After the Ostracized Beauty Lost Heart - Chapter 5

Since ancient times, the civil and military officials have been at odds. During the Jiande era, the imperial court had already formed a state of mutual confrontation, divided into two primary factions: the Martial Faction, led by Shangguan Yi, the Duke of Wu, and the Civil Faction, led by Yu Zhongqin, the Senior Grand Secretary of the Cabinet.

Although both factions held great power, they served as a check on one another, keeping the situation in court relatively stable.

As for the lineage of noble families led by the Marquis of Anding, although their status was honorable, they held no real power. However, despite the lack of official authority, the Marquis of Anding’s counsel still carried significant weight in the Emperor’s heart.

The struggle between the two factions was fierce. To protect himself, the Marquis of Anding had remained an outsider and had not interfered in court affairs for many years.

Yet, Yan Liang’s actions had truly incensed him. His daughter had passed away, meaning Yan Liang was no longer considered his son-in-law, and thus no mercy was shown. Consequently, the Marquis of Anding submitted a formal petition of impeachment to the Emperor.

The Marquis could not interfere in the internal affairs of the Yan household, but he could dictate Yan Liang’s career. How Yan Liang navigated the court and how far he could rise was now entirely dependent on a single word from the Marquis of Anding.

This was the reason why, ten years later, Yan Liang was still nothing more than a minor Vice Minister.

The entire Marquis of Anding’s household was of one mind. The old Marquis viewed Yan Liang and his son as a thorn in his side. Naturally, his son and his legitimate grandson, who was of the same generation as Yan Qushan, also looked upon Yan Qushan as a stinging irritation.

By this point, Yan Liang knew he had no glorious career left to pursue. Amidst his regret, he could only place all his expectations on Yan Qushan, hoping his son would achieve greatness.

Before taking the examinations to become a scholar, children of noble families could only enter the Imperial Academy for advanced studies once they reached the appropriate age. Before that, the young elites of the capital attended private schools within the residences of first-rank civil officials.

Yan Liang pulled many strings and offered many rare treasures just to get Yan Qushan admitted.

This should have been a positive development, but it happened that the young heir of the Marquis of Anding, Xue Gongwen, who was the same age as Yan Qushan, also attended classes there. Furthermore, he was very close friends with the young master of the civil official’s household.

Yan Qushan had essentially fallen into a dragon’s den or a tiger’s lair. On his first day of school, he was frequently subjected to cold mockery and biting irony. The news of his birth from a lowly background had already been spread by the young heir. Every student there was a legitimate child of a high-ranking family who considered themselves above others. Not one of them was willing to speak to Yan Qushan.

As for the young heir of the Marquis of Anding, his name was Xue Gongwen.

Though his name was meant to imply humility and refinement, he had been spoiled into a lawless and reckless character within the Marquis’s residence. After leading the others to isolate Yan Qushan, he found he detested the fact that this son of a lowly maid still maintained an air of noble detachment. Therefore, he intensified his bullying.

Essays that Yan Qushan had carefully prepared were torn to shreds. The elderly teacher, who ignored anything happening outside of his lessons, simply assumed Yan Qushan was being unruly.

The ruler fell upon his body repeatedly, each stroke delivered with full strength. Even when Yan Qushan’s skin was torn and his flesh was bruised, he did not dare to make a sound.

The more he endured, the more Xue Gongwen and his ilk pushed the boundaries. Every day, Yan Qushan went to school dressed neatly and returned looking like a stray dog. Yan Liang saw this but felt powerless. He could only offer lukewarm comfort, saying that he must endure it, and everything would be fine once he passed the examinations.

Consequently, Yan Qushan studied even harder.

Seeing this, Xue Gongwen laughed loudly and kicked Yan Qushan’s stool over, leading the others in a round of punching and kicking.

He looked down at the disheveled Yan Qushan, spat, and said arrogantly, “Do you, a piece of filth born of a prostitute, actually think you can rise above your station? Go back to your daydreams.”

He spoke crudely, and the other young masters present clutched their stomachs in laughter, looking at Yan Qushan as if he were an ant. They added that it was bad luck just being near him and told him to go back and beg for food with his mother.

They cursed him further, venting all the frustration of having to wake up before dawn for classes onto Yan Qushan. Only after they felt satisfied did they follow Xue Gongwen and swagger away.

Yan Qushan, who was lying on the ground clutching his stomach, opened his eyes at that moment. He glared fiercely in the direction they had left, looking as if he wished to tear them into ten thousand pieces and scatter their ashes.

Time passed like a white horse glimpsed through a crack. Within a few months, the day for the Great Liang’s sacrificial rites to Heaven arrived.

Because of a divine punishment that occurred during the era of the Founding Emperor, the emperors of the Great Liang dynasty all placed great importance on sacrificial rituals. These were always grand events, and all officials in the capital were ordered to bring their sons to Tianning Temple to pray for blessings.

Since every person of significance in the court had to attend, it was also a prime opportunity to make an appearance before important figures.

Yan Liang had offended the Marquis of Anding, but his ambition had not died. He still hoped to one day become a high-ranking minister. Thus, he abandoned Yan Qushan to seek out powerful connections.

Alone in the crowded temple amidst the drifting scent of incense, Yan Qushan only hoped the time would pass quickly so he could return home early.

Suddenly, his shoulder was bumped heavily. Yan Qushan turned to see a classmate from the school, who was naturally one of Xue Gongwen’s followers.

His heart sank, knowing that Xue Gongwen did not intend to let him have a peaceful day. However, he also knew his status was lowly and he could not afford to cause offense. Therefore, he performed a proper salute and maintained a respectful facade, addressing him as Master Huang.

The boy snorted, clearly not accepting the gesture. He said haughtily, “Stop pretending and come with me. Heir Xue is waiting for you.”

Yan Qushan remained where he was without saying a word. Seeing this, the boy named Huang glared at him and asked what he was hesitating for. He warned that while Heir Xue was in a good mood now, there would be consequences if he were kept waiting.

Yan Qushan knew he could not escape this ordeal. At worst, he would be beaten by that profligate to vent some anger. He had grown used to it over the recent days. He let out a soft sigh and followed behind the boy.

However, as they walked, he realized something was wrong.

They were turning through so many corridors that he no longer knew where they were. Whenever he stopped, Master Huang would urge him on. Once they had traveled far enough, Yan Qushan finally understood the truth. Xue Gongwen intended to toy with him.

Yan Qushan immediately tried to leave and began to struggle with Master Huang. Seeing that he was no match for Yan Qushan, the boy named Huang cried out for help in desperation.

Two strong adult men suddenly emerged from the bamboo forest. After pulling Yan Qushan away, one of them delivered a heavy blow to the back of his neck with the edge of his hand. Yan Qushan’s vision went black instantly, and his body went limp as he collapsed.

His last thought was that he was finished. In such a desolate and deserted place, he might be killed by wild animals during the night and no one would ever know.

Perhaps Heaven was not so heartless as to let Yan Qushan die in the wilderness.

Yan Qushan was awakened by a splash of bone-chilling cold water. It caused him to cough uncontrollably. Once he finally recovered, he saw a young boy he did not recognize standing beside him.

This young boy was as beautiful as if carved from jade, though his eyes held a haughty expression. Because of his young age, his cheeks still had a bit of soft fat, making him quite pleasing to the eye.

Yan Qushan glanced down and saw the boy’s wet palms, confirming that the child had splashed him awake. Looking around, he saw that they were surrounded by dense woods and a babbling brook. The scenery was entirely unfamiliar.

At that moment, the child spoke and asked if he was Yan Qushan.

Yan Qushan was startled and asked how the young master knew his name.

The child gave a small sneer as if mocking his ignorance. He pointed a slender white finger toward Yan Qushan’s waist and said he had looked at his identification token.

The waist token was the pass for entering and exiting today, which was supposed to be a private item. This child was incredibly rude. However, although his clothes were not overly extravagant, the quality of the silk was something only officials of the third rank or higher could afford.

From this, it was clear that this person must come from a very noble family.

Moreover, since the boy had awakened him, Yan Qushan considered this a god-sent opportunity. He performed a salute and thanked the young master for saving him, then asked who he was.

The other boy likely did not expect him to be so polite and was momentarily stunned. However, he quickly regained his arrogant demeanor, tilted his chin up, and said there was no need to know who he was. He told Yan Qushan to simply remember that he had saved his life.

Yan Qushan found it both funny and annoying that the boy called this a life-saving favor, yet he played along. He replied that he would naturally remember and expressed his willingness to serve the young master to repay the great debt.

The child looked him up and down with disdain. He said that Yan Qushan was just a lowly creature born of a prostitute, and he had no interest in such an offer.

This sentence immediately struck Yan Qushan’s most sensitive spot. His expression darkened instantly, and his gaze became deep and cold. He looked at the child’s slender, white neck, and a wave of murderous hatred surged in his heart.

Unexpectedly, the child’s next sentence caused him to suppress that rolling killing intent.

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