Chapter 181: The Second Prince’s Grand Ambitions

Chapter 181: The Second Prince's Grand Ambitions

Throughout the journey, Huang Wenyao had been resting with his eyes closed, showing no intention of speaking to Xiao Yiyuan. Meanwhile, Xiao Yiyuan was rapidly thinking about what to say next.

It was clear that the Second Prince intended to use him against the Marquis of Yongning’s household. However, he didn’t understand his own worth in this scheme. Even if the Marquis were to die, and his sons were not yet grown, they were still out of his reach.

Moreover, what grudge did the Marquis of Yongning's household hold against the Second Prince?

Regardless, as the one being used, he would not end well, whether in the conflict between the Marquis of Yongning’s household and the Second Prince or in the event of either’s victory or defeat. The best way to protect himself was to stay far away and not get involved.

But was that possible?

Xiao Yiyuan glanced at Huang Wenyao with his eyes closed and thought it probably wasn’t. His hands clenched tightly together, he knew he had to find a way to extricate himself.

"Mr. Huang, we have arrived."

The carriage stopped, and the voice of a servant came from outside. Huang Wenyao opened his eyes, gave Xiao Yiyuan a smile, and gestured for him to exit first, "After you, Young Master Xiao."

Xiao Yiyuan nodded slightly, and after Huang Wenyao alighted, he stepped out of the carriage. He turned to see a teahouse and followed Huang Wenyao inside, where Huang secured a private room, and they entered one after the other.

Once seated, Huang Wenyao, holding his teacup, looked at Xiao Yiyuan and said, "I hear that despite your family's poverty, you're quite the scholar."

"It's merely the result of hard work," replied Xiao Yiyuan.

Huang Wenyao smiled, took a sip of his tea, and said, "I, too, have been fond of reading since childhood. My family exhausted their resources for my education, but alas, luck was not on my side, and I could go no further than achieving the degree of a successful candidate in the imperial examinations."

Xiao Yiyuan sipped his tea, not picking up the thread of conversation. He feared that an offhand remark could give the other man leverage over him. He had to admit, coming from a remote area, he could not compare with the worldly experience of these capital residents. Thus, it was best to speak less.

Huang Wenyao seemed to have no intention of forcing a dialogue. He continued, "A successful candidate can indeed be recommended for a government post, but not everyone has the privilege of recommendation. Like me, without family connections or influence, even with some silver in hand, I am nothing compared to the nobles in the capital."

Xiao Yiyuan continued to drink his tea in silence while Huang Wenyao went on: "You know of the Duke Tang’s household, I presume?"

Xiao Yiyuan shook his head slightly, and Huang Wenyao smiled at him, saying, "The current lady of the house at the Marquis of Yongning’s residence, the Marchioness, is born of the Duke Tang’s household. It is said that the Marchioness was the apple of Duke Tang's eye during her time in the women's quarters."

"I digress," continued Huang Wenyao, "Duke Tang's eldest son, Tang Shubai, merely went through the motions of taking the exams for a scholar’s degree and was then recommended for an official post; he is now a high-ranking official of the second rank. Duke Tang’s second son, Tang Shujie, it is said he never sat for the examinations, but he holds a high position in court all the same. Oh, and the third son of the Duke Tang’s household, he passed the highest imperial examination and became an official. While most scholars start off as minor seventh-rank officials, he was directly appointed to a fifth-rank post."

Huang Wenyao sighed deeply, and Xiao Yiyuan could feel its sincerity. Then he heard Huang say, "Once you've been in the capital long enough, you'll understand. The imperial examinations may lead to an official post, glory for the ancestors, but without connections, patronage, or silver, even if you become an advanced scholar, you'll hang at the seventh or eighth rank for life. A mere cough from a high-ranking official can leave you breathless."

His gaze deeply fixed on Xiao Yiyuan, he said, "Young Master Xiao, you understand now, don't you? Birth, birth, birth. Without it, ascending to the imperial court is harder than reaching the heavens."

Xiao Yiyuan's hands curled slightly, remaining silent. He was already aware of Huang Wenyao's words. Although no one had spoken of these things to him before, some matters were self-evident upon reflection.

Their village had a river that never ran dry, even during the dry season. The villagers treasured it as their lifeblood, guarding it during drought years to prevent others from taking the water.

This was the barrier between villages, hard to break because it involved the survival of an entire village.

Social classes were the same. Officials, scholars, they had their interests. The imperial examinations could change one's fate, leap across classes, but upon entering that class, one was still at the bottom. How could the established families, holding power for years, easily share with someone new to their class?

Hence, he never dreamt of an instant rise to the top.

"Young Master Xiao is fortunate indeed!" Huang Wenyao continued, "With such a distinguished grandfather, had you lived in the capital all along, under Marquis Yongning’s personal tutelage, you might now be his heir, perhaps even serving in court. No need for the arduous studies and examinations. It's a pity, with Marquis Yongning remarrying, the title has passed on to another."

Huang Wenyao looked at Xiao Yiyuan, noting his calm demeanor, neither angry nor excited, which slightly furrowed his brow. After a moment, he added:

"It's not without remedy. Although Marquis Yongning's house has the Duke of Tang's backing, Xiao Huai is dead, the heir is of little use, and the second son, even less so, idle and unlearned, simply waiting to die. You cannot be compared with them. With the Second Prince's support, I dare say, you could be the future Marquis Yongning."

"Mr. Huang, please be cautious with your words," Xiao Yiyuan interjected swiftly. "I've never harbored such thoughts. Indeed, my grandfather is named Xiao Chengkun, but there are many with that name. There's no proof that the old Marquis Yongning was my grandfather. I know nothing, can do nothing; I can only study. I am grateful for the Second Prince's favor."

With that, he stood up and bowed deeply, "Mr. Huang, I must take my leave."

As he stepped away, Huang Wenyao, not having completed his task, couldn't let him go and reached out to grab his sleeve, saying, "Marquis Yongning holds an exalted title; do you truly not desire it? You've suffered so much while others revel in luxury. Are you content with this?"

Xiao Yiyuan kept a stiff face, silent. Huang Wenyao thought his words were taking effect and added, "Young Master Xiao, it's an exalted title! Just nod, follow the Second Prince's instructions, and he assures you will be the next Marquis Yongning. Young Master Xiao, you..."

"Bang!"

Suddenly, the door was kicked open. Huang Wenyao and Xiao Yiyuan, startled, turned quickly to look. They saw a boy of about fourteen or fifteen, dressed in coarse clothes, standing at the doorway with a long knife, his expression indignant. Beside him stood two young men in fine clothes, looking on with amusement.

The boy was none other than Xiao Yuming, who served as an attendant to the great general. The ones beside him were Qi Er and Yan Wu.

"The Second Prince has quite the nerve, thinking he can appoint whoever he wishes as Marquis Yongning! Does he believe he can command the world?"

ps: The Second Prince seems to grow more foolish, a flaw in the emperor's lineage, not my fault.