figure. Sister Baoqin had no feelings of like or dislike for him; it was the command of parents and the words of matchmakers.

When her father suddenly mentioned the marriage, she could not help but feel shy and hesitant; for some reason, she felt an inexplicable resistance to this trip to the Divine Capital. Regardless of whether it was good or bad, what should come would always come.

For this trip to the Divine Capital, the date of return was uncertain, and she did not know when she would be able to return to Jin Ling. She really did not know how to handle herself in her heart, feeling a stinging fear, wishing she had a place to hide.

Just as her heart tightened and was full of anxiety, a crack opened in the darkness, and she thought of her cousin Xue Baochai accompanying her in the carriage outside the Lixiang Courtyard to chat.

A trace of warmth rose in her heart, and she remembered the moment the carriage curtain was lifted, that handsome youth like jade, whose eyes were like deep pools, as if they could shine into the bottom of her heart, like a fleeting illusion.

Even after a long time, it was still engraved in her heart. At this moment, it suddenly surfaced, and her heart trembled with shame; she subconsciously closed her bright eyes, her brows slightly furrowed, wanting to drive away the demonic obstacle, but it was difficult to calm down in the end.

……

Xue Yuan said: "Xue Baochai mentioned in the letter that the Chief Wang Zhangshi Qu of the Xin Chun Hao was originally Brother Cong's martial arts teacher; she must be concerned about Brother Cong's recent situation.

Xue Baochai wrote two extra pages of letter paper for us to pass on to Chief Wang Zhangshi Qu; what is described on it is all about Brother Cong's daily life. Xue Baochai is worldly-wise and truly meticulous in her actions."

As Xue Yuan spoke, he pulled out two sheets of letter paper and said: "Sister Baoqin, go find Matron Jiang; she often travels to the Xin Chun Hao, and let her pass these two pages of letters to Chief Wang Zhangshi Qu."

Sister Baoqin was like falling into a dream and was startled by her father's words; a blush appeared on her pretty face. She took the two pages of letter paper and hurriedly turned to go out, fearing that her father would see through her.

When she walked to the covered walkway outside the door and was bathed in the warm spring sun, she could not help but breathe a sigh of relief. While walking, she curiously held the letter paper and looked at it carefully.

Just now, she was shocked by her father's words, and when reading the letter, she only read the general outline of the matter, so she had no intention of reading further. She happened not to have looked carefully at the few pages Xue Baochai attached at the end.

Now knowing it was about Jia Cong, she naturally could not help but be curious. She walked to a place slightly away from the main room, found a place to sit on the walkway, and picked up the letter paper in her hand to read.

On the paper was cousin Xue Baochai's handwriting, neat, beautiful, and elegant in diction. The spring breeze blew the hair by her temples, making it dance in a mess, as if ripples were disturbing the lake of her heart.

Xue Baochai's letter was mostly about daily life, and the lines were overflowing with delicacy and softness. Sister Baoqin read it and gradually became absorbed, as if all kinds of scenes were appearing before her eyes, as if she could see them clearly……

To Chief Wang Zhangshi Qu Hongxiu for her perusal:

Because of a change in my family, I sent a letter inviting my uncle to the capital to mediate. The ancestral business in Jin Ling was achieved through the Chief Wang Zhangshi's help, and the family business is prosperous; I am endlessly grateful, and my heart is sincere, not daring to forget.

I accidentally learned that you and Jia Yuzhang have a deep bond of teacher and student, and his achievements are largely due to your instruction. With the two places separated by thousands of miles, you must have concerns and attachments. I am taking the liberty of describing a few family matters for your perusal.

Jia Yuzhang won a place on the golden list last year, ranking as the second place in the first tier of the previous examination, and was appointed as a Grade 5 Expositor in the Hanlin Academy. His literary talent is elegant, and his name is famous in the capital, surpassing his peers; it is rare in his lifetime.