One Hundred Ways to Have a "BE" (Bad Ending) with the Protagonist Gong [Quick Transmigration] - Chapter 8

The wine had gone through three rounds at the banquet, and the Emperor, already showing signs of intoxication, had retired to a side hall to rest.

By evening, as the banquet was drawing to a close, Qin Guan followed behind Xue Xuening toward the Imperial Study to receive his reward.

As they reached the Bamboo Hall, the little eunuch leading the way with a lantern almost collided head-on with a man. The man wore a narrow-sleeved indigo embroidered robe, his peach-blossom eyes moist like a lost puppy, appearing as though he had just wept bitterly.

“Pardon me, Eunuch. I was rude.”

The man apologized to the little eunuch repeatedly. When he looked up and saw Xue Xuening, he was visibly stunned: “May I ask… are you the Third Young Master of the Xue manor?”

Only then did Xue Xuening take a careful look at him and reply politely: “I am. May I ask who you are?”

The man cupped his hands in a flustered manner: “I am Ning Yuanshan, son of the academic officer at the Imperial Academy. I have long heard of Third Young Master Xue’s talent. I did not dare to speak much at the banquet earlier; might I borrow a moment of your time to speak?”

So, it was him. Ning Yuanshan, the man who had been hiding from the rain in the pavilion with his second sister a few days ago.

Xue Xuening kept his gaze deep and silent, his expression growing somewhat cold.

The little eunuch, being quite shrewd, glanced at him with a smile: “Young Master Xue, affairs in the palace are pressing. I ask that you be brief; I shall wait ahead.”

“Many thanks, Eunuch.”

Seeing the little eunuch walk away, Xue Xuening turned to Ning Yuanshan: “Young Master Ning, what urgent matter could you possibly have?”

Ning Yuanshan clearly did not dare to meet his eyes: “Four days ago, your esteemed sister invited me for an excursion on Lake Pao Shan. Unexpectedly, a heavy rain fell, and we had to take temporary shelter in a pavilion. Later, she departed in a great hurry to return home, and there has been no news of her since.”

Ning Yuanshan paused, then added: “I originally intended to pay a visit, but the servants told me that they had run into your manor’s maid, Lianqiao, who had fallen ill and returned to her hometown. I felt truly uneasy… Having the fortune to see you today, Young Master, I am emboldened to ask: is the Second Young Lady well?”

Xue Xuening’s expression revealed neither joy nor anger: “I was unaware that the ladies of the Xue manor were of any concern to you, Young Master Ning? Furthermore, my sister has been unwell lately and has never ventured on long journeys, nor has she had any appointments with anyone. You must have mistaken her for another.”

Ning Yuanshan realized he had spoken out of turn, feeling flustered and unable to hide his dismay: “Ah, Young… Young Master Xue is right. I was clouded by my own anxiety and spoke foolishly.”

Xue Xuening reminded him: “Ten years of hard study is not easily won. Young Master Ning, you would do well to focus on next month’s provincial examinations. Do not ruin your own prospects and bring shame upon your family.”

He was usually a humble man known for his virtue and reserve; these words were already quite stern.

Ning Yuanshan lowered his head: “Yes, thank you for your warning, Young Master Xue. I shall surely keep your words in my heart.”

Xue Xuening bowed slightly: “I dare not take the credit. I have business before the Emperor, so I shall take my leave now.”

Ning Yuanshan’s face was flushed with embarrassment. He stood dumbfounded on the spot, watching Xue Xuening walk away. The bloodshot veins in his eyes seemed to take root, making tears well up uncontrollably he looked indescribably pitiful and downcast. The words that had circled his heart a thousand times, “Once I have earned my official rank, I shall come to propose,” ultimately remained unspoken.

Perhaps, these words were destined to rot in his heart; he ought not to have aimed so high.

After Xue Xuening had walked away, the alarm bells in his heart rang incessantly, yet his gait remained steady and his expression as usual.

Although the Xue manor had quickly dealt with the servant and no one else knew the truth aside from Xue Mengyao, Ning Yuanshan remained a variable. If he were to be deliberately embroiled in this, even without evidence of their affair, it would be enough to make the Xue manor the laughingstock of the capital.

His second sister’s reputation was of the utmost importance. The honor and disgrace of a clan were always shared; the Xue family had been prominent for generations, and the clean reputation of his ancestors could not be buried here.

Lost in these worries, Xue Xuening reached the front of the Imperial Study before he knew it.

The little eunuch beside him said respectfully: “Young Master Xue, please wait a moment. I shall go in and report to the Emperor.”

Xue Xuening acknowledged him and stood in the courtyard for a moment before following the eunuch into the main hall.

The Imperial Study was silent, and not a single palace attendant was seen serving in the corridor.

The hall was brightly lit, and the dark night was shut out beyond the doors. A massive, elaborate seven-fold screen made of purple sandalwood inlaid with porcelain obscured almost everything from view, and the scent of dragon-saliva incense from the warmer wafted into his nose, calming his mind.

“Xue Shao pays respects to your Majesty. Wishing your Majesty a healthy body and ten thousand years of longevity.”

“You’ve come.”

The Emperor’s voice came from behind the screen, accompanied by the rustling sound of him reading through memorials.

Xue Xuening knelt on the ground and waited for nearly half a stick of incense’s time before hearing the Emperor say in a gentle voice: “I remember that six years ago, you were still a little boy, yet you were already able to write such fine articles as Su Shu. At the time, I praised you as having the talent of Guan Zhong, which truly gave your father a fright. Seeing you again at the banquet today, you have grown into a handsome young man, while I, alas, have aged significantly. The years truly fly by in an instant; one must accept the coming of old age.”

Footsteps approached.

Xue Xuening had just said, “Your Majesty’s years are eternal; you are in the prime of your life, why speak such sorrowful words?” when he was lifted up by a pair of large hands. The Emperor laughed genially: “I know the state of my own health. Sit down and keep me company for a while.”

“Yes.”

“Your father had a child in his later years and has always doted upon you. I, too, pity your frail health. Over the years, I have continuously bestowed many rare medicines and tonics upon your father. I never expected that you would possess the skill to shoot through a horse’s neck. You have truly surprised me.”

Xue Xuening immediately rose from his seat and knelt down: “I was rash for a moment, causing Crown Prince Brother to lose his beloved horse. I beg your Majesty to punish me.”

The Emperor waved his hand slightly, indifferent: “Sit down. I have always liked chatting with you younger generation; rising and begging for forgiveness every other moment makes things too constrained.”

Xue Xuening bowed, his forehead touching the floor: “I am fearful. Although your Majesty is benevolent and generous to your subjects, Xue Shao dare not overstep the rites of monarch and subject.”

The Emperor sighed and laughed: “You child, you are truly as stiff and humble as Grand Tutor Xue. Even if I wanted to draw a little closer, it would be difficult. I truly do not know whether to love or hate you. Very well, I shall not make things difficult for you; stand up.”

“Thank you, your Majesty.” Xue Xuening rose obediently and stood quietly to the side.

The Emperor stood with his hands behind his back, staring out the window, and suddenly said casually: “When your father was the teacher of Prince Fuqing, he was also half a teacher to me. Looking back, it has been twenty-four years since I ascended the throne, and the journey has been inseparable from your father’s support. I am now old, and my two sons are in their prime. The Crown Prince is raised by the Empress and has been dull and unsociable since childhood. Although I have taught Prince Heng myself, he is too spoiled and ignorant of the ways of the world.”

“Since you are Grand Tutor Xue’s son and have been well-versed in ancient and modern history and political theory since childhood, your perspective is naturally different from others. In your opinion, to whom should the rivers and mountains of the Qi State be entrusted?”

The words sounded light and breezy, but every syllable was chilling.

Xue Xuening, graceful as bamboo and jade, stood neither arrogant nor servile, though thin sweat had quietly formed in his palms: “I am shallow and truly dare not speculate on the Holy Will.”

The Son of Heaven’s intentions were always unpredictable, but this one had always been humble and wise a sagely monarch and it was common for him to have heart-to-heart talks with his ministers.

Yet, he had no official position, no foundation, and was young and inexperienced. Why would he discuss such an important matter of succession with him?

Just because he is the Grand Tutor’s son? That would be too simple.

“Why bother with him? The words of a dying man are not worth pondering.”

Qin Guan leaned half-reclined on the dragon couch used for the Emperor’s rest, his expression extremely carefree.

Although the old Emperor still possessed lingering authority, Qin Guan could see the truth clearly.

His surface-level ruddy complexion was a facade; his internal organs had long since been hollowed out. His sickly body was kept alive solely by ginseng soup; he was but a paper lantern, unable to save himself, and a single gust of wind or rain would end his life.

Such weak dragon energy couldn’t even stop him from entering the Imperial Study. In fact, if Qin Guan were willing, he could twitch his little finger, and this supreme and noble Son of Heaven would instantly drop dead in the palace.

Although there was a human order maintaining order and Qin Guan could not harm the Son of Heaven at will, letting someone who was already close to death die a little sooner was not considered a major transgression.

However, if he did that, Xue Xuening, who had entered the hall for an audience, would inevitably be caught and arrested as an assassin. Qin Guan thought about it carefully and dismissed the idea with regret.

As expected, the Emperor was not surprised to see Xue Xuening answer thus and smiled slightly: “Meeting you today is already a rare pleasure. The night road is difficult to travel, so return home early. I have already ordered someone to send the Spirit-Treasure Dragon Tongue Bow to your manor.”

“I thank your Majesty for your great grace. Your student has one more impertinent request and begs your Majesty to grant it.”

“Oh? Let me hear it.”

“Your student has heard that the tribute pears in today’s banquet are a specialty of Ganlan County. In previous years, the transportation consumed a massive amount of manpower and resources. Now that the border towns are unsettled and grain has been requisitioned many times, and the Northwest is suffering from a severe drought, the people are truly in dire straits. Your student requests that your Majesty withdraw the tribute order, allow the local fruit trees to be replanted as grain, and reduce taxes to ease the people’s plight.”

The hall fell silent for a moment, and the Emperor’s expression revealed neither joy nor anger.

“Xue Shao, your insubordination at the arrow pavilion today, I did not punish you because you are still young. But if you rely on my grace and become arrogant, I shall punish you for all your crimes combined.”

“Your student is but a commoner; I should not have been rash enough to remonstrate, but my heart truly cannot bear it. I know your Majesty is the Son of Heaven, always concerned for the country and the people, and cherishing the common folk; but officials inevitably have flattery in their hearts and shield your Majesty from the truth. I hope your Majesty will examine this clearly.”

Xue Xuening knelt for a long time, silent and motionless.

Finally, the Emperor flicked his sleeves and sat down, saying calmly: “Your words, I shall naturally reflect upon. You may withdraw first.”

Xue Xuening kowtowed and left the hall, walking slowly toward the outside.

It was within his expectations that the Emperor had not adopted his advice. The imperial family valued face above all else; this rash remonstrance was truly a moment of emotional surge. It was already a stroke of fortune that he hadn’t enraged the Dragon Face and implicated his family.

However, he suddenly heard a slow, deep voice coming from behind him.

“Xue Shao, you once said in Su Shu, ‘If your conduct is not upright, you cannot command respect; if your words are not sincere, you cannot move people; a man should be loyal to his country, not form factions for private gain this is the way of a pure minister.’ Today, I shall act according to your words and exempt Ganlan from its tribute. I hope you will uphold this devotion with all your heart and never let me down.”

Xue Xuening’s heart leaped wildly. Having already stepped out of the hall, he bowed deeply toward the monarch upon hearing these words.

His words were clear as jade, resonating with conviction.

“Trusted by your Majesty, I will certainly live up to the expectations.”

The banquet had ended late today, and the Emperor had spent quite some time speaking with Xue Xuening. Looking at the sky, it was already late at night, with birds chirping and the moonlight coating his clothes.

The dew in the air carried the scent of peonies, seeping coolly into his nose, dizzyingly mesmerizing. Xue Xuening was dressed thinly today, and as the night wind blew, it seemed to pierce his very bones. He had no time to enjoy the scenery and wished only to return to the manor for a medicinal bath to get warm.

As the palace gates were about to be locked, he hurried his pace out of the palace, only to find a cluster of soft clouds like a yellow oriole almost diving into his arms.

Xue Xuening stepped back several paces, seeing this cluster of clouds unfurl into the appearance of a woman, shoulders sculpted and waist as soft as silk.

It was none other than Yao Jingqiu, the legendary eldest daughter of the Zhao Wu General’s manor who had vowed to marry none but him.

Yao Jingqiu looked up, saw who it was, and immediately vanished her anger, smiling slightly: “The night is dark and lacks lanterns; I walked too fast and was unintentionally rude… Young Master Xue.”

She had just come out of the Empress Dowager’s palace, and after drinking tea all afternoon, she was sore and exhausted. She hadn’t expected to accidentally bump into the Third Young Master of the Xue family it was truly fate.

Under the cold, pale moonlight, Xue Xuening’s face was half-buried in the night, only allowing a glimpse of those pursed, thin lips exceedingly beautiful.

“I have offended you; I hope Miss Yao will forgive me.”

Yao Jingqiu’s heart warmed.

Xue Xuening’s nature was cold and detached; he was solely devoted to poetry and books, rarely leaving the house except to go to the Imperial Academy, and never accepted anyone’s invitations.

To be able to be alone with him now was truly a gift from heaven.

She said softly: “I know you have studied the books of the sages and naturally understand human emotion. It has been four years since we parted in Liancheng, and it feels as if it were yesterday. Since we have the fortune to meet again today, have you ever thought of continuing our past connection?”

She said it with sincerity, but Xue Xuening’s expression grew increasingly cold.

Qin Guan couldn’t help but chuckle.

What past connection? Which past connection?

Does she mean when she kidnapped him like a horse groom years ago? Or when she forcibly pinned him to Mount Mawei, nearly treating the sun and moon as witnesses to get married on the spot?

As expected of the eldest daughter of the General Zhao Wu’s manor truly a stream of marvelous words. A strange woman indeed; I fear you couldn’t find anyone as interesting as her even if you turned Liancheng upside down.

Even a gentle gentleman like Xue Xuening couldn’t help but say in a deep voice: “Miss Yao, these words are too serious. For the sake of each other’s reputation, I shall pretend I never heard them.”

But who was Yao Jingqiu? Raised in a frontier town since childhood, she was long accustomed to dealing with rough and uncouth soldiers, and she was proficient in swords and archery. She had never been bound by the rigid etiquette of an official’s daughter; once she liked something, she was determined to get it.

Yao Jingqiu’s voice rose with every syllable as she said calmly: “Why should you panic, Young Master? Xue Young Master is a leader among scholars, and I am a hero among women are we not a match made in heaven? Why don’t I ask my father tomorrow to report to the Emperor to grant us a marriage? It would be a fine story to tell and would not waste our time.”

“…”

Such words were too shocking. Xue Xuening frowned slightly and lowered his head to look at her.

This look should have been one of impatience and cold indifference.

Yet, because he was so exceedingly handsome, it made Yao Jingqiu’s heart jump violently, evoking an even fiercer surge of affection.

She smiled faintly, as if the matter were already a done deal: “Young Master Xue, do not worry. Although this marriage is sudden, I am my family’s only daughter, and my dowry has been prepared for more than a decade. I imagine…”

He hadn’t expected Xue Xuening to refuse without mercy: “Many thanks for the kindness, Miss, but I already have someone I admire.”

Yao Jingqiu was shaken by these words, as if struck by a lightning bolt; it took her quite a while to recover. Although Xue Xuening was as bright as jade and famous for his talent, he had always lived in the capital, rarely interacting with others. How could he have suddenly gained someone he admired?

She looked incredulous: “Could it be a fabrication? May I ask the surname and given name of this woman, and where her family resides?”

Then she saw Xue Xuening’s dark pupils flicker slightly, his eyes melting like ice and snow, his expression looking entirely unlike a pretense.

“His surname is Qin.”

“He is indeed a native of Liancheng.”

Yao Jingqiu’s complexion changed first, then shifted from anger to a laugh: “In that case, I truly wish to meet him. I wonder what kind of talent could be so magnificent as to capture the eyes of Young Master Xue.”

At the same time, Qin Guan was happily gnawing on the half-eaten fragrant pear he had swiped from the Zhong Fang Wei kitchen just moments ago, and he nearly let it roll to the floor with a shake of his hand.