Chapter 066 The True Uncle

Chapter 066 The True Uncle

Jian He stepped into Tianjin, where the snow was still thick. The black boots on his feet crunched with each step on the snowy ground.

Without allowing any personal guards to accompany him, Jian He ventured alone up Lianyun Mountain. This mountain was covered with continuous rows of plum blossoms, which were now blozing amidst the snow, exuding a serene beauty.

Jian He knew that Jian Yunyao loved plum blossoms and couldn't help but take a few more glances, wanting to remember this scene to tell his sister when he saw her.

"Woof, woof, woof."

Jian He looked closely and saw a large, all-white dog barking incessantly at him.

"Xiaobai, come back." A clear and crisp voice startled Jian He, making him look up to see the newcomer.

He wore a drab cotton robe and a felt hat on his head, looking like an ordinary commoner. Yet, anyone passing by couldn't help but give him a second glance.

A red mole adorned the center of his forehead, and his face was as smooth as jade, exuding an aura of tranquility distinct from the bustling world.

It was winter, so he was inevitably bundled up, which somewhat concealed his appearance and demeanor.

If it were summer, dressed in a light robe and holding a staff, devout worshippers would kneel before him, while young maidens would be captivated by his bald head, their hearts breaking at the sight.

This monk with a refined appearance was none other than Zhuang Hesheng, once a third-place scholar, now known by the dharma name Yuqing.

Jian He strode forward and put his arm around the man's shoulder.

Zhuang Hesheng was startled by Jian He's action but then clasped his hands together, "This humble monk greets Master Jian."

"Call me Liqiu," Jian He said with a smile, patting the man's shoulder. "You're being too formal. Call me Liqiu; you gave me that name."

Zhuang Hesheng couldn't help but recall the past upon hearing Jian He's words.

Back then, Jian Ming, the eldest son of the Jian family, was ill. Jian Ming and Jian Yunyao were twins, and Jian Ming had his sister take his place outside.

Zhuang Hesheng thus met Jian Yunyao. After some time, Jian Yunyao began bringing along a little boy, who turned out to be Jian He.

As they grew closer, Jian He asked Zhuang Hesheng for a name. Since the first time Zhuang Hesheng met Jian Yunyao was on the day of Liqiu, he casually suggested the name Liqiu.

Liqiu? Jian He was immediately furious, puffing up like a pufferfish.

Jian Yunyao found it amusing, poking her brother's cheek repeatedly and calling him Liqiu.

At the time, Jian He vowed that when he came of age, he would have a proper name. But before he could reach adulthood, on the day Jian Yunyao married, she called him Jian He, yet he insisted that only his sister call him Jian Liqiu.

Zhuang Hesheng thought how fortunate he was to have such experiences: almost marrying the empress, giving Jian He his name, and meeting the talented but short-lived Jian Ming. If Jian Ming had been healthy, Zhuang Hesheng might never have become a third-place scholar or fought on the battlefield.

Lost in thought, Zhuang Hesheng lowered his eyelids, his expression taking on a compassionate air like that of a deity.

Seeing its master and Jian He familiar with each other, the white dog named Xiaobai stopped barking and instead panted, wagging its tail.

Jian He, not waiting for Yuqing to speak, reached out to pet the dog's head, "This dog is truly adorable."

The dog, entirely white, was born in a cold region. Zhuang Hesheng stumbled upon it and couldn't resist. He asked about the price and wrote many couplets to earn enough money to buy the dog.

Zhuang Hesheng smiled gently, rubbing Xiaobai's head, "Are you heading back to the capital city? Take this dog with you; the palace should allow dogs."

Zhuang Hesheng remembered Jian Yunyao's preferences. She liked big dogs rather than small ones, as small dogs tended to bark excessively. She preferred loyal hunting dogs, especially those with pure white fur.

Zhuang Hesheng had always wanted to give Jian Yunyao a dog, but she shook her head, saying, "I won't keep a dog unless it's the one I truly love."

Her bright smile left Zhuang Hesheng's heart pounding even now.

When he saw this dog, Zhuang Hesheng felt certain Jian Yunyao would like it.

However, Jian He refused to take the dog. His sister, now the empress, had many things, whereas Zhuang Hesheng had very few.

"It's rare to have a living creature here. Let it stay with you."

"It has to eat vegetarian food with me, and it's hard to find meat for it. It doesn't get enough to eat," Zhuang Hesheng said. "The empress should like this dog. Although your sister is the empress, she is constrained in many ways. There's also Concubine Chen now."

"Do you know about Concubine Chen?"

Zhuang Hesheng smiled, "Someone sends news about the empress to me. I know the empress doesn't care about Concubine Chen, but Concubine Chen certainly cares about the empress."

Thinking of Jian Yunyao being involved in endless palace intrigues, Zhuang Hesheng sighed. He scratched Xiaobai's chin and said to Jian He, "Take this dog with you. Here, its coat has dulled."

Hearing this reason and seeing the dog's large size and gentle demeanor, Jian He thought his sister might indeed like it. He stroked Xiaobai's fur, "Alright, I'll take it. I'm bringing my parents anyway, so one more dog is fine."

Looking at the monk, Jian He couldn't help but sigh inwardly, regretting that his sister didn't marry Zhuang Hesheng.

Everyone envied his sister, thinking her family background wasn't exceptional, her looks average, and without any direct heirs, yet she managed to secure the position of empress and gain the favor of the empress dowager and the emperor's respect. Only those close to Jian Yunyao felt it was a pity.

Back then, his older brother suddenly fell gravely ill, requiring a large amount of coral grass as medicine to prolong his life.

Lady Li's family somehow learned of their situation and proposed a trade: Jian Yunyao would marry the ninth prince, and Lady Li assured her that the prince would definitely take concubines. Jian Yunyao, who planned to marry only once, was told, "If you marry my son and still act jealous, don't agree."

By then, Jian Yunyao and Zhuang Hesheng had developed a bond, intending to wait until he passed the imperial exams to propose. However, for her brother's sake, Jian Yunyao agreed to marry the ninth prince.

Everything was kept secret from her brother. He locked himself in his room for three days, emerging with a scruffy beard. His first act was to bathe and change clothes, determined to live well. His life-extending medicine was obtained through his sister's marriage, and he wouldn't want to disappoint her by not living fully.

With coral grass as medicine, Jian Ming, who was expected to live only a year, survived for three years.

During these three years, Jian Ming devoted himself to reading and teaching Jian He, finding the best path for him—military service as a general.

Many of Jian He's military strategies were taught by his brother using sand tables. Jian Ming annotated every available military book and left them for Jian He.

Jian He remembered his brother's words, "Your sister has it tough. The higher your position, the less likely the ninth prince will neglect her."

"I can no longer protect Yunyao. You must protect your sister."

Jian He spared no effort to become a general, all to protect Jian Yunyao. He did not want to experience again the feeling of being forced to sacrifice his sister because someone had him by the throat.

It was precisely during that attack by the Di people when his sister made the decision and stood in front of him.

It was his sister who took the longbow from his hands and personally killed her own child.

"Actually, you didn't have to become a monk," Jian He said to Zhuang Hesheng. "My sister is a person who can let things go. She thinks her current life is pretty good."

Zhuang Hesheng laughed. "Empress Concubine Chen indeed has a free-spirited nature, far beyond what Yuqing could ever achieve." Zhuang Hesheng clasped his hands together. "Yuqing has always had an affinity with Buddhism. Once he severed all worldly ties, he left behind the bustling world."

There was actually another secret that Jian He was unaware of, one that Jian Yunyao had kept hidden.

At that time, Princess Ning'an, favored by the late emperor, fell in love with Zhuang Hesheng at first sight. She wanted Zhuang Hesheng to marry her, but he told her that he already had someone he loved—the eldest daughter of the Grand Tutor of the Imperial Academy, Jian Yunyao.

"Miss Jian?" Princess Ning'an's expression was incredulous. "Where is she even remotely beautiful? She looks so plain!"

Jian Yunyao's scholarly reputation was well-known in the capital city. People often speculated that such talent must come from a peerless beauty, but those who met her were always disappointed; her appearance was merely delicate.

In Zhuang Hesheng's heart, Jian Yunyao's eyes sparkled brilliantly when she spoke about scholarship, making her extremely beautiful in his eyes.

Moreover, as age advanced, beauty would fade, but the light of wisdom would only grow brighter.

Zhuang Hesheng told Princess Ning'an, "What I value is not her appearance, but Miss Jian herself."

Princess Ning'an looked at Zhuang Hesheng for a long time before finally saying, "You wait."

What Zhuang Hesheng waited for was the imperial decree that Jian Yunyao would become the consort of the Ninth Prince. For a short while, Zhuang Hesheng even harbored resentment towards Jian Yunyao. Even if she did it for her family, he could understand, but she never spoke to him alone or explained anything before her marriage.

The Crown Prince was deposed, and Princess Ning'an lost her influence. It was only then that Princess Ning'an revealed that she had pushed for Jian Yunyao to marry the Ninth Prince.

Why Concubine Li sought such a daughter-in-law was not because of Jian Yunyao's talent, but merely to curry favor with Princess Ning'an at the time.

Princess Ning'an was the younger sister of the former Crown Prince, deeply loved by the emperor. With just a word from her, the Ninth Prince could secure an important position. Concubine Li thought Jian Yunyao's family background was modest, yet she had a scholarly reputation, so she persuaded the Ninth Prince to marry such a princess consort. Marrying Jian Yunyao wouldn't prevent him from taking concubines.

Later, the Ninth Prince indeed had various beauties around him, which pained Zhuang Hesheng deeply. His beloved was treated this way, and most importantly, if it weren't for Princess Ning'an's infatuation with him and his mention of Jian Yunyao's name, perhaps Jian Yunyao wouldn't have married the Ninth Prince.

At that time, Zhuang Hesheng was a celebrated third-place scholar, and even the Chief Minister tried to make him a noble son-in-law. Yet, he chose to become a monk at that critical moment.

Years passed, and many forgot the once-brilliant third-place scholar, but Princess Ning'an did not. She occasionally sent news, such as the matter of Concubine Chen, which came from Princess Ning'an.

Looking at Zhuang Hesheng's expression, Jian He felt somewhat helpless. "If you truly severed all worldly ties, how would you know about Concubine Chen?"

Zhuang Hesheng smiled faintly. "I mentioned earlier that someone told me. There is an old friend in the capital who sends news about the Empress every three months."

Jian He was taken aback. "Why haven't you mentioned this before?"

"There was no Concubine Chen back then."

The news sent every three months used to be ordinary, but Zhuang Hesheng, now a monk, still cared about Jian Yunyao in the secular world.

"I understand," Jian He said.

Regardless of whether Zhuang Hesheng wanted to return to secular life, there was no need for Princess Ning'an's people to visit anymore. From Zhuang Hesheng's tone, it seemed he still wanted to know about the Empress. His people could deliver the news.

"This plum grove has expanded, hasn't it?"

"The local governor loves plums and planted more trees on Lianyun Mountain."

"I see," Jian He said. "Shall we take a walk? In a few days, I should be able to see my sister and describe this place to her."

Lianyun Mountain was now full of plum trees, and Zhuang Hesheng had also painted a picture.

He had always thought that if Jian He came, he could ask him to present this painting to the Empress.

Now that Jian He had arrived, Zhuang Hesheng hesitated. As Jian He enthusiastically admired the plum blossoms, Zhuang Hesheng said, "I won't accompany you to admire the plums. However, I have a painting I wish to entrust you to give to an old acquaintance. Please wait here for a moment."

Jian He stepped forward. "I'll go with you."

He took the scroll, and Zhuang Hesheng, having settled his heart, returned fully to being Monk Yuqing, leaving Jian He to his own devices as he went back to the temple to chant sutras.

/

After leading his dog down the mountain, Jian He went to the inn in the city to meet his parents.

Upon seeing the scroll, neither of the elders intended to open it. They simply said, "Since Yuqing entrusted you to give this to the Empress, you should hand it directly to her. No one should open it before her."

Jian He nodded.

The elderly lady curiously looked at the dog. "Is this also from Yuqing for the Empress?"

"Yes."

The elder gentleman asked, "Can you raise dogs? If not, we should hire someone."

Jian He smiled. "I've raised a fine steed before, and this little white dog has been sharing leftovers with Yuqing. Feeding it will be a breeze."

However, Jian He soon faced a challenge. On the short journey from Tianjin to Beijing, the dog became listless and suffered from diarrhea, eventually showing signs of blood in its stool. If the dog died upon reaching the palace, it would surely sadden the Empress.

Jian He decided to seek medical help. The palace indeed had imperial cats and dogs, but this snow-white dog was unprecedented. Seeing the importance placed on the dog by General Jian, someone suggested looking into the Imperial Academy for records to identify the breed and provide appropriate treatment.

Thus, Jian He entered the Imperial Academy with a palace eunuch.