Chapter 9: A Noble Bone Concealed by a Profligate Facade…

By the time Liu Shunhua reached the marketplace, He Xuandu had just awoken.

He Xuandu was roused by the Great White Goose in the courtyard.

He cracked his eyes open, yawned, and closed them again. “Hong Sheng, didn’t you feed it? Why is it making such a racket so early in the morning?”

Hong Sheng hurried in. “Young master, you must get up quickly! The master has summoned you immediately.”

He Xuandu rose unhurriedly, lazily remarking, “The master’s men? A bunch of fouls, filthy wretches daring to step into my courtyard.”

“It was Steward Liu. He didn’t enter, he’d only set one foot inside when the Great White Goose chased after him, biting. It gave him quite a fright. He delivered the message from outside the wall and then ran off.”

Hong Sheng handed him his clothes with a laugh. “Thinking back on how much effort it took to catch that goose and put it back in the carriage yesterday, it was worth it.”

After dressing, He Xuandu walked to the doorway and cheerfully addressed the goose: “Ben Yatou, not bad! You’re even better than the dogs in the back courtyard. Well done I’ll reward you with meat when I return.”

Hong Sheng reminded him, “Young master, geese don’t eat meat.”

Xuandu patted him. “Insects are meat too. Go catch some insects for it.”

Hong Sheng’s face fell in dismay. Why did his young master always come up with such bizarre requests?

Once fully dressed, He Xuandu remembered something and asked, “Are the peach blossoms we picked at Floating Cloud Garden yesterday still here?”

Hong Sheng replied, “I kept them safe in my arms the whole time. They’re fine. As soon as we returned last evening, I gave them to Auntie Yin Xian to care for.”

Xuandu nodded. “Grandmother should be back in a few days. Take good care of them for now; I’ll present them to her later.”

Hong Sheng grinned. “Young master, you always think of the old madam. You never forget her preferences no wonder she dotes on you so.”

When He Xuandu arrived at Rong’an Hall, he saw He Liushan seated at the front, with The Xuanhui and He Rongxuan on either side.

He performed a reasonably proper bow. “Greetings, Father.”

He Liushan had never paid much attention to this second son. Recently, preoccupied with court affairs, he hadn’t seen He Xuandu for a long time.

He Liushan observed him he seemed to have grown taller, now matching He Xuanhui in height.

He appeared upright and graceful, poised like a pine tree.

He Xuandu took a seat beside He Xuanhui. Unlike He Xuanhui’s rigid posture, he sat loosely, occasionally yawning, his eyes filled with disdain for the mundane exactly like his mother, who thought she learned and looked down on everyone.

He Liushan frowned.

Clearly possessing the bones of a nobleman, why did he insist on presenting such a profligate appearance?

His anger flared. “Why are you rising so late? Sleeping until mid-morning every day what kind of behavior that is?”

Xuandu responded expressionlessly, “Father’s reprimand is justified.”

He Liushan got to the main point: “I heard that yesterday, at the Marquis of Changling’s residence, your sister was mistreated. Not only did you fail to assist her, but you also added fuel to the fire.”

He Xuandu let out a derisive laugh. “Mistreated? Father, look at her how could someone like her be mistreated?”

He Rongxuan, who had just picked up her teacup, slammed it onto the table. “What do you mean by that? What am I like?”

Xuandu leaned back in his chair, a smirk playing on his lips. “Exactly as you are now.”

He Xuanhui, annoyed by their bickering, interjected, “Both of you, be quiet! How dare you act so disrespectfully in Father’s presence.”

As soon as He Liushan returned from court, He Rongxuan had rushed to pay her respect, tearfully complaining about being humiliated twice at Floating Cloud Garden the day before.

Seeing his daughter wronged, Liushan immediately grew somewhat angry. Without first clarifying the full story, he had someone summon his two sons.

Liushan frowned and said, “Zhang’er, explain what happened.”

He Xuanhui explained, “That young lady is Liu Huan’an’s younger sister. I observed she had no intention of causing trouble. In this matter, Rongxuan did indeed exaggerate somewhat.”

Upon hearing Liu Huan’an’s name, He Liushan instantly understood the situation.

It was probably because He Xuanhui and the people from Changling Marquis’ residence were flattering the Liu family, making this girl feel neglected and unable to stand it.

Rongxuan stared at He Xuanhui: “Elder brother, why are you speaking up for her too? I kindly gave her a hairpin, yet she scorned it without a second glance. If that’s not humiliation, what is?”

He Xuandu said lazily, “So kind as to throw it on the ground, then look down on her from above as she bent to pick it up, just to display your nobility.”

Rongxuan sneered, “The moment we entered Floating Cloud Garden yesterday, I saw the two of you pulling and tugging at each other. Clearly, you’re old acquaintances, which is why you’re defending her. In my opinion, you two…”

He Xuanhui couldn’t listen any longer and shouted, “Rongxuan, hold your tongue! As a dignified young lady of the chancellor’s residence, how can you constantly compete for superiority in front of others, then damage someone’s reputation behind their back?”
He Rongxuan immediately fell silent at The Xuanhui’s shout, stifling her anger without speaking.

Seeing his daughter wronged, He Liushan said with moderate severity, “A young lady like you must be cautious with your words in the future. You absolutely cannot behave like you did today.Already resentful, He Rongxuan glanced aside and just happened to see He Xuandu gloating nearby.

Gnashing her teeth in anger, she began making wild accusations, “If second brother hadn’t spoken up for her in the Peach Garden, Liu Shunhua would have picked up the hairpin long ago. How would all these subsequent matters have occurred?”He Liushan took the opportunity to turn the criticism toward He Xuandu, ‘Regardless, you belong to the chancellor’s residence.’ Xi’er is your younger sister. Even if she made some mistake, you should have admonished her afterward. How could you treat your own sister like that in front of outsiders?”

He Xuandu almost laughed. His father, for all his impartiality in court, was equally biased at home.

Since childhood, whenever there were disputes among the siblings, he was always the one at fault. Even when completely unrelated, the moment he appeared, he would inevitably be blamed in the end.

He straightened up and said coldly, “According to father, even if she killed someone, I shouldn’t say a word, but should instead help dispose of the body?”

Liushan trembled with anger, grabbing a cup from the table and throwing it at him, “You wretched scoundrel!”

Xuandu tilted his head and dodged it.

He stood up, bowed, and said, “Since father dislikes seeing me, I shall take my leave.”

With that, he walked out of Rong’an Hall without looking back.

Hong Sheng had been waiting outside Rong’an Hall early on. The moment He Xuandu emerged, he immediately went up to him.

“Young master, are you alright?”

In the shadows of a magnolia tree, He Xuandu lifted his head, gazing at the sky beyond the high walls: “Let’s go out. This place is too stifling.”

Liushan was quite enraged, and so was He Rongxuan.

Pointing at The Xuandu’s receding figure, she said, “Father, look at his attitude.”

Xuanhui spoke up: “Rongxuan, say less. Do you think father isn’t angry enough? In my view, Xuandu is indeed somewhat unruly, but you were the one at fault.”

Rongxuan said angrily, “Am I not your own sister? You’re actually taking his side.”

Xuanhui replied, “Precisely because you’re my sister that I must remind you not to act so ostentatiously in the future. Also, do not make things difficult for the Liu family.”

He Rongxuan was about to argue when He Liushan nodded and said, “Xi’er, your elder brother is right. Just now in front of that scoundrel, your father couldn’t refute you to save your dignity. From now on, listen more to your elder brother and rein in your temper. You’ve grown up now and can no longer be so willful.”

He Rongxuan was filled with grievances: “Grown up, grown up… Does growing up mean having to endure everything? Why didn’t you teach me restraint when I was young, only to bring it up now? I can’t learn it, nor do I want to. If you find me displeasing, I’ll just leave.”

He Liushan watched his youngest daughter storm off in a huff and sighed helplessly, “This child has been spoiled by your mother, with no sense of propriety at all. Zhang’er, you must take care to guide her more in the future.”

Xuanhui sighed, “She has been showered with endless affection since childhood and refuses to suffer the slightest grievance. With Mother always shielding her in everything, how would she ever listen to me?”

Liushan shook his head, “Forget it, let her be. As long as her family remains, we can always protect her for a lifetime.”

He Xuanhui pondered for a moment, “Father, Rongxuan was rather distorting the truth earlier. Clearly, she was the one who provoked twice yesterday. I’m afraid Liu Huan’an now holds a prejudice against the Prime Minister’s residence in his heart.”He Liushan rubbed his forehead, ‘Liu Huan’an may gain the emperor’s favor in the future.'” This man must be made to serve us. We need to find ways to continue winning him over.”

He Xuanhui’s eyes flickered, “In a few days, it will be Grandmother’s birthday. We could take this opportunity to invite him to the residence for a conversation.”

Liushan nodded, “That’s good. I just want to meet this Liu Huan’an and see if he truly has some capability.”

The streets were bustling with activity. Liu Shunhua avoided the crowd and entered a bookstore at the corner of the street.

After browsing around the shop, she found a copy of “Zhuangzi” and picked up some paper.

Fangcao found it peculiar enough that her young mistress was buying paper in a bookstore, but when she saw her looking at books, she asked, “Young mistress, what book is this?”

Liu Shunhua replied casually, “‘Zhuangzi.’ I’ve only read two chapters and want to finish the rest.”

Fangcao questioned doubtfully, “When did you read it? How come I didn’t know?”

Liu Shunhua paused. Indeed, she hadn’t been fond of reading before. Her habit of reading was cultivated by following He Xuandu.

He Xuandu particularly loved reading. In his study, there were books ranging from the various schools of thought of the pre-Qin philosophers down to all kinds of miscellaneous writings, everything one could want.

The first book he taught her to read was “The Book of Songs.”

At that time, he spent half a month reorganizing “The Book of Songs” according to the four seasons spring, summer, autumn, and winter and various scenarios, rebinding it so she could read the corresponding content each season. She was naturally intelligent, and within a year, she had finished reading it quite effortlessly.

From then on, she found joy in books and grew to love reading even more.

The book she had been reading before her death was “Zhuangzi.”

Liu Shunhua handed the book and paper to Fangcao, “I’ll look over there. You go ahead and pay.”

By the window of the bookstore stood a square table, seemingly for temporary writing or reading.

Liu Shunhua thought to herself, since she was already out, there was no time like the present. She might as well write it now and find an opportunity to deliver it to The Xuandu in person. This way, she could also see him once.

After Fangcao paid, Liu Shunhua borrowed brush and ink from the shopkeeper, immediately spread out the paper, and began writing.

Just as she set down the brush, Liu Shunhua heard a commotion outside.

She pushed open a crack in the window to look and saw He Xuandu holding a parrot and arguing with someone.

The person opposite He Xuandu was someone Liu Shunhua recognized.

He was the nephew of Liushan’s second wife, her mother-in-law in her previous life, Cheng Shi, and He Xuanhui’s cousin, Cheng Jialiang.

When Liu Shunhua saw Cheng Jialiang, her brows furrowed. She found this man utterly detestable.

Once, during Cheng Shi’s birthday celebration, Cheng Jialiang came to the residence to offer congratulations. Somehow, after getting drunk, he had bumped into her maid Miaoling.

Seeing that Miaoling was quite beautiful, he began to act inappropriately.

Miaoling was so frightened she screamed, and Liu Shunhua rushed over upon hearing the commotion to stop him.

Since marrying into the Prime Minister’s residence, she rarely left her courtyard, so Cheng Jialiang didn’t recognize her. Mistaking her for some young lady attending the banquet, he hurled vulgar insults at her.

Liu Shunhua was instantly enraged and slapped him across the face.

Cheng Jialiang was momentarily stunned by the blow. When he recovered, he stepped forward to retaliate.

It was only because He Xuanhui arrived in time and dragged him to the front hall that things didn’t escalate further.

After the banquet, Fangcao told her that Cheng Jialiang had drunkenly stumbled into a pond, leaving him in a miserable state. She and Miaoling laughed about it all night.

Cheng Jialiang looked at the fruits scattered on the ground from the collision, swaying his head as he said, “He Xuandu, are you going to give me that damn bird or not?”

Xuandu stroked the parrot on his shoulder. “Watch your language. It is named Green Jade. It was an accident over a box of worthless fruits. I’ll compensate you.”

Cheng Jialiang smirked. “Your damn bird made me fall for no reason. Do you think compensation is enough? Today, I’m going to catch it and make soup out of it.”

Xuandu tucked the parrot into his robe. “Cheng Jialiang, how dare you? If you lay a finger on Green Jade, I’ll fight you to the death.”
Cheng Jialiang sneered. “What’s the big deal about a damn bird? Your father has long been unhappy with you keeping these creatures all day. Don’t fool yourself into thinking he’d scold me over a bird.”

He fumed Xuandu. “You’re nothing but an outsider in the Prime Minister’s residence, yet you dare bully me just because you have some backing.”

Cheng Jialiang lifted his head arrogantly. “So, what if I’m an outsider? Look who’s in charge of the residence now my aunt, not your mother who’s been dead for centuries.”

Hearing him mention his birth mother, He Xuandu could no longer contain his anger and charged him with raised fists.

The servants behind Cheng Jialiang hurried to restrain him. Seeing He Xuandu being held back, Hong Sheng rushed forward to help, and soon both sides were tangled in a brawl.

Taking advantage of his greater numbers, Cheng Jialiang stepped back and shouted, “Grab that damn bird from his arms and kill it!”

Given the situation, it seemed He Xuandu was at a disadvantage.

Liu Shunhua could no longer sit still. She rose and ran toward the door.

He Xuandu was pinned against the wall, struggling to protect the parrot in his robe, but outnumbered, Green Jade was eventually snatched away.

He roared, “Cheng Jialiang, I told you if you dare harm it, you’re dead!”

Cheng Jialiang pushed aside a few servants, snatched the parrot, and said, “Fine, I’ll be waiting.”

Xuandu watched Cheng Jialiang raise his hands, his eyes burning red, fists clenched tightly.

“Young Master He, so this is where you are.”

Amid the chaos, He Xuandu turned and met a pair of clear, bright eyes.

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