Chapter 918

Shenjing, Wenhui Alley, Mei residence.

Upon hearing his father’s words, Mei Yunsong was heartbroken and impassioned, yet involuntarily recoiled.

For as long as he could remember, whenever his studies or conduct showed even slight slackness or deviation from the Hanlin family’s standards, his father would rebuke him with such righteous severity.

Each time his father spoke thus, Mei Yunsong instinctively felt guilty, yet the image of Miss Xue—unparalleled in beauty, celestial in grace—haunted him, impossible to forsake.

His father continued: “The Mei family is a Hanlin lineage; how could we ever break a vow? But family propriety cannot outweigh the law of heaven, nor the righteous path of the state!”

Our betrothal with the Xue family was once acceptable, but who could have foreseen that a Xue scion would commit treason—leaking military secrets and betraying the nation?

The Mei family, steeped in Hanlin tradition and educated in the rites and morals of the sages, upholds loyalty, filial piety, and virtue. How could we possibly ally ourselves with a household of moral corruption and rebellion? Would that not destroy our own family’s honor?

Even if our reputation suffers a slight blemish, we shall not betray the great principles of loyalty and filial piety. As a Hanlin lineage, you have read countless classics yet fail to grasp the true order, obsessed only with beauty. You have deeply disappointed me!”

…

Mei Yunsong passed the provincial examination before turning twenty—a man of considerable talent. Though his father spoke with righteous indignation, his words were strained, merely clinging to the Hanlin facade.

Yet raised under his father’s teachings since childhood, Mei Yunsong had long internalized them, and now found his father’s words reasonable: the Xue scion had been branded a traitor, and the scandal had stirred the entire city.

To marry a Xue daughter now would bring him public shame—he would surely become a laughingstock. Yet the image of Miss Xue, peerless in beauty, kindled a fire in his heart.

To abandon such a peerless beauty filled Mei Yunsong with agony. He cursed the damned Xue scion for ruining his perfect match—deserving nothing less than death!

His father went on: “Jia Cong is no longer what he once was. He is not only a respected Hanlin scholar but also holds the fourth-rank title of Vice Minister, favored by the Emperor, and is even my superior.”

Such a lineage and foundation are rare in Shenjing. The Mei family, also a Hanlin house, is well-matched with his. With the Xue family now disgraced for treason, this is precisely the moment for us to halt our error and restore our honor.

This act of safeguarding our family’s integrity is worthy of heaven and earth—do not miss it. Otherwise, we betray the Hanlin tradition of scholarly virtue.”

I hear Jia Cong has an elder sister, past the age of marriage, gentle in nature, exquisite in beauty, the eldest daughter of a Marquis’s household—far more suitable for our family than Miss Xue.

Since the Xue scion’s arrest, I have been attentive to this matter. I’ve heard Jia Cong’s elder sister’s given name is Fanghua—admirable indeed. Many noble households in the capital have already sent matchmakers.

All the high families in the capital know Jia Cong was born into humble origins, raised under his elder sister’s care. The brother and sister share deep affection; he reveres her above all else. Yet none of the suitors have won her favor.

Thus, Jia Cong’s elder sister remains unmarried. It is no surprise: Jia Cong’s fame among scholars, his position in the Hanlin, and his status as a scion of the civil elite naturally make him disdainful of crude military nobility.

Our Mei family, a generations-old Hanlin house, a refined scholarly clan, has few equals in the capital. If Jia Cong learns of this match, he would surely take interest.

But I, your father, lacked foresight. I never imagined Jia Cong would rise so swiftly. I acted too hastily in betrothing you to the Xue girl. Now that the Xue family is disgraced, I have wronged you.”

…

Mei Yunsong’s heart churned. Jia Cong, the son of a courtesan, from a crude military family, now held a high scholarly post—while he, a son of a noble lineage, had failed the examination.

These military nobles, idle parasites feeding on state wealth—Jia Cong was merely a battle-hardened soldier. Mei Yunsong despised him, and by extension, his elder sister as well.

He said: “Father, you speak of Jia Cong’s elder sister—but who doesn’t know her background? She is an illegitimate child, just like Jia Cong. Miss Xue is the legitimate daughter of the Xue family’s second branch. How can they be compared?”

Mei Jinlin rebuked sternly: “Foolish boy! How dare you speak such nonsense? Jia Cong received an imperial decree to inherit the title—he is now the Lord of Rongguo. He long ago transitioned from illegitimate to legitimate status.”

His elder sister is registered in the Weiyuan Marquis’s household. She is now the legitimate eldest daughter of the Jia family. Among all the Jia women, only Jia Mu surpasses her in status.”

There is no such thing as “illegitimate” for this eldest daughter. Miss Xue is merely the legitimate daughter of the Xue family’s second branch. Xue Yuan holds only a nominal sixth-rank post in the Guangchu Office. How can they be compared?”

I see you are blinded by lust and greed, unable to discern rank or worth. Your vision is narrow. After all these years of studying the sages, this is the state you’ve reached? How will you uphold the Hanlin tradition?”

I know you resented your failure in last year’s metropolitan examination, jealous of Jia Cong’s swift rise. But Jia Cong was top scorer in Yongzhou and provincial champion. His talent is real, not hollow.

His examination essays are preserved in the Hanlin Academy. I have read them carefully. His mastery of Confucian doctrine and policy analysis is exceptional—he deserves the title of Hanlin Scholar.”

A true scholar, shaped by the sages, must possess purity of heart and humility. You, a Hanlin scion, harbor envy—it is utterly unworthy.

Moreover, Jia Cong is my superior. Do not dare speak disrespectfully of him again. If you ever meet him, you must seek his guidance with humility. Do not disgrace the Mei family’s scholarly grace.”

Though our Mei family is a Hanlin house with a spotless reputation, we lack influence and power. If we ally with Jia Cong, our family’s prestige will rise yet higher…”

…

Mei Yunsong was a man of deep learning, yet his father’s words left him dazed. His father sought to break the betrothal, yet he, Mei Yunsong, was the one clinging to the old promise.

Why did his father speak with such moral certainty, such righteous conviction? Why did Mei Yunsong himself begin to believe him—even feel shame for his own shallowness?

He recalled the day Miss Xue, accompanying her father, visited the garden. He had encountered her by chance—and been struck as if by divine light, as if drinking nectar. Since then, her image had burned into his soul, never fading.

He remembered her shy gaze, her blushing cheeks—so lovely. She must have seen his elegance, his status as a Hanlin son, his youth and success in the examination, and secretly admired him.

Miss Xue did not know—he too had fallen in love at first sight. To be admired by a Hanlin scholar’s son, she must have been overjoyed. This was surely a fate ordained by heaven.

But heaven envied the virtuous—suddenly, disaster struck, tearing apart his bond with Miss Xue. The thought of her grief pierced his heart.

Yet the world changes, good and evil coexist. The path to power demands sacrifice. The Hanlin must uphold its dignity. A father’s teaching must not be defied. He had no choice.

Mei Yunsong’s heart ached, yet he asked: “Father, your words are reasonable, but the Mei-Xue betrothal is already sealed. To break it now will invite gossip.”

…

Mei Jinlin stroked his beard in thought. His features were refined, his demeanor shaped by decades immersed in classics—truly elegant, dignified, imposing.

He said: “The Xue family is utterly unworthy of the Mei family. But you are right—it cannot be abruptly severed. We must find a graceful, indirect way to dissolve it.”

There is a way. Xue Yuan’s sudden arrival in the capital must be to plead for his nephew’s release. This is a perfect opportunity…”

Every time Xue Yuan comes to the capital, he moves within the palace grounds—but he never speaks of it to outsiders. I do not know his connections, and must tread carefully.

I do not know who in the palace he is tied to. Until I understand the situation, I dare not offend him. But if he has come solely to save Xue Pan, he will reveal a fatal flaw.”

Xue Pan is a key suspect in the military supply leak case. That leak led to the fall of Xuanfu, the deaths of forty thousand soldiers and civilians, and allowed the remnants of the Mongols to breach the northern passes and confront us at Beisan Pass.”

This great case ignited the empire’s crisis. The Emperor was enraged. All suspects must be severely punished to uphold the law—otherwise, how could we silence the people’s outcry?”

Jia Zheng of Rongguo Prefecture held an imperial appointment, yet was dismissed merely for his connection to Xue Pan. See how deeply the Emperor despises those involved in the leak.”

Xue Yuan’s arrival to plead for Xue Pan is like playing with fire. It is incredibly foolish. If even a whisper of his actions reaches the ear of a censor, they will act immediately.”

Impeachment memorials will flood the Central Palace. Xue Yuan will be condemned for reckless defiance, concealing a criminal, and violating the law. All will denounce him—he will not even die cleanly.”

Then the Xue first branch will be exposed for leaking military secrets, the second branch for rebellion and lawlessness. The entire Xue family of Jinling will be stained with guilt. The Mei family, a Hanlin scholarly house, cannot possibly ally with such vermin!”

At that moment, I will personally withdraw the betrothal. Who dares utter a single word of criticism? They will only praise the Mei family’s Hanlin integrity—pure, noble, untainted by even the faintest stain!”

…

Mei Yunsong was startled. He had not thought of this solution. Now, watching his father stroke his beard in contemplation, he seemed wise, inscrutable.

His doubts had largely faded. Though he despised Jia Cong’s origins, the man’s rank and status were undeniable. An alliance with him would greatly benefit Mei Yunsong’s future career.

Even if Jia Cong’s elder sister had once been illegitimate, as his father said, a true man looks far ahead. A mere illegitimate daughter, kept quietly at home, was acceptable.

Yet the thought of losing Miss Xue, that celestial beauty, filled him with sorrow. Such a woman—he would likely never encounter another.

Then suddenly, a thought struck him: if Xue Yuan’s schemes were exposed, he could never escape punishment—he would be imprisoned, perhaps even executed. The entire Xue family would be ruined.