Though the Xiao family's second son seemed like a useless flower vase on the surface, his father wasn't one for show. He was the Marquis of Dingyuan, a descendant of the imperial family, and a first-rank General of the Imperial Army. In charge of guarding the capital, his domain of power spans from the city limits to the palace walls encompassing both the inner and outer city. Needless to say, the Xiao family was not a power the officer could afford to offend.
Soon, a ring of spectators formed to watch the show, Lu Yu and Xiaowan joining in the fray.
"I'm not sure what you mean, Yong Master." Officer Ban humbled himself. 'What did this little ancestor want with him?' he thought.
Sliding off his saddle, Xiao Zhihao made his way to Mu Zhonghuai. He paced around him in a circle like an eagle hunting its prey, exclaiming,
"You plan to let this man inside without so much as a background check? Officer Ban takes his responsibilities so lightly, I cannot bear to stand by."
Understanding his intentions, Officer Ban wasn't too concerned about the matter. If the child wanted to show off his influence to his friends, then he'll let him have his fun. Lowering his head in compliance, the man gestured to Mu Zhonghuai as though offering meat on a platter. The scholar could only smile bitterly.
"My name is Xiao Zhihao, you may address me as Young Master Xiao, or Xiao gongzi. What's yours?" the youth asked domineeringly from atop his horse.
"Replying to Young Master Xiao, this scholar's name is Mu Zhonghuai, courtesy Ziling. I come from Hangzhou, here to participate in the state exams."
At the side, Lu Yu was startled. 'Mu Zhonghuai? Isn't that the man mentioned in Master Yang's letter? How convenient! Then again, Hangzhou is hundreds of Li* away from Pingzhou, where Master Yang's school was located, not to mention Zhonghuai is a common name. It might not be the right person,' he reasoned.
"A Juren?" Xiao Zhihao continued dismissively.
"His name should be on the list, Officer Ban. Did you not find it?" Unfazed, the officer pointed to the guard who'd accepted the bribe.
"You there! Bring the list for our Young Master to check over."
The list contained over two thousand names, compiled into a single scroll long enough to wrap around Lu Yu's waist three times. To save space, each character was written as small as possible. From the edge of the crowd, they looked like sesame seeds on a pastry. Xiao Zhihao got a headache the moment he set eyes on it.
However, Mu Zhonghuai had seen his fair share of badly copied scriptures. This wasn't even worth mentioning. Scanning the document from over Xiao Zhihao's shoulder, he pointed it out.
"There! My name's right there. 7th column 3rd row." Xiao Zhihao needed to squint for a moment before spotting it.
"Ah yes. Alright then, you're free to go." he dismissed offhandedly.
Though his name was found on the list of examinees, Mu Zhonghuai wasn't too happy. It only confirmed the fact that he spent the rest of his savings for naught. He turned to the guard, hoping that he'd have some conscience, but the man looked away. 'Nope, not a chance.' Standing between the two, Xiao Zhihao missed this interaction, but from the crowd, Lu Yu saw it very clearly. Sensing something was wrong, he asked Xiaowan to retrieve his identification tablet.
Officer Ban rubbed his hands miserly, trying to turn the situation in his favor.
"You see Young Master? We do things procedurally around here, so there's nothing to worry about."
"What a good procedure this is." Mu Zhonghuai muttered, his anger unappeased. His words didn't go unnoticed. As a martial artist, the guard's senses were several times more sensitive than the average person's. The scholar's peculiar attitude naturally drew his attention.
"What are you still dawdling here for? Do you want us to escort you to the doors? You're allowed to enter, so just take your donkey and go. " The longer Mu Zhonghuai stayed, the more chances for him to tattle. The guard hoped that the matter would be quickly glossed over, but in his anxiousness, he spoke out of turn.
This time, Xiao Zhihao understood them loud and clear. He was a martial artist but it didn't mean he had no sense or logical reasoning. As the son of General Xiao, he had been training in the four arts since he began to walk. He wasn't so dense to be unsuspecting upon hearing these words.
The guard was nervous.
"Hold on," Xiao Zhihao interrupted, but before he could continue on, the guard dropped to his knees. Simultaneously Officer Ban covered his face in agony, both howling their grievances in tacit agreement.
"R-replying to Young Master Xiao, it's my fault. I can't read, so I asked O-officer to check for me... " Finishing with his excuse, he forced his face on the ground in a frantic kowtow.
"I'm also unlearned! Young Master, the blame lies with me. I'm unable to set a good example for my subordinates. Please punish me!"
"No, it was all my doing. Officer Ban knows nothing about it!"
"He's only a child, he doesn't know better. Young master, please be gracious. Let him off just this one time."
Moved by the sudden performance, Xiao Zhihao's will wavered. A sense of pity overcame the initial anger. 'These poor men just want to have a stable job that can feed their families. They're at the bottom of the ranks. They can't even read... but what does that have to do with me?' He shrugged, dismissing the fleeting emotions.
"You, extorting the livelihoods out of common citizens, 30 lashings. You're dismissed."
"Officer Ban, unqualified for the position, demoted to vice-officer. The vice-officer will replace you." Xiao Zhihao dished out punishments contemptuously. The command had been called for, and the last tone of his voice had sounded, yet still, no one moved. After an extended moment of silence, Xiao looked around nervously.
"I'm afraid that won't do, young master." Officer Ban raised his head, without a single hint of remorse. Instead, his eyes glinted with amusement.
"I call you Young Master because you're the General's son, but this isn't the Xiao manor. Forgive me, but with what authority are you giving these orders?"
Xiao Zhihao was unable to respond. In fact, Officer Ban was correct. He did not have any power at the Gates to deliver punishments. His father, General Xiao would undoubtedly be able to. His brother, Lieutenant Xiao could pull some strings to condemn this man. But Xiao Zhihao himself, at 17 years old and without a position or title, was powerless. Only to be scoffed at as the renowned useless second son of the Xiao family.
Powerless to speak up for himself, he looked around. His so-called 'friends' were watching the show with goading expressions, not one moved forward to step up for his sake.