The Innocent Heart - Chapter 52

“Qubing, why does it seem like there are so many more people in Chang’an lately? And by their accents, they don’t seem to be from the Three Metropolitan Regions,” Guan Yueyao asked.

After training that day, Huo Qubing and Guan Yueyao were out looking for food as usual. Having grown accustomed to life in Chang’an, Guan Yueyao no longer limited her explorations to the area around the Sheep Market under Huo Qubing’s guidance. Today, the two were headed toward the Six Markets to try the Wu Family’s mutton soup, which had been highly recommended by the soldiers in the camp.

Even though Guan Yueyao was typically unobservant and a bit slow regarding external affairs, she had noticed the recent changes in Chang’an. Huo Qubing smiled and teased his friend, “So, you’ve finally noticed.”

“Are these people really not from the capital region?” Guan Yueyao asked, excited that her suspicion was confirmed. She remained curious about who these well-dressed scholars gathering in the capital were.

“These are the Shangji Li (officials who report the annual account of their commanderies) arriving from various commanderies. They’ll mostly be here this month. My uncle said that once Official Han finishes receiving their reports and these officials return to their home commanderies, the outstanding heroes selected from each region will come to the capital to participate in the Dushi (Grand Military Review)!”

“The Dushi! I know that! Dahao and the others told me all about it! I suppose the city will be this lively from this month through the next!”

Guan Yueyao looked around with interest. She saw a man in his thirties, dressed in black robes, directing his servants to unload a large amount of goods from a shop specializing in capital specialties.

“That’s right. If it were a normal year, the capital’s Dushi would just be a gathering of all the Lang (Court Gentlemen) and the officers of the Northern and Southern Armies, overseen by the General. But this year is different—even the elite from every commandery are competing! If only I had a chance to go down and compete against them, that would be wonderful!”

Thinking of this, Huo Qubing couldn’t help but feel a tinge of regret. Such a rare, grand event—he didn’t know if it was a whim of the Emperor or if it would become an annual tradition. It probably depended on how this year’s review turned out.

“I can! I can! When I enter the competition, you have to cheer for me!” No sooner had Huo Qubing finished speaking than Guan Yueyao reminded him, not without a hint of pride.

“Humph!” Huo Qubing gave an indignant huff and didn’t acknowledge her suggestion. He then added, somewhat reluctantly, “Do you think if I went to pester my uncle, he would agree to make an exception and let me participate in this Dushi?”

Guan Yueyao glanced sideways at her friend. His brows were furrowed, and he seemed to be genuinely contemplating the feasibility of such a move and the probability of his uncle agreeing. She didn’t overthink it; she simply felt that if they could compete alongside each other, it would be something truly worth looking forward to.

Guan Yueyao nodded eagerly and encouraged him, “I think it’s worth a try! Should I go with you to talk to Lord Wei?”

The two put their heads together and felt the plan had a decent chance of success. No longer in the mood for mutton soup, they turned their horses around and hurried back toward the estate.

“Absolutely not! The Dushi is a grand affair of state; it is no child’s play. If I make an exception for you today, I will have to make one for others tomorrow. Furthermore, you would be participating in the Dushi as a private citizen. How would that make those heroes from the commanderies, who traveled thousands of miles to the capital, view you? How would it make them view me, the Wei family, or the Emperor?”

Neither of the two teenagers expected that when Wei Qing heard their plan, he would not only fail to show appreciation or praise, but would instead refuse their request in stern, uncompromising language.

Wei Qing was usually gentle, and these were two young juniors he held very dear. After finishing his harsh words, he saw the uneasy and bewildered expressions on the faces of his nephew and Guan Yueyao, and his heart softened.

“Qubing, I know your intentions are good; you are eager to verify the results of your training over these past months in a competitive setting. However, I believe that haste makes waste. You are only eleven; you have a long road ahead of you. Why be in such a hurry to compete against soldiers who are more than ten years your senior?”

Wei Qing comforted his nephew with gentle words. He saw Huo Qubing, usually quite composed, flushing red as he realized his error, likely feeling embarrassed.

“Lord Wei, please don’t blame Qubing. It was all me—I was the one who encouraged him to come and plead his case to you!” Guan Yueyao, fearing that Wei Qing was still blaming her friend, quickly took the blame upon herself.

Wei Qing saw both Huo Qubing’s regret and Guan Yueyao’s protectiveness. The last trace of irritation faded, and the familiar, gentle smile returned to his face.

“Yueyao, you don’t need to shield this boy. He has a mind of his own. If he hadn’t already made up his mind, neither you nor even the Emperor could persuade him.”

Wei Qing looked at the two teenagers standing before him, both looking dejected. Qubing must be very disappointed that he cannot participate, he thought.

“Alright, you don’t have to put on that face for me. Yueyao is participating in the Dushi, isn’t he? I will permit you to watch from the sidelines when the time comes,” Wei Qing said with a smile, finally reaching out to pat his nephew’s head.

Huo Qubing pursed his lips. Although he didn’t voice his agreement, he eventually nodded obediently.

“All right, since you’ve come back so early today, hurry and go have your dinner. If you stay here in my study for too long and go hungry, your mother will come and nag me again.”

Wei Qing shooed the two teenagers, who were still lingering in his study, out of the room. Only after their backs disappeared from view did he heave a quiet sigh.

In truth, there was one vital reason he didn’t want to grant Qubing’s request, which he hadn’t voiced. Customarily, those who participated in the commandery-level Dushi were local officials—commanders, assistants, or marshals. By Han law, men became eligible for military service at twenty-three. Though there were rare exceptions, standard practice dictated that only healthy men of twenty-three were inducted for military duty. To reach a rank like a commandery commander, one had to be either exceptionally valiant or have years of deep-rooted experience in the military.

Huo Qubing was only ten years old. Even if he were truly gifted, his chances of winning against adult men who had long been tempered by battle were slim. The disparity in physical development due to age was not something easily overcome by technique alone. Wei Qing did not want his nephew to face such unnecessary setbacks so early in life.

As he thought about this, Guan Yueyao’s fearless, bold face appeared in his mind. If he hadn’t already been bestowed the title of Langzhong by the Emperor, Wei Qing would have blocked him from participating as well.

But does this youth really need me to protect him so cautiously? Recalling the time he himself had suffered a defeat at Guan Yueyao’s hands, Wei Qing suddenly felt unsure. Perhaps Guan Yueyao could rely on that extraordinary swordsmanship of his to perform something astonishing at this Dushi?

At the thought, Wei Qing found himself unable to stop a surge of anticipation.

Back in their room, the two teenagers were worlds apart in mood. Compared to Guan Yueyao’s dejectedness, Huo Qubing, the person truly affected, seemed much more at ease.

“Hey, I’m not even that heartbroken about not being able to go, so why are you so upset?” Seeing his friend sitting at the desk looking sullen, Huo Qubing couldn’t help but laugh. He understood that his friend was only feeling indignant on his behalf. At this, his heart softened, and the last shred of regret in his mind completely vanished.

Huo Qubing sat down beside Guan Yueyao with a smile and nudged him with his shoulder. “Ah Yao, are you hungry? Should I have the maids set out dinner?”

His tone was so relaxed that when Guan Yueyao looked up to meet his eyes, the disappointment and indignation still lingering in his own were evident. “You’re just giving up like this?” Guan Yueyao asked, his voice filled with dissatisfaction, making his words sound like an accusation.

“I’ve thought it over, and I think my uncle is right. A state cannot stand without law, and a people cannot be governed without discipline. It is a minor matter, but if I allow my uncle or the Wei family to bear the reputation of being arrogant for such a thing, it truly isn’t worth it.”

As if to soothe his friend’s lingering low spirits, he added with a smile, “Just as my uncle said, there is plenty of time in the future. Are you worried that we won’t have the chance to compete against the country’s elite to our hearts’ content later on?”

“Of course not! We are still so young; there will only be more such opportunities in the future!” Guan Yueyao replied quickly.

“Exactly! There will be plenty of chances. If I train for a few more years, I’m afraid even you won’t be my match!” Huo Qubing intentionally exaggerated, which successfully drew Guan Yueyao’s thoughts elsewhere.

“In your dreams! You are improving, and so am I. Don’t think you’ll surpass me so easily!” Guan Yueyao countered, refusing to admit defeat.

He was not the type to sit still and wait for others to overtake him—not even Huo Qubing. Seeing his friend regain his usual vitality, Huo Qubing finally felt completely relaxed. However, looking at his happy face, he kept another layer of worry to himself.

The Wei family had risen to power through matrimonial ties and gained sudden wealth, which naturally attracted scrutiny. Furthermore, his own background and that of his younger uncle were often subjects of criticism. Most importantly, while the Wei family was currently highly favored by the Emperor, and his Third Aunt (Empress Wei) was becoming increasingly influential in the palace, the Wei family’s foundations were not stable.

Outwardly, the men of the Wei family had yet to demonstrate their capabilities through concrete achievements. Inwardly, his Third Aunt still lacked a prince to solidify her position. In the wake of the deposed Empress’s fallout, and with the Chen family and the Grand Princess Guantao both in decline, the Wei family had to remain prudent and composed, acting as a model of integrity to avoid unnecessary suspicion from the Emperor.

These survival tactics for noble families, which Wei Qing was reluctant to have him exposed to too early, were things he had already intuited through his day-to-day observations. But looking at Guan Yueyao, who remained completely oblivious to the crushing gears of power, he couldn’t help but chuckle. Perhaps that is the same feeling my uncle has when he looks at me, he thought with a helpless smile.