Chapter 64

Chapter 64

During the grand parade of scholars, Yun Zhangxie initially thought he would be a mere background character. Yet, once the procession began, he realized that good looks could indeed be a significant advantage.

Being attractive, whether male or female, comes with both benefits and drawbacks.

The downsides include easily attracting jealousy and exclusion from the same sex, as well as harassment from the opposite sex.

Like attracts like, and opposites attract—this is a natural law.

Envy over appearance isn't exclusive to women. In fact, it's just as prevalent among men, and male jealousy can be even more terrifying. Sometimes, looks alone can lead to ruin or even death.

Of course, compared to these drawbacks, the advantages of exceptional looks far outweigh them.

Take Yun Zhangxie, for instance. His Tanhua title was largely influenced by his striking appearance.

The emperor granted him the Tanhua title not solely out of deference to Yun Zhangyu’s reputation, but primarily because of Yun Zhangxie’s captivating looks.

In the Great Zhou court, an official’s appearance served as the very face of the imperial government.

Even as a man, the emperor enjoyed being surrounded daily by a retinue of handsome and talented officials.

While the world abounded with talented individuals, those who possessed both talent and striking good looks were a rare find.

The emperor was like an avid collector, eager to gather the most talented and attractive individuals into his inner circle.

In this procession, Yun Zhangxie was merely the third-place finisher. Ahead of him were the Zhuangyuan and Bangyan, who should have naturally commanded more attention.

However, Yun Zhangxie was so extraordinarily handsome—it was no exaggeration to say he was the best-looking among all two hundred candidates—that the crowds lining the streets immediately fixed their gaze upon him.

Many began showering him with flowers, perfumed sachets, handkerchiefs, and other tokens.

Flowers were harmless enough; they didn’t sting much upon impact.

But perfumed sachets and coin purses? Those delivered quite a painful thud.

Yun Zhangxie’s slender frame couldn’t quite withstand such "enthusiasm," so he instinctively tried to duck and weave.

Yet, the more he dodged, the more persistently the crowd aimed their throws at him.

Yun Zhangxie was utterly speechless. He spotted a young man instructing his house servant to hurl a pouch at him—one that seemed to contain silver. The sheer force of that throw looked capable of knocking him out cold.

Fortunately, soldiers were stationed nearby for protection. An armed guard swiftly stepped in front of Yun Zhangxie, deflecting a barrage of these aggressively thrown "missiles."

Yun Zhangxie thanked him, but the guard merely smiled and replied, "No need for thanks. I am a friend of your elder brother, which makes me something of an elder to you. It is only right that I look out for you."

The guard appeared young but was, in fact, nearing forty.

He and Yun Zhangyu were close friends, their bond quite strong.

Before the procession commenced, Yun Zhangyu had sent word, asking him to keep a close eye on Yun Zhangxie.

Soon, the procession reached the restaurant where Su Qingruo and his companions were waiting.

Su Qingruo spotted Yun Zhangxie from afar and instinctively waved a handkerchief in the air.

He doubted Yun Zhangxie would see him, as the streets were teeming with people, and their restaurant was equally crowded.

Yet, Yun Zhangxie seemed to possess a telepathic connection with him, quickly catching sight of him the moment he raised his hand.

Yun Zhangxie waved back, then remembered he was holding flowers. He selected a particularly vibrant bloom and, as he passed the restaurant, flung it upward with all his might.

The people in the restaurant, unsure who the flower was intended for, instinctively scrambled to catch it.

To their surprise, the flower ultimately landed in the hands of a simply dressed young man.

At first, they assumed he was an unmarried young man from some family. Later, upon inquiring, they learned he was none other than the Tanhua’s legitimate husband.

At this revelation, their jealousy dissipated, replaced only by sighs of admiration—such a handsome Tanhua, yet already taken.

Su Qingruo was absolutely overjoyed. When Yun Zhangxie threw the flower, he had been genuinely terrified he wouldn't catch it.

Thankfully, he did, and it didn’t fall into someone else’s hands.

Once the initial fear subsided, his heart swelled with even greater happiness.

Clutching the flower tightly, he beamed like a child.

Having witnessed Yun Zhangxie’s parade, Su Qingruo decided not to linger.

Once the procession concluded, Yun Zhangxie would surely return home, and Su Qingruo wanted to prepare a meal for him.

When Su Qingruo departed, Aicao and the others followed suit.

Seeing this, Lin Shi also saw no reason to remain.

In the end, Yun Zhangxie did not return home for dinner. Instead, he was summoned to the main household of the Yun family, accompanied by Su Qingruo and Liu Shi.

In the past, when they dined at the main household, Su Qingruo and Liu Shi were never permitted at the main table.

But today was different—it was Yun Zhangxie’s momentous day, a moment that brought immense honor to the Yun family. Thus, they were seated at the main table.

During the meal, Vice Minister Yun and Yun Zhangyu dominated most of the conversation.

Later, Vice Minister Yun asked Yun Zhangxie if he had any requests. Yun Zhangxie calmly replied, "Zhangxie wishes for my mother to be entered into the Yun Family Tree."

A sudden silence fell over the room; everyone stared at Yun Zhangxie in disbelief.

Vice Minister Yun glanced at Liu Shi, who nervously tugged at Yun Zhangxie’s sleeve.

Yun Zhangxie smiled, gently reassuring her before turning back to Vice Minister Yun. "If Uncle disagrees, then let’s pretend I never mentioned it."

He had been a bit too hasty. Liu Shi was a concubine; the Yun family would likely never agree to her inclusion in the family tree.

Vice Minister Yun remained silent, his expression darkening.

But Yun Zhangyu dismissed it as a minor issue. Smiling, he said to Yun Zhangxie, "If you wish for Liu Shi to be in the family tree, it’s not impossible. Once… your official rank surpasses mine, I’ll arrange for the clan to dedicate a separate page for you. Then, Liu Shi can be entered alongside you in the Yun Family Tree."

A dedicated page in the family tree was reserved only for those who made significant contributions and commanded universal respect within the clan.

This would be no easy feat, especially with someone as accomplished as Yun Zhangyu already ahead of him. Yun Zhangxie himself harbored little confidence.

However, having a chance was better than none. Since he had embarked on the path of an official, he was determined to strive for excellence.

No matter how brilliant Yun Zhangyu was, his current role as the emperor’s loyal servant meant his career path was inherently limited.

But Yun Zhangxie was different. His chosen path diverged from Yun Zhangyu’s, and he believed that with diligent effort, he could ascend to greater heights and achieve more.

Seeing Yun Zhangyu’s pronouncement, Vice Minister Yun also nodded in agreement.

"Very well. If you can truly surpass your elder brother in the future, I will indeed grant you your own page in the family tree, and your mother can be entered alongside you."

After the family banquet concluded, Yun Zhangxie departed with his household.

Upon returning to his courtyard, Yun Zhangmu couldn’t help but complain to his wet nurse, "This youngest son of the Third Uncle’s household is truly arrogant. Everyone in the Yun family knows how little substance there is to his Tanhua rank. If it weren’t for Elder Brother’s help and his good looks, with his academic ability, he wouldn’t have even made it into the top tier. Yet now, with just a little bit of success, he dares to challenge my father. Honestly, he’s utterly insufferable!"

Yun Zhangmu’s wet nurse poured him a cup of water.

"Why bother getting upset with him? His foolishness is his own problem. If he angers the master, he’ll suffer for it later."

Yun Zhangmu also felt there was no need to be angry with someone like Yun Zhangxie.

Meanwhile, back at their home, Liu Shi pulled Yun Zhangxie aside and said, "Xie’er, your mother doesn’t wish to be entered into the Yun Family Tree. I am merely a servant, a concubine—whether I’m in the family tree or not makes no difference. But you—why provoke your uncle over this matter concerning me?"

"Mother, please don’t worry. Uncle won’t hold a grudge over this. As for your future inclusion in the family tree, Mother, rest assured, I will make it happen. You gave birth to me and raised me. If I cannot even accomplish this for you, I would feel unworthy of being an official."

In modern times, whether Liu Shi entered a family tree would be irrelevant, as such traditions hold little sway. Without the constraints of a clan, women might even live more freely.

But ancient times were different; it was an era that often consumed women. Yun Zhangxie’s health was also frail. Should anything unfortunate befall him, Liu Shi’s inclusion in the Yun family tree would at least provide her with some form of protection and standing.

...

On the third day after the palace examination, Yun Zhangxie received his official appointment.

To his great surprise, his posting was to Qiuping County.

In other words, he was returning to succeed his father as County Magistrate.

Third Uncle Yun had served as County Magistrate in Qiuping County for many years, and now, with the help of his elder brother, he had finally been promoted.

Third Uncle Yun was to become a prefect in a southern city. It was likely known that Third Uncle Yun and his wife disliked Yun Zhangxie, and there was concern that the couple would again cause him distress.

Since Third Uncle Yun’s new assignment took him far away, he would no longer be able to trouble his youngest son.

When they learned they were returning to Qiuping County, not only was Yun Zhangxie surprised, but so were Su Qingruo and the others.

To be honest, Su Qingruo was quite happy about going back. He didn’t care for the people there, but he loved the mountains and rivers.

Upon receiving his appointment, Yun Zhangxie prepared to assume office.

In the following days, he and his family busied themselves with packing.

By late April, the entire household departed the capital in a grand procession.

This time, Su Muxu’s family did not return with them.

Having finally established themselves in the capital, they had no intention of moving again.

With the Yun family’s presence in the capital, they had no worries about being bullied.

Yun Zhangyao returned with Yun Zhangxie.

He hadn't completed the Metropolitan Examination and should have left the capital much earlier.

But fearing reprimands from Third Uncle Yun and his wife, he had lingered in the capital, unwilling to depart.

Now that Yun Zhangxie was returning to Qiuping County to assume his post, he had no choice but to follow.

It was rather shameful. As Yun Zhangxie’s elder brother, he was the better scholar, and his health was stronger.

Logically, he should have performed better in the exams than Yun Zhangxie.

Yet, due to his frivolous nature, he hadn't even completed the Metropolitan Examination.

He wondered how angry his father and mother would be once they returned to Qiuping County.

Unlike the anxious Yun Zhangyao, Yun Zhangxie was brimming with confidence and high spirits.

Though he was merely to be a humble County Magistrate, he had great faith in himself.

Qiuping County was not a desolate place; its customs were relatively simple, and the county office staff were all Third Uncle Yun’s appointees. Even if Third Uncle Yun disliked his son, now that Yun Zhangxie had brought honor to the Yun family by becoming a Tanhua, he wouldn’t allow his subordinates to cause him trouble.

This was an excellent beginning for him, an ideal starting point to make his mark.