C2. Fastest Fingers First, Wins.
Three days later, Yuan Manor Farm.
The steward inspected the fields and found no sign of Wang Er and his group.
"Where are Wang Er and the others?" he asked the person in charge of settling the new refugees.
"Sir, they finished their work in the fields and took a day off," the subordinate replied. "They haven't been out since they came to Ruyang County. They said there weren't enough bowls, chopsticks, and bedding in the house, so I gave them some wages to go shopping."
The steward just asked casually and didn't notice anything amiss, so he nodded.
The sun was setting.
Yuan Li walked wearily towards the county magistrate's office.
As if knowing he was coming back, many people had gathered in front of the county magistrate's office to watch the excitement. From time to time, people would point at Yuan Li and whisper, "That's the eldest son of our county magistrate."
"That's the young man. He's so handsome and filial. The county magistrate and his wife are truly blessed."
Yuan Li was already able to remain composed in the face of these compliments.
Mr. Lin, the steward, rushed over with a few servants. When he saw the haggard Yuan Li, his eyes reddened, and he knelt down at the gate, crying, "Young Master, you're finally back safe!"
Yuan Li rushed forward to help him up, "I've found the herb that Mother desperately needs! How is Mother's health now? Please take me to see her quickly!"
Steward Lin was overjoyed and couldn't help but weep with joy, "Wonderful, wonderful, Madam is saved..."
The master and servant raced back to the manor, the heavy gate of the magistrate's residence clanging shut behind them. Outside, the townspeople watched, their sighs of relief mingling with murmurs of praise.
Inside the Manor
Listening to the sounds outside the manor, Yuan Li wiped the sweat off his face and breathed a sigh of relief, feeling slightly embarrassed.
As soon as they entered the door, Steward Lin put away his crying face and wiped his tears skillfully, "Young Master, Master is waiting for you in the study."
Yuan Li was puzzled, "Hmm?"
Steward Lin lowered his voice, "Master received a letter from Luoyang yesterday. After reading it, he shut himself up in the study. He specifically instructed you to go to the study as soon as you return. There must be something important to discuss."
Hearing this, Yuan Li didn't linger and strode towards the study.
He gently knocked on the door, and his father, Yuansong's slightly tired voice rang out, "Li'er? Come in."
Yuan Li pushed the door open and saw his father sitting weakly in front of the desk, his eyes sunken and his eyes dark with circles.
"I heard you didn't sleep all night?" Yuanli joked, "What kind of big deal could make you so restless?"
Yuan Song sighed softly, "Sit down first. I've asked someone to bring you tea and pastries. Let's wait until you've filled your stomach before we talk."
As soon as Yuan Song finished speaking, someone brought the food and drinks. Yuan Li didn't hesitate to indulge, eating his fill and washing his face before comfortably leaning back in his chair.
"Alright," he said, "what do you want to talk about?"
Yuan Song sighed again. "During your three days on Mount Santou, were you injured?"
Yuan Li couldn't help but chuckle. "Every evening, you and Mother would send someone to check on me. How could you not know if I was injured?"
Curiosity piqued, he asked, "What is it that has you so hesitant to speak?"
Yuan Song remained silent for a moment before pulling out a letter from beneath the official documents on the table and handing it to Yuan Li. "Yesterday at noon, a letter arrived from the Prince Chu Mansion in Luoyang."
"The Prince Chu Mansion, one of the three Grand Elders who helped found the dynasty alongside the founding emperor and were granted the title of Prince with a different surname (異姓王)?" Yuan Li inquired.
"Exactly."
Yuan Li opened the envelope and casually asked, "What does it say?"
His father closed his eyes and said in a low voice, "They are seeking a marriage alliance."
The letter, though penned by the Prince Chu's wife, bore his official seal, indicating his approval of the arranged marriage. The letter's tone was earnest, almost tearful.
Yuan Li, only half-registering his father's hushed whispers, dove into the letter. As he deciphered the message, his face morphed from bewilderment to utter shock, eventually settling into a mask of complete stupefaction.
The stark contrast between the wife's impassioned plea and the Prince's cold, official stamp left him utterly dumbfounded.
"My dear son," the father said, "the Prince Chu Mansion is desperate and has turned to desperate measures. They somehow obtained your birthdate and want you to bring good fortune to their eldest son through marriage. Isn't that ridiculous?"
He turned his head to look at his eldest son, who was still sitting opposite him, lost in thought.
The young man, barely a man yet, possessed rosy lips, teeth the color of fresh snow, eyes that sparkled like stars, and eyebrows that arched perfectly like drawn bows. His sideburns, playfully curled upwards, added a touch of youthful charm to his already endearing features.
Yuan Song's heart was filled with mixed emotions.
Yuan Li put the envelope down and looked directly into Yuan Song's eyes. "I disagree," he said firmly.
Yuan Song smiled bitterly. "I don't want to agree either, but the conditions offered by the Prince Chu Mansion have me hesitant."
Yuan Li frowned.
Yuan Song had always placed great importance on him, seeing him as the future of the Yuan family. What kind of conditions could make even Yuan Song hesitate?
The envelope did not specify these conditions.
Yuan Li asked, "What conditions did they offer?"
Yuan Song closed his eyes and recited the words he had already memorized verbatim.
The Prince Chu stated that although it was a "marriage to ward off evil," Yuan Li and the eldest son, Chu Mingfeng, would not have a physical relationship. Yuan Li would only be living in the Prince Chu Mansion, and regardless of whether the eldest son's illness improved or not, the Prince Chu Mansion would properly thank Yuan Li.
To show their appreciation, if Yuan Li agrees to this arrangement, the Prince Chu Mansion will use their influence within the Imperial Academy to secure his enrollment in either the prestigious Guozijian or the Taixue academies. Additionally, they will seek out renowned scholars to take Yuan Li on as an apprentice.
This way, his future career prospects are assured, and he won't have to worry about fulfilling quotas related to filial piety and moral conduct.
They will surely protect him along the way.
The Prince Chu Mansion has even considered Yuan Li's reputation. Yuan Li's entry into their family to bring good fortune is an act of kindness and selflessness.
Such a righteous deed will only bring him widespread praise.
These conditions are not only difficult for Yuan Song to refuse, but also for well-established aristocratic families.
Northern Zhou has an open society and its laws are not strict. It is not uncommon for famous scholars to take male lovers, although it is not a common practice.
Someone like Yuan Song, who has long been immersed in the political arena, would undoubtedly agree without hesitation upon seeing this letter. However, Yuan Li is still a young man, a spirited young man, and for a young man like him, it might feel like an insult.
"I will not force you," Yuan Song said with difficulty, "if you find it difficult, then just refuse."
Yuan Li lowered his eyes, his long eyelashes casting a shadow over his face. He pondered silently.
Chaos is imminent.
If he proceeds at his usual pace, it will take at least a few years before he can hold an official position and begin to have some power to recruit soldiers and horses.
But in a few years, he will have lost his chance.
Yuan Li suddenly opened his eyes, his gaze firm and clear, "Father, agree to the Prince Chu Mansion's proposal."
Yuan Li possessed the open-mindedness of a modern individual. While he was not attracted to men, he understood that the eldest son of Prince Chu's Mansion did not require him to engage in a sham marriage for the sake of auspiciousness.
The arrangement presented a multitude of advantages: it would resolve his admission to the Imperial Academy, allow him to study under a renowned master, and create an obligation for Prince Chu's Mansion. Moreover, his reputation would remain untarnished.
With such a plethora of benefits and no drawbacks, there was no reason to decline.
Furthermore, if the sham marriage were to prove effective, it might even save a life.
"You—" Yuan Song exclaimed, his eyes snapping open and meeting Yuan Li's gaze. They began to well up with tears. "Li'er, you don't have to do this for me and your mother..."
"Father, there's no need to worry," Yuan Li replied, a smile curving his lips. "A true man should strive to make his mark on the world. Why should he concern himself with such trivialities?"
The words were spoken with great spirit, and Yuan Song felt all the pent-up frustration in his heart disappear. He took a deep breath and said, "My son is right."
Yuan Li laughed and handed the letter to his father. "Has the Prince Chu's Mansion set a date for the wedding?"
"The messenger is still here, waiting for your reply," Yuan Song said with a wry smile. "Once you agree, he will ride back at full speed tonight. Tomorrow, the carriage from the Prince Chu's Mansion will come to take you to Luoyang, and the day after tomorrow will be your wedding."
Yuan Li was surprised. "Why the rush?"
Yuan Song whispered, "The eldest son of the Prince Chu's Mansion is in trouble."
Yuan Li understood and no longer hesitated. "Then it shall be so. I will spend tonight with my mother."
"Go ahead," Yuan Song waved his hand. "I will arrange everything for the refugees on your farm as you wish. You have nothing to worry about."
"My father has said so, I will not worry anymore."
Yuan Li smiled, bowed to his father, and left the study.
But as he was about to step over the threshold, his father suddenly said from behind, "Li'er, I'm sorry."
His words were filled with guilt and sadness.
If his status were a little higher, how could he let his child suffer like this?
Yuan Li was stunned, then waved his hand and walked away elegantly.
He had no biological parents since he was young, but in this lifetime, his family had already made up for the love of parents. A young man must use his own hands and feet to carve out a future, earning his own merits, only then would he be worthy of this second chance at life.
*
Outside the city, the mountains were towering and majestic, soaring into the clouds.
On the official road, several bodies lay from the mountainside to the roadside, blood seeping through the grass crevices, winding like a river.
Not far away, the sound of galloping hooves approached rapidly. In just a few moments, a group of powerful soldiers arrived at the scene.
The leader dismounted with a grim expression, examined the features of the dead, and cursed, "Who the hell intercepted my goods?"
"Sir, is this the convoy of gifts from the corrupt official in Hanzhong to Luoyang?" The vice-captain was astounded and hurriedly approached. "Oh my god, who did this? Where is the silver? The antiques? The silk? Where are all the things we were supposed to plunder?"
"How would I know?!" Yang Zhong cursed, "How am I supposed to explain this to Chu Hechao?! We were hoping to replenish our supplies this time, but there's no silver in sight, just bodies everywhere! If Chu Hechao asks me for goods, where am I supposed to get them?"
The vice-captain wiped his forehead, his face full of sweat, and said with a bitter expression, "What should we do, sir? The general has given us strict orders to intercept this batch of goods for our own use."
Yang Zhong took a deep breath to calm himself and walked forward to inspect.
The bodies were all lying face down, as if they had been chased and killed one by one as they fled from the mountains. Looking into the mountains, Yang Zhong discovered many traps. One pit was filled with sharp bamboo spikes, skewering seven or eight bodies like hedgehogs.
The people who intercepted them were not strong, hence they used diversion tactics to lure the victims into the mountains before ambushing them one by one.
The vice-captain and his men circled around and found tire tracks on a few fallen leaves.
They followed the tracks into the mountains and halfway through, they found several destroyed wooden carts that had been pushed into the river.
These were the carts used to transport the silver.
Yang Zhong's face darkened. Who could have done this so ruthlessly?
When they reached the river, all traces had been obliterated. How were they supposed to investigate now?
But if they didn't investigate, how was he going to explain to Chu Hechao?
He ordered a few capable soldiers to remove their armor and search in the river. After almost turning the entire river upside down, they finally found a bloodstained coat hidden under a rock at the bottom of the river.
Yang Zhong spread the coat out, his face darkening as he examined it, and said in a deep voice, "Investigate! When Chu Hechao returns the day after tomorrow, no matter which scoundrel took our things, they will have to answer to him!"
His men echoed, "Yes!"