Chapter One Hundred Eighty-Two

Chapter One Hundred Eighty-Two

Before the Festival of the Little New Year, the mansions granted to the meritorious officials by the Xingping Emperor were all renovated. After all, these mansions were confiscated from treacherous and corrupt officials who had maintained them well thanks to their wealth. However, some damages might have occurred during the arrests, so the craftsmen made the necessary repairs. The Ministry of Revenue then furnished the mansions with items corresponding to the officials' ranks and titles, making them ready for habitation.

The Xingping Emperor summoned all the officials who had been granted mansions to the palace.

There were over fifty officials, and at the front stood two Prime Ministers and three Dukes.

As the Xingping Emperor approached, he was followed by two rows of junior eunuchs, each holding a tray bearing the house deeds and keys.

The officials knelt and thanked the Emperor.

The Xingping Emperor addressed them, saying, "You have all followed me through battles, and you are the group of officials in whom I place the highest trust and regard. I know the military merit silver you received is enough for you to buy large mansions in the city, or even several mansions. Nevertheless, I have bestowed these mansions upon you because I hope you can dedicate yourselves fully to serving me without wasting time on mundane matters like purchasing properties."

"We thank Your Majesty for the heavenly favor!"

The Xingping Emperor continued, "It has been half a month since I ascended the throne. In previous years, the imperial court would start the New Year holiday from the middle of the La month. But now, to stabilize the court as soon as possible, we have to continue working. Even with all the busyness, there are still many unresolved issues in Luoyang, let alone the entire northern region. I wish I could work through the night without sleep, yet some of you are still buying shops and doing business like those profit-seeking old officials. Why is it that when you supported my ascension, you shouted so loudly, but now that I am Emperor, you want to leave all the important matters to me while you focus on making money for yourselves?"

"We do not dare!"

Fan Zhao kowtowed three times, saying, "Your Majesty, I must have lost my senses. Please punish me!"

The Xingping Emperor glanced at him and humphed, "Enough. I know your temperament. It must be that your subordinates wanted to buy the shops and felt it inappropriate, so they urged you to participate as well. That day, I used you as an example in court not because you angered me the most, but because scolding those close to me would make those old officials heartily convinced."

Fan Zhao, relieved that the Emperor did not truly blame him but ashamed of his foolish act, said with red eyes, "Your Majesty, I understand my mistake. From now on, I will consult you before taking any action, and I will not let others manipulate me again."

The Xingping Emperor's gaze swept over the bowed heads of Wei Qi and Song Lan.

There were things he did not have time to consider at the moment, but upon reflection, he understood everything. Considering that the two Prime Ministers used Fan Zhao for the greater good, and Fan Zhao acted for the benefit of his lord, the Xingping Emperor decided not to pursue the matter further.

"You can consult me on major issues, but not on trivial matters as insignificant as chicken feathers and garlic skins. I do not have the leisure to manage those."

His half-teasing, half-reproachful words lightened the atmosphere from solemn to relaxed.

"Alright, go and inspect your mansions. If you find anything unsuitable, come and inform me. If you are satisfied, bring your families back as soon as possible."

"Thank you, Your Majesty!"

——

Almost the entire Xiao family went to the palace that day, and after leaving the palace, they headed directly to their new mansions, planning to bring the rewards stored in the military camp to their new homes later.

They had to remain silent in the palace, but once they passed the gate, everyone became lively.

Qiao Changshun said, "We are living in Anyefang, which is too far from my grandfather's place, about eleven or twelve li. It's even farther than the distance from the town to Lingshui Village!"

Tong Gui said, "We are in Gong'anfang, about three or four li from you, and about eight li from the Duke and Marquis."

Sun Dian said, "Then our six li seem relatively close."

Xiao Yan said, "It's alright. Even though we live far apart, it's convenient to visit you when we enter or exit the South Gate. We all ride horses, so ten li is no distance."

Those living south of the Luo River hurried off, leaving those staying in northern Luoyang to continue together.

Xiao Mu, Feng Ji, and Lu Gong rode at the front.

Feng Ji smiled and said, "Our families live close to each other. We can visit frequently."

Lu Gong said, "Of course. Old Xiao, our families will come with the Imperial Concubine from Jizhou. Have you sent someone to welcome them?"

Xiao Mu: "Got it, got it. You guys have often been away from home because of following the Emperor on campaigns, but this is the first time my family—three generations of us—has been away for so long, almost half a year. We're missing home so much."

Fan Zhao: "Third Master and the others miss their mothers and wives, but since you have your children and grandchildren by your side, who else in your hometown do you miss?"

Xiao Mu: "There are many. I miss my great-grandchildren, the elderly in the village, the village's fields, and its river. Come to think of it, if it weren't for the fear that my grandchildren might cause trouble in Luoyang, I'd really want to retire and return to my village to teach the children there martial arts. The Emperor has many loyal and capable people by his side, so he won't lack one less old man like me."

Feng Ji: "That won't do. We still need to assist the Emperor in unifying the realm. We can't afford to lose you."

Tong Sui and Xiao Zhen followed quietly behind, listening.

When they reached the lane where the Feng family lived, Feng Ji bid his farewell.

Further north was Qinghua Fang, where the Xiao family lived.

The Xiao family bid farewell to Lu Gong, Fan Zhao, and Luo Xiao, who lived even further north.

Upon entering the gate of Qinghua Fang, wherever the family passed, children playing in the streets and elders sitting idly curiously looked over.

When he saw the elders, Xiao Mu would nod in greeting. If he encountered children running around on the street, he would kindly stop his horse, gently urging the children to pass first.

Impatiently, Xiao Yan said, "Please, Grandfather, can we go on ahead?"

He was too eager to see what his new home looked like.

Xiao Mu: "What's the hurry? Unless there's an urgent matter, no one is allowed to gallop through the lanes here. If you accidentally knock someone down, you'll have to go apologize with gifts."

Xiao Yan looked up at the sky.

Xiao Ye teased him, "Doesn't feel as free as the village, does it?"

Xiao Yan glared back, "If you prefer the village, go back. I'm never leaving this place for the rest of my life."

Even the least bustling lane in Luoyang is more flourishing than Ling Shui Village, and there are over a hundred such lanes in the city. Only a fool would miss going back to their hometown.

After riding for the time it takes to drink a cup of tea, they reached the adjacent Weiguo Duke's Mansion and Yong'an Marquis's Mansion.

This time, the Xingping Emperor had bestowed five-hall, three-path mansions upon the duke and marquis families. For families like the Qiaos, Suns, and Pans, who received five-hall mansions due to accumulated military merits of fathers and sons or brothers, they were just standard single-path five-hall mansions.

Xiao Ye: "Let's go take a look at the Duke's Mansion first."

A eunuch was waiting in the mansion to complete his task. After exchanging greetings, the eunuch pointed to ten servants, ten maids, and ten older women kneeling in the front courtyard and said, "These were selected from the confiscated servants of traitorous officials' families. They understand the rules of noble households. The Emperor said to let the Duke use them for now. Keep those who are honest and obedient, and dismiss or sell off those who are not. From today, they are all your household slaves. Here are their indentures."

Xiao Mu received the papers with both hands and once again led the family in bowing towards the direction of the imperial palace to thank the Emperor for his grace.

The eunuch still had to return to report, so Xiao Ye cleverly slipped a purse to him.

The eunuch bid a smiling farewell.

From this moment, the Duke's Mansion officially belonged to the Xiao family.

The Duke's Mansion was a proper three-path, five-hall courtyard. Each path had a small garden in the main residence.

As the old master toured around, he assigned the central path to himself and the family of Xiao Shouyi, Xiao Yu Chan would stay in the side rooms of her parents' courtyard, the eastern path was for Xiao Yan and Lin Ningfang, and the western path was for Xiao She.

Xiao She: "Why would I want to live in such a large courtyard by myself? I don't want to live alone. I want to stay with Grandfather."

Xiao Mu shook his head helplessly, "Alright. You can stay with me until you get married, then you can move out."

Xiao Ye: "Can I also stay with Grandfather?"

Xiao Zhen: "A mansion with three sections this large, it's perfectly fine for our whole family to continue living together."

Xiao Mu: "So you think the Emperor gave us this house for nothing?"

While it's true the whole family can currently live together comfortably, he has four grandsons. Once his grandsons start their own families, they will likely have at least four great-grandsons. When these great-grandsons grow up and start their own families, even a three-section, five-courtyard mansion will feel cramped.

Tong Sui: "We don’t want to be separated from you."

Xiao Mu didn’t scold his granddaughter-in-law and even smiled: "Both sides are connected. As long as I'm around, every first and fifteenth of the lunar month, as well as during festivals, you must all come here for meals."

Xiao Yan, Xiao Ye, and Xiao She spat on the ground, wishing the old man a long life.

Xiao Mu: "Alright, I'm going to take a rest. Second Brother, you and the others go check the Marquis’s residence. There's probably a eunuch waiting there too."

Xiao Zhen, Tong Sui, and Xiao Ye were preparing to leave when Xiao Mu called them back, telling them to wait until the eunuch from the neighboring residence leaves.

In the front courtyard of the Marquis's residence, there was also a eunuch with thirty servants.

As usual, Xiao Ye handed out a pouch.

Ignoring the servants for the moment, the three of them went inside to tour their new home. They had only reached the second courtyard when Xiao Yan and Xiao She climbed over the wall to join them.

Xiao Zhen: "No entrance?"

Xiao Yan: "There’s a corridor leading through, but it’s locked now."

Xiao Zhen: "That doesn’t mean you should climb walls."

Xiao Yan muttered under his breath: "As a Marquis, you sure command respect. You start setting rules as soon as you move in."

Xiao Zhen pretended not to hear.

The layout of the first four courtyards was similar to that of the Duke's residence, but the last courtyard spanned all three sections and had been transformed into a large garden.

Xiao Ye: "I heard that the previous owners of this house had a small family, and the master was fond of elegance, so he spent a lot of money building this garden."

Xiao Yan looked at the pavilions, rock formations, and pools in the garden and then glanced secretly at Xiao She.

Xiao She didn't even notice his brother's gaze, let alone understand the deeper meaning behind it, and simply found the former owner wasteful: "With such a large space, you could at least plant vegetables. What’s the point of just having flowers and plants?"

The backyard of their village home was also quite large, and they had devoted a large part of it to a vegetable garden. Every summer, it turns lush green, and they have more fresh vegetables than they can eat, often sharing some with relatives and neighbors.

Xiao Yan: "..."

After viewing the residence, Tong Sui and her husband remained behind, while Xiao Ye took six servants to the military camp to transport the military rewards for the three of them.

Xiao Shouyi and Xiao Yan were dispatched from the neighboring residence.

Tong Sui and Xiao Zhen first identified the remaining servants.

The young male servants were to be trained and observed by Xiao Zhen, while the older women had specific roles: some were responsible for cooking, some for sewing and making clothes, and others were good at managing accounts. The youngest was thirty-five, and the oldest was forty-five.

The ten female servants were between twelve and sixteen years old, and even the least beautiful was pleasant-looking, with four of them quite pretty.

Tong Sui handled the questioning of the female servants.

Once all the servants had answered, Xiao Zhen pointed out the four who were quite attractive and said to Tong Sui: "These four should serve the wife of our Elder Brother. The remaining six will serve you. Give Fourth Brother two servants; that should be enough."

In front of the servants, Tong Sui agreed. After they had left, the couple moved to the secondary room, where Tong Sui, standing by a long sandalwood case on the north side, toyed with a white porcelain vase and said: "Those four attractive maids might have been personally sent by the Emperor to serve you and Fourth Brother. You're really not taking the hint."

Xiao Zhen remained silent.

After waiting for a while, Tong Sui turned her head to see that he had already lain on the warm couch by the southern window, his hands propping up his head, positioned so he could see her clearly.

His slender and piercing almond-shaped eyes met hers. Tong Sui said disapprovingly, "You’ve probably gotten all sorts of dirt on you, yet you just lie there."

A layer of blue silk quilt covered the bed, shimmering brightly under the sunlight outside. Tong Sui had taken a liking to it as soon as she entered the room.

Xiao Zhen said, "Will you help me take it off?"

Tong Sui glared at him before heading into the inner room.

The furnishings in the inner room were even more extravagant, with zitan wood furniture throughout. The vanity was exquisitely crafted, something Tong Sui had never seen before.

The most striking piece was the imposing, ornate canopy bed in the northern part of the room, with a quilt made of red silk fabric laid upon it.

Tong Sui bent down, her fingertips lightly grazing the quilt.

Back in Shuozhou, Xiao Zhen had also "ruined" some silk fabrics. At that time, neither of them was certain they would live to reach Luoyang. Now, as new members of the elite in Luoyang, they could sleep on such beautiful silk every day...

Suddenly, someone pressed against her from behind, enveloping her in a tight embrace.

Tong Sui tilted her head to the side, allowing him to nuzzle her neck.

He kissed her so deeply that Tong Sui could hardly stand, but she didn’t want to soil the beautiful silk quilt. She quickly grabbed the bedpost to steady herself, not wanting to give Xiao Zhen the pleasure.

Xiao Zhen’s right hand reached inside her collar, cupping her flushed face. His hoarse voice asked, "Are you really being jealous?"

Tong Sui said, "Who’s jealous?"

Xiao Zhen replied, "When we were in the military camp, there were always handsome young men surrounding you. Did I ever get jealous?"

Tong Sui said, "Those were your brothers. Stop talking nonsense."

Xiao Zhen said, "I can't tease you about your brothers, but I can use these maids, who we’ve never met, to provoke you, right?"

His hand retreated.

Tong Sui said, "...I wasn’t jealous. I just meant that if you don’t like them, maybe Fourth Younger Brother might want them."

Xiao Zhen said, "Even if he wants them, it's pointless. Greed for money, power, or beauty are all paths to ruin. As long as I’m here, he has to listen to me."

Tong Sui glanced downward and muttered, "...You’re a hypocrite."

Xiao Zhen smiled and kissed her burning face. "A wife who has been formally married into the family—I can indulge myself with my wife as much as I want."