Chapter 9 On Jianghu Roads, Identities Are Self-Made

Chapter 9: Forging Your Own Path

"By imperial decree: The Marquis of Dingbei is to report to the Western Garden immediately. I wish to dine with my cousin. This is my command."

After relaying Emperor Yan Weichu’s words, the eunuch smiled politely at Xie Xiao. "Marquis of Dingbei, please depart without delay. His Majesty awaits your presence."

Xie Xiao straightened up, his voice calm. "I will change my attire, then accompany you to face the Emperor."

The eunuch courteously assented. Xie Xiao instructed servants to offer tea and hospitality before withdrawing to his chambers.

Su Ping followed, a hint of worry in his voice. "Why has His Majesty summoned you to the Western Garden now? Could there be trouble?"

"I do not know," Xie Xiao replied simply. "You should return home. I’ve had the book you wished to borrow located and will send it to you."

Su Ping felt a pang of unease. They had grown up together on the frontier, as close as brothers. The year Xie Xiao joined the Senior Duke’s campaign, Su Ping’s father passed away, and he was recalled to the capital. Now, after four or five years, he sensed a distance between them, a loss of the former intimacy and frank conversation.

Earlier, encountering Xie Xiao’s carriage on the street, he had used the pretext of borrowing a book to be invited to the Marquis’s residence, hoping to rekindle their old friendship over drinks. But it had not come to pass.

Yet, the one who had summoned Xie Xiao was the Emperor himself, leaving Su Ping no choice but to suppress his displeasure.

*

Inside the palace hall, attendants bustled in and out, setting out dozens of dishes.

A servant reported the Marquis of Dingbei’s arrival, waiting outside. Hearing this, Yan Weichu suddenly felt disinclined to see him.

But he also had no intention of letting Xie Xiao leave.

Xie Xiao entered the hall, yet still could not behold the Emperor’s countenance.

As before, a screen stood before the throne. He stepped forward, bowed deeply, and offered his greetings.

"Cousin, please rise and be seated. I said today I invited you for a meal, so dispense with formalities." Yan Weichu deliberately altered his voice, a trick he’d learned from an old eunuch during idle times, making it considerably lower and huskier than his natural tone.

Xie Xiao did not refuse. After expressing his gratitude, he walked to the long table and took his seat with an air of composure.

Yan Weichu ordered wine poured and dishes served for him, leaning back on his throne, watching with keen interest as Xie Xiao dined.

As the saying goes, "no talk while eating," and so they remained silent. For a time, the vast hall was filled only with the occasional clinking of silver chopsticks, bowls, and spoons.

Xie Xiao sat upright, his posture relaxed, his eating refined and elegant, unlike that of a typical military officer.

Were it anyone else, being silently scrutinized by the Emperor while eating would surely induce a cold sweat and pleas for mercy. Yet, the Marquis of Dingbei ate with perfect equanimity, showing not the slightest hint of awkwardness or discomfort.

Yan Weichu curved his lips into a slight smile. When Xie Xiao finished eating, rinsed his mouth, and offered thanks again, he asked, "Was it delicious?"

"Thank you, Your Majesty, for the banquet," Xie Xiao replied truthfully. "It was indeed a feast of rare delicacies."

Such words from another might have sounded like flattery, but from Xie Xiao, they were merely a straightforward assessment of the cuisine.

Yan Weichu chuckled. "As long as Cousin enjoys it."

He ordered the banquet cleared and tea served, then began a casual conversation with the seated Xie Xiao. "Cousin, you’ve been back in the capital for some time now. Are you adjusting well?"

Xie Xiao replied calmly, "By Your Majesty’s grace, all is well."

Yan Weichu smiled. "Is that so? That sets my mind at ease."

His next question followed: "Then why have you not touched the beauties I sent you? Do you dislike them? Are they not to your taste, Cousin?"

Xie Xiao calmly set down his teacup. "Your Majesty overthinks. It is not that I dislike them."

Yan Weichu did not believe him. "Are they not beautiful enough? Or is their temperament not to your liking? What kind of beauty do you prefer, Cousin?"

"..."

Xie Xiao was indeed stumped by the persistent young Emperor.

The favor of beauties was difficult to refuse, especially those bestowed by the Emperor. He truly had no intention of engaging with those women.

Xie Xiao suddenly looked up, his gaze fixed directly on the screen ahead, though he could not see clearly through it.

Even with a screen separating them, to gaze directly in the Emperor’s direction was an act of considerable daring.

He asked Yan Weichu, "Why must Your Majesty be so insistent on this?"

This was not merely daring; it bordered on insolence and presumption.

Yan Weichu did not take offense, changing the subject instead. "A few days ago, I received a memorial from your father, the Duke of Zhenguo. He also stated that as the heir to the dukedom, it is improper for me to bestow a marquis title upon you. Uncle was greatly alarmed and requested that I transfer your heirship to your younger brother. What are your thoughts, Cousin?"

Xie Xiao’s expression remained unchanged, as if he had anticipated Yan Weichu raising this matter. He stated plainly, "I am willing. Let it be as my father suggests."

"But I am not willing," Yan Weichu said, displeased. "Have you forgotten, Cousin? I told you myself last time—the title is for you, to be inherited by your descendants. My intentions are sincere. If Uncle does not understand, so be it, but do you, Cousin, also misunderstand my intentions?"

Yan Weichu’s tone was a mix of sorrow and grievance. Xie Xiao knew that if he pressed further, the young Emperor would truly become angry. Unwilling to invite trouble, he acceded to the Emperor’s words and expressed gratitude: "Your Majesty’s profound kindness is deeply appreciated. I thank Your Majesty."

Pacified, Yan Weichu then chided playfully, "Rest assured, Cousin. Uncle is muddled; I have already refused him. My heart is entirely with you."

Xie Xiao said no more, gaining a new understanding of the young Emperor’s capriciousness and unpredictable moods.

Observing Xie Xiao’s demeanor, Yan Weichu shifted the conversation back to the earlier topic. "Have you decided how to answer me, Cousin? What kind of beauty do you prefer?"

Xie Xiao could only reply, "I have never considered it."

Yan Weichu signaled with his eyes, and a young eunuch withdrew upon receiving the command. Moments later, he returned with several young men, all with rosy lips, fair teeth, and delicate features.

The young gentlemen stood in a row, heads bowed and somewhat nervous, occasionally stealing glances at Xie Xiao.

Xie Xiao remained unmoved, not even sparing them a sidelong glance.

Behind the screen, Yan Weichu kept his eyes fixed on Xie Xiao’s figure, observing his every move.

"If I were to bestow all of them upon you, Cousin, would you accept them?"

His voice remained low, the emotions behind his words difficult to discern.

It seemed that if Xie Xiao refused, he would be angered.

If Xie Xiao accepted, he would still be angered.

Truly, the Emperor’s heart was inscrutable.

Hearing the Emperor’s words, the young men’s faces lit up with joy, and they gazed at Xie Xiao even more eagerly.

They were all from the Jiaofangsi, musicians of low status. To have the opportunity to follow the Marquis of Dingbei, especially as a gift from the Emperor himself, was undoubtedly a promising path for them.

Xie Xiao’s gaze finally swept over them.

Zhao Anfu, the eunuch, subtly lowered his head, keenly aware that the Emperor’s aura had grown cold.

Only a moment later, Xie Xiao withdrew his gaze and remarked dismissively, "They are merely adequate."

Yan Weichu was momentarily taken aback, then laughed again, his laughter becoming exceptionally joyful. "Alright, Cousin’s standards are too high; he doesn’t fancy them, so let’s forget it. Take them all away, and reward each with ten taels of silver."

The young gentlemen failed to win the Marquis of Dingbei’s favor, but the Emperor’s delight and the unexpected windfall were truly a pleasant surprise. They kowtowed in gratitude and withdrew cheerfully.

"Cousin has no interest in men?" Yan Weichu asked again, still smiling.

Unfortunately, separated by a screen, he couldn’t clearly see the expression on Xie Xiao’s face, only hearing Xie Xiao reply in a calm tone: "Your subject has no such inclination."

Yan Weichu tilted his head thoughtfully... Is that so?

So, was it an impostor that night at Fumeng Manor?

Ha.

After Xie Xiao left, the eunuch who had been serving him food came over and reported to Yan Weichu how many bites Xie Xiao had taken of each dish.

His cousin was not picky with food, except for the water-shield and perch soup, which he had taken a few extra spoonfuls of.

Upon hearing this, Yan Weichu ordered: "Serve me a bowl as well."

He hadn't eaten much at lunch, but now his appetite had returned.

The smooth and tender fish soup, paired with refreshing water shield, indeed tasted quite good.

Yan Weichu's mood improved considerably, so he sent someone to summon Zheng Shize.

"Why did you spread rumors and slander my cousin for favoring men?"

Zheng Shize, who had just stepped into the hall, dropped to his knees upon hearing this: "Your Majesty, I know nothing of this!"

Yan Weichu said irritably: "Get up."

Zheng Shize, feeling unlucky, obediently stood up and moved to the side.

Yan Weichu glanced at him sideways: "Your so-called beauty trap was utterly useless. Cousin shuns women and has no interest in men. Come up with another idea for me."

"..." Zheng Shize thought to himself that unless he were a eunuch—no, not even eunuchs were as ascetic as him.

"Your Majesty," Zheng Shize said stiffly, "remember that play 'The Incognito Travels of the Emperor' you picked for the Marquis of Dingbei that night? The emperor goes incognito, adopting a different identity to approach the woman he fancies. Why not emulate the emperor in the play? Forget about relying on beauties or not—just change your identity and take matters into your own hands."

Yan Weichu scolded: "I’ve been painstakingly trying to win Cousin over to help me. If he doesn’t help me, he’ll only stand against me, and in the future, even I won’t be able to protect him. It’s not as sordid as you think."

Zheng Shize didn’t believe it at all. Yes, yes, whatever you say, it’s all pure and aboveboard, absolutely nothing else.

"I meant, change your identity to get close and win him over. What is Your Majesty thinking?"

"...Go on, what identity should I take?"

Yan Weichu was clearly already tempted; otherwise, he wouldn’t have deliberately hidden himself in front of Xie Xiao earlier.

Zheng Shize didn’t expose him and took the opportunity to tease: "If Your Majesty doesn’t mind, I could have another younger brother, and my father could have another son."

Yan Weichu flatly refused: "No."

If he were to disguise himself as a member of the Zheng family, his cousin would likely avoid him as far as possible.

Zheng Shize spread his hands: "Then Your Majesty decide for yourself. After all, when navigating the world, your reputation is what you make it."

"..." Yan Weichu fell silent, stumped by his words.