Chapter 18: You Are Both Beautiful and Brilliant
Even as Yan Songyu's temper flared, would he really dare to lay a hand on someone here in public?
The two men glared at each other like fighting cocks for what seemed like forever, until Sun Fuping finally broke the tension. "How could Captain Yan possibly be aware of every little detail about his subordinates? Let him inquire when he returns. For now, can you tell us exactly how Young Master He was injured? This is no trivial matter; let us not get sidetracked."
He Lingchuan sighed. "About fifty days ago, I went hunting on Gourd Mountain. I was ambushed by a sand leopard, fell off a cliff, and was carried back unconscious. I didn't wake up for days."
Yan Songyu's eyes nearly shot fire. "And why didn't you mention this yesterday?" What was this guy playing at?
But Sun Fuping remained focused. "What about the sand leopard?"
"It's dead. It was brought back with me," He Lingchuan said, shrugging. "When I woke up, I ordered it dismembered. The damned thing nearly killed me—I had to have it taken apart piece by piece. Its parts were sold off at the market." He gestured toward the east. "This place is full of merchants eager to buy demon pelts, claws, fangs, tongues, eyes, and inner cores—they'll pay handsomely."
"We understand your concerns," He Yue interjected at the right moment. "When we learned yesterday that the leopard which ambushed my brother had been wounded by your group, my father didn't say much but has already sent people to track down the remains of the leopard."
The sharpness of this statement was unmistakable, but it seemed to have little effect on the other two men. Sun Fuping merely rolled his eyes. "Do you think Lord He can truly locate it?"
He Yue smiled faintly. "We will spare no effort."
Of course, there was no guarantee they could deliver.
Sun Fuping paused briefly before changing the subject. "Oh, and before we departed this time, the Grand Marshal wrote a letter saying that if the capital's troubles can be resolved, Lord He's talents need no longer be wasted in the backwaters."
The He brothers exchanged astonished glances. "Are you saying—or rather, is the Grand Marshal saying…?"
"To be recalled to the capital and promoted to Censor of the Imperial Archives!"
It was rare for seasoned bureaucrats like these to speak so plainly. He Lingchuan leapt to his feet. "The Grand Marshal has an eye for talent and speaks with authority!" He extended a hand toward Sun Fuping as he spoke.
Sun Fuping handed him a sealed letter, the wax still intact.
It was clear the Grand Marshal had prepared this letter in advance to be delivered to He Chunhua.
Although appointing officials was outside the Grand Marshal's jurisdiction, his influence in the court and among the public was formidable. Securing this promotion wouldn't be difficult for him.
Sun Fuping said flatly, "I hope Lord He will not disappoint the Grand Marshal's high expectations."
He Lingchuan beamed. "Of course not."
He Yue added, "We'll do everything we can to track down the leopard. I'm sure we'll have news soon."
The two men rose. "Then we'll wait for Lord He's good news."
As Sun Fuping prepared to leave, Yan Songyu suddenly turned to study He Yue. "Second Young Master He, how old are you this year?"
"Fourteen."
"I heard back in Wangjin that the second son of Governor He of Qiansong Prefecture is remarkably intelligent and composed. Seeing you now, you also have an elegant and refined presence—truly, hearing is not as good as seeing."
What was this guy doing, suddenly showering praise on the younger He? He Lingchuan pointed to himself and jumped in, "What about me? What do people say about me?"
Yan Songyu chuckled. "Oh, there are opinions. You're a gilded jade."
Everyone knew the implied criticism that followed, but He Lingchuan still puffed up with pride. "Sharp eye, sharp eye!"
He Yue coughed lightly. "Brother, see the guests out."
Before He Lingchuan could turn, Yan Songyu abruptly said, "The quarters the National Preceptor and I are staying in are cramped and shabby. I see that Lord He's residence here is spacious and has the elegance of the capital. Could we trouble you for lodging?"
The He brothers and Sun Fuping were all caught off guard.
"Of course…" it was possible.
The He estate had plenty of vacant rooms, so He Yue quickly informed Lady Ying to prepare two guest quarters for the esteemed visitors.
Servants scurried to the inn to fetch their luggage, and with that, the two guests formally moved in.
Once the hustle and bustle died down and the servants dispersed, Yan Songyu glanced at the tightly closed courtyard gates. "It's clear now—the leopard's remains are in their hands. The He family hasn't told a single truthful word. The corpse might even still be in this residence."
"Even if it's here, it's hidden securely," Sun Fuping replied, meeting Yan Songyu's dark gaze. "You're not planning to scale the walls to commit murder and robbery, are you? That would jeopardize the entire operation. We need to consider the Grand Marshal's plans. He was right—He Chunhua will seize this chance to haggle."
If He Chunhua were truly submissive, the Grand Marshal wouldn't have prepared a letter in advance.
Yan Songyu sneered. "A mere border governor, such a minor official, dares to make outrageous demands?"
"At this critical juncture, he just might. The Grand Marshal has praised him several times, and this man isn't your average mediocre bureaucrat."
Yan Songyu cursed under his breath. "Too bad this isn't Wangjin City!"
Wangjin was the capital of Xunzhou, his domain.
Sun Fuping shook his head. "Focus on the important matters. What small officials want is nothing more than promotions and wealth—it's easy enough to handle."
"Censor of the Imperial Archives is only a fifth-rank position, but it comes with the power to oversee other officials. It's a lucrative and coveted role. In the past, I might have been jealous," Yan Songyu said with a mocking smile. "But now…"
Sun Fuping's face darkened. "Mind your tongue!"
In the blink of an eye, night had fallen.
He Chunhua still hadn't returned—he was genuinely busy.
The delegation from Balin had arrived in Heishui City, and it fell to local officials to host them.
During this time, He Lingchuan personally delivered the Grand Marshal's letter to his father at the government office.
Normally affable, He Chunhua couldn't help but slap his desk and laugh aloud three times.
Two decades of enduring the wind and sand of the frontier, and now he could finally return to the capital he once knew so well—the place of his birth and the He family's former glory.
He Chunhua even brought out a bottle of his hidden stash of wine, grabbed two cups, and drank three rounds with his eldest son. His joy was uncontainable.
Only now did He Lingchuan learn that his father secretly kept wine far superior to anything he had ever tasted.
Feigning ignorance, he asked, "Father, life in Heishui City isn't so bad. Why are you so eager to return?"
This was exactly the kind of question the original He Lingchuan would have asked.
He Chunhua looked at him and suddenly dropped his smile.
When he wasn't smiling, his face took on a sinister cast.
"You foolish boy, of course we can't stay here," he said softly but deliberately. "I've endured twenty years of humiliation and hardship at the frontier, waiting for this chance—the chance to return, the chance to rise!"
There was a strange gleam in He Chunhua's eyes, one that unsettled He Lingchuan.
"If the He family stays at the frontier, our descendants will be mere border folk. Only by returning to the capital can we have a future."
Seemingly satisfied, He Chunhua returned to his usual demeanor in the blink of an eye. "Only then will we have opportunities."
He Lingchuan mumbled an "oh," half understanding.
The word "opportunity" came up repeatedly, making him wonder—what exactly did his father plan to do with it?
Perhaps regretting his outburst, He Chunhua dismissed his son after the three drinks.
The streets were unusually quiet as He Lingchuan kicked a stone down the road, pondering his current predicament.
Why would such an ambitious and capable father have raised a son as unruly as the original He Lingchuan?
On reflection, it seemed like deliberate indulgence.
It was strange.
But for now, father and son needed to work together to deal with Yan Songyu and Sun Fuping—of that there was no doubt.
At this moment, his father seemed to want him to fully embrace his unruly persona.
So be it. He would play the wastrel role, knowing that He Chunhua would bear the real burdens.
By now, night had deepened, and dinner had long passed. As usual, the He estate was quiet.
Knowing no one would wait for him to dine, He Lingchuan headed to the kitchen to grab a snack. The cook always hid a tray of goodies in a low cabinet—today, it should be apple honey cakes. He'd sneak them out,
and no one would complain.
Passing by his younger brother's quarters, He Lingchuan paused.
At this hour, He Yue was usually either reading by candlelight or studying under a lamp—not wandering the estate.
Yet, He Lingchuan heard two voices coming from the bamboo grove.
Two men.
One was He Yue. "…I don't think it's necessary, Captain Yan!"
Captain Yan? He Lingchuan crept closer on tiptoe.
Sure enough, the other voice belonged to Yan Songyu, whose flushed cheeks betrayed heavy drinking. "Why not? The capital is full of noble families and high officials. Even if your father gets promoted, he's still just a lowly fifth-rank official. How long do you think it'll take you to make a name for yourself?"
He leaned in, his smile sly. "You're both beautiful and brilliant. If you had my father's recommendation…"