Chapter 2: Chapter Two

Winter snow fell for an entire day without stopping, drifting and spreading, weighing on the branches, crack—crack, breaking a part of the forest.

This is the first snow of early winter; well‑to‑do officials always say auspicious snow heralds a bumper year, but they never expect that ordinary folk fear the snowdrift most—will the snow seep in through the broken eaves and tiles?

Snowfall itself isn't cold, but melt can claim half a life. A bad harvest might not even afford a single winter coat.

After the morning audience, Xie Junling walked out of the Hanlin Academy, said goodbye to his colleagues, and boarded a simple gray‑topped sedan chair, heading toward his manor.

A few months ago, he was newly appointed by the Emperor as a Seventh‑rank Hanlin Academy Editor; as if that weren't enough favor, he was also granted a courtyard with three gates and three exits. The quality of the house was secondary—the imperial grant alone proves this young man is favored, riding the spring wind, at the peak of his reputation, and his future may be as splendid as brocade.

Moreover, a Hanlin Academy Editor is responsible for overseeing lectures, drafting edicts, and most importantly, cultivating talent.

It functions as the Emperor's secretarial office, the place closest to the Son of Heaven. After three years of training here, anyone who passes can obtain an official post, even be entrusted with important tasks by the Emperor; the specifics depend on one's fate and the Emperor's trust.

What's the worst for a poor‑background disciple with no foothold in Jingdu?

Isn't it just a crutch? Those old foxes who catch the scent won't let it slip; who knows whether the promising young Xie will rise to great heights? He's still young, full of vigor, able to turn any matter.

He's the so‑called high‑potential stock; how could anyone pass him up?

Inside the residence.

Xie Junling had already shed his formal attire, now lifting his slender, fair fingers to turn a few pages of a book.

He couldn't focus, constantly thinking of one person. After sitting for a while, the winter chill invaded him, and his complexion grew even paler.

His complexion was already pale, not rosy but the frail‑looking youth type; normally at the residence, without official robes, he favored a blue long robe, a dark sable coat, a white‑fur faux fur collar. He feared the cold, pulling his lapels tight, which highlighted his knife‑sharp black sideburns; his lips, as if glossed, were not feminine but still more delicate than the burly generals.

The family letter has been sent, Lu Bao'er's reply is already on its way; why has it taken so long and still not reached Jingdu?

He couldn't help but have a headache, not knowing whether that girl had caused trouble again, and after a year or two without seeing her, had she grown taller?

Would she resent him?

Never mind, when has she never resented him? Even if he doesn't share a bed with her, she still resents him.

How could Xie Junling claim that, a respectable seven‑foot man, telling stories to a child before bedtime, also having to lull a young lady to sleep?

Moreover, at his age his qi and blood are still fresh; with a warm, soft jade in his arms, even if it hasn't fully opened, there's often a surge of qi and blood—how could he dare to share a bed?

If she sees through it, it's awkward; if she doesn't, it's also awkward.

Even if she… is his little wife, so what?

Headache—just thinking of that girl gives him a headache.

He looked around; this courtyard now was far larger than those in the countryside.

According to Lu Bao'er, if you have money you can buy a white cat; nowadays few keep cats, they can't guard the house, only eat, drink, and play, so they're a rare luxury of wealthy families.

But he didn't say that if you want a cat, you can just catch one outside; wild cats are hard to tame, and if they don't obey their master they could hurt people when brought home, so it's better to raise one from a kitten.

Moreover, she only knows how to tease; in the end, isn't she the one who tires him out?

I wonder when Lu Bao'er will finally reach Jingdu; it's already been so long…

Xie Junling always felt something was off; even deep in sleep at midnight, a nightmare could wake him, and after getting up for a cup of tea, he realized the weather was muggy.

Whenever there was a sound in the house, the newly granted maid wanted to light a lamp and come in, but he always refused. First, he wasn't used to having someone attend to him; after living alone for so many years, suddenly becoming a master, there were still things he couldn't adjust to.

Second, for some reason, after years of only Lu Bao'er's female companion coming and going in the house, he developed a strange aversion to other women.

So should Lu Bao'er later bring him tea and water? Forget it, pretend he never said it; she sleeps soundly on the couch, her round cat‑like face, waking her to serve him would be heart‑wrenching.

She's still young; he must raise her.

Xie Junling sighed, inevitably becoming worried again.

After a while, the steward Chen Shan reported, "Sir, a notice has been submitted."

Chen Shan is the standard steward of the residence; each granted house always has some people assigned to the courtyard. They aren't palace staff; they serve whichever master they follow, unable to put on airs or a proud expression.

If one relies on being the local bigwig of an imperial‑granted residence to forcefully suppress the new master's confidants, that's sheer folly, a death wish.

He secretly felt relieved, thinking this time he had the right master—the messenger looked familiar, clearly a junior servant from Minister of Rites Gu's residence. He hadn't expected Xie Junling, newly arrived, to have already set up connections behind the scenes, linking with a third‑rank senior official. Whether proactive or passive, the tangled guts inside he doesn't care about; they'll rot in his belly for life.

They delivered the notice anonymously, fearing the Emperor's suspicion; after all, his newly recruited imperial student was quickly swayed by an elder minister into factionalism. Whatever the case, the fact that there's movement is good news for Steward Chen Shan—it shows they can cooperate and that Xie Junling has backing, enabling him to advance.

It seems this top scholar isn't a reckless master; he has scheming in his heart.

When Xie Junling saw the notice, his brows tightened; it listed a time and meeting place, and naturally someone would escort him there.

Even though he didn't want to meet him, Lu Bao'er's matter was suspicious, so he had to see it through.

There was no choice; Xie Junling went to the appointment that very night.

Jingdu's night was bustling; painted boats on the lake played soft music, lanterns filled the decks, their glow bright, presenting a scene of mortal revelry and dream‑like death.

A small sedan chair carried Xie Junling through the night, winding its way until it arrived at Minister of Rites Gu's residence, entering through a side door without drawing attention.

Inside, a banquet had already been set. Upon entering, the white‑bearded Gu personally welcomed him; seeing Xie Junling, tears welled up, hot tears swelling in his bulging eyes, and he choked out several cries of "Ling'er" before stopping.

Xie Junling remained neither servile nor arrogant, bowing in courtesy. In official circles, he is his superior; in the family, he… is his maternal grandfather.

It's actually fortunate that Gu, as his maternal grandfather, is so benevolent; he would not rescue his own daughter, claiming she drowned. If Xie hadn't become a top scholar, Gu probably wouldn't have taken him seriously—after all, his descendants have met their comeuppance, failing to achieve any fame, even the presented scholar degree, and have had to buy offices to get a half‑position, ruining their face.

The Gu family cannot simply collapse; since a dark horse like Xie Junling has emerged midway, they must make good use of him.

Gu's self‑pitying scheme failed, his tears were brushed aside.

No wonder he's an old fox; his face‑changing move is masterfully refined—if kindness fails, he asserts authority; there's always something he can do.

Holding grudges well, the more such a person, the more resolute.

He still can't forget that, when Xie Junling was still a child, he begged for his mother's treatment and even dared to kneel in the backyard for three days.

It was snowing then; his knees were covered in a layer of ice, claiming he felt no cold or pain was certainly a lie. The child was clever, not kneeling at the main gate, avoiding attention, because he knew his identity and his mother's status as Gu's legitimate daughter were secrets; if exposed, not only would his life be saved, Gu would also have to end their lives.

But at that time his heart was black; he didn't even glance at him, nor give any money.

Back then she abandoned her family to elope with that servant, and bore such an illegitimate creature; the bitter fruit she sowed she must taste herself. If everything is done out of sentimental indulgence, the world would fall into chaos.

Unfortunately, the lowly creature he despised somehow became successful, forcing him to recruit him to revitalize the Gu family. After all, he carries half Gu blood; as long as he…

After a moment, Gu invited Xie Junling to sit, ordered the best bitter tea, and spoke, "You've just entered officialdom and don't yet grasp how deep the waters are. If you don't align with a faction, staying clean will only bring demotion or suppression. These people aren't harmless; to reach the highest ranks you must have your own methods. Have you understood?"

"I understand, Minister Gu's teachings," Xie Junling could refuse to give him a pleasant face, but he would not display his likes or dislikes outright; he still has to survive in this big cauldron, keeping a margin in everything.

"I understand, Lord Xie Gu's teachings." Xie Junling can refuse to give him a pleasant look, but he won't openly show his likes and dislikes; he still has to get by in this big dye vat, and in everything he must leave a margin.

"You are my grandson who drifted away; how could I not love you? You really think I would bear to hurt Wan'er? She is indeed my legitimate daughter."

"After he finished speaking, he again burst into tears, making it impossible to tell truth from falsehood."

"Xie Junling remained silent, and Lord Gu naturally assumed he was pondering. After a moment, he added: 'Now this is just right; outsiders don't know of our blood ties, I will marry your cousin to you, strengthening the alliance—what do you think? This way, we will be bound together by one rope; from now on, the family's honor and disgrace share a single line—is not the Gu bloodline also your bloodline?'"

"His plans were clever; using marriage to bind Xie Junling, from now on everything he does must take his wife's clan into account—isn't that wonderful?"

'"My lord..." Xie Junling was about to speak, reminding himself he was already married, but Lord Gu cut him off: "As for your country wife, I will naturally take care of her for you, Ling'er; your maternal grandfather means well—you should understand."'

"He believed his tactic of combining kindness and authority was employed extremely well."

"Xie Junling would not fail to recognize good intentions, nor need to refuse. To anyone, it is a sure-win game; he has put in so much effort, paving the way for him—how could he refuse?"

"But as soon as he finished hearing those words, Xie Junling felt as if he had fallen into an ice cellar; although it was already winter, the biting wind blew through the door cracks, striking his face and piercing his heart, bone-chillingly cold."

"After a moment, his voice became hoarse and out of tune, he asked: 'How is my humble wife?'"

"Lord Gu furrowed his brows, 'Naturally, it is gone.'"

"Very good."

"Xie Junling closed his eyes; he could not say it to his face—if even a single hair of Lu Bao'er were missing, I would certainly have the entire Gu clan buried with him."

"But he could say nothing, turn and leave, letting his attitude speak."

"Is it his lack of ability? How could it not be?"

"Such is the officialdom—corrupt, and one cannot control one's own fate."

"He originally thought he needed to become stronger to protect his mother and his wife."

"Later, he discovered that no matter where he was, he could not control his own fate."

"Continue climbing upward, and someday he will take revenge."

"Snow fell again; under the lamp, the delicate outline of scattered snowflakes was reflected."

"He took two steps, turned back, lifted his robe, and knelt before Lord Gu to pay his respects."

"Again it was a snowy day; he recalled how, as a child, he had knelt in the snow like this, his knees aching to despair, with no one to help him."

"A man's knees hold gold; he bows to heaven and earth above, to his parents below. This is the rites of gratitude for the gift of life; he performs it on behalf of his mother, and also for Lord Gu."

"From then on, he had no further ties with the Gu clan."

"He had not intended to reveal his stance so soon, but upon arriving in Jingdu he immediately clashed with a senior official of the third rank; he feared he would encounter some troubles, and things went awry."

"The next day, Xie Junling took leave on the pretext of feeling unwell. At dawn, he found a carriage driver and hurried along the route that must be taken to and from Jingdu, whipping his horses to go faster."

"Along the way, he heard some commotion; it was said that two nights ago, someone had died, and beside the corpse lay many women's ornaments—it was unclear which official's daughter had encountered bandits and been robbed."

"The speaker went on enthusiastically, even producing the jade pendant he had picked up to show others—whether it was good jade or not, after the fuss died down, taking it to a pawnshop to pawn would reveal the truth."

"Xie Junling closed his eyes, not knowing what to say. He remembered that piece of jade, and the lifelike cat carved on it. It was left to Lu Bao'er by her father, and she usually treasured it as a precious object, offering it reverently."

"He then went to the site of the incident to look for people, but there was not even a hint of movement."

"There was no corpse, no carriage."

"It seems this time, she is more likely to meet misfortune than fortune."

"－－－－－－Off-topic－－－－－－"

"If you have any recommendation votes, please throw them my way~~If my grades improve, I'll update even more often!!"