Chapter 12: The Marquis

“Master Mu, the Lady requests your presence for a chat!”

The sudden invitation left Li Mu momentarily stunned.

This aunt of his valued ritual propriety above all, especially avoiding any hint of impropriety; every meeting had always taken place when the Marquis of Zhenyuan was at home.

On ordinary days, even when he came to pay his respects, there were always maids and servants everywhere—let alone receiving a personal invitation.

“Little Cui, do you know why the Lady wants to see me?”

At the question, the maid’s face flushed red, and after a pause she said:

“The three young masters have returned from the academy. The Lady wishes for you brothers to gather together.”

Hearing this answer, Li Mu smiled faintly.

In dealing with illegitimate sons and daughters, his own aunt truly displayed the grace of a great family: all proper treatment was fully provided, and no one could find fault.

“Oh, my three cousins have returned? Then I must see them.”

“Little Cui, lead the way!”

……

After passing through more than a dozen gates, they arrived at the rear garden, where three youths and four young girls stood on either side, respectfully listening to the Lady of the Hou Fu’s instructions.

If nothing unexpected occurred, these three youths were his cousins; among the four girls, two he had met on their first day, and the other two were likely illegitimate daughters.

Perhaps due to the presence of a legitimate daughter, the Marquis of Zhenyuan and the Lady of the Hou Fu did not value these two illegitimate cousins much, and had never introduced them to him individually.

“Cousin Mu, come over here!”

The girl who called out was the second daughter of the Lady of the Hou Fu, and also the youngest daughter of the Marquis of Zhenyuan.

At four years old, she was at the most lively and restless age; relying on the Marquis’s doting affection, household rules meant nothing to her—mere wind in her ears.

“Li Yu, mind your manners!”

The Lady of the Hou Fu could not help rebuking her.

Among so many children in the household, each one behaved properly before her—except her youngest daughter, who had become the black mark of her parenting.

“Auntie, it’s no trouble. Everyone here is family.”

“Yu’s just a bit lively—that’s no vice in a military household like ours.”

Li Mu said with a cheerful smile.

No wonder his uncle favored her; who could resist a plump, lively little bundle like that?

“You’re too kind. Yu’s temperament has always been just like her father’s.”

“Enough standing around—go greet your cousin Mu!”

Clearly, the Lady of the Hou Fu understood the art of language: mischievousness became paternal heritage, instantly shifting blame to the Marquis of Zhenyuan.

But such blame, his own uncle would gladly accept; to him, a daughter resembling her father was surely praise.

“Greetings, Cousin!”

After brief pleasantries, the Lady and the women departed, leaving the four brothers alone.

Recalling the ancestral glory, Li Mu quickly grew familiar with his three cousins.

The conversation shifted from the family’s history, to odd tales from the capital, and finally to court politics.

“Even the academy students are urging petitions? Has the court struggle reached this point?”

Li Mu asked in surprise.

The conflict between the Pure Stream faction and the eunuch party had begun since the current emperor’s ascension—it was nothing new.

But their battleground had always been the court; now even academy students were being drawn in, clearly someone’s attempt to expand the conflict.

“Cousin Mu, you’ve been in Hanzhong so long you don’t know—academy petitions aren’t new at all.”

Since the succession struggle a hundred years ago, academy students have participated in several major upheavals.

But those who enjoy stirring things up are mostly sons of poor families, seeking to impress and catch the attention of high officials.

Sons of officials don’t lack opportunities; they rarely join such commotion.”

Li Sen explained calmly.

His tone carried a hint of pride—he clearly looked down on such opportunism.

“Big brother, stop flattering them.”

“Who’s behind all this? Always those scholar-official sons.”

“They push classmates into the frontlines as cannon fodder while hiding behind to reap the rewards—total cowards!”

Second brother Li Lai cut straight to the truth.

“Second brother, say such things at home if you must—but not outside!”

Li Sen hurriedly warned.

Everyone knew the truth—even the poor students being manipulated.

Those without connections who entered the academy solely by merit weren’t fools.

They knew the risks, yet still jumped in—driven by profit.

The imperial examination path was too narrow: only one session every three years, with barely a hundred or two hundred admitted.

Even reaching that stage, without connections or background, securing a good position was nearly impossible.

Beyond bloodline inheritance, there were regional alliances and mentor networks.

To thrive in court, one needed at least one of these three relationships.

For poor students, the best choice was to become a disciple of a high official, sailing smoothly through the examinations into office.

With this clarity, Li Mu instantly understood why the capital, brimming with political resources, had never produced a top-tier academy.

Political opportunism came at a price.

Win, and you gain a ticket to office; lose, and you’re lucky to survive unscathed.

In fact, climbing through opportunism was never welcomed in officialdom—even if the excuse seemed noble, it bred suspicion.

“Hmph!”

“I’m no fool—I wouldn’t foolishly make enemies for nothing.”

Li Lai sneered.

If it weren’t for his close friend being dragged into it, he wouldn’t be this angry.

But anger was useless; it was mutual consent—what right did outsiders have to interfere?

Unless you could offer a better path, the wisest choice was to abandon the urge to help and accept reality.

The Marquis of Zhenyuan’s household did have political resources, but they were concentrated in the military.

As for connections among scholar-officials, even the three brothers might not have enough to share—let alone outsiders.

“Enough, Big Brother, Second Brother.”

You two, stop bickering all the time—can’t you give me even a little peace of mind!

The moment third brother Li Long spoke, both others snapped back in unison; Li Mu nearly laughed out loud.

The relationship among these three brothers was truly complicated.

The eldest was proud, the second blunt, the third skilled at provoking resentment.

Put together like this, and they hadn’t come to blows yet—that was already a triumph of Hou Fu discipline.

“Three cousins, your uncle will return soon.”

“He’ll likely test your studies—use the time to prepare. Let’s call it a day for now.”

The ultimate tactic deployed—the three, moments ago bickering, instantly wilted like withered eggplants.

From their pained expressions, it was clear their academy grades were poor.

But this fit the usual standard of noble-born sons; after years of military families turning to literature, few had passed the imperial exams, and even fewer had become juren.

Hiring famous tutors made no difference—talent couldn’t be forced.

Now, no great Confucian scholar would accept noble-born students—it was simply too humiliating.

Now, no great Confucian scholar is willing to take noble scions as students—it's simply too shameful.

(End of chapter)