Surviving in the General's Mansion - Chapter 99

Madam Xiao tossed and turned that night, unable to sleep. At last, she elbowed her husband beside her.

“Hey. I told you to keep an eye on the young men in the capital. Have you done it or not?

“You’ve been Minister of Revenue for a while now. How have you still learned nothing useful?”

Xiao Huan had been sleeping in a daze. Jolted awake by his wife’s elbow, he answered breathlessly, “I have! I have!”

Madam Xiao immediately became energetic. She turned to face him.

“Well? Is there anyone suited to our Yaqing?”

The moment Xiao Huan heard that, he knew he could forget about going back to sleep anytime soon.

He forced himself awake and explained, “Ah, the sons of noble families are mostly the same.

“They’re either insufferably arrogant or too idle to work. We cannot find someone like that for Yaqing.

“Especially since she is our only child. The trade caravans will all be handed to her one day.

“If she marries a wastrel, who knows how much he’ll look down on her in the future?”

Madam Xiao’s heart sank as well.

“Ah, which great family has no businesses of its own? Hmph!

“Among all these first- through fifth-rank officials in the capital, there are always some who want connections and come to our family to order wine.

“Yet now they look down on merchants? I spit on them!

“Every one of them thinks too highly of himself. They assume I don’t know those young people secretly exclude Yaqing!

“That child only ignores it because she’s broad-minded. If it were me, I don’t know how miserable I would feel!”

Hearing his wife begin to choke up, Xiao Huan could only pull her into his arms.

“Blame me. It’s my fault.

“I was too naive in those days, and now I have no foundation at court. Otherwise, others would never dare look down on us this way!”

Madam Xiao punched him.

“What nonsense are you saying? Those people are simply blind!

“Fortunately, Yaqing has found sworn sisters she likes. She is selective about her friends too!

“Yaqing says that girl is very amusing. Lady Hao must have been a wonderful person to raise such a daughter. It is only a pity she died so young…”

Xiao Huan picked up the thread.

“Exactly. But escaping a father like Xia Yun is a good thing too.

“Now that she follows Mingxu, she will have opportunities to advance in the future!

“Ah! What do you think of Mingxu?

“We know him and his background. He is a good child too!”

Madam Xiao rolled her eyes in the dark.

“Do you think I never asked?

“The moment Yaqing heard, she asked whether she had done something wrong or become an eyesore to us.

“Why else would we want to send her to Cang Mingxu?

“She said he was icy every day. Did we want him to freeze her to death?”

“True. Mingxu’s personality is rather cold.

“Besides, he will certainly return north before long. They would have trouble even seeing each other…

“What about Qian Zimo?

“He may be a merchant, but Yaqing would not suffer if she married him. Becoming an official’s wife might not be as comfortable as becoming a wealthy merchant’s wife.

“And I am the Minister of Revenue. I could always keep him in check.”

Madam Xiao pondered.

“We can watch for now. He is not impossible. The boy follows Yaqing around every day and does appear sincere.

“But Yaqing said she intends to do something enormous next year. Perhaps the Qian Family will be the one relying on her in the future. If that happens…”

Xiao Huan pursed his lips.

“Then perhaps we should forget it… Ah, a daughter who earns too much money creates headaches too…

“But what enormous thing does she plan to do? She must not attempt anything too outrageous!”

“Listen to yourself. Is your daughter that kind of person?

“She said it may not succeed yet, but if it does, it will be a wonderful thing that benefits the nation and its people!”

“Then that’s good! That’s good!”

Xiao Huan relaxed and made another suggestion.

“What about a young man from a humble family?”

Madam Xiao frowned.

“If he comes from a humble family, his character must be beyond reproach.

“Yaqing controls such a large enterprise. A man with crooked intentions won’t do. Look at Xia Yun…”

“Now that you mention it, I do have someone in mind!”

Madam Xiao sat up.

“Who?”

“Ah, give me some of the quilt! Aren’t you cold?”

“Tell me! Who is it?”

Madam Xiao covered Xiao Huan again and urged him to continue.

“Mu Yan.”

“Mu Yan? Your subordinate?”

“Yes. Mu Yan also comes from a humble family.

“He was framed before and spent several days in prison—it was over Mingxu’s missing military provisions.

“He has worked beneath me recently, and his character is truly impeccable!

“He is neither arrogant nor impatient. Others ostracized him before, but even after becoming acting Vice Minister of Revenue, he never retaliated against anyone.

“He simply puts his head down and handles his duties. He’s steady and a very promising young man!

“More importantly, the men of his family seem to take only one wife. I hear his mother died several years ago, and his father never remarried. Their family customs are excellent!”

Madam Xiao pinched Xiao Huan excitedly.

“You knew of such an excellent young man and didn’t mention him first?”

“I was thinking that he is my subordinate. Wouldn’t it look as though I were using my position to pressure him?”

“Oh, enough. What does your reputation matter beside Yaqing’s happiness?

“Besides, nothing has even begun. Whether it works is another matter!

“Invite him to the house for dinner in the next couple of days! Let Yaqing and me both look at him!”

Xiao Huan smiled bitterly.

“I understand, Wife. Can we sleep now? I still have to attend court tomorrow!”

“Fine, fine! Sleep. Hurry and sleep!”

When Mu Yan received his superior’s invitation the following day, he was bewildered.

Attend a family dinner at his superior’s home?

What did that mean?

“Ah, Little Mu, don’t overthink it. I simply feel an affinity with you and want to invite you home for a meal! There truly is no other meaning!”

Mu Yan nodded blankly while anxiety churned inside him.

Where was his quick-witted younger brother?

Your elder brother needs help making sense of this!

Did Lord Xiao intend to promote him? Or was this some kind of warning?

Should he buy gifts in advance? But what gift did one bring to a superior’s home?

He agonized for more than an hour. In the end, he never managed to buy anything. The moment work ended, Xiao Huan dragged him home.

Xiao Huan could see how ill at ease Mu Yan felt.

But he had issued the invitation at the last moment. How could he allow the young man to bring gifts too?

That evening, the following scene unfolded at the Xiao Family’s dining table.

“Oh, Father has a guest tonight? Then I’ll eat in my room.”

“No need! This is Mu Yan, a colleague from the Ministry of Revenue. We’re simply having a family dinner. There aren’t so many rules!”

Then Xiao Huan turned to Mu Yan.

“Little Mu, you don’t mind, do you?”

Mu Yan nearly sprang from his stool. Dare to object to his superior’s daughter eating at the same table? Was he tired of living?

“Not at all! Not at all! Please, Miss Xiao.”

Xiao Yaqing looked suspiciously at her parents. Why did she sense something ominous?

“Little Mu, everyone in our household always eats at one table. It’s livelier that way!

“Don’t be restrained. My wife cooked everything tonight. Treat this as your own home!” Xiao Huan encouraged him.

Mu Yan repeatedly agreed.

Xiao Yaqing looked at the dishes on the table.

Eight-treasure duck, steamed pork belly, braised winter bamboo shoots, poached shrimp, and crystal buns…

This was an impressive spread!

After taking their seats and waiting for her parents to lift their chopsticks, Xiao Yaqing reached toward the eight-treasure duck.

Madam Xiao placed a shrimp in Mu Yan’s bowl.

“Little Mu! At home, there are no superiors or subordinates. You can simply call him Uncle Xiao! How old are you this year?”

Xiao Yaqing took a bite of the eight-treasure duck.

Mm! Her mother’s cooking was the best. She had to bring some for Xia Heng to taste sometime. Xia Heng certainly had never eaten duck this delicious!

“Aunt Xiao, this junior is twenty-one this year,” Mu Yan answered honestly.

“Oh, your Uncle Xiao says you have not married yet?”

Xiao Yaqing had just bitten into another piece of duck. Her chopsticks froze in midair.

It was over. This entire dinner was aimed at her.