Chapter 574: Why Should Xie Guan Be Chosen? The Noble Lady

Behind Su Yun followed two people, a man and a woman.

The man was about fifteen or sixteen, dressed in luxurious robes, handsome in appearance, still holding a blue jade flute in his hand, his eyes radiating arrogance—he was Xie Xuan, the seventh son of the Grand Courtyard, whom Su Yun had met by the lake in Daguan Garden.

Xie Xuan stared down at the ground.

All he saw were piles of swept snow on either side, revealing old, weather-worn blue stone slabs, their surfaces faintly yellowed.

He frowned slightly; his usual fondness for cleanliness made him feel uneasy about stepping into this dilapidated courtyard.

The woman followed behind Su Yun, dressed in a fitted black male-style martial attire, a jade belt wrapped around her waist, appearing to be around the age of coming of age.

She wore a Futou with drooping ends, no makeup on her face, her features elegant and striking, eyebrows sharp as if cut by a blade, her phoenix eyes exuding martial spirit.

She imitated a man's posture, one hand resting on her belt, moving with a commanding, powerful stride.

Yet her delicate, pale beauty made it instantly clear she was a woman.

The woman walked past Xie Xuan without hesitation and entered.

Su Yun paid no mind, his eyes filled with surprise as he took in the aged courtyard.

Xie Xuan sighed helplessly and followed, stepping inside together.

Today, Su Yun had sought him out; Xie Xuan had been overjoyed and waited early at the Xie Fu gate.

He never expected it was to visit Xie Guan, the Xie family's illegitimate son.

He had no choice but to accompany him.

Xie Xuan knew nothing of this illegitimate son's residence and had to ask along the way before learning it was in the Western Courtyard of Xie Fu.

The Western Courtyard was where servants and laborers lived; at first he could hardly believe it, yet he followed until he arrived.

It truly was a crumbling, dilapidated little courtyard.

The Xie family's own sons lived in such a shabby place—Xie Xuan, as a Xie family young master, was stunned.

Not to mention Su Yun, a scion of the Nine Great Clans, whose eyes also showed astonishment.

Behind Su Yun and the others followed five or six servants.

You looked at Xie Xuan and bowed: "Greetings, Seventh Brother."

In great families, seniority and hierarchy matter deeply.

Xie Xuan gave a slight nod. This Xie family illegitimate son, rarely seen before, had recently risen to fame thanks to Su Yun's praise.

Yet even so!

In the past several months, Xie Xuan had never come to meet him.

In Xie Xuan's eyes, Xie Guan was merely an underage, uneducated, disgraced illegitimate son—the "bastard" Grand Dowager despised.

He had merely happened to recite two decent lines of poetry and earned a bit of praise from the Second Master.

Just luck!

Xie Xuan felt this man was not worth his acquaintance; his own circle consisted of no commoners.

He had seen too many "fleeting talents" from Bianjing—fame as transient as clouds, insubstantial and illusory.

After this year's Qunfang Ban, countless famous poems will emerge; after this year, who will remember any Xie Guan?

He thought to himself: Why on earth had Su Yun come here? It was utterly unworthy!

If this ninth brother truly had any ambition, now that Su Yun favored him, he should seize this chance to climb higher—not act out this pathetic pretense, clinging to his feeble scholar's pride.

He had seen too many poor-born men abandon their dignity for a single opportunity.

To achieve their goals, they would do anything—why care about a little pride? Only then could they escape the shackles of their birth and truly rise above.

Xie Xuan shook his head; even he, born into the Xie family, had lowered himself.

What right does Xie Guan have?

The woman, however, carefully studied the young man in the courtyard, nodding inwardly—his clothes were shabby, yet his bearing was extraordinary.

Her phoenix eyes turned to the parasol tree in the courtyard, watching as sunlight glinted on the melting snow dripping from the eaves.

In the corner, several evergreens had been planted, adding a touch of green to the dilapidated courtyard.

A few flower beds were arranged, lending a refined air.

Though the courtyard was humble, its owner had tended it with care and order.

Though you did not know Su Yun's purpose, you politely invited them inside.

Inside the house, besides the main hall, there were only three rooms: one served as the reception parlor, the other two were your and Wutong's bedrooms.

The kitchen was set in the back courtyard—crude, yet convenient and practical.

The three entered the house; behind them, the maids and servants all kept their heads bowed, utterly obedient—unlike the entertainers once kept by Xie Yuan, who gossiped and yawned openly, lacking even a trace of liveliness.

You noticed Su Yun had deliberately let the woman sit first; you were surprised—given Su Yun's status, this was unexpected.

Xie Xuan observed this too, glancing several times at the woman in male attire, his expression thoughtful.

Su Yun then sat on the kang bed.

Seeing this, Xie Xuan's face darkened; this "luohan bed" was crude, holding only a small tea table.

The kang below was warm; with just this table, one could both drink tea and write—convenient enough.

In the past, Xie Yuan would sit here, while Zhang Yunzhi would bring her own chair to sit beside him.

Yet!

The woman paid no mind and sat side by side with Su Yun.

You sat across from them.

Seeing this, Xie Xuan simply pulled over a chair and sat outside the kang bed.

On the tea table sat a warming stove, boiling water for tea.

Wutong was absent; you brewed tea for them yourself.

Sunlight streamed through the window, falling on the tea table, adding warmth and comfort.

Su Yun gazed at the tea in his cup, steam rising, and smiled: "Young Master Guan, this residence suits me well."

He sighed softly: "Isn't this precisely what people seek—a quiet place to read, a single desk?"

Su Yun's tone carried a touch of reflection; as a scion of a great clan, his grandfather was none other than Minister Su Xiang, wielding immense power.

Among the few heirs of the sparse Su family, Su Yun was uniquely favored.

Xie Xuan stared at the low-quality tea with its frothy surface, remaining motionless.

The woman, however, lifted her cup and drank it all in one gulp, as boldly as if drinking wine.

She teased: "Young Master Yun, your words sound like those of court ministers who retire in haste, returning to their hometowns."

"At your age, shouldn't you be surrounded by beauties adding fragrance to your ink, polishing your brushes? If you truly crave such quietude, can you endure this bitter cold?"

Su Yun shook his head and laughed.

Your gaze settled on the woman; Su Yun noticed and was about to introduce her.

The woman introduced herself: "I am Chen Jiuyan."

Xie Xuan had never seen this woman before; upon hearing her name, he froze slightly.

The name sounded nothing like a woman's, and the surname—"Chen"—was the imperial surname of Da Qi.

In Bianjing, such a surname was not rare; the Zhou imperial lineage had endured for a thousand years, with countless collateral branches.

Among the Nine Great Clans, contact with imperial family members was not unusual; at the Caotang Poetry Gathering, two disgraced imperial princes had followed Su Yun's lead.

But only a few powerful imperial princes could make Su Yun yield his seat and dare to tease him.

The current emperor had granted four princedoms: Yan, Tang, Han, and Qian; among them, Prince Yan was the most honored.

The reason? Simply because the legendary Lu Shenzhou had once held the title of Prince Yan.

Xie Xuan pondered briefly—yet the current imperial family had no woman of this age.

You smiled slightly: "So you are Young Master Yan."

The woman named Chen Jiuyan's face lit up with a satisfied smile—clearly, she greatly preferred the title "Young Master."

Su Yun stated his purpose, his tone hopeful: "Young Master Guan, this year's Qunfang Ban exceeds all previous ones. Not only will the academies participate, but also high-ranking ministers of Da Qi, the Nine Great Clans, and major figures from the Thirteen Provinces will attend—even three courtesan houses will compete for supremacy. It is time to crown Bianjing's number one."

"Such a grand event is the perfect opportunity to gain fame through poetry."

He continued earnestly: "Therefore, I beg you, Young Master Guan, to attend and lend your strength to the poetry gathering."

You listened, then shook your head: "Xie Guan knows he lacks talent; last time was mere luck. I fear that in a true contest of skill, I will not gain fame but only lose face."

Su Yun tried again: "Young Master Guan…"

Before he could finish!

You took the Qunfang Ban invitation Su Yun had sent last time from the cabinet and placed it before him.

Seeing your outright refusal, Xie Xuan's expression darkened.

Today, Su Yun had come in such grand style—you were expected to accept gladly.

To stage some "Three Visits to the Courtyard" drama.

What status did Su Yun hold? Grand Secretary Su's legitimate grandson. What status did you, Xie Guan, hold?

Simply stepping into this courtyard was already a tremendous honor.

Yet!

You had refused so brazenly, so bluntly, your face calm and indifferent.

Xie Xuan frowned; he could not stand it. He glanced around at the servants and maids in the room—all stood rigidly, not daring to move an inch.

This was only natural!

He spoke sharply: "Young Brother Guan, how dare you refuse Young Master Su Yun? Apologize to Young Master Yun at once…"

His tone now carried the authority of a senior Xie brother: "This is Young Master Su Yun's request—it is your fortune…"

"Xie Xuan, be silent!"

His words were cut short by Su Yun's cold interruption.

"Master Xie Guan is also one of the Cao Tang Poetry Society. The society forbids forcing anyone to do what they do not wish—our aim is to make friends with those who share our ideals, to enjoy literature and merriment."

"If one refuses and you still press hard, what have you become?"

After being interrupted by Su Yun, Xie Xuan dared not retort; he knew Su Yun's temper, but he shot you a furious glare.

He picked up the teacup on the table and gulped it down in one swallow—only to find the tea bitter and harsh, too unpleasant to spit out, forcing him to swallow it, his face flushing red.

The woman Chen Jiuyan smiled and said, "Master Xie Guan, quickly refill his cup."

Hearing this, you poured him another cup of tea and whispered gently, "Seventh Brother, be careful not to choke."

Su Yun smiled at Xie Xuan's embarrassment and said, "Master Xie Guan, don't take it to heart—Xie Xuan is just like this."

Chen Jiuyan continued, "Even if you don't attend the poetry gathering, the Qunfang Banquet is worth enjoying. The three houses' courtesans will vie for beauty, and once the Academy's Beauty List is released, it won't just shake the thirteen prefectures of Da Qi—it will spread across the entire realm."

You had no need to conceal it, since you yourself would attend the Qunfang Banquet—you mentioned your invitation from Sima Ting.

Upon hearing the name "General Sima," Chen Jiuyan paused slightly and asked, "Is that Sima Ting, the Military Governor of Jiannan?"

Su Yun nodded, confirming, "Yes."

Su Yun had already learned from the servant that you had received an invitation, but he was quite surprised to find it came from Sima Ting himself.

After returning from Daguan Academy, he deliberately inquired about you and naturally learned of the exchange in Hongjing Courtyard regarding "benevolent and righteous men."

That was why he sought to befriend you—he trusted his own judgment; the bearing of that boy who wrote those verses in the pavilion could not be ordinary.

Xie Xuan found it hard to believe—when had you become acquainted with a Zhou-level Military Governor?

The Military Governors of the thirteen provinces were all immensely powerful figures, most of whom were backed by the Nine Great Clans.

Especially in Jiannan, a prefecture plagued by demons and constant rebellions, the Military Governor holds near-absolute authority to act first and report later.

Chen Jiuyan's delicate brows furrowed—behind Sima Ting stood not only the Sima family, but also Tang Ziang, known in the Ministry of Rites as the "Sick Tiger."

Receiving an invitation from Sima Ting made her regard the young man before her with greater seriousness.

Su Yun's eyes brightened as if struck by an idea. "That's perfect—General Sima will be occupied with court officials at the Qunfang Banquet and won't have time for other matters."

He turned to you warmly. "Younger Brother Guan, what seat are you assigned to? I'll come find you at the banquet."

"Those stale, dreary matters of state and national grudges are boring—I'll take you to see the elegance and brilliance of the Western Pavilion, the scholars and luminaries."

You frowned slightly; you had no interest in courtesans or fame.

The Xie family's Second Master, Lu Hua, and that jade dragon will also attend the Qunfang Banquet—this place is the epicenter of turmoil.

You shook your head slightly. "Thank you, Brother Su Yun, but I must decline."

Su Yun was greatly disappointed.

Seeing you refuse Su Yun's invitation again, Xie Xuan's expression grew darker.

He was resentful—Su Yun himself had never spoken to him this way; what right did you, a bastard son, have? What merit, what virtue?

At that moment!

Chen Jiuyan's gaze fell upon the black-and-white Go bowls beside the table; her eyes flickered with interest as she turned to you. "Master Xie Guan, do you play Go?"

You nodded humbly. "A little."

Chen Jiuyan smiled. "Master Xie Guan, how about a wager?"

Hearing this, you glanced at her strangely—those words sounded exactly like Xie Yuan's catchphrase.

Chen Jiuyan said, "We play three games. Best two out of three. If you lose, you accept what Brother Yun asked of you."

"If I lose, I'll do you one favor."

The woman with the drooping Futou grinned brightly. "Of course, I won't lose."

PS: I've posted an image of this outfit in the comments.

(End of Chapter)