Chapter 473: Entering as a Son-in-Law: The Ten-Year Simulation Ends

Wu Tong carefully prepared a full table of dishes, including the fresh perch gifted by Hua An, made into four dishes and one soup.

Before the sunset had fully vanished from the sky, Xie Lao's personal maid arrived with food—this time, seven dishes and eight bowls, extraordinarily lavish.

The maid glanced at the small courtyard with disdain. In the past, whenever the old matriarch sent gifts, each courtyard's lady or young master would receive them.

You signaled Wu Tong to hand over a tip; the maid reluctantly accepted it, silently cursing her bad luck—she knew this courtyard always gave meager rewards, envying her sisters in other grand courtyards, then hurried away without pausing.

Soon after, Xie Hou'er from the Second Courtyard arrived with several servants, hurrying over.

"Young Master Guan, my lady sent this, wishing you good health."

You had Wu Tong give a tip—it was small, but Xie Hou'er accepted it sincerely and took his leave.

You found it strange: why would the Zhuge lady from the Second Courtyard send food?

Wu Tong opened the food box—it was even more lavish than the old matriarch's.

"Young Master, people in this world are truly fickle. These maids bow and scrape to the favored young masters and ladies of the main courtyard, yet treat us with cold indifference. Such is the world's coldness," Wu Tong fumed.

You replied calmly: "Understanding human warmth and coldness is not without its benefit."

Laughter and merriment echoed throughout the Xie Fu, even reaching the distant Cheng Courtyard.

Fireworks and firecrackers were set off both inside and outside the Xie Fu.

The night sky was filled with the dazzling brilliance of fireworks, beams of light shattering the darkness.

The entire Bianjing City was immersed in this splendor, the heavens painted in multicolored radiance.

Wu Tong stood silently by the courtyard gate, gazing upward; her black hair flowed like a waterfall, her skin pale as snow, her face beautiful, her eyes reflecting the brilliant sky.

She turned back with a smile: "Young Master, it's another new year."

You watched the fireworks in the sky from inside the room, through the window.

In the small house, one room was kept empty, for your mother's spirit tablet.

You whispered: "Mother, another year has passed."

After a while, a voice called from outside: "Sister Wu Tong."

Wu Tong's face lit up, and she hurried out to meet her.

A maid in green attire walked over cheerfully—she was Lu Ya, the personal maid of the Fourth Young Lady, Xie Ying.

The Fourth Young Lady, Xie Ying, was nineteen, and her mother had been close to your mother.

Yet her mother, too, was an unfavored lady; Xie Ying's mother had lived in gloom and passed away early.

Back then, when you went blind, Miss Xie had sent Lu Ya with silver to help you through hard times.

Wu Tong and Lu Ya entered the Xie Fu nearly at the same time and shared a deep bond, like sisters.

"Lu Ya, what brings you here?" Wu Tong asked, holding Lu Ya's hand warmly.

"Every year at this time, Miss Ying sends food. Today's banquet delayed us, so I came late," Lu Ya said, stepping into the room with the food box, Guanqie ly asking: "Has Young Master Guan's eyes improved?"

Wu Tong smiled: "Young Master's eyes are fully healed."

Lu Ya bowed respectfully: "Young Master Guan!" and placed the food box on the table.

You had turned around by then—you knew Lu Ya well.

You smiled: "Please thank Fourth Sister for me."

Lu Ya wore a green jacket, slightly smaller in stature than Wu Tong, with a sweet, lovely face.

She glanced at you in surprise, a flicker of admiration in her eyes.

The two girls walked into the courtyard, holding hands; Lu Ya glanced at the room you had just sat in and whispered to Wu Tong: "How long has it been? Young Master Guan seems like a different person."

"I thought I was seeing things—he's become just like a main courtyard young master," Lu Ya said, full of astonishment.

As they chatted about recent events, the topic turned to Wu Tong being requested by Xie Renfeng of the Second Courtyard.

"I heard Master Renfeng has a good reputation—he's a promising scholar, and his uncles are high officials in court. He'll soon take the imperial examination," Lu Ya said.

"Ah, Sister Wu Tong, you're so beautiful…" Lu Ya's voice carried a hint of envy.

In Lu Ya's eyes, Xie Renfeng of the Second Courtyard seemed a far better match than Xie Guan.

Wu Tong smiled: "Young Master will begin studying next year."

To study means hope has returned.

Lu Ya sighed; she knew that even if Young Master Guan could study, starting at nearly ten meant a grueling path ahead in the examinations, with no family support. The futures of these two Xie Fu young masters seemed worlds apart.

Then Lu Ya's expression darkened slightly—she had news she could hardly bear to tell her dearest friend.

"Sister Wu Tong, I might be leaving the Xie Fu," Lu Ya whispered.

Wu Tong asked in confusion: "Why?"

Lu Ya sighed: "Lady Yuan wants to marry Miss Ying to Sima Ting, the Military Governor of Jiannan. Sima's family has sent people to visit Miss Ying these past days—they'll likely betroth her by the new year."

Wu Tong felt a wave of sorrow. In the Xie Fu, she had few true friends—and now even Lu Ya was leaving, leaving her feeling utterly alone.

Speaking of parting, Wu Tong still asked: "Miss Ying is kind-hearted. Leaving the Xie Fu might be for the better."

Lu Ya nodded: "I think so too. Anywhere is better than the Xie Fu."

"Sister Wu Tong, I have another piece of news—I hope you won't be too heartbroken."

Wu Tong felt curious: What else could there be?

"Miss Ying heard from Lady Yuan that next year, they might make Young Master Guan a son-in-law to the Zhao family."

"What!" Wu Tong's voice rose involuntarily.

"Sister Wu Tong, don't panic—this hasn't been decided yet."

"How could they!" Wu Tong cried, for if Young Master became a son-in-law, his path to the imperial examinations would be cut off.

Great Qi was deeply influenced by Confucian ideals, placing great emphasis on filial piety; marriage required parental consent and matchmaker's word, and could not be defied. A son-in-law lost the right to take the imperial examinations; if his wife died, he would be cast out of the household, called a "cast-out husband." His status was low—his children could not bear his surname, he could not touch family property, and he was treated as an outsider.

In the army, when soldiers were rewarded with beef, a son-in-law had no right to partake.

Thus, among commoners—especially impoverished scholars—it was better to starve than become a son-in-law.

The Zhao family was one of the Nine Great Clans, even more powerful than the Xie family.

Wu Tong felt the world spin—she could not imagine how Young Master would bear this.

Lu Ya comforted her briefly before taking her leave.

Wu Tong entered the room, her steps unsteady; she had thought life was slowly improving, yet this sudden blow plunged her back into despair.

She had not wanted to tell Young Master, but tears had already welled up unbidden.

You asked: "Wu Tong, what's wrong?"

Wu Tong forced a reply: "Lu Ya and Miss Ying are leaving the Xie Fu—I'm just sad."

Since you went blind, your hearing had become extraordinarily sharp—you had already heard every word of their earlier conversation.

You smiled: "Wu Tong, nothing is settled yet. Even if he becomes a son-in-law, what of it?"

Wu Tong could no longer hold back; tears fell: "They're too cruel."

"They drove your mother to death—and now they want to drive you to ruin…"

You slowly removed the white cloth covering your eyes, gazing at Wu Tong with calmness:

"Heaven never deceives people—only people deceive themselves. Don't speak such gloomy words during the New Year."

You smiled: "Crying during the New Year means you'll cry all year. Even if he becomes a son-in-law, it won't happen until after his coming-of-age."

Wu Tong pulled herself together, fearing this news would affect Young Master—he was only fourteen, not yet of age; she silently prayed this would never come to pass.

You took out a book, opened the "Lu Chen" section of the "Zuo Zhuan of the Four States," and wrote on its flyleaf:

"The gentleman keeps his tools hidden on his person, waiting for the right moment to act."

Night was deep!

After the New Year's Eve, it was time for the Nine Great Clans to visit relatives.

The entire Xie Fu was in a frenzy; every courtyard's lady had to visit her natal home.

The servants and maids of the three bureaus ran nonstop, bustling about.

You and Wu Tong, however, were idle—no relatives or friends to visit.

On the seventh day of the first lunar month, the sky cleared, the snow melted, and Wu Tong swept the courtyard.

Master Zhang Yuan, Xie Yuan's tutor, arrived early at the small courtyard.

You were surprised: "Master Zhang, why are you here so early?"

Zhang Yuan smiled: "I have few friends or obligations. I came to study for the day—it brings generous rewards."

He held up a gift and added: "Consider it a late New Year greeting to Young Master Guan."

You did not refuse—he came here now, clearly seeking connection.

Zhang Yuan held the title of Licentiate—more than sufficient to serve as a private secretary in any of the thirteen other provinces, yet in Bianjing, he was nothing remarkable.

The two of you sat together, drinking tea.

"Master Zhang, you're still unmarried?"

"I'm past thirty, accomplished nothing—how could I marry? In Bianjing, every inch of land costs a fortune. Plainly put, us outsiders will have to leave when we grow old."

You asked: "What of He Xiao, Master He?"

"Master He isn't from Bianjing either—he's from Jiannan, unmarried. But he's quite carefree—he spent the entire Spring Festival at Xifeng Pavilion."

You smiled; you knew Xifeng Pavilion well—it was a brothel in Bianjing.

"I bet Master He will come to study here within three days—Xifeng Pavilion isn't cheap."

Zhang Yuan was unusually talkative today; though only one student was present, he studied until afternoon.

Today, another visitor arrived at the small courtyard.

Wu Tong didn't need you to remind her—she heard the old man's loud cough outside.

Wu Tong opened the door and said in surprise: "Master Dong has come."

This Dong Shao is the tutor the Xie Fu has arranged for you.

At the beginning of the year, he simply tossed down a few books and left, telling you to study them on your own.

Dong Shao stepped into the room; he was over fifty, hunched and stout, wearing thick clothing and carrying a heavy book chest on his back.

His face was lined with wrinkles, his hair gray and white, a short, stiff mustache curled at the corners of his mouth, and his brown eyes, sunken deep in their sockets, still glowed with sharpness.

"Young Master Guan."

"Master Dong."

Zhang Yuanlai and Dong Shao seemed to know each other, yet they merely exchanged a brief greeting before ignoring one another.

Dong Shao turned to you and asked, "Young Master Guan, have you memorized the Zhongyong and the Four States' Zuo Zhuan?"

"I have memorized them all."

Upon hearing this, Dong Shao looked up at you, a flicker of surprise in his eyes.

"Young Master Guan, is this truly so?"

"Please test me, Master."

Dong Shao did not hesitate and began a rapid series of questions.

You answered each one calmly and accurately.

Yet you noticed that this Master Dong did not open any texts to verify your answers.

Gradually, astonishment appeared in Dong Shao's eyes.

"I never expected Young Master Guan has truly memorized them all—truly extraordinary intelligence."

Dong Shao took out several more books from his chest: The Taixue, the Xiangzi, the Xiaojing.

"When you have memorized these in half a month, I shall return."

"I recall Young Master Guan has not yet practiced calligraphy—this copybook will remain here."

Dong Shao said no more and left, his book chest on his back.

You personally saw Dong Shao off to the courtyard gate.

Upon returning inside, Wu Tong's expression had turned sour. "Young Master, this Master Dong always just leaves books and never teaches us a single bit of knowledge—he's nothing but a hands-off landlord."

You waved your hand, cutting him off.

You turned to Zhang Yuanlai and asked, "Mr. Zhang, you seem to know this…"

Zhang Yuanlai paused, then sighed. "Of course I know him. In his youth, Dong Shao was quite famous in Bianjing—he nearly became a disciple of the Second Master. Alas, something happened, and he ultimately missed the chance."

"Even so, he once studied at the academy. His scholarship is something I, Zhang, deeply admire."

You did not press further; Zhang Yuanlai clearly held resentment toward Dong Shao, and some hidden grievance lay beneath.

You looked at the books Dong Shao had left—all standard texts for scholarly study, nothing unusual.

Only one copybook stood out. You slowly opened it; the brushwork was strong and vigorous, yet effortlessly graceful.

Zhang Yuanlai glanced at the copybook and said, "Dong Shao excels in calligraphy—that's precisely why the Second Master favored him. This copybook must be his own hand-copied work."

You silently took the copybook.

In the afternoon, Zhang Yuanlai took his leave.

Days slipped away quietly.

On the seventeenth day of the first month, after Master Hua'an carefully treated you, you finally removed the white gauze and regained your sight.

From then on, Zhang Yuanlai and He Xiao no longer needed to come to read to you.

He Xiao greatly lamented losing this "fine post"; afterward, Zhang Yuanlai occasionally visited.

Unknowingly, rumors about you began to spread through the Xie Fu.

People praised you as filial and gifted, possessing an uncanny memory, and having defeated Xie Yuan at blind chess.

The name Xie Guan began to be spoken in every courtyard of the Xie Fu.

Reading in the small courtyard passed swiftly.

Spring departed, snow melted, the weather grew hotter, and before you knew it, April had passed.

Xie Yuan frequently brought servants to challenge you in scholarly contests—and always returned defeated.

The academic examination Yuan Lady had arranged for you at the start of the year was postponed due to a shocking event that shook the entire Xie Fu.

Your father, the Dingyuan Marquis, suffered a crushing defeat at the hands of the Sui army on the frontier and returned in disgrace; the imperial court, enraged, stripped him of his marquis title.

Reminder: Today's Heavenly Reincarnation has ended. Please return tomorrow.

(End of Chapter)